In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, Chelsey talks about why she chose a wedding band over a DJ and the perfect fall weather on her wedding day.
(Photo courtesy of JAYLim Studio)
Like most brides, Chelsey was worried about the weather for her Oct. 5, 2024 wedding. But when the day arrived, it was 74 degrees and sunny the entire day! The great weather meant she and her husband Mark got to have their ceremony outdoors – which is what they wanted all along.
A Sorority Setup
Chelsey and Mark met at Syracuse University in February 2015, when a friend set them up for a sorority social. Like most college couples, they hung out for a while before getting serious. In fact, Chelsey says she met his entire family at a wedding before they actually made things official.
In 2022, during their annual apple picking trip, Mark popped the question. “We had been going apple picking near Syracuse every year since we started dating,” says Chelsey. “We usually go with his family, so they were all there when he proposed.” Mark also invited Chelsey’s family for an engagement dinner.
The Perfect Indoor/Outdoor Venue
As Chelsey and Mark started looking for venues that October, they knew they needed to find one that had a great outdoor space for their ceremony but also a suitable indoor backup in case of inclement weather. “We looked at a lot of venues that just turned their ballroom into a ceremony space,” explains Chelsey. “But we wanted a venue that had a dedicated space for a ceremony.” And they found the perfect space at Pine Hollow Club, a BOLI Preferred Venue. “Even though we didn’t use it, the indoor ceremony space at Pine Hollow is beautiful and exactly what we were looking for,” says Chelsey. “It has really high ceilings and windows, which make you feel like you’re outside.”
Another reason they loved Pine Hollow? They could arrive at the venue any time they wanted. “We were able to get there at 6:30 a.m. to start getting ready,” says Chelsey. This meant they could have their first look and all of their photos done ahead of their ceremony. “Pine Hollow was so flexible and accommodating,” she says. “It was so easy to work with them to create the timeline that we wanted.”
(Photo courtesy of JAYLim Studio)
MORE: Pine Hollow Club Offers Beauty, Sophistication, and Versatility on Your Wedding Day
All Night Long
Aside from the venue, Chelsey says the band and the photographer were their most important vendors to choose. “We LOVE watching live music,” says Chelsey. “We always knew that we wanted a band at our wedding.” They booked with Crossing Midnight Entertainment, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, and they were not disappointed. “The band covered pretty much every song and genre of music we asked for,” says Chelsey. “Everyone was raving about them. People were literally getting kicked off the dance floor to eat dinner. They were that good.”
Crossing Midnight Entertainment wasn’t the only vendor that went above and beyond all night for Chelsey and Mark. “Honestly, we loved all of our vendors,” says Chelsey. “From the amazing food and the bridal attendant who didn’t leave my side at the Pine Hollow Club to our photographer Hannah from JayLim, who matched my creative vision, everyone was amazing.”
(Photo courtesy of JAYLim Studio)
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Because of the amazing weather, they got to have the outdoor ceremony they had hoped for. They worked with Jacqueline Brehm, from LI Officiant, a BOLI Preferred Vendor. “From our first call before we booked her to the day of the wedding, Jacqueline was amazing to work with,” says Chelsey. Jacqueline drafted a script that really captured Chelsey and Mark’s relationship, and even helped the pair work on their wedding vows. “It was the perfect balance of humor and emotion that we were looking for,” says Chelsey. “Our ceremony was everything we dreamed of because of Jacqueline.”
A Moment of Calm
You may have heard the saying “calm before the storm.” Chelsey says as she was getting ready, she looked out the window of Pine Hollow and had a true moment of calm – which ended up lasting the rest of the day. “We had such a beautiful day,” says Chelsey. “As I looked out the window that morning, I felt a really nice moment of peace. I honestly couldn’t believe it.” And the rest of the day went smoothly because she says she trusted her vendors. “I put a lot of faith into my vendors,” says Chelsey. “We shared our vision with them, and everything turned out exactly how we wanted it to.”
(Photo courtesy of JAYLim Studio)
MORE: Enjoy Premier Long Island Wedding Venue Pine Hollow Club — All to Yourself
Now that she is settling into married life with Mark, Chelsey has some words of advice for future brides. “As you start your planning, take one vendor at a time,” she says. “When I started planning, I was so excited I emailed everyone. And it was overwhelming when everyone started responding at the same time.” She suggests narrowing down your vision, and tackling one vendor at a time to find the perfect one for you and your future spouse. She adds, “Trust your vendors, and just enjoy yourself on your wedding day.”
(Photo courtesy of JAYLim Studio)
Vendors:
Venue: Pine Hollow Club, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer/Videographer: JayLim (Hannah)
Band: Crossing Midnight Entertainment, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Andrew Pascoe Flowers
Hair: AP Hair Designs, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Makeup: Makeup by Marisa
Officiant: Jacqueline Brehm, from LI Officiant, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Dress: Bridal Salon of Huntington Village, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Cake: Buttercooky Bakery
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse
Transportation: Sir Oliver, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Invitations: Maple and Ember
After Party: The Coop Nashville Kitchen and Bar
(Photo courtesy of JAYLim Studio)