Laura + Ricki's Classic and Traditional Buffalo Wedding at Corpus Christi Church and The Columns Banquets

Laura & Ricki had the most beautiful class and traditional wedding this July in Buffalo, New York. Making the trip back home from their current residence in Chicago, Laura spent the morning getting ready with her parents and bridesmaids at her childhood home. And Ricki and his groomsmen got ready at his brother-in-law’s house (who also happens to be a past wedding client of mine). The sun was shining and it was a perfect July morning as they headed off to exchange vows at a ceremony held in one of Buffalo’s historic churches, Corpus Christi. As we went to depart the church for their portrait locations, it started downpourring – but we took a chance and headed to the Albright Knox to attempt some non-rainy photos there. The weather gods were definitely in our favor, as we were able to get in all their wedding party photos – just missing the rain! – AND we ended up having the entire place to ourselves! I typically don’t recomend going to the Albright Knox for photos on a wedding day because usually there are lines of wedding parties waiting for photos. But it all worked out for us, and I was over-the-moon excited to be able to get them the portraits in locations we had planned out together!

After the wedding party photos, everyone hopped in the limo and headed off to The Columns Banquet, for a laid, black and classic reception. It was an evening to remember and I’m so excited to share highlights from their day with you today! Congratulations again, Laura & Ricki!

Jenna and Daniel's Rainy, Gold-Detailed, September Wedding at Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, New York

It's hard to believe we are already in the middle of September. Another fall season is beginning; another summer season soon to be behind us. Like many photographers, blogging for me always gets put on the back-burner to all the other business things – especially during the summer and fall months. But today I am taking a pause on everything else to reflect back on Jenna + Daniel’s September Wedding at Sonnenberg Gardens. Today they are celebrating the big FOUR, and while I’m a little embarased it’s taken me THIS long to share their amazing day, I’m even more excited that we can all relive this day together on their anniversary (which oddly enough, is another rainy September morning here in Buffalo, NY)!

In our time leading up to the wedding, I had the pleasure of getting to know Jenna and Daniel and was really excited about not only working with them, but photographing them because they are seriously the cutest and most playful couple. I am so drawn to personalities like theirs – fun-loving, a little quirky, and not afraid to be themselves or be silly, but yet also super affectionate.

Their wedding ceremony and reception were planned to be outdoors at the breathtakingly beautiful Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, NY (which is a dream come true venue setting for anyone looking to have a wedding with a garden setting). But of course, mother nature didn't quite agree with their plans, so they ended up needing to get a tent up over the ceremony and sides to a tent for the reception. It was a really wet day, I'll be honest. I'm pretty sure it didn't stop raining once. But even more importantly, it was a really AMAZING day. From start to finish, the rain was a part of their story, and rather than let it get them down, Jenna and Daniel embraced it and enjoyed every minute of their once-in-a-lifetime wedding day despite all the rain. And I’m sure everyone who was there will agree – it was nothing short of perfect.

Special shout-out to all the vendors:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Sonnenberg Gardens
Officiant: Beth Bouwens
Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography
Florist: Wegmans
Caterer: Creative Caterers
Cake/Bakery: Scratch Bakeshop
DJ/Band/Entertainment: Turner Music Productions
Invitations: Minted
Hair & Makeup: Michelle's Salon and Spa
Bride Attire: Dress: Lovely Bride, Shoes: Wallis, Accessories: Twigs & Honey
Groom Attire: Suit: Combatant Gentlemen, Shoes: Cole Haan
Wedding Party Attire: Bridesmaids: BHLDN, Groomsmen: Combatant Gentleman
Decorations/Decor Design or Rentals: McCarthy Tents & Events
Favors: Succulents
Late night food/snacks: Mini Pies

Additional thoughts from the Bride:

How would you describe your wedding vision/theme? My friends started joking that they were going to call me "Midas" – everything that I touched with this wedding turned to gold! I knew very early on that I didn't want a specific color to be the focal point of the vision, as I felt that might be a bit overwhelming when looking at the entire wedding as a whole. Instead, I focused on a softer vision of gold, ivory, and warm lighting. I also knew that I wouldn't be wearing a white ballgown down the aisle, it just wouldn't have felt like me. Why wear a white wedding dress when you can wear an incredible golden gown covered in pearls and sequins?! I felt like a radiant sun! To keep everything soft and light, I dressed my girls in ivory bridesmaid dresses with gold shoes. Since our wedding was in September, I still wanted to incorporate a little richness in color in small touches, which I did with berry-colored flowers, vivid green leaves, navy suits, and camel leather shoes/belts for the guys. The goal was to achieve an overall sense of warmth and welcome while set in an ethereal garden, and I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out!

