They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in Meaghan and Stuart’s case that couldn’t be truer! Their wedding at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs was so infused with the bride and groom’s story that after taking a gander at their pictures you’ll be left feeling like you’ve known them for years.

wedding dress: Willow via Something Bleu Bridal | photographer:  Niki Rossi Photography

A photographer herself, Meaghan’s co-workers from Niki Rossi Productions captured every moment, and, since we know you’re going to want the details once you take a look, read on!

From Meaghan:

“I found my dress at Something Bleu in Saratoga. Unlike most brides I really had no idea what my dream dress would look like, I just wanted something that looked good on me. I did, however, know exactly where I would get my dress. Denise at Something Bleu had dressed me for almost every event I can remember, two homecomings, three proms, high school graduation and sorority formals, it only seemed natural that I go there when it came time to find my wedding dress.

The ladies in my family and I went during one of the Lea-Ann Belter trunk shows the day after Thanksgiving. My mom actually picked out my dress for me to try on, and I fell in love. I never thought I would be one of the girls to only go shopping for dresses once, but I’m full of surprises.

We tried to keep the wedding as “made locally” as possible. The flowers were all done by Suzanne of Balet Flowers and Designs. Suzanne has a booth at the farmers market and also the very first job I had was working out at the farm for her. The invitations, programs, and stickers for the favors were all designed by Cora at Paper Dolls in Saratoga.

I have worn a flower in my hair to work at Starbucks every single day for the last four years, so it only seemed fitting that I skip the veil and do a flower instead. It was really hard to find a flower suitable for a wedding when you are so used to wearing flowers, it had to be extra special. On a whim (and discouraged with our flower hunt) my mom and I stepped into Saratoga Dance Etc., The owner, Leslie, made the most amazing flowers for me to choose from. They were all so beautiful I got two so my matron of honor could wear one as well.

Our cake was made by the same lady that made my parent’s and sister’s wedding cake, as well as a bunch of my birthday cakes growing up, Debbie Coye. My mom’s dress was designed and made by local designer Kim Vanyo.

For music we had my brothers play during the ceremony. During the reception we had an amazing band called Gravity. They did such a great job at keeping everyone dancing and having a great time. These guys are incredible, and I had been lucky enough to be friends with them through high school, so it seemed like a no brainer.
I work as a wedding photographer as well as a barista at Starbucks. My coworkers at Niki Rossi Productions are the geniuses responsible with the photography and videography of my wedding. They went above and beyond my expectations and I love them for it. They rock. Saratoga is known for horses, the horse outside of Starbucks where I work has been there as long as I can remember, and I have gotten in the habit of dressing it up for the holidays. I had also managed to change at least one of our decorative horses inside Starbucks into a Unicorn. So it only seemed natural that my coworkers decorate the horse as a unicorn bride for my wedding.

We wanted the wedding to be really fun and romantic, with lots of personal touches. My husband is a huge cyclist, so I surprised him with a bike rim wreath that my mom and I made, as well as a grooms cake, made by my friend Kelly Rice, with two of his favorite characters riding a tandem bike. The Canfield Casino is about as Saratoga as you can get, and I love the way it photographs, so we had the wedding there, and Mazzone, who I work with often doing photography, did such an amazing job catering. They kept everything running like clockwork, all we had to do was dance the night away. My husband is an amazing dancer, I had a hard time keeping up during the first dance… but, when the band starting playing an Irish jig, it was my turn to surprise him and his family with my dance moves. I mean, I did meet him when I was working at and Irish Pub a couple blocks away.

All and all we had a phenomenal night and the wedding of our dreams, thanks to friends, family and each other.”