{photos by Christina Bohn Photography}

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We are ALL ABOUT out-of-the-box wedding venues.  Farms, backyards, museums, a favorite restaurant – anytime we come across a unique location, we get super giddy.

There is truly nothing like live music, and Long Island has definitely produced amazing talent (Joan Jett, Billy Joel, Lou Reed) and houses a fair share of  famous venues and theaters.  Music tends to be a vital part of many weddings, and if you and your future spouse pray to the rock gods, follow your favorite band to the ends of the earth, or go out dancing every weekend, is it that much of a stretch to consider a music venue for your big day?  All you’d need to do is throw in food, family and friends, and you’re a guest at your own concert.  So, for all of those brides and grooms that were born to rock, here’s our list of Long Island music venues that host private events.

If you’ve been to a show at the Paramount in Huntington, you know just how great the venue is, and might be excited to know they  allow for event rental of parties of any size (capacity up to 1600) , and any type, from cocktail to weddings.  I’d also ask how their Trolley could work for your guests.

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The Emporium in Patchogue has been creating quite a buzz over the last year, and for pretty good reason.  The venue not only hosts great live acts on it’s large stage, but also has an outdoor beer garden, spacious dance floor, bowling alley, 48 draft lines, and an award-winning chef behind it’s restaurant.

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89 North, also located in the Village of Patchogue, is a new, spacious venue that can allow for up to 450 guests.  Competitive food specials with local restaurants takes the stress of searching for off-premise catering. Local beers and Long Island wine is on tap, along with a fully stocked top shelf selection of liquor.

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Holding your wedding at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury means your event is in good company – the theatre turns 50 this year, and has seen many famous faces and talented acts.  Catering is provided by Wolfgang Puck, and the theater itself can host events of many different sizes.

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Once it was a couple’s first dance song that would forever create a memory – now many brides and grooms are using meaningful music during ceremonies, as well.  Carolyn is a perfect fit for both the moment before you say ‘I do’, through to the start of your celebration.

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself.

A. I am a wife, mother of two and a singer/actress!  Born, raised, and currently living on the North Shore of Long Island.

Q. When did you decide to start singing professionally?

A. I have been singing and acting since I can remember, with a grand plan to be on Broadway.  However, once I got to college to study theater, I realized how hard of a road it was and didn’t think I had the ‘soul to suffer’ for my craft.  I was content with my decision and came home.  Shortly after, I met and married my husband and that part of my life started.  Married, raising two children and loving being a stay-at-home mom, I still felt like something was missing from my life; I needed to get back to work and didn’t want it to be in an office – I wanted to sing and act!  That was my passion.

With the blessing of my family, I started taking singing/acting lessons.  They helped me get my singing ‘chops’ back and before I knew it, I was auditioning and performing.  My first break came portraying Ethel Merman at the Stony Brook Cultural Center and eventually I found myself at CM Performing Arts portraying Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast and Mrs. Paroo in Music Man, to name a few.  I have even been given the prestigious opportunity to sing the National Anthem twice at The Hampton Classic Horse Show.  Presently I am acting and doing commercial/TV work and thrilled to be singing at some of the North Shore’s finest restaurants.

Q. Apart from singing and entertaining, what do you do?

A. I am a homemaker and raising two children which in of itself is very busy.  My husband and I enjoy a great social life and have wonderful family and friends we spend time with.  We love to go see concerts at Jones Beach, catch a movie or just meet up with friends for a bite to eat.

Q. What inspires you?

A. Music and the joy of watching people listen to my music.  I love seeing a person recognize a song and watch as it brings them back to a certain time, place or event in their life.  The ability to touch someone through music is very inspiring.

Q. What are your favorite locations to perform?

A. I love doing small, intimate events like weddings, birthdays, anniversary parties, etc. – having the personal connection with people to make their event truly special.  I treat the day as if it were my own family member’s special occasion.

Q. What fashion possession do you most cherish?

A. It would have to be my black Palazzo pants!  I love them!  You can dress them up or down for any event or occasion and so comfortable.

Q. Who has been your greatest inspiration?

A. My greatest inspiration are my children.  I may be raising them, but they are teaching me new things everyday.  They are my greatest blessings.

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HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS | Cole and I went to High School together.  He seems to remember me from 11th grade health class, but I remember meeting him our senior year, in our Great Moral Issues class.  Cole is 6’7, so he is pretty hard to miss – plus, he has a great personality.  He would come into class late everyday, with a girl hooked on each arm and the teacher would just say, “Mr. Ferraro, welcome to class.  Thank you for joining us – take a seat.” and that was it!  He wouldn’t get in trouble or questioned.

