It was meant to be. There are times in each person’s life when you wonder what the future holds, what your purpose is and where life will take you. The friendships you form in high school are tested when life starts to unfold – and do so unexpectedly with twists and turns that take you in a new direction. No relationship is tested more than a romantic one, and Chris and Collen have weathered the storm.

They still remember that first prom, back in their awkward teenage years, and as Chris recounted in his vows, he never understood why Colleen loved him. She was everything to him, and it wasn’t until a few years later when she was facing life threatening illness that he fully realized his purpose in their relationship. He was there to love her, and when there was the possibility that she might not be there, he stood by her side and loved her more. To be there – in good times and in bad, in times of plenty and need, and in times of sickness and in health – is a promise they made on their wedding day. It was a promise in many ways they had already fulfilled, but on this day they pledged to do so for the rest of their lives.

There are few times when I cry at a wedding, but as Chris and Colleen read their vows written specifically for each other, my eyes welled up and hid behind my camera and I continued to document. Here was a relationship so meaningful, so real, you could not help but recognize what they had and celebrate their love… and celebrate they did. Chris and Colleen know how to throw a party and it was an absolute joy to document their day. Thanks again to everyone for inviting me in and I hope you enjoy this small story of the day.

The Cortland Alumni house is a gorgeous venue and of course a significant location to these Cortland grads. It was decked out in feathers which replaced flowers for most of the decoration. It was such a new and beautiful perspective on bouquets and arrangements! 

Isn’t that dress amazing?!

I always love a first look, it’s a chance to enjoy the day more fully and photograph everyone when they look their best, right after getting ready. Chris + Colleen met at the front of the alumni house and she came out the door to great him.

don’t they look so good together? they can easily make each other laugh and have fun on a moments notice which always helps

love those adorable headbands! Feathers were carried throughout the design and executed so well! Such a unique take on boutineers + bouquets.

The weather couldn’t have been better for this outdoor October ceremony. It sneaked into the 70′s at one point which is hard to believe for the fall.

Pumpkins were another decoration that was consistently used throughout the reception as the table centerpieces – and they carved a custom thank you pumpkin.

such a good looking bridal party! There were many unique aspects to Chris + Colleen’s day, her engagement ring being one of them. A family heirloom, I have never seen anything like and love how the rings fit together as one.

as the night progressed, the dancing quickly started and lasted well into the evening. It was a party, a celebration and most definitely a night to remember. Hopefully the photos helped you do so, and congrats again to Colleen and Chris and thanks for letting me document your day!

Who knew Boston would be so gorgeous in November? Yesterday Leslie and Mike were married and their wedding was simply wonderful. When I arrived in Boston on Thursday morning it didn’t take long for the rain to roll in and I soon found myself resigned to the fact that I would move between stages of wet and relatively dry for the next few hours. I ventured in to the city to have lunch with a friend and wondered if the forecast for a clear day on Friday would really come true. It did, with blue skies and gorgeous sunlight and a whipping wind that kept us from delaying longer than necessary on the beach for the first look.

Since Leslie and Mike planned a late fall wedding, when the sun sets around 5 and light is precious commodity, the made the best decision possible by taking their photos before the ceremony. Some people feel as though you miss out on the moment walking down the aisle when you see each other for a first look before… but I think it’s the opposite. You can’t replace the moment you see each other for the first time on your wedding day and being able to stop and enjoy it is something really special. In the ceremony that moment is concealed by stolen glaces as you stand at the altar with 100+ guests watching. At a first look you can laugh, cry, and start your wedding day together and you try to take in the fact that the day is finally here. While it’s not the right choice for everyone it was perfect for Leslie and Mike and as a result we captured some amazing images I can’t wait to share.

Even though Rochester is the city I work most in, I live in the country and I love any chance I have to enjoy city life and all it has to offer. I travel out of state for 5-7 weddings each year and love the change of scenery, challenge of a new environment, and opportunity to explore a location. So yes, you should send me a email to see if I will come photograph your wedding because I love adventures. Now I’m off to explore Boston with my cousin; we’re going to the MfA to see some amazing art and have some fresh seafood for dinner afterwards!

