As the holidays are fast approaching, why not share a little bit about this darling Christmas-themed wedding at the Preston Barn in Dover Plains? I loved this wedding from beginning to end, from the moment Greg told me Christmas was his favorite holiday to hugging him and Abby at the end of their wedding reception. This day felt like unwrapping the best Christmas gift you could ever ask for.

THE COUPLE

Abby and Greg have known each other since high school, but started dating (long distance!) in college. They love to spend time together, hiking and cuddling their adorable dog, and also love winter (hence, a winter wedding).

Spending time with Abby and Greg feels like spending time with two peas in a pod. They’re so similar, but also different in their own ways. Reserved, but excited. Happy, and content.

One of the cutest things about Abby is that she did her wedding venue research based on my Instagram page - she would scroll through, write down what venues looked appealing, and then carry on her research and visits from there. I loved knowing that we were connected far before I ever even knew we were!

THE VENUE

The Preston Barn in Dover Plains is an absolutely beautiful venue. Every time I get to photograph a wedding there, it’s a joy because the grounds are so lovely, the accommodations are so cozy, and the barn itself is just stunning. It’s located down a neighborhood road, tucked away from any hustle and bustle, and walking onto the grounds feels like walking into another world. The inn on site (Old Drovers Inn), where many couples and guests choose to stay for the weekend, is historic, and hosts a wonderful restaurant. It has cozy rooms, perfect for getting ready. The barn was built more recently, is large, and has modern amenities, such as indoor restrooms and heat - amenities that can be hard to find in most barn venues! Additionally, the food and wedding day coordination at Preston Barn is phenomenal. It’s an all-around great choice for hosting a wedding.

THE DETAILS

Because Greg’s favorite holiday is Christmas, all of the wedding decor pointed back to this holiday. His cufflinks were even Christmas trees! Their florals were a mix of white and red, with pinecones mixed in, and their wedding party wore shades of deep green. They gave out ornaments as favors, and their tablescapes featured lanterns alongside greenery.

The Preston Barn and Old Drovers Inn decorates for Christmas every year, so Abby and Greg were also able to use the location’s decor to enhance their already beautiful wedding aethetic.

THE RECEPTION

All I remember from Abby and Greg’s wedding reception is pure happiness. Celebration. Delight. Excitement.

Abby and Greg’s wedding felt like the thrill you feel as a kid on Christmas morning, tiptoeing down the stairs to look at the tree twinkle early in the morning, opening your stocking, eating some candy, anticipating what you will get to unwrap. It was an adorable day, and the perfect end to my season that year.

FROM THE COUPLE

“When we first started planning our wedding I knew one of the aspects of planning that meant the most to us was finding a great photographer. I found Sweet Alice Photography on Instagram and KNEW I had to work with her. I loved her photos so much that I venue-shopped through her Instagram feed! The very day that our venue was booked we reached out to have a consultation call with Erica and booked with her right away.

Erica was so professional and kind from the moment we met. She took two people who hate being photographed and made it all feel so natural. The photos we received back from our engagement session and the wedding exceeded all of our expectations. All of the family and friends that have looked through the photos from the wedding have said how perfectly the photos captured the feeling of the day.

I can't thank Erica enough for how special she made our day and how much we enjoyed working with her!”