Color Filled NY Wedding . Hannah & Tim . 9.9.23

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September 9, 2023 at The Maples Estate

Schoharie, NY - Upstate, NY

From the very beginning, Hannah and Tim were dreaming of an elevated backyard inspired wedding filled with COLOR!

This fun loving couple met when Hannah was invited to a family affair. Get this, Tim’s family hosts their very own ‘Amazing Race’ ‘Survivor’esque challenge as their annual gathering of friends and family each year. Hannah was invited to the challenge and stole the show! I knew right away when collaborating with these two love birds for their planning that they were up for a relaxed, engaging and fun filled wedding! So we ran with that idea and they got exactly what they dreamed of!!

 
“We added on partial planning to our contract, so we worked with Katie throughout our wedding preparations. Katie is fantastic! She made us feel so comfortable, which made it easy to collaborate. Katie made our design board, every time I shared it with a vendor the response was “oh my gosh did you make this?! ... We had a wedding that was so uniquely us and that was because Katie and Louis gave us the space to do so. At every point Katie embraced our ideas, embraced our family and friends, and allowed our relationship to be reflected in an amazing weekend. We are so grateful and lucky to have found them!”
— Hannah + Tim, New Jersey based Higher Ed Event Planner and Software Project Manager
 
“The estate itself is stunningly unreal. In the middle of the mountains, beautiful views all around, wild flowers in abundance, a beautiful river, the pavilion is a dream, and so many options for your event locations - all of which are magical. Our wedding party stayed with us in the house and we all felt so comfortable. With 17 of us in total it was awesome to have the space to be together comfortably as we played games or shared a meal. The getting ready room is beautiful, it is a fun space to prepare.”
— Hannah + Tim
 

A weekend of fun!

Staying at The Maples Estate farmhouse for the entire weekend, Hannah and Tim had the perfect opportunity to relax with their house guests and just have fun. They originally planned on a game of mini golf following their rehearsal dinner on Friday since they both love a game of putt putt, but with such a comfortable space to chill they decided to stay in and enjoy time with their friends playing board games into the evening! That’s the beauty of a weekend wedding at The Maples Estate, the opportunity to celebrate however you personally want, spend quality time with those you love and simply relax. Why not enjoy yourself rather than rushing from place to place.

With their parties getting ready together in the farmhouse they were able to enjoy a relaxed morning. Hannah gathered with her bridal party upstairs while Tim and the grooms party gathered downstairs before meeting up for their first look.

 
 

The First Look!

They opted for a first look which is always a great way to ease your nerves leading up to the ceremony and also limits the amount of time needed during your cocktail hour for photos. Holding a first look means you can take many of your photos prior to the ceremony starting, allowing you to enjoy your cocktail hour and more time with your guests!

Our barn was the perfect backdrop for this colorful first look with its secluded setting for such an intimate occasion. We were IN LOVE with Hannah’s Bouquet by Little Anne’s Flowers which matched the design of the day and their smiles were so infectious!!

 
 

Ketubah Signing

With Jewish heritage, Hannah and Tim signed a Ketubah prior to their ceremony as a commitment to each other. Such a special way to honor this tradition and personalize their wedding in the ways that spoke to them.

 
 

The Ceremony

Their ceremony was such a sight full of color! They opted for our mixed vintage chairs, the back row set with colorful ribbons and brightly colored locally grown florals overlooking the hillside under the tree grove. They also worked with TBIRD Rentals who created an personalized arbor based on Hannah’s vision. The double hexagon gave a nod towards a chuppah but allowed for the couple to celebrate with their own personal style.

 
 

While cocktail hour began, Hannah and Tim joined each other for a private photo moment and we cannot get over these images that so perfectly encapsulate these two’s personalities! Their fun loving spirits and beautiful connection!

 
 

The Reception

Hannah and Tim entered their reception surrounded by their wedding party with hand held bubble machines!! They immediately jumped into the fun with some personalized dances, one of which was Tim and his mom dancing a Napoleon Dynamite routine followed by the couples’ first look.

 
 

They enjoyed speeches from family and friends before dinner with all their guests set at long family style tables, Hannah and Tim overlooking them from a small sweetheart table.

