Carisa & Shane – Fall Sparkly Wedding – Brotherhood Winery, NY

I haven’t posted my 2014 goals yet, but of course one of them is to a better blogger this year.  I need to come up with a plan and stick with it!  Looking back, it’s been since November since I’ve blogged a wedding! And its certainly not for lack of having any to blog, that’s for sure – last year my business grew like crazy and I had 18 weddings! Yay!  But I figured y’all were aching for some eye candy before I take it back to serious business talk.

And eye candy is exactly what you’re about to get.  You’re about to see one of the prettiest, most thoughtful weddings I’ve experienced.  Maybe I’m partial because Carisa and Shane happen to be good friends, and good friends we made while living in Madrid to boot.  And maybe this wedding was even more special to me because it was like a mini reunion with much of our European family.  And maybe also I love this wedding because my bestie, Audrey of French Knot Studios, flew up to NY to style it.  And it could also be that it took place during my favorite season – and in the NY countryside, the Fall leaves are super vibrant!  ALL of these extraordinary things were made even more extraordinary by the limitless love and energy that surged through the entire wedding weekend.  Carisa and Shane are pretty special people and to see people come from all over the world to celebrate with them was just plain amazing.  So enough talking, and on with photos!…

The day started at Villa Stonegate, an incredible historic house that provided the most gorgeous backdrop for the entire weekend.

Shane had Audrey make Carisa a scarf using photos from their years of dating – “a trip down memory lane.”  He’s full of sweet surprises like that.

I will always vote for mismatched bridesmaids.  And you really can’t go wrong in different shades of shimmer, can you?

Martin hung with the guys at a nearby hotel.

Carisa surprised Shane with a jersey and one of their engagement photos signed by his favorite footballer. 

While planning their wedding, one thing was for certain – Carisa and Shane knew they had to be married in a stone church.  Luckily for them, the nearby Chapel of the Holy Name was the most quaint stone church with a breaktaking view.  However, the day of the wedding was super misty and foggy so you could barely see a thing.  But, I like to think that Shane’s family brought it with them from Ireland and it really actually added to the ambiance of the day.

The ceremony was sweet and heartfelt, made personal by handwritten vows.

Thankfully everyone braved the misty weather for photos because really, THESE LEAVES!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?

FAVORITES.

The reception took place at Brotherhood Winery – the oldest winery in the states!

Before going in, we roamed the grounds for more photos…

…and found sweet little love notes carefully planted by Shane.

The decor was thoughtfully planned and incorporated Carisa and Shane’s love of travel.

Each table featured a different architectural drawing (by Carisa) of a favorite watering hole from around the world.  The flower containers were all different kinds of drinking vessels as well – clever, eh?!

No detail was overlooked – from the signature cocktails to the menus to the place card bellybands.

The custom photobooth area created by French Knot Studios was a hit with the guests!

As the drink kept flowing, Irish dancing naturally ensued – and happened to be one of my favorite parts of the evening!

Carisa and Shane – I CANNOT thank you enough for including Martin and me in your amazing wedding.  Your generosity, hospitality and love for all your friends and family is simply inspiring.  We are incredible lucky to know you and have you as friends.  Here’s to a lifetime of adventures!