Blackburn Portrait Design

Tag: Saratoga Wedding Photos

At Home | Six Things You Need to Know About Planning a Home Wedding

Is Planning a Home Wedding Right For You?

What could be more romantic than saying “I do” at home?

Lately I have been lucky to photograph some weddings for my couples at their homes. During the Pandemic, intimate Home Weddings became more popular. What could be more nostalgic or sweet than a wedding at home? An At Home Wedding calls to mind a simpler time–they are both sentimental and personal. Remember that movie Father of the Bride? But before you get too caught up in your idealized version of a home wedding, know that actually planning one can be challenging as well as rewarding. To host an At Home Wedding, you will need nerves of steel and not be easily daunted by a few minor setbacks. Here are a few things you need to know about planning a Home Wedding.

A beautiful garden lit with candles and twinkle lights is romantic and sweet.

Catering and Rental Considerations When Planning a Home Wedding

1. Before you actually commit to hosting your wedding at home, make sure you speak to your caterer and your rental company. Many people think that by hosting a wedding at home they will save money. This is really not true. In fact, many home weddings cost as much, if not more than an event at a more traditional venue. There are many things you will need to either rent or purchase to make the event a success. Some items you might not be factoring in are: tables, linens, china, glassware, chairs, restrooms, dance floor, lighting. The list can become gigantic. Any money you save on site rental will be taken up with equipment rentals, so make sure this is really a good choice for your budget–as well as your stress levels.

The Bride and her Mother purchased vintage china for this wedding. After the wedding, they sold it on the internet.

How Many Guests Can You Reasonably Accommodate?

2. Decide how many people you actually wish to have attend, then see if your space will be able to accommodate them all. Overcrowded is definitely not charming, cozy, and quaint–it is just super uncomfortable for everyone.

Do you have room to seat all your guests? A good rule of thumb is 6 to 8 feet per person.

Always Have a Backup Plan

3. Have a really great back up plan in case the elements do not cooperate. If it rains and you do not have a tent, everyone will be in your house. If this is not ok with you, you need to have a Plan B in place.

This Backyard Wedding had a tent with a dance floor. Having a tent can help make the event more comfortable for your guests.

Hire Staff When Planning a Home Wedding!

4. Hire help! You will not have time to clean your house before, redo the perennial beds, transform your lawn into a golf course, make the cake, prepare the meal and do your flowers–I don’t care what Martha Stewart Fantasy World you live in. Pick a few things you want to do yourself, but leave a lot of it to other people. People you pay to make sure it is done correctly the first time. Especially make sure to hire wait staff, the caterer, and people to clean up.

Hiring someone to make the cake and do the floral decorations can help make the event less stressful for you.

Deposits, Permits and Insurance

5. Find out before you put any deposits down what, if any, permits you will need. Some places require permits for parking, restrooms, etc. Some places have noise ordinances. Don’t wait to find out the night of your wedding or the day before. You don’t want the police visiting your event.

Make sure you check about noise ordinances. And do check with your neighbors to make sure they will not mind a party going on all night. Some people are funny that way.

6. Homeowners Insurance–will your policy cover your event if something happens? What if a guest trips, falls and hurts herself? You might need to purchase an additional rider to your existing policy. Better to be safe than sorry.

Perennial beds make stunning decor for a wedding.

Planning an At Home Wedding is not for the faint of heart. But you may find out you like surprises and can turn some lemons into lemonade without missing a beat.

Did you enjoy reading this article on Wedding Planning? You might also enjoy this Wedding Planning article.

Do you need to rent anything? Try some of our Vendor Friends below:

Total Events, Melissa Logan Carrier

Stone Industries; Executive Rest Rooms, Stephanie

Are you looking for a Saratoga Photographer? Saratoga Photographer Susan Blackburn provides elegant Wedding Photography and Bridal Portraiture in the Capital District and Saratoga Springs. Call (518) 584-4237 or fill in a Contact Form to schedule an appointment.

August 1, 2023
Rev Your Engines! | Car Themed Auto Museum Wedding

Rev your engines people! Check out this Saratoga Auto Museum Wedding!

I photographed a wedding this past fall that was really cool–a car themed wedding at the Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, NY! I really loved and appreciated the level of thought and detail that Dana and Kyle put into their wedding. I also really enjoyed working with them because they scheduled a wonderful amount of time to create portraits on their wedding day. Below is Kyle and Dana’s story–I hope you enjoy it!

We had a great amount of time to create some images of Dana and Kyle around the State Park with his Dad’s classic Thunderbird.

How did you two meet?  Everyone knows we met on eHarmony. Well, the running joke between us is that it took him 10 years to find me and it only took me 10 minutes to find him. I had just finished filling out the whole questionnaire when I got a message from Kyle. It was like he knew he had to message me right away. After about a week of texting back and forth he wanted to meet me. Eventually he convinced me to meet him for a drink at a restaurant/bar in Ontario. My very first impression of Kyle was a know-it-all Engineer. Needless to say, I was not impressed. I made the biggest mistake (which at the time I didn’t know was the best thing ever in my life) when I asked Kyle if he could ask me any question what would it be. How slick was he? He said, “Can I meet you again?” I was stunned. So instead of being rude, I said sure. Well, I guess when things are meant to be, they are meant to be. Kyle was a complete gentleman the next visit, and the rest is history. Meeting online really does work!!!

I used off camera strobe here because I wanted to use the window as a backdrop and not completely blow it out.

The guys looking handsome in the Hilton Hotel Lobby.

Dana’s Dad.

How did you get engaged?  It was pretty simple. Kyle had reservations at a five star restaurant and proposed at our house right beforehand.

