Samantha and Andrews’s Syracuse wedding took us back to where we last spent the day with them, scouting around the city and getting to know each other. Learning their love story and being able to relive those same emotions through their eyes on the wedding day was truly special. Every moment, from morning to night put a smile on our face. Samantha and Andrew, (or Foster as almost everyone else calls him), are the true “dream team”. So what do the dream team throw you ask, a dream wedding!
From the get-go, we knew Samantha was going to create some magic with her big-city vision. From Manhattan to cuse, she kept all of the glamour and sophistication you could expect to see from the grandest event in the big apple. First thing in the morning Tom and I couldn’t wait to check out the venue before heading over to their separate hotels. Sky Armoy, wow, I barely had words, it was genuinely breathtaking! There must have been hundreds of candles, gold and blush accents, glass blown globes hanging from the exposed ceiling and pair that all with the brick and floor to ceiling windows, it was love at first sight for me! That’s why I could barely hold in my excitement as soon as I arrived at Samantha’s hotel room. She along with her intimate group of family and friends rotated between the hair stylist and makeup artist, listening to a relaxing mix of songs, and decompressing before the big wave of emotions came, and oh boy, did they!
Samantha and I walked over to Sky and up the stairs to wait for Andrew. Their first look was a tear-jerker, they both had sparks in their eyes that lit fire when they were finally together! At the ground floor, the 1’s the 2’s and the 3’s (aka the bridal party), were waiting for them, and surely trying to catch a sneak peek at the first look! They greeted us, and we all took a quick walk around armory square for photos. Recreating some of our favorites from their engagement shoot and creating new and fun ones. This portrait session had us jumping for joy..or should I say, had the wedding party jumping for joy!
The ceremony took place on the lower level of Sky. Drapery hung from the ceiling as the backdrop for the vows. Officiating the ceremony was both of Samantha and Andrews friend Ruairi Barnes, and coincidentally the reason for them to be standing there in the first place. The meaning behind Ruairi’s words and the power of which he spoke them in really reaffirmed the amount of love everyone in that room, family, AND friends had for this couple.
Upstairs, that gorgeous reception hall awaited guests to fill in and fill up. Cocktail hour kicked off the party in the best way, waiters carrying around hors-d’oeuvres and with conversations flowing, everyone was prepared to have one incredible night! When the sun dropped down, and the candles were all lit, the room was somehow transformed into the most romantic place for Samantha and Andrew to share their first dance as husband and wife. Following parent dances, and toasts and an incredible dinner (that I’m still dreaming of) the deserts came out and the dj’s colored lights came on and the room was transformed AGAIN! All night long, the dance floor was not empty once, but for a couple so sweet, how could you not kick up your heels and dance?
Samantha and Andrew, we’re going to be dreaming about your wedding forever! Congratulations, we’re wishing you endless years of those sweet smiles you gave each other all day!
