Rustic Elegant Fall Wedding at Stonover Farm in Lenox MA :: Surprise Dinosaur Parade :: Berkshires Wedding :: Lexie and Mike

Lexie loves parades. And leading up to their wedding, Mike and Lexie would joke about incorporating their own parade into the day. We all have those inside jokes with our partners.. but it's just something to joke about, right? Not this time!

Mike surprised Lexie with a Jurassic Park themed parade right at the end of their wedding ceremony. Just after they were officially pronounced husband and wife and had kissed, the doors to the barn at Stonover Farm flew open. A T-Rex holding a conductors wand walked out followed by staff members who quickly handed out balloons and inflatable dinosaurs to guests. Their musically talented friends and family were in on it too! As Lexie and Mike came down the aisle the 'band' stood, holding the instruments that had been tucked away beneath the benches, and started to play a lively song fit for a parade! Other guests were given noise makes before the ceremony to sound too.

Lexie's reaction was absolutely priceless! It was so incredible to watch. She burst out laughing and you could just feel all of the joy and love in that moment. You could see how happy Mike was to have been able to surprise Lexie with her very own wedding day parade. And as Lexie and Mike made their way toward cocktail hour, the T-Rex band conductor followed behind, leading their parade of wedding guests to cocktail hour!

Lexie and Michael's wedding day was the picture of Rustic Elegance with a lot of fun, personal elements add in. Michael started out the day at a nearby orchard, picking apples and buying cider donuts as a favor for their wedding guests. After these two were finished getting ready (they had so many beautiful details to photograph!) we setup their first look in front of the property. Michael read the note that Lexie had written for him just before she walked up to meet him. You could feel the love as these two saw each other and talked about their day so far. Lexie did a spin in her gown and Michael showed off his new cufflinks. Lexie had a touching 'First Look' with her father, and then the Best Man and Man of Honor met us so that we could take photos of them all together. 

Their wedding ceremony followed, officiated by Michael's brother and with readings by his parents. Michael and Lexie wrote their own vows. They were personal and funny and just beautiful all at the right moments. There were two adorable 'ring bears' in charge for the wedding bands that delivered them on queue. And then the first kiss, you already read above what happened after that!

Their lively parade made its way to the lake where cocktail hour was setup. And while guests talked, drank, hugged, and laughed, we photographed Michael and Alexis with their families back in front of the barn. They had some time to talk with each other and even check out their reception space inside the barn with all of the flowers placed and candle glowing. 

As the sun set, Lexie's father and brother both raised a glass to the newly weds for a toast, and dinner was served. It's worth noting that Mezze Catering & Events prepared food that was both delicious and matched the rustic setting of Stonover Farm. All of which was served family style and just felt right for this celebration. Following dinner, Michael's brother toasted the couple and then played the bagpipes for them as the music for their first dance. After that, live bluegrass music filled the barn and guests were swinging round and round!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Stonover Farm in Lenox, Ma
Catering and Planning: Mezze Catering & Events
Florist: Bloom Floral Design
Wedding Gown from Madeleine's Daughter Bridal Salon in Portsmouth, NH
Pre- Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Carubia Brass Band and Dixie Land Jazz
Wedding Reception Band: The Lonely Heartstring Band
Wedding Cake: Austin Bayliss
Lighting Designer: Julie Seitel
Audio Engineer & Sound Equipment -  Darren O'Brien from Encore Audio
Rentals from Classical Tents & Party Goods and New England Country Rentals
Bridal Accessories and Second Wedding Gown from from BHLD
Groom's Attire from 9tailors in Boston Ma
Best Man and Man of Honor's attire from Men's Wearhouse
Transportation: Dufour Bus Co.

Fontainebleau Inn Spring Wedding :: Sage Chapel at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York :: Jillian and Clayton

Jillian and Clayton were married at Sage Chapel at Cornell University (Jillian's Alma Matter) in Ithaca, NY followed by a celebration next to Cayuta Lake at the Fontainebleau Inn because.. "How do you have a wedding in the fingerlakes and not be on a lake?!" It was an incredible location made even more beautiful by the clouds (Just check out that cloudy backdrop over the lake in the photos below!) which never amounted to more than some passing showers (Take that, Weather Channel!). After they both got ready, they started out with a private and emotional first look.. followed by a whirlwind of champagne popping, dancing, happy tears, trolley riding, kisses under blown bubbles, big hugs, lots of love, and ice cream. It was a heck of a day and below is more about it all from Jillian.

What are your top three most memorable moments from your wedding day?
·      The Ice cream truck for sure, it was nice to see guests surprised and excited to get dessert!
·      The ceremony itself. We had some great moments in there, including a few flubbered lines that made us laugh, some tears, great readings from family, and involvement from so many important people in our lives. It was a great combination of the two of us and our personalities.
·      The trolley ride. It was also so nice to get some time with just our wedding party and parents. Cracking some champagne after escaping the rain on our way back was a nice touch as well and a great way to kick off the celebration! It was also nice to be able to kick back after the ceremony was over.

Did anything go wrong or not as expected?
Our ice cream truck was late as they had an issue with the machine, but, at that point, I wasn't stressed. They pulled up only a few minutes behind schedule. The guests didn't know the timing though, since it was a surprise, so it was not a big problem at all.

Knowing what you do now, would you have done anything differently?
At times, like all couples, we considered eloping when things started to get stressful or someone drove us crazy! But we LOVED our wedding day and are so thankful for the memories - we really wouldn't change a thing other than having the family and friends that had to miss the day be there.

We have lost a member of our wedding party since May and I am especially thankful for those moments and amazing photos we had with him in what turned out to be the last months of his life.

