YellowBird Wedding

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November 15, 2017

I can’t believe I’m already at my second to last wedding of the year. I guess if this is how it’s gonna end, I couldn’t be happier than to spend my time at Karpeles Manuscript Museum with Lindsey and James. And of course, I can’t forget their Australian Shepherd/ring bearer, Dexter. November 10th was a cold November day, but it was warm and welcoming inside Karpeles. I was there before the couple so I was able to walk around and really take everything in, including the swelling strings of their quartet and of course, the SUPER excited-ness of Dexter. Soon after, Lindsey and her bridesmaids arrived, and she looked radiant, but was still completely in charge. She made sure everything was taken care of, and then entered into excited bride mode. Guest were slowly gathering and seemed really excited for the ceremony to start. After James arrived it was time for us to get this show on the road.
James started to look a little anxious as we waited at the alter, but he was all smiles when Lindsey finally came out. They just looked so happy to see each other. Between smiles and laughs, and the most beautiful reading that Lindsey’s Grandma wrote, it was time for their vows. Not only were they amazing, like truly amazing, but James mentioned that the first time he ever talked to Lindsey in school was to ask to borrow her notes. He then confessed he didn’t actually ever need her notes, and apologized for never giving them back. Until now. And then he pulled out her childhood notes that he had saved all those years!!! Seriously, I almost lost it then and Lindsey’s face of shock and love was one for the books. It was truly a beautiful moment that I’ll never forget. After their candle ceremony and big kiss, I was able to pronounce them husband and wife. And the crowd erupted! Congratulations James and Lindsey! You’ve been together a long time, so you already know you’re perfect together. I know you’ll have such a happy life ahead of you filled with love and of course, laughter. Much love always!

Congratulations Elena & Josh!!!

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November 13, 2017

Now this is a couple that knows how to flip the script on weddings. Elena and Josh decided to get married on November 5th, at the Tonawanda Castle, at 10:00am and to serve breakfast afterwards. And I loved it! It’s hard to always come up with new ideas, but I’m pretty sure I heard red velvet waffles so…nailed it. I found Josh when I first arrived. He’s a man of few words so I couldn’t really tell if he was nervous or just excited, because he’s really good at keeping it all in. Elena though was all smiles and joy and I could tell that she was ready for the big moment. Josh did manage to peek in the room a few times, so I decided that meant he was was excited. Guests seemed very happy and alert for such an early time of day and it was obvious they were just as excited about a new and fun way to spend a lazy, rainy Sunday. Soon enough the music started and it was time to begin the ceremony. When Elena made her way to Josh, a small smile escaped his mysterious demeanor and I knew they were ready to go. Elena though, was all emotion. Big smiles and laughs and sometimes she would even say something to her guests! You can tell that they are a couple that balance each other out. You don’t have to marry someone who is just like you, just someone who brings out the best in you. Finally, after holding hands and looking deep into one another’s eyes, I was able to pronounce them husband and wife, and the kiss started off what I’m sure was an amazing after breakfast party. Congratulations Josh and Elena! I’m so happy that you found each other and that you found me as well. I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Congratulations Laura & Greg!!!

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November 6, 2017

I liked Laura and Greg from the second I met them. Easy going and full of love. And when their wedding day arrived on October 28th, cold and rainy, I knew that wouldn’t matter at all. Because these two people are going to be so happy no matter what, because it’s the day they are getting married! We could all learn a thing or two from them. The Freedom Run Winery is a really beautiful place, an old barn for the ceremony contrasts the beautiful wine-filled reception space. I checked in with the couple when I arrived. Of course Greg was still getting ready since guys can wait til the last minute, and Laura was upstairs with her daughter looking beautiful. And since their pet bird Alex was there, all was right with the world.
I waited in the barn for things to start, and soon enough a nervous looking Greg came in, eager for the moment to start. There was live music in the barn which sounded wonderful, and they started a new song when Laura eventually made her way in. They seemed so happy to see each other and clasped hands when they were side by side. That wonderful live music still sounded good, but fade out wasn’t in the cards, so the couple had a slight awkward moment as they had to stand looking at each other for a few minutes while the song finished up. It’s a lot when you know the whole room is staring at you! But finally it was time for their vows and smiles and a kiss that you could tell was long overdue. Congratulations Greg and Laura! Truly you are a remarkable couple and I’m so happy that you found each other. I wish you a lifetime of happiness and adventures with Alex the bird!

