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margaret + joe // The Foundry Suites

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Fall weddings are always so stunning, and Margaret and Joe’s was no exception. Their day was classic, gorgeous, and perfect in every way, including the best weather we could have ever hoped for in late October! What I loved most about M + J’s wedding day was the way their values so closely aligned with ours. They prioritized family, friends, and relationships with people they love so much; their day was just as much about celebrating their love for everyone else as it was about celebrating their love for each other, and honestly, that’s the kind of stuff that keeps our hearts on fire for this work that we do. It could not have possibly been a better fit. We adored working with this sweet couple from start to finish, and I’m so happy to be sharing their wedding day, the story of their love, and their favorite wedding memories with all of you!  :)

Margaret: “The real engagement story is so long and involves so many twists and foolings that I will skip to go good part–the actual day. Glen Park was a place that Joe and I always went when we were living in Buffalo whether to run, walk or swim, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for us to end up here. Because of this habit, when we got to the woods on February 6th, 2016, I had wanted to go to the right to the area where all the trails are but Joe was claiming that we always went left. For the record he is wrong but it was for a good reason. After I finally gave in, we walked to the left and began talking about all the different times and reasons we would come to the back trails of Glen Park. We walked further until we were headed towards a path lined with tea lights and a tree that was wrapped in firefly lights. I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening. It wasn’t until I saw the book in the tree ‘The History of Love’ that it all clicked. I wish I could tell you what he said, but from what I remember it was beautiful and all about how much he values us together. Before getting down on one knee Joe grabbed the book and read, ‘Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.’“

Margaret: “The energy that my girls brought to the day made everything feel like a celebration and I didn’t have time to stress (for long).“

Margaret: “My dress was the second one I tried on at the second salon I went to. When I first saw it in the bag I wasn’t sure. But then Sam, my consultant at Bridal Beginning, told me to turn away from the mirror, get into the dress, close my eyes and turn back around while she buttoned and fluffed the train. When I opened my eyes, I remember taking it all in from the bottom up until I was staring at myself in this magnificent dress. I didn’t want to take it off. I had to FaceTime my MOH so she could see–I turned the camera around and it only took a second before she said, ‘that’s the one.’“

Margaret: “My absolute favorite part of the dress was the back, the sheer details, and the train. I had joked throughout wedding planning that I was perfectly fine being photographed only from behind. My other favorite part of the dress is that it is the perfect combination of three generations–my nana, mother, and me. Because my nan couldn’t be with us physically on our wedding day, it meant a lot to me to have a dress that emanated parts of hers.“

Joe: “Seeing Margaret walk down the aisle is something I will never forget and often plays over again in my head. I felt like I was dreaming; seeing her walk down with her father.“

Joe: “One of our priests, Monsignor Lorenzetti, right before they actually married us joked while we were on the altar, ‘this is your last chance to run’. He has known us both forever and has an incredible wit, so while not unexpected, it was very funny at the time to hear.“

Margaret: “The family heirloom that I incorporated was a handkerchief that my nana had given my mom on her wedding day. It was wrapped around my bouquet. That’s also why it said ‘Pat’ and not ‘Marg.’“

Joe: “The energy with all of our groomsmen and bridesmaids was incredible. Everyone was ready to get the party started and celebrate our wedding.“

Margaret: “After pictures were all over and everyone was back on the bus, Joe and I stopped and took a moment to walk in the park and look at each other and say, ‘We’re married, we did it!’ before heading back to the craziness.“

Margaret: “Everything is easier when Joe and I are together. We are the ultimate balance because we are both different versions or extremes of the same thing–Joe sees big picture and I put together the small pieces to make that big picture. We have so much fun together–we are best friends, there’s no way around it.“

Joe: “Cutting the cake, with all eyes on us, and almost toppling it over was hilarious and something that would only happen at our wedding. I don’t know if anyone saw that but us, but I will always remember that whenever a cake is cut.“