Why did you choose The Fontainebleau Inn for your reception?
On our trip to visit venues, we both felt that nothing else in the area compared. Not even close. We kind of looked at each other and just said, "how can we not?!" The venue came with some challenges (like transportation, price, and lodging) but we knew it would be worth the extra effort. And as you know, Clayton's big thing was, "how do you have a wedding in the fingerlakes not on a lake?!"

A little shout out to your other vendors.. Did anyone that you worked with really standout to you?
Katie Legg of Festive Planning, our coordinator, was spectacular. She was behind the scenes but then right there any time I needed her. She also did much more than your typical day-of coordination in making sure everything was set in the weeks ahead of the wedding with our vendors, even allowing me to ship her things since we were coming from Miami. We also loved Word of Mouth Catering - Katie and Tina are such sweethearts and executed our exact vision for the food, which was delicious! Benjamin Peters was also so flexible with the tux returns and accommodating a number of last minute needs.

Do you have any tips for couples currently planning their wedding?
Do what you want - don't get caught up in other people's wishes. It's YOUR day and you have to learn to just speak up and say no when things start to get off track with planning (and they will, trust me). Everyone has an opinion or wants things done a certain way but choose to do what makes you happy.

How did you find Michelle and know you wanted her to photograph your wedding day?
Michelle and I have known each other for years, there was nobody else in my mind that made sense! Her work is beautiful and I knew she'd do a great job.

What was/is your favorite photo moment?
Our first look. It was so nice to finally get to see one another and get in some moments, just the two of us. The rush of emotions when we first saw one another was amazing (and may have included some tears) and I'm glad that they were captured so well.

 I’d also include our sunset pictures out on the water. They are stunning and it was so nice to get more moments together alone as Mr. and Mrs.

And what's next for you as a couple?
A PUPPY! We're going to get a new addition to the family this spring/early summer.

Wedding Ceremony at Sage Chapel at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
Wedding Reception at The Fontainebleau Inn
Wedding Coordination by Katie Legg of Festive Planning
Floral Design by Michaleen's Florist
Catered by Word of Mouth Catering
DJ: Bill of Black Tie Entertainment
Transportation: Trolley Limo
Wedding Ceremony Music: Ithaca College String Quartet
Hair & Makeup by Kerri Everhart-Mount of All Revived Hair Studio
Wedding Gown by Allure Bridal from RK Bridal
Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo
Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy Collection Wrap Dresses
Groom and Groomsmen Attire from Benjamin Peters
Dessert: Skippy's Ice Cream Truck

Starting this New Year by Celebrating 2016

Last year was incredible. 

Last year I got to be a part of so many beautiful wedding celebrations. I travelled throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. I worked with other incredible vendors. I was able to celebrate with old friends. And I was able to get to know couples that I met through their wedding planning process who now feel like friends. There were so many beautiful moments throughout it all. I'm so completely overwhelmed by all of the love and joy that I got to photograph. I'm taken back by how notable and different each day was.

There was a T-Rex parade, coordinated by the groom to surprise his new wife just after their first kiss.

There was a wedding right on the lake in the Berkshires, the same location that three other family weddings happened before. There was such a sense of history and connection.

There were families cheering and clapping throughout the entire oceanside ceremony processional, the excitement building well before the bride even started down the aisle. In that joy, there was a sense that these two families were already one.

There were fireworks.. Fireworks that surprised guests at the end of the night as the newly weds watched together in the vineyard below. We could hear the shouts of joy as the first firework hit the sky!

There was a ceremony that was rained out, eliciting laughs as everyone ran for cover and only adding to the story of the day. It was an obstacle that many couple's dread that was handled with humor and grace.

There were tears. There were heartfelt toasts. There was chanting and there was dancing. There was practiced choreography and there was no holds bar, hair-whipping, hands in the air fun. There were mansions, orchards, inns, churches, farms, seaports, and lakes. Every wedding was different, unique to that couple. And I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of each. I'm looking forward to sharing more from each day with you here on the blog in the coming weeks, because I can't possibly give every wedding it's due in this single post.

Winter Wonderland Wedding with Horse and Carriage and Snowfall :: The Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst, Ma :: Cynthia and Michael

New England weather is always unpredictable, but sometimes.. it's also magical. This past Saturday, the snow started to fall just before Cynthia and Michael's wedding ceremony that was held inside the library of the Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst, Ma. These two said their vows in front of a historic fireplace and with their closest friends and family in attendance. Then, Michael helped Cynthia lace up her snow boots and they went outside where a horse and carriage ride was waiting. It was a scene straight out of a fairytale, or at least right off of the ideal Winter Wedding Pinterest Page! 

After taking a ride in the carriage, getting some moments alone together to take in the fact that they just officially got married, I got to capture some photos of them outside as the snow fell. Actually, Cynthia and Michael went outside with me a couple of times throughout their reception to create photos together in between dancing. These two weren't the least bit concerned about the cold and were truly up for anything. You could feel all of the excitement and love that they were feeling! Holding each other tightly and taking in every moment together. That is really what made it most feel like a fairytale. 

Wedding Venue: The Lord Jeffery Inn 
Photography by Michelle Girard Photography
Wedding Gown by Essence of Australia from Bella Sera Bridal & Occasion 
Makeup by Liz Washer
Hair by Jenursa Mikalunas
Menswear from Giblees Menswear
Officiated by Dale Desmarais
Horse and Carriage from Muddy Brook Drafts
Acoustic Music and DJing by Viren Entertainment 
Flowers and Cake by Atkins Farms Country Market
Rings from Barmakian Jewelers