Favorite moments/memories from the wedding? Even though I was next-level devastated when our wedding day came with a forecast of rain all day, it actually ended up blessing us with some truly incredible moments. We had to move our wedding location so we could get all of our wedding guests under a tent, which meant that my girls and I had to make our entrance through a beautiful wooded area. When my girls stepped out to make their way down the aisle with their huge clear umbrellas, they looked like mystical woodland nymphs! As my turn came and I grabbed my dad's arm to walk towards Dan, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and had a true out of body experience. I was immediately brought back down to earth as I heard my dad start muttering, "What do I do with this umbrella? When do I drop it? I'm going to drop it now." And with 20 feet to go before reaching the safety of the tent, my dad tossed our umbrella! Even though I got quite wet, I was ecstatic to make my way to my grinning groom through the drizzling rain and the laughter of friends and family. Moments like that can't be planned!

Do you have any recommendations for future couples planning a wedding? Don't take on more than you can handle, and feel free to let some things slide. Your engagement is an incredibly important time in your life, and you shouldn't experience it as a big ball of stress. It is meant to be enjoyed and shared with all of the people in your life that you love! Figure out ways that you can create your vision without breaking the bank or your peace of mind. And whatever you do, don't stop planning and just elope like you surely want to a few months into the process! Even though planning can be overwhelming and frustrating, nothing can beat the experience of having your friends and family surround you as you join your life with the person you cherish. It will make all of the stress worth it a thousand times over.

Kate and Alex's Classic but Modern September Wedding with Whimsical, Floral Touches at Hotel Henry in Buffalo, NY

I’ve been dying to share Kate and Alex’s wedding day since the day they exchanged vows – exactly 2 years ago today. It was the kind of day that I would wake up and relive over and over again if I needed. Kate and Alex themselves are two of the most incredibly kind and genuine people I’ve ever been fortunate enough to meet. I still remember the initial consult call that Kate and I shared, and remember thinking she’s the kind of person I’d love to be close friends with if we lived in the same city. Then I met them both in person on their wedding day, and they both blew me away with their love and kindness and overall freakin’ awesomeness. To top it off, their wedding party and families were all so stellar the entire day. I can’t help but think this entire group of family and friends is incredibly lucky to have one another in each others’ lives.

People aside, there were so many other things that I loved about their wedding day. For starters, I loved that the bridesmaids dresses and Alex’s tie were not your standard solid color, but floral prints that added a truly unique touch to the aesthetics of their wedding party. They incorporated unique vows to one another that had their guests roaring during a ceremony at Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo. And they actually danced together throughout the evening during their reception at Hotel Henry (which doesn’t always get to happen on account of mixing and mingling with so many guests)! It was a great day from start to finish and I am so, so excited to share a (albeit large) sampling of favorite images from their day.

Happy anniversary, you two!! I miss you. Please come back to Buffalo and let’s hang, like real soon, so I can hear all about your travel stories and post-wedding life adventures!

Special shout-out to all the vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo
Reception Venue: Hotel Henry
Wedding Planner/Coordinator: N/A (my mom!)
Officiant: Brian Marks (Alex's Godfather)
Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography
Florist: Brighton Eggert Florist (Amy)
Cake/Bakery: Sweet Jenny's (ice cream cake!)
DJ/Band/Entertainment: Steve Balesteri & the Uptown 7- Best band in Buffalo!!
Invitations: Yours Truly (Clarence Center)
Hair: Mia from Michael Salon
Makeup: Mia
Bride’s Dress: Rosa Clara,
Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss
Shoes: Betsy Johnson (kept snagging the dress so went shoeless during the receptions!)
Favors: koozies, sponge candy from Watsons

Kailey and Moe's Spring Lake Winery Ceremony and Backyard Wedding Reception in Lockport, NY

I’m positive no couple wants to wake up on their wedding day to news of rain in the forecast, but when you’re laid back and go with the flow about changes in plans – especially those weather-related ones that are out of anyone’s control anyhow – it only makes the day that much less stress free! Kailey and Moe had originally planned a first look at Delaware Park in Buffalo, NY, but a downpourring of rain had us make a slight in change in plans and do the First Look at the Elmwood Village Air BnB Kailey had rented out for her and her bridesmaids to get ready at. Regardless of the location, that moment they first saw each other was still just as heartfelt and memorable as it would have been had they gone anywhere else! After their first look and some photos at the Air BnB with family, we all headed up to Lockport for their ceremony at Spring Lake Winery. The ENTIRE drive there it was downpourring like crazy, but just as we rolled up, the rain cleared and the skies opened to beautiful, bright sun and clear skies…. just in time for wedding party portraits, the ceremony, and their outdoor tent reception in the backyard of Moe’s parents’ house. Hooray!

Rain and all, their entire day was nothing short of spectacular, and filled with so, so much emotion and joy. I’m excited to share a few of my many favorites from their day, and invite you to grab a beverage and sit back with me as you take in the beautiful moments of their wedding day!

Congrats again, guys!!