Sarah and AJ’s Wedding

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The last wedding of 2016 left us feeling blessed, humbled, and excited to see what this new year will bring. One of our favorite parts about weddings is getting to witness so many different kinds of love, the bubbly giddy love, the steady rooted love, and all the ones in between. Sarah and AJ gave us all those happy feelings, right from the very first meeting until the last hug at the end of the reception. They just radiate love, and such a beautiful, playful, and heartwarming love it is!

Sarah and AJ’s Wedding took place at the stunning Lodge at Welch Allyn in Skaneateles. The gorgeous backdrop plus the perfect amount of snow falling was truly a photographers dream! The morning was spent getting ready at the lodge, as Tom and I bopped around room to room, shooting the details like Sarah’s seriously adorable bouquet (that was handmade by her and her mother), and capturing AJ and his guys as they prepared for the day, giving it their best at mastering the pocket square! While Sarah was getting her hair and makeup done she pulled me aside to tell me about some gifts she got for AJ, an engraved pocket watch with their date and a special quote, and a pair of light-up sneakers for the reception, with a matching pink pair for herself. Sarah told me that as soon as she saw the shoes she had to get them for the wedding, so I made sure to capture his reaction when he opened his gifts, and it was seriously the best! Sarah clearly nailed it, as AJ turned the watch and shoes around in his hands in disbelief of the epic gifts!  When it came time for their first look, it was easy to see how excited they both were to finally see each other and give each other all the hugs and kisses they’d been holding in! We spent the next few hours taking photos, and Tom and I could not have been happier that Sarah and AJ were both game to go outside with us to shoot some photos in the winter wonderland. It’s rare to have a couple be so okay with frigid temperatures and snowflakes on their hair and makeup, but Sarah and AJ embraced the weather, even sticking out their tongues to catch falling flakes. Nothing seems sweeter than when you are so enthralled in a moment that nothing else matters.

With each passing hour and the sky growing darker, it was almost time for the ceremony. The lights in the lodge lit up glowing with colors that added to the beauty and ambiance of the grand room. The reception was held centered in front of the enormous lodge’s windows, and AJ stood waiting for his bride as she made her way down the twinkling garland adorned staircase with both parents in arm. Their handwritten vows had everyone laughing, and crying, as they shared almost exact copies of their vows, proving furthermore just how well they knew each other. Then when it came time for their first kiss as a married couple, it was so sweet and sincere!

After the ceremony, the lodge was quickly turned over to hold the reception, guests filed in around the dance floor, anticipating the introductions and first dance. To their surprise, they also were entertained by one little dancing machine, Gavin- the bride’s nephew. The chicken dance will never be as good as the one we saw that night. Speaking of all things epic, the food was SO good! There was an array of stations, from plates of pasta to carving stations, stuffed chicken, any kind of salad you could want, and my personal favorite, a s’mores bar for all the guests with a sweet tooth! It was an amazing winter wedding for an amazing couple, and our favorite way to wrap up the wedding season of 2016!

Congratulations Sarah and AJ, we loved sharing in your wedding and capturing all of those special moments…even the particular “holy” ones (looking at you AJ) We wish you both love and happiness!