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My jaw dropped when I saw how beautiful the property looked for their Red Maple Vineyard wedding. Erinn and Brett’s October wedding incorporated wonderful things from the season. I love that Erinn had a clear vision of how she wanted their wedding day to look and the details, the interior tent trees, the color palette – it was all perfectly coordinated.
They even incorporated their utter adoration for bourbon in a unique reception bourbon bar. Erinn also gifted Brett a really special bottle for their day. It started with a promising weather report (considering hurricane Joaquin was looming, the misty overcast day that resulted back when they got married was a blessing) and ended with an entertaining fireworks show.
I loved getting to know this couple a bit more through conversations, a trip to their apartment to drop off a gift and meet their pup, and see their dog Marvin again (woohoo! He’s awesome) during their engagement session, including where Brett asked Erinn to marry him.
Their wedding day in West Park, New York, in the Hudson Valley approached quickly. It’s on the west bank of the Hudson River, by many wineries and just next to Hudson House and Distillery. It’s a little less than two hours north of New York City for those driving, an easy road trip up I-87.
So many amazing towns are nearby, including Beekman, Saugerties and Catskill. It’s really a lovely place to spend a weekend, not just the day of the wedding. Any why not, right? (It’s also an amazing place to find a cute Air BnB!)
Both Erinn and her bridesmaids, and Brett and his groomsmen, were nearby to one another to prepare for the day. The women got ready at the historic inn, Beekman Arms, and the men prepared at Beekman’s sister property – the adorable dollhouse-looking Delamater Inn – just down the block.
Once Erinn had her hair and makeup done we all headed over to Red Maple Vineyards for the final touches, like putting on her wedding gown and shoes.
It was incredibly helpful that we set up their timeline do to a first look in the vineyards, amongst the vines, and wedding party and family photos ahead of the ceremony.
Little did we know when we set that plan months before the wedding we’d be dealing with inclement weather. That meant we had to be extra conscientious of the wet grass and mist falling from the sky. When rain happens on a wedding day, I always assess a few things throughout the day: 1) weather forecast, 2) how wet the premises already is, 3) the couple’s comfort level with the weather and if they want to still go for outdoor photos or head inside for pictures.
Erinn and Brett, along with their wedding party, were all great sports. A little mist wasn’t going to prevent them from getting amazing vineyard wedding photos!
I love helpful bridesmaids. They were all such awesome sports when it came to taking photos on wet grass (this is where the art of walking on the balls of your feet, not a spiky heel, comes into play) and not minding the mist!
But it was totally worth it for the resulting bridal party images! Rain? What rain?
I could have fainted from the dreamy dahlias in their bouquets and the flowers in the boutonnieres several times throughout their day. {Le sigh.}
Everything was seriously perfectly coordinated, down to Brett’s floral pocket square and floral stamped metal tie clip.
Their first look was like a dream coming true. It unfolded before our eyes and I happily clicked the camera to documents each special moment.
The wedding party joined in the fun, with the groomsmen in navy blue suits and bridesmaids in pink with cream colored cardigans. (Which remains an all-time favorite accessory for bridesmaids that I’ve ever seen! It’s such a perfect alternative for pashminas or shawls.)
The weather held up for us to take photos outside with the wedding party, bride and groom. But it was too close to call for the ceremony. Thus, Erinn and Brett decided to play it safe and have the ceremony in a covered area.
The alternative was outside, at Red Maple Vineyard’s hill overlooking the Hudson Valley. They were bummed but they knew it was a possibility to move indoors. And they were glad to have the option.
Their friend played the guitar and a sweet melody for everyone entering the ceremony.
Their vows were completely personal and memorable. I loved when Erinn mentioned the exact amount of days she has loved Brett. I got completely choked up! I loved that their friend, Jeffrey, officiated and I loved the look on her grandmothers’ faces as they witnessed their granddaughter tie the knot.
It was really important to Erinn to incorporate her Irish heritage – and she found the perfect way to honor that: with bag pipes and a drummer. After their ceremony “first kiss” the duo played their way down the aisle to lead the way to the reception. It was really moving – I loved it!
Custom signage was everywhere and they had a card box created from reclaimed wood. These were special elements they could keep forever too.
They had a creative display for guests in lieu of escort cards: a window pane with everyone’s names and table numbers.
A bourbon bar was a must for this couple, staunch bourbon enthusiasts! (And a nice way to warm up during fall, might I add.)
One of the things they most wanted to decorate the tent was TREES! It was incredible to see the outdoors brought indoors in this way. And it positively impacted their Red Maple Vineyard wedding photos, might I add.
The tent was just incredible. I feel like it was one of those “had to be there” things but luckily these photos capture the scale, romance and beauty of it all.
Erinn searched to make her vision come to life and hired wonderful vendors that made her dream a reality.
A personal favorite was their donation to Penn State’s dance marathon, a cause close to this couple’s hearts (which is a large financial contributor to childhood cancer research). They place the above left card at every place setting under the menus and napkins.
I was able to sneak up to the top of the property’s hill to capture the view for Erinn and Brett. This is where the ceremony would have been. Running up to this spot when there was some downtown during cocktail hour, while my second shooter provided coverage for it as I quickly drove up to the hill, was just a one way I was able to go the extra mile for Erinn and Brett as their photographer.
Erinn’s family friend produced this creative personalized set of cake cutlery and forks for their day. After the cake cutting it was time for a surprise for the guests – FIREWORKS!
Anyone who knows me knows what a sucker I am for a good fireworks show. I love capturing them, and I love that it brings me back to Walt Disney World every time!
I cannot think of a better way to end an evening than a fireworks show. As if there’s any second guessing when it’s an option at your wedding…the answer, my friends, is YES…yes, yes and more yes! I do to you, and I do to pyrotechnics. I LOVE the photos we were able to end their evening with! (Laura and Phil had a wedding not too far away years later, at Southwood Estate, and they had fireworks too!)
I’m sad it’s over. Can we do it again?
Venue: Red Maple Vineyard / Floral design: Floral Fantasies by Sara / Cake: Corner Stone Caterers / Cake knives and forks cutlery: Love Handles LLC / Stationery: Minted and Stacey Gilmartin / Return address stamp: Happy Stamp Studio / Calligraphy: JoAnn Reid / Band: Jason Craig / Bagpiper and drummer: Ulster County AOH Pipes & Drums / Hair and makeup: La Tua Bella Beauty Bar / Wedding gown: I Do I Do Bridal, designer Paloma Blanca / Bridesmaids dresses and bridal shoes: Badgley Mischka / Fireworks: Legion Fireworks / Jewelry: Dream Gems Corporation / Groom’s suit: Bonobos / Custom shirt: Tom James / Groomsmen suits: DKNY / Ties: The Tie Bar, Slip The Boundaries / Floral pocket square: The Grunion Run / Ring bag and guest bag: Clementine Weddings, Etsy / Bridesmaids necklace: LimonBijoux, Etsy / Getting ready location: Beekman Arms and Delamater Inn
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