Falkirk Estate and Country Club in Central Valley

On October 23, 2010 Elizabeth and Scott Martin were married on the gorgeous grounds of the Falkirk Estate and Country Club in Central Valley, NY, located just at the base of the majestic Ramapo Mountains in upstate New York.  In my tens years of photographing weddings in and around the Dutchess County area, I’ve found few places that can dare to compare to the peace and natural tranquility that the Falkirk Estate and Country Club has to offer.  Not only is it an absolutely beautiful place, with photo friendly decor that makes my job really easy, but it’s also practically brand new, because Wayne Corts and his staff recently finished making multi million dollar updates to the indoor reception hall as well as the terrace and outdoor ceremony site.

In late October Elizabeth and Scott had their choice of either the outdoor or indoor ceremony site and both would have been picture perfect, because the grounds are beautiful, but, because their early morning (11am) ceremony time still left the air a little chilly, Elizabeth and Scott chose to have their ceremony indoors.

Looking at the photos from the ceremony, I love the way the floor to ceiling windows at the Falkirk Estate allow so much light in that it looks as if the bride and groom are being bathed in it as they stand at the alter.  To officiate the ceremony, Elizabeth and Scott chose their dear friend and pastor Timothy Chicola from the Crossing Church in Livingston, NJ, after which, they and their guests danced the night away to the music of non other than Jimmy Lutz from Lutz Entertainment.  And when he went home, they all went downstairs and partied some more in their private bar and lounge.

Falkirk Estate and Country Club in Central Valley, NY  www.FalkirkEstate.com call them at (845) 928-8060

Pastor Timothy Chicola www.thecrossingchurchnj.org call him at (973) 992-2828×11

Jimmy Lutz www.lutzentertainment.com call them at (914) 456-4143

New York Wedding Photography – New York Wedding Photographer – Manhattan Bride

New York Wedding Photography – New York Wedding Photographer – Manhattan Bride

Caroline and Bob’s private lake side estate was the setting for their June wedding.

Apple Barn Farm Wedding

Sometimes it’s true, nothing is more perfect than outdoor weddings, as was the case this past Sunday when Tara and Eric tied the knot on the gorgeous 300 acre parcel known as the Apple Barn Farm in Germantown, New York, where I was so happy to be there wedding photographer.  Proprietor MaryBeth Boruta along with venue Consultant Kerri Corrigan and their staff, are simply the best at what they do.  The Apple Barn Farm offers those looking for a traditional barn wedding look and feel that’s hard to find anywhere else in the Hudson Valley area.

Located in the heart of the Hudson River Valley area, just two hours North of Manhattan, surrounded by acres of apple tress and endless rows of corn, rolling hills, grassy fields, horses, streams and a couple of ponds, the Apple Barn Farm is the perfect place for those looking for their own personal playground to have an outdoor wedding at.  If you’re thinking of having a barn wedding, check out the Apple Barn Farm.  You’re going to be pleasantly surprised.

When Tara and Eric were doing their wedding planning and trying to come up with different ideas for their wedding, one of the things they concentrated on was their wedding food, because let’s face it, it’s important. Their dinner menu included, a vegetarian lasagna, cider braised chicken, crab cakes, a tomato salad, a spinach salad, maple glazed vegetables and duchesse potatoes.  For their favors Tara and Eric had a really personalized wedding favor idea, they packaged jams.  What a perfect fit to the day, where we were and who they were.  My favorite, strawberry!

For her wedding dress, Tara decided on a georgeous dress by Birnbaum and Bullock.  Eric wore a tux by Ralph Lauren.

Entertainment was provided by wedding DJ Dave Fichoff from Popshop.

Wedding Photography by Blue Sky Photography.

Catlin Gardens Wedding.

The exquisite 1860′s Victorian Manor House and the surrounding five acres of gardens of Catlin Gardens in Slate Hill, New York provided what I see as the perfect backdrop for Jessica and Peter’s wedding day.  The streams, walkways, bridges, gardens and fountains of Catlin Gardens are as elegant as any in the area.  It’s one of the areas best banquet halls when it comes to this type of background for wedding photography.  From the house to the Catlin Gardens Inn to the tented outdoor ceremony site, there is no doubt that it was the perfect location for Jessica and Peter to say their wedding vows at.  As for me, being the wedding photographer, I loved everything about it including the wedding day rain showers.