 
 

These two were excited for photos so they departed during dinner for sunset photos overlooking the hillside, creek and meadow.

 
 

Ready for the fun they had an entire table set for activities from board games to a themed photo booth complete with cut outs of their cats, a communal coloring page, guest book record player and accessories such as sun glasses and tattoos. They also showcased their pressed penny collection and gave scratch off tickets as gifts to their guests.

 
 

Their cake was so cute and colorful with macrons and cupcakes available for guests! Hannah even surprised Tim with a second cake cutting - a WAFFLE CAKE - prepared by Meadowlark Catering.

 
 

Following the dinner they also enjoyed a hora dance followed by the throwing of a stuffed snake! These two didn’t want to throw a bouquet or garter so they made up their own tradition honoring one of their guests with a snake! The night continued with dancing and the group gathered Sunday late morning for a brunch before departing.

 
 

Photos by Our Two Hearts

The incredible vendor team!
Venue / Coaching / Coordination: The Maples Estate | IG: @themaplesestate
Floral Design: Little Ann's Flowers | IG: @littleannsflowers
Photography: Our Two Hearts | IG: @ourtwohearts
Hair & Makeup: The Traveling Stylists | IG: @thetravelingstylists
Rehearsal / Wedding Bar + Catering: Meadowlark Troy | IG: @meadowlarktroy
Pizza Truck: Bull & Basil Wood Fired Pizza | IG: @bullandbasil
Ice Cream Truck: Ben & Jerry's | IG: @benjerrysmadisonavealbany
Baked Goods: Whisky Business Bakery | IG: @whiskybusinessbakery_
Farewell Brunch Catering: The Farmers Beef & Brew
DJ Team: DJ Romantics | IG: @djromantics
Rentals: Total Events | IG: @totalevents
Specialty Rentals: TBIRDS | IG: @tbirdsrentals
Transportation: Tech valley Shuttle | IG: @techvalleyshuttle
Hotel Block: Courtyard by Marriott Albany Airport
Lunch + Baked Goods: Schoharie Valley Farms - The Carrot Barn
Activities: Gobblers Knob Family Fun Park
Invitation Designer: Peggy and Kate | IG: @peggyandkate
Wedding Dress Shop: Jaehee Bridal Atelier | IG: @jaeheebridal
Wedding Dress Designer: Willowby by Watters Designs | IG: @bywatters
Suit Designer: Kent Wang (NYC) | IG: @kent.wang
Ring: Love Locked Fine Jewelry | IG: @shoplovelocked 
Ring: Artemer | IG: @artemer
Restrooms: Stone Industries

Learn more about The Maples Estate, view our weekend wedding packages and find more wedding inspiration right here!

Epic Wedding Weekend. Christina & Vivianie. 10.14.23

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The Marriage of Christina and Vivianie
October 14, 2023 at The Maples Estate

Schoharie, NY - Upstate, NY

This epic wedding was the party of a lifetime for brides Christina and Vivianie!

An epic wedding weekend full of celebration, Christina and Vivianie curated an elaborate wedding extravaganza at The Maples Estate nestled in upstate New York during mid-October 2023. This fall wedding weekend kicked off with a family friendly game of baseball in our tree grove followed by a rehearsal ceremony and dinner all before their official wedding day began on Saturday.

Christina and Vivianie wanted every opportunity to celebrate their love surrounded by their family and friends, so they packed the weekend full of festivities and were ready to party! The weekend was a beautiful blend of their two cultures, Christina's Italian heritage intertwined with Vivianie's Puerto Rican roots.

 

Getting Ready!

Christina, Vivianie, and their entourage of friends and family prepared for the special occasion in our get ready suite. These two brides glammed together echoing their desire to share every moment of this monumental day side by side! They even designed personalized outfits for each day so all their house guests matched throughout the weekend from robes to slippers, sweatshirts and pajamas!

 
 

Our farmhouse served as their haven throughout the weekend — a hub for cherished memories, full of love and laughter! It was clear that family, and friends were incredibly special to these two as they embraced those around them and injected the spirits of their departed loved ones into the weekend. To honor loved ones whom had passed, they incorporated a memory table that moved from the ceremony to the reception, as well as a symbolic chain, intricately connected to Christina’s wooden floral bouquet.