After finally getting to know him, we went to Starbucks one night and I told him “I kind of have a crush on you” and he replied, “Okay”.  I continued, “So, what are we?’ he responded with an “I don’t know”, so I made the executive decision and established us as boyfriend and girlfriend.  A man of few words, he again replied “Okay.”, and we began dating that January of senior year.  We enjoyed an amazing year together and went to the prom, but after graduation, we broke-up.  It was amicable, and Cole even met me for breakfast the morning I left for college, giving me a beautiful gold heart locket as a gift.

REUNITED | We didn’t speak at all during our college years and even dated other people.  Fast forward five years later, I graduated from college and moved home, working at my dad’s office for the summer before figuring out what to do with my life.  Walking to my car one day, I noticed a friend’s family construction truck in the parking lot and thought my friend might be working for his father, but to my surprise it was Cole!  I yelled out after him, and we caught up briefly, exchanging numbers afterwards; I told him to call me sometime.  A few weeks later, he did! We spent the rest of the summer getting to know each other again.  For our second first date, we went to a local italian restaurant.  He got the ravioli.  I got the 5 lbs. lobster – I knew he was a keeper when he didn’t run!

THE PERFECT PLACE | Once we were engaged, the first major decision was where to have our wedding.  My family and I moved to ‘West Wind’ on Shore Road in Setauket when I was 8 years old.  It was a castle then, and it is still a castle to me to this day.  The house is such a special place, and so beautiful that I always envisioned myself getting married there.  In my mind, there was no other place in the world that I wanted to marry the love of my life!  Not only was this where I grew up, but have fond memories of end-of-school-year pool parties, or watching sunsets on the porch during cocktail hour with my family.  Playing on the ‘Rock Bridge’ and the mud flats with friends.  It is the most special place in the world to me, and where the majority of my childhood memories are from; but we can’t stay here forever.

My parents wanted to retire and down-size, and Cole and I can’t afford to pay for West Wind.  Having our wedding at the house was necessary for personal closure, and to make one last happy memory there.  My mother is from South Carolina, and has amazing style and taste.  So, that was really the inspiration to our wedding.  Creams, whites, blues would be the color scheme.

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE | Jody Bloomberg of J.Lynn Affairs was our lifesaver of a coordinator.  For awhile I had the ‘I can do it all myself’ mentality, until I realized, I can’t!  Jody was the calm buffer I needed to get things done, from making phone calls, confirming, organizing and keeping track of the itinerary.  Jody and her staff were amazing!  Heidi of Sugar Magnolias did our flower arrangements – her work always looks so crisp and put together perfectly – hiring her was a no-brainer!

To capture the day, Christina Bohn was my top choice amongst photographers because her work tells a story, and her pictures really put you at whatever celebration she is shooting.  She captures the little moments that you want to have forever.  I have always been reluctant of a videographer at weddings due to their invasive spotlight and annoying questions.  But John Miller of First Day Films introduced us to a new way of videography that I hadn’t seen before but had to have, especially if we wouldn’t have our home forever.

For hair and make-up, I had an amazing team.  George my hairstylist is very talented and was responsible for both my ceremony and reception styles.  Stacey Grasso and Carolyn Domino were my make-up team.  I told Stacey I wanted lashes, lashes, lashes and dark smokey eyes – she did it not only to perfection, but my make-up didn’t budge all night, even in the humidity and dancing!

Our reception tent was rented from NYTent – Steve Trebing was sweet, patient and helpful.  Linda of Party Rentals Ltd. was more than accommodating.  All the linens and rentals looked amazing, and it was delivered on time by a great staff.  Rudy Perrone, a local musician, played during our ceremony.  I had discovered him at a local restaurant one night before we were even engaged, but his sound stuck with me and I knew I would one day want him to perform at my wedding.  For cocktail and reception music, we chose Tommy’s Tunes.  Steel drums were performed during cocktail hour, and we had a DJ for the evening reception.  Even on a hot and humid night, everyone was out of their seats and dancing all night!

