Kilts and Rainbows

I met Marina and Katie through my wife and have had the chance to get to know them better in the last couple years. I was so honored when they asked me to be their photographer... especially when they had to reschedule the wedding to accommodate my schedule! (Which is crazy but I'm glad they did.)

They had a very DIY wedding at Glen Island Park, with the ceremony tucked into a wooded glen under a castle. A fitting setting to Katie's Scottish family and friends, many of whom made the trip from Scotland to be there. (For the record, Katie is not the one in the kilt.)

The wedding was full of fun little details, most put together by their wonderful friends who arrived in drizzly, gusty weather to set up tents, heat up food, and set up a pride selfie booth.

Glen Island was a beautiful spot for photos, once I could get the guests to stop hugging Marina and Katie long enough for some pictures!

Not all serious photos, though. They've got too much of a sense of humor to be serious all the time.

Instead of cake, they had the biggest most ridiculous donuts I've ever seen (I'm still coming out of the sugar coma) which they smashed in each other's faces, as you do.

I'm usually not too sappy on this blog, even though I am a big softie when it comes to weddings... But with Marina and Katie, I can't resist a little sentimentality. Even in the little bit I've gotten to know them, it's so clear that they are a perfect match, and each other's best friends. If they approach married life with the same partnership and sense of humor as they approached the wedding, I know they will have a long, happy life together. The overwhelming love and support of their family and friends doesn't hurt, either.

Congratulations, Marina and Katie!

Orchard Vows

I met up with Morgan and Doug at Hyland Orchard for some afternoon posed photos out among the trees.

Then we had a little downtime as guests arrived and rode the hayride up the hill to the ceremony location.

The ceremony was beautiful, with Morgan's uncle officiating. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, sunny and warm with fluffy clouds and lush trees.

The reception was great, with amazing music from the Boston Party Machine, great food, a roaring bonfire, and lots of dancing.

Plus... Hyland Orchard is home to Rapscallion Brewery. I normally don't drink at weddings, but this time I made an exception. The Belgian White was really good! The brewery made for a lovely backdrop too.

Congratulations, Morgan and Doug!

100!

This, just as a side note, was my 100th wedding as a photographer. That's a lot!

I met Jen and her bridesmaids at The Publick House for hair and makeup, plus a visit to Dylan and the guys across the property as they suited up.

We scurried to get outdoor posed photos done as rain threatened. The grounds were lovely and we got everything done pretty quickly so we could all pile back into the air conditioning.

Luckily, the rain held off not only through photos but through the ceremony as well, which was wonderful.

The reception was a lot of fun with great speeches, good food, and an amazing song one of their friends wrote about them!

Congratulations Jen and Dylan!

Wickham Sprint

My part in Shana and Chris's wedding was short - just the ceremony and posed photos at Wickham Park's English Garden - but it was a lot of fun!

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, with the overcast skies clearing up just in time to add a little sun to the festivities.

It was wonderful, afterwards, to let their guests enjoy the park while we did all the posed photos.

Congrats, Shana and Chris! Hope the rest of your day was just as fun!

Woodwinds Wedding

I knew Dom and Amanda's wedding would be a blast - they were so relaxed and friendly in our meetings, I was sure they'd throw a great party. 

The day started at their home, where Amanda and her bridesmaids were getting ready.

From there, we spent the rest of the day at The Woodwinds, a beautiful venue in Branford. 

After a first look and some posed photos, their guests arrived for the ceremony on the back patio.

The rest of the reception was kept pretty simple - speeches, first dance, cake cutting, but more than anything lots and lots of dancing!

The one thing that wasn't simple? The dessert table. Glad I finished up my diet before this wedding.

Congratulations, Dom and Amanda!

An Engagement for a Friend

I've known Emily for a while through my wife, so I was thrilled when she asked me to take engagement photos of her and her fiance, Josh.

We went to Wickham Park, a spot I've worked at many times before, but this time we visited a number of spots I hadn't before - the Scottish Garden, Zen Garden, and the Sensory Garden.

It was muggy but otherwise a beautiful day, and so much fun to work with a friend and to finally meet Josh.

Congratulations on your engagement, Emily and Josh!

Catching a Keeper

Chelsea and Mark got married on a beautiful summer day at Saint Clement's Castle. 

But before that, I met the girl's for prep, and got to meet the most colorful member of the family.

At Saint Clements, we had loads of time for a first look and a bunch of fun portraits.

The ceremony was wonderful, and the reception was so much fun, with lots of energetic dancing and celebration.

Congratulations Chelsea and Mark!

Family and Friends

I met up with Russ and Diana at their hotel, where I got the rare treat of photographing both of them getting ready!

Then we moved to the Tunxis Plantation Country Club for the rest of the day, starting with a first look, then the ceremony.

The reception was a laid-back, fun time with lots of dancing and good food, and a touching suprise speech from Diana's son.

It was a great night, beautiful weather despite the threat of rain, and a wonderful (if challenging to photograph) venue. Just a shame I'm dieting so I had to skip the cupcake...

Congratulations Diana and Russ!