Shaver Ellis Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were married on October 11, 2008 at Lanzi's on the Lake in Mayfield. This location in set right on the Sacandaga Lake with a large lawn overlooking the water. The couple picked a perfect day for weather and the fall foliage was just at its peak. With an outdoor ceremony and a fall themed reception the plans couldn't have come together more perfectly. This was especially relieving to me because this couple came to us a few weeks before their wedding due to the parting of ways with their original wedding planner. My assistant, Katie, and I put our heads together on this one and worked extra hard to put the finishing touches in place just in time for their special day. As you can see from Hillary Harvey's pictures, the day came together beautifully. I couldn't have planned it better myself.

This couple lives in Manhattan and has family ties to the Adirondack area. They came up to camp a week before their wedding and used rustic cabins to get prepped and ready on their big day. Here the bride's sister and father and putting the finishing touches to her gorgeous ensemble.

The bride wore dress with a stunning silk bodice and a full length lace overlay. Classically elegant. Her groom looked dapper in a velvety black suit. For their bridal party they went with a range of fall shades for the girls and simple suit jackets and linen pants for the guys.

Here you can see the colors of the bridal party and how it fits so well with the fall theme. The flower colors tied all of the shades together, and the setting sun over the lake helps added that special touch to this picture.










The couple kept their guest list small and enjoyed an intimate dinner party-like feel for their reception. The reception room was laid out with two long dinner tables with lovely candelabra centerpieces down the center of each. Chocolate brown linens and copper organza overlays added richness and shimmer to the tables. Uplighting on the walls and extra candlelight kept the mood swanky and elegant.







Tying in with their fall theme was this beautiful wedding cake prepared by Angelina Tallman. I love Angelina's cakes (she's in a lot of my blogs). She used gum paste leaves to decorate the three tiers which added a bit of fun to the overall design. The couple found a decorative copper tree and Angelina used this as the topper. And believe me, the cake tasted as good as it looked!

Although they used maple syrup bottles as their favors, the couple also gave out little to go boxes for their guests to take home with them. The little Chinese take out containers were dressed with the couple's monogram for a cute and simple reminder of their appreciation.

Even though Katie and I only had a few weeks to get to know this couple, we both quickly fell in love with them! They kept things simple and elegant and allowed us to come in and add our finishing touches to their event. Thanks again to Hillary Harvey Photography for these amazing pictures (http://www.hillaryharvey.com/). It was an absolutely beautiful event on a beautiful day for a truly beautiful couple.

April's Free Wedding Seminar

You are invited to a

Free Wedding Seminar

April 16 - Washington Ave in Albany - 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Shannon Whitney, President of Wedding Planning Plus

This session's topic:

The Groom's Guide to (Surviving) Wedding Planning

- Talking weddings in terms guys understand

- Knowing how to best help you bride during this planning phase

- Getting a grasp on the groom's responsibilities and how to rock them

- Time for guys to ask (or vent about) anything related to your wedding

- Plus free pizza and wings! Come on, it's a guy thing

Perfect for grooms in any phase of wedding planning

A message from Shannon:

A lot of your brides have participated in these wedding seminars and have had a blast going over various topics related to wedding planning. This time I'm going a little different and catering to your "other half". Ladies, you know he needs it. That's why this session is all about the groom!

This session is open to grooms only. Space is very limited. Registration is required. Call 518-269-1243 or e-mail info@weddingplanningplus.net to register

Brought to you by USA Weddings and Wedding Planning Plus

Let us help you plan the wedding of your dreams...

Engagement photos

As a wedding planner I get asked all kinds of questions about what couples should or should not spend their money on. Engagement photos are a great example of this kind of add-on. Ever wonder if the cost is worth it? In my opinion - Yes!

Think about it:

* Similar to your cake and caterer, an engagement photo session is an opportunity to take your photographer out for a test run. You can get a feel for how interact with you, how they motivate you from behind the camera, and what kind of a professional they are. You get a firsthand account on how long they take to set up a shot, if they are good on the fly, and how they work with the environment around you. And you get actual pictures from them where you can assess the quality and delivery speed of the finished product. And you get all of these experiences before your wedding day. You can learn a lot about your photographer from a simple engagement session - all of which are sure to be good - but if you weren't happy then you may still have time to fix any of the problems. This is a unique opportunity that you don't get with all of vendors.