 
 

Love Is Love!

Not only was their wedding significant from the blending of their two cultures, it was also important for them to exercise their right to marry. In conversations with Christina and Vivianie throughout the weekend, it was clear that they recognized the significance behind their wedding and felt appreciative of those that had fought for the rights of LGBTQ+ couples. They understood the fight that their own loved ones from the LGBTQ+ community had gone through and how they had played an integral role in their lives and love story. They expressed an unwavering support from their family and friends, how lucky they felt to have family members that embraced them as they are and encouraged them to be their authentic selves.

The ceremony script and speeches delivered throughout the evening radiated this sentiment of acceptance and admiration for Christina and Vivianie. Each heartfelt expression of gratitude underscored their remarkable bond, highlighting how they effortlessly bring out the best in each other.

 
 

Memories through photos!

Incorporating images of their loved ones throughout the day - these two embraced the opportunity to take photos themselves! In addition to their portraits taken through the farmhouse and estate, Vivianie had an affection for the iconic red barn and couldn’t wait to take photos with this bright red rustic backdrop.

 
 

The Ceremony

For their ceremony, vintage tables, chairs and doors, set the stage under our tree grove. The aisle placed with rugs and chairs with blankets, guided guests to their seats where they embraced the crisp fall atmosphere. A thoughtful touch was the QR code-equipped sign, ensuring all guests, regardless of language, felt included and informed with different translations available for their ceremony.

 
 

String players performed as they entered the tree grove for their processional and again for their recessional. Adding a touch of whimsy and fun, their flower girl and ring bearer made a grand entrance down the aisle, the flower girl steering a remote-controlled jeep—a delightful twist to a beautiful ceremony.

 
 

Following their heartfelt vows exchanged under the trees, guests meandered to the pavilion for the cocktail hour and reception. Stationed food offerings were available for the attendees, while the brides seized a perfect photo opportunity, overlooking the breathtaking vistas of the corn fields, creek, meadows, and rolling hillsides.

 
 
“If we could leave more than 5 stars, we would. Katie and Louis are absolutely incredible at what they do!

From the moment you book, you’ll have plenty of guidance in planning your wedding weekend. Katie helps you think of all the things needed to have the most beautiful and fun wedding. As soon as you arrive on the property, you get a sense of the commitment the team puts in for your wedding. They don’t just feel like vendors/coordinators, they feel like family members looking out for you through the weekend. Katie was on top of everything throughout the weekend and helped us have one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. We can’t be more grateful! Also, of course, the property is absolutely beautiful. ”
— Christina and Vivianie, Syracuse Based
 
 

The Party!

As the evening continued, the dance floor became a lively stage, thanks to their emcee and beats by DJ Pure Entertainment out of New York City. The cake cutting ceremony was a sweet interlude before the celebration began with 'la hora loca.' Masks, hats, and glow sticks adorned the guests, transforming the space into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and infectious energy.

 
 

The night's emcee surprised the crowd with a special performance followed by a collective Zumba dance that had everyone on their feet, moving in unison—a testament to the sheer euphoria of the occasion.

 
 

With laughter and love echoing, the evening culminated in a group photo capturing the joy of this epic party!

Serving as a final, intimate moment for the newlyweds and their guests to reminisce about the extraordinary moments of their extended weekend celebration at The Maples Estate, they enjoyed a farewell brunch in the pavilion the morning after their wedding before their guests departed back home and they fled off for their honeymoon.

 
 

Photos by Photospre

Christina & Vivianie’s incredible vendor team!
Venue / Coordination: The Maples Estate | IG: @themaplesestate
Photography: Photospre | IG: @photospre
Makeup: Elizabeth Sommer’s Beauty | IG: @elizabethsommersbeauty
Hair: Bloom Beauty Bar & Glam By Alex G | IGs: @bloom_beautybar @glambyalexg
Rentals: Wandering Wheels Events | IG: @wanderingwheelsevents
Catering: Albany Season’s Catering | IG: @albany_seasonscatering
Dessert: Villa Italia Bakery | IG: @villaitaliabakeryny
DJ Team / Roaming Photo Booth / Performer: Pure Entertainment | IG: @purentertainment845
Live Music: Music Boutique | IG: @musicboutiquenyc
Transportation: First Charter
Rehearsal Dinner Catering: Bull and Basil | IG: @bullandbasil
Rehearsal Dinner Bar: Bear and Fox Event Staffing | IG: @bearandfoxeventstaffing
Brunch Caterer: Rooster on the Run | IG: @roosterontherun_
Wedding Dresses: David’s Bridal | IG: @davidsbridal
Restrooms: Stone Industries

Learn more about The Maples Estate, view our weekend wedding packages and find more wedding inspiration right here!

