Noah + Makenzie | Wedding

A Heartfelt Winter Wedding at Excelsior Springs

December 12, 2025, marked not just the final wedding of my year, but a truly special celebration close to my heart. Held at the beautiful Excelsior Springs Event Center in Saratoga, New York, this winter wedding was filled with family connections, laughter, and a touch of Christmas magic.

I’ve known Noah since he was just a little kid—he’s my cousin’s nephew—so watching him stand at the altar as a married man was incredibly meaningful for me. His bride, Makenzie, looked absolutely radiant. Her gown was simple, elegant, and timeless, fitting her perfectly in every way. The soft Christmas blue color palette tied everything together beautifully and added such a cozy winter feel to the day.

Makenzie was surrounded by bridesmaids that were made up of her sisters and closest friends, while Noah stood with groomsmen affectionately known as the Brotherhood—a group of guys he’s been close with since middle school. The bond between them all was so genuine and really set the tone for the day.

Before the ceremony, Makenzie and Noah shared a private first look on the balcony of the bridal suites at the Courtyard by Marriott, just next door to Excelsior Springs. It was such a sweet, intimate moment. They were already laughing together, soaking it all in, and you could feel the love and excitement as they anticipated becoming husband and wife.

The ceremony itself was incredibly special. Makenzie’s grandfather performed the ceremony, making it deeply personal. While it was a bit shorter than expected (which gave everyone a little chuckle), it was filled with tender moments—especially watching Noah and Makenzie steal glances at one another throughout.

Because we completed all of the family photos before the ceremony, Makenzie and Noah were able to fully enjoy cocktail hour with their guests. I love when couples get that uninterrupted time to relax, celebrate, and truly be present with the people they love.

The reception was full of heartfelt moments, beginning with wonderful speeches from Makenzie’s older sister, Noah’s best friend, and both of Makenzie’s parents, and a special blessing by the groom’s father. Each shared touching stories about their childhoods, how Noah and Makenzie met, and how it was clear almost immediately that these two were meant to be together. One of the most emotional moments of the night was Makenzie’s father-daughter dance, which she shared with both her father and her stepfather. With eight parents between them, it was truly beautiful to see such a blended family filled with love and mutual respect—I always love witnessing families come together so seamlessly.

Once the formalities wrapped up, the party truly began. DJ WaiLin was absolutely phenomenal, keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed all night long. The celebration was full of laughter, joy, and nonstop dancing—the perfect way to end the night.

Ending my 2025 wedding season with Noah and Makenzie’s day was an absolute honor. Their wedding was filled with love, family, and so many meaningful moments, and I’m so grateful I got to capture it all.

Special Thanks to the Amazing Vendor Team

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible vendors who helped make this day so seamless and beautiful:

• Venue: Excelsior Springs Event Center
• Getting Ready Location: Courtyard by Marriott
• Videography: Media 1 Productions
• Cake: Desserts by Deedee
• DJ: DJ WaiLin
• Hair: Erin Flores
• Second Photographer: Molly Trembley

It truly takes an amazing team to bring a wedding day together, and this group was exceptional from start to finish.

— Nicole April Photography 💙