Casey + Rafa's Intimate, Backyard Wedding Ceremony & Brunch

If the experience you desire for your wedding day is one of simplicity and ease, I highly recommend the intimate wedding experience. With fewer guests – those who you absolutely cannot imagine exchanging vows without – you’ll be able to focus more on each other and enjoy being present with all of those who have come together to celebrate along side you.

This was exactly the experience Casey and Rafa had as they exchanged personal vows in Casey’s parents’ backyard on the morning of their wedding day. With their closest family members watching, and with both tears and laughter flowing, Casey and Rafa (and Rafa’s two young children) officially joined their lives together in this commitment to one another. Afterward everyone celebrated with a champaign toast and delicious, low-key brunch. With sun shining, wind blowing, birds chirping and at one point, even a frog croaking, it was a perfect morning filled with joy and love and I could not be more excited to share the highlights here today.

From Casey & Rafa:

How would you describe your wedding vision/theme?
A simple, intimate morning set over the fields that Casey grew up playing in.

Favorite moments/memories from the wedding?
• Walking down in the field for photos
• Spending time and chatting with immediate family (although we did miss many)
• Saying our vows
• Seeing everyone happy and enjoying the afternoon together

Do you have any recommendations for future couples planning a wedding?
Simple is beautiful.

Special shout-out to all the vendors:

Venue: Casey's Parent's Backyard
Officiant: Karen Younus (https://yellowbirdwedding.com/)
Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography! <3
Florist: Flowers by Nature (https://www.flowersbynature.com/)
Caterer: Jess in the Kitchen, Jessica Betzig (https://jessinthekitchn.com/)
Cake/Bakery: Sweet Beginnings Bakery (https://www.sweetbeginningsbakery.com/)
Hair: MJ Rose Salon (Rachel Maggio)
Bride/Groom Attire (dress, suit, etc): Dress: Dalia's Bridal / Groom Tux: Express
Accessories (jewelry, hairpiece, cufflinks, ties, etc): Rings from Alexis Russell Jewelry

Meredith and Nick's Intimate Ceremony at Garrett Memorial Chapel and Backyard Air BnB Wedding in the Finger Lakes

Like many couples this year, Meredith and Nick had their wedding plans flipped upside down with the onset of Covid and tight gathering restrictions across the country. But, they decided not to let a pandemic stop them from exchanging their vows and celebrating their love, instead opting for a super intimate ceremony at Garrett Memorial Chapel in Penn Yan, NY and sharing in great conversation (and the most delicious catered meal I’ve ever had at a wedding) under the summer Finger Lakes skies in the backyard of a historic Air BnB. It truly was a perfect day and I’m so excited to share a few highlights today!

Huge shout-out to all the vendors who brought their wedding vision to life:

Ceremony Venue: Garrett Memorial Chapel
Reception Venue: Branchport NY
Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Meredith Bruno
Officiant: Tom Lorenz
Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography
Florist: Bridal Bouquet & Boutonnieres, made by Bride's mother's BFF; Nick's wedding arrangement for Meredith, The Flower Cart, Penn Yan
Caterer: Feast & Co. Catering, Geneva
Cake/Bakery: Cafe Canole, Utica
DJ/Band/Entertainment: Nick & Meredith's personally curated playlist
Transportation: Nick's 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring
Invitations: Printed by Canva (online)
Hair & Makeup: Bombshell Beauty, Rochester
Bride/Groom Attire: Suit Supply (Custom Order) / Filipinas by White One Bridal
Shoes: Johnson & Murphy / Kate Spade Keds
Accessories (jewelry, hairpiece, cufflinks, ties, etc): Veil, earings, hairpeice from The White Dress by the Shore, Clinton CT; Cufflinks, handed down from groom's father's uncle; Tie & Square, The TieBar.com
Decorations/Decor Design or Rentals: Homegrown succulents, Bride's mother & family items, Nolan Tent & Party Rental, Rochester
Groom Prep Location: Laurentide Inn for where Nick got ready, great breakfast, well done 100%

Kailey and Moe's Spring Lake Winery Ceremony and Backyard Wedding Reception in Lockport, NY

I’m positive no couple wants to wake up on their wedding day to news of rain in the forecast, but when you’re laid back and go with the flow about changes in plans – especially those weather-related ones that are out of anyone’s control anyhow – it only makes the day that much less stress free! Kailey and Moe had originally planned a first look at Delaware Park in Buffalo, NY, but a downpourring of rain had us make a slight in change in plans and do the First Look at the Elmwood Village Air BnB Kailey had rented out for her and her bridesmaids to get ready at. Regardless of the location, that moment they first saw each other was still just as heartfelt and memorable as it would have been had they gone anywhere else! After their first look and some photos at the Air BnB with family, we all headed up to Lockport for their ceremony at Spring Lake Winery. The ENTIRE drive there it was downpourring like crazy, but just as we rolled up, the rain cleared and the skies opened to beautiful, bright sun and clear skies…. just in time for wedding party portraits, the ceremony, and their outdoor tent reception in the backyard of Moe’s parents’ house. Hooray!

