Author: Ayres Photography

caitlin + justin // Marriott Syracuse Downtown Wedding

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Caitlin and Justin’s wedding day was the first time we’ve every been inside the Marriott in Downtown Syracuse and let me tell you, we can’t wait to go back! From the cathedral ceilings painted with the most beautiful cloudy sky to the incredible chandeliers to the stunning golden hand-carved architectural details – it really was a photographer’s dream. The love that Caitlin and Justin brought to the table that day was the absolute icing on the cake, so to speak. Everything about this day was magical, and we’re so happy to finally be sharing it with you!

Justin: “We first met on the playground of Huntington School, when Caitlin‘s mom was my principal. It was the summer of 2004, before we each started high school, and I was engaging in random shenanigans with my friends on the playground while Caitlin was casually swinging. Then we did not talk much over the next 6 years or so, and we re-met on a mutual friend’s porch up by Syracuse University the summer of 2011 over a few cold beverages.“

Justin: “We got engaged in Florence, Italy in April 2018. [When we arrived at the airport] Caitlin ended up losing her passport before going through security. The whole time, the ring was rolled up in a pair of socks in my carry on and I was getting extremely nervous as we started looking through all of our bags to make sure it wasn’t misplaced. Eventually she found [her passport] in the bathroom, without coming across the ring in my bag, and we raced to the gate to just make our flight.

When we got to the first hotel and I immediately showered. When I got out of the shower, I saw Caitlin had dumped everything out of our bags. I started freaking out, thinking she must have come across the ring, but then noticed the pair of socks it was rolled up in were laying on the floor. We cleaned up everything and I nearly avoided disaster again.

The actual proposal took place in Florence. We woke up early to go on a nice walk, and as we were crossing the Ponte Vecchio bridge, I asked Caitlin to dance. She was resistant at first, but then decided to go along with it. As I spun her around, I got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. She was absolutely SHOCKED and thought I was joking, until I took the ring out and placed it on her finger.“

Caitlin: “I loved having the doors of the church open up and seeing Justin waiting for me at the alter! That was THE moment I dreamed about and it did not disappoint.“

Justin: “At the church, when I was standing up there with nervous anxiety, seeing Caitlin start to walk down the aisle… everything just felt right and I knew I was the luckiest man alive.“

Caitlin: “We had a number of guests that made a significant effort in traveling so they could share in our day with us. We were surrounded by so much love!“

Justin: “Caitlin is one of the most supportive people I know, and is always there to help me through tough times. We are a good mix for each other, constantly balancing out the best parts of one another.“

Caitlin: “Justin is my best friend and is always up for any adventure I throw his way. I enjoy everything we do together, whether we are going out or staying in.“

Justin: “The moment we left the church with the wedding party and drove over to the rose garden in the limo was surreal. Processing what just happened and sharing it with our closest friends was awesome.“

Caitlin: “We went to Thornden Park Rose Garden for the photos. Despite feeling like we were all melting in the heat, it was perfect. It was fun hearing all the shouts of encouragement from people passing by on their way to the pool.“

Caitlin: “I found my dress at Spy Baby Bridal. My family was in town for my mother’s retirement party. We were able to schedule an appointment at the last minute for Friday the 13th (a lucky day for me). I saw the polka dots along the skirt and thought it would be fun to try on. The back of the dress was exactly what I’d been looking for. Once I had it on, I didn’t want to take it off! It was special that my grandma was able to be there with me.“

Caitlin: “Justin went to a residency in Hong Kong for his MBA program in January. While he was there, he had a suit custom made for the wedding! They even embroidered his name on the inside of the jacket.“

Justin: “My best man knows how much I love fancy socks and had custom socks made for the men. The groomsmen each had a different picture of me on them and I had my bride’s beautiful face on my socks.“

Caitlin: “We suggest having someone else designated to handle any and all things that may need to be addressed on your day. If someone tries to bring you a problem, stop them and send them on over to your designee!“

Justin: “When we were all alone before walking out for the first dance, we had a few minutes to take it all in and did the photobooth together. That was the perfect way to kick off the reception.“

