Natalie and Brian are another couple whose families I have come to know and love through their weddings.  When they told me they had selected Bard College Chapel and Blythewood Mansion for their wedding, I was super excited because it is not only a rarely used but wonderful place to have a wedding, but it’s also a favorite place of mine to just visit for the day.  The location is beautiful and the gardens are amazing.  If you haven’t been to Blythewood Mansion, you should take a day trip there and just wander around.  I think it’s prettier than Vanderbilt, and much quieter!  Dark clouds were lurking in an otherwise bright sky, but the rain didn’t let loose until everyone was back in their cars/bus’s and we were safely outta there!

Dress by Jim Hjelm; Shoes by Allure Bridal; Flowers by Floral Fantasies by Sara; Ceremony at Bark College Chapel; Photos at Blythewood Mansion, Bard College; Reception at The Grandview, Poughkeepsie

Donations to the SPCA are popular wedding favors, but I really love how Natalie and Brian made up these beautiful cards to show their donation!  Simple and sweet.

Photographing Rebecca and Kevin’s engagement session was such a  pleasure!  Rebecca’s Maid of Honor, Michelle,  bought them the session as an engagement gift – such a great idea!  It was one of those hot steamy summer days we’ve been having alot of lately and taking these guys on a hike around the grounds at the Vanderbilt Estate definitely gave them a workout.   Our 1st date had a rain-out, but this day was absolutely gorgeous.  It was also a perfect opportunity to get to know  Rebecca and Kevin better – I can’t wait for their wedding next May!

It’s hard to believe it’s been 3 years since photographing Sean and Pati’s wedding and another entire year since I photographed baby Adriana at 1 year old.  Now she’s 2 and running, running, running!  I don’t think she stopped moving for even one second of the entire hour we spent at Vanderbilt Mansion.  This was one of the last days for any fall color and Adriana had a great time playing in all the piles of falling leaves.  This baby never stopped moving, but she never stopped laughing either.  Love it!

The Rose Garden at Vanderbilt Mansion

Jackie at Vassar College

The wedding day itself seemed to come up pretty quickly after Jackie and Tony’s engagement session.  A touching ceremony was performed by Jackie’s cousin at Vassar College Chapel with a stunning bride and a very handsome and happy groom!  The photo session after the ceremony was in the beautiful Shakespeare Gardens on the grounds of Vassar College and then on to an evening of dinner and dancing at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie.  I was able do some cool photos with Tony and the guys earlier in the day – a nice switch up for me.  The reception in the tent at The Grandview had more food than I have ever seen at a wedding before.  The centerpieces of gerber daisies and photos from the engagement session were gorgeous. What a wonderful day!
Ceremony at Vassar College Chapel
Dress by Maggie Sottero
Flowers by Morgan’s Florist
Music by DJ Dom
Reception at The Grandview

The Shakespeare Gardens at Vassar College