Margaret:  “We danced to Van Morrison’s ‘Crazy Love.’ This was ultimately the hardest decision we have ever made. Being together after seven years, we have quite a few ‘songs.’ But we ended up going with this one because we wanted to add a new one with a new memory to our collection and because Joe says that it reminded him of me.“

Margaret: “The father-daughter dance was to ‘I’ll Be There’ by the Jackson 5. Every Saturday night until I was in college my dad and I would go to the YMCA. When I was younger, my dad would workout and I would go to free swim, then as I grew up I joined him in the gym. After, we would get in the car and listen to ‘Lance Diamond’s Saturday Night Fever’ on 96.1 FM and stop somewhere to get dinner. The Jackson 5 and Earth, Wind, and Fire were our staples.“

Joe: “My mom and I danced to ‘You’ll Be in My Heart’ Phil Collins. I grew up listening to Phil Collins and Genesis, as they are my mom’s favorite band. So it was an easy and obvious choice for the mother-son dance.“

Margaret: “One of my favorite memories is our very last picture. Being outside with Jenn and experiencing how she sees things that no one else can was amazing. It made me so excited that we had chosen Ayres and I knew in that moment they had captured our day perfectly.“

A few words to those who are currently planning from Margaret: “When planning, don’t lose sight of you. It’s much easier to be a wedding guest than attend your own wedding. Wedding guests will have fun no matter what, and so it’s also important that you have fun. After all, you are the ones spending the rest of your life together.

Also, don’t be the middle ceremony.“

And lastly, some kind words on what it was like to work with us: “From the moment we met Jenn and Ben to the very last picture, it felt like we were always meant to be friends. They kept in contact throughout the process and made us feel like our big day and friendship was just as important to them. Jenn and Ben helped to smooth over every bumpy day-of situation and move us along without making anything feel rushed. Their expertise and true passion for capturing life’s special moments is what sets them apart from everyone else.“

That Foundry Suites Courtyard is really something, right?? Check out this beautiful courtyard wedding ceremony!

Wedding Vendors Include:

Ceremony: Christ the King Chapel
Reception: The Foundry Suites
Hair: Diva Studio
Make-up: About Face by Erica
Wedding Dress Designer: Pronovias
Dress Shop: Bridal Beginning
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Look: Black Lapel
Groomsmen: The Black Tux
Cuff Links: Peg’s Hardware via Modern Nostalgia
Invitation Suite: Wedding Paper Divas
Florist: Maureen’s Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market
Cake: Muscoreil’s Fine Desserts and Gourmet Cakes
Videographer: Black Horse Videography
DJ: CJ Sound

 

5 tips for the best possible getting ready photos

Filed in planning, weddings shot by on at

It’s pretty indisputable that emotions will be running high on wedding day. Between your First Look (if you so choose to do one), to walking down the aisle, your vows, your first dance as husband and wife; each of these moments holds a once in a lifetime energy that everyone will want documented for years to come. The stage is set. You’ve spent hours researching for the most beautiful locations for your ceremony, reception and portraits to not only ensure that everything looks just as you’ve always dreamed it would, but also taking care to choose places that will photograph beautifully! With all of that time and effort spent in planning your big day, often times one important part can be forgotten – getting ready – the morning (or afternoon) preparations.

The morning of your wedding is such a special time. A time when you’re preparing for one of the most important days of your life! You are surrounded by the people who love you most in the world and want nothing more than for you to have the most incredible wedding day ever. There will be lots of laughter and sometimes tears, as you reminisce with your closest friends about the times you’ve had together over the years. Your heart will skip a beat as you step into your wedding dress that you so carefully picked out to wear on this one and only day. It only makes sense that, after so meticulously planning your wedding, the morning should be just as lovingly documented as all of the other parts of your day. So, how can you go about making sure that your getting ready photos are just as stunning and moving, despite the chaotic hecticness that can come with morning preparations?? Well, we’ve got a few easy tips for you on exactly how to make that happen. :)

