New York Country Side Wedding, Mannsville, NY | Melissa + Ken are Married!

Melissa and Ken’s big day finally arrived August twelfth, and it was everything they had envisioned! Melissa and Ken are no strangers to the blog (or SHP – Melissa is a fellow photographer!) and the day we met to create those images, Melissa walked us around Ken’s family home to explain what she had planned for their big day. When we arrived on the actual day it was everything she had said it would be – executed perfectly with help from her future mother-in-law, Wendy!

Melissa and her ladies got ready inside the Tousley residence where all the day’s magic would happen outside.  Melissa redesigned her dress with help from a family church friend Vickie – together they sewed and reworked the dress to create Melissa’s vision, which was unique and stunning! A lovely piece of silk wrapped around her shoulders to create a sweet neckline that then somehow weaved it’s way down to her waist where it settled there, knotted nicely. Melissa put a ton of care and thought into every detail! Ken and his dudes and one lady-dude got ready about 10 minutes away at Ken’s uncle’s home (who was also there, preparing to marry the couple!). While the guys got ready they celebrated the fact that they could roll up their shirt sleeves and keep the top button unbuttoned for the country side wedding day vibe the couple was trying to achieve. Lady-dude Julia touched up her make-up and braided Ken’s hair before they all stepped outside for some photographs. It was clear Ken was anxious to see his bride-to-be at their imminent first look!

At the back of the Tousley Family property sits a love bench the family created to honor the couple’s within it. The important couples’ meeting dates and wedding dates are carved into the wood of the seats. This is where Melissa and Ken choose to have their first look, with their wedding party watching in the near distance. After they shared a sweet, private moment, the wedding party joined in for some formal shots before the ceremony. Sarah and Wesley then went off with Melissa and Ken to get some more couples photos before the guests started to trickle in. A little sprinkle of rain passed through just as photos were coming to a close and ended as guests began to arrive. It was the perfect amount for “good luck”!

Off to the side of the house, the family created a lovely ceremony spot complete with a processional aisle spray painted with white and blue hearts! Melissa and Ken’s dogs, Trinity and Dahlia cannot go without mention! They were all dressed up for the occasion. Trinity represented on Ken’s side while Dahlia came down with the flower girls on Melissa’s side. In front of the most important people in their lives, Melissa and Ken then pledged their ever-lasting love to each other, sealed the deal with a kiss, and presented for the first time as Mr. & Mrs. Tousely to “Ice Cream Man” by Van Halen.

Now, it was certainly time to party! Guests mingled under the tent during cocktail hour as the newly-weds posed for family portraits. Each table number represented a future anniversary of Melissa and Ken’s marriage and was equipped with a notebook asking guests for advice to read on that marriage anniversary. As guests nibbled on cheese and Swedish meatballs, they hovered over the books intently taking turns to fill them up! We thought this was a very unique way to execute table numbers. Each table was also decorated by stacks of the couple’s favorite books, some glitzy tulle, and monogramed gift bags filled with Wendy’s famous chocolate chip cookies! Melissa infused her and Ken’s personality into every detail! She created their guestbook by laying out old records for everyone to sign and made little vignettes highlighting photos of each other, vintage cameras, gnomes, and little details of their personalities.

They kicked off the reception with their first dance to The Allman Brother’s “Sweet Melissa”, which was followed by some of the sweetest parent dances! Melissa choose to dance with her mother and shortly after the song (Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”) started she couldn’t help but ask her sister to join them on the dance floor. The three of them floated in a bubble of love as they sang to each other and embraced the whole time!

Once the yummy bbq meal including pulled pork, mac and cheese and more, was served, Melissa and Ken invited their guests outside for a unique twist on the dollar dance tradition. Instead of paying to dance with one of them, guests got to pay to SHOOT THEM WITH NERF GUNS! The couple’s videographer was there to catch it all on a drone too! Everyone gathered and giggled with delight as they shot Melissa and Ken, who made their best “you got me” faces!

We hope you enjoy some of the highlights from Melissa and Ken’s best day ever!

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

 

Featured Wedding Professionals || Dress Vendor – David’s Bridal | Rings – Perrywinkle’s | Hair Artist – Anna Volpe, Anna’s Chop Shop Hair Studio | Makeup Artist – Melissa and her sister | Caterer – RJ’s Catering | Cake – Linda Roberts | DJ/Music – Tunes 92.5/104.5 |

August 24, 2017

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