OK!! I hope you all survived the hurricane / tropical storm! I really hope all is well with my blog readers and no one was seriously effected by it. We actually shot a wedding that day but thats a whole other blog post! Today I’m sharing Julia and Greg’s Albany Country Club Wedding with you all!

It was August 20th 2011, one of the most beautiful days of the all summer Saturdays. For some reason this was the most requested date of the year aside from the obvious 9/10/11. Julia and Greg were the first to inquire about the date and they locked it down with the quickness. I counted how many times I wrote “sorry but we’re no longer available for your date” to other couples interested and it was 32! Thats crazy! Anyway I could not be happier I got to spend the day with these two. You might remember from their engagement session I was stoked to be shooting their wedding. Julia is always smiling and Greg knows what to do to keep her smiling. As I mentioned the day was perfect! My good pal and talented videographer Al Woodard was on the scene. Makeup artist Amy Elizabeth was in the house as well. All the ladies looked pretty darn fly! Julia hooked her bridesmaids up with these awesome bathrobes from Lacoste. Thats a smart gift, it’s something practical and stylish people will use. Way to use your head Julia! Onto Greg, or as Julia’s father likes to call him “Greggy”. I loved my mans look. A nice purchased suit for not only him but the rest of the guys. I like this look, I think it vibes great with the country club wedding. Onto decor, the flowers were provided by Surroundings Floral Studio and they looked awesome. Shout out to Kim at Albany Country Club who not only runs a tight ship but treats us vendors as if we’re members of the club. I love working there! Last but not least the Karen Lawrence Band was in the house and did their thing! I know their were a lot of other places we could have worked on August 20th 2011 but I’d take this wedding any day again! Not only was Julia and Greg a blast to work with but their family and friends were all pretty awesome as well. I hope you two love birds are enjoying Alaska and this blog post reaches you!

Peace,
JP

Their engagement session from last fall.

Some details..

Julia, so fun!

Amy Elizabeth finishing..

A nice gift from Julia to her girls.

The light that comes in this room is just wonderful.

Julia, you’re stunning.

The bouquet by Surroundings Floral Studio

Hey ladies.

A couple more of Julia..

Looking good man! Greg will return his suit to his closet in their new condo, not the rental shop ;)

Love the tie.

Fellas…

Time to see Julia…

Love it.

Albany Country Club classic right here.

I love this one.

My facebook teaser.

I caught Dad in thought moments before the ceremony.

Love this.

Their ceremony out back of the club..

The best moment of the ceremony.

Mr & Mrs..

The room.

First dance favorite shot right here..

Out in the last minutes of light..

The Elario Configuration.

This place has the best flowers.. What a spot!

I like this one.

The just before kiss ;)

and I’ll leave you with their rings… Congrats guys!!

Ok! It’s time for a wedding on this blog! August started out on the quiet side since we had the first weekend off but we set the month off right with Sarah and Al’s wedding. Myself and videographer Al Woodard showed up the hotel for the standard getting ready shots. The famous Alayne of Make Me Fabulous was in the house as well! Sarah looked incredible although I knew she would. Once that gown was on and Sarah was all laced up we bounced to Saratoga Springs and hung out in Congress Park. The weather could not have been better for these guys. It felt like a September day in all honesty which was great considering we all know how hot August can be. After we photographed the ladies the men showed up and it was time for Al and Sarah to get their first look on! Then we did our thang in the park, making some beautiful images. After that it was around the corner to the church so they could tie the knot. Meanwhile at Saratoga National my lovely wife Kris Ann of Fleurtacious Designs finished up the final touches to their ballroom. DJ Music Man Mike Garrasi was running the show from that point on which easily means a packed floor. As always this guy knows how to keep the party rocking. This was a wonderful wedding! We had a blast with Sarah and Al, you’re both such a fun and happy couple. Like Heavy D once said “I got nuttin’ but love for you baby”.

Peace,
JP

The dress and of course the cool hanger.

Everyone all into getting Sarah dressed..

Pretty shoes..

Hey who’s that fabulous and famous lady putting the veil on?

Ladies.. Flowers by Fleurtacious Designs

Isn’t my job the bomb? I get to photograph the most pretty things..