1. Clear the room. Nothing can compromise a perfect photo like a room full of clutter! No matter how beautiful you look and feel on your wedding morning, that pile of clothes in the corner and dirty dishes on the tables will always make your getting ready photos look less stunning than they should. Since you’re the bride and you totally shouldn’t have to spend your morning worrying about whether or not your bridesmaids are throwing out their trash or leaving a trail around the room, try designating this task to your Maid of Honor or perhaps a bridesmaid who you already know likes to keep things neat and tidy by nature :) Wedding morning can get a bit chaotic at times, so a great way to ensure a neat space is by having a designated area for you and your ladies to leave all of your things – undergarments, tote bags, last night’s pajamas, make-up bags, etc. Have your assigned bridesmaid take a few moments to make sure there are no plastic water bottles or overnight bags overflowing with unmentionables laying around before the photographer shows up. Think about having your morning snacks set out in a nice presentation as opposed to muffins sitting out on the counter in their plastic store bought container. Also, if you’re getting ready at home, don’t be afraid to declutter the decor as well! The simpler the space, the better the photos.

2. Proper Lighting. Ask any photographer and they will tell you that natural light is the absolute best! A naturally well lit room makes all the difference. If you have the option, opt for the room with the largest windows. If you don’t have access to a room with plenty of windows then be sure that whatever room you choose has plenty of lighting throughout it. An even better option for a windowless morning – have your finishing touches completed in a nice outdoor space instead! (But don’t forget about the clutter! Maybe avoid using your sister’s backyard if your niece and nephew’s toys are covering the lawn. That old swing set is great but not necessarily as a backdrop to your beautiful wedding dress).

3. A large enough space. Nothing is worse than cramming 8 people into a room meant for 2. Not only is it nearly impossible for your photographer to get a clear shot of you through all of the bodies in the room, but crammed spaces also breed chaos (and sweatiness, lol). If the home where you were planning on getting ready isn’t quite spacious enough to comfortably fit you and all of your leading ladies, with room to spare, then consider renting an AirBnB or a bridal suite in a local hotel for the morning instead. It will be well worth the extra expense when you don’t have people accidentally stepping all over your dress and bumping into your make-up artist while she touches up your lips for the camera.

4. Be ready for the details. Have all of your bridal details easily accessible and ready to go, including your flowers, two copies of your invitations (in order to photograph both sides in one shot), jewelry, perfume, shoes, rings and any other significant wedding details that are near and dear to your heart. By having everything ready it saves you and your photographer the hassle of trying to find all of these items during the hustle and bustle of the morning. Make a list a few days before of all of the special items that you would want forever photographs of; this way nothing slips your mind on wedding morning. This goes for the guys, too! They may not have as many details, but things like cuff links, a special cologne, their shoes, pocket square, and bow tie can make for a beautiful keepsake photo. Also, consider choosing a nice hanger to make your wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses look even more special. You and your ladies spent a lot of money on those amazing dresses; those pricey and important articles of clothing should be hanging on beautiful hangers, not just a plain wire or plastic one. (Too much on your mind to deal with this step?? That’s why you have bridesmaids! Put one of your more responsible ladies in charge of this task!)

5. It’s your wedding morning, dress the part! Consider what you and your ladies are wearing while you’re getting ready and how that will look in photos. Matching silk robes are always a nice touch, or opt for color coordinating button down shirts. The last thing you want is gorgeous photos of you with your bridesmaids in the background wearing their boyfriend’s oversized college sweatpants and a t-shirt with holes in it. Hey, we all love those super comfy outfits but there’s a time and a place for those old pajamas that you’ve had since high school and, unfortunately, they aren’t the best choice for photo attire.

Follow these 5 important tips and we can assure you that your getting ready photos will be just as stunning, emotional and memorable as all of the other big moments of your wedding day. What do you think about our suggestions? Do you have anything else to add? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Perfect wedding morning? Check! What’s next??