* Want to put an engagement photo in your newspaper? Add a picture of the two of you to your save the date magnets? Or need an image to put in the signature "guest book" frame at your reception? Instead of using a fuzzy shot from your digital camera you can use one of the professional images from your engagement photo session. Trust me, it will look better!

* Do you want your only formal pictures of the two of you to be ones where you're in a white dress and tuxedo? Most people only have wedding photos to frame and display in their home, but after an engagement photo shoot you will have dozens of great images of the two of you looking more like you do everyday. You can look back on these for years with fond memories, not just of your wedding day but of this special time in your lives.

Plus, these sessions are fun! Some of my couples have done engagement photo sessions and have had a blast with them. Check out some of these images.

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This is Danielle and Nick, and they are getting married at the Albany Country Club this May. Their fabulous photographer, Tracey Buyce, took these shots of them last summer down around Washington Park and the Empire State Plaza. Tracey captured their personalities beautifully, and you can see the love these two have for each other. How can you not love these? http://www.traceybuyce.com/

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These shots are of Lindsey and Adam, a couple who got married last year in Saratoga. Their photographer was Shannon DeCelle and they wisely decided on an engagement session with her the winter before their wedding. Shannon did a combination on in-studio and outside shots, and even did a big "family" photo with the couple and their two dogs. Love it! http://www.shannondecellephotography.com/

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Here is a picture from the Casey wedding this past November. Michael Grace-Martin was their photographer and he did an engagement photo session with the couple the previous spring. They used one of their engagement photos in the signature frame at their reception. It was beautiful! MGM also took this photo - a photo of his photo! http://www.mgm-photography.com/

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So if you're considering an engagement photo session I say go for it! It's a great opportunity to work with your photographer before your wedding, and a chance to have some beautiful formal pictures of the two of you. Definitely worth it.

Still not convinced? Or perhaps you have questions? E-mail me! shannon@weddingplanningplus.net

Why hire a wedding planner?

I found this article on the web and thought, alas!, that it was pertinent to post on my blog. Wedding planners have the rep of being a luxury item designed only for the rich and famous but if you asked any of my "regular girl" brides they would tell you that my expertise has saved them time, energy, and money! What bride doesn't need more of that??? Please read on..........

"Planning a fairy tale wedding is probably a dream that most brides-to-be have had since they were in pigtails. The dress, the cake, the bridesmaids, the honeymoon all seem like pretty simple subjects to address when the time comes to begin planning the big day. When and if, it becomes too much too handle, do yourself a favor -consult with a professional wedding planning service. You will save time, money and unnecessary stress.

There is a myth floating around that has people believing that all Wedding Planners are not affordable for working-class individuals. A long time ago, only the elite society knew of and had access to Wedding Planners. Today, Wedding Planners are very common and are hired by celebrities as well as everyday working people. Naturally, Wedding Planners that work with the rich and famous can and do charge through the nose for their services because the clients are able to afford the high-end prices. Misconceptions about Wedding Planners being pricey, comes from wedding shows that air on reality television. The truth is a bride and groom will save more money when working with a Wedding Planner because planners are trained to work within the couple's budget and negotiate with vendors. Whether you are wealthy or not wealthy at all, Wedding Planners are a smart choice when it comes time to plan your special day.

Wedding planners will alleviate stress from the husband and wife-to be, at any stage of the planning process. Many brides and grooms begin to plan their wedding on their own or with the help of family and friends. Before all vendors are even contacted, couples find that they have exceeded their budget. Between running out of money before the big day happens and their loved-ones stressing them out about what they should or should not do for the wedding, brides and grooms are at their wits-end. Once the happy couple contacts a planner, a common practice is to meet for a consultation, which is usually complimentary. At the meeting, wishes, dreams and ideas are expressed to the Wedding Planner who will then create a magical and memorable event complete with dazzling colors and amazing centerpieces. Planners are known for building relationships with reputable caterers, bakers, deejays, hotels, florists, limousines and any other service that the bride and groom desire. Vendor relationships are the key because the planner is then able to negotiate prices as well as make sure that contracts are in order, valuable lessons that are taught in courses geared towards Wedding Planners. During the wedding rehearsal and on the wedding day, planners will be present so that all runs smoothly. This allows the bride, groom and their attendees to relax and enjoy the festivities. That luxury alone is priceless!"

