May 24, 2023

Briana Lyons

Weddings

Just Married: Bailey and Dustin Hall

May 24, 2023

Briana Lyons

Weddings

An elegant autumn wedding, complete with a meaningful date, the perfect place to get ready (The Q!), and timeless details. We’re so thrilled to share Dustin and Bailey’s wedding (with beautiful images by Cassie Jean Photo) - congratulations, you two!

THE COUPLE: Dustin and Bailey Hall

Tell us about yourselves!

I (Bailey) am originally from the Central New York Area (Richfield Springs, NY). Some of my fondest childhood memories growing up were family vacations to Lake Placid and camping in the North County. I received my Master’s Degree from Upstate Medical University in Public Health in 2021, and I’m currently a Performance Improvement Coordinator at Hudson Headwaters Health Network.

Dustin is a true native to the area and grew up in Glens Falls with ties to Warrensburg. After graduating from Glens Falls High School, Dustin enlisted into the Navy for five years. During his enlistment, he was deployed in 2015 to the Middle East. In 2019 he was accepted into Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, where he received a Degree in Policy Studies. Dustin serves as the Republican Deputy Commissioner of Elections for Warren County.

With a North Country state of mind, we knew we wanted to move back to the area to start our family once we completed our degrees. Our love for the Adirondack Park, boating, hockey, and community was a major driving factor in our decision.

Where did you meet?

We met while Dustin was home on leave from the Navy in 2017. We then went on to date long distance for 2 years while Dustin was in the Navy.

What do you two like to do together?

We enjoy Friday night dinner dates at local restaurants like Park & Elm, Farmacy, and The Boathouse in the summer months. We also enjoy bringing our dog Trigger boating and to local dog parks.

THE PROPOSAL

Tell us about the proposal!

Dustin’s original plan was to propose at the top of West Mountain’s birch tree lookout. However, due to weather the proposal was moved to the Hall of Springs in Saratoga. With an elaborate story about hay, pumpkins, and mums, and the help of Dustin’s family he was able to pull off a surprise proposal that I was not expecting. Dustin led me around the Hall of Springs property in the pouring rain and we stumbled across the display with a “Marry Me?” sign and a ring box hidden amongst the mums. After Dustin got down on one knee and I said yes, we kissed and both of our families surprised us and ran to congratulate us. To capture this special moment, Dustin had Cass West of Cassie Jean Photo photograph the proposal.

THE WEDDING: 11/11/22

What was the significance of your wedding date?

While Dustin was in the Navy and living in Virginia and I was in Utica, NY attending college, whenever it was 11:11 AM or PM we would text each other “Wish”. When the date 11/11/22 landed on a Friday and was available at Saratoga National, we knew it was meant to be.

What was your favorite part (and/or the most challenging part) of the planning process?

My favorite part was all the projects we did to personalize our wedding. I got a Cricut and made all the signage and other personal details.

Dustin’s favorite part was designing his custom Canali suit with Kerry Fagan, Owner of Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel.

One of the most challenging parts in the planning process was picking the menu due to Dustin being a major foodie.

What was your vision for the occasion?

My vision for my wedding dress was for a simple elegance, which I found at David’s Bridal. I added a pearl belt and cathedral veil to complete the vision I always wanted. The bouquet was a cascading style, and our florist also created elegant Eucalyptus pew flowers for the church.

The Flower Girl and Maid of honor were in a green, while the other bridesmaids were in a cinnamon color. Each bridesmaid picked their own dress style which meshed so well.

At Saratoga National, we went with simple centerpieces comprised of eucalyptus, varying sized floating candles in water, and handmade oak sign holders with our names branded into them — my father made them for our special day.

The overall vision we wanted was simple elegance from the dress to the decor. We fell in love with the woodwork and beauty of the ballroom at Saratoga National. We felt confident that when we look back in 20 years, our wedding day will be timeless.

What were your favorite moments from the day?

One decision we chose to go with was cutting the cake privately during cocktail hour. This made for a very intimate and special moment, since the only people in the ballroom with us were our photographer and videographer.

Did you go on a honeymoon? Where to?

With the holiday season so soon after our wedding day we decided to wait until March to go on our honeymoon. However, we took our dog Trigger on a “mini-moon” to Lake Placid, NY at the newly opened Grand Adirondack Hotel. Between the food, hospitality and amazing views it was the perfect mini-honeymoon to fit a couple that loves the Adirondacks.

In March, we took a trip to Charleston, SC. One of the highlights of the trip was dining at Hall’s Chophouse where they treat southern hospitality like it’s the law (highly recommend!). We stayed at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina (like the Sagamore, but South Carolina with amazing harbor/ocean views).

Any advice to share with engaged couples?

Remember that the day is to celebrate you and your spouse and that it will be gone before you know it. Cherish the brief moments that are just the two of you and roll with the punches.

Anything else you'd like to share?

We would like to thank our families and friends that made the day so special. A special thank you to our wedding party — Domenic Biamonte, Morgan Steere, Joanna Clark, Harry Hubbard, Shawn Weinberger, Danica Farley, Colter Johnson, Alannah Liebman, Benjamin Hernandez, and Olivia Prostko.

Enjoyed this story? See more Glens Falls weddings here.

Would you like to see your wedding featured here on GFL? Email us at hello@glensfallsliving.com!

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VENDOR CREDITS

Venue: Saratoga National - Mazzone Hospitality

Food/Catering: Saratoga National - Mazzone Hospitality

Cake: Saratoga National - Mazzone Hospitality

Gown/ Groom Attire: David’s Bridal/ Mark Thomas Men’s Apparel, Canali and Brackish Bowtie

Hair: True Beauty Co/ Northwoods Barbershop

Makeup: 518 Bridal Glam

Photographer: Cassie Jean Photo

Videographer: Liv Images and Media

Invitations: Truly Engaging

Florals: Flower Girl and Co

DJ / Band: Saratoga Sound

Ring Designer: N. Fox Jewelers

Transportation: Royale Transportation

April 26, 2023

Briana Lyons

Weddings

Just Married: Lorinda and Brandon Neddo

April 26, 2023

Briana Lyons

Weddings

A gorgeous country wedding, complete with a meaningful venue, charming barns, DIY details, and dinner under the stars. We’re so thrilled to share Lorinda and Brandon’s wedding (with beautiful images by Michelle Godfrey Photo) - congratulations, you two!

