The weekend was sure to be a wash out. The weather called for strong winds, cold temperatures  and rain. “Is it really the end of May?” I wondered. How quickly I had forgotten the bi polar nature that is Central NY weather. I had been spoiled by the nice weather in North Carolina. All I could do was pray that Sunday, Stephanie & Brian’s wedding day, would not reflect what the weather man was saying.

Low and behold, Sunday was perfect! Things warmed up to at least the 60’s, the sun shown down, and even the wind calmed itself. It was the ideal spring wedding day! As I drove onto Casowasco’s winding path, nostalgia flooded my senses. This camp is a treasure box of childhood memories for me. The fact that Stephanie and Brian met there and fell in love was the perfect little cherry on top of my sentimental ice cream sunday! Their ceremony took place in the sweet Lake View Chapel on site, with just a few decorations it was perfect for their sweet ceremony. Then we were off to Emerson Park, who’s white walls and industrial duct work made for a striking contrast. Though both venue’s were different, the minimalistic design that Steph and Brian orchestrated tied them together perfectly! Elegant Orchids in their decorated pots were placed on each table & vases filled with colorful stones and candles helped to set them off. Simple hints of blue popped here and there and the beauty of the day really shone through!

The most significant part of the day though, was the profound sense of love. This is my favorite part of a wedding day. You can have 500 people or 50 and it doesn’t matter. If that sense of love is there, it brings EVERYONE together. And so it did for Stephanie and Brian. Smiles, laughs, and happy tears were shed that day all to celebrate this jubilant couple. I was so blessed to be able to capture all of the beautiful moments from that day. Thank you Stephanie & Brian, your day was absolutely beautiful!

XOXOXO,
Mabyn

Photo by Emily Elizabeth Studios

It’s not often that I get a special “Groom’s Perspective” on the day. Brian sent me his own synopsis of their gorgeous wedding day:
Where to begin? How about by starting off that I’m married, and it is the happiest thing to happen to me thus far! Everything about our special day was perfect. The ceremony went very smoothly even though there were a few hiccups, it was perfect. My bride to be was beautiful as every when she appeared in the doorway of the chapel. All the events and planning leading up to this amazing day was a true experience. We had ups and downs in the planning process, but who doesn’t?

To bring us up to speed on all of this, let me go back in time 1 year 4 months and 7 days. This is the night that she said yes! We were on a bus back from the Big Apple and that’s when it hit me. Tonight is the night I ask my bride to be to marry me! When we got home from our day trip we were unwinding and getting ready to go to sleep. While she was in the other room I snuck off to my hiding spot to fetch the ring. I came back to the bedroom and was lying down on the bed relaxing. She came over to sit and we started to talk. I asked her if she gotten everything she wanted for her birthday? By this time it was past midnight so her birthday was actually over and it was a new day. I told her I had one more gift for her, so I revealed the ring and I told her with this ring I promise to love you and to stand with you at the altar when the time is right, and I placed the ring on her finger. I know I didn’t ask the traditional will you marry me question but I got my point across. Then the planning began.

For the next year we worked daily, or as often as we could to get everything ready for our special day. Planning for our wedding was a big challenge, but in the end it was actually fun and exciting. We had the help from some of our amazing friends and family to help piece together the big picture and create a master piece. When the weekend of the wedding finally arrived everything was breathe taking. My groomsmen and her woman were amazing. We all had the best time bonding while we prepared ourselves for the day.

To conclude all of this, I cannot express how happy and thankful I am for everything. Everybody from the photographers, DJ, limo drivers, family, and friends were all flawless. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to be surrounded by while I gave my heart away at the altar. If given the chance to do this all over again with the same her, I would do it in a heart beat, and I wouldn’t change any of it!

Now here’s Steph’s perspective!:

