“You could really feel the love from everyone, and we couldn’t be more grateful and happy with how our day turned out.”
Allison and Nate
Photographer: Mallory Ferland Photography / Second Shooter: Bryan Wray Photography / Venue: Hotel at the Lafayette Courtyard Room / Getting Ready: Hotel Lafayette / Hair and Makeup: Fawn & Fox Salon; Kristin Draudt and Jackie Mease / Flowers: William’s Florist / Officiant: Pastor Steven Naylor / Ceremony Cellist: Bryan Eckenrode, The String Brothers / DJ: Matt Carlucci, Buffalucci Entertainment / Cake: The Village Bake Shoppe / Invites: Designed by the Bride, printed by Grover Cleveland Press / Wedding Gown and Veil: Bridal Chateau / Bridesmaid Dress: David’s Bridal / Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse / Rings: Ritani and Jeff McWhinney Designs
“I met Nate back in 2009. We started talking to each other on a somewhat unlikely dating website—HotorNot.com. I immediately fell for his stunning blue eyes and knew right away I had to meet him. We finally met for our first date in April of 2009, at Allen Street Hardware Cafe. The date continued on to Spot Coffee downtown. Nate had to work that evening, and I was disappointed the date had to end (and also a little suspicious he was bolting). We continued talking and going out after our first date, and on May 16, 2009, Nate made it official and asked me to be his girlfriend, and the rest is history! <3 We took a staycation toward the end of August 2016. We had a great week of hiking, eating out and being a tourist in our own backyard. On August 25, we had planned a trip to Niagara Falls, Canada to see the Butterfly Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. I of course missed some key signals that something big was going to happen that day. Nate ironed his own shirt, didn’t wear a baseball cap and brought his GoPro camera with him. His initial plan was to get down on one knee amongst the butterflies, but it was too crowded inside. We took a short walk nearby to the Botanical Gardens. He took me to a beautiful sculpture courtyard, discreetly placed his GoPro camera on the ledge of the central sculpture and tried to get my attention. He then got down on one knee and proposed capturing the entire moment on video. I sobbed and said yes, of course! We’ve been together for almost 10 years, have experienced good times and bad, and we were so ready to finally tie the knot. We finish each other’s thoughts and sentences and compliment each other perfectly. I’m an art director at a local advertising agency. As a visual and creative person, it was so fulfilling to design and see my dream wedding come to life exactly how I pictured it. Nate is a software engineer, and an aspiring woodworker. Using both of our talents we were able to design and create many unique DIY items. I designed all print materials for the wedding including our wedding logo, save the dates, invite package, ceremony programs, signage and place cards. Nate used his woodworking talents to create countless, beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces for our special day. Including our favors—wooden coasters with our logo emblem carved in them, our cake and cupcake stand, cake topper, table numbers and individual wooden hexagon place card holder pieces. My girlfriend Alicia from William’s Florist worked with me to bring my floral vision to life. Our wedding colors were golden yellow and mint. She designed lush beautiful bouquets in white with pops of yellow and boutonnieres with a yellow billy ball and cute little succulent. We also created some minimal modern greenery arrangements for the ceremony and sweetheart table and our centerpieces were created using geometric gold terrariums with succulents and yellow and white blooms. We were married on May 12 at the Hotel Lafayette in the Courtyard. A solo cellist provided music for the procession and recession. Our pastor, who had moved to Florida in the midst of our engagement, travelled all the way back to Buffalo to marry us. My favorite part of the day had to be our first look in Lafayette Square. As taboo as it seems to some, it was such an emotional and intimate moment that we were able to share that that I will cherish forever. It was also great to calm my nerves and see my handsome groom before the ceremony. After the first look, we were able to relax with our bridal party and take some great photos at Lafayette Square, The Central Library and at Hotel Lafayette. We kept things simple with a small bridal party. My maid of honor and best friend from high school, Jenelle, travelled all the way from Southeast Asia for our wedding! And Nate’s best man, and high school friend, Chris came to us from Chicago. Our wedding was literally a perfect day. Everything went exactly how we planned it and not a thing went wrong! It was so amazing to be surrounded by family and friends who genuinely loved and supported us. You could really feel the love from everyone, and we couldn’t be more grateful and happy with how our day turned out. Our amazing photographer, Mallory Ferland, perfectly captured our day with so much emotion and realness. I’ve shed a tear each time I go back and look at all the photos! Married life is pretty sweet. We dated for so long before getting married I almost feel like we’re an old married couple already in some ways. We honeymooned recently in Negril, Jamaica at Sandals. We were able to relax, lay on the beach, and eat and drink to our hearts content. It was the trip of a lifetime and we’re already planning our return!”
Photographer: Mallory Ferland Photography / Second Shooter: Bryan Wray Photography / Venue: Lafayette Brewing Company / Getting Ready: Hotel Lafayette / Hair and Makeup: Fawn & Fox Salon; Kristin Draudt and Jackie Mease / Flowers: William’s Florist / Officiant: Pastor Steven Naylor / Ceremony Cellist: Bryan Eckenrode, The String Brothers / DJ: Matt Carlucci, Buffalucci Entertainment / Cake: The Village Bake Shoppe / Invites: Designed by the Bride, printed by Grover Cleveland Press / Wedding Gown and Veil: Bridal Chateau / Bridesmaid Dress: David’s Bridal / Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse / Rings: Ritani and Jeff McWhinney Designs
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