Chill Wedding in Upstate NY. L & M. 9.23.23

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September 23, 2023 at The Maples Estate

Schoharie, NY - Upstate, NY

This weekend wedding was more than just a celebration of marriage; it was laughter, creativity, and had an unmistakably chill vibe.

L&M’s love story originated from an unexpected college mishap—an 'all-school' email gone awry. What was originally frustration and a desire to call this man out for ‘replying all’ to a school wide email, sparked an unconventional connection that soon became romance. Their wedding at The Maples Estate in late September 2023, was a showcase of their shared love for art, laughter, and life's simple pleasures.

 
“My husband and I loved the idea of getting married somewhere that had an estate on the property so that some of our loved ones could stay with us and turn it into a long weekend of fun. We toured a handful of places that catered to this idea but The Maples Estate stood out from everything we saw for several reasons: Katie and Louis are on the property and are always a text away if needed, the house has the most amazing 1850’s charm with all of the modern fixes needed to be comfortable, the amount of land to explore is wild, and Katie’s background in event planning.

It’s hard to explain how my husband and I felt so at home and comforted when we had an initial tour, but we felt it in our gut and knew that we made the right call! Thank you to Katie and Louis for the valuable work that you do for your couples, we can’t thank you enough!”
— L&M, Miami
 
 
 

Glam Time!

Since they had recently moved to Miami, Florida it was extra special for these two to spend quality time with their loved ones from New York. Their wedding day began with glam at the farmhouse, and their stylish, romantic attire was a fitting image which appropriately echoed their fun, chill vibes. A day full of laughter, their parties enjoyed joking around all morning as they prepared for the afternoon’s celebrations!

 
 

Max, exuding style in his unique white suit and dog-adorned socks, and the bridal party in a delightful mishmash of pinks and browns offered a beautiful tone for the day. These jokesters met at the pond for a first look, then a ‘real’ first look following a reveal with their individual parties.

 
 

Photos for days!

While some wedding parties dread wedding photos, this group took full advantage of the opportunity! Their calm, chill vibes were infectious and the day was filled with fun and meaningful moments captured by the camera.

 
 

The Ceremony

As the skies opened up for a light drizzle, guests began to arrive and made their way to the tree grove. These two put a lot of thought into the symbolism behind their ceremony from a chuppah embracing M’s Jewish heritage to individual roles which each of their wedding party was assigned. Though the wedding party was to sit during the ceremony, L&M wanted them to embrace the moment with more photo ops, so the full party posed for pictures before the ceremony officially began and the wedding party was seated.

From the role of dress fluffer to lint roller, presenting of paints, smashing glasses, shots, and more, these two had everyone involved! There was not a dry eye in the house, though everyone was filled with love and laughter throughout the ceremony.

 
 

The Party!

The reception was a fusion of fun, flavor, and heartfelt connections. From lawn games and delectable treats to pizza, BBQ, a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cart, and even a marijuana bar—all reflected their laid-back yet vibrant personalities.

 
 

With a small guest list of just 50, wooden tables were adorned with vintage books, bud vases, candles, rocks, sea shells and other personal mementos painting a vivid picture of their shared journey.

 
 

The reception kicked off with a surprise first dance for L's parents who missed out on a first dance at their own wedding. L didn’t feel it was fair to dance with her own husband before her parents had the opportunity themselves!

 
 

The Little Details

L's artistic touch graced every facet of the celebration. From crafting caricatures of their guests with personalized notes, to introducing a canvas for colorful fingerprints, her creativity added a distinct flavor to the day.

