In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, we spoke with Emily about the standout professionals who didn’t just show up for her wedding … they went the extra mile.
(Photo by Lumos Wedding Photography)
Our wedding days wouldn’t be complete without the incredible teams working behind the scenes, and Emily and Ryan were lucky to have vendors who truly poured their hearts into the experience. From her hairstylist to her photographers, each one found small but meaningful ways to make the day smoother, sweeter and even more memorable.
A Love Story By Chance
Emily and Ryan first crossed paths at the dive bar where she worked — a place Ryan rarely visited. “His friends were regulars, but he never really went there,” Emily says. “That one night he did.” They began dating in January 2020, and early on, a winter trip to Lake Placid led them to a quiet covered bridge. Ryan carved their initials into the wood, a simple moment that became their place. “We went back a couple of times because it meant so much to us,” she says.
Three years later, Ryan used that same bridge to ask the biggest question of all. For Emily’s birthday on July 20, 2023, he surprised her with a return trip, complete with a cozy Airbnb and her two best friends waiting to celebrate. He brought her back to the bridge and asked her to take their dog, Harley, down to the water while he “carved Harley’s name next to their initials.” When she walked back up, the wood said ‘Will you marry me?’ “I was so oblivious,” Emily laughs. “I turned around and he was on one knee. It was perfect.”
(Photo by Lumos Wedding Photography)
Thoughtful Approach to Planning
Emily always imagined a long engagement, not because she was indecisive, but because she wanted to savor it. “You get married once, hopefully,” she says. “I just wanted to enjoy being engaged and the excitement of it all.” She didn’t dive into planning right away; instead, she waited nearly a year before seriously exploring venues and figuring out what kind of wedding felt right for them.
At first, she and Ryan hoped to marry upstate, where their story began. But after visiting a few places, nothing felt like “the one.” It wasn’t until her aunt encouraged her to look locally that Emily discovered the Three Village Inn, a BOLI Preferred Venue, — a place she’d lived near her whole life without realizing it. “It was so cute and clean, and it just made sense,” she says. Once they booked, planning truly began, starting with the vendors that mattered most to her: videography and photography. “Those were the two things I knew I wanted to invest in so we could look back on everything,” she explains.
Once she found Lumos Wedding Photography, a BOLI Preferred Vendor, through another Three Village Inn bride, everything clicked. “When I met Rachel and Chris, I just loved them,” Emily says. “I wanted photographers I’d actually enjoy spending the whole day with, and they were so personable.” Their engagement session in September only confirmed she’d made the right choice, giving her a preview of the comfort and connection she’d feel on the wedding day.
(Photo by Lumos Wedding Photography)
It’s All in the Meaningful Details
Emily envisioned a vintage, old‑world feel that fit perfectly with the charm of the Three Village Inn. She and Ryan added personal touches everywhere: a booklet of handwritten recipes from their grandparents at each place setting, signature cocktails featuring their pets and playful oversized cutouts of their dogs’ and cats’ faces during the bridal party entrance. She carried tributes to her late grandparents in her bouquet, gave Ryan cufflinks engraved in her handwriting and fulfilled her dream of riding in a vintage car from the church to the venue. The night before the wedding, Ryan surprised her with the leather journal she once wrote in — now filled with years of entries he’d secretly added. “I had no idea he planned to give it to me on our wedding day,” she says. They even used her parents’ 45‑year‑old cake topper and napkins printed with their own handwritten notes.
It was Emily’s vendors who made the day feel effortless. She gives her highest praise to Lumos Photography, especially Rachel, who kept the timeline smooth while still being warm and supportive. “She held my lip gloss, handed me a fan, fixed anything I stressed about. She was just constantly there for me,” Emily says. The Beauty Boys arrived early, brought great energy and delivered makeup her bridal party loved. Her hairstylist, Crystal, went above and beyond when a bridesmaid discovered her dress was the wrong color – she left mid‑morning, visited multiple stores and returned with several options, refusing payment. Emily also loved how seamlessly her videographer worked with the photography team, and their last‑minute content creator kept guests laughing with candid interviews and late‑night clips. “Everyone we worked with genuinely cared,” she says. “They made the day what it was.”
(Photo by Lumos Wedding Photography)
Keeping Things Fun
The Brides of Long Island community was a constant resource throughout Emily’s planning. “Oh my god, I was on there all the time,” she laughs. She used the search bar to look up vendors, get dress‑shopping recommendations and even check tipping guidelines. Now on the other side, her advice is simple: try to turn the stress into joy. “Any time I felt overwhelmed, I reminded myself this is such a happy, exciting time,” she says. “You only do this once, so make it fun. Even if you have to fake it a little, it helps — and the day is amazing no matter what.”
(Photo by Lumos Wedding Photography)
Vendors:
Venue: Estate at Three Village Inn, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Photographer: Lumos Wedding Photography, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Videography: Wedding Cinema – Pete Galgano
Content Creator: Stardust Motion & Stills (Florin Harrison)
DJ: Absolute DJ, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Village Florist
Hair: Crystal Hair Creations
Makeup: The Beauty Boys
Dress: Blu Rayne Bridal Boutique, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Cake: Rolling Pin Bakery