1. Real Weddings

Megan & Niall: A Winter Wedding in Saratoga Springs, NY

Niall knew right away that he wanted to marry Megan. He actually “proposed” on the night they met while out with friends at a Boston bar -- lucky for

Niall knew right away that he wanted to marry Megan. He actually “proposed” on the night they met while out with friends at a Boston bar -- lucky for him, Megan “accepted.” They announced their “engagement” to the entire bar and celebrated with a few drinks on the house! As it turned out, that night was worth celebrating, because Megan and Niall have been together ever since. The Bride Megan Healy, 28, in finance The Groom Niall Fahy, 34, sales coordinator The Date December 31 Two years after meeting, the couple were walking along Cisco Beach in Nantucket, having a relaxing evening and taking a few photos. Niall suggested that Megan get a shot of the beach. When she lifted the camera to take the photo, she saw a ring in the viewfinder. Niall asked if her acceptance still stood from the first night they’d met, and she said yes. That weekend they celebrated their official engagement with family and friends, and excitedly started planning their formal, New Year’s Eve wedding.

Megan and Niall had their first dance to Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing.” The band learned the song especially for them and made the trip upstate from Manhattan.
At the stroke of midnight, large sparkling fireworks and confetti filled the air, while the band played “Best of My Love,” by The Emotions.
Megan loves shoes -- she chose open-toed, silver d’Orsay heels accented with rhinestones. Because of the snow, she wore her trusty hunter green boots for most of the day.
Alluding to the New Year’s festivities ahead, clocks, set at five minutes to midnight, decorated the escort card table.
The couple designed their cocktail napkins using a silver snowflake motif and served three signature holiday cocktails: the Gingerbread Man, the Snowball, and the Pomegranate Cosmopolitan.
Each bridesmaid carried a wintry white and green bouquet of cabbage roses, mini calla lilies, roses, hydrangeas, stars of Bethlehem, and hypericum berries all wrapped together with silver ribbon.
Megan’s strapless, trumpet-style, ivory, silk radzimir gown had a vintage look with silver French knotting and crystal appliques on the bodice. Her bridesmaids wore navy blue jersey dresses with Empire waists by Amsale.
In addition to wedding cake, the couple treated guests a large dessert station, which included pastries, creme brulee, truffles, cookies, and mixed-fruit and pumpkin mini tarts.
“We wanted white lights everywhere,” says Megan. Twinkling branches, stationed at each bar, added holiday flair to wintry reception decor.
Megan’s bouquet of white gardenias and ranunculus was wrapped with a silk ribbon and a crystal bracelet which had belonged to her grandmother.
Sparkling miniature trees added to the reception’s silver ornament motif.
After dinner, dessert liqueurs were served in chocolate cups.
To honor Niall’s heritage, an old Irish toast was printed on the back of their wreath-motif programs. The toast read, “In the New Year, may your hand be stretched out in friendship, and never in want.”
A four-tiered wedding cake was covered with white and silver sugar snowflakes and starbursts.
Votive candles hung from frosted silver branches, which stemmed from large floral base of garden roses, cabbage roses, hypericum berries, and clusters of round, silver ornaments.
To add a touch of holiday spirit to their ceremony, the altar was flooded with festive poinsettias and “Joy to the World” was played during the recessional.
Cocktail tables were topped with mint julep cups filled with lush roses and leaves.
For the big countdown to the New Year, guests made good use of the New Year’s Eve party favors: top hats, masks, tiaras, and noisemakers.
Silver napkins and beaded chargers coordinated with the crystal-embellished menu cards. The couple gave their guests a choice of lobster tail, filet mignon, or Chilean sea bass for the main course.