Rain and all, their entire day was nothing short of spectacular, and filled with so, so much emotion and joy. I’m excited to share a few of my many favorites from their day, and invite you to grab a beverage and sit back with me as you take in the beautiful moments of their wedding day!

Congrats again, guys!!

Kelsey + David's Committment to Love | An Elegant Buffalo Wedding | Buffalo Wedding Photographer

I first met Kelsey a few months prior to her and David’s beautiful wedding day, at Spot Coffee in Williamsville where we were joined by some of her close family – mom, sister, aunt, and even cousin! Kelsey was home from DC on a whirlwind wedding planning weekend, along with her incredible crew of loving and supportive family. This group meeting gave me a peak into Kelsey’s family and instantly, I knew we’d be a great match. While I may not come from a large Tuscan family, I certainly know a lot about being a member of a big family thanks to marrying into a large, tight-knit Portuguese family. And let me tell you – there really is nothing greater than having so many loved ones to call your family, regardless of how crazy it may be at times.

Fast forward to their beautiful (and unseasonably freezing!) wedding day in early September, Kelsey and David were wed in front of close to 300 family and friends in Kelsey’s mom and step-father’s backyard. Tears were shed by many during an emotional ceremony, where Kelsey’s dad was able to take part in marrying them, and where they exchanged their own, personal vows (my fave) under a custom arbor made by Kelsey’s step-father. They committed their love to one another, and to God, and in those moments, truly nothing else mattered.

Following the ceremony there was an elegant celebration held under a huge tent from McCarthy Tents and Events. In true Italian fashion, there was food located at every corner, and “Good” wine bottles were found at each table. DJ Jickster kept the music going all night, with a smoke machine and colorful lights flashing along with it. And at the end of the night, there were fireworks and the largest sparkler send-off I’ve ever seen. In every aspect, Kelsey and David’s wedding was a extraordinary celebration and I’m so excited to share a few highlight images from their day.

But first… some advice from the bride:

Do you have any recommendations for future couples planning a wedding?

1. Pray & Prepare. Pray – for your wedding day, for your guests, for your future marriage. Prepare – We are 2 imperfect, different people coming together as one. Preparing for your marriage and for life together is HUGE. Find a married couple, a pastor, or role models to meet with a few times before your wedding. We met with one of our Pastors and his wife 5 times before the wedding and went through different topics to help us see differences and potential conflict areas that may arise in marriage. It was so encouraging. Do it.

2. Right before your rehearsal starts the night before, take it all in and refocus on what is important and what the rest of that day and the next day really means. No matter what little detail doesn’t go as planned or something goes wrong, LET IT GO! You are marrying your best friend. All of your guests are there to support and celebrate the two of you, and besides, they probably wont notice anyway.

Special shout-out to all the vendors:

Ceremony & Reception Location: The Parlato Residence (The Bride’s mother & step-father’s home in Darien, NY)

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: The bride & MOB Beth Parlato

Officiant: Pastor Matt Gold (Father of the Bride) and family friend Neil Boron

Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography

Videographer: White Washed Creative

Florist: Graser's Florist

Caterer: Kennedy's Cove

Cake/Bakery: Cake by Buttercrumbs Bakery; Cannoli’s and individual bread loaves on each plate from DiCamillo Bakery; Paula’s Donuts; Ice Cream from Anderson’s Ice Cream; Cake pops, Cookies & Oreo truffles by Aunt Patti; Italian cookies by Aunt Holly

DJ/Band/Entertainment: DJ Jickster

Transportation: Limo Bus guest transportation and late night bride & groom pick-up by Advantage Limousine Service

Invitations: Minted

Hair: Jess Tripi from Cielo Salon and family friend, Gloria Moretti

Makeup: Jess and Maria from Cielo Salon

Bride/Groom Attire: Bride’s Dress from M.A. Carr Bridal and Groom’s Tux from Men’s Wearhouse

Accessories: Bride's veil borrowed from Aunt Holly

Wedding Party Attire: Bridesmaid dresses from M.A. Carr Bridal and Groomsmen tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse

Tent Rental & Lighting: McCarthy Tents & Events

Tables, Chairs, Table settings: Tesoro Event Rentals (amazing!)

Decorations: Antique shops and Auctions in WNY, Amazon & the best Maid of Honor & bridesmaids in the world that helped so much!

Landscaping, Handmade Bars, Handmade Ceremony Arbor: Tony Parlato (Step-Father of the Bride)

Wine Labels: Designed by Taylor Dawson, printed by Let’s Do Wine & Buffalo Brew Shop