Just awesome.

Al awaits his bride to be.

I wonder what they’re thinking..

I’d be smiling too Al.

The boys..

Al is a bit of a ham for the camera. I like the hand tied bow tie my man!

I love this one..

The viel had some great movement.

Sarah never stopped smiling..

I like this little spot in Congress Park..

so I worked it for a bit. I love this.

OK you two. It’s time to get married..

You know I love that moment right before the ceremony with the bride and dad.

Mr and Mrs..

You know I’m all about this series..

Al likes it ;)

My facebook teaser. I love it.

The configuration ;)

OK. I’m crazy about the burst of light on this one right here.

The “almost kiss” to me is more interesting than the “kiss kiss”

Saratoga National Golf Club.

Flowers by Fleurtacious Designs

1st dance..

Dad gives a welcome toast.

Oh hey! Thanks for viewing!!

Nicole and Nick have been to many weddings together. 42 to be exact! They even attended wedding #41 (a great dmb song btw) just the weekend before their wedding! Ins’t that wild? Needless to say, Nicole and Nick are seasoned wedding goers and knew exactly what they wanted for wedding #42.

It’s now Friday July 29th 2011, Nicole’s parents home was full of lovely ladies in their pre-bridesmaid gear. The music was pumping (just how I like it) and the energy was there for sure. Yes there was a threat of rain but it never really was mentioned. You know me though, my eyes are always on the doppler. Tina Barbato aka Flawless by Tina was in the house and all done with beautifying these girls. It was time to get dressed! The gown was getting all types of “oohs and aahs” as Nicole was getting dressed. Then it was Dad’s turn to see it. Nicole’s father Joe was so happy to see his second daughter in just a year as a bride. The ladies all cried as Nicole and Dad hugged, it was sweet. We then headed outside to take some photos, then it rained. So we went inside, then it stopped and it was back out for just a few more. When we arrived at the church it was dry and the threat of rain was gone, at least for now. Nick and the fellas were all ready to party but there was some official “lets get married business” to attend to first. The ceremony was really beautiful, St Joseph’s Church in Troy is incredible. I don’t know why I we don’t shoot more weddings there! It was also beautiful because April Marie was in the balcony singing, she is really great to listen to. Her and Frank Giglio did a wonderful little duet up there too. Once the ceremony commenced it was off to Saratoga Springs! I was one of the first to arrive at the Canfield Casino. I got all my gear out of my car and then the rain came. It poured too which forced us to shoot indoors. By the time the formal group shots were done so was the rain. I grabbed Nicole, Nick and Cheryl from CASL Productions and said “lets go outside now!” I’m so happy mother nature cooperated for this little session! Now its party time. The party was in the hands of Classe Catering and DJ’s Vinny and Nick from Cool Cat Entertainment. It was off the hook! The room looked wonderful too thanks to Party With Mia! This folks was a party! There is no doubt Nicole, Nick, their family and friends know how to get down. We were thrilled to be part of this one! Nicole and Nick, you’ve obviously been to over 40 weddings and saw many photographers so thanks for choosing us! Congrats to you both and much love! I hope Turks and Caicos is treating you well ;)

Peace,
JP

Some details and of course Cruz!

Every time I come around your city bling bling

Count the Gross’ …

Do I even need to tell you who this is?? Love this shot!

The makeup flawless. The hair was off the hook.

Getting ready with sister Renata.

Sometimes in the middle of getting ready I might just start shooting portraits…

Nicole, you’re stunning! Do your thang girl.

Dad’s reaction = priceless.

Yup, they thought so too.

You can see the rain!

We came back outside for a few more of Nicole..

One more!

Big pimpin in the house..

Fellas..

A little “on deck” moment with Nick, his brother and the priest..

It’s almost time.

How beautiful is this church?

Just a little moment I liked..

Mr and Mrs..

Time to head to Saratoga..

The light came out for less than a minute..

So we did our thang..

Lets get configured… Elario style..

love this one.

My facebook teaser which stirred up some buzz on Saturday morning.. you knew that though because we’re friends on Facebook. Oh we’re not? Why? ;)

I do love this one lots..

this one too.. the pavement was just incredible because it had been saturated with rain water!

cute..

