Great wedding trend - "First Sightings"

Ok if you are super traditional and not into straying from the norm then perhaps this post is not for you. But if you are someone who is going for the easiest way to get your formal wedding photos done and still be there for most if not all of your cocktail hour, then this trend might be right up your alley. What am I talking about? It's called by different names depending on what region you live, but around here in Upstate New York it's commonly referred to as "First Sightings". Just picture getting all dolled up like you would before your walk down the aisle, but add in an hour or so of time with your fiance and photographer before the ceremony for some beautifully emotional and candid photos. It's a chance for you to see your beloved and actually be able to hug and kiss and hold them (something you can't do when you get to them after your walk to the altar). You can get just about all of your formal photos done of the two of you and your bridal party and family, too, if time allows. So that during cocktail hour you are not running around like a madman with a perma-grin trying to squeeze in a picture with everyone and their brother before cocktail hour ends. And for you fall and winter weddings First Sightings can have a very practical application because the sun sets a lot earlier during your time of the year and the option for outdoor photos is often not there after evening ceremonies. So this is where the traditionalists cringe and turn away because - gasp! - we're talking about the two of you seeing each other before you're standing together at the altar. But if seeing each other before the ceremony is not a huge deal to you then I say consider this whole First Sighting thing because it can get you some ridiculously good photos, help ease your pre-wedding jitters, and allow you and your lovie some nice time together before you have 200 people pulling you in all directions. Talk to your photographer about it - and your wedding planner of course - and see if this would work for you. A LOT of my couple are doing this now and they all have been super pleased with the results. Just check out some of these photos for great examples of First Sighting moments.

Jackie and Scott (photos by Heather Bohm-Tallman)

Joann and Vern (photos by Tracey Buyce)

Beth and Lawson (photos by Tracey Buyce)

Colleen and Eric (photos by Tracey Buyce)

Words from my lovie little bride...

Last weekend I coordinated a wedding in Saratoga for Jolene and Brad Walajtys. If you're friends with me on Facebook you've seen some of the photos I uploaded of their wonderful incredible ridiculously beautiful decor details... But that's not what I'm interested in posting now. Instead I'd rather share the words in the thank you card given to me by this wonderful incredible ridiculously beautiful bride...

I love what I do and feedback like this it just validates everything. <3

Shannon,

You are a pumpkin, fairy godplanner, patron saint of all wedding planners! I adore you! Thank you for holding my hand and guiding me along my journey down the pink and golden brick road to the man of my dreams. I couldn't have planned a wedding this extraordinary without you! Thank you for your calming voice, reassuring e-mails, and lovely sweet disposition! Again, thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Love,
Jolene

Wedding photo sneak peek!

This past Sunday was the wedding of one of my couples - Mr. and Mrs. VanDixhorn - at The Inn at Erlowest on Lake George. Their super talented (and super fast) photographer, Holly Greene of Out of the Ordinary Photography, just sent me this sneak peek photo from their event. This is so beautiful and such a tease! Thanks Holly, I can't wait to see the rest!!

Houck Wedding - February 12, 2010

Mr. and Mrs. Houck were married on February 12, 2010. I worked with these two for a long time - 26 months to be exact!! - and we went through date changes and the birth of their son (check out the cutie in the wagon!) and everything else together during the last two years. The bride and groom met at Siena College and live locally in the Albany area. Planning this wedding was a breeze because the bride was so sweet and such a joy to work with. Just look at her, besides beautiful you can just see in that smile that she is a wonderfully warm and caring person. After spending so much time planning their event, the big day came with much anticipation by all of us! It was a bright and very cold winter day but their fabulous photographers, Niki Rossi and her fiance Seth Guistimbelli, braved the freezing temperatures to capture some beautiful crisp winter backdrop to their wedding photos. Joining me at this wedding were DJ Greg Frasier and Rebekah and her wonderful team at Longfellows.

Thank you to Brittany and Schyler for allowing me to be a part of your special day!

Meet WPP's 2010 interns!

New this year - Two Interns!! I am excited to have these two wonderful ladies on board to assist me with my weddings for this summer and fall. If you get a chance to meet these girls through phone calls, e-mails, or in person at our events please give them a warm welcome!

I am excited to introduce Nora Mishenac-Novak who will be working as my summer intern. She is from Schenectady and has worked in super cool places locally and as far away as Guatemala. She will be working with me on my July and August weddings and I am happy to have her on the team!

I am also happy to introduce Krystal Salerno who will be working as my fall intern. She is from the Bronx and spent her college years at RPI. She comes to us with experience interning with a Wedding Planning company downstate and a certification in Wedding Planning from Wagner College. She will be working with me on my August through November weddings and I can't wait to get her started!


