Well I made it back from Cuba and let me tell you, it’s awesome there! Thanks everyone for being patient with your emails and phone calls. I’m back in it now! Let’s get married!
Well I made it back from Cuba and let me tell you, it’s awesome there! Thanks everyone for being patient with your emails and phone calls. I’m back in it now! Let’s get married!
March 30th was a lovely Spring day. I headed over to The Foundry for Brenna and Josh’s wedding, which was even lovelier than I expected. Guests were gathering and excitedly talking about the big event. I saw Josh outside getting photos taken, and you would have thought he was a celebrity. Guests were gathered around the doors pointing and smiling. That’s how you know you look good! Although I’m not sure he could hold a candle to Brenna, because when I saw her, hiding out in her room, she looked excited, nervous, and gorgeous! She also looked ready to get this show on the road.
Flowers were being set up downstairs, and I guess frantically since a baby shower took place in the room earlier and went two hours over! But these were some professionals here so they got everything set up and looking beautiful. Josh did seem a bit nervous, but he was doing his best to look calm. By the time we headed to the alter, he seemed almost giddy. His groomsmen came up smiling or shaking his hand and I think it helped relax him. But nothing can really prepare you for when you see your soon to be spouse either coming up that aisle, or standing there waiting for you. It’s such a beautiful moment and one I’ll never get enough of. Sometimes I think I’m smiling bigger than the guests because I’m so excited! They nervously took hands when Brenna made it up to Josh, and sometimes let them go only to take them back. I love watching all the small moments. They said their vows and exchanged rings and only then did they seem to really ease into it. It helps knowing that it’s almost over! And just like that, they were kissing as husband and wife. Congratulations Josh and Brenna! I’m so happy I was able to share such an amazing day with you and I wish you much happiness in the future!
Sometimes you get a call on a Tuesday, and by Sunday, you’re performing a ceremony! That was the case on March 24, at a lovely home in Amherst. Julie called me and said that since she was 7 months pregnant, they decided to tie the knot before the baby came. They didn’t need all the bells and whistles, just their parents, their combined 5 children, and each other! The last minute weddings are kind of my favorite so I was all in.
I arrived at their home late in the afternoon Sunday, and they were already celebrating. The kids were running around with snacks and family members were taking pictures and happily talking. When we got things settled down, Julie had her two little boys stand up with her, and Eric had his two boys and daughter stand with him…well for as long as they could considering they are little humans. Julie and Eric held hands as managed to get through their vows, stopping occasionally to tell one of the little ones to stop whatever they were doing. But the kids helped by bringing their rings over, and seemed happy for the moment. After that, they did a family sand ceremony, where they all poured individual containers of sand into a larger one to symbolize their combined family. It was really perfect for them and I like thinking of it on their mantle for years to come. After they kissed they seemed so happy and relieved that as much of a family as they already were, now they could share each others name. Congratulations Eric and Julie! You’re a wonderful couple with a gorgeous family and I wish you all the best with the new little one! Much love!
February 23rd was on of those rare winter days that feels like spring has finally arrived. It was perfect weather for a perfect couple on their perfect morning. At 10:30am, at the Roycroft Inn, Meaghan and Tyler joined each other in the library to say their “I do’s.”
Meaghan and Tyler didn’t need all the glitz and glamour that goes into a giant wedding. They just had a had a handful of their closest people gather around them as they held hands and held back tears and vowed to love and care for each other. I was really happy there standing between the two of them, seeing all the love in their eyes, and because they had me add lines from stellar fantasy books, which is right up my alley. I was also happy when it was time to exchange rings, because I was holding them and that job is STRESSFUL. But it all worked out and they lovingly took each others hands, and before you knew it, they were kissing as husband and wife. Congratulations Tyler and Meaghan! You’re a wonderful couple and I know you’ll have a happy life filled with amazing books. Best wishes always!
January 12th was my first wedding of the year, and while it was cold and blustery outside, it was warm and full of love inside The Columns in Elma. I saw Russell first and he was excited and ready for the moment. He didn’t seem nervous at all, just ready. The venue still had a mild Christmas feel to it, and it was a lovely spot to be married. When I found Shannon she looked beautiful, hanging out with her bridesmaids waiting for it all to begin. Shannon and Russell are a chill couple, and I knew that they would find happiness today no matter what happened, and that’s the way to be. Don’t sweat the small stuff, just be so grateful for the moment. When the moment did arise, I headed to the alter with Russell and we waited for Shannon to make her debut. She looked so happy when she first stepped out, and I felt like Russell was fighting back tears. They took hands when they saw each other, and laughed as I lightly teased them for meeting while tailgating. Love doesn’t wait for romantic settings! It was easy to talk about how perfect they are for each other, and when they finally kissed, I felt so lucky for being there. Congratulations Russell and Shannon! You’re a wonderful couple and I know there will be nothing but happiness and country music concerts in your future. Best wishes always!
Time really does fly when you’re surrounded by those who love each other!
We just wanted to thank all of our 2018 couples!
