Wedding Planning and Officiant Services and Rentals
October 8, 2016
Private Home in New Paltz
Church: St. Joseph’s Church New Paltz
Photographer: Nicole Detone Photography
Caterer: Lola’s Cafe and Catering
Florist: Green Cottage
Rentals: Events Unlimited Party Rentals
Hair and Makeup: Studio One
November 5, 2016
Wedding Planner: Lauren Brown, Hudson Valley Ceremonies
Venue: Senate Garage
Rentals: Columbia Tent Rentals
The photographer has decided to not post photos on this blog but have us include a link to the photos:
Do-it-yourself weddings do not have to stop at favors, bouquets and gifts. If you are planning a wedding in a non-traditional setting, think about the ceremony decor, including the ceremony backdrop or chuppah. It can create the stage and photo backdrop for the wedding, as well as making the space for the ceremony and reinforcing the theme.
The first thing someone may think of is a twig and flower chuppah or some other floral arrangement.
Also consider using paper or silk flowers for the backdrop. Giant paper flowers would add whimsy and fun to a wedding.
There are many other materials to use for the ceremony backdrop, besides flowers, though.
Reclaimed building materials, such as windows or doors
Picture frames
Curtains
Crepe paper or streamers
Paper Poms
Handwritten words displayed on butcher paper
Books
Whatever you choose for your wedding ceremony decor, enjoy yourself. Blend it into the ceremony and the theme. Staying in a budget is easy for someone with creativity and cleverness. Think of what will go best in the wedding setting and be easy for set up and take down.
It was so wonderful to work with Laurie and Tom from Platinum Party Events at Twin Lakes in Hurley NY this past October for Amanda & James’ wedding.
A special Thanks to Laurie for the wonderful write up on their blog! Head on over and see what she had to say.
Here are a few pictures we captured of the amazing fall theme and decor Amanda & James had.
Venue: Twin Lakes
Coordinator: Hudson Valley Ceremonies (Sage)
DJ: Platinum Party Events
Officiant: Hudson Valley Ceremonies (Mike)
Photographer: Family Friend
Now that the proposal has been accepted, what’s next? It’s time to create your signature wedding.
What exactly does that mean? It means that from this day forward, until the day of the wedding, you will spend 75% of your time thinking about how to create a wedding that will be like no other. You may not have given it much thought, but most couples have thought about this day for many years and envisioned their wedding in their minds a thousand times. Both of you are about to embark upon what could be a wonderful journey… or a nightmare! The choice is yours. Why leave it to chance that everything will go according to plan? Instead, implement a fail-proof plan. How? By hiring a wedding coordinator
Consider this idea as the first and one of the most important decisions you will make as a couple. Hiring a wedding coordinator will give both of you reassurance that you are making the right decisions about your choices; help bring your dream to fruition; and maintain a peaceful, loving, relationship in the process.
Although most couples enjoy the idea of designing a wedding, they often find that the planning is much more work than they imagined. It takes time and experience to address every detail. Let’s face it, some people just aren’t planners. Planning your wedding doesn’t have to be a frustrating and overwhelming experience. Organization and careful planning are the keys to a stress-free, fun-filled event. Hiring a wedding coordinator will ensure a much happier experience for you both!!
A wedding coordinator will not only help coordinate the details of the wedding but, more importantly, will help to make the process fun, reduce the stress and ensure that you have the wedding you desire. You will not have to worry or become stressed during the planning process. Instead, you both will enjoy planning the wedding.
Don’t misunderstand, you both will still make all the decisions, but consider leaving the details to the experts. Most couples truly enjoy the journey and, even if they don’t, the coordinator will be there to guide them. Trust me on this one, by hiring a wedding coordinator, your life will be happier, because everyone will be happier and less stressed.
Wedding coordinators are trained professionals who know the industry. Couples should understand that they are not just paying for a coordinator to manage the day for them; they are also paying for knowledge, expertise, skills, services and, ultimately, peace of mind.
