As seen on The White Wren.

Margaret and Dave’s Catskills wedding was intimate, elegant, and effortless. They’re college sweethearts who both love the outdoors and adventuring together. They’re silly together and balance each other so well. Their love shines through in the way they hold hands and constantly seek each other’s gaze. They have the kind of love that makes my job easy. So, I adored first getting to know these two during their Block Island engagement session and then being with them for their intimate micro wedding at the end of June.

Holding their wedding in the Catskill where Margaret grew up was always the plan. Luckily, even with Plan B, they brought that vision to life. Because of Covid-19 and the challenges that 2020 presented, what began as a 200-person event at the Onteora Club evolved into a twenty-person micro wedding at Margaret’s childhood home. And the day ended up being even more special than they had could have imagined.

Bridal Preparations For A Catskills Wedding

Margaret and David always looked forward to a wedding that was elegant and refined, but also relaxed and comfortable. They planned a day that focused on celebrating with their loved ones. And they wanted to include and accentuate the natural beauty of the Catskills in the design elements of the wedding. To that end, they chose blue hues and white florals to go with the greenery and mountain views. Their invitation by Ink Revival featured a letterpress monogram at the top and set the tone for their guests. Although it was overcast and rained intermittently throughout the day, I was thrilled to able to document Margaret’s details and her bridal preparations on film and I love the scans from Goodman Film Lab.

Margaret got ready with her mom, maid of honor, and best friends at her childhood home. She and her bridesmaids did their own hair and makeup. Then her mom and maid of honor helped her into her gorgeous wedding gown from the bridal shop A Little Something White. Margaret wore a classic and elegant strapless gown with buttons down the back and a full skirt, along with a cathedral-length veil for the ceremony. David wore a blue summer suit, complete with his initials sewn onto the cuffs of the shirt.

Intimate Catskills Wedding Ceremony

Margaret and David fully embraced the micro wedding concept. They got married in the small stone church that Margaret went to as a child. The church is incredibly quaint and kept the ceremony cozy.

With a guest list of 20 people that included immediate family and just a few close friends, they made some decisions they wouldn’t have originally. Margaret explained, “We’re really excited for our ceremony, Dave and I decided to write our own vows and read them to each other – which is something we might not have done with a ~200 person group.” After the ceremony Margaret and David rang the church bells as loved ones cheered.

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Catskills Wedding Portraits at The Onteora Club

Then everyone headed to the Onteora Club for some portraits and a champagne toast. The morning was heavy with a soaking rain that eased into misting and fog, so we did a round of portraits inside the field house at the club before stepping out for a few portraits made even more romantic by the lingering fog.

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Catskill Mountains Wedding Reception

Back at home, Margaret & Dave enjoyed a relaxed cocktail hour on the back deck decorated with lush flower boxes. Then they did their first dance before heading inside for dinner. As they danced, the fog started to clear just a bit giving a glimpse at the Catskill mountains in the distance!

The living room was transformed into a reception space for dinner. Bistro lights were strung across the ceiling and tables were adorned in floral centerpieces by Linda Baldwin Events. Margaret & Dave chose details that highlighted the locale and embraced clean styling. Each seat at the intimate dinner featured a menu and small jar of local honey..

They enjoyed a three course meal catered by Main Course Catering. A series of toasts throughout dinner celebrated the newlyweds. Afterwards, everyone went back outside for parent dances and cake. Margaret and David’s Plan B ended up being incredibly emotional, special, and intimate.