YellowBird Wedding

because simple is beautiful

Ok so first things first. This was a wonderful wedding and I’m gonna get to that, but I’m a little bummed about the ending. After Rachael and Eric kissed and walked away, they vanished! Their photographer had them hop into golf carts and take off so they could go get some amazing shots taken. It’s a great way to do it, I’m just bummed because after so many weddings, this is the first one where I didn’t get a picture of the couple after. Alright. I guess I’ll live. Onto the wedding!
May 23rd was gorgeous! Really a perfect spring day and I was happy to be at the beautiful Timberlodge Arrowhead Golf Club. With the sun shining and a lite breeze, everyone seemed thrilled to be outside and awaiting a wedding. Rachael and Eric are adorable and were hiding out in the ladies room together until the moment arrived. Finally it did and I headed up to the alter with Eric and his groomsmen. Eric is a bit shy and I could tell that even though he was just hanging out with Rachael, he was nervous for the actually ceremony and having to read his vows in front of everyone! They created a book that held both of their vows and read from that. It was sweet and classy looking and I think I’ll recommend it to more couples! They also tied a fisherman’s knot together because it’s the strongest knot of all, just like their relationship has been and marriage will be! Congratulations Rachael and Eric!!! The two of you compliment each other perfectly and I know that it’s all smooth sailing from this point forward. You owe me a photo!!!

 

 

Who wants to work on a Friday? Not me and thankfully Lindsay and Matt got me out of work on May 22nd, and down to the gorgeous Karpeles Manuscript Museum to share in their day of joy! Matt was there with his groomsmen being a bit nervous as we waiting for Lindsay to arrive. Being such a cute couple, I knew that any nervousness Matt was having would be masked by Lindsay’s excitement once she arrived. She’s the kind of girl who knows what she wants! We fiddled around with their unity candles, and Matt kept checking to make sure the lighter was working for when they lit their candles in front of family and friends. The funny part is when the moment came, it seems to spark an awful lot before actually working. I’m sure that coated him in a nice sheen of sweat! Soon Lindsay arrived and we all lined up, music started and we waited. But the song came and went, but no Lindsay. We found out that the photographer had gone to the wrong venue, and Lindsay wasn’t starting and missing forever memories of this moment. Excellent game time decision. So I teased Matt about standing in front of everyone for soooo long, but before we knew it, the music started again, and the big doors opened to let Lindsay into the room. My favorite part of this ceremony when as soon as Lindsay got to the alter, she immediately joked with Matt that it wasn’t her fault she was late. It lightened the mood and then they were mostly jokes until the final kiss. Congratulations Lindsay and Matt! I wish you all the best and a happy life together.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you’re going to get married, you might as well do it in the morning so you can spend all day as newlyweds! And that’s exactly what Allison and Hassan did! They planned their ceremony for 10:30am so they could spend the entire day with family and friends, and with each other, knowing that they were finally husband and wife. May 16th was a beautiful morning, and a perfect day to be at Glen Falls Park, watching the waterfall and waiting for the happy couple to arrive. Guests set up chairs near two giant trees that would serve as an alter. There was a lot of excitement and teamwork as friends worked together holding down the wedding runner on the grass for Allison to walk down. Hassan made it there before her and seemed very eager for her to arrive and be by his side. Soon enough, people starting whispering that she was coming and Hassan immediately looked away so that he would only see her when she reached him! And when she did, they both lit up brighter than the beautiful sunny day. They held hands and went through their vows, and weddings like this prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a magical day. It was everything they could have wanted and it was outdoors and free!
Congratulations Hassan & Allison! I’m so glad it was a perfect day for the two of you because it’s what you deserve. Much love for a happy future!

May 15th was a good Friday. I was able to spend it at the adorable Marienthal Country Inn while Renee and Jason prepared for their big moment. With a small group of guests, it was very intimate and it seemed like everyone was part of the moment. With two adorable little fellas leading the way down the aisle, there was no point waiting around for such an exciting moment. Jason waited for Renee to make her way up the aisle, looking beautiful and nervous. I think the nerves went away though when the little fellas ran around them excitedly, making everyone laugh and creating a more relaxed environment. Since Renee and Jason both have children, they did a group sand ceremony so that everyone in that family knew that they were one and would always work together. And the final jar of sand with four different colors in it looked awesome! Congratulations Jason & Renee. Since your life is full of kids, lots of pets and now each other, I don’t see one single day of unhappiness in your future. Best wishes!!!

Another perfect day on May 2nd. Sunshine, light breeze, and two adorable humans confessing that they are going to love each other forever…and no one doubting it for a second! At Classics V, Carl greeted guests with his groomsmen knowing that soon enough Leah would appear looking as beautiful as he’s ever seen her. It was a very joyful and loving environment. Guests seemed so thrilled to see one another and to be gathered for such a special moment. And after the rehearsal we had the day before, I knew nothing could possibly go wrong because Carl’s Aunt would not allow for that! She was all business and definitely could have had a career as a wedding planner.
When Leah arrived, Carl, his best man, and myself went to hide outside until it was time to stand in front of family and friends. With Carl being such a big guy, I was shocked and moved every time he got emotional before and during the ceremony. As Leah walked in, she looked goregous and no one could take their eyes off her. She came up to Carl and after tear filled vows, they placed love letters in a wine box that they would open and enjoy one year from this day. A giant group “awww” came from the audience as they sealed the box together. Soon it was time to kiss and to shimmy back down the aisle, preparing to party the night away. Congratulations Carl and Leah! It was such a beautiful day and I felt honored to be a part of it. Best wishes!!!

