Masterpiece Video

OK…so I’m a little biased, but I just love a Port Jervis crowd at a wedding!  It’s my hometown and I just feel really comfortable with the guests, bridal party, parents, everybody!   Even when the wedding is in Poughkeepsie, the Port crowd can still party!

On August 23rd we were thrilled to be documenting the wedding of Port Jervis music teacher Dana and her absolutely adorable man, Mark! The catholic mass was held in Montague, NJ, followed by an hour road trip to the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.  The HUGE bridal party (18)  was fired up when they got off of their party bus for photos along the Hudson River.  We had such fun with photographer Peter Sharp and his wild photography!

After some stunning shots of the bride and groom by the water, we were able to get them to their cocktail party for some of the best food around.  Alyssa, my assistant, took one look at the table settings in the main reception room and said, “What do we need all of these forks for?” Answer….Many courses! The food and staff at the Poughkeepsie Grand was outstanding. Especially the chocolate fountain buffet!

Dana and Mark were introduced into the room by DJ Larry Mulligan to the lovely tune of “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC! (Did I mention that Port Jervians LOVE their metal?) After that, it was a true lovefest of friends and family with very moving parent dances and heartfelt toasts.   Mark sang every word of their first dance to his bride, who only had eyes for him.  The night was capped off with the dance song  “I’m a Believer”, with DJ Larry in full Shrek mode! Hilarious! Just what a wedding is supposed to be….fun, emotional and very memorable!  My heartfelt congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Mark Long.

-Jen

I have never seen such emotion before, during, and after a wedding as I was priviledged to witness on August 17th.

My photographer friend Terry Michael told me about this couple in June and I am so glad that they decided to have me document their day!  Sharon and David could not have picked a more beautiful setting for their traditional Jewish ceremony than atop the Fulton Street Market at Bridgewaters, just steps away from the Brooklyn Bridge.

The bride was absolutely radiant. Surrounded by her beloved nephews, and close family, she wept as the Groom was brought in to see her for the first time during the Bedeken.  The emotion continued thoughout the ceremony where David could not keep his eyes (as well as his hands!) off his bride.  They said their vows under a 103 year old tallis as their Chupa, and there was not a dry eye in the house!

After the ceremony, Terry and I swept them away for some great, spontaneous shots outside in the Seaport Square, where they received many “Mazel Tov’s” from the Sunday crowds!

Up for anything….these two then walked a few blocks so that we could take some photographs right by the Brooklyn Bridge; well worth the walk!

Following the world’s longest hora, there were touching speeches, great music, and David’s first dance with his “Jersey Girl”!  Simply the best love story that I have documented in a long time.  Mr. and Mrs. Topper, it was my honor

-Jen

On Friday night, August 15th, we were at one of our favorite places to work with one of our favorite photographers and a whole lot of rain.  Christine and Anthony’s outdoor ceremony at Catlin Gardens was nearly moved indoors, but at the last moment, we all toughed it out with umbrellas  and the beautiful ceremony under the tent was underway!

Christine and Anthony only had eyes for each other as they said their beautiful vows in front of family and friends with the gardens providing a spectacular backdrop.  The rain stopped in time for photographer Thomas Duncan to pose the couple among the flowers for some incredible and romantic portraits before heading inside for their party.

The bride and groom danced together all night and  barely left each other’s side the entire evening.  I’m sure that they were overjoyed to have all of their friends and famiies there, but I suspect that this couple would have had just as good a time all by themselves!

Thanks too for the great dessert! Catlin’s chocolate creme brulee – simply the best!

Much love to my Jersey couple- Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pagano!

-Jen

August 9th was a glorious sunny day for our couple Katie and Joe.  They met at a tailgate party at a Notre Dame football game years ago and the Irish theme continued during every aspect of their wedding.

 Bagpipers, Irish dancing, Notre Dame alumni and Katie Ann’s smiling Irish eyes were ever-present during the entire day.  After a touching Catholic mass, we followed their Rolls Royce directly to The Dutchess Manor for breathtaking photos along the Hudson river.  Katie never stopped smiling as photographers extraodinairre Lou and Lea Bedinotti  snapped away at family and friends who travelled all the way from Joe’s home state of Kentucky for the big day.

The reception began with a touching rendition of “their story” presented beautifully by DJ/MC Kathi Oldham of Music Machine, followed by some awesome dance music, and a bagpiper rendition of the Notre Dame fight song!  We caught the sunset out along the Hudson just in time for some exquisite shots of the bride and groom!

Much love, happiness and the luck of the Irish to the new Mr. & Mrs. Joe Veeneman!

- Jen

What an absolutely stunning day it was last Friday for the garden wedding of one of my favorite couples, Kimberly and Eric!  Their ceremony was outside under the tent at Catlin Gardens surrounded by fountains, flowers, and most of all, family and friends.  These two reconnected at their ten year high school reunion and it was love at first sight.

The bride walked down the aisle appropriately to the the tune of “At Last” and Eric was the happiest guy in the place. She was gorgeous!

After the beautiful and touching ceremony, I had the pleasure of watching the creativity of photographers Jenni and Ulysses and their two “models”. Kimberly and Eric had posed for them several times before and the formal photo session was effortless and awe-inspiring!  Can’t wait to see their pictures.  Of course, I got some great footage too of all of the “behind the scenes” photo ops!

What a great group we had when it was time to party!  I knew several of the guests there as we had documented some of their friends weddings - so it was like being at a party with old pals.  Larry Mulligan of Much Music was a great MC as usual and really got the party going with some great tunes.

Once again, a guest felt the need to bring me in to the party when he dragged me into the middle of the dance circle for a spin!  Long story short, my viewfinder hit my nose hard and I was left with a small cut.  Ah the perils of good videography!!! Lots of love in that room…..none more than Kim and Eric, who could have had a great time all by themselves without any of us there.

Love and happiness to you both.

-Jen

On July 26th, all of Sullivan County made the trek to the Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls for the party of the year!  I’m exaggerating, of course, but when 250 people showed up for the wedding of Katie and Julio, it seemed like the whole town of Monticello was there and then some!

It was a true blend of cultures and friends and family as they said their vows under a beautiful quilted huppah outside in the gardens.  Ave Maria was played, the glass was was broken and “Mazel Tov!”….husband and wife!

My pal Lori O’Toole was there to make everyone look good in her camera lens and then the bride and groom were off to party!  DJ Jay from Futuristic DJ Sounds  was spinning all the best tunes and the guests really stepped up to the plate on the dance floor.  Especially the father of the bride, who led all in the men down to the ground on their backs during “SHOUT”.

Thanks Kaite and Julio for such a great time from one Sullivan County gal to another!

-Jen