MARISA & KEVIN

Photos by
Addy Rae Photography

Our Story...

Kevin (Chip) and I grew up on opposite coasts, he in New York and me… the state of Washington. When my best friend from college (Michaela) and her now husband (Josh) decided to move back to their hometown of Saratoga Springs and somewhat jokingly asked me if I would come with them, I surprised myself by quickly agreeing. I moved into a house with them, and Josh’s friend Chip started coming over 3-4 nights a week for dinner. I suppose that’s because Michaela and I studied Nutrition and Culinary Arts, and as Chip likes to say, we cook some of the best food he has ever eaten. In one of those first weeks, we made herb roasted chicken with gravy and roasted vegetables, and when we started eating, Chip began weeping tears of happiness at how delicious it was. I suppose you could say that's when we first started to fall in love.

We steadily became close friends over the next year before he (finally!) worked up the courage to ask me out. That was another easy YES! for me because I already loved him. Things escalated quickly from there and we moved into our apartment together a few months after that -in the early days of COVID.

Just before midnight on Christmas Eve 2021, Chip proposed with the most beautiful ring in a candlelit room while at my parents’ house in WA.

When wedding planning, we knew we wanted wedding bands that felt personal to us and would stand the test of time. We ended up going to N. Fox Jewelers, and Debbie helped us create the wedding bands of our dreams. We described to her what we were looking for and she very patiently worked with us to draw up digital designs and even a 3D wax model, so we were completely confident in our choice. We had our rings engraved with our wedding date and they turned out even better than we could have imagined!

Our fairytale wedding was held at the Hall of Springs on the most unexpectedly beautiful 85-degree day in April, surrounded by our most favorite people from all around the world.

Advice to pass along...  

Let yourself slow down and enjoy the process of wedding planning and soak in every second of the wedding, it will be over before you know it! If you can, ask someone who knows you both well to officiate your ceremony, it added such a special touch to ours!

Special Touches 

Getting ready location: Adelphi Hotel
Rehearsal dinner: Saratoga Golf and Polo Club
Toasting Glasses: Gossamer Glass Studio

Marisa hand sewed NINETY-FOUR buttons down the back of her dress, designed and sewed the bow on the back, and made the veil!!

The wedding day was the Mother of the Groom’s birthday, so there was an extra cake for her that was brought out during the toasts -and everybody sang Happy Birthday!

Marisa is a food photographer and recipe developer, and both Chip and Marisa love to garden. As a nod to this, potted herbs were used as decor throughout, and the florist incorporated herbs into the centerpieces and Marisa’s bouquet and Chip’s boutonnière. The mint in Marisa’s bouquet grew roots and will now grow for years to come!

To go with the herb theme, the couple made garlic-herb seasoning salt jars for the favors, and they received rave reviews!

Along with the herb theme, specific pots of herbs were set up as a “garnish station” by the bar, so guests could pick their own cocktail garnish for the signature cocktails.

The ring pillows were made from the fabric of Chip’s mother’s wedding dress that originally belonged to his grandmother.

The Father of the Bride is a glassblower and made the custom toasting glasses for Chip and Marisa, as well as smaller goblets for the wedding party gifts.

Chip’s Brother-in-Law officiated, and that created such a personal aspect to the whole wedding.

Chip and Marisa wrote individual letters to each table of guests, thanking them for celebrating with them and letting them know how they have impacted their lives. We hear it was fun for the couple to write these letters to significant groups of people throughout the phases of their lives, including friends’ parents, and past and present bosses.

Marisa did all the calligraphy including individual name cards and made all the wedding stationery.

Chip did an excellent job choosing the engagement ring, and they both worked together (with Debbie at N. Fox) to design their wedding bands.