Laurie and Ray - August 31, 2013

 Laurie and Ray were married at Fort William Henry Resort on August 31, 2013.  This was a total destination based wedding as our couple is from Virginia and it couldn't have worked out better for Laurie & Ray! Choosing a resort like Fort William Henry is so nice for destination wedding weekends because everything wedding-related can be in one location which makes things super easy and convenient for guests. 

Laurie and her girls got jazzed up by the amazing Lauren at Make Me Fabulous and their personal hairstylist, Carolyn. They all looked incredible. Once Laurie slipped into to her gorgeous gown, we all headed down to the Gazebo at the resort for their First Look. A First Look was so perfect for this couple as it really calmed jitters and made everyone feel so comfortable. The fantastic Upstate Photographers, Brenda and Paul, worked so hard and captured these really fantastic images. Following the First Look, we took bridal party & family photos and then got ready for the ceremony to begin. 

The threat of rain was apparent all day but the ceremony went off without a drop of rain. Horray! Jim Manuel from We Marry U did a wonderful job as always. Jim's laid back demeanor always make a bride and groom feel at ease. The lakeside ceremony looked so pretty as it was decorated to perfection by Renaissance Florals. Stunning! Renaissance also adorned the ballroom with absolutely incredible arrangements. 

Following the ceremony, cocktail hour immediately commenced and it was so great that Laurie and Ray were able to join right into their cocktail party and visit with all of their guests! Rhonda and the Staff at Fort William Henry did a spectacular job; the cuisine was tasty and beautifully presented. The wonderful Hi Definition Band definitely kept the dancing going all night. An added bonus: there were fireworks on the lake that night that were fully visible from the reception. It was so great that guests got such a nice treat at the end of the night (as if cake and pastries from Lake George Baking Company weren't enough :) !

I was so happy to be a part of Laurie and Ray's most special day. Thank you so much Laurie & Ray for choosing me as your wedding planner!  I hope I see you next year at the track! 

Love, Erin 

Maria and Brian Review WPP's Erin McKee!

Photo by Images of U Photography

Maria and Brian were married on July 12, 2013 at the Hiland Park Golf Club in Queensbury.  They worked with WPP planner Erin McKee as their wedding coordinator and just left this glowing review of Erin's services!  

To read more of our Wedding Wire reviews CLICK HERE.

"Erin from Wedding Planning Plus exceeded any expectations I had for our day of coordination. Erin was a delight to work with from day one. She listened to what I was expecting and was extremely helpful with the last minute details. When the day finally came, I can't imagine it running as smoothly as it did without Erin being there. One of the nicest things I heard was from my dad. After we all came down from cloud nine of the wedding I was talking with my dad and he commented on how nice it was to have someone at the wedding that was coordinating everything. From the processional, to letting him know it was time for the father/daughter dance he was extremely impressed with the professionalism, organization, and attention to detail Erin portrayed. I would highly recommend Erin and the entire WPP team for any bride."

Jennie and Andrew Review Shannon at WPP!

Photo by Kevin Demassio Photography

Jennie and Andrew were married at the Albany Country Club on September 1, 2013.  These guys came to me in April looking for help in planning their entire wedding from start to finish in just 4 months!  We worked very hard together and the results were nothing short of amazing.  I had a great time working with these two and I'm so honored that they left this review of me online.  

Click here to read more of our reviews on Wedding Wire.  

"We had the pleasure of working with Shannon of Wedding Planning Plus. Our wedding was planned and executed in just 5 months time! She has a large network that she has built strong connections with so it was very easy to find quality vendors quickly. She is very organized and made our wedding day a breeze!"

Shannon Is At The Wedding MBA!

Starting today I will be in Las Vegas to participate in the Wedding MBA, an industry leading conference for all of the top wedding professionals in the country.  I am so excited to learn from premiere wedding innovators, network with amazing vendors from all over the USA, and absorb tools, tips and tricks along the way.  Watch out world, when I get back I will be raring and ready to go!  Look out 2014 - WPP is coming for you!

~ Shannon

Whoa - We Have Been BUSY!

For pretty much forever we have stayed up on blogs even in our busiest times but this summer we reached a level of wedding season crazy that was unprecedented!  Full wedding months of June, July, and August, and then we have THIRTEEN weddings in the month of September!!  Although we kept up on all of our clients' needs we clearly left things like our blog and our social media on the back burner.  I just wanted to leave a message to all of you to stick with us as we get through all of these amazing weddings and then soon we will be able to share them all with you on here!  Stay tuned!!

~ Shannon

Mary and Brian Review WPP's Erin McKee!

