Our Story:

I met Christopher at The University at Albany in 2008. We wouldn't go on our first date until 2010- he took me to a small Italian restaurant called Barcelona. If you haven't been - you need to go!

Six years later, we had dinner at Barcelona again. I thought he wasn't feeling well because he wasn't really touching his food. I ate most of the potatoes on his plate and finished my plate. At one point, the spotlight on the wall had gone out and a waitress immediately ran over and fiddled with it. I told her it was fine, but she insisted. I looked around and realized that people were looking at us. I looked back at Chris laughing only to notice that he was holding a box that he had taken out of his pocket. I realized what was happening and exclaimed, "oh my gosh, is that for me?" He laughed and said, "No, it's for the waitress" 

Our wedding day was perfect, all our vendors were amazing and thought of everything!

The Details:

wedding date: November 3, 2018

ceremony location: St. Mary's (Ballston Spa, NY)

reception location:Mansion Inn

photographer: Brayton Photography

 wedding gown & bridesmaids' dresses: : David's Bridal

tuxedo and groomsmen clothing: Men's Warehouse

flowers: Trader Joe's (Colonie,NY

wedding planner: Family

hair & makeup : Blended Hair Studio (Saratoga Springs, NY)

cake & caterer: Chef Rick at The Mansion Inn

transportation: Exclusive Chauffeur

music & photobooth: DJ Mike Melice (Ithaca, NY)

honeymoon: Sandals Ocho Rios, Jamaica

wedding favors: Saratoga Tea & Honey  

Our Story:

Jordan and I met at the University at Albany. I was in my freshman year, while Jordan was just finishing up undergrad. We saw each other in passing a lot as Jordan was very heavily involved in athletics, and I was on the cheerleading team. Over the course of 2 years, Jordan and I got to know each other and became closer friends. In 2012 Jordan started grad school and we officially started dating. We both graduated in 2014; me with my bachelor’s degree, Jordan with 2 masters, and we moved to New York City.

Three years of living together in NYC flew by, and In April 2017 we headed back up to Albany to celebrate Easter with my family. When we are in town, we always stop by the old campus to walk around and check out anything new. We walked around for bit and ended up in the front of the campus, Jordan told me there was no better place than "where it all began.” He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Soon after, our parents ran out of one of the buildings so excited; they had witnessed the whole proposal! It was so amazing to have both families present for our engagement.

We had been planning a trip to California, and it ended up being the week after we got engaged. I spent the entire 6-hour flight researching and planning. Living in the NYC area and being from the Capital Region, we both knew there was no better place to get married than Saratoga. We were lucky to have booked some of the best vendors in the area and our planning process was a breeze.

Our wedding day was magical. That’s the only way I know how to describe it. We felt overwhelmed with love by our friends and family, and that was a feeling we will never forget.

The Details:

wedding date: November 17, 2018

ceremony & reception location: Hall Of Springs

photographer: Matt Ramos Photography

videographer: LaRose Medias

stationery suiteAmber Michaniw Designs

event decorator: Total Events

wedding gown: Angela's Bridal

bridesmaids' dresses: Badgley Mischka

tuxedo and groomsmen clothing: The Black Tux

rings: Kent New York

flowers: My Mom!

wedding planner: Family

hair: Kelsey Gabriel

>makeup: Amy Caridi

caterer: Mazzone Hospitality

cake: Cake Street Sweets

transportation: Exclusive Chauffeur

music: Fernando, Piano Man

first dance: "So High" John Legend

honeymoon: The Maldives

get ready location: Pavilion Grand Hotel

aisle Runner: The Original Runner Co.

special touches
My mom created all of the florals, including the bouquets, boutonnières and centerpieces. I'm the youngest in my family, and she helped make all of my siblings florals for their weddings. So it was very special she did the same for mine Jordan LOVES Bourbon, The Hall Of Springs set up an amazing Cigar and Bourbon Bar.

advice to pass along
Hire vendors you LOVE and feel comfortablewith. I'm so glad we splurged on photography. It's a keepsake for the rest of your life; and wegot beautiful images. Most importantly, Relax and enjoy the best day of your life.

Our Story:

Brandon and I grew up in New Jersey and met in high school through a mutual friend. We instantly connected through a shared love for outdoor adventures, and animals, especially horses. We stayed together long distance through college, while I was at Boston University and Brandon at University of Connecticut. After years traveling to visit each other, we finally both lived in Boston, where I went to medical school at BU and Brandon went to veterinary school at Tufts. Even though our schedules were busy over the years, we spent every bit of free time we had together exploring outside, backpacking in the mountains, cycling and running with our triathlon and cycling teams.

We share a love for National Parks, and during a trip through the Pacific Northwest, Brandon proposed on top of a mountain in Olympic National Park. It was a magical moment surrounded by mountain views, deciding to spend the rest of our lives together.

When we found The Wedding Barn at Lakota’s Farm, with its beautiful open space, stunning draft horses, and perfectly restored barn, we immediately knew it was the perfect fit for us. Kimberly is also an incredible wedding planner and venue manager, making sure every detail flowed seamlessly, so we could focus on enjoying the best party of our lives.

We got married two weeks after Brandon graduated from veterinary school and I graduated from medical school. We now live in Seattle, where Brandon works as a horse vet, and I’m a resident doctor in Internal Medicine.

