YellowBird Wedding

because simple is beautiful

Statler City is a beautiful and historic Buffalo building. As soon as you see it you think, I bet there is a classy-as-hell wedding going on in there. And on August 22nd, you would have be right! Walking in the doors and seeing Patrick’s groomsmen in tuxes, I knew this was going to be an unforgettable evening. And of course, it was designed by Costamagna Design, which is the best of the best, so everything was stylish and sophisticated and perfect for Angela and Patrick. The happy couple was hiding out together in a back room, waiting for the moment to begin. They were surrounded by their bridal party, but they kept finding moments to steal glances at each other. They both looked gorgeous and didn’t seem at all nervous for the big moment that was approaching. After years together, they knew this wedding was always inevitable. Soon it was time, and their guests quieted down, anticipating seeing the couple for the first time. I made my way to the alter with Patrick and his groomsmen, and that’s when Patrick seemed to become a little nervous, an anxious look sneaking onto his face. Even though they had just been hanging out together, now it was real! Angela came from around the corner and began walking towards her future husband, and things were never going to be the same again. In the best way imaginable! After their godparents gave some beautiful readings, the happy couple held hands and vowed to each other, through nervous laughter, to love each other for a lifetime. When I looked out to the audience, everyone was smiling ear to ear and you could tell that Angela and Patrick weren’t the only people in the room that had been anticipating this moment. Congratulations Patrick and Angela! I’m so glad we were able to find each other across the country and that I could share in this magical moment. Enjoy every moment together for all of your days!

Kloc’s Grove is a beautiful place in it’s own right, but when it’s full of happy, laughing people, it’s even more amazing than one could anticipate. And that’s exactly how it was on August 21st for Rachael and Josh’s wedding. Josh was cool as a cucumber when I pulled up. He was ready to go. I can’t say the same thing for his best man. He was nervous! He kept checking to make sure he had the rings, running back and forth from the planner to the guests to make sure things were on target, and had a ten minute conversation with the groomsmen about which hand should be in the front when they stood up front! He had me cracking up, and was starting to make the other groomsmen nervous with his energy. I watched half a dozen grown men switch from left hand to right hand about two dozen times before deciding. You could tell they were very excited for their friend to be married, and wanted everything to go perfectly for him. Rachael was hiding in a back room and when I saw her, I couldn’t believe how amazing she looked. All in red, she stole attention from everything in the room. And the room was so unique to them. All the tables were named after different guitar models and their cake brought out their love of sci-fi. I knew the ceremony would be anything but boring, and I wasn’t wrong. After Rachael made her way out to Josh, and it was time for the ring exchange, Lord of the Rings music starting playing…all for the precious! Their guests loved it, and Rachael and Josh were adorable with the looks they kept stealing between each other. It was such an easy ceremony for me because they were such a meant to be couple. Congratulations Josh and Rachael! The two of you have already been together for more than a decade, and I see many more happy decades before you. All the best!

I continued August 14th, dry now that the rain had finally stopped, with Kathy and Jeff at Joseph’s Catering. They were lucky enough to be able to have their ceremony outside in a lovely garden and only have to worry about the wedding that was taking place next to theirs which involved bag pipes…yeah…we had to wait that out.
When I first arrived, I found Jeff in typical groom fashion. He wasn’t 100% sure what he should be doing or how everything was gonna go down, but it was sweet. He wanted to make sure it all worked out for Kathy, even if he had to ask around to find out exactly what she wanted. Kathy looked lovely and was definitely the calm one when I found her. She was ready for this moment! And I’m sure it was a little easier than the house they own together and had been remodeling for quite some time. They could finally have a proper date night and party with all their friends! Jeff and I waited outside with their kids, and he looked so happy when Kathy finally made her way out. And that’s when she became nervous! She was shaking when she met him on the alter and kept shyly looking away. It was adorable. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve known someone, if you’re young, or if you’re older, when it’s your wedding day, you’re nervous!
They made it through their vows and had their kids come up to join in a sand ceremony. Their guests thought it was so sweet that they actually applauded after they finished! Then their were able to share that first kiss as husband and wife. Congratulations Jeff and Kathy! You’re such a great couple, with a great family, house, and a kick-ass yard! I see nothing but happiness and parties in your future. Best wishes!

