Michelle & Matt’s wedding is our first wedding of the “season” and we’re excited (MA Wedding Photographers)!  Here are some of our favorites from their engagement session at the Old Stone Church in West Boylston, MA.  Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for a sneak peek of their wedding coming up soon!

Well, fast forward to 2013.  Janice and Tim asked us to photograph their second wedding in Cancun!  Yup, photographing a destination wedding in Mexico…in March.  Especially after this winter, we could not wait!

Destination weddings are so wonderful, for so many reasons.  They are a very intimate affair, celebrated with your closest friends and family.  It’s a multi-day fun and relaxed event.  As having one myself, and after meeting many of Janice and Tim’s family, I knew that their wedding would be once again, unforgettable.

We started off the day photographing a sweet bridal brunch.  Seeing Janice telling the women in her life how much they mean to her and thanking them for everything, almost brought a tear to my eye.

Then it was time to get ready.  First, how handsome are these men?  Beach weddings with  tan suits.  Perfect.

While the guys were hanging out, drinking their pina coladas, Janice and her girls were getting their hair done.  The salon at Grand Park Royal did an amazing job on their hair.   Their ceremony was perfectly sweet. Seriously, how awesome is this groomsman?  Walking these two girls down the aisle.

Oh, did we mention the height difference?  There was a nice chuckle when Janice pulled out a step stool for the end of their ceremony.

When we arrived in Cancun, we scouted the area and found an amazing area on the beach.  New England has beautiful scenery, but we had never photographed at a place like this.  It was definitely a treat for us!  Of course, we also had to get some photos of the beautiful turquoise water and capture the yummy golden light!

The reception was full of amazing speeches, laughing and of course fun photos!  As the night came to an end, it was so obvious that Janice and Tim have such an amazing group of family and friends.

Janice and Tim, thank you so much for including us in your special day!  We know that you will have an amazing life together!  We are so glad to have connected with you, both of you are so amazing and we are so happy to call you friends.  Of course, if you would like to continue your “wedding every 10 months” – let us know, we are there

~Kelly & Kathy

Pre-printed, but who knew how true those words would really be.

Stephanie and Mark were married on February 9, 2013 at the Saybrook Point Inn, in Old Saybrook, CT (Old Saybrook CT Wedding Photographers)…in the midst of the BLIZZARD of 2013.  You may remember our pre-wedding blog post about their engagement session (Engagement Photos in CT).

For us, it was a wedding of ‘firsts’.  I can say with certainty, it was the first time I’ve ever packed a snow shovel for a wedding.  In fact, I packed two.  We stayed over in town the night before, because there was no way we would miss a wedding (Connecticut Wedding Photographers)!  Shoveling out the car…now THAT was something.  The snow was piled as high as the doors, and after an hour we had barely made progress.  Even the owner of the hotel was kind enough to help out!

In the end, we rode to the wedding with Mark’s dad, who was so awesome he came to pick us up!!  Another first.

When we got there, SERAi Hair & Makeup Artistry was already doing their thing with the girls.  Everyone was together, and everyone was wondering, “are we really going to have this wedding?!”  Roads were still closed, people were still snowed in, and I can only imagine how Stephanie & Mark were feeling.  I say I can only imagine, because they were in great spirits, after all, it was their wedding day.  They were uber-organized, and family members contacted the guests to tell them they understood if they couldn’t make it…to not risk their safety to come to the wedding.  All the while, news coverage of the storm and its aftermath was non-stop on TV.

All of the normal wedding-day stress just wasn’t there.  Instead, there was a lot of last-minute planning, and a ton of “what ifs”.  What if the D.J. can’t get to the wedding?  What if the cake doesn’t arrive?  Who will deliver the flowers?  How many guests will be able to get here?

Stephanie was all smiles as the girls helped her into her dress and we photographed a “First Look” between her & Mark.  Another first.  We usually scout perfect locations for the first moments that the bride & groom see each other.  The plans had been set and we had a creative idea that was going to be perfect for what Stephanie & Mark had planned.  However, all plans went out the window since there was nowhere outside to do the photos.  Luckily, the Saybrook Point Inn’s spa was the perfect setting.  It was a ‘make it work’ moment!  The spa was a private setting with beautiful light, and so calming!  I really feel like these moments helped set the tone for the day!

We took the bridal party outside to do formals before the ceremony, since it would be dark afterwards.  Although the parking lot was plowed, there wasn’t much else available for posing the group, so we went with it.  After all, you can’t have a “blizzard wedding,” as I’ve heard them call it, without some snow photos, right?!  You can’t miss the happiness on Stephanie’s face!  THAT is what I love.  It’s freezing outside, there’s a ton of uncertainty as to how your wedding is going to come together, many of your guests will probably not be attending, and yet…she’s smiling from ear-to-ear.

