I saw this photo…
and was completely in love with this wedding…and I want to borrow the bride’s red shoes!
Heather and Dennis McMahon were married back in June 12, 2010 in Syracuse, New York. Living in Colorado and planning the wedding in New York was no small feat according to Heather, “but damn was it a good time, and a day that I would do over and over again, and never change a single detail.”
Two years later, the classic ballroom/vintage style of this wedding is still timeless and an inspiration for today’s brides. Per Heather and Dennis’ request, their photographer Kelly Stremmel captured their day the way it unfolded, without too many shots being posed, but rather artistic shots that represent things the way they took place. The artistic, natural shots Kelly captured was one of our favorite things about this wedding…and we’re happy to share it with you today.
After meeting at SUNY Oswego in New York their last semester of college, and joining mutual friends at a Dave Matthews Concert several weeks later, Heather and Dennis had an undeniable love connection. Having dated only 6 short months, the love birds moved Vail, Colorado and on their 4th anniversary Dennis popped the question at The Vail Plaza Hotel before a romantic dinner at LaTour. They married two years later, almost 6 years to the day of our “first date” at the Dave Matthews show.
In Heather’s words: It was very important to me that my bridesmaids be comfortable and have the ability to showcase their own style. I gave each girl black coque feathers to put in their hair however they desired once it was styled, and a vintage brooch to incorporate into their dress wherever they liked.
We wanted to have a bit of Colorado inspiration in our wedding, but still pull off the ballroom vintage vibe. We placed hummingbird fly fishing flies in our calla lily boutonnieres for the guys as Dennis is a big fly fisherman and our guest book was a coffee table picture book filled with stunning images of Colorado.
To see each other or not to see each other before the ceremony was a question Heather struggled with, but as she said, “I knew that if I didn’t see him and get all of those emotions out-of-the-way, the anticipation was going to leave me an emotional, blubbering wife-to-be. Dennis is my rock and I needed him with me for the emotional roller coaster that was our wedding day… and I simply could not wait to be with him! So, about an hour prior to the ceremony Dennis and I met on a street corner.
The 590-room non functioning hotel was built in 1924 and has character and charm like no other. The floor to ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the city, the stunning vintage gold chandeliers everywhere create an incredibly romantic ambiance, and on the 10th floor is the Grand Ballroom…perfect for our reception.
In Heather’s words: The Dave Matthews Band was what sparked our fiery romance, and therefore their music served as inspiration on our wedding day. Our first dance was to none other than the DMB song, “You and Me.” Dennis picked me up when Dave sings “…teach them to fly…” And we leaned back and forth on each other singing “…we could do better than anything that we did, you know that you and me, we could do anything,” with a stratigic high five and then I did my happy dance. 
Per Heather and Dennis, their DJ handed our “flair” toward the end of the night, which brought out the silly in everyone.
And, who wouldn’t want to run in the rain at the end of your wedding night? How romantic and fun…the perfect send-off if you ask me!
VENDOR LOVE
Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero Amour Brooch, purchased at Spy Baby Bridal Boutique in Syracuse, New York
Bridal shoes: Nina
Photographer: Kelly Stremmel
DJ: Brian McGann
Makeup: Gina Scammell {Ginascammell@yahoo.com}
Hair:Tiffany DeWald {tiffanydewald@ymail.com}
Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator: Amy Preble {miller5401@hotmail.com}
Ceremony Venue: The Most Holy Rosary Syracuse, New York
Reception Venue: The Hotel Syracuse Syracuse, New York
Cake: Pascale Bake House, Syracuse, New York
Desert Bar: DIY {Do-It-Yourself}
Stationery: DIY
Flowers: Arnolds Florist
