Under the Sea

Crystal works with my wife, so I was already excited to photograph her and Jared's wedding, but I got a million times more excited when she told me the wedding was at Mystic Aquarium.

It was a beautiful day, only diminished a little by falling in the middle of an oppressive heat wave. The setting, though, more than made up for it. The ceremony was held outside, in front of the beluga tank. Juno oversaw the ceremony, providing a one of a kind backdrop.

Following the ceremony, we were able to do group photos in the same spot and a handful of couples photos around the grounds. 

I also grabbed a quick photo of the locals.

The reception was held inside the main gallery, a challenging room for photos but an amazing place for a party. The room was beautifully set up and surrounded by stunning displays.

It was a fabulous night and a ton of fun, especially so for me because my wife and many of her friends were guests. 

Congratulations, Crystal and Jared!

P-Town

I've been out to Cape Cod for weddings before, but I've never been all out to the very tip - Provincetown. So I was very excited when Ryan and Grant asked me to come out for their waterfront wedding - and even more excited when it worked out that my wife and I could make a trip out of it.

The wedding day began with a beach ceremony at Far Land on the Beach - it was a perfect day for it. My favorite bit - they had a sand ceremony unlike any others I've see, from a company called Unity in Glass. The ceremony is pretty similar to any other, but the sand is then sent to be mixed into a glass vase or sculpture by an experienced glass blower. Check out the site - the end results are beautiful.

The whole ceremony was really touching with hardly a dry eye.

We did posed photos with their guests and of the couple with the ocean providing an excellent backdrop.

The celebration moved up to the snack shack, where there was catered food, tables, and some sweaters and blankets to cut the rising wind.

After dinner, it was time to cut the cake.

Since the sun was sliding beautifully to the horizon, I pulled Ryan and Grant away from the food for a few minutes to do some more photos.

When we got back, their guests had gotten the bonfire going, and one of the kids had made some commemorative sand art.

A really beautiful event and a beautiful day.

As an aside, Provincetown was a ton of fun - beautiful, fun, amazing food, lots to do. So if anyone else is getting married up that way, drop me a line. I'd like the excuse to visit again!

Married at the Mansion

I caught up with Rachel and Robert at Tarrywile Mansion where they were getting dressed in the beautiful bridal suites. Tarrywile is one of the most unusual venues I've worked with, but also one of my favorites. It looked great decked out with cuban-inspired decorations to honor Rachel's heritage.

They had their first look on the main staircase, and then we went and did a bunch of couples and family photos.

Their ceremony was held on the wide porch, with a beautiful view of the grounds behind.

The party then moved inside for cocktail hour. The caterer's Cubano sandwiches were so good! Though I will admit I am a sucker for any food in bite-size pieces delivered by waiters.

They had their first dance on Tarrywile's unusual dance floor - essentially the main hallway. Robert joked that it was his first time dancing ever. At least, I think he was joking...

After a toast, dinner, and the cake cutting...

...it was time to open the dance floor. It took a little while to get going - not uncommon with a smaller crowd - but DJ Ian dialed in the music and people packed the dance floor.

I made sure we snuck out for a few more quick couples photos - Tarrywile has some excellent spots for nighttime portraits.

I stayed to the end of the night. It might have been the wonderful atmosphere, the wonderful company, or maybe that the waitstaff kept handing me desserts... But I just was in no hurry to head out, even as the crowd dwindled to their closest friends and family.

Congratulations, Rachel and Robert!

A Perfect Summer's Day

Danielle and Corrie's wedding started with prep photos at a local salon for Corrie and at the bridal suite at The Barn at Wight Farm for Danielle.

Then we did a quick first look; I love it when someone cries!

The ceremony was held in a stunning secondary room, and was officiated by one of their friends, which is a touch I always enjoy.

The reception was a fun, casual brunch affair, with good food and great music. 

It was a ton of fun, and when it was time to leave, their guests saw them off with a Bubble Exit. 

Congratulations Danielle and Corrie!

An Engagement to Remember

When Kashika and Ashish contacted me, they were very clear that it wouldn't be a traditional wedding - it was an engagement party for their American friends and family before going to India for the real wedding. I didn't mind - it was still an amazing day.

The day began with some hair and make-up, and then photos of the couple.

After a cocktail hour, they had the most energetic introductions I've ever seen, led in with a live drummer and the whole wedding party backing them up.

After cutting their cake, the couple and a bunch of their friends put on Bollywood style choreographed dances. 

Between the music, the moves, and the ladies' beautiful outfits (the guy's looked good too), it was really something else.

It only got better from there - this was a dancing crowd for sure!

Before I headed out, we got a few more photos of the couple...

...and then I wished them well on their trip to India! Congratulations, Kashika, and Ashish!

By The Sea

I've worked at Lighthouse Point, and I've worked several times at Anthony's, but I'd never worked at Amarante's right between the two until Amanda and Craig's wedding. It's a beautiful venue - unfortunately the rain kept us from taking full advantage of the lawn, but we made due.

That said, the rain did nothing to diminish the celebration. After a short indoor ceremony, the cocktail hour kicked off with live music and wonderful food.

Actually, the food was a really interesting point. Amanda had told me in advance that there was no formal sit-down dinner, just a "cocktail service". I didn't know what to expect, but figured it would be like a usual cocktail hour - a handful of snacks passed around by waiters. Well, there was that - but also constantly refilled stations with hot sandwiches, finger food, and later desserts. It was some of the best and most fun food I've had at a wedding.

After the first dance, there were a handful of touching speeches from friends and family.

Later they cut their beautiful cake. (By the way, thanks to the maître d' for making sure to get me a piece of cake - it was really good.)

Through the whole night the band kept people on the floor with wonderful music, and everyone had a great time.

Congratulations Amanda and Craig!

Watching the Weather

It's pretty unfair, because there were a hundred amazing details at Shannon and Kevin's wedding, but the one that is going to stick with me is watching the up-to-the-minute weather radar. All through the prep...

...and through the first look and group photos...

...we were all huddling around our phones, watching the clouds sweep over Avon and crossing our fingers. In the end, it worked out! The weather cleared just enough at the right time that they could get married in the open air.

From there, the rest of the night was a blast. Four wonderful speeches, a touching first dance, and lots of great food and music to last the night.

It was a really amazing night!

I suppose there was one other detail that really sticks out. All night a cheery little gnome kept popping up. I never did get the full story behind that...

Congratulations, Shannon and Kevin!

The Elm City Wedding

I was really excited for Cherie and Matt's wedding because it was something I don't get to do a lot of in Connecticut - a real city wedding. Everything took place within a few blocks in downtown New Haven, and we all walked everywhere. Thankfully, we were blessed with good weather!

The day began at Omni Hotel, a lovely place I've been to before, for hair and makeup. I visited the guys, too, who were a bit disappointed with the finale to the Chelsea/Liverpool game but otherwise in good spirits.

From there, we went to Temple Plaza for first look photos and to the New Haven Green and the Yale Quad for some posed pictures.

The ceremony was held at Battell Chapel at Yale, a beautiful (and huge!) space.

The rest of the evening was spent at Union League Cafe, a beautiful old building just a short, attention-attracting walk down the block.

There was the usual assortment of introductions, toasts, and a first dance, all held at a relatively sedate pace as people enjoyed their delicious dinners.

And then, like flicking a switch, this crowd launched into party mode and rocked the dance floor. It was so much fun!

Congratulations, Cherie and Matt!