The Details:

wedding date:  May 27, 2018

ceremony & reception location:Wedding Barn at Lakota's Farm

photographer: Heather Bohm-Tallman

event decorator: Kimberly Finney

wedding gown: BHLDN Wedding Dresses

bridesmaids' dresses:Bella Bridesmaids

tuxedo: Indochino 

groomsmen clothing:  Blue suit with bowtie matching bridesmaids

rings: Kay Jewelers

wedding planner: Kimberly Finney

flowers: Ten West Events

hair& makeup:Lipstick and Lashes

caterer: Hudson Valley BBQ

music:Stolen Moments

first dance:Cowboy Take Me Away

special touches: Brandon hand made a wooden archway for our ceremony that we were able to get married under at the farm! It was such a sweet touch and it looked beautiful with the flowers draped across it too.

advice to pass along: Try not to get lost in the little details, and soak in every moment of the wedding day! 

Saratoga County is a top wedding destination for several reasons, explains Soul Session Edu-tainment Owner and Bandleader Garland Nelson. 

Gathering family and friends, getting ready, getting married, and relaxing at your reception… all in one place? …Yes, at the Saratoga Hilton!

Feel the freedom of customizable wedding packages at a flexible venue that offers amenity-rich accommodations and a bounty of banquet options.

“We are a full-service property in the heart of downtown Saratoga. We have everything onsite that a guest would need,” said The Saratoga Hilton’s Director of Sales & Marketing Joanna Fairs.

Simply Seamless: From the Site Visit to the Cake Cutting

Nothing gets lost in translation when all the event communications go to the same person in the same place.

“Our team walks them through the entire event to make it really seamless for them,” said Joanna Fairs, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Saratoga Hilton.

Whatever question arises, brides have one point of contact, said Joanna.

A personalized URL gives brides the ability to freely monitor guest bookings, as well.

The hotel has six light-filled luxury corner suites with ample in-room parlors where the bride and her glam squad can comfortably get ready. Put the groom and his party on another floor, and you’ll save yourself the worry of pre-wedding peeking being a possibility.

Optimal Areas and Special Spaces

Located in a separate wing of the hotel, booking a ceremony and reception for up to 350 guests in the Saratoga Ballroom offers both privacy and easy accessibility. Section off a special area for your ceremony, meet in the foyer for cocktails after, then return to the transformed ballroom for dinner and dancing.

“To make it unique to each bride and groom, we work closely with Total Events party planners and can suggest a number of other vendors. There are definitely a lot of different options to make the room the way they want it,” said Joanna.

The Broadway Ballroom is also available if you want a completely separate ceremony space or are planning on a smaller wedding of no more than 75 guests.

Customizable catering menus and drink services let you enjoy mouthwatering, artfully-crafted appetizers, and your choice of plated, buffet, or stationed dining before the cake cutting.

Keep the Party Going

Arriving early or staying late is never a problem when everyone is in the same place.

Why not enjoy coffee in the café or some leisure time in the hotel lounge? Fit in a workout in the fitness room. An indoor pool lets you rest easy that the weather will not keep you, or the kids, from getting in a swim.

534 Bistro, the onsite restaurant, has a welcoming bar and American cuisine served in a relaxed contemporary setting with a large double-sided indoor fireplace and an outdoor patio.

The Saratoga Hilton’s divine downtown location means that within walking distance you and your guests can easily add-in some shopping, a picnic in the park, unforgettable entertainment and awesome attractions.

The Details:

Venue: Saratoga Hilton

Clothing: Danielle’s Bridal Boutique (and Tux Shop!)

Robes: Chic Underneath

Hair and Make Up: Lipstick N Lashes, Beauty Bar and Boutique

Event Decorator: Total Events

Florals: JoleneK Floral Design

Officiant: Reverend Joy Burke

Photographer: Susan Blackburn Photography

Models:
Julie TenEyck
Jeremiah TenEyck
Khloe TenEyck
Isabella Romanzo
Ryan Ross
Jordan Welch
Anna Bayle
Colleen Coleman
Bella Bokan

“I wasn’t in Stylist mode on my wedding day. I was relaxed, trying to enjoy the morning. Then the nerves set in! When I am working on a wedding, I am always in-the-zone, ready to make everything perfect for my bride.

I will do anything to make her stress free. For me, my maid and matron of honor made that possible.

It didn't set in that I was the bride and it was my wedding day until the photographer showed up. Then it got very real - getting in the dress was when I got emotional!"

“In terms of how I am now with my brides at work, it made me so different! It made me more sensitive to my bride's needs and their anxiety levels. I will listen to her concerns and insecurities a little more carefully. I know now it is more about their jitters and not my ability as an artist. It’s the over thinking... from family drama, to wrinkles in the dress, to things not going 100% as planned.

But hopefully as an artist and recent bride, I can give my advice and care to make her look and feel perfect on her special day!

“It's the little things that I realized mattered on your wedding day. Like having a personal touch up kit with extra things you may need.

I now appreciate those special touches we provide to our brides that make the day go that much easier.

I've always been a timely person and I realized how much it matters for our team to always run a little early. It keeps the vibe of the morning so much more calm, relaxed and stress free!

“On my wedding day, we luckily were running a little early, so when my bridal party dressed me for the day, I felt so relaxed and happy! I was so excited for my first look, which every bride should do and couldn’t wait to show my mom and dad my beautiful self!”

Vendors for Angela and John’s Wedding:

Venue:  Saratoga Lake Golf Course

Church: Christ Episcopal in Ballston Spa

Hair & Makeup Artist: True Beauty Company

Dress: Sue Small

Desserts: Two Birds

Entertainment:  Mark Hersh

Flowers:Dehn’s Flowers