It was a day when a light rain took over the morning and caused the fall colors to appear even more vibrant. There was a feeling of anticipation in the air, as if you could sense there was a wedding that was about to take place. The usual bustle to get ready was concealed inside while outside all was calm. While most people don’t wish for a change in the weather on their wedding day, I love the mood it sets and on this day it definitely added an air of romance.

I first met with Jess a year ago to talk about her wedding and plans for the day. She and Ross were driven, hard working and ready to plan a celebration. I was drawn in by her enthusiasm and couldn’t wait to see what was in store when the day came. Everything was put together with an elegance and refinement that set the tone for the day. Even when the ceremony had to be moved to inside, nothing could rain on their parade and they went ahead with a wedding that will always be remembered… and I have the pictures to prove it! It was wonderful to be welcomed in to the events and document as they unfolded. Congratulations again to Jess and Ross and good choice honeymooning to Hawaii in January – that’s when you need to get away most in New York!

the bridesmaids wore their own choice of fabulous shoes, and these glittery Steve Maddens caught my eye

Jess’s dress was absolutely gorgeous – which of course made her look even more stunning. It honestly fit perfectly…

husband + wife! Right after the ceremony we took a few pictures with the wedding party and then the main portraits of Jess + Ross.

Really, you guys just look perfect together

Inside the guests had fun taking pictures in the photo booth, but I think these kids did the best job using the props…

Everyone danced the night away, and there’s no better way to end it than with a kiss…

Sophie and Peter are the intentional. It was no surprise that their wedding was the same, and I don’t think they could have planned it another way. They thought about the experience they wanted to share with their guests, and how they would invite them in to their lives to share in the celebration of starting their lives together. They have a kind of love you rarely see, perhaps because of the unique challenges and experiences they have been through together. The journey that brought them to their wedding day shaped who they are and gave them many reasons to celebrate in a way that only they could. Not only was everyone present at the wedding a part of Sophie and Peter’s lives past, present or future, they were invited to join them on their journey moving forward, in to marriage. It was evident to all who attended that this wedding was an effort to continue building the community that had supported them and celebrate the part each person played in their lives.

Today I’m excited to share the hours of planning and hard work that went in to this day with part I of II from the wedding. This post focuses on the preparation, which includes the deatils of the day, getting ready and the first look. The details were so deeply rooted in Sophie and Peter’s lives and stem from the very things they love. They represent the investment of many family members and friends, and once again reinforce the idea of community Sophie and Peter built their wedding around. As Sophie said: Luckily, I have a family that was very willing to jump on board with our visions, and two parents who match me in creativity and energy. But I guess the story starts before me, to the fact that I was born into a family of hardworking farmers, dedicated carpenters, and traveling missionaries. The details of my heritage—maps, travel, wood, seeds and plants—gave me a taste for everything that I now appreciate so deeply. I come from a long line of people who value family, hospitality, and oneness. I knew that I wanted to make our wedding day not only a celebration of us but an invitation for our friends and family to participate in our lives more than ever, representing true community.

I have been looking forward to this wedding for a year, felt honored to document the wedding, and developed a friendship with Peter and Sophie along the way. They so intricately wove their lives into the planning of this day I hope the photographs tell the story for years to come. Enjoy the hard work they put in to their wedding (literally everything is handmade) and look for the story of the wedding day on Monday!

When she started to plan, Sophie realized that everything they needed for the wedding they already had. They decided to have a wedding at home, on the family farm, in the middle of a cornfield. Literally, in the middle of a cornfield. They spent a year preparing the field and planting grass so that it could be the space you see in the images today.

Me, my mom and sisters collected random china for months. We borrowed a lot of it from friends, and the rest we bought really cheaply at local second hand stores. Though we were washing and packing china sets away by table for a solid day, it was an awesome, inexpensive, beautiful alternative to renting china for 200 people… or eating off plastic plates.