THE COUPLE: Brandon Neddo and Lorinda (formerly Huntington) Neddo

Tell us about yourselves!

We both grew up in the Glens Falls area and after living together in Syracuse for a few years, we moved back to be closer to family and friends and the mountains in 2018. I (Lorinda) am a Physical Education Teacher at Fort Edward by day and a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices by night/weekends, and Brandon is an Engineering Manager. We have two pups, Jax and Miley, who constantly keep us on our toes.

Where did you meet?

We met on the third floor of the Tavern in Saratoga on New Years Eve, 2012. Everyone was dressed up for the occasion, but the guy who caught my eye had dressed up in his finest brown zip up hoodie and jeans. I got the courage to go over and start a conversation. We were both in our senior years of college and lived four and a half hours apart (Brandon at Syracuse and myself at the University of Vermont), so we exchanged names and parted ways. Fast forward to July 2014 when we crossed paths again in Lake George and the rest is history.

What do the two of you like to do together?

One of our weekly hobbies is soccer. We play year-round on co-ed teams and are going on our eighth year of playing together. Brandon and I also both share a love for real estate so we are always keeping our eyes open for something that might pique our interests.

We love to spend time walking in the woods with our dogs and when summer hits we spend as much time as we can in the Adirondacks and on or in the water. Brandon loves to swim and I'm a pretty solid lifeguard when the water is too cold for me!

Any fun facts about you as a couple?

When I asked Brandon what our fun fact would be he said "We like cheese." He's not wrong.

THE PROPOSAL

Tell us about the proposal!

Brandon proposed to me at our camp in the Adirondacks. We usually go up a couple times during the winter just to check on things and make sure the house is still standing. We had decided to go up right after Christmas in 2020 to give it a look. When we got up there I went out on the deck to snap a few pictures and when I turned around Brandon was there and asked me to marry him! I was definitely surprised and so thankful that he had chosen our favorite place to propose.

How about the ring?

If you need ring advice, ask Brandon! He surprised me with an emerald with an Art Deco vibe. So unique and 100% my style.

THE WEDDING: August 5, 2022

What were the best and most challenging parts of the planning process?

Our favorite part was that we were able to do it in a meaningful location (my parent's house) surrounded by our family and friends. The most challenging part was that the exterior of my parents house was being renovated and the construction got delayed, so there were still painters at their house the day before our wedding! It made for a bit of a mad dash at the end.

Tell us about the venue!

We were lucky enough to have our wedding at my parent's house in Kingsbury. We were married under a triangle arbor we built ourselves overlooking the fields. Cocktail hour took place in the yard with the bar set up under a tree with twinkling lights. For dinner we all congregated under my parents carport at a big u-shaped table covered in florals and candles.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

We wanted everything to be very natural and laid back. I wanted it to feel like a dinner party under the stars. We went with lots of greens, whites, and subtle blues.

We’d love to hear about all the details!

My gown had a floral lace overlay that brought out the romantic and natural elements that I am always drawn toward and wanted for our wedding day. My sister and sister-in-law wore light blue/green dresses that were the same color, but matched their individual styles. Brandon and his groomsmen went with light blue suits that hopefully were a little cooler than black in the hot summer sun.

We are very lucky that my mom makes the best carrot cake (our favorite). She made our wedding cake and we couldn't have been happier with it!

One of the unique elements of our wedding was our arbor. We had decided we wanted to build it ourselves and we wanted it to represent us. We have an A-frame in the Adirondacks so a triangle arbor seemed fitting. We headed up to Northern Hardwoods in Lake George to get some lumber and built the arbor that felt meaningful to us.

We chose to use a collection of eclectic seating to create the laid back feel we were looking for. At our ceremony we used old church pews that we purchased off of Facebook Marketplace, and for our reception seating we used a collection of chairs from my parent’s house, our house, and old chairs that had ended up in my parent's barn over the years. The unique, not really matching elements made it feel very personal.

What were your favorite moments of the day?

Too many to choose! The one that will always take the cake will be finally seeing each other as I came down the aisle with my dad and when we were officially married! We decided to have a very intimate ceremony and reception (28 people) so having our closest friends and family in one place will always be special to us. We had a big party the next day to celebrate with all of our friends and family and it was so great to see all the people we love come together to celebrate our marriage.

Did you go on a honeymoon?

Our honeymoon was a 10/10. A couple of days after our wedding we headed to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. If you haven't been, go! It was absolutely breathtaking and we spent every day exploring, hiking, canoeing, seeing wildlife (from a distance) and just enjoying the views. By far our favorite vacation! There is something special about just spending every day with the goal of getting outside as much as possible. We spent 14 days traveling through Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks.

Word of advice — when the waitress gives you a suggestion for a hike, you go! Our favorite hike was not one that was on our to do list, but when our waitress recommended it one night, we went the next day and it was the best decision!

Any advice for other engaged couples planning weddings?

Keep things in perspective. Your wedding day is about you as a couple and you have to do what feels right for you.

Enjoyed this story? See more Glens Falls weddings here.

Would you like to see your wedding featured here on GFL? Email us at hello@glensfallsliving.com!

