The Planner’s Plans: Engagement Photos Around Rochester

Phil and I are so lucky to be surrounded by amazing and talented people.  So when Kristina Smith offer to take our engagement photos around Rochester, as an engagement present, we were beyond thrilled to say, yes!  Kristina is a close family friend, basically a second mother to Phil.  Her and her family quickly became so important to me too.  Family parties, casual Sunday dinners, sporting events, the list goes on and on.  Our time with the Smith Family is always filled with fun and love.

During our engagement photos, Kristina was in the process of closing her photography business, and we may have even been her last official photo shoot.  It’s such a same because we LOVED Kristina’s work and her approach to photography.  And honestly, I’m really difficult to please when it comes to photography, simply from dealing with so many photographers in the wedding world.

But as good as Kristina is at photography, she is 100 times better as making food.  Is that even possible you ask?  Trust me, she really is.  The reason Kristina closed her photography business was to open her amazing new catering business, Gioia Mia Catering.  If you live in Rochester you really should go try her Italian food.  It is fabulous!  But enough about food, back to the photos…

When it came to our engagement pictures, we wanted (or more like I wanted) beautiful backdrops around Rochester.  But we also wanted some photos in significant places that had meaning to us.

For beauty, the George Eastman House is truly spectacular, especially in the warmer months when the flowers are in full bloom.  After some finagling, we got out to the garden to take some photos.

For anyone interested in taking photos at the George Eastman House, just reserve a time with them or get something in writing.  I called before our photo shoot to ensure we didn’t have to do anything to take photos outside, and they assured me I did not.  The man on the phone told me they only require it for photos inside, or wedding parties; however, when we went on property we had trouble getting to the garden we wanted to take pictures in, due to some construction.  After some back and forth with various staff members, we finally got to take some photos.  I was worried for a moment there, which is why I’d recommend to anyone, get some documentation.

We had one outfit change and were going to do so at the Genesee Valley Club.  When we got there Phil convinced us to take some photos on the Valley Club property, and I am so glad he did.  These are some of my favorite pictures from our photo shoot.  Partly because we look great in them, and also because the GVC is, as they say, our home away from home.  We have made countless life long friends there, and so many wonderful memories being members.

The GVC is a private club, so access to the property is most likely only limited to members.  However, the George Eastman Museum is an excellent alternative if you are looking for the Mansion feel with beautiful grounds.

After an outfit change, we made our last stop to Java’s.  This is where Phil and I had our first date, after meeting online.  We honestly hadn’t been back there together until our shoot.  It was a great moment over 4 1/2 years later, sitting in the same seats from our first date and getting the same drinks.

Overall, we spent a good long Sunday afternoon taking photos, and Kristina was so flexible with us.  It definitely took a while to get Phil warmed up, so hopefully it will makes things a little smoother the day of the wedding.

Through planning with clients, I hear some say they don’t want to do engagement photos.  I always knew we wanted them, and I am so glad we did.  It’s not only great “model” practice for the wedding day, but it’s also great to have photos more authentic to what you would wear in everyday life.

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Meet Cassidy

We’re so excited to introduce you to the bright and hard working Event Intern Cassidy!  She is one our our fabulous spring interns, and we are so excited to have her!  Let’s learn a little more about Cassidy:
Educational Background
I grew up in Brighton, graduating from Brighton High School, and went on to graduate from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Sociology.

Prior Experience
I currently work at an upscale restaurant, which is where my interest for event planning has stemmed, as I have helped with private events there. I love hospitality and satisfying the needs of others, making sure they have an excellent experience, whatever the situation may be. I also have worked helped with planning philanthropy events for my sorority during my time at Geneseo.

Hopes For The Internship
Through this internship, I hope to gain the knowledge and skills to fully and successfully execute any event that may be brought my way. I hope to gain the confidence in this industry and to affirm that this is the career path that I would like to follow.

Dream Event To Plan
I enjoy working for a good cause, so I would love to plan an elegant fundraising gala for a meaningful charity.

Favorite Thing About The Industry
My favorite thing about this industry is the hospitality aspect. I am inspired by hospitality and making a client’s vision come to life. It gives me joy to see someone completely satisfied, having a near perfect experience. I believe that being in a position to make that happen for someone is a great aspect of this industry.

Favorite Quote
“Before you assume, learn. Before you judge, understand. Before you hurt, feel. Before you say, think.”

Free Time Fun
When I am not working, I love to be doing outdoor activities such as hiking with my dog, or bike riding. In the winter months, I enjoy skiing, or just staying inside to cozy up with a good book or movie. I also love going out to a good dinner, and experiencing new restaurants and bars.

Interesting Fact
I recently traveled to Aruba, and would love to travel to as many countries as possible.

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The Planner’s Plans: Getting Engaged In Disney

After planning dozens of weddings and orchestrating countless events, it’s finally time for me to celebrate! I’m so excited to finally be planning my own wedding with the love of my life, Phil!

It seems like I’ve done this “wedding planning thing” countless times, but doing it for yourself is a little different. So I want to give everyone some insight on “The Planner’s Plans”, because yes, as many have asked, I am planning my wedding!

Even though we’ve been engaged for over a year, I’ve been dying to put together this blog series about our wedding planning experience.  Here I will share everything from dress shopping to cake tastings.

So let’s wait not longer and kick things off with the engagement!

Tomorrowland Disney World

Entrance To Tomorrowland, Where Phil & I Got Engaged

For Phil and I, Disney World is one of the best places on earth. So it made total sense that Phil would propose to me on our Holiday 2016 trip.

We had always been open about our future together, so I had a hunch that something was coming soon. But when a proposal didn’t come on Christmas day or doing the magical firework viewing on Christmas night, I was a little skeptical that a Disney proposal would happen.

On our second day, we went into Magic Kingdom and headed over to Space Mountain for our first ride of the day. We got off the ride and met up with my dad. We were a little hungry, so what else do you do at 7AM in Disney World?  Get Mickey ice cream bars, of course!

Midway through eating our ice cream, Phil grabbed mine and his, and handed them off to my dad. He took my hand and brought me around to a secluded corner.

Mind you, I had always made it very clear that I wanted something intimate and not a public proposal.  Intimate and Disney, especially at Christmas, are almost impossible.  Luckily at 7AM, not many people were in Tomorrowland.  It honestly felt like we had the park to ourselves.

So we’re in our secluded corner, and Phil got on one knee.  He reminisced about our almost 4 amazing years together and officially popped the question. I ecstatically said yes!

After we walked out into the general park area, it was something out of a movie. My mom and Aunt where cheering from a nearby ride, other family members were running over after getting off a coaster, and my dad was all smiles, despite the ice cream bars melting all over his hands!

Disney World Engagement

Celebrating The Engagement In Epcot

Following celebrations, taking way too many pictures, and showing off my beautiful ring, we made our way to the Tomorrowland People Mover. Phil and I took the moment to let it all sink in.

Later that night, we made our way to Epcot and had dinner at the German Pavilion’s Biergarten. We celebrated over an amazing dinner, with live German music and German beer and wine. Our waitress even gave us a celebratory keepsake certificate with our engagement date on it.

The rest of our trip was just spectacular, filled with Disney magic for in honor of our engagement.

Getting engaged in Disney to Phil was a dream come true.  We love vacationing there, which is why I’m so happy we have our beautiful engagement memory at the most magical place on earth.  We can’t wait to make even more memories in Disney, as we plan to go back for our Honeymoon. More on that later!

 

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