Emily and TJ, The Grandview

Emily and TJ

May 19, 2018

The Grandview, Poughkeepsie NY

Planner:  Sandra O’Connell, Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Photographer:  Madison Baltodano Photography

Church:  Our Lady of Rosary Chapel

Florist:  Lucille’s Floral of Fishkill

Hair and Makeup:  Celeste von Damon

Limousine:  A Hudson Valley Limo

DJ:  DJ Dolce, Angela Langdon

Rentals:  Durants Party Rentals

Lighting:  Hourglass Lighting

Photo Booth:  Hudson Valley Party Rental

Hotel:  Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel

 

Ceremony Decor

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.

Glynwood Wedding Chuppah

Also consider using paper or silk flowers for the backdrop. Giant paper flowers would add whimsy and fun to a wedding.

Floral Backdrop

There are many other materials to use for the ceremony backdrop, besides flowers, though.

Reclaimed building materials, such as windows or doors

Window Backdrop

Picture frames

Picture Frame Backdrop

Curtains

Curtain Backdrop

Crepe paper or streamers

backdrop streamers

Paper Poms

Paper Pom Backdrop

Handwritten words displayed on butcher paper

written-paper-scroll-wedding-ceremony

Books

Book backdrop

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.

Congratulations to All Our Couples Married This Past Spring!

Andrew & Leah 3/3 at HVC
Erin & Carly 3/9 at The Doubletree Hotel Chelsea
Brian & Angie 3/9 at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel
Brett & SandiLynn 3/17 at The Round Hill House
George & Kelly 3/24 at The Fountains at Millbrook
Daniel & Kerianne 3/30 at Arbor Ridge Catering & Banquet
Chris & Danielle 3/31 at The Candlewood Inn
Cesar & Bruna 4/13 at The Villa Borghese
Gustavo & Diana 4/15 The Villa Borghese
Arya & Sapna 4/21 at The Hindu Samaj Temple and Locust Grove
Charles & Ashley 4/21 in New Paltz, NY
Mario & Paula 4/27 at Mesier Park
Joe & Marissa 4/27 at The VIP Country Club
Mark & Chelsea 4/28 at Shokan Weslyan Community Church
Shakia & Malcolm 4/28 at Atrium Caterers
Justin & Liz 5/4 at The Grandview
Chad & Kristen 5/5 at The Grandview
Jordan & Jordan 5/6 at The Full Moon Resort
Lisa & Terry 5/12 at The Skytop Steakhouse & Brewing Co
Earl & Rina 5/12 at Pamela’s on the Hudson
Dominick & Melissa 5/13 in Poughquag, NY
Christopher & Jessica 5/18 at The Grandview
James & Sharon 5/19 at The Rhinecliff
Krystal & Patrick 5/19 at Lake Minnewaska
Matt & Amanda 5/19 in North Salem, NY
Evangelos & Kimberly 5/19 The Ham House
Rosa & Austin 5/19 at The Gosling Pond B&B
Elaine & Davanh 5/19 at Beckwith Pointe
John & Sharon 5/20 at FEAST at Round Hill
Keith & Diandra 5/20 at Catlin Gardens
Jason & Regina 5/26 at The Wilderstein Historic Site
Laura & Shaun 5/26 at West Park Winery
Tom & Kelley 5/26 at Oceanbleu Beachfront Catering
Adam & Elizabeth 5/27 in Kingston, NY

Choosing Your Wedding Colors

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.

Wedding Planning On A Budget

Weddings can be expensive. Many people save most of their lives for their wedding, and can easily spend thousands alone on just the dress. However, planning your own wedding on a strict budget isn’t impossible. In fact, many find it gives them a chance to be more creative, and make a more personable wedding experience, for both you and your guests. With so few couples looking to save, a more competitive wedding vendor market has emerged. You’ll find that not only do you have more options to choose from, but that it is also easy to stick to the budget you’ve set, and not sacrifice your dream wedding.

There are a few tips that you can follow that will help you save money and cut spending, all while not sacrificing your wedding vision.

~ As little as choosing the right date for your big day can affect the overall cost. Wedding venues, such as reception halls, will ask near three times the cost for a summer or fall wedding, compared to on off-peak season date.

~ You can also choose a flower that is in bloom during your set date, which cuts down on the costs of expensive imports.