Wedding coordinators provide a higher level of comfort for everyone. They are able to recommend the right professionals for you. Professionals enjoy working with other professionals. Are trained to handle difficult scenarios and unexpected occurrences at weddings; Are familiar with the latest trends and have the best resources; Know the best locations and services for each couple’s particular needs; Have access to exclusive locations that couples would otherwise never hear about; Can recommend the right wedding professionals for all aspects of the wedding; Are trained to help create a budget, keep expenses within that budget, and protect couples from making costly mistakes; Can save couples time in researching options. They already know what works best and why.
Now that you understand the various roles of a wedding coordinatoe, it’s time to start getting the important questions answered. Setting the budget first is the key! You and your fiancée should agree on the expenses before you begin the planning process. The budget must accommodate the size and style of the wedding. Write down your wishes and desires and compare notes. Distinguish your “wishes” from your “must haves”. Your coordinator can create a budget based on the most important elements of YOUR wedding. He/She can help prioritize which areas are most important to you.
Remember there is always room for compromise. Target more money towards the areas that are most important and reduce the areas that are less important. Your wedding coordinator will show you how to make changes without changing the feel of the wedding. Is it more important to have great food or a great band? Do you want an extravagant cake or beautiful flowers? You can have all of the above with proper planning. Whichever you choose, remember to stay on track with the expenses as you move forward. The budget is one of the most important areas where your coordinator can assist and it’s the start of making financial decisions together, a very important part of marriage. Open and honest communication is the key.
In a post-wedding survey, couples were asked, “If you had it to do over again, what would you have done differently?”
Number 1 Answer: “I would have hired a wedding coordinator – someone to ensure that all of the details were handled so that I could have enjoyed my day without worry.” Coordinators provide this reassurance on the wedding day! It is worth the investment to have peace of mind.
A wedding coordinator is able to provide: Peace of mind while planning the wedding; A great experience on the wedding day; and Wonderful wedding memories that will last forever!
Choosing your wedding color theme is one of the first decisions you’ll need to make when you start planning your wedding. Colors will set the tone of your wedding and determine the dresses, decor, and stationery that you order. Whether you’re thinking about a bold color combination or something more subdued, considering these factors will help you choose the right wedding colors theme.
First of all, consider the colors that will make up your background. For most couples, this will be a church or religious establishment followed by a banquet hall. Take trips to the place where your ceremony is going to happen. What color are the carpets? What color are the walls? If there is stained glass in the windows, what colors are used? Take notes and even take photos of your ceremony location. Then take a visit to your reception hall. Again, jot down or take photos of the general decor.
Think about what colors would and would not go with your wedding ceremony and reception locales. If the church you’re getting married in has red carpets and primary colors in its stained glass windows, a lime green and hot pink combination just might clash. Red, navy blue, dark green, or other bold primary colors would go well with the windows, while in summer you can probably do pastels. Loud neon colors would just be too much when there’s already a lot of color happening.
If you haven’t chosen a ceremony location yet, try to find something with a blank pallet of white walls so there won’t be any limitations in your wedding color combination choices.
Don’t forget to think about your bridesmaids. Although you may look good in every color of the rainbow, your gal pals may not. Some people just don’t look good in mustard yellow or fire engine red. Ask your girls if there are any colors they usually try to avoid and cross those colors off of your options list. Remember that darker colors can have a slimming effect, and weight conscious bridesmaids will certainly not want to wear a shade of white.
Once you’ve narrowed down your wedding color theme choices, think about what colors generally go with the season of your wedding. Oranges and yellows can work great for a fall wedding, while light blue and silver surely speak of a winter wonderland theme wedding. Darker colors are usually used in for a winter wedding, while pastels reign for spring weddings.
Bold colors are great for summer weddings or beach-themed weddings. Although those may be the trends, don’t be afraid to break from tradition to use your favorite color combination. Make sure you choose wedding colors you enjoy, and not an outrageous combination you’ll be sick of by the time your honeymoon rolls around! Follow these tips and you’re sure to come up with the perfect combination for you.
A big Congratulations to all of our October couples!
