Team SHP rang out May 2018 with an epic view on Mary and Nick’s wedding day at the Skyline Lodge in Fabius, NY. The lodge sits on a high point in Highland Forest, an Onondaga County Park, and provides one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Central New York around!

Mary and Nick started the day getting ready in Cazenovia, NY – a short, scenic drive from the venue. The ladies took over the honeymoon suite at the Hampton Inn while the guys got ready in a room on the opposite side of the building. Team SHP worked alongside videographers P.S. & Co. Films in documenting this special day.  The honeymoon suite provided a lot of natural light, which Sarah enjoyed working with as Mary had her hair and makeup done. Nick and his guys made quick work of donning their grey suits with navy accents. Mary’s son Jake delivered the exchange of gifts to their respective rooms, just one of a couple of essential roles he had for the day. We were able to document this special moment simultaneously. We can’t wait for Mary & Nick to see the reactions they had to each other’s gifts in their photography set! Nick gave Mary a love letter, a stunning Tiffany & Co. pearl bracelet, and a candy necklace, a cute and sweet (literally and figuratively) inside joke. Mary gave Nick a classy watch among a few other things, including the cutest dish towel that says “When I said I do, I didn’t mean the dishes.” Too funny!! It’s clear these two know each other pretty well.

We can’t stress enough that planning out a timeline before the wedding is key! When we are aware they are going to happen it allows for us to plan to capture as many of the special moments as possible. We can also figure out during planning when the best time for portraiture is, which we did with Mary and Nick. Once the wedding party was ready, the ladies headed to the Skyline for some photos with Sarah and the guys stopped at Cazenovia Lake for photos with Jenn as planned. We took time then to get images of each wedding party member with the couple as well as group shots. Since we got these done ahead of time, it shed a little time off the formal portrait portion of the day that would follow after the ceremony. This is a great way to plan the day photographically, especially if the couple chooses to wait until the ceremony to see each other!

Meanwhile, guests started to arrive at the Skyline for the ceremony, and everyone was directed to the deck that overlooks the remarkable view. They were invited to take a tube of bubbles before sitting down in preparation for a dreamy recessional. Seats were arranged so that Mary and Nick could be married with the view as the backdrop. The guys arrived just in time to hide, take a breather, and get prepared for the ceremony. Having been there for a while, the ladies finished up some formal portraits on the grounds before doing the same.

Mary and Nick’s ceremony was a loving display with an emphasis on family. Jake fulfilled his second important role during this time by reading an excerpt from the Velveteen Rabbit to remind every one of the true meaning of love. With an exchange of vows and a kiss, Mary and Nick were walking back down the aisle through a sea of bubbles, floating on Cloud 9 as newlyweds!

Cocktail hour featured Mary and Nick’s signature cocktail, Corona with lime – summery and refreshing – and provided yard games like custom wedding day cornhole and giant tic-tac-toe. However, the definite highlight was the VW Photo Bus; a vintage VW bus made into a photo booth parked right outside the venue. Groups lined up to pick out props and climb aboard for photo fun!

The reception first greeted guests with a pretty seating chart made from a vintage frame, draped with flowers (that reminded me a lot of one I helped a friend make for her wedding which will be featured soon!) along with a keepsake puzzle guest book. Inside the banquet hall, white linens reflected all the lovely, waning, natural light and drew attention to the decorative ‘W’ atop the fireplace mantel, proudly displaying their newly shared last initial. Each table had a sweet pink floral centerpiece with blue table numbers set on slices of birch. A sun-kissed, welcoming space for guests to settle in, enjoy cocktail hour, and get ready for a taco bar! We love a good taco bar (we’re keeping track of the stats for a future project, and Taco Bar Weddings is definitely one of the categories were tracking!). To top things off, an amazing donut bar from Just Donuts, sat to the right of head table tantalizing everyone with a variety of unique creations like red velvet chocolate chip, Butterfinger Explosion, and “half-baked”.  With guests primed for the party, Mary and Nick were introduced by Porta Party DJ Service, and they led right into their first dance as husband and wife. With tacos on the near horizon, toasts commenced. The best men and maids of honor took turns showering the couple with funny stories and well-wishes.

After dinner, parent dances were shared and the dance floor opened for the party to amp up! The dance floor was hopping! It’s a guaranteed good time when a dance circle or two form. We enjoy the challenge of photographing a live dance party and have fun workin’ it with off-camera flash. Mary and Nick’s reception totally brought it for Team SHP. To top it off, as the night came to a close, a massive amount of glow sticks were passed around, and everyone was invited outside to send the couple off with a spectacular glow stick exit! Here are some highlights from their best day ever!

 

Congratulations and best wishes, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson!

Featured Wedding Professionals || Wedding Dress Designer – Maggie Sottero | Dress Vendor – New York Bride | Bridesmaids Dress Designer – Bill Levkoff | Groom & Groomsmen Attire – Men’s Warehouse | Caterer – Orchard Vali | Donuts – Just Donuts | DJ – Porta Party DJ Service | Videographers – P.S. & Co. Films | Photo booth – VW Photo Bus |