We were fortunate enough to share in 81 weddings, and are looking forward to topping that in 2019. Best wishes to everyone and fill 2019 with as much love as you can.
My last wedding of the year. There is always something special about that, so on December 29th, I was excited to celebrate the event with Elizabeth and Kevin at Templeton Landing. It’s a really lovely spot, and they were lucky enough to have 3 separate areas for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and the reception all in one building. Unfortunately I was a bit too early for the reception room, so I didn’t get any photos of that. But the ceremony itself was lovely.
There was a lot going on when I arrived. The couple had just finished their photos outside (brrr) and were hanging out inside with their family and wedding party and two little boys. It was a little chaotic, so I let them to their private time, and caught up with another couple that was there that I had married last year! Kevin eventually made his way out to the alter, and there we waited for Liz to make her debut. Kevin said she was going to take a few moments to herself, no kids or wedding party, and really process all that was happening. It was a genius idea and I recommend it to everyone! It’s such an emotional day, and can be crazy, so it’s great to take a moment to yourself to breath and reflect on what is happening around you. When Liz did step into the room, not only did she look beautiful, but she looked calm and happy and ready to do this thing! They took hands and smiled at each other and had their perfect moment. Finally the kiss arrived and they were husband and wife! Now all they had to do was party! Congratulations Kevin and Elizabeth! You’ve been waiting for this day and I’m so happy I was able to share it with you. Enjoy the new year and your new life together!
Not everyone needs years and years of being with someone to know they are supposed to marry them. And that was the case on December 22nd, when Bernadette and Jorge were married! Although they haven’t been together as long as some couples, once they found each other they knew they were meant to be. They planned a small and intimate wedding, so that their Grandmas could definitely be there, and are planning a larger one next year. Although I think it will be hard to top the beauty of this! Sometime the simplest weddings are the prettiest. I met up with Jorge who seemed to be doing well. Bernadette was carrying the wedding nerves for both of them, so he was just looking forward to the moment and hoping that Bernadette would be able to feel more relaxed after. When she arrived at the Avanti Mansion, she was nervous, but I could tell it was mixed with excitement that this moment was happening. It was lovely in the room, in front of the fireplace, and Jorge and I watched her descend the staircase until she was in his hands. They stole glances at each other, but were otherwise quite shy at the intimacy. They did combine sand in a picture frame, symbolizing their unity with something they could keep forever. But soon they didn’t have to be nervous anymore, because it was time to kiss as husband and wife! Congratulations Jorge and Bernadette. I’m so happy that you found each other and that I could share in your day. Much love!
On 11/11 (so exciting), I got to share in Heather and Derrick’s 11th anniversary! Bit of a numbers pattern going on there. And I couldn’t have been happier than to be at the Tonawanda Castle while they finally celebrated their big day. They are truly perfect for each other. They both seemed to have the same level of excitement when I arrived and checked in with them. It was just a perfect way to spend a Sunday, with family and friend and each other and a bunch of cupcakes.
Guest slowly gathered, grabbing hot apple cider as they made their way to their seats. I could tell Heather and Derrick were eager to get started because everything started on time, and you didn’t have to tell them anything twice. As I made my way to the front, I really enjoyed looking back at guests who were beaming for the couple. Heather was escorted down and looked absolutely beautiful, and Derrick couldn’t take his eyes off her. They were a little nervous when they were standing face to face, and ended up looking at me a lot, and nervously sneaking glances at each other. It was a heartwarming moment, and they slowly inched closer to each other as the ceremony went on. But like all of them, soon it was time to kiss and be introduced as husband and wife! Congratulations Derrick and Heather! I know you’ll have many more decades of love and joy together and I wish you nothing but the best!
I first met Lisa many years ago at work, and since she would torment me on my worst days, I immediately knew that I liked her. And I was thrilled on November 10th when I was able to join her and Pat (the best at inappropriate laughter) as husband and wife at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum Porter Hall. What a wedding! When I first arrived, Lisa was sitting with her party looking legit gorgeous, and Pat was already at the bar with friends, laughing and working on his impromptu vows. They are such a fun and easy going couple, and their wedding reflected that. It was intimate and lovely, filled with close friends and family, and eventually, a lot of dancing.
When Pat and I headed to the alter, we were already joking around, Pat mostly making inappropriate jokes, but things got serious when Lisa made her way out. They stood across from each other and smiled as I teased them and talked about the amazing years they’ve had together. Jokes were made under peoples breath (ok mostly Pat and yes, they were inappropriate), and everyone was laughing and enjoying the moment. The vows they created for each other were very beautiful, and looking out into the audience I could see people were very moved. Eventually though they were kissing and heading back out to the floor to start the party. And party we did! Especially with some of the best wedding food I’ve ever had! I just had to get past my legit tears as Lisa and her Dad danced to Cat Power. I mean, I’m only human. All in all it was a great night for a great couple. Congratulations Pat and Lisa! I love both of you and I’m so glad you came into my life. If only your wedding could have been a little hotter…
YellowBird Wedding 