Sara and Jonah 10/1 at Oak Hill
Crystal and Thomas 10/1 at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel
Carla and Robert 10/1 at New World Home Cooking
Suzie and Tony 10/1 at Belvedere Mansion
Lauren and Rick 10/1 at The Inn at Stone Ridge
Laryssa and Sharyn 10/2 in Elizaville, NY
Rosanna and Carl 10/2 St. Mary’s Church and The Rhinecliff Hotel
Amanda and Brent 10/2 in Hopewell Junction, NY
Nina and Miguel 10/7 at The V.I.P. Country Club
Andrea and Evan 10/8 at Bowdoin Park and Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel
Sasha and Matthew 10/8 at Schultz Hill
Katie and Anthony 10/8 at Emerson Resport & Spa
Melinda and Marcello 10/8 at Renaissance Westchester Hotel
Julianne and Tim 10/9 at The Chapel of Our Lady Restoration
Moira and Robert 10/9 at Blue Restaurant
Alicia and Robert 10/9 at Glen Sanders Mansion
Jillian and Jamie 10/10 at Locust Grove
Georgia and Christopher 10/14 at The Dutchess Golf & Country Club
Shanna and Michael 10/15 in Jewett, NY
Meredith and Nicholas 10/15 at West Park Winery
Eileen and Kurt 10/15 at The Meadowbrook
Jennifer and Robert 10/15 at Brookside Manor
Amanda and Wesley 10/16 at The Candlewood Inn
Wendy and Duane 10/16 at The Garrison
Alexandra and Brian 10/16 at Mohonk Mountain House
Kristen and Jonathan 10/19 in Saugerties, NY
Indy and Keyuan 10/22 at Castle on the Hudson
Jennifer and Paul 10/23 at Villa Borghese
Nicole and Shanee 10/23 at Round Hill House
Jamie and Raul 10/29 at St. Patrick´s Cathedral and Apawamis Club
Kathleen and Brendan 10/29 at Church of the Holy Spirit and Doubletree Hotel Tarrytown
A big Congratulations to all of our September couples!
Elizabeth and Ron 9/3 at Poets Walk
Elizabeth and Dana 9/3 at New York Country Club
Melissa and Jeremy 9/4 at The Links at Unionvale
Nicole and Nick 9/4 at Twin Lakes
Jill and John 9/4 at Millbrook Winery
Kellie and Mark 9/4 at The Falkirk Estate and Country Club
Gabrielle and Dean 9/10 at West Park Winery
Laurie and Rick 9/10 at The River Grill
Kaitlyn and Brian 9/10 at The Onteora Mountain House
Luciana and Eduardo 9/11 at The Ashokan Reservoir
April and Jill 9/16 in Central Park, NYC
Kaeleigh and Cory 9/16 in Gardiner, NY
Nichole and Peter 9/16 at The New York Country Club
Michelle and David 9/16 at The Glen Island Harbour Club
Jennifer and Marcelo 9/17 at The Stony Ford Golf Course
Stacy and Craig 9/17 in Yorktown Heights, NY
Veronika and Brainerd 9/17 at Oak Hill
April and Heath 9/17 in Kinderhook, NY
Sarah and Justin 9/17 at West Settlement
Beth and Hermann 9/17 at Del Posto Ristorante, NYC
Melissa and Kyle 9/18 at The Grandview
Nicole and Derek 9/23 at Arbor Ridge Catering & Banquet
Adam and Erin 9/24 at Mary’s Parish in Greenwich, CT and Westchester Country Club
Jessica and Kyle 9/24 at All Souls Church
Peter and Nicole 9/24 at The Historical Harness Track
Daria and Lukasz 9/24 at Mohonk Mountain House
Nicole and Ryan 9/24 at Overlook Lodge
Aimee and Michael 9/24 at Highlands Country Club
Katie and Rick 9/25 at Mohonk Mountain House
Jessica and Todd 9/30 at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel
Intimate Garden, Beach or Backyard Outdoor Wedding Ceremony?
It’s not just nature lovers who are taking part in outdoor wedding ceremonies any longer. Every year, thousands of couples break from tradition and run to the “altars” of lush gardens, sandy beaches and even the comfort of their own backyards.