…

VENDOR CREDITS

Venue: Parent's house
Food/Catering: Radici Kitchen & Bar, Glens Falls (Phenomenal!)
Cake: Bride's mother
Photographer: Michelle Godfrey Photo
Gown: Bride and Gown, Saratoga Springs
Hair and Makeup: Timeless Updos, Saratoga Springs
Invitations: Minted
Florals: Lot 32 Flower Farm, Greenwich
Ceremony Music: Heather Münch on the violin (heathermunch.com)
Rentals: Entertainment One

April 5, 2023

Briana Lyons

Weddings

Just Married: Meghan & Matthew Kelly

April 5, 2023

Briana Lyons

Weddings

A beautiful autumn wedding, complete with peak foliage and overflowing with memorable moments (and an amazing sunset from the rooftop of The Queensbury Hotel!). We’re so thrilled to share Meghan and Matt’s wedding (beautifully captured by Ashley Nizolek Photography) and why, though they live in Hoboken, they decided on a downtown Glens Falls wedding. Congratulations, you two!

*Photo:* *Ashley Nizolek Photography* *from the rooftop of The Queensbury Hotel*

THE COUPLE: Meghan Sullivan & Matthew Kelly

Tell us about yourselves!

I (Meghan) grew up in Ithaca, NY (Finger Lakes Region) and Matt grew up in Washingtonville, NY (Hudson Valley). I work in HR at Morgan Stanley and Matt is a Building Engineer for Brookfield Properties, both in NYC. We have lived together in Hoboken, NJ for about 4 years.

Where did you meet?

We first met in 2009 during our freshman year at Siena College. We were friends for about 6 years before we started dating. After graduating college, while many of our friends scattered, we both stayed in the Albany area for a couple of years, and then we moved down to the NYC area within a couple weeks of each other. We always stayed close. I asked Matt to be my date to a wedding in 2015, and the rest is history.

What do the two of you like to do together?

Living in a metropolitan area, we love going out for dinner and/or cocktails. We are big NY Rangers fans and enjoy going to games and other shows in the city. We try to spend time in the Lake George area (boating, hiking, skiing, etc.) whenever we can.

THE PROPOSAL

Matt and I had been dating for about 5 years, so I had a feeling it was coming. In December 2020, right before Christmas, we went to dinner followed by a very cold, wintery walk on the Hoboken waterfront where he proposed while overlooking the Manhattan skyline. He had both of our parents and a few close friends come into town as a surprise to celebrate that same night.

THE WEDDING: October 15, 2022

Why did you decide on a Glens Falls wedding?

The Kellys have owned a home in the Queensbury area for many years which is how I was originally introduced to Glens Falls and Lake George. This is why the area has been such a huge part of our relationship over the years. We knew we wanted to get married in a place that was more sentimental and special to us, and we loved The Queensbury Hotel right away.

We envisioned being able to provide our guests with a nice, eventful weekend, since the majority would be traveling from out of town. We loved the fact that guests could stay right at our venue and be able to explore town in their free time without having to get in their cars and drive to get everywhere. Glens Falls has so many amazing restaurants and bars (Doc’s, Morgan & Co., Bullpen Tavern and of course, Fenimore’s, being some of our favorites!) right there that we knew it would provide the perfect setting for our wedding weekend.

The hotel has such a unique charm about it, and with all of the renovations they have done over the years, the space is amazing! It was a special perk to be able to take some of our portraits on the roof during golden hour immediately following our ceremony – the view from up there is so beautiful. Becca, Alexis, and the other hotel staff involved in our weekend were all so wonderful to work with, so the decision was easy.

What was the planning process like?

It was difficult to plan such a big event from 4 hours away, but we traveled up to Glens Falls as often as possible to visit with our vendors and ease our concerns. We enjoyed being able to check out the area more intimately, discovering new favorite places to visit. It provided a nice escape from NYC life.

What was your vision for the occasion?

We wanted a relatively minimalistic style and to let the hotel's antique features and other details bring the flare. We definitely leaned into the fall theme with pops of our favorite, wine red! We knew we wanted to take the majority of our bridal party photos outside, so we also let the foliage backdrop do most of the work.

Tell us about the details!

I got my dress from Kleinfelds in the city – I always knew I wanted a lace dress and did not surprise myself in the least with what I ended up loving when I went to try on with my mom and MOH. The bridesmaids wore cabernet colored, velvet dresses. The guys wore black suits. We had a small buttercream cake with raspberry filling (which was delicious), but wanted our main dessert to be cider donuts – so yummy and festive. Matt and I both had a signature drink for guests; mine being an Apple Cider Moscow Mule and Matt’s being an Old Fashioned. All of our décor and flowers were relatively minimalistic, with pops of fall colors and styles.

What were your favorite moments of the day?

We decided to do a first look in the park across the street from the hotel. It was such a perfect day weather wise, and peak season for the foliage. The leaves were falling in the breeze as we took our photos – could not have planned a better fall day for us and it made for such memorable moments.

Knowing each other as long as we have, Matt and I share a large friend group, mostly made up of our college friends. It was so fun being able to celebrate with them, as well as many other close friends and family members, all weekend long. That was our favorite thing overall.

Any advice for other engaged couples planning weddings?

Enjoy every moment of your day from the early wake-up to the last call at the bar! Having an amazing team of vendors helped Matt and I to be truly present in our day.

Enjoyed this story? See more Glens Falls weddings here.

Would you like to see your wedding featured here on GFL? Email us at hello@glensfallsliving.com!

…

VENDOR CREDITS

Venue: The Queensbury Hotel

Food/Catering: The Queensbury Hotel

Cake: Lake George Baking Co.

Gown: Allure Bridal - Kleinfelds

Hair: Jessica Lynne Hair & Makeup

Makeup: Carina Scott Makeup

Photographer: Ashley Nizolek Photography

Videographer: Complete Weddings & Events (Chris & Prince)

Invitations: Holly Winnie Calligraphy

Florals: Samantha Nass Floral Design

DJ: AllStar Weddings (DJ Jeremy)

Ring Designer: Carats by Stacey (NYC) & W. Kodak Jewelers (Hoboken)

Rentals & Signage: Holly Winnie Calligraphy

Coordinator: A Lively Event

Cider Donuts: Hicks Orchard

Rehearsal Dinner/Welcome Party Venue: Morgan & Co.

