I met with Shannon’s parents only a few months ago.  They could tell from the style of my photography that I would be easy for her daughter, the Bride, to work with.  Shannon and Chris only wanted a few pictures of themselves, and didn’t want to spend very long in front of the camera.  The couple lives out of town so I didn’t get to meet them ahead of time either, but from the descriptions her parents gave me of their relationship, and the details for their celebration, I couldn’t wait to see everything in person.  They had me at ‘Winter’,  ‘birch chuppah’ and ‘door knob bouquet’.

The Church, Ogden Baptist, was country Wedding picture perfect, and the invitations were created by hand complete with pockets and a decorative band.
Incredible detail and beautiful.

Mother of the Bride gently placing her heirloom pearls around her daughters neck ♥

Smart phones to the rescue…time for a little music pick me up!

Shannon’s dress was absolutely beautiful, perfect for her, and I adored this detail around the middle.

Starting to smile and dance around a little bit

She even had a white winter cape to wear as they made their way outside to the front of the church.

And white gloves too!

Off to take a quick peak at the guys!  SO funny, I knew right away we were gonna have some FUN!

This was something I’d never seen done before.  A blind folded Groom!  They had to so that the Bride could wait in the same room before the ceremony too!  LOL

So beautiful…LOVE the sunlight pouring through the stained glass ♥

If I can share at least one thing with you, it’s not to be too nervous as your Wedding begins.  Stop, and really look at your Bride/Groom, and remember this moment.

Congratulations!!
As they were taking a quick break during the receiving line, I noticed they were both fidgeting with their new rings at the same time, so cute!

Incredible DIY vintage door knob bouquet

Watching these two interact together was so comforting.  It was like they were the same person, but with their own individuality.
Completely understanding and appreciative of each other.

I am in love with the stained glass picture…Shannon’s tulle dress reflects the light so beautifully ♥

Off to the Senators Mansion!  Beautifully decorated with twinkling branches, warm smiles, and a delectable brunch!

mmmmm!

This guys got the right idea, dig in!

SO sweet, Shannon’s mom knew she wouldn’t be able to talk during her video message, so she wrote it down in advance ♥

I loved this bridal party…what a fun group!

Chris, I will never forget you

After a few ‘formals’ (sort of), I asked the guys to get closer and interact with Chris…so one of the guys, literally just put his hand on him. 

Beautiful girls!

We took just a few photos inside the mansion, and I wanted to make sure we captured their shoes too, ballerina slippers!

I’m going to end on this funny group shot…as soon as we started, they instantly covered up and didn’t look at the camera, too funny.
Congratulations Shannon and Steve!!  Your Wedding was beautiful, and so creative!!

Wishing you a lifetime of wonderlands,
♥
~Sue

Yes, I realize that I have never lived outside of New York State, but I have visited many different places and I can honestly say that I truly would not want to live anywhere else.  There is SO much variety here and as I am sent out into our surrounding cities, I am blessed to see incredible landscapes simultaneously with love and smiles.  I can’t imagine a better way to give back to the world, than through helping those I meet, to remember their lives beautifully in their pictures.  Taken in an instant, treasured for a lifetime. ♥

Thank you Megan, and Nick, for inviting me back into your lives again ~ I can’t believe how quickly your beautiful twins are growing up; you’re doing an amazing job as parents ~ they’re adorable!

Nick’s brother, Mark and his wife Sue, along with their baby boy Nathan, joined us for the afternoon too which was so nice!  Their family has been making trips to Letchworth State park all their lives, so it holds great meaning for them.  What an incredible day we had.

Enjoy!

This is where they got Engaged a few years back! ♥ Right on the front porch of the Stone House

This picture absolutely cracks me up   You never know what it’s gonna take to get kids to smile….with the little boy, it was yelling where’s your ‘Big Smile?!’   … and that’s what he did LOL!

Little miss Emma was just having a moment…as most around 2 year olds do.

Thank You Sarah and Chad for continuing to invite me back into your lives ~ I adore you and your beautiful family and it makes me so incredible happy to get to see you here and there as we capture these heirlooms.

Enjoy!

As Fall started to approach, I immediately began looking into things to do with my 20 month old toddler and we’ve been having so much fun!  I have to give most of the research credit to a website all new moms come to know and love, Kids Out and About.  It has everything and anything for families to do in Rochester AND all the surrounding areas of Western NY.  I wouldn’t have found Stokoe Farms, or Powers Farm Market without it, and I wanted to share some of our memories with all of you.