~ When it comes to the dress, avoid those expensive retail stores and check out your online resources. You can find designer dresses for a fraction of the price, sold by former brides.

~ For those brides and grooms who are particularly creative, consider the following options: baking and decorating your own wedding cake, sewing your own gown or bridesmaids dresses, creating gifts for the guests and more.

~ As for the venue, you can easily cut your wedding expenses in half by choosing an nontraditional location. For example, a friend’s back yard, farm, or property.

The best part about planning a wedding on a budget? It gives you a chance to think outside the box, and make your big day a truly memorable one.

Your Outdoor Wedding

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.”

A Few Of Our Favorite Photographers, Amazing Weddings, Wonderful Couples & Their Photos ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hudson River Photographer

Hudson River Photographer
845-876-0652
www.hudsonriverphotographer.com
diane@hudsonriverphotographer.com

Mandy & Jamie ~ May 15, 2010 ~ Mount Merino Manor
Jamie & Sam ~ August 7, 2010 ~ Private Home, Jewett & Hunter Mountain

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Congratulations to all our May couples!

A big Congratulations to all of our couples that were married this May!

Katherine and Kellan 5/1 at The Poughkeepsie Grand
Amanda and Jeremy 5/1 at Full Moon Resort
Liz and Ray 5/5 at Belvedere Mansion
Kristin and Danny 5/6 at Locust Grove & The Poughkeepsie Grand
Amy and Alen 5/6 at Villa Borghese
Laura and Steven 5/7 at Poets Walk
Kim and Clinton 5/7 at The Cadet Chapel & Eisenhower Hall
Chad and Victoria 5/10 in Central Park
James and Jennifer 5/13 at Marist College
Brenda and Al 5/15 in Stone Ridge
Bridget and Sean 5/15 at The Grandview
Kristen and Daniel 5/20 at The Grandview
Chris and Breanna 5/21 in Millbrook
Christine and Jonathan 5/22 at Colden Manor at the Spruce Lodge
Erica and Evan 5/28 at The Grandview
Amber and Kevin 5/28 at Hunter Mountain
Catherine and Bryan 5/28 at The Grandview
Jennifer and Jesse 5/28 at Four Brothers Restaurant
Helena and Dan 5/28 at The Mt. Beacon Bed & Breakfast
James and Rebecca 5/29 at The Highlands Country Club

Wedding Styles By Season

Summer –
Summer weddings are ripe for an outdoor setting such as a beach, a garden, or a beautiful yard. Take advantage of the long days with an afternoon wedding, or highlight the glorious sunsets by saying your vows as the sun goes down behind you. Use fresh fruits and vegetables to decorate. Bring light to an evening wedding with torches and strings of lanterns in the trees. An extra-summery idea is to use gingham tablecloths with a few sunflowers in metal watering cans as centerpieces.

The bride who marries in the warmth of the summer is a lucky one; over 75% of dresses that you’ll find are sleeveless and/or strapless, making them perfect for the season. Look for light fabrics such as linen, chiffon, crepe, and other light weight silk, so as to not add too much bulk.

You can’t go wrong with an abundance of flowers at a summer wedding. Fill the scene with bright and cheerful flowers such as roses, sunflowers, dahlias, gerber daisies, cosmos, mums, and zinnias. Bright purple dendrobium orchids are much less expensive during the summer months, so you can feel like a queen without the budget of one. An alternative idea is an airy summer look with mostly white and light colored flowers such as roses, stephanotis, white phlox, elegant white calla lilies, huge and fragrant calla lilies, hydrangea, snowball mums, and daisies (also known as Shasta daisies).

Fall –
Think of storybook fall setting such as inns, 18th century churches and meeting houses, old mills and even barns. A fall wedding can be casual yet elegant set in a beautiful old barn. You might also look at an apple orchard, a vineyard, or any place that will have a view of fall foliage. If you live in a climate where the leaves don’t change, look for a venue with lots of rich dark wood and warmth such as a gentleman’s club or university club. A fireplace is an extra special touch.

Set the tone for your fall wedding as soon as your guests enter with sheaths of wheat or corn at the entrance. Choose either rich jewel tones to decorate the room, or a traditional fall color scheme such as reds, oranges, browns and yellows. A modern fall color scheme uses only chocolate brown with light-blue accents. Fill the room with the bounty of the season – pumpkins, cornucopias, acorns, and gourds. Make jack-o-lanterns with decorative patterns rather than scary faces, or use paper bag luminaria for a similar effect.

