Michael Gallitelli Photographer

Mallozzi’s
Jessica and Robert’s Wedding
New Years Eve

We all have special ways of celebrating and bringing in a new year, but, when you are a wedding photographer, you always know what you will be doing!
I can’t think of a better way to spend New Years Eve, especially when you have a bride and groom like Jessica and Bob! The enthusiasm and love that they clearly have for each other, made this day so amazing! Jessica looked gorgeous walking down the aisle of the St. Pius X Church in Loudonville, where Bob waited anxiously to start their new life together.

Although Jess prayed for snow, her wish list of places to take photographs was perfect even without the snow. Time to get back to Mallozzi’s to really get this party started and so it did, with the cocktail hour and then Grand Central Station welcoming the wedding party into the ballroom. After a delicious dinner, wedding cake, and Mallozzi’s famous Viennese table, there was non-stop dancing, laughter, and so much fun!At the stroke of midnight, everyone got noise makers and hats and watched the ball drop in Times Square!

Thank you Jess and Bob for choosing us to be part of this incredible celebration! You made our day feel more like a day out with friends than work!
We wish you years of health, happiness and everything you wish in life!

Michael and Nancy

Kim and Jason, their story to follow…

Erica and Patrick, their story to follow very soon….

Saratoga National Golf Club
Alyssa and Scott’s Wedding
Friday, October 14, 2011

What an amazing weekend of weddings we had starting on Friday with Alyssa and Scott! We arrived at the Hyatt Place in Saratoga, and found Alyssa enjoying the
company of her girlfriends while we got started! Everything Alyssa picked out for her wedding was so perfect for her and her bridesmaids! She looked stunning in her gorgeous dress and posed for Michael that captured the essence of her personality and beautiful smile! We arrived at Saratoga national Golf Club to join Scott and his groomsmen, where
the reveal would take place, as well as the ceremony and reception. Although this was a rainy day off and on, this actually was lucky for several reasons! Why you ask, well, Alyssa and Scott love water, so umbrellas were used for some fun photos as well as a pair of cute boots for the bride! Even the centerpieces at the reception was a water theme. After a heartfelt meaningful ceremony in the pouring rain, under a tent, guests were treated to an elaborate cocktail hour while we set out onto the golf course for some awesome pictures!One of the hi-lights of the evening, was the entertainment for the evening. Alyssa and Scott truly picked a band that reflexed their fun loving personalities! The band just didn’t play music, they are entertainers like nothing we have ever seen! They are from New York City, and their name is Eternity. After all the formalities, they played and entertained non-stop and literally nobody sat in their seats while Videographer Lance Wheeler captured the action. Alyssa changed into her second dress and she and Scott danced and just totally enjoyed every moment of this amazing evening!

Thank you Alyssa and Scott for your enthusiasm, your spirit and sense of humor which made our time with you totally enjoyable and fun! You are so perfect for each other and we wish you all the happiness you both deserve!

Congratulations!

Michael and Nancy

Lake George Boat House
Taryn and Sean’s Wedding
Sunday, October 16th 2011

What a way to end the weekend of weddings! Excuse me if I have repeated myself from other blogs I have written, but this weekend of weddings has been amazing! This entire season has been awesome and Taryn and Sean have been added to the list of memorable weddings! How could you go wrong with your wedding in Lake George, on the water, surrounded by your closest friends and family and a very happy bride and groom! We found Taryn and her wedding party in her suite where her make-up artist Erin Marzilli (www.emarzmakeup.com) and hairdresser spent time with everyone before it was time to get dressed.
Taryn looked stunning and as a professional news reporter, she knew how to work the camera with very little direction! Before leaving for the church Sean had a gift delivered to Taryn that was so sweet, I even got choked up. It was a picture of Sean on one knee proposing to Taryn in Hawaii on the beach! So sweet!

We arrived at the church to find Sean and his groomsmen waiting for the ladies, so we took advantage of the time and worked with Sean and his best man. After the ceremony and some family pictures we went back to the Lake George Boat House and took advantage of the gorgeous scenery by the Lake.

We had so much fun with Taryn and Sean, and their enthusiasm was amazing! They were so willing to do whatever Michael had in mind for some awesome pictures and for that I thank you both! After some of the funniest toasts I have heard by Taryn’s sisters and bestman, and a very romantic first dance, a delicious dinner was served and then the party began! DJ Rick Mitchell did a great job with the music and guests enjoyed themselves all night! The staff and management at the Lake George Boat House were very accommodating and easy to work with.

At the end of the evening Sean looked at Taryn and Michael and said “I love this little guy, I really do”! That was so cute and sincere, but Sean and Taryn, I have to thank you for making Michael so happy all day! Your enthusiasm and willingness to let him get creative was amazing and looking at the pictures you can see why he was so happy! The love you have for each other was so apparent and it was all captured in the photographs!

Congratulations and we wish you all the health and happiness you both deserve!

Michael and Nancy

Equinox Hotel and Resort
Manchester VT
Saturday October 8th, 2011
Jessica and Tracy’s Wedding

We have been on a winning streak with the most amazing brides, grooms, and wedding venues!

This weekend was no exception at the spectacular Equinox Hotel and Resort that Jessica and Tracy chose for their special wedding day!
With a little hint of the leaves changing their colors, not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature reaching close to 80, you couldn’t par for a day like this!

Jessica looked stunning and posed like a professional after Michael gave her a little direction. The entire day was flawless! Ninety-four guests wee treated a heartfelt wedding ceremony outside by the boathouse overlooking, water and mountains so close you could almost touch them. The cocktail hour was held in the boathouse with appetizers of all types to please everyone! As guests were shuttled back to the hotel, Michael had time to photograph the magnificent ballroom. It is called the Rockwell Room, and I felt like I was in a dining room that was in somebody’s private home, maybe Norman Rockwell’s!

