Displaying items by tag: Reverend Joy Burke

Our Story:

Kurt and I met while we were undergraduates at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We played music together in our college orchestra, and as a result, we met a great group of mutual friends who brought us together. We enjoyed spending time together, talking and playing games after our classes and rehearsals had finished for the day. Aside from a shared appreciation for music performance, we had very different interests, but this is what made us a great team. Our friendship eventually developed into a romantic relationship, and we took turns visiting each other over the summers.

In 2016, we moved to Upstate New York together to be close to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where Kurt decided to pursue his graduate course of study. In September 2017, Kurt proposed to me during a weekend getaway to Stowe, Vermont. When we checked into our hotel that afternoon, our room was covered in rose petals, which set the stage for a lovely proposal. We knew that we wanted to get married in Upstate New York, close to our new home.

Not long after our engagement, we were on a day cruise on Lake George when we saw the majestic Sagamore Resort from the boat. We exchanged glances and knew that this would be our venue for our October 2018 wedding. Shortly thereafter, we attended a beautiful luncheon  at the Sagamore, which further confirmed our decision.

With our excellent team of vendors and the Sagamore Resort as an elegant backdrop, our vision for our wedding day became reality. Kurt and I feel so fortunate to have had such an amazing wedding day, and we are looking forward to reliving the memories for years to come.

The Details:

wedding date:  October 20, 2018 

location: The Bayview at the Sagamore Resort

photographer: Susan Blackburn Photography

videographer: Dale Himelrick (Memories in the Making Video Productions)

stationery suite: PaperDolls of Saratoga

wedding gown:  Simone's Unlimited

bridesmaids' dresses: Lily Saratoga

groom & groomsmens' clothing: Mark Thomas Men's Apparel

rings: Mayfair Jewelers

hair & makeup: The Sagamore Salon (part of the Sagamore Resort)

flowers: Fleurtacious Designs

Cake / caterer: The Sagamore Resort

band/ DJ: Lark Strings (string trio) & DJ Andy Pratt (Stephanie)

first dance: 'Can't Take My Eyes off of You' by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

honeymoon destination: We chose not to take a traditional honeymoon immediately following our wedding, but we would like to take a celebratory vacation later this year to Bologna and Florence, Italy.

officiant: Reverend Joy Burke

special touches: Although it is an honored tradition and an important aspect of the wedding reception for many brides, I opted not to do a bouquet toss, but instead to present the bouquet to my grandmother in honor of her 62 years of marriage. Rather than drawing attention to my friends and family who have not yet had the good fortune to find their partner in life, I wanted to celebrate a lifelong partnership by recognizing my grandparents' marital longevity.

advice to pass along... Do whatever brings you peace and relaxation the day before your wedding to ensure you wake up feeling re-energized and renewed the next day. Go to bed early, stay hydrated, and eat well. Take a bubble bath, get a massage, or meditate. Read a book or go for a walk. Your wedding day is a marathon event, and your body and mind will thank you if you make taking care of yourself the first priority the day before.

Gathering family and friends, getting ready, getting married, and relaxing at your reception… all in one place? …Yes, at the Saratoga Hilton!

Feel the freedom of customizable wedding packages at a flexible venue that offers amenity-rich accommodations and a bounty of banquet options.

“We are a full-service property in the heart of downtown Saratoga. We have everything onsite that a guest would need,” said The Saratoga Hilton’s Director of Sales & Marketing Joanna Fairs.

Simply Seamless: From the Site Visit to the Cake Cutting

Nothing gets lost in translation when all the event communications go to the same person in the same place.

“Our team walks them through the entire event to make it really seamless for them,” said Joanna Fairs, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Saratoga Hilton.

Whatever question arises, brides have one point of contact, said Joanna.

A personalized URL gives brides the ability to freely monitor guest bookings, as well.

The hotel has six light-filled luxury corner suites with ample in-room parlors where the bride and her glam squad can comfortably get ready. Put the groom and his party on another floor, and you’ll save yourself the worry of pre-wedding peeking being a possibility.