So, if you’ve chosen to forgo the family church to say your “I do’s,” then the location of your outdoor wedding ceremony is going to be one of the most important decisions you make during the wedding planning process. A great location will set the mood for the whole day and may even play a big part in the theme and colors that you choose. And remember, there is no reason to believe that an outdoor wedding can’t be just as formal and elegant as one held in the grand ballroom of a swanky country club. So, to get you thinking, here are a few outdoor wedding options that are sure to satisfy your wedding day fantasies:
Many state and county-owned parks offer incredibly beautiful garden areas designed specifically with brides and grooms in mind. These “wedding gardens” can offer lush, well-groomed landscaping that will provide the perfect natural backdrop for amazing formal portraits, and other wedding pictures. And there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on on flowers for the wedding ceremony. Catch a flower garden during the right season and your wedding ceremony will literally flourish with colorful blossoms.
Beach weddings set the stage for incredibly romantic ambiance and offer a unique opportunity to play up ocean-inspired themes. Picture yourself walking down a sandy aisle lined with conch shells, lit with the warm glow of tiki torches, to the sounds of a steel drum band. The setting sun is your backdrop and, just as it dips below the horizon, you kiss for the first time as husband and wife. This may sound too good to be true but for many couples, this was their wedding day… and it can be yours too.
You don’t have to be a homebody to fall in love with the idea of tying the knot in your own backyard. Many couples are opting for a more laid back approach to their big day by hosting intimate weddings in the privacy of their home. These weddings tend to be smaller, but fewer guests mean you can splurge on other things…like an amazing menu designed to satisfy even the most experienced palate.
As with any outdoor event, weather is a factor. When planning your wedding be sure to avoid seasons known for excessive rain. Keep the comfort of your guests in mind. If you want your friends and family to bless you with good wishes, it’s best to avoid months with excessive hot or cold temperatures. They’ll be so glad you did. With a little luck, your day will go off without a hitch no matter if you select to hold your wedding ceremony on a beach, in a garden or in your own backyard, and you’ll be on your honeymoon before you can say “newlyweds.”
Bravo is Casting!!! A new docu-series about wealthy and/or affluent newlywed couples throughout the nation. This series will document a group of diverse couples bound by one common thread – they’re all embarking on their first year of marriage! The team behind this series consists of award winning producers, directors and documentarians and aims to genuinely showcase couples as they live their lives from their wedding day to their first year anniversary. The look and feel of this series will be comparable to the recently-released documentary, ‘Love, Etc’ – ttp://loveetcthemovie.com/
They are looking for fun, engaging, hysterical, classy, couples nationwide who are set to wed between September and November 2011.
Please let me know if you, or anyone you know may be a good fit for this project. This is a nation-wide casting.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
* The Newlyweds is a unique television series that will follow newlywed couples as they experience their first year of marriage. Shot in a documentary style, cameras will capture the experiences and milestones of couples from wedding day to the first anniversary and everything in between. Couples will share both the successes and challenges that come with the first year of marriage.
*Looking for influential, successful, affluent, privileged, fun and exciting couples.
*This is about real people with real stories. Coming from a realistic perspective. No spin. Normal portrayal of couples (same-sex and straight).
*Everyone says the 1st year of marriage is difficult…we want your story, in your own words…We want to tell the story about how your relationship evolves over the 1st year.
*This is a celebration of their love and their journey to a life together
*Vinnie Potestivo Entertainment (VPE) is casting The Newlyweds and the series will air on Bravo
*VPE has more than 15 years of experience working in casting, booking, development and multi-media marketing. Some shows VPE has worked on: Millionaire Matchmaker, The Osbournes, The Hill, and Laguna Beach.
*They are searching nationwide for outgoing and opinionated couples…ages 30-55…same-sex and traditional couples…and all nationalities…who are to be married between September-November, 2011. Weddings can be intimate or over-the-top, but must be upscale.
*The show premiers first quarter, 2013.
*To apply, couples should send 3-5 current photos of themselves include all phone numbers and email addresses for both individuals, scheduled wedding date and a paragraph or two describing who you are.
REASONS TO PARTICIPATE
By participating in this show, you will receive an edited, high quality, professional video of your wedding at the end of the production. Your life will be featured in an 8-episode documentary airing on national television…video will include the family, that you love. what a lovely memento to show your kids…
*Is there a charity or passion project you are involved with? We can follow you as you work with them. A year from now, the organization will be featured on the show and have national platform.