Haft Zima Wedding - July 11, 2008

The Zimas got married last July at the Washington Inn in Saratoga Springs. First meeting on their internship at Disney, this couple knew they were meant for each other. They had this beautiful wedding in this cute bed and breakfast that sits on a hill overlooking Broadway. I was brought on by the request of her mother because she lived out of town and wanted to know that her daughter had some extra help in the last few months before the wedding. Catered by the always wonderful Classe Catering, this wedding had style and grace and old fashioned family charm. Thanks to the fabulous Shannon DeCelle for her photography expertise. She is so much fun to work with, and as you can see, takes some damn good pictures in the process, too. http://www.shannondecellephotography.com/

When you hold a wedding at the Washington Inn you work with the event coordinator on site, Ginny. She is warm and welcoming and never hesitates to lend a helping hand. This is a wonderful location because it is one of the few that you can have family and friends stay right on site throughout the weekend so their love and happy energy is never too far away. Lovely!





Lindsey and Adam had one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever seen. Honestly. Rabbi Anna Sugarman officiated and did an amazing job of keeping the spirit high and the focus on the couple and their Jewish traditions. She was entertaining and charming and wonderful. Hands down one of the best ceremonies I've ever been a part of.






The couple chose chocolate brown dresses in all different styles for the girls, and classic black tuxes for the guys. Their accent color was Tiffany Blue which they brought into the flower girl, junior bridesmaid, and the bouquet ribbons. The bride even wore a chocolate brown sash at her waist to coordinate with the girls. Lovely!







The reception area was beyond beautiful. Classe dressed the tables in chocolate brown tablecloths, Tiffany Blue napkins, the bride's home made floral centerpieces, and the Inn's gold Chivari chairs. Place these in a crisp clean room with honey wood floors and walls of windows and you have the beauty of the Washington Inn.





Carrying on the blue accents, their wedding cake was a true work of art. Made by the bride's sister - can you believe it? - this cake stood out as one of my favorites from last year. And although you can't see it, the bride's sister frosted little Mickey Mouse ears onto the white frosting details in honor of the couple's beginning. Amazing.

I can't say enough about this couple or the professionals I worked with that day. Although not pictured, I have to give accolades to Russ from Piano Man DJ who is always a pleasure to work with. He is a gentle soul who did a great job of keeping the party going for these guys. Also Kathy from Classe was a wonderful partner throughout the reception and the food from Classe never disappoints. Yum! And lastly I have to thank Shannon DeCelle again for these amazing pictures. I could've gone on and on with this blog just because I had so many spectacular images to choose from. Fantastic!

Enchanted Wedding Expo this SUNDAY!

"Visit Saratoga's Premiere Bridal Expo! Food, Fashion, Music and More... Featuring the region's top wedding vendors and an exclusive runway fashion show. A show so big it could only be held at the City Center, and so fashionable it had to be held in Saratoga Springs."

Sunday February 22nd from 12-4 at the Saratoga City Center

This is a great bridal show! I'll be there (along with my mom!) so swing by the Wedding Planning Plus table and say hello!

USA Weddings store in Colonie Center

The USA Weddings store is back in Colonie Center!!!

Ok, so we've actually been open for a whole month, but better late than never!

USA Weddings is back in our same great location upstairs next to Boscovs. Sure we let Hickory Farms sell a few cheese logs from our spot during the holidays, but it's all ours from January to October. Think of our store as a bridal show that is always open and never requires an admission fee. If you haven't been in then you should just stop by and check us out. We have great vendor information from photographers, dress shops, florists, limo companies, bands and djs, videographers, stationery suppliers, cake bakeries, tux shops, calligraphers, ceremony musicians, officiants, and, of course, wedding planners! ME! :)

I run the store every other Wednesday night so stop in and say hello! I'm happy to give any free advice so take advantage of the opportunity and pick my brain! And if you're in the market of hiring a planner or coordinator then this is a great way to get to know me and see if you like me! :)

Contact me if you want to schedule a full consultation at the store. See you there!!

