Grace & Michael’s love story starts all the way back when the were seven years old and they met at Camp Guggenheim. They instantly became close friends and over the years their friendship stayed consistent until it eventually blossomed into love one summer in high school when they both worked at the same summer camp that originally brought them together.

These two have been dating ever since and after graduating college together from Franciscan University, it was finally time to start planning the next chapter of life.

I actually had met Grace’s older sister, Joy, within the first few weeks of my freshman year at FUS and we stayed friends throughout our four years there. I was so excited when Grace reached out to me because I had heard nothing but good things from her sister and I was excited to be able to meet Grace & Michael and their families. They both come from beautiful large Catholic families and their wedding day was such a joyful celebration.

They were married in Upstate New York in a stunning historic Church followed by a reception at the most darling riverfront barn about 10 min up the road. The barn overlooked the river and it was the perfect view for the sunset (and the ideal situation for gorgeous sunset portraits!)

Grace & Michael it was such an honor to be a part of your day and I hope you love scrolling through this post and reliving your wedding day!

Grace, you were seriously such a beautiful bride!!

Ok guys, if you have followed me for any amount of time, you probably know that I gush about First Looks. Well the following pictures are exactly why they are one of my favorite things!

Look at Michael’s face! If that doesn’t melt your heart, I don’t know what will.

And Grace just could not stop smiling and laughing she was so excited! Her joy and giddy excitement was so pure and beautiful and such a testament to the love these two share.

I have seen several couples bring flowers to both the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph but this was the first time that the bride knelt for Mary and the groom knelt for St. Joseph and they each prayed for each other. This was such powerful imagery for how a husband and wife are too pray for each other and guide the other into Heaven and I absolutely loved the way they did this!

Shortly before I left, I walked down to the edge of the river with Grace and Michael to get some sunset portraits and I am in love with the results!!

Xoxo,
Mary Kate

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A huge thank you to all the other vendors who came together to make this day possible!

CHURCH // St Mary’s Catholic Church, Potsdam NY

RECEPTION VENUE // The Stables at Windy Point

CATERING // Mullin’s Catering

DJ // Platinum Entertainment

FLOWERS // Leonard Nesbit Designs

CAKE // Cindy’s Cake Shop

HAIR // Tangles Day Spa, Gouverneur NY

DRESS // New York Bride & Co. Syracuse, NY, Stella York Designer

BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES // Azazie