After Party Venue: Downtown Social

Photobooth: Complete Weddings & Events

July 20, 2022

Briana Lyons

Weddings

Just Married: Kelsey and Spencer Morris-Taylor

July 20, 2022

Briana Lyons

Weddings

A gorgeous lakeside wedding, complete with the sweetest couple (just read their proposal story!), Adirondack details, and a most meaningful venue. Read on to see and hear about all of the details of Kelsey and Spencer’s day, with beautiful photos by Carrie of CLH Images!

THE COUPLE: Kelsey Morris-Taylor (formerly Taylor) and Spencer Morris-Taylor (formerly Morris)

Tell us about yourselves!

Spencer is from Indiana. I (Kelsey) am from Glens Falls! I left for college and then taught for a time in Memphis, TN. After missing home and the beautiful Adirondacks, I moved back to Glens Falls to take a job at a place that is very special and near to my heart — Camp Chingachgook. I had grown up attending Chingachgook and living there in the summers while my parents worked there. Little did I know that Spencer had just been told about Chingachgook from a friend, and moved across the country to take a job there as well.

Where did you meet?

Spencer and I both accepted jobs at Chingachgook to work as Outdoor Educators and met there in the fall of 2016. We would spend that fall doing everything together with our staff of 12 other 20-somethings. Outdoor educators live on the premises and spend all of their time together. We live, work, eat, and play together from sun up to sun down. Spencer and I were the two lead sailors that fall season, so we spent most of our days on the lake — him in one boat and myself in another, each accompanied by a gaggle of middle schoolers or whoever was visiting that week. I'd whiz by him and he'd wonder if my boat was faster or if I was simply a better sailor!

What is something you two like to do together?

What don't we like to do together? Hiking, skiing, paddleboarding, sailing, camping, and really any fun outings in the Adirondacks. Walk downtown, wander the Feeder Canal Path, bagel sandwiches at Cool Beans, trivia at Common Roots, ATF shows at The Wood Theater, ADK Balloon Festival, X-Country skiing at Cole's Woods, brew our own beer together at home, cuddle up with our two kittens, and of course...our infamous annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Olympics party!

THE PROPOSAL

Our first date was in the fall of 2016. When you work and live with a very tight knit group of people in a place like Chingachgook, it's very hard to "sneak away" from the group. Typically if someone is heard saying, "I'm heading into town for something" suddenly their car has 11 people trying to cram in because we don't want to leave each other's sides, and a trip to Target can be a real blast with 11 friends!

I managed to discreetly ask Spencer to join me for the opening day of the Adirondack Balloon Festival at Crandall Park, though. He had no idea what he was walking into. I tried to tell him about my favorite childhood memories at the Balloon Festival, all the colors and shapes, and walking inside of the balloons, all the warmth from the fire, and dreaming that one day I'd get to ride in a hot air balloon. Even then, he still didn't quite know what to expect. We showed up at Crandall Park and I was instantly filled with childish glee. I looked at him and his jaw was on the floor. We had a perfect evening sharing in the awe that is the Balloon Fest. We wandered downtown for the street festival afterward and enjoyed some music and tasty brews.

Fast forward 3 years.

In September of 2019, we were with a bunch of friends and headed to the opening day of the Balloon Festival at Crandall Park. Eventually we found ourselves watching a sweet older couple as they were blowing up their balloon and setting up for take-off. As they were about ready to take off he said, "You know, we're missing a couple of crew members this evening. I wonder if there are two people out there that might want to hop in while we fly!" I think my heart stopped for a moment at this point. I looked around me to see a dozen precious children who have their arms in the air, shouting, "Oh me! Me!" and I thought there was no way I'll get chosen over one of these wide-eyed kiddos. Yet I can't seem to control my arm, and suddenly it was waving high in the air just like theirs were. The man made eye contact with me and I felt like I might faint. He pointed to me and before I can even recognize what's happening, I am diving into the basket of the balloon. With Spencer following behind me, we situated ourselves in the basket and suddenly the basket was off of the ground. Suddenly I could see the whole park below us, and we were flying. Just like that. In the air with us, were dozens of other colorful specks. There aren't really words to describe the next 30 minutes are so. I've tried to put it into words... astounding, sensational, momentous, but nothing could quite encapsulate it all.

After about 30 minutes in the air, and somewhere over Bay Road, we started to make our descent. As we touched down in a grassy opening on Meadowbrook Road, I noticed neighbors coming out of their homes at the shock of the balloon and I see the support vans arriving to help with the balloon. We climbed out of the basket, and the pilot told us that after landing the crew shares in a toast. We headed towards the vans to share in the celebratory toast and suddenly I see familiar faces. Our friends were there, my parents were there — had they all followed the balloon in their cars? Were they all there for the post-landing toast? Glasses were being handed out and then I was handed a bottle. I noticed the bottle had a hot air balloon on it, and in fact, it had an exact illustration of the balloon we were just riding in! The bottle read, "Kelsey, will you marry me?” When I turned around, Spencer was on one knee with the most endearing smile on his face, the sun setting behind him. Right there, in front of our friends and family, we got engaged.

THE WEDDING: October 2, 2021

What was your favorite part (and the most challenging part!) of the planning process?

The most challenging part would be the same for both of us, dealing with two years of Covid-chaos. We were engaged and began planning before the pandemic began. So that spring was filled with difficult decisions, everything constantly changing, new information and rises in cases, and ultimately our decision to postpone an additional year. Even when it became safe to hold the wedding the following year in 2021, we were routinely faced with challenges due to the pandemic.

Our favorite part of planning is actually tied into this challenge. I think all of these challenges that made this so difficult also brought us closer together as a couple. We really had to practice some of the qualities that make a marriage strong, like patience, compromise, and compassion. It was a true test, and we passed with flying colors!

