Romantic Country Club Wedding in Smithtown, New York

Nicole and Doug’s wedding day was one that I’ll always be thankful to have been a part of. Beyond it being a romantic date to begin with (11/11!) it holds so much meaning for these two. The first time I sat down and met with them to talk about their hopes and dreams for their wedding day they told me all about themselves, their relationship, the proposal and the incredible importance behind setting their date. November 11th holds special value to both Doug and Nicole- Veterans Day for Doug as a US Marine Veteran and it being Nicole’s anniversary of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Hearing these two talk about one another really taught me a lot about their relationship. It was easy for me to sit there and to admire their strengths to overcome all that they have both went through, but hearing the way they spoke so highly of one another really was inspiring.

Through the months leading up to their day I was lucky enough to not only be a part of their planning, but also their gorgeous engagement photos (seriously, I need to go back to those and blog them, too) and even sat right next to Nicole during her gorgeous bridal shower. When it came time for their wedding day I felt like I knew these two for years. I had felt the anticipation the days leading up to it just from all of the dreaming up and planning Nicole and I had been doing when it came to the photos. I woke up feeling so excited that these two were finally getting married and headed over to Stonebridge bright and early to start with some getting ready photos of the girls. Stonebridge’s bridal suite is such a DREAM and one of my favorites from the venue’s I’ve shot at. Nicole’s colors matched perfectly with all of the gold and copper accents around the room, big windows for bright light to shine on her gorgeous dress and make her rings sparkle (obsessed with the fact she has two wedding bands, one silver and another rose gold!) plus tons of beautiful candids of her close family and friends getting ready.

Being that Nicole had never seen Doug in his dress blues made the first look even more romantic. It was a windy day but the sun shined so bright for them the whole time. These two were such troopers and fought out the gusty winds with us as we teamed up with our favorite video crew Bilski Productions to capture a ton of sweet moments. We tossed up the last bit of fall leaves, took advantage of the wind playing with Nicole’s cathedral veil, let the two of them slow dance in the afternoon light and chased (quite literally, all seven of us running across a parking lot) the last bit of golden sun after their beautiful ceremony had ended.

Nicole and Doug were glowing the entire day. The smile’s on their faces from the first moment they saw each other to the way that they rested their foreheads on one another with their eyes closed during their first dance to soak in the moment. The reception was filled with heart warming speeches, great food and a dance floor that was filled the entire time. I mean, I know Barattini Productions being a part of a wedding day means a killer party- but when I saw Doug was crowd surfing around the room (also doing pushups while crowd surfing.. super impressed) that really was the icing on the cake for the awesome night they were already having.

I could go on and on about this beautiful wedding day but to sum it all up- I really couldn’t be more happy for Nicole and Doug. I have no doubt in my mind that they will live an incredibly beautiful life together on this new chapter in their lives!

Second Shooter Nicole Caradonna | Venue Stonebridge Country Club | Flowers Tower Flowers | DJ/Entertainment Barattini Productions | Videography Bilski Productions | Hair Stylist Jacqueline Miller | Makeup Artist Lisa Hayes Make Up