Valley Vows Weddings Exclusive

Here’s a peek at some weddings around the Valley, courtesy of lovely brides Laura Calhoon and Lisa Rainwater

Laura Calhoon and Tim Facchin

May 24, 2008

What one word would Laura use to sum up her feelings on her wedding day? “Breathless,” she says, “I was left completely breathless by every aspect.” She and Tim were married in a traditional Roman Catholic mass, and then moved to the picturesque gardens at the Garden Cathay Resort in Walkill for the reception. Despite the gorgeous natural surroundings — a lake, waterfalls, rolling hills — Laura could not help but rave about the extra floral arrangements from Rood’s Florist and Greenhouse in Poughkeepsie, calling the proprietor, Everett Rood, “a real treasure and a true artist with florals — my roses were still fresh and beautiful when we got back from the honeymoon!”

Calhoon’s dress, by Ireland’s Mori Lee (bought at Poughkeepsie’s Mary H. Abdoo and You), was equally fresh and elegant, featuring a sweetheart neckline with delicate beading down the front and a corset back with chapel train. The food, prepared by the catering staff at the Garden Cathay, was especially popular with her guests; so much so that Laura was disappointed she did not have a chance to eat more of it herself. But there was no such problem with the cake, made by Adam’s Fairacre Farms in a “satellite” style with each layer on a separate base. The filling was strawberry and French pastry crème, but Laura had the smallest layer made especially to suit her sweet tooth; with dark chocolate, mousse, and raspberry.

The evening’s most poignant moment came when Laura’s father, not an experienced dancer and nervous about embarrassing himself in front of the crowd, invited his daughter “to dance just like we did when she was a little girl — as though no one was watching.” But still, Laura concedes, if she could have done something differently, she would have been a little more assertive throughout the planning period. “I was trying so hard not to be a ‘bridezilla’ “ she says, “that I ended up doing exactly the opposite and getting walked all over by well-intentioned friends and family members.”

Click on the gallery below to view more moments from Laura and Tim’s wedding

Lisa Rainwater and Andy Mele

May 10, 2008
Be sure to visit the Meles’ “Valley Vows” wedding story, as featured in the Hudson Valley Weddings 2009 issue.

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