Erin McKee had the distinct pleasure of working with Mary and Brian on their September 7th wedding at Pat's Barn in Troy.  She came on board with them as their wedding day coordinator about a month before their big day and they all had such a great time working together!  Mary and Brian were so kind to leave a review online of Erin's services which is posted proudly here for all to see!

To read more of WPP's Wedding Wire reviews CLICK HERE.

When my husband and I started planning our wedding, we had discussed hiring a day of coordinator, but we had tabled the idea. My bridal shower changed my mind. It was a great shower, but it was a complete whirlwind! I hadn't participated in any of the planning or coordinating, I just showed up and afterward I felt as though it was a compelte blur. Between trying to talk to everyone and take it all in, I hardly remember the details. That is when I realized that if I tried to be the point person for our wedding, it would turn an already fleeting day into a stressful one as well. I also knew that our work and personal schedules were on track to be especially busy in the month leading up to the wedding. I had spoken to Shannon Whitney at Wedding Planning Plus at the beginning of our planning process when we were considering our options. I reached out to her about her day of coordination services and it was exactly what we needed. She was responsive and attentive and put my mind at ease during our discussions. She set us up with one of her coordinators, Erin McKee. Erin provided us with her services in the month leading up to the wedding, helping us put together our day-of schedule and tie up any loose ends. On the day of the event she made sure that the event ran smoothly and seamlessly. She made it so that my husband and I were able to be the guests of honor, while she took care of all the details. She was professional and did an amazing job! My husband and I can honestly say that our wedding day was the best day of our lives. We would definitely make the decision to work with Shannon and Erin again if we had the chance. They come highly recommended!

Chelsea and Chace Review WPP!

Chelsea and Chace were married on the shores of Lake George in Ticonderoga this June and I had the pleasure of working with them as their day-of wedding coordinator.  Upon talking with them on their first call I learned that Chelsea went to my high school and knew both of my brothers, but more interestingly, Chelsea is a wedding planner herself and runs her business in Aspen, CO.  So pressure was on for me to do my best work to execute a wedding planner's wedding day!  Thankfully their wedding went amazingly well and Chelsea was kind enough to post this review of me online.  Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with other brides, Chelsea!  And thank you for choosing me as your wedding coordinator!

To read more of our reviews CLICK HERE.

Wow, where do I begin! Shannon and the Wedding Planning Plus team were amazing throughout the entire wedding planning process. I am an event planner in Aspen, CO with quite high standards and Shannon never let me down. On my wedding day there was flash flooding and my tent was underwater. Shannon and her team did everything they could to help with the situation that was out of everyone's control. They were truly amazing. I would recommend Shannon and her team with 100% confidence. They exceeded my expectations!

Macrina and Tyson's Lake Placid Wedding is Featured on Well Wed!

Photos by Hendrickson Photography

Macrina and Tyson were married at the Lake Placid Club Golf House on September 21, 2012, and WPP lead planner Ginny Beigel was hired by the couple to coordinate their big day.  They had a super gorgeous wedding with so many beautiful personal touches which has caught the eye of the bloggers over at Well Wed New York.  We love having our weddings on beautiful blogs - thank you Well Wed for sharing this wedding with your readers!

CLICK HERE to see Macrina and Tyson's full Well Wed post.

Jennifer and Daniel - Wedding Video Sneak Peek!

Jennifer and Daniel were married at The Inn at Erlowest on June 22, 2013 and I had the pleasure of working with them as their wedding coordinator.  They hired the very talented Josh Rask of Clark+Walker to do the videography for their big day and I just got the first look at their video trailer.  I love working with Josh and he did a great job wrapping their entire wedding weekend into this video clip!

To view Jennifer and Daniel's wedding video trailer CLICK HERE.

Rachel and Matt Review WPP!

Photo by Matt Gillis

Rachel and Matt were married at Colgate University on July 13th.  Erin Dewey was their day-of wedding coordinator and helped these two achieve their perfect wedding day.  They just left a super sweet review of Erin on Wedding Wire that we are so excited to share!  Thanks so much Rachel and Matt for taking the time to leave such kind words!

To read more of our reviews CLICK HERE.

"We used Erin [Dewey] of Wedding Planning Plus for our day of coordination and it was the best money we spent on our wedding! The service is SO MUCH more than just that day. Erin started working with me 6 weeks before our wedding and helped me think through all the random details that I had not previously considered, she coordinated all my vendors, dealt with sticky situations with grace, and completely managed my stress! I am totally type A and "planned" our wedding myself, and the reason I could relax leading up to and on our wedding day was I knew that Erin had everything under control. I would HIGHLY recommend this Erin and WPP!!"