I think hands are really eloquent.

Dana’s sister helped her get ready.

Black and White plus great light. Don’t you love the hair?

Dana’s Dad waiting to see her dressed for the first time.

I sometimes really like the candid images the best.

This is just funny.

St Mary’s in Ballston Spa is so pretty.

Tell us a little bit about planning your wedding.  As for wedding planning, we both wanted something unique. Kyle had helped me get my Chiropractic practice up and running, so I wanted it to be special for him, so we chose a car themed wedding. I told him if we had the wedding at the Automobile Museum, I wanted everything to be car themed.

I love capturing moments like this.

St Mary’s Church is very important to Dana’s family, so we made sure to capture some formal images there.

My former assistant is the brides sister in law!

We went to the State Park to do formal images there as well.

The leaves were absolutely perfect that day.

Black and White is so classic.

The Automobile Museum is in what used to be a Bottling Plant in the State Park.

Do you have any tips for couples planning a destination wedding?  Book all your vendors as quickly as possible. We had all of ours a year in advance. Try to coordinate more than one vendor appointment per visit so you don’t need to travel a lot. Compromise with your spouse and don’t let family come in between you two.

Dana’s Aunt made this awesome cake!

What was your favorite part of the day?  My favorite part was probably being wowed when I walked into the Auto Museum. It wasn’t what I had expected–it was even better! Mazzone’s and Total Events did an amazing job! It was well worth more money paying for one of the best caterers!

Great idea for escort cards!

Explain some of the details like the centerpieces.  All of the centerpieces meant something to each of us–my first car, his first car, etc. It was a lot of work, but worth it!

You had a caricature artist–what made you think of that?  I wanted a unique favor that people would not throw away!

Dana and Kyle had a caricature artist to do drawings of people for their favors.

One of my favorite shots from the day. The building has great architecture and is beautifully landscaped.

What is up for you next as a couple?  We are buying a commercial building this month to grow my practice, and Kyle starts his Master’s Degree. We are working on our careers.

Congratulations Dana and Kyle!

Dana and Kyle’s Wedding Vendors:

Wedding Photography | Susan Blackburn Wedding Venue: Saratoga Automobile Museum

Caterer | Mazzone Hospitality Rentals | Total Events

Entertainment | DJ Mike Reilly Transportation | Premiere Transportation

Wedding Gown | David’s Bridal Groom’s Attire | Men’s Wearhouse

Floral Design | Meme’s Country Florist

If you enjoyed this Saratoga Auto Museum Wedding, you might also enjoy this Real Wedding Post.

Are you ready to book a Wedding Photographer? Please use the Contact Form or call (518) 584-4237. Be sure to visit our Wedding Photography Portfolio.

December 19, 2017
Brooke + John’s August Wedding at the Mansion Inn | Saratoga Photography

Weddings in Saratoga Springs are always special–we are one of the most unique places in the country to hold a destination wedding.

And there is no better place to hold a destination wedding in Saratoga Springs than the Mansion Inn! Located just outside of Saratoga Springs, it is the perfect place for a weekend event during our busy racing season at the track. The venue features a Victorian Inn and a rustic barn with an outdoor area for ceremonies. Photographing a wedding there is a dream!

I enjoy creating night shots, so we made sure to schedule time for those at dusk.

Recently I photographed Brooke and John’s Saratoga Wedding at the Mansion. Brooke’s family is very involved in thoroughbred racing and John started the Thorobros. So naturally, they chose to have their wedding in Saratoga Springs in August. Brooke and John love the area so much that they live here year round, but many of their guests and family members only come up here in August. The date of their event coincided with one of the biggest races of the year–the Alabama Stakes. I enjoyed photographing this wedding so much, and it was so well planned, that I had Brooke write a blog for me on planning a wedding!

So without further ado, please enjoy Brooke and John’s wedding photos from their destination wedding at the Mansion!

The girls were getting ready in the Parlor of the Mansion when I arrived. Mimosas anyone?

Don’t you just love the robes that Brooke got for the girls?

The getting ready portion of the day can sometimes yield some of the best images.

One of my favorites from the day was a candid of Brooke getting ready.

While I was photographing the girls, my second shooter, Jim, was covering the guys.

Many of my couples choose to do a First Look.

Gorgeous flowers from organic floral designers Balet Florist in Saratoga.

Best part of doing a First Look? Getting all the family photos done prior to the ceremony!

While I was capturing the “formal” image, my second shooter Jim was capturing more relaxed photos of the family and wedding party.

Chiffon dresses make great photo opportunities!

Can’t forget the guys.

The grounds at the Mansion make great backdrops with lots of open shade.

The barns on the property are also great for photos.

I just adore details like these.

The groom’s grandfather gave him this watch.

We had a picture perfect day for an outdoor wedding ceremony.

Father Christopher performed the ceremony.

Just Married!

These were two quick photos I made at the cocktail hour because the fountain was there and the light was perfect–Serendipity!

The newlyweds enjoying a quiet moment under the stars.

It was a perfect day. Here are the wedding vendors for Brooke and John’s Saratoga Destination Wedding:

Wedding Photography | Blackburn Portrait Design

Wedding Venue | Mansion Inn Saratoga

Hair and Makeup | Make Me Fabulous

Wedding Officiant | Father Christopher Richard

Floral Design | Balet Flowers

Bride’s Dress | Bridal Reflections

Are you looking for a photographer for your destination wedding in Upstate NY? We would love to connect with you! Please call 518.584.4237 to schedule a consultation. Or feel free to use our contact form.

October 7, 2017