I am in love with doilies in general. So, I decided that I wanted to make a big paper mache lamp of doilies. This was really complicated, actually, and I credit my mom with purusing this on her own after I gave up, and making it happen.

For favors guests were given personalized cedar coasters and homemade jelly!

For the coasters Dad got limbs of cedar from back in our woods and we worked in the shop to cut it into round pieces and sand down both sides. We only put 2 coats of varnish on one side, so that our guests could use it in their sweater drawer, if they wanted, or as a coaster. I then hand-wrote every guest’s name on the varnished side. This project took an extremely long time, though I don’t regret it at all. I loved doing those personal things.

We used old milk jugs from our friend’s dairy for water on the table, and I decorated them with strips of the burlap and some lace trim that I found in my grandma’s basement (which is literally packed with material that has been collected for the past 40 years for making quilts).

I’ve always been in love with my grandma’s book collection that’s hidden away in her basement, and she has no idea how valuable it is because she just says that they’re “her old books.” She has a lot of first edition classics that I remember her reading to us. I borrowed those and put about two on each table.

The girls got ready in the church just down a few roads from the farm. All of the dresses were handmade, by Aunt Sandy, adding another completely custom touch to their day

The gift I gave to my bridesmaids was their shoes, which I bought from an organization called Sseko Shoes in Kampala, Uganda. It is a company that employs young women who are pursuing college educations, and it was intentional to give them a gift like this. I ended up making my own straps for them out of lace ribbon.

Sophie and Peter got ready at separate locations and then had their first look at the farm where the reception was. They spent the morning setting up everything separately, so when they saw each other in the tent for the first time they were able to enjoy not only the start of their wedding day, but the hard work that brought it together.

For the outhouse area I knew I wanted a little seating area in this space. I asked Dad if it were possible to make a bench-like thing out of square bales. An hour later Dad came in the house and said I needed to go to the barn with him—the glamorous hay bale couch was born! The pump sink was probably my favorite. Dad and I found the old pump in the barn, and Dad stripped the paint off and gave it a coat of varnish. Then he built the wooden base, installed the trough and we had ourselves and awesome outdoor hand-washing station!

Since Peter loves nuts and Sophie loves candy, they decided to serve both as their appetizer. A table and a trough were set up with both and custom bags printed for guests to fill up and enjoy as they like. They way they displayed everything was perfect and guests couldn’t be happier having something to enjoy throughout the night.

/>

I don’t know if Mylee and Leo’s lives are normally serendipitous but since I’ve met them things seem to keep falling in to place. Sure, it’s been the little things, but it’s just another reason that makes their relationship feel right. We started their engagement session on East Ave in downtown Rochester and were stopped in our tracks when we saw the word love scrawled on a brick wall near us. Yes, it’s simple and easily replicated, but there it was just waiting for us. I love each chance to explore and document a part of the city and work with all of the different textures and colors that come with it. Mylee and Leo fit in perfectly in bright and bold blue and they shared different sides of their relationship as we talked, walked, and took some pictures. As they plan for a day that will bring family and friends together and start their lives as husband and wife I’m excited to join them on this journey. I am looking forward to next August, but until then enjoy a more natural and everyday look at the relationship of Mylee and Leo in what we call an engagement session.

The leaves are changing, the sky is cloudy and rain pitter-patters outside on the pavement. It’s decidedly fall and perfect weather for soup. It’s a shame that Matt doesn’t like soup as much as I do, but it’s probably a good thing since I am not amazing at making it. I’m good, not amazing. I like to try different recipes + combinations when it comes to soup, but he makes the best soup in our house, and one of my absolute favorites: chicken noodle (with homemade noodles). Now that soup is the ultimate comfort food, sure to cheer me up out of any bad mood and especially delicious on a cold winter day.