The Venue

There was no question as to where we would get married. We went right back to our favorite place and got married in the place where we first met, shared our first kiss, and created our first memories — Camp Chingachgook. We were married right on the point, with the lake behind us, and we had our reception under the stars in the pavilion along the lakeside.

The Decor

Our color palette was natural jewel-tones and wildflower colors, and our style was natural and Adirondack. We used lots of raw birch wood for candle holders and decor. Our arch was made from birch. We had long farm tables covered in ivory tablecloths with burgundy runners, and glass jars filled with wildflowers and eucalyptus. The wild and local flowers ranged from every shade of green, to bright burgundy, light blue, peach, and deep maroon. Our reception tables were named after local mountains we've summited together. Our dessert table was filled with assorted cookies displayed on slabs of wood.

The Dress

The dress had an underlay of subtle shimmer to emphasize my silly, vibrant side, and an overlay of lace flowers to emphasize my love for nature. I wore glitter sequined lace-up keds because I love to dance and wouldn't be seen dancing in heels to save my life.

The Details

Our flowers were done by two incredible family friends who dedicated their gardens to growing flowers for us, harvested local mosses and wildflowers, and even cut grasses to incorporate from our family's property. We had a very special potted plant also present along the wedding aisle: a plant from my grandmother's funeral (who passed earlier in 2021), so that she could still be there with us. Many of our very talented friends (woodworkers, graphic designers, bakers) helped us by contributing their skills to make our wedding very personal.

The Moments

Our favorite moments of the day included seeing people from different corners of our life connect. We put a lot of thought into how to really bring people together, from the seating arrangements, to conversation starters and trivia at the dinner tables, to the fact that we planned four days worth of events (hikes, beach days, brewery open houses, etc.) around the wedding so that everyone had ample opportunities to make new connections. At one point during the reception we looked around and there was not a single bored or lonely face in the room. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and chatting. That feeling was priceless.

Some Advice

Planning a wedding can be very difficult. It was an incredible challenge that made us stronger as a couple. Take the time to remind yourselves as often as you can what your wedding is really about: the opportunity to celebrate your love with the people you love the most. That truth can really put things into perspective.

Vendor Credits

Venue: Camp Chingachgook

Food/Catering: The Barnsider

Cake/Dessert: Tracey Davey (friend)

Gown: Bride and Gown (Saratoga)

Hair: Shirley Padasak (Touch of Class, GF)

Makeup: Cait Righi (friend)

Photographer: CLH Images

Videographer: Alex Hobbs (friend)

Invitations: Zola

Florals: Suzanne Zaher and Carol Hobbs (friends)

DJ / Band: we made our own EPIC playlist

Transportation: Durham Transportation

Rentals: Saratoga Tents & Events

April 6, 2021

Bri + Tom Lyons

Weddings

Just Married: Tony and Kayla Wing

April 6, 2021

Bri + Tom Lyons

Weddings

2020 and 2021 weddings have been all about changing plans, and Tony and Kayla Wing were no exception! Hailing from Rochester, they saw the Adirondacks as the perfect place to escape (social distance, if you will) for a romantic winter elopement in lieu of their plans for a 150 person reception. Read on to see and hear about all of the details of their day, with beautiful images by Jason Hupe Photography!

THE COUPLE - Tony & Kayla Wing

We first met in 2013 while attending SUNY Geneseo. We were introduced by Pat and Bri Violanti (who, coincidently, were introduced to each other by Tony 2 years prior). However, the timing wasn’t right and we remained acquaintances for the next few years.

In 2016, Tony returned to Geneseo to visit some friends on the weekend of my graduation. While there, we reconnected at my sorority house. Two weeks later, we went on our first date at Dorado in Rochester, NY. Although it took 3 years before the first date, we knew from the start that we had something special.

Before we even went on our first date, we had jokingly made a 30 year pact to get married and end up together if we hadn’t found our people yet. When we first exchanged phone numbers as friends a few months after making that agreement, Tony put me in his phone as Future Wife, and I followed suit, never imagining that one day those titles would come true.

We are both so goofy and love to adventure and have fun. We love to hike, explore new breweries, and play board games. Tony also is an avid disc golfer and I often caddy for him as funny as that sounds! We have three fur daughters that occupy a lot of our time. Two beautiful cats named Frankie and Georgia and a shiba inu named Nessie that we adore!

THE PROPOSAL

October 21, 2019 was my first day as a Registered Nurse. I came home from work around 8:15 to Tony having dinner already prepared. Tony then showed me a wicker storage basket that “he had bought that day.” I asked many details about it before opening it. When I did, I was only able to open it a crack before realizing it was filled with ring pops. I shut it and immediately started crying. We had a running inside joke for years that I didn’t need a ring, just a blue ring pop when Tony proposed. I turned around to find Tony on one knee. I proved this by tackle hugging Tony while he was still on his knee and almost knocking the actual ring to the ground.

THE WEDDING - March 6, 2021

In light of the ongoing pandemic and current restrictions in our area, we cancelled our planned wedding reception of 150 people in Rochester, NY. We still wanted to get married on our intended date so we began researching elopement options.

The Adirondacks have always held a special place in my heart as I have been traveling to the area with my family for hiking, camping and skiing trips since I was young. Since Tony and I started dating we have vacationed in the area multiple times and hiked some of the High Peaks. We even invited a group of our closest friends up a few summers ago and spent a long weekend exploring the area and sharing our special place with them.

After doing some digging and thinking about what we truly wanted for our wedding and the start of marriage, we decided on a weekend getaway and private Adirondack elopement, with just the two of us. I found the beautiful Friends Lake Inn online and saw that they offered an elopement package which seemed to perfectly fit our needs and simplify the whole process.

We hope to host a belated reception in a year or two with all of our family and friends when we can safely celebrate our marriage with our loved ones.