Congratulations Nina & Nicholas!!!

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October 31, 2017

Nina and Nick had an amazing October 27th at the new Hotel Henry, and I had my first trip there and hopefully not my last! What a beautiful space! It is definitely like a labyrinth though, so I spent most of my time there looking for the couple who I knew was getting photos someone on the huge grounds. I eventually found Nick and his groomsmen, and I was worried for a second Nick was going to nervous sweat right out of his suit coat! He looked like he was ready for the wedding to begin AND that he needed an extension at the same time. Nerves will creep up on you on your wedding day! After a time, I found Nina, who was stunning (and a bridesmaid I knew from high school), and checked in to make sure she was feeling good. I think she heard only half of what I was saying because she also had that distracted look of someone who is ready to stop talking to people and really ready to get married to their best friend.
As guests gathered in the art-filled wing, Nina and Nick’s huge wedding party (maybe 19 people I think), started to walk down the aisle. They all smiled at Nick who looked cool and collected, until the moment Nina appeared. Then he broke down and cried with love at his soon to be wife. They hadn’t seen or spoken to each other all day, so they really missed each other! They immediately took hands and smiled, looking joyful and ready. They laughed throughout the ceremony and squeezed hands and chocked up a bit on their vows. But they managed to make it to the end where they kissed and began their new life together! Congratulations Nicholas and Nina! You were always meant to find each other and I’m just so happy I could share in this moment with you. I wish you nothing but happiness and love!

Congratulations Angela & Tom!!!

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October 23, 2017

I followed one beautiful wedding with another on October 7th at the Buffalo History Museum. I don’t think these October couples realize how lucky they are with this amazing weather! That we were able to stand outside, on the water, and just have a gentle, perfect breeze sweep through was a dream come true. And I’m so happy it happened for Angela and Tom, who seemed like they were waiting for each other their whole lives. When I first got there I checked in with the couple. Angela looked wonderful as she hid out in the back and Tom looked a bit anxious as he talked to people and walked back and forth and looked a little panicked when I had a couple questions. It was the look of a man who wants everything to be perfect for his bride, but his emotions were running full force! Everything worked out perfectly and once Tom stood up and waited for Angela, he calmed down and seemed to meld into the moment. I do like that while we were up there waiting, he realized he had dry mouth and left the alter to get some water. Some couples get so nervous about following rules, even asking if they can hold hands, but Tom was like, I can’t have dry mouth when I first talk to my future wife! I loved it. Soon she arrived and they took hands and had happy/nervous smiles. The looks that they gave to each other throughout were very moving, and I loved when they did their wine/love letter box they sneaked in a Dr. Pepper as well since it’s what Tom loves. All in all in was a beautiful moment, made more so by the final kiss! Congratulations Tom and Angela! It’s clear that you were meant to be together and I know you have nothing but love and happiness in your future! Best wishes!

Congratulations Kelly & Scott!!!

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October 16, 2017

October 6th was a rainy day. BUT that’s a perfect way for a wedding day to be if you happened to meet in the rain. So I’m pretty sure it was raining just for Kelly and Scott at The Pearl at the Webb. You could tell it sure didn’t bother them! Scott was greeting guests at the door and looked very excited about everything that was happening. I found Kelly upstairs hiding out, and she looked radiant and eager for the ceremony to begin. There were many excited guests gathering around and I could tell that this was going to end up being an amazing party. I’m not sure if the couple saw each other beforehand, but you wouldn’t know if they had from Scott’s face. He looked like he was having a transcendent moment looking at his future wife when she first stepped into the room. The enormity of the moment always hits people at different times, and I think when they first took hands on the alter, it hit them both simultaneously. They looked nervous, but so happy. My favorite moment was when a friend came up to give a reading, and they had a chance to look at each other and smile in a private moment while guests were looking elsewhere. I mean, I was watching them, but I don’t count up there! I’m just a wallflower observer. And I love it that way. They choose traditional vows and said them very seriously to each other and I knew they felt the seriousness of this moment, and meant every word. A big kiss is the only way to wrap up a moment like this. Congratulations Scott and Kelly! Such an amazing couple, I was so glad to spend the moment with you. And thanks for letting me make not one, but two Shaggy references! Much love always!