Time for the ceremony.

Another first.  Have I mentioned that their Justice of the Peace was unable to get to the wedding?  Yes, you read that right.  No one was going to be able to marry them.  It was like fate.  Mark’s brother, Tim, had actually gone through most of the process of becoming ordained.  At some point this had been the plan, or at the very least, the backup plan.  He finalized things online as Stephanie was getting dressed.

There is always some part of a couple’s ceremony that stands out for me.  Sometimes it’s a look, or tears of joy, or a moment of laughter.  In Stephanie & Mark’s ceremony, it was when Tim announced, “by the power newly-vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.”  It truly was power newly-vested, considering he had to pull things together THAT DAY!

Speaking of pulling things together…HUGE shout-out to the Saybrook Point Inn for their part in this!  It’s a true reflection of their professionalism when things go as flawlessly as they did.  You see, the D.J. wasn’t able to get there.  The cake that Stephanie & Mark had chosen didn’t show up. Flower delivery was canceled.  Yet…there was music.  The banquet manager used D.J. equipment and really pulled it together!  Saybrook Point Inn’s pastry chef was able to bake a red-velvet cake with a topper!  The inn’s owner drove out and picked up staff members who were unable to get there!  I seriously cannot emphasize enough how impressive it was!  One of the guests was even able to pick up the flowers on the way to the inn.  I grabbed a table-shot of one of the tables that had been merged together, due to missing guests.  Definitely hadn’t seen that before!

Their first dance was to, “History in the Making,” by Darius Rucker.  What song could be more fitting?  It was beautiful, and you could feel the emotion in the room.  There were a few jokes about snow and blizzards, as well as a few tears during the speeches, and then the party got started!

The dance floor always seemed packed, and how awesome is Stephanie’s grandmother, dancing to “Call Me Maybe”?!  Seriously!

When they cut the cake, and it was red-velvet, as they had originally planned…I just smiled.  Their wedding day was coming to an end and although much of it couldn’t have strayed much more from what they had planned for it to be, it was perfect.

It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  For the bride & groom, for the guests, and for us to photograph.  The programs said, “Marriage is not a culmination; it is a beginning.  A beginning of life that will grow and change in ways more wonderful than we can imagine.”  How true.

I don’t know if I’ll ever forget their day.  For that, I thank you, Stephanie & Mark.  Being part of your wedding was amazing, and we know you’ll make it through anything in your marriage.

We wish you a long and happy lifetime together.  May you always smile on the craziest of days that life throws at you!

~Kathy & Kelly

The grapevines provided just the right pop of color within all of the snowy fields, and we had fun walking around with these guys!  I love how they were up for anything!

At the end we even grabbed a few shots with their dog, who was super sweet!

Congratulations on your engagement, Katelyn & Neil!  We are excited to be photographing your wedding this summer & are looking forward to your day!

Love,

Kathy & Kelly

I think Mother Nature got a little confused.  You see, Stephanie & Mark had wanted snow for their engagement session photos.  It snowed before, and it snowed after.  There were more than a few days that would have been perfect, but for some reason or another, they just didn’t work out.  Instead, we met at Gillette’s Castle on a foggy afternoon for their engagement session (Engagement Session at Gillette’s Castle).  Although it would have been nice to get snow for their session, I think we’ll see enough of that on their wedding day.  The fog made things sort of surreal, especially being up at the castle.  I was reminded of Ireland, and Harry Potter movies.

Although this will be our first wedding in a blizzard…we’re still super excited!  Not only are they adventurous & fun, Stephanie is one of our Pinterest brides (planning a wedding with Pinterest).  Pinterest is a great way to share your vision with us before your day and give us an idea of your style.  It’s also super useful for us to share ideas back and forth by creating a shared board for pins.

Winter sessions can be tough.  We usually suggest doing the sessions somewhere with pretty architecture, wearing neutral tones and doing a snow session, and remembering to include some sort of pop of color.  Stephanie did a great job with this, and I am envious of her coats!

Stephanie & Mark,

Regardless of how much snow gets dumped on us today and tomorrow, we are excited for your day!  We took time earlier to scout the inn & brainstorm ideas for your photos, grabbed some Vietnamese food, and are bumming in our room watching storm coverage to ride this thing out.  We’re looking forward to the creative challenge and capturing your wedding, which will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime memory!