The Venue

Friends Lake Inn had every amenity we could have wished for. From the moment we stepped inside we knew we made the right decision. We were treated like family and the stay was everything we could have hoped for and more. The Inn grounds and available activities truly highlighted what the Adirondacks has to offer. Our photographer, Jason, took breathtaking photos of us in the sparkling white snow, we snowshoed for hours on the wooded trails, and soaked in the tranquil views of the lake from our breakfast table. We can’t wait to return in the summer or fall to capitalize on the warm weather experiences they offer.

The Planning

I love planning events and gift giving, so for me the whole wedding planning process was right up my alley. I loved curating our bridal party proposal gifts and our “day of” gifts that we mailed out to our parents and bridal party to thank them for being there for us and make them feel included in our special day even though it was from afar.

The most challenging part was navigating the COVID-19 restrictions which led to us fully planning three different versions of our wedding day. It was exhausting and very overwhelming, but we were so grateful to have the support of our family and friends every step of the way.

The Gown

I went to try my first bridal appointment with my two best friends over a year before our wedding date. Our plan was just to try a bunch of dresses on to narrow down which style and fit suited me. I tried on maybe 5 dresses and knew that I had found the one. It was simple and classic with elegant details such as buttons all the way down the long train and a low back with delicate thin straps and a bow detail that sold me.

The Details

Our vision for the occasion was rustic, natural, classic, and earthy. The color palette was mostly neutrals - white, gray, and black with accents of green from the flowers and burgundy in Tony’s shoes and belt.

For my flowers, I scoured Pinterest for months and decided on simple white flowers with lots of greenery. Our florist exceeded my vision, they were perfect.

I DIY’d acrylic with our vows painted on for us to read during the ceremony. I was so pleased with how they turned out and it ended up being way easier than I anticipated and was cheaper than having them custom made.

Our cake was the most fun, we did a chocolate decadence cake with cookies and cream frosting and filling, topped with Oreos. It was incredible!

We included many personalized accents into our day including champagne flutes, the cake topper, and Tony’s cuff links all from small Etsy shops.

The Honeymoon

We have a honeymoon road trip planned for the end of April. Starting at home in Rochester, NY we’ll head south to Asheville, NC, then hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, then over to Nashville, TN, and finally stopping in Cleveland, OH before we head back home.

Some Advice…

Remind yourself what it’s all about and why you’re doing this in the first place. Your wedding is a celebration of your marriage and the love that the two of you share. Try to focus on what will make you two happy as a couple and less on what others will think about your plan. Make sure to set aside time during the day for alone time, just you and your new spouse!

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VENDORS

Venue: Friends Lake Inn

Food/Catering: Friends Lake Inn

Cake: Belle Dolci

Gown: Allure from Heart to Heart Bride

Suit: Calvin Klein from Men’s Warehouse

Photographer: Jason Hupe Photography

Invitations: Ryan Printing

Florals: Rebecca’s Florist

Ring Designer: Kayla - Martin Flyer from Cornell’s Jewelers; Tony - Jewelry by Johan

Cake Topper: Rawkrft - Etsy

Garland: The Garland Guy - Etsy

Champagne Flutes: Personalization Lab - Etsy

Cuff Links: From Willow - Etsy

January 4, 2021

Bri + Tom Lyons

Weddings, Celebrations

Just Married: Joshua & Nikari Gali

January 4, 2021

Bri + Tom Lyons

Weddings, Celebrations

A gorgeous backyard wedding, complete with peak fall foliage, bohemian details, and so much love. Read on to see and hear about all of the details of Nikari and Josh’s day, with gorgeous images by The Pinckards!

THE COUPLE: Joshua & Nikari Gali

We met in college at The University at Buffalo on the track team. I (Nikari) thought Josh was the most handsome person ever and I initiated the interaction. After that, Josh asked for my phone number and we’ve been inseparable ever since. 6 years later and we are still as in love as the first day.

We love quality time together. Our favorite pastime is going out to dinner or ordering in. We always try to make it a point to eat at least one meal a day together. Preferably dinner because we get to sit down, pray & talk about our days and unwind. It sets us up to have intentional time together and that usually leads us to either watching a movie, TV or just silently enjoying each other’s company while we accomplish our own necessary tasks.

We are very opposite in the best ways. We also are crazy athletic as a couple combined & separately. We have a mutual love for working out (which was how we met: track team in college). We always have the best time and you truly have to marry someone who is your best friend.

THE PROPOSAL

So, Josh met me in downtown Glens Falls for dinner after work since I work in downtown. We went to farmacy and had such a good night. The food was amazing, our drinks were amazing and we even got a free dessert. The night was so fun and it was a shock that it wasn’t planned.

During dinner I received a text from my friend to come over and have a game night and I was like, “absolutely, we’ll drive to you after dinner” (They live about 40 minutes away in Schroon Lake). After dinner we walked toward my car and Josh asked me if I wanted to take a walk. Unfortunately, I said no. He then asked if I wanted to just head into my studio (I had mentioned earlier that I wanted to clean the studio). But, I again opted for no and said I would come in earlier the next morning to clean. I hate being late so I was just eager to get to game night. Little did I know Josh had the ring in his pocket all through dinner.

We got to game night and stayed for a few hours. We didn’t end up getting home until about 12:30pm. When we finally got home, I was getting ready for bed and Josh was acting a little suspicious. I was exhausted and wanted to go to bed. I sat down on the couch and he finally came over and proposed. I honestly wasn’t expecting it at that moment and that’s what I loved. It’s so unbelievably hard to surprise me unfortunately, so the fact that Josh was surprising in itself. I always wanted to have a private engagement, just the two of us; with no one around. It was beyond intimate and amazing and I would do it that way all over again. The poor guy had the ring in his pocket for almost 7 hours and I had no idea. He was determined to do it before I went to bed and it was everything.