We chose Peter Ambrose of Peter Ambrose Event Catering (previously Food for Forks) to cater our wedding.  The food was delicious, and the at-home tasting is what sold me.  Our gorgeous cake was created by Macayla Michaels Desserts.  It tasted as amazing as it looked!  Our tasting was special and not rushed, and you can tell he cares about his customers as much as what he does.  To end the night, Little Cigar Factory provided hand-rolled cigars for guests to enjoy around the pool.  One of my favorite memories of the night was when Cole and I were in the ‘cigar lounge.  We sat down for a moment and I looked up at the tent lit up, all of our guests on the dance floor having a great time.  It was a dream come true.

A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES | At the end of the night, when the music had stopped, my friend and bridesmaid Sarah ask if they could all jump in the pool – I happily said yes!  As the guests shuffled out, there in the pool were some of my crazy bridesmaids still in their dresses, plus the groomsmen in their boxers; I had an immediate flashback of my pool parties from grade school.

Our wedding did exactly as I hoped – it created new, lasting memories of a house and place I love, along with all the people that we love, being a part of it.

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{ dagmar daley jubilee dresses in linen and silk; classic seersucker blazer }

We’ve fallen head over heals for a new little duo named eloise + oliver.  This meticulous collection of European-influenced clothing for children up to size 6, means even the littlest member of your bridal party will be sweet and chic.

The line carries many styles for all types of occasions, from playtime to party.   Little frocks for girls, or slacks and jackets for boys work perfectly for a young flower girl, ring bearer or guest.  You can purchase via the online store, or at the eloise + oliver boutique inside the STUDIO in Stony Brook, NY.

We only warn you that you may have some serious competition on your wedding day.

{ dagmar daley jubilee dress in linen; voilet striped shirt with tan linen vest and cropped pants }

{ odette tutu dress; seersucker blazer paired with matching seersucker shorts }

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The wedding industry is always growing, and one of the best parts about working in it is getting to know the many people who specialize in making a couple’s wedding one of the best days of their lives.

There are so many stages of the day, and it is Dede Tosun’s job to start you off with your best face forward.  We have heard and seen great things from Dede, owner of NY|Artistry, for some time, so it was with greater excitement to meet her in person, and get to know more about her through our spotlight!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself.

A. I worked at MAC cosmetics for some time where I was able to refine my skill.  There was an opportunity to work with brides, so I took it.  It was then that I wanted to focus on freelancing and starting my own business, NY|Artistry.  Today, brides are my main focus, but I do embrace non-bridal clients just as well.

Q. When did you decide to start doing make-up?

A. In my early 20′s is when I really wanted to work as a make-up artist.  I ran out of people in my circle to try make-up on, so working at a counter gave me endless faces!

Q. Apart from being a make-up artist, what do you like to do?

A. I love to explore!  Driving out east and stopping at farm stands along the way makes me a happy girl.

Q. What inspires you?

A. Color inspires me – a great example is my love for combining eye shadows most people would be surprised go together; it allows me to be creative and deliver a beautifully finished look for my clients.

Q. What are your favorite products to work with?

A. Of course anything MAC: Paint Pot (shadow base), mineralized powders/bl

ush; an awesome bridal setting spray from Skindinavia.

Q. What fashion possession do you most cherish?

A. My father’s I.D. bracelet.  Yellow gold + diamonds = old school!

Q. Who has been your greatest inspiration?

A. I am constantly inspired by other artists – both those that I have worked with in the past, and some of whose work I follow on social media.  Each make-up artist has has something different to bring to the table.  There are no limits!

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Corrine and Lazlo will be married at The Old Field Club on 10.11.13, and chose to take their engagement photos with Christina Bohn amongst the seasonal foliage that will closely reflect their big day.

Congrats to the beautiful couple!

{photos by Christina Bohn Photography}

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Ashley of Ashley Douglas Events did a lovely job of arranging the day, and John Miller of First Day Films captured the couple beautifully against the backdrop of the Old Field Club and West Meadow Beach.

For more on Loranth and Chris’s engagement session, check out Ashley Douglass’ blog!

Loranth and Chris from First Day Films on Vimeo.

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Pops of color aside, there was one other thing that stood out from Aileen and Kyle’s wedding.  Their photographers (husband and wife team Jonny and Michelle of Paper Antler) were on a mission to photograph 50 weddings in 50 different states to raise funds for She Dances, a non-profit organization with a mission to aid young girls who have been victims of human trafficking. Each couple would donate $1,000 to the cause titled, the ‘Nifty Fifty‘.  Paper Antler successfully raised $50,000 and Aileen and Kyle were part of that effort.

We are honored to share Aileen and Kyle’s wedding with you today!

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