I like these two side by side..

so content..

The Canfield Casino ballroom by Party With Mia

I love when they were introduced they took it in for a few more seconds than the usual. Kris Ann and I did the same thing, in the same exact spot.

1st dance..

love it..

A toast by “Nod”

OK because they all know how to party I thought I’d make a little party series. Count the Elario Brides (& Grooms)

The Elario Photo Booth was in the house! Thanks to Hayden Yund for running it!

Mike looks lost..

This backdrop is another new one from drop it MODERN. It’s called gypsy and I freaking LOVE IT.

haha!

I love my Elario brides.. and they love their Elario configurations. 3 times, 3 times

It’s my turn to pose..

Elario Photography all stars Jivon and Anthony…

You remember that couple on the right?

Ok.. Nicole and Nick were on the fence about having the photo booth at their wedding. I’m glad they decided to do so because they now have almost 700 additional photos of their friends and families partying it up. For example, a shot like this one below just happens. These people all wanted to get together and BOOM there was a sick backdrop waiting for them. This happens all night long, seems like a no brainer huh?

last but not least, our bride and groom! Congrats you two! Thanks again!!!!

Hot hot hot! Thats all I have to say about this one. Seriously, I put this wedding in the top three of the warmest, hottest and most humid weddings we’ve ever shot. July 23rd 2011 was hot! It was the kind of day you pack extra water for sure. It’s the type of day I bring a change of clothing because I knew I’d sweat thru my first set of threads easily! I don’t know how they did it but Melissa and Dave managed to look cool, calm and collect all day!

As always we set things off where our bride Melissa was getting ready. Sue from Make Me Fabulous was on site with her brushes and all the makeup type stuff and Melissa looked smoking too! Dave Bigler of Bigler Productions was in the house as well shooting their video. One more vendor I’d be crazy not mention was the talented and beautiful Kris Ann Elario (aka my awesome wife) of Fleurtacious Designs. The flowers were on point, you’ll see. Once Melissa was dressed and ready we headed downstairs and out onto the grounds of the Gideon Putnam Hotel. This year it seems like a lot of our brides are using this place and I have to say that I’m really digging this hotel and all it’s photo opportunities. It also just has that old Saratoga vibe. Walking outside that day was like stepping into an oven but we found a shaded spot and went to work. About halfway through the photos a breeze came along and that was quite nice. We then did a first look! I love that Dave showed some emotion too, it was great! With the heat in mind we worked quick and did our thing. Meanwhile at St Mary’s church in Ballston Spa Melissa and Dave’s 300 guests were beginning to arrive. To say the church was HOT would be an understatement but listen these two were there to tie the knot and that they did! Then we ventured to the Hall of Springs where Melissa and Dave’s special guests Poison and Motley Crue were warming up! Just kidding, but there was a concert happening that evening at SPAC but it had no effect at all on their day. How about the room though? That was just WOW! Kris Ann and her employees killed it. Those trees and colors were just phenomenal. Did I mention Hayden Yund and  the Elario Photo Booth was in the house? Thats right! We debuted a new drop it MODERN backdrop too! It was a super fun event and everything about the day was just beautiful. Melissa and Dave, THANK YOU! Thank you for having us document the day! What more can we ask for? You’re easy to photograph and super fun as well. I hope you’re able to see this blog at some point of your 3 week honeymoon!!

Peace,
JP

Lets start with one from their engagement session last summer.

The gown and Sue doing her thing..

Shoes.. Melissa needed some big heals so she could be closer to Dave..

Making sure everything is just right..

A little double angle for ya.

Mom and Melissa’s MOH enjoying a laugh.

Finishing touches.

Another one I love..

Talk about handsome.. Dave props on buying your tux, it fitted great and you rock the hand tied bow tie. Do your thing big daddy!

A cute little series..

Dave showing some emotion, I love that.

I love this one..

I think she’s on her tippy toes…

Ha ha. Yeah I cut his head off last year..

The light and the color make me smile.

Take a deep breath and head down..

Time for some of that good light…

and an Elario configuration!

This is one of our newest backdrops from drop it MODERN called greydient. Remember where you saw it first ;)

This one’s super cute.. We’ll end with that! Congrats!!