THE WEDDING - October 22, 2020

Our elopement date was 10/22/20. Due to COVID-19 we couldn’t plan the wedding of our dreams but wanted to still get married. So, we decided to get eloped with our talented friends (Dan+ Laura, The Pinckards) as our photographers with just immediate family. We are having our larger wedding to recommit ourselves to each other in front of all the family and friends we wished were there. We will be having our larger wedding 10/22/21, a year to the date. It will be our one-year anniversary so that will also be fun. 

The Planning

My favorite part was how stress free the planning process and our day was. The most challenging part would have to be trying to explain to both sides of family that we were getting eloped and that we are planning a bigger wedding next year. We didn’t want any family members to feel left out or that they weren’t important enough to be there for the elopement. It was definitely the hardest part because some of family members were hurt.

The Venue

We recently bought a house with a decent amount of land in the back. We couldn’t necessarily have our elopement at a venue so we opted for our backyard. It was such a beautiful day with all of the fall foliage in the background. I think if we had the choice for a venue at the time we still would have chosen our backyard. To be legally married in back of our first home was super special and something we get to remember forever!

The Details

Our style is very bohemian, mid-century modern, Scandinavian with a chic and modern twist all wrapped into one. We went with very neutral earth colored tones with hues of burnt orange and rusty brown with accents. This style echoes throughout our home so it was only right that it was a part of our special day.

Everything was pretty much custom made. Josh built, sanded and stained the arbor and Dan helped Josh assemble it. Laura and I made my bouquet and all the arbor flowers that attached to the arch. Josh also built and stained a table for cookies and champagne and we hung a bible verse behind it (Corinthians). I had an accessory appointment at Something Blue Bridal in Saratoga and picked a beautiful veil and comb that I get to wear again next year.

Our aisle runner was actually a boho rug with rose petals that lined the sides. Super boho chic.

Pretty much every aspect was DIY and we 100% could not have been happier.

The Gown

My gown is actually a funny story. My friend Laura (1/2 of The Pinckards) and I were scrolling through Pinterest and we found such a cool gown. It led us to Etsy where we found the company. The company was based in New Zealand though and it was questionable whether I would receive it in time. I ended up getting in contact with the owner. I explained I needed my dress in a little over a month. I sent her over my measurements, paid for express/rushed shipping and my dress was custom, handmade to my measurements and delivered to my door in plenty of time.

The Food

We planned to not have a cake and my mom said absolutely not. It was a probably a week or less before our elopement date and she searched high and low for someone to make a cake for us on such short notice. She finally found Katie Callahan and reached out to her. My mom had full creative control over our cake because we wanted her to do whatever. It was such a special and meaningful surprise.

The Muffin Top Baker literally made the most amazing cookies ever. I gave her ideas and said, “Run with it, I completely trust you and what you do.” She knocked it out of the park and everyone loved them.

We also did champagne flutes with a custom charcuterie board made by one of my friends.

The Moments

We absolutely loved being with our family. It was so special. We also loved that we rented a room for dinner at The Queensbury Hotel and had an open bar for a few hours and nice sit-down dinner. It was very sophisticated and intimate. The Queensbury Hotel did an amazing job accommodating all of us and making sure we were taken care of and safe. I also loved that after dinner we went into their terrace and the string lights were hanging. We had a fire and just enjoyed each other’s company. The next day everyone came back to our house and we spent more quality time together.

The Honeymoon

No honeymoon this year -unfortunately with COVID-19 and all it didn’t make sense to travel somewhere and possibly quarantine there and upon return. We are holding onto hope that will take our honeymoon after our wedding in October. We’re thinking either a Europe honeymoon or a tropical one…maybe both, who knows!

Some Advice…

Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about decisions you are making. If you feel you are correct, stand behind it, don’t second guess yourself because you made those decisions for a reason.

Also, delegate. Don’t try to take everything on by yourself. It’s okay to ask different people in your family to do different things for you, even if they don’t offer. Don’t tackle it alone. Don’t stress. It should be one of the happiest times of your life so don’t let anyone get to you or get under your skin. It’s your day - for one day, be selfish.

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VENDORS

Food/Catering: The Queensbury Hotel

Cookies: The Muffin Top Baker

Cake: Katie Callahan, @Katiedoescatering

Gown: Boom Blush Boutique

Aesthetician: Serena Callahan, Wink Skincare & Lash

Waxing: Leslie Shea, Revive Hair and Skin @skinandnailsbyleslie

Photographer: The Pinckards

Florals: Adirondack Boho Co.

Ring Designer: Neil Lane

Rentals: Adirondack Boho Co.

September 21, 2020

Bri + Tom Lyons

Celebrations, Weddings

Just Married: Haley & Mike Gerarde

September 21, 2020

Bri + Tom Lyons

Celebrations, Weddings

A gorgeous barn, a beautiful autumn day, and the most lovely couple! We’re so thrilled to share Haley and Mike’s October 2019 wedding, their favorite details from the day, and some excellent advice if you’re planning a wedding yourself. Read on for more, along with beautiful images by Juliana Renee Photography!

THE COUPLE - Haley & Mike Gerarde

Tell us about yourselves!

I am the Director of the Lake George Teen Center, and part time stay at home mom to our smart and spunky little girl, JoJo. I love getting outdoors (preferably when I don't have to put on 3+ layers before heading out), and now more than ever (because of having JoJo) love exploring what our community has to offer for family activities in addition to the outdoor aspects. Mike is humble - when I asked him what he wanted to showcase, his response was “works at KEENA, plays golf but sucks at it (lol), loves spending time with his girls, and lives and dies with Syracuse sports - especially basketball”. And I can attest to that! Mike will literally run outside chanting the fight song when they win, and he will wake up the next morning like he lost his job when they lose. I disagree that he sucks at golf, I personally think he is pretty athletic - I remember right before we started dating playing basketball at the YMCA with husband buddies and thinking he could jump so high. But things look different when you’ve got heart eyes!

Where did you meet?