Rachel and Matt - July 13, 2013

Rachel and Matt were married in at Colgate University on July 13, 2013.  Their outdoor ceremony took place on the beautiful "Willow Path" at Colgate and their tented reception was also right on campus. Rachel and Matt both attended Colgate as did many of their guests at the wedding, so it was a truly fun, very spirited day! Rachel's smile and laugh lights up a room and Matt is just as cool and calm as can be- put those two together and you have one amazing duo! 

We began the day at Colgate Inn, which is a quaint and cozy Inn located right in the town of Hamilton, less than a mile from the Colgate campus. Rachel and her crew were getting beautified while Matt and his crew were on a long bike ride. What a way to start your wedding day! There was great energy in the bridal suite yet everyone was so relaxed. Rachel and Matt chose to have a small bridal party with Rachel's sister Sarah and Matt's best friend Dave as attendants.  This was so nice and gave the whole day a very personal feeling. Final hair and make up touch ups were completed, beautiful floral bouquets were delivered and we headed to Colgate for the First Look!

After Rachel and Matt had their First Look, they signed the Ketubah and did all of their family photos. This worked out so well for them as they were truly able to enjoy their entire evening. The ceremony was simply stunning, it took place on a path lined with willow trees overlooking a pond. Once the "I Dos" were said, guests headed to a quaint outdoor cocktail hour. Rachel and Matt went for a very "clean" and elegant look for their wedding day; linens were all white and florals were all white with just a hint of  blush pink. Perfect for a summer tented wedding!

It was a pleasure to work with the true professionals that made this spectacular event happen. Mike Emery and his all star band the New York Players were amazing and kept the dance floor fully packed all night long! The very talented Matt Gillis was on site all weekend capturing every little detail. Matt is the best - his personality and style are unsurpassed. Sarah White, owner of Wildflowers, did a great job with all of the personal and reception florals. Hair and makeup was done flawlessly, by Gina Tarbell and Maria Sanchez, respectively. The catering was provided by The Colgate Inn, who not only produced delicious cuisine, but brought along a very talented and professional catering staff! I would also like to thank Morris Tent Rentals for a job well-done with all of the rentals, Bernie Bus for the shuttle transportation and Non Pareils Bakery for the beautiful and tasty wedding cake. Finally, a shout out to Maureen at Colgate University for being so kind and helpful!

This was a special day for Rachel and Matt and their family and friends. Thank you so much Rachel and Matt for choosing me as your wedding planner!  You guys are amazing people and I hope you have the time of your lives on your African safari honeymoon!!  xoxo

-  Erin Dewey

Running To The Altar - New Group Run Scheduled!

'Running To The Altar' has a new group run on the calendar.

Sunday July 21 at 9:00am - Wedding Planning Plus office

Join Shannon for a 5 miler in Delmar at a 9:30 min/mile pace.  All are welcome to join to get some exercise while chatting about fun wedding details!  

For more info on this event or to join our group check out our Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/groups/487420271328436/

Nicole and Chris - Photo Sneak Peek!

Nicole and Chris were married on July 5, 2013 at the Old Daley Inn at Crooked Lake.  I had the pleasure of coordinating their big day and getting to meet all of their wonderful family and friends.  Here is a sneak peek image of the happy couple, plus a great pic of me with the bride and groom, taken by Trisha of Trisha Millier Photography.  Can't wait to get my hands on the rest of their wedding images so I can post a full recap soon!

Michelle and Bud - Photo Sneak Peek!

Michelle and Bud were married at their home on Lake George this past Saturday.  Their photographer Lora Benson from Lora Ann Photography took this photo that I just had to post as a sneak peek.  I love the light reflecting off the water and of course Michelle looking gorgeous in her wedding dress.  This was a great wedding and I can't wait to share a full wedding recap post with you soon!

Mallory and Greg - Photo Sneak Peek

Mallory and Greg were married on Saturday at the Carey Conference Center and WPP lead planner Ginny Beigel was on hand to coordinate their big day.  We just got this sneak peek image from photographer Tara Wiley and wanted to get it up here to share with you all.  We can't wait to share the rest!!

Abby and Chuck Review WPP!

Abby and Chuck were married at the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock VT two weeks ago.  These two were guests at a wedding I planned and coordinated last summer (Shanna and Scott - Sagamore Resort) and when Abby was working on the details for her event she took Shanna's recommendation and reached out to me.  I had a blast coordinating this wedding and being able to spend a few days up in Vermont!  Abby and Chuck returned from their honeymoon and posted this review of me online.  Thanks so much guys for your kind words!!

