Rachel is a perfect example of how to take pressure in stride. She pretty much planned her whole wedding from Florida! So many factors could have gone wrong, but none of that mattered when she saw Ben at their first look! The stress melted away and their genuine love and affection transformed their day! Despite the weird winter weather (40 degrees in Jan) their wedding was gorgeous! Amy and I had a great time capturing every single moment!

Xoxoxo
Mabyn

How did your fiance propose? It was a Sunday like any other. I got up early and headed off to church where I was singing in the worship service and had to be there at an undesirably early hour. While there, I shot off a few texts to Ben while he was at school and received one back telling me he had a funny story to relate when I was out of church. I agreed to call him directly thereafter and because of that made no attempt at lunch plans or grocery shopping (which I actually needed to do). I arrived at my house and turned the key in the door, opening it up to about sixty lit candles, my favorite Trevor Hall song and 8.5×11 pieces of paper bearing some of my favorite poems and verses. They were even cited properly on the back. Needless to say, I cried, and made no effort to stop when I reached the kitchen and saw there Ben waiting with a diamond ring. I actually made him wait a little while I read all the poems in the kitchen along with the transcriptions of meaningful Facebook messages from the past year. On that day, January 29, 2012, one year exactly after our first date on a snowy Saturday night, Ben asked me to marry him. I think I said yes, I don’t actually remember because I was crying. But I believe there was nodding, at least enough for him to slip the ring on to my finger.
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..): We planned the majority of our wedding in the summer of 2012 when Ben worked in Syracuse and I had the summer off. Otherwise it was all through phone calls and emails especially when I moved to Florida to start a new teaching job and Ben was in Philadelphia at school and my mother was shouldering most of the planning in Syracuse (the wedding location). My maid of honor, Kim (cousin) was supremely helpful. It really was a joint effort on all parts and I’m so grateful to everyone who made our special day so special.
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day? One of my most memorable moments had to be during our first-look pictures when the bustle button snapped on my dress and we weren’t able to fix it until AFTER the ceremony. My little flower girl, Hallie, carried the train of my dress in her little arms as I greeted and hugged guests. She took her responsibilities very seriously
Funniest memory from your wedding day? My bouquet was so much heavier than I had anticipated and I didn’t actually hold it until we got to the church and I was waiting to go down the aisle. When I met Ben at the altar I was trying not to cry, so I made a joke and whispered to him “My bouquet is the weight of a toddler” and we both VERY silently chuckled.
If you had to do it all over again would you change anything? I would danced more
Any advice for future bride & grooms? It truly does go by in an instant. When Ben and I were sitting at our sweetheart table he said to me “Just take a moment and look around, drink it all in. It’s a day like no other.” I echo his advice to any bride and groom. Enjoy every moment!
What was your favorite part about working with Mabyn Ludke Photography? I really felt like Mabyn was committed to getting the right shot. It was fun and easy to work with her, she made us feel comfortable right from the very beginning.

Hair: Christina Lombardi//Makeup Artist: Christina Lombardi//Dress Designer & Store Location: Alfred Angelo in Syracuse//Jewelry: Pearls…idk from where. Gift from my mother.//Veil or Hair accessories: All Alfred Angelo//Shoes: Madden girl pumps from Sears//Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo eggplant purple satin//Grooms Attire: Joseph A Banks grey suits//Ceremony Venue: Grace Assembly of God//Reception Venue: St. George’s Macedonian Orthodox Church//The Galleries of Syracuse//Transportation: American Limousine//DJ: Black Tie Entertainment//Caterer: Karen’s Catering//Cake: Nino’s Bakery//Wedding Coordinator: Andrea from Karen’s Catering//Invitations & Stationary: Kim Venuti

We started in Baltimore and worked our way down to Richmond where Ashley had planned the perfect day! We started shooting at Richmond’s Museum of Architecture, where we spent a couple hours having our own special photo shoot. We then ventured to the church where their families and friends gathered to witness their union. It was such a sweet and intimate ceremony with their closest loved ones who then celebrated with them at Maggiano’s Little Italy. It wasn’t your typical reception with all the events, but it was a cozy and heart felt gathering where stories were told and memories made. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the season! Thank you so much Ashley and Steven, it was so wonderful capturing your gorgeous day!

