Glastonbury Boathouse Fall Wedding Reception :: United Congregational Church of Tolland Wedding Ceremony :: Rebecca and Justin

As a wedding photographer, I get to connect with people and witness some truly beautiful moments, between families and partners and friends and even vendors. It's one of the reasons that I love what I do. Some of those moments might not seem grand in the retelling of them but they still make an impact on me, probably because those moments really represent love in such a genuine way.

When I started photographing on Saturday with Rebecca, there were definitely some nerves. The forecast had been bad leading up to the day, and skies were grey but it was holding. With clouds but no rain, we proceeded as planned with Rebecca and Justin's first look outside at a nearby park. We set it up, the big reveal, and, as Justin turned to see Rebecca, you could feel any anxiety there was just wash away. The love and joy that these two share could be felt immediately. It was in their expressions and the way they embraced. Something about that moment announced that they are partners, they are there for each other, they make one another better, they make everything better. Throughout the rest of the day, being around Rebecca and Justin, I couldn't help but smile and join in their joy. They make it easy. All of that love, it's contagious! I'm still grinning as I look at the photo below of Rebecca adjusting Justin's bow tie, the one that she was so excited to surprise him with that day!

Wedding Ceremony at the United Congregational Church of Tolland in Tolland, CT
Wedding Reception at The Glastonbury Boathouse in Glastonbury, CT
First Look in Tolland, CT
Floral Arrangements by Wildflowers of Tolland
Catering by David Alan Catering
Wedding Cake by Cake by Lilly
Hair and Makeup by Headliners Salon and Spa
Wedding Gown by Maggie Sottero from Madeline's Daughter in Portsmouth, NH
Groom's Attire by Vera Wang from Joseph A Banks
Bridesmaid Dresses by Alfred Angelo
Wedding Favors: Cookies from Maddies Cookies

September Wedding at the Lord Jeffery Inn :: Fall Wedding in Amherst, Ma :: Tracy and Matt

The way that Matt and Tracy look at one another and hold onto each other, with so much love, the way they clearly compliment each other, the joy you feel around them and for them.. it is easy to see how strong their relationship is. And their wedding day was all of that and more. It was such a beautiful, emotional day that focused on their family and the life they are building together.

It was so touching to be able to watch their First Look and to see those huge smiles and happy tears. Luckily we had a pro nearby for a makeup touchup afterward ;) That excitement and love carried through the whole day too, as they said their vows, kissed for the first time as husband and wife, started their reception with their first dance. raised their glasses and wiped away more tears after heartfelt toasts, and just let loose on the dance floor. It was an incredible day and an incredibly start to Tracy and Matt's marriage!

Rustic Fall Wedding at Stonover Farm in Lenox MA :: Surprise Dinosaur Parade :: Sneak Peek :: Lexie and Mike

Lexie loves parades. And leading up to their wedding, Mike and Lexie would joke about incorporating their own parade into the day. We all have those inside jokes with our partners.. but it's just something to joke about, right? Not this time!

Mike surprised Lexie with a Jurassic Park themed parade right at the end of their wedding ceremony. Just after they were officially pronounced husband and wife and had kissed, the doors to the barn at Stonover Farm flew open. A T-Rex holding a conductors wand walked out followed by staff members who quickly handed out balloons and inflatable dinosaurs to guests. Their musically talented friends and family were in on it too! As Lexie and Mike came down the aisle the 'band' stood, holding the instruments that had been tucked away beneath the benches, and started to play a lively song fit for a parade! Other guests were given noise makes before the ceremony to sound too.

Lexie's reaction was absolutely priceless! It was so incredible to watch. She burst out laughing and you could just feel all of the joy and love in that moment. You could see how happy Mike was to have been able to surprise Lexie with her very own wedding day parade. And as Lexie and Mike made their way toward cocktail hour, the T-Rex band conductor followed behind, leading their parade of wedding guests!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Stonover Farm in Lenox, Ma
Catering and Planning: Mezze Catering & Events
Florist: Bloom Floral Design
Wedding Gown from Madeleine's Daughter Bridal Salon in Portsmouth, NH
Pre- Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Carubia Brass Band and Dixie Land Jazz
Wedding Reception Band: The Lonely Heartstring Band
Wedding Cake: Austin Bayliss
Lighting Designer: Julie Seitel
Audio Engineer & Sound Equipment -  Darren O'Brien from Encore Audio
Rentals from Classical Tents & Party Goods and New England Country Rentals
Bridal Accessories and Second Wedding Gown from from BHLD
Groom's Attire from 9tailors in Boston Ma
Best Man and Man of Honor's attire from Men's Wearhouse
Transportation: Dufour Bus Co.

 

Rustic September Wedding at Maplewood Farm :: Private Family Farm with a Beautiful Hilltop Ceremony :: Lizzie and Eric

Thinking about what to write here about Lizzie and Eric's wedding day is actually a bit of an overwhelming moment for me. These two had such a fun, unique wedding celebration and there's just so many details and so many moments that are worth sharing.. where do you even begin?

Lizzie and Eric really have a laid back warm nature and you can tell that they really value living in the moment together. Their way of planning and playing with wedding traditions, to truly make them their own, made so much of their wedding really unique and beautiful. It was something you could see at the very start of the day when they opted not to have any kind of formal first look but instead start the day with a champagne toast together with their wedding party and families. And their wedding venue.. Maplewood Farm is the home that Lizzie grew up in. It's easy to say that getting ready in her childhood home, having a hilltop ceremony overlooking the property, and celebrating in a tent set between the house and barn added to how meaningful the day was. 

The styling, some of which you can see below, was elegant while also speaking to who they are as a couple, from the books (each meaningful) that marked the tables at the reception to what their wedding party wore (a color palette focused on blue and green, think 'earthy elegant', that each person kept in mind while getting to choose their own outfit and style). The florals were wild yet composed and there were flower crowns of baby's breath for each of the ladies. These two even forged each other's wedding bands! They worked on them with  Stephanie of With These Rings and each crafted a ring with the other in mind.. the design incorporating engraving or texture to communicate extra meaning.

There were also some really unforgettable moment that I have been so excited to share! In the field beside their ceremony site a little after they got to say 'I do', their wedding party held hands and danced around the newly weds. I realize that it sounds a little corny, but they were all in on that, embracing the silliness, and it was so much such fun! Just check out the huge, smiles on Lizzie and Eric's faces below! This was a first for me and now I hope that it isn't a last. Another standout of the day was during the toasts at the end of dinner. Lizzie's brother and sister shared some stories, some truly touching words, followed by an amazingly funny video (think a montage of singing/dancing) that had the entire tent laughing and crying. But that wasn't it. They ended it with, what would most accurately be described as, a flash mob. They started dancing and then other guests joined in, only a couple at first and then it slowly built until the dance floor was full, in a choreographed dance for the bride and groom!

What a fun, memorable celebration! Congratulations again Lizzie and Eric!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Maplewood Farm, the Bride's Family Farm
Florist: Barry Webber
Band for Reception: Silver Arrow Band
Caterer: The Old Inn on the Green
Rentals (Tent, tables, benches, chairs, plates, and silverware) from Tents Unlimited, Torrington CT
Wedding Gown by Rue de Seine from The Dress Theory
Bride's Shoes by Eric Michael
Groom's Suit by Bonobos
Bridesmaid Dresses and Groomsmen's Suits were self selected with a focus on blues and greens
Wedding Bands forged by the Bride and Groom with help from Stephanie of With These Rings
Wedding Favors: Maple syrup from Maplewood Farm