By: Caroline Kambrich
With warmer weather heading our way – I can’t help but reflect on what was probably the best weekend of my entire life – on September 3rd 2021, the day I got married to my husband Joe. All the bachelorette activities were over, and it was time to head over to my hometown – upstate NY, just 45 minutes from where we were going to get married, Saratoga. It was such a fun, beautiful place to visit, and it was taking on a whole new meaning for me to get married there.
The weather could not have been more perfect as I pulled up to our Airbnb. All of my girlfriends were on their way, and I was happy to be the first one there to scope things out. A close friend of mine from college surprised us with his freshly-baked goods for breakfast, (that he baked that morning!), as we were all getting ready for the big day. Make-up people arrived, florals were dropped off, and mimosas were being poured. My girls were all in their matching robes, and photos began to take place. It all felt so surreal that I was about to marry my best friend, and all the important people in my life were there to be a part of it.
To back track a little bit on how we landed on Saratoga for our wedding – we originally went there just for lunch, as a quick pit stop on exploring other venues. I truly thought the golf course would have been unattainable as a wedding venue, since it was such a popular spot, but as we were talking to the staff and received a quick little tour, we discovered that they had a few openings for late summer/early fall. I was shocked that they had any openings at all, let alone in late summer. So it was settled right then and there – this was the place we were going to get married. There was no question. I could see everything happening there. It was meant to be.
Pulling up to the golf course in my wedding dress, I was full of jitters. I just wanted to see Joe. We did our little reveal, met up with the family, and more pictures were taken. So. Many. Pictures. I couldn’t wait to get upstairs for cocktail/appetizer hour. It was so wonderful seeing both our families together, new faces, familiar hugs, and a day to celebrate love. Does it get any better than that? The time came for me to walk down the aisle, straight to my best friend, with my mom and my dad both at my side. I was secretly hoping Joe would cry when he saw me, and he did! Vows were made, kisses were exchanged, and we literally danced back down the aisle together to Boogie Shoes by KC and the Sunshine Band. Now the REAL fun was going to start!
Getting married in front of so many people can be a nerve-wracking thing, but I was even more nervous for my father-daughter dance with my dad. It was a special choreographed dance that my dad and I had been practicing for months. We practiced in living rooms, back yards, over FaceTime, and in rented-out dance studios, and now it was finally show time. September, by Earth Wind and Fire…and when I tell you we nailed it – we NAILED IT. It was so perfect, and such a special moment for my dad and I – it is something I will never forget, and I am tearing up reflecting on it now. You can look it up on YouTube! (Caroline Klemenz Wedding).
We danced the night away. We had a live band that was absolutely unbelievable. The food was amazing, and the drinks were flowing. The whole night got away from me because before I knew it, my mom came up to me saying it was time to go – I asked Why?! We are just getting started! And she reminded me that we only had the venue till 11 pm. WOW, time had flown by!
The following day, everyone met up at Saratoga Race Track for the races. We all wore big hats and fancy dresses. Tables were stacked with drinks and Hattie’s Fried Chicken (if you ever go to Saratoga, you cannot leave without eating this fried chicken). The sun was shining, and a beautiful breeze was keeping us cool; it was another perfect day. After the long race day, it was a few days of unwinding and relaxing till we departed for Key West for our honeymoon. Another adventure for another newsletter. It was truly the most perfect weekend.
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