April 24th was a lovely spring day. If you could be outside, you were lucky. BUT if you could be inside Pearl Street for the wedding of Erin and Jim, you were even luckier. This was a couple that I found adorable the minute I met them, and I was excited for this day. After finding Jim chatting with his friends and looking ridiculously happy, I found Erin next door at The Webb anxiously waiting for the moment to begin. After five years of happiness, they were ready for this beautiful moment. After running around with Erin’s friend trying to find a secret passageway to get her in unseen (which the wedding planner did much easier), it was time to begin. I waited with Jim who nervously checked to make sure he had the rings a couple times, and watched him beam as soon as Erin came into view. They looked happy and like they were sharing a joke as they smirked at each other throughout. The room erupted when it was time for the kiss and then it was time to just enjoy the beauty around them and the love from their friends. Congratulations Jim & Erin!!! I’m so happy you found me and that I was able to join the two of you forever! Best wishes!

So check out these amazing photos from the ever talented City Lights Studio from the wedding of the winners of  Buffalo Indie Weddings big giveaway contest! They won prizes and gift certificates from all sorts of local vendors, including City Lights Studio and myself!

Click on the photo below to see the beauty of their day!

 

April 3rd was still a chilly spring day, but everything was perfect inside the VFW post on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore. Shawn didn’t seem nervous at all. He’s a cool, calm, and collected kind of guy. He was hanging out with his son Ethan and mostly just waiting for the moment that Cassandra would arrive. They hadn’t seen each other yet, and I could tell that he was excited to finally catch a glimpse of her. It’s hard not seeing the person you love all day! When Cassandra did arrive, she seemed just as calm…even though she forgot her bouquet at home! No worries when you have good friends that will go back and get anything you need. That’s how to make a perfect day…perfect guests. The couple continued to hide from each other as I went around with parents making sure everything was set, music was ready, people were sitting, and if it was time to start yet! Soon enough it was and Casey was walked out by her father to her cool, calm, and collected guy. Until he started saying his vows of course. Then I watched the tears gather in his eyes as they both realized the moment they had been waiting for was upon them. Their little boy Ethan seemed overjoyed at the moment as well. Congratulations Shawn and Casey! I’m so glad to have been a part of your day and that the two of you have everything that is beautiful ahead of you!

March 27th wasn’t exactly a typical end-of-winter day. Slush & rain were prominent, but the energy at the Avanti Mansion was like a summer’s day party! Everyone was so excited for Hayley and Virgilio’s wedding! We just hoped Virgilio would get there soon since he was taking part of his police officer’s exam that day! I meet up with Hayley who looked gorgeous and calm. Ready for the big moment. The only nerves that came was when she realized she had forgotten her vows! Luckily I had them on my phone and we were able to print them out beforehand. Disaster averted! But as wonderful as seeing the glamorous Hayley was, nothing can compare to Virgilio. He wins the award for most nervous groom…EVER. He could barely keep it together! The DJ and I kept teasing him because he was adorable. Had to make sure everyting was perfect, keep wrinkling his vows between his fingers, shaking his legs, sweating, and working on his breathing. I made sure to give him step by step instructions to help with his worrying. But once we stepped in front of the crowd (well no, he was still nervous then), but once Hayley appeared at the top of the staircase and they met eyes, he seemed to instantly relax. They stayed close to each other and read their vows with smiles on their faces. Although they were happy to be sharing that moment, I’m pretty sure they were ready for it to be over so they could blend back in with the crowd. Good luck with that when you look that good! Congratultions Virgilio and Hayley. I feel very lucky that I met both of you and was able to share in your big day. I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Wedding are always special. I love each of them individually. BUT, that being said, there is an extra bit of magic when you marry people that are your friends and that you love greatly. And my lucky self was able to do that on March 21st! The Webb is becoming a favorite spot to marry couples, and Saturday only locked that down even more! Everything looked amazing thanks to Costamagna Design, and you truly couldn’t find a more relaxed couple. After 11 years together, this was just another beautiful day that they were going to spend together, and they were so full of happiness, there was no room for nerves. Val looked stunning in her hand-made dress by the ever talented Made by Anatomy. Jordan and Val were lucky enough to win a big part of their weddings by the generous Buffalo Indie Weddings. After entering a contest, their love blew away the competition and they were able to have their perfect day with a couple of bucks left over so they could dart over to France after their wedding. Love/Hate them 🙂
After checking in with both, and realizing I was the more nervous one, I excitedly waited for the big moment. Soon it was upon us and Val was being escorted down the aisle and Jordan looked on smiling. Soon they were holding hands and my face was aching from non-stop smiling. After gushing about how much I love them (and some gentle teasing of course), they said their vows through teary eyes. And after that kiss, BOOM! Kanye filled the room as well as confetti that the wedding party showered them with. It was amazingly fun only to be topped by a wicked party after.
Congratulations Jordan and Val! I was truly honored to be able to marry a perfect pair and I can’t wait to spend the next decades continually celebrating with you. All my love, always.