Optimal Areas and Special Spaces

Located in a separate wing of the hotel, booking a ceremony and reception for up to 350 guests in the Saratoga Ballroom offers both privacy and easy accessibility. Section off a special area for your ceremony, meet in the foyer for cocktails after, then return to the transformed ballroom for dinner and dancing.

“To make it unique to each bride and groom, we work closely with Total Events party planners and can suggest a number of other vendors. There are definitely a lot of different options to make the room the way they want it,” said Joanna.

The Broadway Ballroom is also available if you want a completely separate ceremony space or are planning on a smaller wedding of no more than 75 guests.

Customizable catering menus and drink services let you enjoy mouthwatering, artfully-crafted appetizers, and your choice of plated, buffet, or stationed dining before the cake cutting.

Keep the Party Going

Arriving early or staying late is never a problem when everyone is in the same place.

Why not enjoy coffee in the café or some leisure time in the hotel lounge? Fit in a workout in the fitness room. An indoor pool lets you rest easy that the weather will not keep you, or the kids, from getting in a swim.

534 Bistro, the onsite restaurant, has a welcoming bar and American cuisine served in a relaxed contemporary setting with a large double-sided indoor fireplace and an outdoor patio.

The Saratoga Hilton’s divine downtown location means that within walking distance you and your guests can easily add-in some shopping, a picnic in the park, unforgettable entertainment and awesome attractions.

The Details:

Venue: Saratoga Hilton

Clothing: Danielle’s Bridal Boutique (and Tux Shop!)

Robes: Chic Underneath

Hair and Make Up: Lipstick N Lashes, Beauty Bar and Boutique

Event Decorator: Total Events

Florals: JoleneK Floral Design

Officiant: Reverend Joy Burke

Photographer: Susan Blackburn Photography

Models:
Julie TenEyck
Jeremiah TenEyck
Khloe TenEyck
Isabella Romanzo
Ryan Ross
Jordan Welch
Anna Bayle
Colleen Coleman
Bella Bokan

Our Story:

Jason and I met many years ago, casually chatting here and there but nothing major. Then one day something just felt different between us. As we tried to explore what this was, it was difficult for us to accept what we were feeling. With so many differences between us, surely this could not be right. Once we finally stopped fighting it and trying to deny our true feelings an undeniable bond was formed. We became best friends, true loves, and soul mates.

I never thought I would get married, not that I was against it, I just didn't see marriage as something that solidified a relationship. Then one day in our kitchen, when I turned around and saw Jason down on one knee, with Jason's son AJ standing nearby, I knew immediately I wanted to marry him and have these wonderful boys in my life forever.

Saratoga was the only option for our wedding, we both were born and raised here. With so many beautiful locations and endless possibilities, it is easily the most magical place to have a wedding. Our friends own a farm and kindly let us use it as our venue. With the sun setting during cocktail hour and all the candles twinkling upon entering the reception tent, it was nothing short of a dream come true!

The Details:

wedding date : September 21, 2019

ceremony and reception location: The Bovee Family Farm (Charlton)

photographer: Niki Rossi Photography

stationery: Zazzle and Paper Dolls of Saratoga

Officiant: The Reverend Joy Burke

event decorator : The bride and groom!

wedding gown: RK Bridal NYC

tuxedo: Mr. Formal Wear

rings: Cartier (groom) and NYC Wholesale Diamonds (bride)

flowers: Dehn’s Flowers 

hair & makeup:: Kassie at Rumors Salon and Spa (Latham)

caterer: Lily and the Rose

cake: The Cupcakecakery

dj: Platinum Entertainment, DJ Eric Cooper

first dance "Die a Happy May," Thomas Rhett

honeymoon: The Bahamas

miscellaneous: Rain or Shine Tent Company, napkins/place cards holders - Etsy

special touches... Jason's son AJ walked me down the aisle, this wedding was the joining of the 3 of us so it meant a lot to me to include him as much as possible and have an important role. Jason made a beautiful speech that mentioned those who were not able to join us on our special day (his Dad and a guest’s mother both recently passed away).

advice to pass along... Trust your heart and do what YOU want to do. This is YOUR day, you do everything the way you want to do it, it is all about YOU today (maybe the groom too, but just a little bit). Enjoy every single moment, from the little ones to the big, from the planning to the big day, it really will be over in a blink of an eye!