I’ve got a few more sessions and am already excited to share those in a few weeks too, stay tuned!

Hmmm, what’s over there… Boo! 

I think this was the most last minute Wedding I have ever been chosen for ~ 2 months before the Big Day!  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Liz and Dan ~ they’re HILARIOUS!  Once again, this couple chose me through a referral…this time, the Brides Matron of Honor was someone that worked with my Husband.  She had been following my work online ever since he showed her images I’d taken of our baby girl…she had a baby around the same time that year!  Once her friend was engaged, she recommended me; Thank You Natalie!

Liz loved my work, and it was also very important to her to keep the services ‘within the family.’  I loved that ~ same idea as buying local…supporting our Rochester businesses, thank you Liz!

We had to get our Engagement session portraits done right away so I had time to get them edited/enhanced for their Guest Book.  If you look through the images, you’ll see what crazy chemistry these two have…too funny!  (The guests kept coming up to me at the Wedding telling me how great the book was too ~ I love them; such a great keepsake!)

Liz and Dan had the PERFECT weather for their Wedding Day; low 70′s, beautiful blue sunny skies, and a light breeze.  ahhhhhh.

Once I made my way up to the Bridal suite of the downtown Rochester Hyatt, I was immediately taken a back with the view of the city, wow!  The dress HAD to go in the window, I love it.   I only wish I could remove the curtains to see more of the view!

I LOVE this great look from Liz…she was SO excited to put on her dress…she looked like a glamorous movie star!   And so much sparkle!

Liz, you are beautiful ♥

Time to head to the chapel ~ how unique, a Wedding at the Memorial Art Gallery!

As the girls laughed, relaxed, and waited in a back room,  one of them looked out a window and noticed the Groomsmen walking in.  Too funny, there’s Dan in the lead, wearing his favorite cap, talking on his cell.  Classic.

Nice.   Look at that handsome smile!

Congratulations!

♥

Liz!  Absolutely stunning

Aw!  The new Mr. & Mrs. ♥

And we’re off to the Rochester Club Ballroom!

The coordinator, and staff did an amazing job all night long.  They were so attentive to the guests, the food was seriously delicious and the atmosphere was so warm and inviting.

3 hilarious champagne toasts…what a pair!

Can’t remember the last time we were served a soup course at a Wedding…mmmm delicious, potato!

Mother of the Bride ~ she was a hoot!

Aw, first dance…nice to see a loving gaze…for a little while anyway

I was SO prepared and waiting for Dan to smash Liz’s face with cake…who knew they’d be sweet, gentle, and romantic with it.
I think they laughed more because they DIDN’T smash it!

Their cake was a cheese cake, but for everyone else, there were plates and plates of different types of pies…wow, it was an incredible display.  I feel like I can reach out and grab this
pumpkin one…mmmmm

Ok, I’m throwing this one in here because this was MY table… ‘Fun Fourteen!’  Hi guys!

Let’s get this party started!
Typically, Weddings play hit music, but tonight, it was all about the classics and our DJ Brian from Drum King Productions was a hit!

There was so much dancing at one point, the floor was bouncing up and down!  We literally ‘shook’ the dance floor! LOL
p.s. this guy is smiling on the inside ~ that’s how he rolls

What an incredible party ~ Congratulations Liz & Dan!

With love & huge smiles,

Sue

Please check back in a month or so to see their entire gallery; I’ll have information listed here.
You can also view and share their images that are posted to my Facebook page; become a fan and keep in touch!

Spending time with Elizabeth and Brian reminded me just how amazing it is to find that other special person to share your life with.  They adore each other…but out of strength and stability.  What I mean by that is they both have such an individual presence, a knowledge and appreciation of who they are within themselves that they can easily share themselves with one another.  You just feel it when you’re around them.

Their Engagement session portraits are some of my most favorites to date because they are genuine, romantic, AND fun.  Most of my sessions are though because those feelings are what I’m working toward when I’m sharing that time with my couples.  But I think I like the pictures so much because I know how nervous they were before hand, and for them to see what I saw while around them was something they never expected.   I love showing my couples how much in love they are though my pictures.  They know they feel it, and they can see it in each others eyes…but to see them together that way is something we don’t normally get to see.  It’s a very important time in our lives to capture…when we’re in love. ♥

As I made the drive out to Belhurst Castle on Seneca Lake, I was filled with excitement for their Big Day.  The sun was shining in the bright blue sky, there was just enough of a breeze rustling through the trees, and the lake was shimmering like it was overflowing with diamonds ~ spectacular.