 
 

The evening was filled with personal touches, simple yet tasty treats and relaxed comforts. From a weed bar to colorful signature cocktails, guests were encouraged to let loose and enjoy the moments.

 
 

As the night continued, everyone was on the dance floor! The DJ even arranged a set for Max's best bud / officiant to take the stage. The collaboration behind the DJ booth encapsulated the spirit of camaraderie that was seen throughout the gathering. Shared laughter, creativity, and a laid-back spirit. Their story, ignited by a simple college email, blossomed into a celebration of love, friendship, and the beauty found in life's quirks.

 
 

Photos by Rock and Love Weddings

The incredible vendor team!
Venue / Coaching / Coordination: The Maples Estate | IG: @themaplesestate
Photography & Videography: Rock and Love Weddings | IG: @rockandloveweddings
Catering: Tickled Pink BBQ | IG: @tickledpinkbbq
Catering: It's A Pizza Truck | IG: @itsapizzatruck
Bar Service: Takk House | IG: @takkhouse
Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry's | IG: @patrickpipino
Florals: Little Anne's Flowers | IG: @littleannsflowers
Hair & Makeup: @arianaberishamua | @dermaplusny
Rentals: Tremont Rentals | IG: @tremontrental
Specialty Rentals: TBIRDS | IG: @tbirdsrentals
DJ Team: DJ Ayo | IG: @onedjayo
Additional Lodging: The Beekman House | @thejohndarby
Dress: Pronovias | IG: @Pronovias
Restrooms: Stone Industries

Learn more about The Maples Estate, view our weekend wedding packages and find more wedding inspiration right here!

Romantic Upstate NY Wedding. Alanna & Russell. 9.2.23

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The Marriage of Alanna and Russell
September 2, 2023 at The Maples Estate

Schoharie, NY - Upstate, NY

This romantic outdoor wedding at The Maples Estate was “Pure Magic”!

From the very beginning of their wedding planning journey, Alanna and Russell knew they wanted to celebrate all weekend long. They dreamed of a casual yet elevated, romantic, stylish celebration with delicious food, colorful cocktails and “a good time”! When they found The Maples Estate they fell in love with the setting and knew this was the perfect place for them to comfortably celebrate their wedding.

A dream come true, these two walked away from their wedding feeling like they were the stars in their very own story!

 

How did their romantic upstate wedding come true?

Living in Boston, Massachusetts and busy with work and life, Alanna and Russell knew they needed some support.

Eager to get started with their planning, they added our coaching package where we helped them kick off their planning with a get to know you zoom call. From this conversation we created a design board, planning checklist, comprehensive budget and a personalized list of vendors to get them started. We checked in regularly throughout their planning journey to chat through vendor confirmations, answer questions, address any concerns and determine next steps.

Once their wedding was planned, we transitioned into coordination services so we could determine their wedding weekend timeline, create event layouts and take over vendor communication. This meant that they walked into their wedding with a clear vision of what to expect so they could simply relax and enjoy time with their loved ones. We also supported them throughout their wedding weekend with setup and breakdown of each of their events, managed their vendors and kept their timeline on track to ensure their wedding ran seamlessly.

With coordination services included in all our wedding packages, our couples never have to worry about the details on their wedding day.

 
“Our wedding day was amazing and Katie’s support right from the start, along with all those extra coordination services (you should do it), made it all come together seamlessly. The best part was that after all of the planning, we got to sit back and enjoy our wedding day which we would not have been able to do without Katie. Katie’s has a wealth of experience that meant she could help us shape creative ideas we hadn’t even thought of, turning our dream wedding into reality.”
— Alanna & Russell, Boston based Architect and Health Care Provider
 
 

How did they celebrate their romantic upstate NY wedding?

There is no better way to celebrate than surrounded by your loved ones!

Russell and Alanna had their closest friends staying with them in our farmhouse which can sleep up to 17 guests. With three nights included in our wedding packages there is plenty of time to not only celebrate, but also relax, connect with loved ones and soak in every moment of this incredible time in your lives. The bridesmaids joined Alanna in the get ready room for glam the morning of the “official” wedding, enjoyed champagne and a cuddle with the couple’s dog Sadie.