After all the formalities were taken care of, guests were treated to the band RIPCORD from Boston, MA. Kevin O’Brien and his band members www.ripcordmusic.com had everyone in the room dancing and singing all night! The banquet manager Lauren and her staff also did an amazing job attending to all the details that brought this wedding together.

Thank you Jessica and Tracy for allowing us to capture this magical day with you!
Congratulations!

Michael and Nancy

The Mansion Inn Bed and Breakfast, Saratoga (Rock City Falls, NY)
Saturday, October 1st, 2011
Jess and Frank’s Wedding

What an amazing wedding we were privileged to photograph at The Mansion Inn Saratoga! This Mansion is a photographers dream! Every room had so much potential for capturing the essence of what a destination wedding should look like when you want that Victorian feel! Frank welcomed us at the door and after we said hello to Jess, Michael and I just wandered around like two kids in a candy store soaking in the beauty of all the rooms and anxious to get started! While Jess was getting hair and make-up done, we spent some fun quality time with Frank and his groomsmen on the patio. In spite of Saturday’s off and on rainy day, Jess and Frank’s spirits were high, and they were willing to endure the inclement weather for some awesome shots!
Jess looked absolutely beautiful from hair, make-up, dress and all the gorgeous flowers created by Hidden Gardens Florist. Since the weather was still not cooperating by the ceremony time, what could be a better alternative but a beautiful barn! Welcoming guests was one of Jess’s brothers playing the harp and leading the way for the bridal party was her other brother playing bagpipes.

I have to say that every aspect of this wedding was spectacular! The food presentation, the staff and hospitality at The Mansion Inn was just above and
beyond any brides dream wedding! Thank you Jess and Frank for your kindness. It was a joy being a part of this very special day with you and your family and friends!

Congratulations! May your life be filled with all the happiness you both deserve!

Michael and Nancy

Franklin Plaza
Friday, September 30, 2011
Alyssa and Rob’s Wedding

What a wonderful way to finish the month of September; spending the day with Alyssa and Rob to capture every moment of their special wedding day! Spirits were high at Alyssa’s family home, and the bride looked beautiful as she posed like a pro for her photo shoot! The weather was perfect all day, which enabled us to take everyone outside for pictures.

We met up with Rob at the St. Pius Church in Loudonville, where he and his best man Jules, were waiting for their photo shoot. With the ceremony and pictures complete at the church, we were off to the Franklin Plaza. We had so much fun with the wedding party in the famous alley behind the plaza and from there it was party time!

I have said this many times before, but The Franklin Plaza is one of the top venues in the capital district, thanks to Joe, Greg and their staff.
Every wedding is designed for each individual bride from beginning to end. Even the lighting can be changed to add to the ambience of the room. Alyssa chose blue for the night and the room looked spectacular! The night seemed to fly by after all the formalities were complete and DJ Paul Malo had the dance floor rocking all night!

Thank you Alyssa and Rob for letting us be part of your amazing wedding day with you and your family and friends!
Congratulations!

Colleen and Dan’s story to follow

Rebecca Feig Schenck and Jeffrey Schenck’s story:
(Saturday, September 17, 2011- Lake George Yacht Club)

It wasn’t love at first sight, but it didn’t take long for Becky and Jeff to realize there was something special between them after meeting while working at The College of St. Rose. They were drawn to each other by their sense of humor and common interests, and they soon became a couple. Their shared love of the outdoors made it only fitting that they became engaged while camping at Lake Harris in the Adirondacks, one of Becky’s favorite places.

They wanted to be married in the Adirondacks and the Lake George Club in Diamond Point, with its unique 100- year old building right on the lake, provided the perfect setting. The weather was unseasonably cool that day, with clouds thickening in the afternoon, but thankfully the sun broke out shortly before the ceremony. Not only was the lake a perfect backdrop for the ceremony under a chuppah, but it was also a perfect spot for Jeff’s friends and bandmates to celebrate their union with soaring tunes on the bagpipes as they led the newly wed couple up the aisle. The blues and greens of the kilts were offset by the brilliant reds and oranges of the flowers provided by Felthousen’s Florist in Niskayuna.

Becky and Jeff’s day was made possible with the help of Bill Finnen, manager of the Lake George Club, who was there from start to finish, and the amazing Chef Tony DeStratis. Hairstylists Courtenay and Gabby from The Color Bar in Rotterdam and make-up artist, Corey Rowe did a wonderful job helping the girls glow despite the cold temperature at the water’s edge.

The party went on for hours thanks to Brian Garreau, from Piano Man’s DJ Productions, and the wonderful pipers and drummers from the Schenectady Pipe Band, led by the groom, the Pipe Major. It was a thrilling moment when the band surprised the guests by playing the traditional Jewish wedding song, Hava Nagila. Bill Finnen commented that the Lake George Club had never seen anything quite like it.

Becky and Jeff opted for a small wedding cake and a variety of pastries, rather than a traditional cake. The cake was decorated to look like tree bark and topped with Adirondack chairs, in keeping with the Fall in the Adirondacks theme. Everything was prepared by The Lake George Baking Company and was absolutely fantastic, especially the famous Fudge Fancies.

Memories of this special day will endure thanks to the hard work and talents of Photographer Michael Galitelli and his assistant, Nancy, and videographers Giovanni D’Abbiero and Diane Luckey from Video Craft. What a day!