Weddings and Engagements. The most exciting time of your life (well except for when the kids start coming) — full of promise, the unknown, the planning!, and happiness.

I love  textures. The physical texture of the lace on a wedding gown. The buttery smoothness of fresh roses. The fresh grass. The crunchiness of crudities. The texture of a Dad’s face when he sees his daughter in her wedding dress.  Powerful powerful stuff.

These are a few of my favorites from the past year. Some have been posted on the event blog, many have not. Some I have a deep attachment to because of the moment caught, some for the beauty in the object.

They all represent love & affection; planning, craftsmanship and artistry.

The colors were so beautiful this year. Lots of bright bold purples, reds, pinks. The gowns were gorgeous! and seemed to ‘fit’ each bride to her personality.

The receptions great fun — without fail. The PhotoBooth was a MAJOR hit with everyone who booked it, and for some reason the parents seemed to get a real charge–re-living their youth? Pete and I always had a ‘discussion’ about trading spaces cause it’s just way too much fun to working the booth.

and the food? YES! please. Beautiful plated meals, buffets, cakes.

Thank yous.

To all the couples that entrusted us to their day. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you — before and after — your day. You all make this the best ‘job’ anyone could hope for.

A shout out to local venues and coordinators: Janet at the Mansion at Bald Hill  Lara at the Woodstock Inn, Katie at the Golden Lamb. 3 local professionals that have been an incredible pleasure to work with. They treat you like family.

and finally to Pete and Norm. You guys are the best to work with. Covering my back when I get into that wedding ‘fog’; we’ve work together for so long you already know what I’m gonna do before I know it myself. And making sure that our clients have everything they need before they need it.

Thank you!

Mike and Jillian have a grand passion for each other that transcends their wedding day; what began as a friendship 10 years ago grew into a bond that is evident from the moment I met them, a year ago.

And I believe that the humor that drew them together will serve them well. Little did I know what I was in for.

“Kleaf, can we do this, KLeaf, come here for a second.” I must have signed an email like that, (usually reserved for close family and friends) and MOlson, picked right up on it. We were going to be a good match.

“KLeaf, if you need me, just yell Olson and I’ll get there a lot quicker than if you call me Mike”. Me too, Olson. Done and Done.

A really rainy late September week prior to the wedding had us a little worried. We had planned on doing the formals prior to the ceremony to let Olson and Savage join right into the party. A few days before I emailed Mike saying it wasn’t too early to start the anti-rain dance. I know he was sweating. Lots of formals, and we couldn’t get into Eolia Mansion until just before the ceremony. Then, the night before the wedding Mike emailed me saying he had done the dance (and you’ll have to ask him directly in what manner he did so, since this is a family blog), and that it was going to be all right.  Good dancing will win out every time.

Do those eyes just melt your heart?

Doing the family and bridal formals before the ceremony relieves so much pressure to get them done when all anyone wants to do is get the party going.

And what a fun bunch the bridal party and family were! And how they forgave me when I’m calling out names, and everyone is right in front of me.

Mike’s  son Jonathan is a remarkable 12 year old. He’s got his own section below. Read on.

I LOVE the girls spirit! No cars for them from the Mansion to the Amphitheater! It’s not a short walk, either.

They braved wet grass, watched where they were stepping (if you get my drift) and all with laughter and good spirits.

How Jillian managed to walk without getting her dress trashed, and carrying their son Noah, I’ll never know.

He will be 1 next month.

Jonathan, Mike’s Son, 12 years old.

Not only did he have every person in attendance in tears during the service–but when it was his turn during the reception to toast his Dad and Jillian, he nearly brought down the house.

I cry during most every ceremony. Real, wipe away tears. But Jonathan was lucky — if he didn’t stop when he did I would have been mortified–gulping for air sobbing.

Even their lovely officiant had to turn away.

Mike, you did good raising that young man.

And the reception was incredibly fun!

Some of the characters that stepped into the PhotoBooth:

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And did I mention the Grand Passion they share? Playful, respectful and full of love.

Thank you Mike Olson and Jillian Savage. May your lives together be as tremendous as the sunset on your wedding day.

I know it’s a good toast when I am wiping away tears….

And Pete wants to hire Tim’s brother as entertainment for his next family function.

TAB LE WARS!

I NEED COMMENTS— WHOSE TABLE WAS THE MOST FUN ????

WHOSE EVER TABLE GETS THE MOST VOTE WILL ‘GIFT’ AN 8X10 TO TIM AND SARA–THE HAPPY COUPLE’S CHOICE!

I gotta say how much I love the Hora! Wish it lasted about 1/2 hour, although I’m betting Tim and Sara were glad to be on solid ground again.

Mad Dog 2020… Guys, it makes my stomach ache from the good times in ’76…. that’s all I’m gonna say about that.

And what a way to end the night-at least in Waterford.

Thank you both for your warmth and hospitality. Pete and I were treated like family and it was pure joy to document your love and celebrations.

I arrived early for Carolyn and Adam’s wedding  last October and couldn’t help but explore the grounds.

Walking around the grounds and admiring the architecture was a treat even before the wedding festivites began.

Carolyn: Yes, we’re going to be married at Harkness Park on Wednesday 15th October

I was intriqued to say the least with a Wednesday wedding and it’s so cool that Carolyn and Adam had their first date on October 15 2006, on the beach at Harkness, got engaged on the same beach October 15th 2007, and now celebrated their marriage October 15 2008!

The Eolia mansion has to be one of the most magnificent venues on the East Coast, first class service and gardens that are immaculate.

With Carolyn and Adam so happy with their friends and family supporting them it was a beautiful fall wedding.

I Love Love LOVE Carolyn’s simple slippers! The cobalt blue shoes were just the right color to complement the simple orange bouquets the girls carried and just popped with color.

This one was a surprise–as Carolyn was dressing she walked by the glass table and her reflection was perfect!

A huge benefit of having the dressing, ceremony, and reception in one place is that there is no down time or travel time between sites.  Carolyn’s photography coverage was only 4 hours long,  but we were able to get the girls gettting primped, the guys formals with plenty of time. Carolyn and Adam chose too see each other prior to the ceremony which saved a lot of time, as we were able to get some formals done before the ceremony, as well as afterwards.

Dinner was held in one of the rooms off the main entry with a fabulous view onto the Long Island Sound.

Thank you so much for asking me to share your day.