Generally you can find Mums, roses, daisies, yarrow, fall leaves, tallow berries and both natural and dried wheat for inexpensive prices during the fall. A spray of wheat or a mum accented with a pheasant feather makes an elegant boutonnière. Consider hollowing out pumpkins for your centerpiece containers – if you don’t have the time, many craft and home stores now sell realistic fake pumpkins. But if you go with the real thing, consider white or blue natural pumpkins for an elegant and unique touch.

Winter –
Think about you and your sweetie in the elegant look of old Hollywood; the groom in tails, and the bride in a white long silk dress with a white fur or faux fur wrap. Evoke the season with “ice” –diamond or diamond-like jewelry. 90% of wedding dresses are strapless or sleeveless, but that’s not so practical for a bride who wants to take pictures outside, or needs to walk any distance. Look for wraps, shrugs, and capes, or dramatic coats. And don’t forget your bridesmaids! An attractive wrap to wear on the day of your wedding and beyond makes a great bridesmaid present.

Look for an inn with a fireplace for an intimate winter wedding. For a larger affair, you may be able to use a historic mansion or private club that will still have intimate warmth. Be sure to ask what seasonal decorations they use – you’ll save money as many sites are already heavily decorated. Also, check to make sure your site will be adequately heated during the winter months; old churches can be especially drafty.

Decide whether you want to go for a silver and white elegant look, or celebrate the season with reds and greens. For those who like silver, look for dusty miller, silver-dollar eucalyptus, and baby blue eucalyptus, mixed with white flowers such as roses, football mums, crocus, lilies and stephanotis. If you’re looking for a brighter bouquet, consider red roses with holly and pine-tree greenery. In season flowers such as tulips, roses, and ornamental berries generally will be less expensive choices.

Spring –
If you’re getting married in a church, talk to them about their Easter decorations. You may be able to save money by using theirs. Vendors and sites may be more available in the spring than in the summer, but remember prom; you may need to book limousines and tuxedos extra early.

The preppy pink and green color combination couldn’t be more spring-like, and is perfect for a beautiful, fresh spring wedding. Accent your tables with polka-dot or gingham fabrics and ribbons, and use alternating pink and green chair colors. For a more elegant look, combine celadon green with white, using silver as an accent color. Instead of rice, consider asking your guests to throw rose petals, or release butterflies.

Flowers in season include roses, tulips, hyacinth, lilies and Gerber daisies. Multi-colored calla lilies are very popular and look beautiful in a spring arrangement.

For centerpieces, subtly evoke the Easter season by using white baskets filled with floral form and an abundance of spring flowers. An inexpensive centerpiece for a garden wedding is a terracotta pot with a spring-moss or ivy covered Styrofoam ball affixed to it. Add small candles around it and/or some rose petals.

Consider tying your bouquet with polka-dot or striped ribbon in a bright or pastel color, adding a bit of unexpected pattern and freshness.

New TV Show Casting ENGAGED COUPLES

A Brand New Cable Television Documentary Series is Casting Engaged/Long-Term Couples & their parents, living in the NY Tri-State Area!!!

*Are you 21-35? OR are you parents of kids 21-35 yrs old who are planning on getting married?

* Are you & your partner, OR are your kids getting ready to tie the knot OR thinking about tying the knot?

* Are you super excited about your upcoming nuptials, but want to get to know your future in-laws better? Do you want to get to know your future-son or daughter-in-law better?

* Would you like to better understand your other half & their family by walking in his/her shoes?

If so, they are looking for you!

Premise: For one week, the couples will go their separate ways and live with their partner’s parents, in their household. Couple will experience first hand the way of life for their future in-laws. This will help the partners to experience life as their other half has growing up with their in-laws as parents. At the end of the 5-day week the couple will have a better understanding of each other, their future families and the family will have a deeper bond altogether.

There is monetary compensation if you make the show! ($6,000)

* Please send the producer Christina Caparoula Rich your contact info, photo, brief description of your relationship as well as the fun quirks for each family!! Have a blast with this and good luck!

Christina Caparoula Rich – Casting Producer
christinacaparoula@gmail.com
http://www.mendenhallmedia.com