Elizabeth and her girls were finishing up at the salon ~ the staff did an amazing job; perfection!  It was obvious how professional they were and how much they cared.

Just stunning.  We made our way back up to the suite to relax and get ready

Three generations ♥

wow.

Beautiful Elizabeth.

I said my ‘goodbye’s’ for now, and ‘have fun’s!’ and headed out to see the Groomsmen.  They were all dressed, and having a great time…in the tub!  LOL

Our Groom with his proud and adorable Dad (who later in the evening busted out the  ‘robot’ move on the dance floor! ) 

Off to see the castle!
Working with the event coordinator, Carmen, is always such a treat.  She is extremely professional, a sweetheart, and is always at least one step ahead, with happiness.

Here comes the beautiful Bride!

Congratulations!

Cheers!

Family and Bridal Party portraits ~ the Ring Bearer, and Flower Girl are SO cute!

Wow, nice wheels!  His dad drove his Packard especially for their Wedding day!

Time for toasts, dinner, and dancing the night away!

Quiet moment during dinner ♥

‘Raffael of ‘Paramount Sound’ did an amazing job keeping the dance floor hopping throughout their celebration!

I was SO excited to see a couple there that I knew!  I had no idea they knew each other, and when I saw them, I ran right up to hug hello.  I photographed their Wedding just a
few short years ago, and to see them so happy and having fun was a real treat.  ♥

Cake!

Incredibly beautiful wrap around diamond ring setting with a traditional band

Congratulations Elizabeth and Brian ~ what a beautiful and FUN celebration!  SO happy for you!

Please check back in a few months to see their entire Wedding online.
I have also posted some of these photos on my Facebook page where you can ‘tag’ yourselves, or share them!
Enjoy!

Thank you Katie for your recommendations filled with excitement and praise!  I’m so fortunate to have been invited into your life, and now the lives of Liz and Tom, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to show you just how amazing your lives are through  my eyes.  ♥

I can’t believe I’m saying this again too, but wow…another weather crisis averted!  The forecast planned for rain all day and we never saw a drop.  This is the 3rd time this season that we had an outdoor Wedding with no backup for rain that was saved.  However, it was a day of firsts for me in another way ~ we were gathered for the ceremony in front of the Charlotte Lighthouse overlooking the marina, followed by a celebration held at the Rochester Yacht Club.   Our couple sails!  A world I know almost nothing about and they have been enjoying it as long as they can remember.  They are surrounded by friends and family that share in the excitement for the sport and now, all I want to do is get on a sail boat to see for myself!

Liz and Tom live in California, but we were lucky to get a few moments during a busy trip here to meet and have our Engagement session together.  I met up with them in Buffalo at a family home which was really nice because the backdrops used had very special meaning to them.  I know they will forever cherish those pictures as they reflect back on this time in their lives.

When I first pulled up on the Big Day, I was already excited because the home was right near the lake and I had a feeling it would be decorated as such…and I was right.  Ships, and sails, and nautical tales beautifully adorned the walls of this happy home.  Liz was just starting to get her hair done, and the kids were playing Mario on the big screen t.v.  Everyone was having fun, and I was just lucky enough to be there to witness it.

The day unfolded perfectly as we celebrated their vows at the lighthouse, and danced the night away at the yacht club.  A huge thanks to Mary and Kristina at the club for making sure everything ran smoothly for our couple and who helped me without hesitation throughout the night.  Thank you for the warm welcome!

I also must give a celebratory shout out to the guitarist/one man (felt like 5) band!!  His name is Dave McGrath – Performing-Recording Artist -He sang and played his heart out for hours!  I don’t know how he did it …but each song was as powerful and exciting as the last!  Awesome Dave!   What a treat!

Pictures tell stories far better than I ever could in writing ~ so here’s a re-cap of their incredible day ~ Enjoy!

LOL, a sailing house wouldn’t be complete without a porthole mirror!

Unbelievably gorgeous flowers by Arjuno Florist

“His hello was the end of her endings

Her laugh was his first step down the aisle

His hand would be hers to hold forever

His forever was as simple as her smile

He said she was what was missing

She said she instantly knew

She was a question to be answered

And his answer was “I do”
♥

Rochester Yacht Club!

Toasts, dinner, drinks ~ First Dance!

Dave McGrath!

“Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
Give a little bit
I’ll give a little bit of my love to you
There’s so much that we need to share
Send a smile and show you care”

Cake ~ Look Out!

Rings at the ‘Lighthouse’ 

Congratulations Liz and Tom!