As always, Ed French, the Manager of Catlin Gardens, (845) 355-3555, along with Kerry Connelly and their staff, did a fantastic job of creating the perfect backdrop for Jessica and Peter to kick of their wedding shoes and dance the night away and thanks to Larry Bassen Entertainment there was no shortage of energy.  They have some of the most talented musicians in the New York metropolitan area.  If I wasn’t working, trust me, I would’ve been dancing, because they were great.

Now having been in the wedding photography business for almost ten years, and knowing all to well that rain is one of the biggest uncontrollable fears that a bride has for her wedding day, I’ll offer a piece of advice.  There’s nothing you can do about it, so stop worrying about it.  You can’t control the weather!  LOL.  In fact, if you can believe this, in some of Jessica and Peter’s wedding photos I added rain in post production, because it was a truthful rendering of that particular moment in time.  It was really raining, but because the backlight wasn’t strong enough it just didn’t show up that well on film.  I think it works, and the reason I think it works is, because years later when Jessica and Peter look back at their wedding photos, I will have helped them remember the day as it really happened.

Jessica and Peter choose the following wedding vendors; videography services were provided by the Motoko’s talented team from Love in Progress, for her dress Jessica chose Melissa Sweet, the flowers were by David Anthony, the band was Larry Bassen Entertainment, the tuxes came from Michaels Tuxedo, the wedding photography was courtesy of Steven Planck of Blue Sky Photography and the banquet hall was Catlin Gardens.

Jessica and Peter’s wedding slideshow (courtesy of Blue Sky Photography) can be viewed here.

The Links at Union Vale in LaGrangeville, NY

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel on the grounds of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY was the perfect setting for Alumni Bobbie Sue & Travis to say their wedding vows in.  As Marist Alumni, neither could have imagined saying them anywhere else and as a wedding photographer, the Chapel and the grounds of Marist College (if you know them well) provide me with fantastic wedding photos from the days events.

As always, Teri Stellato, the Club Manager and Food and Beverage Director of The Links at Union Vale, (845) 223-1002, along with her staff, did a fantastic job of creating the perfect backdrop for Bobbie Sue and Travis to kick of their shoes and dance the night away.  The cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner were all top shelf.  And thanks to the high energy, dynamic due team of Stephanie and Jeff from DJ Solutions, who proved once again why their one of the Hudson Valley’s Premiere Wedding DJ’s, they did just that. Everybody had a blast.

As a wedding photographer I couldn’t have asked for anything more.  I enjoy working and photographing couples on the grounds of The Links at Union Vale, because of it’s diversity.  I can achieve a lot of different looks that are all within walking distance of the Club House.  The wedding photography and the wedding slideshow were courtesy of Steven Planck of Blue Sky Photography located in Wappingers Falls, NY.  Their wedding slideshow can be viewed here.

Bobbie Sue & Travis choose the following wedding vendors: videographer – Joyful Video from Poughkeepsie, NY for their wedding video, the flowers came from Green Oak Florist in Hyde Park, NY, her dress was none other than Emerald Couture, from Cinderella’s Bridal Salon, Warwick RI, the Tux’s were courtesy of The Mens Warehouse, the party bus was from JTR Bus Company and the rings were produced by a private jeweler, Carolyn Parker.

To view Caroline & Bob’s wedding video, click here.

Vassar College Alumnae House Weddings

Cocktails and reception followed at The Vassar College Alumnae House and were courtesy of Brianna Drohen of Gigi Catering of the Hudson Valley, available by calling 845 758-8060. The gorgeous flowers were provided by Sara Gast of Sara Gast Floral Designs,www.saragastfloraldesigns.com (845) 331-4760. Wedding photography, wedding video and this wedding slide show were courtesy of steven planck of Blue Sky Photography located in Wappingers Falls, NY.www.blueskyphotographyny.com

Osborn Castle at Cat Rock in Garrison, NY weddings.

Hank Osborn, the general manager of Cat Rock (Osborn Castle), along with Ruth Haworth, the resident manager, and their staff, created the perfect backdrop to dance the night away. The cocktails, hor’deurves and dinner were all top shelf. They can be reached at http://www.osborncastle.com/ or by calling (646) 734-8338. Annie’s hair and make up were done by none other than the Eve Carnevalla from Eve Day Spa in Cold Spring, New York who can be reached by calling (845) 265-2262. Wedding photography, wedding video and this wedding slide show were courtesy of steven planck of Blue Sky Photography located in Wappingers Falls, NY.www.blueskyphotographyny.com

Annie & Neil’s wedding video can be seen here.