I went a little crazy last year with pumpkin, carrot, and squash varieties of soup and had a few winning recipes out of the bunch but of course I didn’t write them down so I have no idea what I used and what worked. I made the first soup of the fall (I backed off a bit this year thinking of Matt) and it was a roasted red pepper and corn chowder. It was based mainly off of this recipe, and I give my version an A- in my book. What saved it was the red chili powder I threw in courtesy of my cousin Joanna (thanks Joanna) but the lower grade was due to the effect it had on me – maybe I ate too much of it at once. Of course once again I didn’t write down my exact variation so I encourage you to read the recipe and adjust as needed to make up your own. Now the homemade bagels Matt made the very same Sunday afternoon were the perfect accompaniment to my soup. We have made bagels before – but never from the highly recommended recipe on the sophisticated gourmet. They came out well, and since you already know I fall in love easily with anything made from scratch, they were a hit in my book. I don’t think ours look quite as good as tsg’s but matt shaped the bagels and no offense, but I think I can do a better job. I will have to try and find out!

We worked side by side in the kitchen and spent some time together which these days is somewhat rare. I have started to wind down from my busiest season but of course that is when Matt has the most going on. We love to enjoy good food together, and since we live in the country we have been forced cook our own since there aren’t options to go out to. In other cooking news this year we are going to host Thanksgiving so it’s time to start recipe planning! I’d love to hear your favorite Thanksgiving dishes + especially your best soups for this season. Until then have a great weekend + if you’re feeling ambitious try making some bagels, I highly recommend them.

They had come back home. Life took Alison and Pat throughout New York and in to Brooklyn, but their roots were deep in Rochester. It was where they went to high school, where they first met, and today it was where they would marry. It took a while to get here – not only because they frequently drove through the New York City traffic, but because they took their time. They had grown so close they were already an essential part of each others lives, and now it was time to move forward and take another step together.

Alison sat in the sun room of her parents house while hairspray plumed like a cloud and mimosas were stylishly sipped. She reminisced with her bridesmaids about high school days when they would all gather in that very same room. Back then life was wide open and unexplored, but as they all grew up and found their way through school, relationships, and jobs they never lost touch. Some of them lived states away yet they knew how to come together and celebrate.

While the weather was being indecisive, Alison and Pat were not. Family and friends gathered at Irondequoit Country Club for a party they would remember. The bridesmaids and groomsmen were dressed in elegant black and white which made the vibrant bursts of color in their flowers stunning. There was not a detail unconsidered, and many talented people came together to make this wedding the gorgeous day that it was. It’s time to relive and remember it, and congratulate once again Alison + Pat!

Alison and Pat chose to do a first look – or “first peep” as they liked to call it. Not only did it allow them to have a smoother schedule to the day, it gave them a few moments alone which is rare on a wedding day.

Alison looked effortlessly beautiful the whole day

I personally think having children involved in the wedding ceremony is so fun. They just add so much life and I loved this custom sign carried down by little Brady.

the newlyweds! The ceremony ended and the party began after cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The stage was set and with the inside of the club decorated beautifully, Alison and Pat entered and the dancing began!

one of my favorites! A kiss on the middle of the dance floor well captured. Cupcakes and sweets were set out for dessert and made by Oh, Sugar run by Alison’s cousin Jenette Delly. I will vouch for the fact that they are delicious!

The party continued late into the evening and fun was had by all. It was too good to be true, but for those involved I hope looking through the images helps you remember how real it was! Enjoy

dress Kendra by Amy Kuschel   bridesmaids Alvina Valenta   headpiece Twigs & Honey   shoes Kate Spade   earrings Alexis Bittar   grooms/men’s ties Ben Sherman   kid’s bow ties Etsy, baby by Stevie   ceremony programs designed by a friend   “Here Comes the Bride” sign  Etsy, Funkifolkart   flowers Jimmy, Kittleberger Florists   paper goods Pistachio Press

Welcome, fall. Your rainy forecasts and cooler temperatures don’t scare me. Sure, they may trick me into bringing a sweater and umbrella but if yesterday is any indication, you can be all talk. That’s okay though, I like that kind of surprise. It meant that Alison and Pat had a beautiful wedding day and a worry free time taking pictures outside. Now they are a stunning couple. You can tell they have style and it showed throughout the wedding day. Details were thought out and everything in place for a true celebration that lasted well into the night. Have fun in Turks + Caicos and congratulations you two!