Justin: “We are both Taylor Swift fans! After talking about a number of song choices, we landed on Taylor’s song ‘New Years Day’. What made it truly special was having my sister and her childhood friend singing it for us accompanied by my Uncle on piano.“

Caitlin: “I loved sneaking off during the reception with Jenn and Ben to take a few more pictures outside in front of the hotel. It allowed us a quiet moment to refocus on us during the party.“

Caitlin: “‘Forever Young’ is a song that my Dad would sing all the time when I was little. He also sang it during my graduation mass so it felt fitting. Justin and his mom danced to ‘Simple Man’ which his mom used to play for him as a child and they would sing it together.“

Caitlin: “My Dad is a huge ‘dead head’ and at the end of the night he joined the band with his guitar to sing ‘Friend of the Devil’.“

Caitlin + Justin: “We loved having Ayres as our photographers. Everyone felt so comfortable and you can see our emotions in our pictures. It was also nice to have be able to have a place for photos and watch where their creative eye took us!“

Loving those colorful garden wedding party photos are much as we are? Click here for more flower filled gardens!

Wedding Vendors Include:

Ceremony: Holy Cross Church
Reception: Marriot Hotel Syracuse
Bride and Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Spy Baby Bridal
Hairstylist: Tricia VanArnam
Makeup Artist: Christy Monti
Groom’s Look: Sam’s Tailor
Groomsmen: Jos. A Bank
Florist: Wegmans
Cake: Biscotti Cafe and Pastry Shop
Band: The Swooners

kristen + jim // Glen Iris Inn Wedding at Letchwork State Park

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We knew that Kristen and Jim were going to be a perfect fit for us almost immediately. Big time nature lovers who met while hiking the Appalachian Trail?! Sign us up! Not only do we share a love for all things green and glorious, but we also share a deep love of the importance of those we hold most dear. Capping their guest list at only 100 people (during pre-pandemic days!) was a sure fire way to make certain that their beautiful Letchworth State Park wedding was easy, relaxed, and intimate, which perfectly suited their matching laidback personalities.

What truly made this day special was simply the clear and overwhelming amount of love that Kristen and Jim have for each other. The way they looked at each other, laughed, touched; there was a steady stream of undeniable joy and admiration in their eyes from their very first glances until long after the sun had set. We are honored to have been a part of their special day.

Jim: “I met Kristen, the love of my life, while hiking on The Appalachian Trail. It was May 2016. While hiking, Kristen and her group were on a similar pace with me, meaning that we mostly stayed at the same shelter and tent sites at night. Over the next several days, I hiked with Kristen’s group and stayed in the same shelters.”

Kristen: “I could tell Jim was kind and smart and compassionate. Everybody at the campsite woke up before the crack of dawn because we had heard that the sun rises right between the mountains and that camp had a perfect view. It did not disappoint! I watched the sunrise next to Jim without speaking. It was perfect. He left camp before me and my friends that day but we bumped into him at Charlie’s Bunion (a beautiful overlook). We started really talking there. He hung back when my friends and I left to keep hiking north. We met again at the shelter that night and I think that was when I first started falling in love with him.“

Jim: “At the end of our trip, Kristen invited me to stay in the city of Gatlinburg, TN in the foothills of the Smokies to cap off the trip. I did, we all went out to dinner and explored the city. When it was time for me to leave, I felt a pit in my stomach about leaving this woman I had just met. We promised to stay in touch and we did. That flight out of Tennessee was one of the toughest in memory. It was back to western Massachusetts for me and back to south Georgia for Kristen.“

Jim: “A short while after I was back living and working in Massachusetts, Kristen booked a flight to Boston where we would see each other for the first time since meeting in the woods. We had been talking on the phone and Skyping ever since. That weekend in Boston was amazing. It seemed like we had known each other for years. Kristen allowed me to indulge my love of history by checking out all Boston has to offer. Again, it was back to the airport with goodbyes.