When you utilize our farmhouse throughout your wedding weekend, it acts as your home base allowing you a place to not only sleep, but also get ready, converse with loved ones and host your pictures! The house was built in 1855 and is filled with historical charm as well as antique decor which is such a fun backdrop for your wedding photos!

 
 

Russell also enjoyed glam before joining his groomsmen in the bar and on our grand veranda. Together they helped each other tie their ties and spruce up before the first look. They too enjoyed a drink to calm nerves and ease into a day of celebration.

 
 

Their romantic wedding matched the farmhouse aesthetic and was filled with warm, bright yet moody colors with the main focus being shades of pink and green and accents of light blue, mustard and black. Bridesmaid dresses were a rusty salmon color and groomsmen were in a navy blue with light minty green ties.

 
 

The first look!

A first look is such a fun way to kick off your wedding celebration! It allows you the flexibility to see each other prior to your ceremony, easing nerves and give you time to enjoy photos before your larger guest list arrives. That means you have more time to spend with your guests and a smoother timeline for the day.

Alanna and Russell chose to hold their first look overlooking the pond which was stunning!

 
 

If you are including others in your celebration, it’s always fun to grab some shots of your full wedding party! Alanna and Russell decided to take images overlooking the hillside in our grass meadows and near the pond. We love the mixture of formal and more casual candid shots!

 
 

The ceremony

A ceremony in our tree grove is such a gorgeous setting to start your life together! Alanna and Russell utilized our mixed chairs for a vintage aesthetic. They even included their dog in the celebration with their ring bearer walking Sadie down the aisle. Russell was joined by his mom who then began playing the fiddle as the wedding party and Alanna entered the aisle. Alanna was joined by her mom and grandmother showcasing three generations!

 
 

Following the ceremony, guests made their way to the cocktail lawn outside our reception pavilion for a casual cocktail hour with lawn games while Alanna and Russell finished up their family photos.

 
 

The Party!

A gorgeous setting overlooking the Appalachian Plateaus just north of the catskill mountains, Alanna and Russell celebrated their wedding under our reception pavilion. Table design and florals by Meadowlark Catering, they celebrated in style with clean white linens, pops of color, gold accents, luxurious velvet blue runners and romantic warm candlight!

 
 

Post toasts and dinner, these two escaped during their reception for a stroll around the estate for sunset photos before kicking off the party.

 
 

The first garter toss we have ever experienced here at The Maples Estate, we LOVED how these two embraced the moment followed by a bouquet toss, Irish coffee bar and dancing to a live 10-piece funk band!!!

 
 

They even had a friend design their cake and cupcakes bringing a unique personalized element to the evening!

 
 

As the evening came to a close, they enjoyed late night karaoke with their closest friends staying in the farmhouse and woke the next day to a farewell brunch followed by a relaxing day by the pool for their house guests!

 
 

Photos by Cassandra Daye Photography

Alanna and Russell’s incredible vendor team!
Venue / Coaching / Coordination: The Maples Estate | IG: @themaplesestate
Photographer: Cassandra Daye Photography | IG: @cassandradayephotography
Catering / Florals / Table Design: Meadowlark Troy | IG: @meadowlarktroy
Band: Funk Evolution | IG: @funk_evolution_entertainment
Hair & Makeup: Hair & Beauty By Bay | IG: @hairbeautybybay @kmrmakeup
Rentals: Total Events | IG: @totalevents
Transportation: Durham School Services | IG: @durham_school_services
Dessert: Unhinged Cakes | IG: @unhingedcakes
Hotel Block: The Landing Hotel | IG: @thelandinghotelny
Invitation and Signage Designer: Gubba Gumma | IG: @gubbagumma
Wedding Dress Shop: Flair Boston | IG: @flairboston
Wedding Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo NYC | IG: @jennyyoonyc
Tux Shop: Generation Tux | IG: @generationtux
Ties: The Tie Bar | IG: @thetiebar
Brunch Caterer: High on the Hog BBQ | IG: @high_on_the_hog_bbq
Rehearsal Dinner Caterer: Mellas Wood Fired
Restrooms: Stone Industries

 

Learn more about The Maples Estate, view our weekend wedding packages and find more wedding inspiration right here!