To read more of our Wedding Wire reviews CLICK HERE.  

"Shannon was a lifesaver! At the recommendation of a friend who used Shannon for her wedding, I decided to call on Shannon when I realized that I needed someone to help with day-of coordination because my stress had reached dangerous levels. Shannon really starts the month before for the day-of coordination. She reaches out to all vendors and creates a very detailed timeline. It was so incredibly helpful to have Shannon there on my wedding day. She is very calm and professional and everything went seamlessly!"

Busy busy busy!

We realize we have been a little light on posts lately but that's because wedding season is here and we are busy working on so many amazing weddings!  Stay patient and stay tuned because there is a lot of great content we will soon be sending your way!

-  Shannon

Jen and Ian Review WPP!

Photo by Kent Meister Photography


I was very pleased to see that I got a new review today from a wedding I coordinated two weeks ago, but even more excited to see that the review was left by the groom and not by the bride (let's face it, it's mostly the brides who do this dirty work)!  Thank you so much Ian for your incredible kind words.  I had such a fun time working with you and being there to see you and Jen enjoy your day and your friends and your party was a really special experience for me.  Congrats you two and thanks again!

To read more reviews left on Wedding Wire by our past clients CLICK HERE

Shannon was amazing. I would recommend her to everyone. At first I was a little skeptical, and didn't think that we needed a wedding planner/ coordinator, but my wife was very insistent. And she was right. Shannon managed everything and managed it very well. She took so much of the stress of the day away from my wife and I. Honestly, I don't know exactly what she did, but I do know that the whole wedding went off without a hitch and I did not have to worry about anything. Whenever anyone asked me a question all day, my response was simply "ask Shannon" and it got taken care of. Ten stars out of a possible five.

Running To The Altar - New Group Runs!

WPP's bridal workout group "Running To The Altar" has two new group runs scheduled! 

Tuesday May 28th at 6:00pm - The Crossings

4 miles at 9:30 min/mile or 1 mile at 10:30 min/mile

Sunday June 2nd at 9:30am - WPP office in Delmar

5 miles at 9:30 min/mile or 1 mile at 10:30 min/mile

This is a group designed for brides and their girls to get a good workout and share wedding ideas with WPP planners and each other.  All abilities are welcome.  We are always excited to have new members so grab your shoes and your girls and come out to join us for some fun!

To stay in the loop on all of our activities join us on Facebook by clicking through to this LINK.  

Meet Melissa, One Of Our 2013 Interns!

Please meet Melissa Jacobsen, one of the interns on our team for this year!  Melissa comes to us with a background in communications on PR and even a little event coordination experience back when she interned with an event company in Western New York.  Melissa has already hit the ground running and has a few WPP weddings under her belt as she's assisted me at weddings at the Canfield Casino and Oak Hill in Hudson.  We are very excited to have Melissa on our team and look forward to seeing where she grows and goes with our company!

Welcome Melissa!!

Michelle and Bryan Review WPP!

Michelle and Bryan just left a wonderful review of my services on Wedding Wire.  Thank you guys so much for taking the time to leave such kind words!!

To read the rest of our Wedding Wire reviews CLICK HERE.

I can't say enough about how wonderful it was working with Shannon for coordinating our wedding day. From the start, Shannon was there to answer our questions and ensure that our day would be exactly the way we wanted it to be. The week and day of our wedding we were able to relax and enjoy everything because we knew Shannon had everything under control and taken care of. We were so incredibly pleased with how smoothly our wedding day went. Without her, I don't think that our day would have been as perfect for us as it was!

Running To The Altar

You are invited to join the group

"Running To The Altar"

A running group designed for area brides and their girls to share wedding ideas with 

Wedding Planning Plus wedding planners and each other while getting fit and having fun.

Wedding Planning Plus owner Shannon Whitney has two passions in life:  Working with amazing couples planning and coordinating the biggest day in their lives, and distance running.

It is the combination of these two things that sparked the idea for Shannon to create this running group.  

The concept is simple:  Brides, bridesmaids, their moms, and their friends join up with Shannon and the planners of Wedding Planning Plus to get outdoors, get fit, and to share their wedding planning stories, ideas, and questions.

Think of it as getting free wedding planning advice while you work out!

Group runs will be taking place weekly in and around Albany.  All ability levels are welcome, and distances and paces will vary per run.  

Go to the "Running To The Altar" Facebook page for more information and to sign up for upcoming group runs.

(And did we mention that Shannon is training for her 8th marathon?  Not a bad opportunity to get some good running advice while you're at it!)

So grab your girls and your running shoes and let's get you 'wedding dress ready'!