Fall Wedding at the Red Barn :: Hampshire College in Amherst, Ma :: Chelsea & Dan :: Sneak Peek

Sunday at the Red Barn was such a quintessential New England Fall day. The trees all around were showing off vibrant red, yellow, and orange foliage. The sun was out and providing a pretty perfect Fall temperature. There was golden grass in the fields around the barn. And the sunset that evening was one of the most vibrant I’ve ever seen. It was a beautiful day to celebrate two truly beautiful people.

Before their wedding, I asked Chelsea and Dan what they’d most like to remember about their wedding day and this moment in their lives. They answered by describing a day that celebrated not only their journey together but, more importantly, a celebration of the people, their ‘village’, that have been so supportive of them both in their lives. If you know these two, you know how much they care about everyone around them and this answer is no surprise! Just that day, that ‘village’ was a part of setting up decorations, DJing and handling announcements at the reception, playing live at their ceremony, officiating, handing out programs, making touching toasts, rocking the dance floor, and just generally rallying around Chelsea and Dan for anything that was needed. The support that they have, that you could feel at their wedding, didn’t surprise me either. They are both such genuinely thoughtful, loving people and you can feel that when you’re around them.

And they are easy to be around and don’t take the small things too seriously.. they know how to laugh and roll with it. At their ceremony, Chelsea forgot her vows in the barn. Instead of getting hung up on it, she recounted the words that she remembered and even tied in that she forgot them in such an earnest way. It was funny and perfect in the imperfection. I could say more, like how sweet they were together during portraits, but I don’t want to be accused of gushing here! ;) Check out their sneak peek photos below.. I bet you can see that it’d be hard not to love these two!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at the Red Barn at Hampshire College in Amherst, Ma
Photography by Michelle Girard Photography
Floral Arrangements by Forget Me Not Florist
Stationary by Minted
Cake and Catering by Atkins Farm
Hair and Makeup by Salon Herdis
Wedding Gown by Galina from David's Bridal
Bridal Hair Piece and Belt from Luna and Stone Co
Shoes from Rothy’s
Veil from Ruffled Rose Boutique
Wedding rings by Madera Rings
Wedding favors by Yankee Candle

OceanCliff Hotel Fourth of July Wedding in Newport, Rhode Island :: Sneak Peek :: Jessica and Gates

This past Fourth of July was a beautiful day in Newport. The sun was shining all day, there was just the right amount of breeze, boats were out sailing on the water, and we were celebrating love at OceanCliff. Spending the day with them as they got ready and had their first look through to their reception.. you can just feel the love they share. It’s seemingly easy and light with lots of little looks of love and funny faces for a laugh while also having a depth that comes from communicating with and prioritizing each other. After an emotional first look and time for portraits in the gardens and by the water, Jess and Gates were married outside in front of views of the Newport bridge. The ceremony was full of smiles, clapping, laughing, and even some happy tears. In addition to their touching vows and the readings by their family, there was even a surprise reading from their cats who couldn’t make to trip to Rhode Island with them! The whole ceremony was that great mix of sentimental and unique. It paired personality with tradition. It seemed like the perfect way to celebrate these two!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at OceanCliff Hotel in Newport, RI
Wedding Photography by Michelle Girard
Wedding Invitations by ByFarr Design
Desserts by Cupcake Charlies
DJed by Entertainment Specialists
Hair and Makeup by Jennie Kay Salon
Wedding Gown by Eve of Milady from Allegria Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses from Davids Bridal
Menswear from The Black Tux

Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia, NY :: Fall Winery Wedding :: Sneak Peek :: Karen and Nicholas

Nicholas and Karen’s gorgeous Fall vineyard wedding had so many great, personal touches. Their friends and family were a part of bringing it all together in various ways that really added to the beauty and they story of day.