February's Free Wedding Seminar

You are invited to a
Free Wedding Seminar

February 26, 2009 • Wolf Rd in Albany • 6:30 pm

Hosted by Shannon Whitney, President of Wedding Planning Plus

This Session’s Topic:

Budgeting: The How-To’s to Affordable I Do’s

How to create and stick to a budget
Creative ways to get more and spend less
Tips for negotiating prices and getting the most out of your vendors
Plus - Plenty of time for you to ask questions pertaining to your wedding

Perfect for brides who are in the early to middle phases of wedding planning!

Space is very limited. Registration is required. Call 518-269-1243 or e-mail Info@weddingplanningplus.net to register.

Brought to you by USA Weddings and Wedding Planning Plus

Let us help you plan the wedding of your dreams...

Tramontana Wedding - October 12, 2008

What a fun couple! The Tramontanas were all about having a good time, for themselves and for their guests. And luckily their wedding planners had fun with them, too! Katie rocked this one, and she had nothing but great things to say about the vendors, family, and the bride and groom themselves. Married on October 12th at Top of the World golf course in Lake George, and a reception following at The Inn at Erlowest on the lake, this was a wedding just as beautiful as the special couple. Thank you to Holly at Out of the Ordinary photography for these amazing pics! www.outoftheordinary.biz



Top of the World is a golf course set high above the southern end of Lake George. Kim and her team did a nice job with the setup of this beautiful ceremony. And in the fall the foliage is amazing! A perfect location for this perfect union.

Check out that first kiss! Yowsers!

A classic car from the groom's family served as their chariot and "Just Married" car, and transported the newlyweds from their ceremony site to their reception.

The cocktail hour and reception were held at The Inn at Erlowest. A beautiful mansion on the shore of Lake George, this location has a beautiful ballroom and a stunning stone patio that looks out to the water. Stunning!

The Tramontanas had a beautiful fall wedding in beautiful Lake George. Katie wants to pass on her thanks to Andy Pratt for playing some great tunes at the reception and keeping the party going all night long. And of course to Holly for Out of the Ordinary photography, she and her assitant really rocked it with these pictures. Beautiful!

And... ok... a few postings back I got to flaunt a few pictures of me in action at a wedding (Casey Wedding, November 29, 2008), so fair is fair. Holly got a few cute pictures of Katie bustling the bride's dress and she deserves to get a little blog coverages in here, too. Go Katie! :)

D'Allesandro wedding - June 28, 2008

These two were so sweet, especially the bride who came to me a few months before their wedding looking for help with their day-of coordination. They are both lawyers and people who have their stuff together, but she was wise enough to know that even after all the hard planning she needed to hand the reigns and responsibility over to someone else so she could relax and enjoy her big day. I was so happy she found me - and I think she was happy, too!

The photos here are from Tom Panko at Foothill Photography. He was a pleasure to work with, very laid back and easy going. Thanks Tom!




These two got married on June 28, 2008 at the Albany Country Club, one of my favorite wedding venues. Kim and her team do a fantastic job right through from the start of the ceremony down to the very last dance of the evening. I love this location!







The ceremony was supposed to be outside on the patio, but unfortunately the rainy weather had other plans for the day. In the end it worked out fine, as the Albany Country Club has a lovely indoor ceremony space. A little air conditioning and rain cover proved to be a lot better than a downpour and humidity this day.





Here is the reception room, decorated beautifully in the couple's colors of white and sky blue. The dining room has impressive chandeliers and a curved wall completely lined with windows. On a clear day you can see all the way down to downtown Albany. Stunning!










This couple worked with David at Renaissance Florals for their ceremony and reception decor, as well as their gorgeous bouquets and boutonnieres. David is absolutely wonderful, one of my top florists and go-to guys, and he pulled off a wonderfully classy summer look in this space.









A little Villa Italia cake is always a great way to end the evening, and even better when it's topped with some of Renaissance Florals lovely hand-tied arrangements. Yum!















Thanks again to Tom with Foothil Photography, Kim at Albany Country Club, David at Renaissance Florals, and Villa Italia bakery. Although not pictured, I must say that TS Ensemble did a terrific job of keeping the party going all night. Not only did they provide a jazz trio for the cocktail hour, these guys had a full band rockin and rollin all night long. They left no space open on that dance floor. Al and his band were wonderful! All in all it was a wonderful wedding, and a really special time for my bride and groom. Thank you guys for letting me be a part of it!