August 14th started out as a beast of a day. When they called for rain, they weren’t fooling. Rain can be a bummer on your wedding day, but when your ceremony takes place in the Rose Garden of Delaware Park, it give you a slight reason to panic. When I made my way to the park, Eric and his groomsmen were huddled under the pergola. Poor Eric looked so worried for Kara. She couldn’t even get to her own ceremony because the rain was coming down so hard. He stayed calm and as more and more guests came, we all got cozy under the pergola. There was a string quartet that played as people shook off their umbrellas and laughed about the close quarters. We all hoped together to get a little break in the clouds, and finally we did! The rain stopped just enough for Kara and her bridesmaids to make it through the beautiful garden, to her groom. It was still a bit gray out, but they looked so happy to see each other. Then something amazing happened. This wedding was taking place on the birthday of Kara’s grandma, and we mentioned how she couldn’t be with us, but was with us in spirit, and BAM! Out came the sun. Right at that moment! Kara cried and Eric grabbed her hands and reminded her of what a happy day this really was. The mood lightened after that and Kara and Eric were able to say their vows with wet eyes instead of wet bodies. After hearing those, no one even remembered that it hadn’t been a perfect day a few minutes ago. Congratulations Eric and Kara! You’re a beautiful couple and think of all that luck that poured down on you! It will last you a lifetime…enjoy every minute of it.

 

August 8th was an amazing day. It called for rain, but in Bemus Point, it was nothing but clear skies and a cool breeze. A perfect day to get hitched, and an absolutely perfect place. At a family members old lake house, Angie and Eddie were able to have their wedding look exactly as they dreamed, on the water, simple, and beautiful. When I first arrived, I immediately loved how calm both Angie and Eddie were. They were hiding from each other, but had the exact same personality that day. They were happy, ready, and not at all uncertain. They live a high stress/adventure life between work and play, so this was small potatoes compared to what they usually get up to. Eddie and I made our way to the side of the lake, surrounded by friends and family and waited for Angie to make her debut. She looked so beautiful and so happy and it was impossible for people to not light up. And as unique as their personalities are, it had nothing on their unity ceremony! Combining two of their favorite beers, a light and a dark to make a black & tan symbolized their joining, their humor, and their love for tasty beer. Their guests loved it and the two of them looked like they were having a blast doing it. Their gestures and looks were understated and perfect for the two of them. You knew all you needed to about them and their relationship by the way they looked at each other. I was sad to see this moment end, but at least watching them have their first kiss was a small consolation. Congratulations Eddie & Angie. You already know you are perfect together, I’m just glad that I got to be a part of that picture for a moment. Best wishes on all of your future adventures together.

I love a Friday wedding. I can sneak out after a long day at work and become part of an amazing event. You can’t quite top the enthusiasm at a wedding, and on August 7th at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, that was a proven fact. Guests were piling in for Lindsay and Andy’s big moment. I found Lindsay first and she looked beautiful and crazy excited. When I found Andy, he looked handsome and excited, but perhaps a little nervous. When I would look over at him with and he would have a very serious face, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. The guys who aren’t joking around beforehand, the ones who look like they are contemplating, always cry when the bride comes out. I made a bet with myself if this time it would be different…I didn’t think so.
Family and friends were so emotional that an usher was handing out tissues in preparation for some happy tears. Soon enough it was time to get going, so Andy, his groomsmen, and myself headed up front to await Lindsay’s entrance. And when she made it, I won a bet with myself. Andy immediately had tears in his eyes, only to be matched by his mom in the front row. I had to look away because I’m not made of stone! And I have to keep it together!
Lindsay made her way to Andy and they smiled at each other and the room lit up. It was such an easy ceremony to perform because their happiness could be felt all around. Congratulations Andy & Lindsay! It’s easy to see after meeting both of you that you are meant for each other, so I know their will be nothing but happiness in your future. Much love!

August 2nd was amazing. Especially when you’re standing near a lake, feeling the cool breeze, while standing in the sunlight. And that’s just how perfect it was at Templeton Landing for Teresa and Daniel’s wedding! Dan was super cute when I first got there. He was very excited, perhaps a bit confused but some of the finer details, but 100% focused on the big moment, which was when he would be marrying Teresa. After pinning on some boutineers, I waited around with an excited groom for Teresa to arrive and for the fun to begin. Guests looked so happy about what a gorgeous day it was, and how there was nowhere else they would rather be on a Sunday afternoon in August. Soon Teresa arrived with her two adorable daughters, and her nervous smile was contagious. Daniel and I found our places in front of guests, and watched as Teresa made her way up the stairs, right behind her two beautiful flower girls. As soon as she reached the alter, the look Daniel and Teresa shared is why I spend my weekends doing this. It was pure love and happiness and isn’t a look that could ever be faked. After their vows and rings, they invited the girls up to share in the sand ceremony, where they climbed up to the table and poured their share of the sand in. Marriage isn’t just about two people, but about becoming a family, and this ceremony really symbolized that. Soon enough, it was time for the kiss and to tell the world that they were husband and wife!
Congratulations Daniel & Teresa! You’re an amazing couple and I’m so happy to have met you and shared in this moment. I wish you a lifetime of happiness for your entire beautiful family!