Congratulations Michelle & Anthony!!!

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October 9, 2017

October 1st is how I want every October to start. It was the most perfect weather and you could see leaves changing colors over the lake behind Templeton Landing. I found Michelle hiding out looking stunning, making sure Anthony wouldn’t see her until right before the big moment. While things seemed serious with her and her bridesmaids, checking on rings and the marriage license, things were definitely different with Anthony and his groomsmen. These guys were hysterical! When they weren’t teasing Anthony, they were teasing each other. And when they weren’t doing that, they were watching the Bill’s game on someone’s cellphone. And the Bill’s were winning so it was a very happy group. Anthony kept asking about Michelle, making sure he could step into the hallway without seeing her, and mentioning things she liked, or something she would comment on. You could tell he just loved her so much and was so excited to be marrying her! After everyone was lined up, and we convinced his best man that he couldn’t wear his sunglasses no matter how sunny it was outside, we headed upstairs to the balcony with the beautiful waterfront back drop. By the time Michelle made her way out, everyone looked so excited. And that includes the bees that I don’t think left the couple alone for a moment. But they were focused on each other and didn’t seem to notice. Their vows were incredibly moving. Michelle was crying, but managed to keep it together and I’m not sure how she did! Everything just felt so perfect and I was honored to be witnessing this moment. Finally the hard part was over and it was time to kiss. And kiss they did! Congratulations Anthony and Michelle. It was clear the moment we met that you were meant for each other and I’m happy knowing that a couple like you exists. I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Congratulations Sabrina & David!!!

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October 5, 2017

September 29th was a lovely day. Especially at Asbury Hall for Sabrina and David’s wedding. As always, it was gorgeous inside, and I love watching guests walk around with their heads up admiring their beautiful surroundings. The happy couple was hiding out downstairs, drinking champagne and posing for pictures with friends. David seemed a little nervous, but he told me he was feeling good and ready to go. Sabrina looked beautiful and her eyes seemed to find Dave wherever he was in the room. After everyone was seated, I headed out to the alter with David to await his bride. Once Sabrina made her way to him, they seemed lost in each other. They looked when there was a reading, and smiled at things I said, but I felt like they could have been in a room with just themselves. It’s a beautiful moment when you can tell a couple is realizing how big this moment is, and that they are taking it all in. They had written love letters to each other that they locked up in a time capsule, and by the end of the ceremony, you could tell David had been holding on to that kiss because it was big and delightful. Not to mention, I left with a present, and what a present it was! Can you really top homemade mom cookies? I don’t think so. Congratulations David and Sabrina!!! You’ve been together a long time waiting for this moment, and I’m so happy that it finally arrived. I wish you nothing but the best on all of your future adventures.

Congratulations Ashley & Cam!!!

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October 2, 2017

September 23rd was a beautiful day, especially inside the Hotel Lafayette. Ashley and Cam are a young and fun couple that march to the beat of their own drum. I mean, they met at an anime convention. But while they added some “unique” moments to their ceremony, the wedding was classically beautiful. In a ballroom covered with flowers, Cam nervously greeted guests and looked like at some point, she might faint. Or throw up. Or wrestle someone for a Xanax. Ashley stayed outside in her limo, hiding out until the big moment. People were excitedly filling up the room, and I kept checking on Cam to make sure she was keeping it together. When it was finally time she looked so excited that she was about to see Ashley, but so revealed that it was finally about to begin!
When Ashley did make her entrance she looked beautiful, and I’m pretty sure her parents immediately had tears in their eyes. She made her way up to Cam and they smiled at each other and looked overwhelmed in a good way. Then things lightened up a whole lot when it was time for their vows. And Cam, with a straight face and all seriousness, began her vows. “I’m never gonna give you up…” Yep. She rickrolled her future wife on their wedding day. Savage. Ashley laughed and then joked that her vows were much more serious, and everyone teared up as she started reading. They finished the ceremony with a symbolic painting ceremony, and of course that amazing first kiss as newlyweds. Congratulations Cam and Ashley! You were obviously made for each other and I know there will be nothing but fun and love in your future. Best wishes always!