If your thinking of going the DIY route when planning your wedding, this next post will prove to you how it pays off! Denyea & Brandon’s wedding was a DIY Bride’s dream! I was dooling from the moment I drove into the driveway! Their wedding was the epitome sweet rustic joy! From the cotton blossoms in the bouquets to the wagon ride leading to our photo location! Denyea really thought of everything!

Take that and then top it off with two of the sweetest people I’ve had the opportunity to photograph! Their day was a beautiful reminder of sincere love. The testaments of all of their guests mooning over them is the proof! I loved listening to their story and how this has been an event in the making that everyone was overjoyed to be a part of! I sure was too and I am so thrilled to be able to share these images with you! Thank you so much Denyea & Brandon, it was an honor and a joy!

xoxoxo,
Mabyn

How did you meet?
We met at LeMoyne College, Brandon sat down on a couch next to me and we started talking, then I met him a few weeks later in a kilt and I knew it was love
How did your fiance propose?
We rode out to my parents hill overlooking Jamesville Beach to watch the balloons come up during the balloon festival… when the balloons had all gone up and the sun started setting, Brandon was on one knee
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..):
We got enganged and were about to leave for Germany for a bit, so we knew we had to act quick. The very night of the engagement, we were so excited we picked the date and the colors, and picked everything out before our trip. Justin’s Grill has great food and one of our friends had a beautiful wedding there, so we were sold. As the planning continued, our original black and white wedding turned into a black and white and… taupe and pewter. Most of the wedding was handmade as I perused the shelves of the Rescue Mission for over 100 vases, created mercury glass candle holders from clear ones, or made the invitations. I became such a DIY bride… which made it ever so special!
What details at your wedding had special significance?
Instead of doing a favor, we made a donation to the CNY SPCA. It felt so good to walk in there and make a donation. We love animals and want to do whatever we can to help! Our wedding song was also really special. Although it is kind of a sad song, it meant something important to us at the very start of our relationship. I can keep going by the way… everything was special!
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day?
Walking down the aisle to meet Brandon- so much excitement, anticipation… everyone is looking at you, but you are looking at him! (Denyea) My best moment was when I got to kiss my wife Denyea. (Brandon)
If you had to do it all over, would you change anything?
Nothing!
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Brandon was accidentally called a wife as the priest was going over the vows.
What was your favorite wedding purchase?
Our HONEYMOON! It was a surprise for Denyea!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Exuma Island in the Bahamas
Any advice for future bride & grooms?
It goes by fast, take every moment in!

Denyea was a stunning bride and I fell in love with her family! Her dad wiping away a tear gets me every time!

St. Matthew’s is absolutely gorgeous! So many beautiful angles to snap moments from!

We had 2 locations to do photographs after the ceremony. The first was the dorm at Le Moyne where Denyea & Brandon first met. The second was a field at Denyea’s parents home. The whole wedding party, parents, family dog, myself, assistant all jumped on in for one giant & amazing wagon ride! How many weddings do that?! My job is AWESOME!

Denyea was a DIY fiend! My jaw literally dropped when I walked into Justin’s Grill! All of the sweet country details that she put so much time & effort into really paid off! I was SO IN LOVE!

Hair: Joseph Anthony and Co.//Makeup Artist: Myself//Dress Designer & Store Location: Enzonie, New York Bride//Jewelry: Swavorski//Veil or Hair accessories: My mom’s veil redesigned by New York Bride//Shoes: Nina//Bridesmaids Dresses: Impressions, New York Bride//Grooms Attire: Mens Warehouse//Ceremony Venue: St. Matthew’s Church, East Syracuse//Reception Venue: Justin’s Grill, East Syracuse//Additional photo venue: Bride’s Parent’s Home//Florist: Melanie Daly//Transportation: S and S Limo//DJ: J Hatch DJ//Caterer: Justin’s Grill//Cake: Sweet Endings Bakeshop, Jamesville//Event Designer: Myself//Wedding Coordinator: Myself and Heather MacArthur and Justin’s Gril//Invitations & Stationary:  Myself//Other: All me!

