How do you photograph the wedding of someone who looks at wedding photos all day almost every day?  I mean she knows everything about wedding photography!  Beth is a graphic designer/digital re-toucher at a professional photo lab in Poughkeepsie, On Location Studios.  She is the person who fixes photographer’s goof-ups and mistakes.  So when Beth asked me to photograph her wedding, it was quite a compliment.

Beth and Chris met 8 years ago while both were students at Marist College.  I see Beth at the photo lab all the time, but I’d only met Chris once before.  But I can tell you I instantly picked up on the fact Chris was both anxious about the wedding and extremely neat – based on the fact he had lined up trail mix, a money clip, bottled water, his room key and cell phone in the tidiest pile I have ever seen on the hotel bed.  Beth, on the other hand, was completely relaxed or at least faking it really well to me.  As Beth got out of the limo at Marist Chapel, a usually kinda anxious moment for most brides, she was laughing – a very good sign of things to come.

I don’t usually see Beth as glamorous – I usually see her in sweatshirts and jeans, no make-up.  But WOW!  She is stunning!  She should wear a wedding dress and updo every day.  A beautiful ceremony at Marist College Chapel was followed by photos on the campus and then everyone moved on over to Locust Grove for a party that had 150 people on the dance floor from the 1st song of the night onwards.  I got to see Jackie and Brendan again (I photographed their wedding a few years back) and also hang again with my coolest dj friends, Stephanie and Jeff of The DJ Solution.  They weren’t very challenged on this night though – we finally guessed that these partier’s couldn’t find a song they wouldn’t dance to.  That floor was packed all night long!  The caterer’s, Holbarts, were the same caterer’s Beth’s parents had used at their own wedding 30 years ago.  Which is amazing and a huge compliment to them.  Congrats Beth and Chris – you guys made things so much fun.  I really couldn’t have a better job!

Ceremony at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, Marist College; Video by Bob Gellar; Reception at Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie; Music by Stephanie & Jeff of The DJ Solution; photos printed at On Location Studios, Poughkeepsie;

Having 3 brothers is def not easy!

Marist College, Poughkeepsie

Diamonds were the word of the day!  From all the heavy jewels on Brianne’s gorgeous cathedral length veil, to the 15 carat diamond necklace she wore, the sparkle of jewels were everywhere.  A beautiful ceremony at Marist College Chapel was followed by photos on the Marist campus and then an evening of dining and dancing in the tent at The Grandview.

I was so delighted that Brianne and Ed selected me to be their wedding photographer!  Brianne had been a bridesmaid  at Kelly & Jaime’s wedding several years ago, so I knew I would be among old friends again that day.  Brianne had described their taste as classic and timeless, and that is exactly what their wedding was.  Classic, elegant, timeless and beautiful.  Brianne and Ed are wonderful couple who perfectly compliment each other.

Dress by Platinum Priscilla of Boston; shoes by Grazia;  Jewelry from Kingston Fine Jewelers; Flowers by Sara of Floral Fantasies; Music by MC Fish; Reception at The Grandview

Dress by Anne Barge

Flowers by Events by Ranita

Ceremony at Marist College Chapel

Reception at The Grandview, Poughkeepsie, NY

Music by Blazing Beats

All that color!

photos by Lori O’Toole

Jessica and Adrian had a caravan of Hot Rods at their September wedding in Poughkeepsie.  The vintage parade started at Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie and followed the couple as they headed to the Hudson River for photos.  A blown radiator hose at the church and another car that just plain stopped and had to be towed from the waterfront just added to the fun and commotion that makes every wedding unique.  This rowdy group headed over to the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel after the waterfront for a night of non-stop partying and dancing.

Dress by Jasmine Couture

Ceremony at Holy Trinity, Poughkeepsie

Flowers by Adams Fairacre Farms

Music by Mike at Blazing Beats

Reception at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel

My 1st antifreeze at a wedding photo!

Adrian's grandfather's dog tags

Dress by Tara Keely, Shoes by Chanel and Manolo Blahnik

Makeup by Jill from Bobbi Brown

Flowers by Jo-Ann

Handmade wedding details from Etsy.com

Ceremony at the chapel at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Photos at Marist College and The Links at Union Vale

Reception at The Links at Union Vale

Music by DJ Bri of Spinning with Style

Ring Bearer instructions

Cigar moment

Silver Chanel shoes for the wedding, Green Manolo's for the reception!

Aren't these flowers stunning?

When I first walked into Mary and Ron’s home, I was wowed by all the period architectural details. The paint colors and attention to detail made beautiful backdrops to some stunning photos.
The bouquets from the Green Cottage in High Falls were some of the most stunning flower designs I had ever seen. Simple yet so complex – Gorgeous!

It was one of those rare days (very rare!) when there was plenty of time and Mary and Ron were able to use both the grounds at Marist College and the golf course at the Links at Union Vale for a fun and artsy photo session. Families and friends gathered together for a last dance at this wedding that was one of the most romantic I have ever seen.
Dress by Demetrios
Ceremony at Marist College Chapel
Music by Bri Swatek
Flowers by The Green Cottage in High Falls
Reception at The Links at Union Vale

Marist College

Last Kiss during the Last Dance