Love,

Kathy & Kelly

We were super excited to be photographing Mandy & Jon’s wedding, and even more excited once we arrived and checked in (Destination Wedding Photographers in CT).

Seriously, how cute is their little man?!

Mandy & Jon chose to do a “first look” so that they could take advantage of the daylight for their formal photos.  The front steps served as the perfect location, and it had just begun to lightly snow that morning.  We love when couples choose to see each other for photos before the ceremony.  It gives us some extra time to get great formals, and we’re able to get a bit more creative since we’re not as crunched for time (Connecticut Wedding Photographers)!

Their ceremony was warm & heartfelt, and many of us grabbed a cup of hot apple cider at the resort on our way.  A couple of my favorite highlights?  Check out Zackary, who fell asleep right in the middle of watching his parents get married.  There was also the moment when Mandy couldn’t wait to say, “I do”.  I see a lot of marriage ceremonies these days.  Each one is special and a once-in-a-lifetime moment, but this one stands out in my mind for those reasons.

On to their ballroom reception.  Wedding food usually ranges from okay to really good.  At this resort, I would rate it as better than good.  Everything I had to eat that weekend was great, and I was particularly impressed with their wedding cake…a cheesecake!  Maple-flavored cheesecake with caramel sauce?!  Be still my heart!

Mandy & Jon,

Thank you for asking us to be part of your day!  We had an amazing time photographing your wedding.  Our best wishes for a long & happy marriage with your new family!

~Kathy & Kelly

Hira & Paul’s session was inspired by their love of dance.  They had music, and danced.  LOVE it!

And really, who doesn’t love beautiful architecture?  That’s one thing I love about winter sessions, in fact.  We’re often challenged by the weather, which makes architectural shoots as the perfect solution (Connecticut Photographers).

Hira & Paul,

Congratulations on your engagement!  We had so much fun with you, and hope you love your photos

~Kathy & Kelly
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Seeing the bride getting ready, and knowing that she put thought into every little detail.  The dress.  The shoes.  The jewelry.  The bouquets.  The list goes on.  There’s that quiet moment just before everything begins when it’s like she’s realizing this day will be the first day of the rest of her life.

Emma and Rob chose to do a “First Look” before their wedding ceremony.  Such a private moment, and one that will be forever etched in their minds.  It’s pretty amazing, really.  The bride is always excited. The groom is always a little nervous.  They both always look incredibly happy.

Their ceremony was at a private residence in Simsbury, CT (CT Wedding Photographers), and was just perfect.  Emma walked down the aisle with her dad and Rob was holding their baby boy at the other end.  She kissed his forehead and I think my knees buckled.

And then, just like that, it was party time!  Their cocktail hour was held on the patio, and then they had a candlelit reception with white linens and fresh flowers.  Beautiful.

There’s just something about a tented reception.

Emma & Rob,

We wish your new family many, many happy years to come.  Your wedding was beautiful and we would like to thank you for letting us share your day.

With love,

Kathy & Kelly

Last month, I worked with Jesse Anders again (www.onpointimages.com).  Here are some of my favorites from Shannon and Danny’s wedding at Candlewood Inn (Candlewood Inn Wedding Photographers).

Nicole had her makeup done by Larissa Lake Makeup Artist (CT Makeup Artist), and as always, they did a stunning job!

Can I just give a quick shout-out to the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station (CT Wedding Venues)?  Seriously. BEST. BRIDAL. SUITE. EVER.  Great colors, good lighting, velvet furniture, a mirrored makeup/hair room, private bathroom…Oh My Gosh…so many good qualities for getting ready photos!

Not to mention, Nicole’s fun details!  She wore purple shoes, and her bouquet held a piece of her childhood blanket with her grandfather’s pin.  That was such a sentimental twist on a bouquet keepsake, and one I hadn’t seen before!

One reason we like having two photographers at a wedding is that we’re able to capture photos of both the bride and groom getting ready!  The anticipation is always such a paramount part of the day, and it’s amazing to witness how the bride and groom go from those first moments of getting ready to the end of their reception.  Love that part of this job.  Well, I love pretty much every part of this job.

Their ceremony was outside at Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station, and the weather was perfect!  Gotta love fall weddings in New England!

They opted to take their formals along the river, overlooking Goodspeed Opera House (CT Wedding Photographer).  What a gorgeous view, huh?

The reception that followed was pretty much nothing short of one big dance party!  Well, there was dinner, but I mean it when I say their dance floor was never empty!

Nicole & Shawn,

We wish you a long and happy marriage together!  Thank you for letting us share your special day!

Love,

Kathy & Kelly