I’m not the most up to date on trends. Usually I wait awhile before I jump in feet first. It happened with leggings, skinny jeans, and most recently with the iphone. I’ve been wanting to buy one for awhile, but I wanted to be sure I’d have the funds to add another $25 a month to my phone bill, plus there’s that ever constant allure of the next one coming out…but no one really knows when. So when my current phone started to die unexpectedly I decided to bite the bullet and get me a white iphone! Oh it’s sooooo pretty! I feel like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. “MY PRECIOUSSSSSSSS!” Ok…so maybe i’m not THAT creepy. More of a jolly Smeagol…I know, I know. My geek is showing!

Now the next step is to get a shmancy case for My Precious. I want something unique and I’m torn between several options. So I decided I’d let the public decide! So below are several of the cases I’m in love with. At the end of this post, there will be a poll. Just pick YOUR favorite case and hit vote! The case with the most votes by Sunday at 12am will be what I get.

1.2.3.

4.5.

Thank so much for your input! Let’s not forget what this blog is really about, PICTURES! Here’s my latest group of Sneak Peeks to feed your photo addiction! Danielle & Joe’s You + Me Session, Danielle & Dan’s Love Story, & The Reyes Family – Introducing Tirzah!

Vote below:

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I had a wedding date previously booked on Carrie & Matt’s wedding, but by some miracle they switched to another date. On the same day when the other bride switched her date, Carrie contacted me with a very sweet & exuberant email. I was thrilled to be able to say I was available!

Their day wasn’t full of sunshine like most of my weddings have been this season. For once the rain clouds wouldn’t go away. Although the rain did stop just long enough for me to snag 15 minutes to create some beautiful couples portraits for the 2 of them! So needless to say, the rain changed things up a bit, but it didn’t phase Carrie or Matt a bit! They both were just so excited to finally be hubby & wifey!

I had a blast capturing all of the moments, watching the pyrotechnics, & groovin along with the party! Thank you so much Carrie & Matt for choosing me to capture your wonderful day!

xoxoxo,
Mabyn

How did you meet?
Carrie worked at the gym that Matt worked out at
How did your fiance propose?
Matt brought me back to the first place that we ever went camping together. It was a log cabin in the Adirondacks.
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..):
I knew that we both had huge families and a lot of friends that we wanted to be able to come to the wedding so we had to pick a venue that could hold a lot of people and that had a huge dance floor.
What details at your wedding had special significance?
We both have lost people very special to us and we had to make sure we had a moment of silence for our grandmothers that couldn’t be there.
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day?
The first look was the most memorable moment of the day, but the second would be the cake cutting because I knew that if he mushed that cake in my face that it was not going to be good! I’m glad that he didn’t because I knew he respected me.
If you had to do it all over, would you change anything?
I would definitely have less people so I could enjoy myself more. I barely remember the day.
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Probably my silly twin dancing.
What was your favorite wedding purchase?
My dress…although I knew I was going to be sweating in it all day and I didn’t let myself down on that one!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas
Any advice for future bride & grooms?
Try not to have too much going on that day. It goes by so fast and I barely saw my groom that day.

This is one of my faves from the day. So sweet!

See Matt, it doesn’t LOOK awkward!

Carrie sure worked it for my camera! I love these shots!

Carrie cracks me up! She made herself laugh so she wouldn’t cry!

I love this moment, so stinking beautiful!

This wedding had a lot of pyrotechnics, first the cigars then the flambe!

The epically cool guy shot!

The Details:

Hair: Melissa Crandall//Makeup Artist: Becca//Dress Designer & Store Location: David’s Bridal//Jewelry: Bracelet Cuff-Lia Sophia, Earrings-New York and Company//Veil or Hair accessories: David’s Bridal//Shoes: David’s Bridal//Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal//Grooms Attire: Men’s Warehouse//Ceremony Venue: Drumlins//Reception Venue: Drumlins//Florist: Sentimental Reasons//DJ: Whirlin Disc//Caterer: Drumlins//Cake: Freemont Bakery//Wedding Coordinator: Reenie Costello

Music:
Introductions: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feelin’//First Dance: Brad Paisley – Then