April and Brendan selected the first day of fall, September 22, 2012, to be the first day of their marriage. And what a great day, with fall-themed decor inside the Holiday Inn... in the heart of Ithaca, where the leaves were just starting to change color around the city's famous picturesque gorges and Cayuga Lake.
When April and Brendan first booked me, over a year in advance, they were still living in California, with plans to move back to New York by the time they would be married. So, most of our earlier planning was handled via email, with a few phone calls here and there. We had a chance to meet face-to-face in Syracuse in May, and then we continued to communicate via email for the remaining weeks leading up to the big day.
The staff at the Holiday Inn Ithaca was great to work with! I also met a new photographer, Jill from Smile Peace Love Photography... although she's from Pennsylvania, she says she has been to Ithaca for other weddings in the past, so don't let the distance keep you away if you're planning an Ithaca wedding.
Even though April and Brendan had told me they had experience with ballroom dancing and had been planning some special choreography for their first dance, I was more than impressed with their moves for many of the songs throughout the afternoon. Not that I want to put any other couples under pressure, but they really "brought it" to the dance floor... my pictures probably don't do it justice, but here are some shots from the reception!
- My DJ setup, adjacent to the dance floor and head table, just before the doors opened...
- Fall decor on the head table.
- Wedding cakes... Nintendo fans may be interested in the close-up in the next photo.
- It's a miniature version of April and Brendan... and yes, that is the Triforce symbol...
- April and Brendan dance to "The Way You Look Tonight" by Michael Bublé.
- April and Brendan dance to "The Way You Look Tonight" by Michael Bublé.
- April and Brendan dance to "The Way You Look Tonight" by Michael Bublé.
- Impressing the crowd during "Get Down Boogie" by Basement Freaks
- Impressing the crowd during "Get Down Boogie" by Basement Freaks
- The crowd looks on (with DJ dance lights in the background) as April and Brendan danc...
- Impressing the crowd during "Get Down Boogie" by Basement Freaks
- Some of the ladies enjoy the classic "Besame Mucho."
- Couples enjoy a slow dance with "Open Arms" by Journey.
- Couples, including bride and groom, slow dance to "Open Arms" by Journey.
- The lights cycle through different colors to provide some ambiance on the dance floor...
- Sweethearts wrap their arms around each other during a love song.
- Wrapping up the number with a flourish!
- Cake cutting time! Song requested: "The Rhythm of Love" by the Plain White...
- Guests fill the dance floor for the Macarena!
- Guests fill the dance floor for the Macarena!
- Almost time to wrap up the afternoon, with a couple of slow dances by request from th...
- Almost time to wrap up the afternoon, with a couple of slow dances by request from th...
- Almost time to wrap up the afternoon, with a couple of slow dances by request from th...
- By request from the bride and groom, "Save the Last Dance for Me" by Michae...
- On my drive back from Ithaca to Syracuse, this great sunset along Route 13... I know ...
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