“Separately there was only wind, water, sail, and hull…but at my hand, the four had been given a purpose and direction”

Go forth together, Liz and Tom, and find your direction…together.  ♥

With love and happiness,

Sue

Please check back for information on viewing the entire Wedding gallery in a month or so.
You can also see/tag photos on my Facebook page ~ enjoy!

So, THIS is pretty much how we started our shoot.

It’s funny, because when I initially met with Liz to talk about her upcoming Wedding, Dan wasn’t able to join her.  When she started describing him, I kind of brushed it off and thought maybe she was exaggerating a little bit…to be funny.  Nope!  Dan really IS how she described him…and I LOVED it!  They are the perfect match because they compliment each other in the silliest of ways.  I had to act fast with them to catch certain expressions…in between a lot of horsing around (LOL), but that’s what I do and it’s all about anticipation and in being able to figure people out.  And to have FUN!

We went for a leisurely stroll down the canal in Schoen Place on a perfect sun kissed evening and I couldn’t be happier as I look forward to their celebration in  just a little over a month.  Their session was bitter sweet for me too because it’s my last one for this years Weddings.  What a perfectly fun way to end.

Can you feel the sarcasm here? 

Congratulations Liz & Dan ~ so excited to celebrate your Big Day!  ♥

I was already excited to head out for their celebration on their Wedding Day because we’d be going to the Rabbit Room/Lower Mill in Honeoye Falls.  A favorite of mine, and such a treat every time.

So when I pulled up to their family home out in Rush, I could see the tent setup in the back yard and I couldn’t wait to get inside to see Courtney and her girls, and all the details they’d put together.  Her dress was exquisite and her smile was radiant ~ THIS was how I started my day:

Absolutely, positively stunning.  ♥
And I just LOVE the details on this dress ~ beautifully vintage modern

The girls were bustling about getting ready, and when her mom walked out, she had such a huge smile on her face and you could tell how excited she was that it was finally the Wedding Day.  She was such a sweetheart and the love that filled the room when she looked at Courtney was immeasurable.

And on to the ceremony!  Their back yard was amazing complete with tents for shade, programs as fans, potted flowers, and a beautifully draped pergola for exchanging the vows.  After the ceremony, the guests would mingle among the landscaping around the house, under the trees…such a beautiful setting!

Here comes the Bride!

Our Groom takes a deep relaxing exhale as he watches his Bride walk down the aisle ♥

Another beautiful ceremony performed by the one and only Pastor Jack Porcello!

A reading filled with love and wishes for their bright future ahead

Of all the Weddings I’ve seen, exchanging a ‘Promise Box’ is something new and I am going to do this with my Husband and family too.  After they said their vows, they had an additional note already written, and they both placed them into a keepsake box.  It will be opened together on one of their Anniversaries and I just LOVE this idea.

Congratulations!!!

Courtney’s mom decorated everything in the courtyard SO beautifully…including the little treat of having  Bride and Groom rubber ducks in the fountain!
Cheers!

After some mingling and family group photos, we were off to Mendon Ponds Nature Park for fun pictures with the Bridal Party!

What a cutie patootie!  Smile D-Man! 

And we’re off to the reception ~ sandals come off, and hello second pair of shoes!

We were in a little bit of a hurry at the park for portraits, so once things slowed down a little at the reception, we shared some sweet smiles outside on the beautiful grounds of the
Rabbit Room ♥

They’re SO cute!  And I just LOVE the front porch of the mill.  We’re not kidding when we tell you a Wedding day really IS the happiest day of your life.  To be surrounded by so much love is incredibly overwhelming.

The reception was so relaxing…lots of mingling.  Dinner was just an incredible treat.  Every time I bite into something they make, I want to run back into the kitchen and hug them!

After dinner, they happily cut their cake, and made their way to the dance floor with their wonderful parents

Thanks to Scott of Go Sounds for the perfect set of music for our easy breezy couple

They preferred not to  have any party/dancing photographs and as I was leaving they so sweetly thanked me for being so easy to work with and fun to have around.  I know how uncomfortable it is to be in front of the camera so knowing that they were at ease while taking their Engagement portraits, and on their Wedding day makes me incredibly thankful.

Congratulations Courtney and Brian!  Thank you so much for inviting me into your celebration ~ it was an incredible day!
Happy Honeymoon! ♥

Once their Wedding is complete, it will be posted for viewing at: www.seganphoto.com/Details/Order Gallery with their last name as the password.
You can also view these images on my Facebook page where you can tag and share on your own profiles too!

Enjoy!

www.seganphoto.com/portraits