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