Blue sky. Green grass. White dress. Black tux. Diamond rings. Fresh flowers. Family + friends. Historic building. Small chapel. Happy tears. Dave and Maria had all of the elements to make a perfect wedding and even more. Their day was classic and refined and was brought together by their location – Raspberry Plain. This historic house had all of the character and charm needed to reflect their personalities and style. I met up with them at Raspberry Plain before the ceremony to do a first look and get the day started….

Maria’s Amsale dress was the perfect fit and the beaded detail at the waist was gorgeous.

You can’t get ready with out the help of your bridesmaids! Maria’s girls were wonderful and it was so apparent she has great family and friends.

A first look can sometimes be more emotional than a walk down the aisle. There are several benefits of doing a first look but ultimately it’s an additional moment you are able to share on your wedding day, and I love when couples are able to do that.

Seriously, I love those flowers and that dress! Dave and Maria, you guys are such a cute couple. I’m so glad I was able to photograph your wedding!

The ceremony was held nearby at the tiny Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. I think it is the smallest ceremony location I’ve shot it, but it was good to be provided with a new challenge!

One of the traditions Maria + Dave incorporated in to their ceremony was having the lazo placed over their shoulders by Maria’s grandmother and godmother.

The newlyweds exited the chapel and soon everyone was on their way to the reception! Taking place in the conservatory of Raspberry plain, the reception room had large windows and tons of natural light which was perfect to photograph the details with.

I always like to set up and interesting ring shot. After looking around the location, I decided to use the set of encyclopedias on the bookshelf in the library. I thought it fit Dave + Maria well since they are certainly academics – Maria is a doctor and Dave is pursuing additional degrees in business at Johns Hopkins.

Maria threw a fortune bouquet which is a great alternative to a traditional bouquet toss to “all the single ladies.” The fortune bouquet can be caught by anyone and contains – no surprise – fortunes to be read by the lucky recipient!

The night was filled with laughter, dancing and love and at the end of it Dave and Maria exited through a row of twinkling sparklers. They jumped in their car and soon were off on their honeymoon in Chile. Now that you two are back to life at home I hope you enjoy looking through the images and remembering your day!

Pumpkin spice lattes, Bakerella, and good pictures drew Kathleen in. When she emailed me to plan an engagement session and told me about the different things we had in common I couldn’t believe it. Besides having similar interest in the aforementioned things, she was from Rochester, New York (close to where I live now) and her fiance Ryan is from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (close to where I grew up). They met in college their senior year, and it didn’t take long before they were inseparable and falling in love. They now live in Chicago and are trying to figure out where to have their wedding – Michigan, Rochester, NY or the Adirondacks – one of Kathleens families favorite vacation spots. I can’t wait to see what they decide, but first their engagement photos.

Since Ryan and Kathleen started dating in the fall and have a lot of “firsts” in this season it was fitting that it also set the stage for their pictures. Letchworth State Park was the perfect location so we met on a sunny afternoon in November. I love Letchworth – not only do I live really close – it has endless backdrops and inspiration and never gets old. So what do you get when you combine a rustic setting, plaid, wool blankets, apples, marshmallows and two people in love? Look and see…

You guys look so good together – and effortless in front of the camera

a classic Pendleton plaid blanket makes sure everything is cozy and warm

seriously… you make a rock staircase look real good – you two are going to be fabulous on your wedding day!

to end, a few pictures by the gorgeous falls… oh, Letchworth. Ryan + Kathleen, I’m so glad we were able to take these pictures and I hope you enjoy! Can’t wait to hear about your wedding plans as they start to take shape.