Wendy Mitchell Photography | Buffalo Wedding Photography » Gorgeous wedding photography in the Buffalo area and all of Western New York

Back in July, I had Matt & Kelly meet me in East Aurora to do their engagement session at the Knox Farm, and it was a beautiful evening! On Saturday I drove to Canandaigua’s Inn on the Lake and the day was not quite so gorgeous, but we didn’t have to worry about rain and it was chilly but not super cold. I met them several hours before the start of the ceremony and was able to get a lot of photos of them getting ready at the Inn before the ceremony. Check it out.

After everyone was ready, we headed out to the lakeside tent for the ceremony. I had hoped the ceremony would still be outside, since there was no rain, but the grass was too wet & muddy so the ceremony took place under cover, on a stone patio. It was a wonderful, personal ceremony. Tears were cried by many. Even me.

After the ceremony we had the luxury of a full sky softbox so we could do pictures wherever we wanted without worrying about sun & shadows! Kelly & her daughter, Matt & his mom… family bonds seemed pretty important!

After all that, we headed into the reception – a delicious dinner, and lots of dancing.

Happy Birthday to you, Matt (he turned 25 on Monday, mid-honeymoon!) and congratulations to you both. Much happiness to you & yours!!

In July I met Harrison & Alicia at Chautauqua Lake’s Long Point State Park for their engagement photos and the weather was just perfect! Unfortunately, it seems as though they forgot to file the paperwork for a second gorgeous day. I drove to Jamestown in the rain and when I got out of my car, the thermometer in my car read 46 degrees. However, when people are good sports, beautiful images can happen in spite of the rain!

Alicia got ready at The Oaks B&B and then we headed over to St. James RC Church.

Because of the rain, everyone brainstormed to try to think of indoor locations we could use for wedding party photos. I haven’t lived in the Jamestown area for 10 years now so I wasn’t a lot of help. The groomsmen called several places and finally got a hold of someone at the Lucille Ball Little Theater so we stopped in there for a few photos – before we realized that it basically just looks like a movie theater inside. Oh well, I’m still grateful to the woman there who let us in. After that we walked up to the alley across the street and did a couple quick pictures in the rain. I know it was cold, but I’m glad everyone was a good sport about it!

From there we drove to Warren, PA for the reception at Conewango Valley Country Club. There was still time before the reception started, so we drove past the CC and down to downtown Warren and took pictures in front of the Warren County Courthouse. Then sun actually came out a little bit and we got a peek of blue sky!

Then we ended up at Conewango Valley CC and sneaked in a couple more photos before heading inside for the rest of the night.

The DJ had a fog machine that he used throughout the night – definitely added a different quality to some of the photos! The dancefloor was full the whole time I was there. Top 40, Country, classic wedding songs… I never had to go looking for action! I’m glad everyone had such a fun time!

Congratulations, and I hope that you have much, MUCH better weather for your honeymoon!

When I met with Brian & Stephanie back around Christmas of last year, I immediately liked their warmth. They just seemed like such genuinely nice people that even though I had never met them before, I just immediately wanted to shoot their wedding. Thankfully they signed a contract and hired me! On Saturday I found out why Stephanie and Brian are so nice – they come from two wonderful families that are giving them a great support system and a great head start in their marriage.

I drove out to Stephanie’s parents’ house in the hills of Boston, NY to photograph Steph & the girls getting ready. I got a lot of great shots of course, but I have to limit what I put on the blog or I’d be here all day! The cute clutch is from Frankie Lloyd – she ordered this one for herself and matching opposite colors for all the girls!

This is her “Oh my gosh, Steph, you’re getting MARRIED today!” face:

After doing some photos outside the house, we all drove to downtown Buffalo and St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Franklin St.

When Steph and her dad came down the aisle, a LOT of people were crying!

This is Brian’s mom’s “Oh my gosh, Brian, look at your beautiful bride!” face:

You can’t just throw the word “cathedral” around – this place has earned the title.

After the ceremony, I loved seeing the reactions to Steph in her dress during the receiving line:

After the church, we went to Niagara Square to do pictures in front of City Hall. I love just letting people be themselves – rock those sunglasses!!