Congrats ladies! Welcome to the team!!! :)

Meier Wedding - November 7, 2009

Deidre and Jonathan were married on November 7, 2009. Their ceremony took place in the beautiful St. Mary's church in Coxsackie and the reception was held at The Century House in Latham. This couple brought me on to help coordinate their ceremony only, and booked me almost 20 months in advance of their big day. I loved working with these two; they are super fun and relaxed and they even let me join them on their menu and cake tasting which is always a super big treat for me! Their wedding was fall themed with pumpkins and gourds all around. Flowers were from Renaissance Floral Design and all of the photos were provided to me by their wonderful photographer Colleen Reilly.

Thank you Dee and Jon for letting me be a part of your special day!

Internship position still available!

Time has gotten away from me and my internship position still needs to be filled!

I am looking for an intern for the summer and/or fall, ideally a current college student or recent grad. If you or someone you know may be interested in working on the planning and coordination of weddings across upstate New York then I encourage you to apply. Please email your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this industry and what experiences you would like to gain from your time with us, and send it to:

Shannon@WeddingPlanningPlus.net

Thank you and I look forward to selecting and introducing our new intern to all of you soon!

Destination Wedding Spotlight - Baltimore

I have lived in the northeast my whole life but before this past May I had never been to Baltimore. I really didn't know anything about the area before I went down but I have to say that the whole Old Harbor area really stinkin' impressed me. I will admit that what brought me to Baltimore was a friends' wedding - yes that I was actually a guest at - so my time in the city and my experience there was one of a quick visitor and a spoiled wedding guest. Hell yeah, it was great!

Ok but besides the time I spent dancing it up at the reception I did get a chance to soak up a little local culture and think that Baltimore could make one hell of a destination wedding location.

Want to know more about my trip? Just e-mail me at Shannon@WeddingPlanningPlus.net.

Thank you for all of your support of LLS's MWOY!

Last night marked the end of the Man and Woman of the Year campaign. This 8-week long fundraiser wrapped with a wonderful gala event in Troy where there was hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, silent auction items, guest speakers, and the announcement of the man and woman who raised the most amount of money during this campaign. Even though our candidate didn't walk away with the title, we all left feeling like we were the winners. As a group we far exceeded our own expectations and goals and raised a substantial amount of money for this worthy cause. This last 8 weeks was an inspiring exercise in teamwork, togetherness, compassion, and heart warming generosity. I thank so many of my friends, family, and peers in the event and wedding industry for your donation of time, money, goods, and services. Words can't express the full extent of my gratitude.

Although the Man and Woman of the Year campaign has ended, the true needs of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has still not been met. Please continue to support this charity and the work they are doing to end blood cancers. Visit http://www.lls.org/ for more information and to make a donation.

Last night's gala featured auction items donated by some wonderful colleagues of mine. Please support these businesses as they were very generous and went above and beyond to give to our campaign and to the Leaukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Saratoga National Golf Club and Prime Restaurant

Longfellows Restaurant

Lipstick and Lashes Salon in Saratoga Springs
The Howard Stern Show

Mickey Mantles Restaurant in Manhattan

Regency Limousine

The Hilton Garden Inn in Saratoga Springs

MWOY Happy Hour to support the LLS

(Event poster designed by Adam Anson)

The end of the Man of the Year campaign is quickly approaching, and your support for Joe and this cause has been nothing short of amazing. We have one final fundraising event that we are hosting this Friday and we are excited to be ending this 8-week campaign with a bang. Please join us at The Victory Cafe in Albany from 6:00-9:00. $20 admission includes food and soda, and there will be drink specials, door prizes, and a silent auction running throughout the event. It is a great way to end the work week and support a very worthy cause.

Thank you in advance to some of my friends and colleagues who have generously donated items and services for this event. Please support these businesses, they are run by good people and they deserve your business!

Exit 9 Wine and Liquor in Clifton Park

Eastern Mountain Sports in Stuyvesant Plaza

YMCA of the Greater Capital District (Clifton Park location)

Birch Hill

National Museum of Dance

Outback Steakhouse

Comedy Works

Olde Bryan Inn

The Victory Cafe

Houlihans

LLS Cash Blast

(Cash Blast logo designed by Adam Anson)

The support for Joe Quijano as Man of the Year candidate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been overwhelming! Thank you all for your donations both online and at some of the recent fundraising events.

If you are fans of WPP on Facebook (or one of my friends) you have seen the postings about today's Cash Blast. Please log on now to www.mwoy.org/uny , click on Joe's picture and donate $10 or more to help us reach our one day goal. All of your support has been amazing so far. Thanks for supporting the LLS and our efforts in this campaign!

Destination Wedding Spotlight - Paris

Who doesn't think of love and romance when they think of Paris? Walks along the Seine, standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower, strolling the Champs Elysees. J'adore Paris! Paris is an amazing city that really can't be described in a few words. It truly is a magical place where you can discover something new everyday - the cheese, bread and wine, the fashion, the museums, the true essence of this extraordinary place. Getting married in a place like Paris can be the perfect combination of a destination event and an instant romantic honeymoon. But don't take my word for it. I encourage you to check out this incredible city yourself!

Want to know more about my trip to Paris? E-mail me at Shannon@WeddingPlanningPlus.net.