How did your fiancé propose?
On Saturday, February 4, 2012, Brian and I took an early morning bus to NYC; it was my birthday. Brian had bought tickets to the Syracuse Univ. vs. St. John’s Univ. basketball game as my gift. We spent the day exploring NYC (Brian had never been) and watching the Orange defeat the Thunderbirds. Then, we took a bus back to Boston. Late that night, Brian and I were lying in bed talking about all we had done that day. He then asked me if I had gotten all that I wished for my birthday. At that moment, I knew. He brought out the ring and the rest is just a blur. Since it was after midnight, officially February 5, 2012, we had to wait until morning to tell all of our family and friends. Brian had asked my father for permission, which I love and appreciate.
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..):
Brian and I met as volunteer counselors at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center during Camp Echo, a New Year’s Eve camp, during the winter of 2010-2011. After deciding to have the wedding in NY (as opposed to Boston), we knew we wanted to get married where we met. As for the reception, Brian remembered going to Emerson Park for school field trips. It’s close to Casowasco and was a beautiful location for the reception. As for picking our date, we wanted to get married in late Spring or early Fall. It is especially beautiful during those times of the year and isn’t too hot! Since we got engaged in February and we didn’t want to be rushed preparing for and planning the wedding, we decided on Spring of 2013. Looking at the calendar, Memorial Day weekend stuck out to us. It was after my semester at BU would end, and it was a 3 day weekend so that we could allow a day of travel before and after the ceremony for our guests. Now, we will always have a 3 day weekend to celebrate our anniversary! J As for colors, I’m getting my Master’s degree in Marine Science, and so needless to say I love the ocean. Blue is a peaceful color, and after receiving color swatches from Tuxedo Junction, we decided upon Malibu and Royal Blue. As for other details, Brian will tell you that I’m the Pinterest Queen and he’s the Craigslist King. I found many great ideas on Pinterest, including the idea to make our own homemade vanilla extract for the wedding favors.
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day?
Playing the board game Taboo with family and friends the night before the wedding in Galilee.
Sitting in the peaceful and relaxing front room of Galilee the morning of as we got our hair and makeup done.
Not knowing where (in which refrigerator) the corsages and boutonnieres were!
My veil flying off my head as Dad and I walked to the chapel from Galilee.
Praying with my dad outside the chapel as we waited to enter.
Serving Communion with my husband to all of our family and friends.
Brian and I being the last to leave Casowasco on our way to Emerson Park for the reception, joking about how we could just leave to go on our honeymoon (do you think they’d notice if we weren’t at the reception?!)
Pat’s Best Man speech and Jess’s Maid of Honor speech
Brian and Buzz doing the Hannah Montana Hoedown Throwdown
When my great Uncle Paul was told to put the garter on my great Aunt’s leg, and the advice they gave us on how to make our marriage last (they’ve been married 59 years)
Getting to kiss Brian every time a glass chimed
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Hm, I don’t know. The Hoedown Throwdown, again, was pretty hilarious!
If you had to do it all over again would you change anything?
Not a thing!
Any advice for future bride & grooms?
All of your guests are there to celebrate YOU! If something doesn’t go as planned, no one will know except you. And even if they do notice, they all love and support you, so they won’t care. Once I realized that I had somewhere to get married, someone to do it (thanks, Dad!), and a place to celebrate afterwards, all of the other stuff was icing on the cake. If something wasn’t done or didn’t go as I wanted, I was still married, and that’s really all it’s about, right?
What was your favorite part about working with Mabyn Ludke Photography?
Mabyn was so wonderful to work with! She has positive, contagious energy and loves to create photos that are different and unique from anything she’s ever done before. She is creative and ‘artsy,’ and I love the perspective she captures with each shot!

Hair: by Ashley Toia//Makeup Artist: Michelle Maw from Makeup by Maw//Dress Designer & Store Location: DaVinci Bridal; Picker’s Elegant Occasions at 8182 Seneca Turnpike, Clinton NY//Jewelry: my “something borrowed” earrings from my mother-in-law Karen Henry, they’re angels J//Veil or Hair accessories: veil from Picker’s Elegant Occasions, hair pieces from AC Moore//Shoes: Coloriffics: Andie style, Ivory satin; ordered online from Zappos//Bridesmaids Dresses: each individually picked out by the bridesmaid (Jess in Malibu; Chelsea, Colleen, and Kayla in royal blue)//Grooms Attire: Tuxedo Junction (Pat in Malibu; Jon, Rob, Mike, Gid, and Buzz in royal blue)//Ceremony Venue: Lakeview Chapel at Casowasco Camp and Retreat Center, 158 Casowasco Drive, Moravia NY (where we met)//Reception Venue: Emerson Park Pavilion, 6914 East Lake Road, Auburn NY//Florist: corsages, boutonnieres, bridal bouquet by Michelle at The Flower Shop, 49 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY; bridesmaid’s plants and reception decorations are Cattleya orchids from Scott at Turtle Pond Orchids nursery online at http://www.turtlepondorchids.com; my “something old” was a handkerchief that my mom let me borrow from my grandma that was wrapped around my bridal bouquet//Transportation: Big D’s Limos at 491 Grant Ave, Auburn NY//DJ: Jane Stebbins from Goodtime Charlie’s Mobile Entertainment//Caterer: Emerson Park//Cake: and other desserts from Mario’s Bakery, Inc. at 505 North Main Street, North Syracuse//Event Designer: Adrienne Zornow and Tim Capwell from Emerson Park coordinated the reception//Lighting: Emerson Park, blue uplighting//Invitations & Stationary: Invitations by Dawn, style: Watercolor Butterflies//Other: Officiant: Rev. Dr. Steve Deckard, Steph’s father// My “something new” was my dress; my “something blue” were the pieces in my hair, the handkerchief around my bouquet, and my garter