And who was hanging out in Niagara Square? Oh just former NFL championship coach (and current NFL on FOX analyst) Brian Billick. No big deal.

Then, like true fans, we hit Ralph Wilson Stadium for some pictures. I was told Brian & his brother are pretty serious Bills fans – as a matter of fact, both sides of the family have multiple season ticket holders!

A bit of a non-sequitur, chronology-wise, reposted from my blog a few days ago – 63 years. At Saturday’s wedding I learned that the bride’s grandparents (her father’s parents) have been married 63 years, and her grandfather celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday. At the reception the family gave him a personalized Bills jersey with his last name on the back, and the number 90. He gave his wife a kiss, and they went to the dancefloor and cut a rug.

I was told he has had Bills season tickets for many, many years. I’m always hoping for a Buffalo win, but today I’m hoping for a win for the Grandits and Hillery Families! — note: The Bills did win and are now an astonishing 4-1 for the season!

After the stadium we headed to the reception at the Avanti Mansion’s new building. It was my first time inside and I was not disappointed!!

I made Brian & Stephanie go outside with me for one more set of pictures, since I realized the rest of the day really hadn’t captured any of the beautiful changing foliage!

Did Brian’s dad do a summersault on the way into the reception? Brian’s mom’s shocked face says YES!

I have been doing this full time for 7 years and this is the first time I have ever had a bride & groom cake toss! (she didn’t catch it, but she was close!)

After dinner, I caught Steph and her dad upstairs rehearsing…

They started out their dance like any father-daughter dance, then transitioned into a fully choreographed dance to “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5! If you guys put that video on YouTube, let me know because I’d love to see it again!

And now, because this is my second blog post in one day and my fingers are getting a little tired, DANCING! Quick notes: second row, right image – Glad to know I’m not the only one who spills drinks. Third row, first image: Custom mugs for all the groomsmen! Fourth row, right image: Don’t walk in front of the photographer, or this will happen.

Congratulations and please keep in touch – I’d love to figure out some kind of basketball/Bills/Notre Dame themed newborn shoot for you when the time comes, whenever it comes (no pressure).

Owen & Ann planned ahead – they booked me for their October 2011 wedding in June 2010! Thankfully that gave us plenty of time to pick the perfect day for their engagement photos. They had a beautiful day then, and a beautiful day for their wedding!

I met Ann & her family and bridesmaids at her parents’ house in North Tonawanda. I met her mom, dad, sister, and her youngest brother Max. (Max is a dog.)

I drove to the church, North Tonawanda’s St. Mark’s Lutheran, and met up with Owen and the guys. I loved Ann’s rings, which fit around her engagement ring like a guard that she plans on having permanently fixed together.

If you want any extra angles, ask these ladies, because they had everything covered!!

After the church we drove to beautiful Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island – love that place.

Shots where people are holding someone else might better be left to the guys!

Check out this shot! Owen’s idea, my execution. Great idea Owen!

As the sun got lower and lower in the sky, we wrapped things up.

From there, we drove to Niagara Falls and the Sheraton Hotel for the reception.

I had to laugh (sorry Ann) because someone told me they had never seen her kiss Owen so much – Owen seemed thrilled! Now that I think about it, I do think I remember him saying something at the engagement session that he liked it because I kept telling them to kiss. Hey, I’m just doing my job. This kiss was NOT on command… this is just love!

Then the dancing and the real fun started! My job was easy – all I had to do was be ready!

Many congratulations to the two of you. It’s wonderful to see two great families coming together like this. I hope you had an awesome day at your afterparty on Saturday, and Mr. Szczerbinski – thank you for inviting me!!

I just posted this on facebook but then I saw how terrible Facebook makes the picture look, so I’m posting it on my blog!

‎63 years. At Saturday’s wedding I learned that the bride’s grandparents (her father’s parents) have been married 63 years, and her grandfather celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday. At the reception the family gave him a personalized Bills jersey with his last name on the back, and the number 90. He gave his wife a kiss, and they went to the dancefloor and cut a rug.

I was told he has had Bills season tickets for many, many years. I’m always hoping for a Buffalo win, but today I’m hoping for a win for the Grandits and Hillery Families!