July 18th called for rain, but ended up being a stunner instead! And standing outside in the garden of Joseph’s Catering Service, I felt incredibly lucky. It was also lucky for Holly & Andy who were planning their big moment under the sun, and it would have been stressful to have been rained out…and they didn’t need more stress! Holly seemed a bit nervous and stressed when I checked in with her. She really wanted to make sure they started on time since they were leaving after for photos, and then had to hurry back to guests! When I found Andy, he was also very nervous. Mostly because he knew Holly was feeling the time crunch, and he had accidentally forgotten the ring bearers pillow and had sent someone back to get it! Luckily, we weren’t too delayed and mostly that was us waiting for last minutes guests. Come on guests! You can get to a wedding 10 minutes before showtime, I know you can!
Soon the pillow arrived and Andy found his place in the sun as his groomsmen joked around about how hot it was. Having done weddings in the heat, the freezing cold, and the rain, I can tell you that I’ll take super hot any day of the week! 20 minutes of sweat outweighs a bride with wet hair or a groom with a frozen beard.
Soon, Holly made her way out and looked beautiful…but still nervous! I couldn’t tell if it was the heat or just her nerves, but I was a little worried for her in the beginning. But I think once she found Andy’s eyes, and handed her flowers off so she could hold his hands, it all fell into place and they knew that heat aside, and photos aside, this was a perfect moment and nothing could ruin it! Congratulations Andy and Holly! You deserved a beautiful day and I’m so happy you got one. You’re a wonderful couple and I wish you nothing but happiness! (Sorry about the eyes Andy! You guys were in such a hurry and I was moving too quick!)

So July 11th continued being an amazing day at the Park Country Club, which kind of looks like a castle, and is an amazing spot to be married. I met Martha and Dean first through Skype and then in person, and while they are awesome people who have a beautiful relationship, it’s impossible not to mention that they met speed dating…because that is crazy awesome! But in a world of fifty, 3 minutes dates, they found each other and the rest is history. So on this gorgeous day I checked in with both of them…and they were pumped and barely nervous. Dean was excited because they hadn’t seen each other beforehand and he was wearing a white tux coat which he knew Martha would get a kick out of. Soon it was time for her to see him and we lined up outside waiting for her beautiful self to come down. Her first bridesmaid, and Dean’s sister, was the cutest because she immediately started sobbing. Everyone couldn’t help but laugh at her outpouring of love. When Martha first stepped out, I laughed at the look she made when she saw the white tux coat. She was surprised indeed! They were happy and calm and made it to that most important kiss, as the guests blew bubbles around them. Now if only Dean could get that wedding ring to fit on his finger! Congratulations Dean and Martha! I’m so glad the two of you found me and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

 

July 11th was amazing!!! It was warm and sunny and I was at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens, which is seriously the best place you can be on a beautiful day. Jack was worry free. He had his groomsmen and was super pumped for Kelly to get there. He didn’t seem a bit nervous (more to come on that), and the guys hung out and teased him as I pinned on some boutonnieres. It felt like a day nothing could go wrong. Soon enough Kelly arrived and we began walking from the beautiful outdoor gardens to the gazebo to wait for her approach. And it was worth the wait! Kelly looked stunning as she smiled her way up to Jack. They could not take their eyes from each other. The only time they did was when Jack’s dad come up to read A Meditation on Marriage, which was something he wrote for them. The gist of it was that instead of being two separate people, they would be one, and it was a beautiful thought for that moment. They had written their own vows and although Kelly teared up and she read from her vow book, it was Jack’s nervousness that was cutest of all! He pulled out his vows, but couldn’t read them. So he took a second..and five seconds…fifteen seconds…he needed to calm himself down because I think he knew he would be all tears if he didn’t! It was beautiful and Kelly just beamed at him knowing it was his love for her that was choking him up. They made it through and into a huge embrace and first kiss. Congratulations Jack and Kelly! The two of you were meant to be and I’m glad I got to make it happen! Best wishes for always.