An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life…

He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?”

The Elder simply replied,

“The one you feed.”

dear La Bella Vita Family….

as of April 1st, 2011, wedding prices will undergo considerable price and package changes.

Please Click HERE for the current pricing.

For 2011/2012 Couples who have already booked:

You will still be under the old pricing, and your package offerings stay exactly the same.

For 2012 Couples who have meetings before April 1st, or are still in negotiations:

All couples who have meetings or are in current negotiations for 2012, will still remain under the old pricing as long as all deposits are paid before the 1st of April. Again, your packages will also remain the same. Any deposits received after the 1st of April will  be subject to the new pricing.

* 2011 is currently fully booked, and I will not be taking on any more clients (families, couples, or weddings) at this time.

daily mantra:

“come, let’s be a comfortable couple and take care of each other. how glad we shall be, that we have somebody we are fond of always, to talk and sit with….”

{charles.dickens}

if i had to put a true title to the wedding of Courtney and Nick, it would be called…”The Wedding I Dream about for my Daughters (okay…and myself…)”. those of you who live in the Northeast will easily recognize this iconic location, but for those of you from places unknown, this is the beautiful Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire. the morning started out with an idyllic, confectionery-like dusting of snow and as i packed my camera in my hotel room before beginning my day, i couldn’t help but glow with excitement.

every single detail was meticulously planned and designed from top to bottom and i could not help but be touched by the fact that this seemed like not only a family affair, as weddings often are, but an event truly filled with love and friends.

the ceremony itself took place at the beautiful Saint Patrick’s Church, right down the road from the hotel, and despite the fact that a bus got stuck in the mountain of snow in the driveway, everyone made it on time and it was standing room only to watch this amazing couple join together.

we have had a terrific winter here in the northeast….a lot of snow, ice, and cold. i cannot thank this wedding party enough for standing outside in this 10 degree day for a few shots…i didn’t hear one complaint.

{Doctors Courtney and Nicholas Csikesz}

…….reception……

what is better than cake? cupcakes. what is better than cupcakes? very pretty cupcakes with a lot of colorful frosting. as with most of the weddings i photograph, there just isn’t time to enjoy desert, but i cannot help but share these works of art.

i have been to a lot of weddings….that might be an understatement even. more than a lot. this was, hands down, the most amazing wedding reception i have ever been to. dancing, fun, and music provided by the talented band SOHO, made for an unforgetable night…not just for Courtney and Nick, but for anyone who attended.

nothing makes for better pictures than people having a genuinely great time, and i don’t think there was a single person sitting down all night long.

i can’t help but share their wedding video from the talented videographer, Meg Simone: click.here

…