xoxoxo,
Mabyn

How did your fiance propose? With you!
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..): we just wanted close family there at one of my brother’s beautiful church buildings
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day? Seeing Steven for the first time…just us
Funniest memory from your wedding day? Flower girl, piper, flattened on to her face right when it was her moment to go down the aisle and cried into the floor.
If you had to do it all over again would you change anything? Have the talented Dan Schultz sing a second song!
Any advice for future bride & grooms? Weddings grow in complexity. Small weddings become medium weddings. Large weddings become life-threatening stressful giant nuptials. Plan smaller than you want.
What was your favorite part about working with Mabyn Ludke Photography? She will do anything for a good shot! I think there were double doors held open with near-splits and straddling banisters unsafely over a drop to be far enough away for the perfect shot.

]]> http://www.mabyn.com/wedding/ashley-stevens-love-story/feed/ 1 http://www.mabyn.com/wedding/jessica-mannys-love-story/ http://www.mabyn.com/wedding/jessica-mannys-love-story/#comments Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:08:22 +0000 mabyn http://www.mabyn.com/?p=6219 Sometimes it’s not about the amount of people, a giant venue, or the expense of the day. Sometimes it’s simply about the joy of two people coming together to become one. Jessica and Manny didn’t want a big affair. They simply wanted to be married and have their closest family and friends surrounding them. Their day was quiet, sweet, and so so so special. Though they’re both rather camera shy, they were brave enough to trust me for some epic shots up on top of Highland Forest (and it totally paid off)!  Instead of your typical wedding reception, Jessica and Manny just did the things they loved, a little dancing, a little photo booth crazy, and a little Karaoke! It was such a lovely and quiet day, the perfect reflection of such a lovely and beautiful couple! Thank you so much Jessica and Manny, it was so wonderful to be part of your beautiful day!

xoxoxo,
Mabyn

Photo by Emily Elizabeth Photography

How did your fiance propose? After spending a whole day trying to get each of my parents alone to ask for my hand in marriage, he couldn’t wait any longer and proposed while we were pulled over on the side of the road. I though he “forgot something,” and he popped the question instead. He’s horrible at keeping surprises a secret (which was also displayed at Christmas, my birthday, etc. lol)
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..): Wedding planning stressed me out from day one, so it was low key from the beginning. My mom heard about Highland Forest and I fell in love with the view, intimate setting, and Melanie from Orchard Vali (the lodge’s caterer) was AMAZING I can’t rave about her enough. Our colors were gray, yellow, and ivory: he loves gray, I love white, and yellow is always a happy color. I’m a dork so I liked the number theme of 10-11-12 so that was actually the first thing decided. We’ve both done a lot of moving around separately (we were young when we met in college, so a lot of “soul searching still had to take place), and we loved the idea of finally getting to spend EVERY holiday together, with our wedding anniversary to start it all off.
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day? The releasing of the doves was a pretty cool moment- we love the symbolism and they looked beautiful too (even though it was FREEZING!)
Funniest memory from your wedding day? Manny’s little nephew, Noah, playing photographer throughout the day…he was so serious about his duties and it was really cute.
If you had to do it all over again would you change anything? Maybe less last minute planning (sure you’ve heard that one once or twice before!)
Any advice for future bride & grooms? It’s your day, do what’s in your heart.
What was your favorite part about working with Mabyn Ludke Photography? I like how laid back everything was, like I said the “wedding” concept has always overwhelmed me (we are both camera shy HA) but it was a good time, and I appreciate you working with us stiff boards Thank you again!

Dress Designer & Store Location: David’s Bridal//Jewelry: Kay Jeweler’s//Grooms Attire: Lord and Taylor//Ceremony Venue: Skyline Lodge at Highland Forest//Reception Venue: Skyline Lodge at Highland Forest//Caterer: Orchard Vali Caterer//Cake: 83 and Company