A while later, I flew down to Jacksonville to meet Kristen. We went kayaking and got tattoos together (not matching ones, just ones we had both been thinking about separately for some time.) Being with Kristen, I felt like our souls had known each other in a prior life.“

Kristen: “We were in Tennessee (where I’m from) for a wedding in March of 2018. We decided to hike back to Charlies Bunion, the place where we had first started really talking two years before. When we were there in the summer of 2016 he took a pictures of me from behind, facing out of the overlook. He told me to stand on a rock so he could take a similar picture, and when I turned around he was on one knee. I can’t remember what he said or if I even said yes! But it was an understood yes and we hugged and celebrated and it was absolutely perfect.“

Jim: “I think I checked to make sure the ring was there every 60 seconds during that hike.“

Jim: “Seeing Kristen walk down the aisle during the ceremony was stunning, joyous and beautiful.“

Jim: “Hearing our friends speak about our journey as we held hands was incredibly moving.“

Kristen: “I never believed people when they said ‘when you know you’ll know’. But I knew there was something special about Jim. I felt like I’d know him for 100 years, at least. I could read him immediately and he understood me immediately. It has been effortless. He is supportive and respectful. We are better together than we ever were apart and that is enough to convince me that we are meant to share this life together.“

Kristen: “The more things Jim and I experience together, the more our relationship grows. Those experiences and adventures are want build our relationship.“

Kristen: “I loved walking back down the aisle after the ceremony to the Star Wars ‘Throne Scene’ music. It is such a triumphant song and we lifted our hands in victory while we listened to all our friends and family laugh with us at the fact we played Star Wars music at our wedding.“

Kristen: “I went dress shopping with my mom and a couple bridesmaids while I was in my hometown for Thanksgiving. I had no preconceived ideas of what I wanted. Honestly I had never put a lot of thought into my ‘wedding dress vision’. I tried on several different types of styles and tried to gauge reactions from my friends. I ultimately went with one that I thought was timeless and suited me. I’ve never been one for wanting to look like a princess so I was really happy to find an elegant flowy dress that suited my nature.“

Jim: “Dancing with Kristen (including our practice dance in the Glen Iris Inn, our formal first dance, and slow dancing later on) was incredible. We laughed during the practice dance, smiled during our formal dance and cried during our slow dance amidst the guests.“

Kristen: “We danced to ‘Come to Me’ by the Goo Goo Dolls. Much to Jim’s dismay, I didn’t want to dance to a country song. The Goo Goo Dolls song stood out to us very early in our relationship, having a very touching music video. It was upbeat and easy to dance to. We danced to it many times in our living room!“

Kristen: “Dancing with my dad at my wedding was one of my favorite memories and something I know he put a lot of thought into. We danced to a song mashup of ‘My Girl’ and ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’. It reflected our special bond from a young age but finishing out as adventure partners and two peas in a pod.“

Jim: “Dancing with my mom was incredibly moving. We danced to ‘The Greatest’ by Kenny Rogers. We listened to that song together when I was a kid on a cassette tape to and from baseball games. It has a joint message of overcoming adversity and humor at the same time, which is reflective of our relationship. I know that moment has stuck with both of us.“

Kristen: “Feeling lost on the dance floor with my new husband even though we were surrounded by people was surreal.“

Jim: “Having our closest friends and family in one big circle singing ‘Friends in Low Places’ all smiling and laughing will be an image that will stay with me forever.“

Kristen: “The DJ did a great job of keeping people on the dance floor and I had an absolute blast dancing with friends and family.“

Kristen + Jim: “Three words: ‘It’ll be fine’. Don’t get wrapped around the axle with wedding details. Small details won’t be remembered by you or the guests. Big picture is what’s important! The details don’t make the experience. The people and their enjoyment at your wedding is what makes the experience.

It was SO easy to work with everyone at Ayres! Everything felt seamless and everything behind the scenes was taken care of.“

Looking for another wedding in a beautiful outdoor setting? We’ve got you covered!

Wedding Vendors Include:
Venue: Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth State Park
Hairstylist: Rachel Rizzo Hair and Makeup
Bride’s Makeup: Hannah O’Hamill
Bridal Dress Shop: David’s Bridal
Dessert: Sweet Sarah’s
DJ: Rigg’s Entertainment