Nicholas' mother made the cakes that were displayed on a variety of dessert pedestals and his aunt put together the floral arrangements, including the hoops decorated with flowers that each bridesmaid held. Nicholas and Karen made their strawberry jam wedding favors with the help of two bridesmaids. Those jars came with the added fun of Karen singing "Oh hot damn, this is our jam" while making them and, I have to admit, I was also singing that in my head while photographing them on Saturday! A friend of Karen’s made aspects of her wedding day attire and Karen's aunt made a purse out of pieces of Karen's grandmother's wedding dress. That purse was also her ‘something blue’ with a light blue lining on the inside of it. Karen even made a lot of the reception decor herself! And to top it all off, these two went with a less traditional music option for their reception that spoke more to them. They had an Irish rock band, The Causeway Giants, playing as the floor literally shook from all of the jumping and dancing!

Even with all of these great details, the most notable part of this wedding was Karen and Nicholas themselves. I know what you may be thinking.. “Obviously the bride and groom are notable!” But these two rank as two of the sweetest people I know. I dare you to spend time with them and not walk away smiling. They are thoughtful and just a lot of fun to be around.. I mentioned that dance floor bouncing right?! It just feels good to see two genuinely beautiful people who have found each other get married. It’s a sentiment that you could feel throughout the day during group portraits, in their ceremony, during the toasts, and the way people were there for them, like all those details above. And even seeing as many weddings as I do.. I get a bit teary eyed thinking about it now.

So.. Congratulations Karen and Nicholas! I only have a mug of tea in front of me at the moment, but I’m raising my glass to you two. To your love and the love that you so obviously inspire.

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia, NY 
Wedding Photography by Michelle Girard
Officiated by Kim Fancett, Justice of the Peace
Floral Arrangements by Karla McCord from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Wedding Cakes by the Groom’s Mother
Wedding Band: The Causeway Giants
Catered by CopperTop Tavern
Shuttle Service by Big D's Limos
Hair and Makeup by Sarah Spiwak (Cheveux Salon)
Wedding Gown by Jenny Yoo from BHLDN
Groom’s Suit from Sall-Stearns
Groomsmen Suits from Tuxedo Junction
Rings from Bradley's Jewelers in Liverpool, NY

Mountain Rose Inn / Alexlee House Wedding :: Fall Celebration in Greenfield, Ma :: Sneak Peek :: Charmaine and Stephen

Sunday was a perfect Fall day. It was crisp but not cold. The sun was shining and leaves floated down from the tree tops. It was one of those perfect New England days and a gorgeous setting for a wedding. But what made the day truly magical was Charmaine and Stephen. It was their energy and love. It was hearing their story told at their ceremony and watching their friends and family listening, seeing their smiles, their laughter and their tears. It was the emotion in their vows. It was their connection, with each other and with those around them. It was the celebration and the dancing.

And these two love to dance! Dancing is actually what really brought them together. They almost connected online actually, a funny piece of their story that was mentioned at their ceremony and in speeches, but that hadn’t panned out. But out at a gathering, Charmaine saw Stephen dancing and teaching a friend the steps. Her mom was even with her and commented on Stephen’s moves. And she was intrigued. How many guys have those moves? And he was so patient in teaching! That was the start of their love story. They connected after that evening and they took it slow at first. Eventually though they were introducing their pets and moving in together. And Saturday they were married!

I feel honored to have been there to photograph these two on their wedding day. They are two incredibly genuine, sweet, and beautiful people. It makes me smile just writing about them here! Congratulations Charmaine and Stephen!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Mountain Rose Inn / Alexlee House in Greenfield, MA
Wedding Photography by Michelle Girard
Floral Arrangements by Durocher Florist
Ceremony Music by Golden Scroll Soloists
Officiated by Kezia Bacon
Reception DJed by Chay Laviolette
Catering by Smithsonian Catering
Hair styled by Crystal Vazquez & Co.
Makeup by Liz Washer Makeup
Wedding Gown by Oleg Cassini from David's Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses from David's Bridal
Shoes by Adrianna Papell
Groom and Groomsmen Attire from Men’s Wearhouse
Wedding Rings from Kay Jewelers
Cake by Mary Rawls
Videography by Embark Wedding Films