My Ladies' Wedding - October 28, 2008

A year before their wedding my favorite two ladies came to me looking for a planner to help them with their commitment ceremony. I'm so glad they found me - these two were so wonderful to work with! They got married at Birch Hill on October 12, 2008. The pictures are all from John Bagdovich from Finer Image Photography. Great pics!

They had one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have ever seen. Honestly. Even after witnessing dozens of people recite vows these two made me cry genuine tears. It was wonderful. It's rare to see love so real and true.

Look at these two. Isn't their innocence and beauty precious?

These two had the most supportive bridal party. It was so great! This whole group of ladies, plus one ring bearer, kept the two brides feeling as important as ever. Which is good, because they deserved it!

Some highlights of the event were being able to work with Erin Dewey at Birch Hill. She is so wonderful and such a joy to work with! These two hired one of the greatest bands I've ever worked with - Bill's Toupee out of Poughkeepsie, who rocked it out for the entire reception. Mike and his team were AWESOME! Many kudos to the band! And again, thanks to John from Finer Image Photography for capturing these beautiful moments on film. Great night! :)

I love these two. They love each other in an unabashed way that only few can enjoy. They were a true joy to work with, and I had even more pleasure seeing them realize their special day. Much love, and best wishes!

Casey Wedding - November 29, 2008

This was one of my favorite weddings and certainly one of my favorite couples. I spent a year working with the Caseys in putting together this big event. They got married at The Full Moon Resort deep in the Catskill Mountains and went with a Harvest Moon theme. Wedding at the Full Moon are three day wedding weekends where family and friends stay right on property from Friday to Sunday. It makes for a really special time for everyone, and a wonderful experience for the lucky bride and groom. All of these pictures were taken by Michael Grace-Martin. He really captured the beauty of this wedding and this couple.

Their rehearsal was on Friday night. That's me in the middle taking charge! :) The whole bridal party was such a fun - and cooperative! - group.

Rehearsal dinner in the cafe area of the main house. The bride and groom were gracious enough to invite me to share this time with them. :)

Their ceremony took place in an old barn. Most of the guests fit in the seating area on the main floor, and there was standing room for others in the loft above them. The "screen" in the background was decorated with a wreath in the same colors and flowers as the bouquets and reception centerpieces. The guys wore brown tuxes and the girls wore brown dresses with a Moroccan blue pashmina.

Instead of the typical place cards this couple had each guest's name written on a card under a large river rock. The sign on the table explained that the guests were to hold the rock and think of a special wish for the newly married couple. Once the rock was warmed with their well wishes, they placed the rock into the glass container. At the end of the night I brought all of the warmed rocks back to the bride and groom's room. They now have a display of all their guests' wishes for them in their home.

The reception took place in a tent and was beautifully decorated with Moroccan blue, chocolate brown, and wheat colored linens. Instead of floral centerpieces the bride chose the go with bundles of wheat wrapped in a chocolate brown ribbon. To go with the Harvest Moon theme the tables were all named with different moons (full moon, harvest moon, rose moon, etc). Accents of copper were seen in the base of the centerpieces and the stands for the table numbers. It was a really stunning setup!

I had so much fun working with these guys, and I'm so glad that all of their hard work paid off in this absolutely gorgeous wedding. My time with some couples ends at the end of their reception, but with these guys I know we'll be seeing more of each other for years to come.

In addition to Michael Grace-Martin (http://wedding.mgm-photography.com) I also had the pleasure to work with my FAVORITE DJ, Greg Frasier. I didn't put any of the dancing pictures up here but it's not because there weren't great ones to choose from! Greg rocked this wedding, and he kept the party going all night. A true professional and all around great guy, he's truly a pleasure to work with. Also involved in this wedding was Rich Deitlien from Capital Videography. Rich is a stand up guy who gets in there without getting in the way. I can't wait to see their video! Her dress was from Immortal Beloved in Saratoga and they did a wonderful job for her. Hair and makeup was done by Alayne and her partner from Make Me Fabulous. She looked so beautiful!

Here are just a few more pictures that I get a kick out of. I am never in any of the film from my weddings but I seemed to pop up a few times in this one. Just because I never get to do this I wanted to throw a couple pictures of me in action! :)

The pic to the left is me helping the bride put her veil back in after it pulled out, picture to the right is me checking on the timing of the cake cutting with the head wait person. And the picture of me above was taken by the maid of honor - it's me and the beautiful bride!