The first time we met, we were both meeting some mutual friends to go mini golfing at Pirate’s Cove. After that day specifically, our paths seemed to cross a lot more.

What do the two of you like to do together?

Mike and I love hiking, which we haven’t done as much as we used to after the birth of our daughter, Josephine (“JoJo”), so now we enjoy long walks on the trails behind our house, and getting out to ‘Cuse (I was never a fan of sports before stepping into the Dome with Mike, but it was love at first sight. Although I still mainly go out there for the Tully’s Tenders).

Fun fact about you as a couple?

The first few times that we got together without our friends, we were almost guaranteed to be on opposite pages about whether or not it was a date.

THE PROPOSAL

So we were actually expecting JoJo before Mike proposed. We had talked about spending our life together, but thought we should wait until after she was born to think about marriage so that each big life event could have its own time. I was so confident in his word that I absolutely was not expecting a proposal anytime soon, and honestly wondered how long it would take him to pull together a proposal after she was born.

We were staying at The Sagamore for the Ice Bar in 2018 and I was truly already having the time of my life (and I was sober which made it that much more exciting to be dancing and laughing so hard!). I had been asking to get up to bed for almost an hour, maybe longer. Mike kept stalling but I just just thought it was because he was having such a good time. Apparently he had been planning to propose for over 3 hours at that point! Finally, we got up to our room at The Sagamore, and he asked if we could enjoy the deck just one last time before we went to bed. While we were out there I saw his friend in our room, and he told us he needed to use the bathroom - silly old me didn’t even think twice about his excuse for being in our room. Shortly after seeing him, Mike got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. All of his friends were down below and starting hooting and hollering. I was in such shock, that when his friend asked what I said, Mike responded “she didn’t even answer!”. And then, of course, I said “YES you goofball! Of course!”. Then I realized his friend was actually in the room to take photos of the proposal. Apparently at one point in the night, I sat on his lap and asked him to move his phone from his pocket - it was the ring!! So many things looking back could have given away the proposal and I just never had any idea.

Mike’s father passed away when he was younger, and I am lucky enough to wear the stone that he had gotten for his mom (from Syracuse - a family favorite!!), with a band from Florida, where he spent his Christmases before having a family of his own.

THE WEDDING - October 5, 2019

The Planning

We loved our engagement shoot. Mike has never been a fan of taking photos in general, but especially photo shoots. On the drive there (Shelving Rock Falls), he was asking how long it would take and how we could make it shorter. At the end of the shoot, Mike literally thanked Juliana for the best “date night” that we had had in a while - and a date night it was. She worked so hard (and successfully) to give us memories with our photos instead of just a nice shot. Juliana was easily the best part of the planning process. The most challenging part was trying to figure out which tables would be best, and how we wanted to seat people in the tent.

The Venue

Mike and I got married on my family’s property on Old West Mountain Road in Queensbury. They have a beautiful barn, that my dad and grandfather totally revamped for our wedding (my mom and I each did a coat of stain on the doors!). My mom has an incredible eye for decor and interior design, and her father and mine have an incredible ear and hand for putting it into action. We used the entire property for our special day - my girls and I got ready at the house, my dad drove me down to the aisle (in front of the barn) from the house (an unexpected entrance, as our party entered from the back of the barn), and we enjoyed the night in the barn for snacks and cocktails, in the pasture for dinner, and beside the pond for a bonfire post meal. We even did a casual tribute to those who could not attend our wedding by sending lanterns out onto the pond.

The Details

Navy and mauve were our colors for the wedding, and to be completely honest, I totally lack in vision for things. I either completely over analyze and try to perfect, or I get too overwhelmed and just go willy-nilly. And I mean it! I bought my shoes and bridal party shawls no more than two weeks before the wedding, and we were so behind on suits for the guys that we just told them to wear any blue or grey.

Originally, my bridesmaids were to pick out whatever dress they felt most confident in. Turns out, one dress in particular was very universal for all of them, so they all ended up wearing it.

I got my gown at a trunk sale at Lily in Saratoga. It was the only dress that I did not feel "bridal" in, but also the only one that I came out of the room dancing in, which is how it won my vote. It was so comfortable and also so unique with its beading.

My bridal bouquet was won by one of my bridesmaids, and the rest were purchased from the same vendor and they totally blew me away - they were gorgeous and I barely gave them any criteria to work off of.

We did not have a cake because neither of us like cake, but we had plenty of dessert. Instead of a cake cutting, we actually did a little lantern send off onto the pond in honor of those who were watching our special day from up above.

The Moments

I loved my sister’s speech during dinner. She has always been quite a bit more shy than me, and has recently become such a good public speaker - she blew me away. Then she had the DJ pull our chairs to the middle of the dance floor and projected a video she made onto the side of the tent that incorporated a ton of our times together. I’m very verbal with affirmations, but to hear so many positive things out of her mouth in front of a crowd was so heart warming. It’s also incredible how much she loves Mike, and that makes me happy.

I also really loved my first look with my dad. He got a brief tear in his eye and just made me feel so beautiful. It was incredible to be surrounded by so much love from both sides. I’m thankful we stayed conscious of the time and kept soaking it all in.

The Honeymoon

The following week, Mike and I spent a couple of nights alone in Lake Placid. We had planned to bag a couple of High Peaks, but being able to relax in each other’s company with undivided attention was a honeymoon in itself. We played Battleship, went for long walks, and ate different foods from a few restaurants one night. After a couple of days, JoJo joined us, and we had fun chasing ducks and eating fancy breakfasts. We went home for a day, then Mike and I headed out to Syracuse, our favorite place (with and without JoJo) to go catch a ‘Cuse game and spend the night.

Some Advice…

Take it easy! Don’t worry about the small things! Make it fun for yourself, and live in the moment. I’m not very good at being flexible (shoutout to Mike for living with that the rest of his life), but that day I was and I am so thankful for that. It couldn’t have fallen together better.