Sparkler send off, one of the many things Fortune Valley Manor offers. The perfect way to end your wedding.

The Couple:

Emma & Jerret first met in physical therapy graduate school in 2017 and have been inseparable ever since. About a year before their wedding, they bought their first home together. They share a deep love for the outdoors and often spend time in Vermont, where Jerret grew up skiing- a place so meaningful that he chose it as the setting to propose. Emma & Jerret radiate kindness and joy. Their love for each other is evident within moments of meeting them. Playful and full of laughter, they bring lightheartedness wherever they go. Being around Emma and Jerret feels like reconnecting with lifelong friends; they greet everyone with open arms, warm smiles, and an energy that makes you feel instantly at home.

The beautiful open field, perfect for photos, at Fortune Valley Manor. One of my favorite things to have couples do with each other, be playful, Emma & Jerret know how to do this perfectly.

In the open field at Fortune Valley Manor, just a little twirling around with some laughter together.

We had a bit of rain on their wedding day, but it was just a passing storm that lasted about 30 minutes, which blessed us with the most magical golden hour sky and a cotton candy sunset.

The Venue:Fortune Valley Manor, Saugerties, NY

They opted to have their ceremony on the side of the barn, with the beautiful pond as their backdrop.

Fortune Valley Manor is a custom built 5,000 square foot barn that offers an open floor plan with a large loft. The private property offers ponds, green meadows and a wooded backdrop. It offers a covered patio for cocktail hour with an outdoor bar. A full length covered front porch and multiple location options to have your ceremony depending on what your preferred backdrop is. Fortune Valley Manor is one of my favorite venues not only because of the beautiful endless options but also because of the owners, Kerri & Frank. They have the most wonderful staff and they are fully invested in every single one of their couples to ensure your wedding day vision comes to life.

The Details/Getting ready:

Emma shared heartfelt first looks with her bridal party, her dad and her brother, each moment filled with happy tears, laughter, hugs and smiles. After the ceremony, both Emma & Jerret changed into custom Nike sneakers featuring their wedding date- a fun and practical choice for dancing the night away and a keepsake to cherish for years.

Their wedding had a rustic/boho vibe, with beige lines, sage green runners, and a dusty blue bridesmaid dresses that tied the aesthetic together beautifully. Emma surprised Jerret with a deeply meaningful gift: a photo of Jerret and his dad tucked inside his tie. Since Jerret didn’t want a memorial table for his late father, this thoughtful gift was the perfect way to honor his memory.

Emma’s lace wedding dress fit her flawlessly, and the moment she put it on, you could see how radiant and confident she felt. For their table numbers, the couple included photos of themselves at the corresponding ages- a charming and personal detail. After their ceremony, Emma & Jerret snapped a Polaroid photo together and used it as their cake topper, adding a unique and creative touch to their celebration.

First Touch:

Emma & Jerret chose to see each other for the first time during their ceremony, opting not to do a first look. However, to calm their nerves and connect beforehand, they decided on a first touch instead. This allowed them to hold hands, exchange gifts, and share a private moment to talk and express their excitement for their ceremony ahead.

Ceremony:

Their ceremony took place beside the barn, with one of the property’s picturesque ponds serving as the backdrop. As Emma’s dad walked her down the aisle, all eyes were on her- she radiated pure joy, and her smile was absolutely contagious. Emma’s brother, Ryan, officiated the ceremony, delivering a heartfelt and personalized service that perfectly captured Emma and Jerret’s love story.

Private Vows:

After their ceremony, Emma & Jerret shared their vows privately, away from their guests. The moment was filled with happy tears, laughter and smiles. As I quietly photographed from a distance to give them their space, I couldn’t help but to wipe tears from my own eyes. Their love is the kind that you can truly feel- a love that warms your heart and reminds you how special it is to be apart of a couple’s wedding day.

Reception:

Love being able to capture all guests together on the dance floor, plus bubbles add the perfect touch!

What a celebration it was! Emma and Jerret made their grand entrance into the reception by descending the loft stairs and went straight into their first dance with twirls, dips and lifts. They spent most of the evening on the dance floor, surrounded by family and friends who were fully immersed in the excitement. The energy was electric, with everyone in high spirits. Emma & Jerret ended their magical day with a private last dance, followed by a sparkler exit that was the perfect send-off.

Words from the couple:

Choosing Amanda to document our day was one of the best decisions we made during the wedding planning process!! We instantly connected with her during our first consultation call and it was apparent how much she cares about the couples she works with. We loved having our engagement session to get to know each other more and feel comfortable being photographed. Amanda guided us so much during the planning process giving the best advice and recommendations based on what we envisioned our day and photos to be. During our wedding day, Amanda was more than just a photographer to us. When things didn’t go as planned, she kept us calm throughout and always reminded us about the importance of the day. Our wedding gallery turned out better than we could have imagined!!! We feel so grateful we had Amanda on our wedding team and will cherish the moments she documented for us forever! We can’t recommend her enough!!!⁣
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Thank you so much Amanda for being such an important part of our day. We feel so so blessed our paths crossed and are so happy we can relive our special day with your beautiful photos!⁣
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With all the love, The Schunks

Vendor Team:

Photographer: Flash Me Photography

Venue: Fortune Valley Manor

DJ: Jade Entertainment

HMU: Salt Beauty

Dress: Majesty Bridal

Videographer: JRW Weddings