Back to the Barn

Last summer I photographed my first wedding at Webb Dean Barn in Wethersfield. It was a great time, so I was very excited with Kaitlyn and Adam told me their wedding would be in the same spot!

However, the day started at Strandz Salon, where Kaitlyn, her bridesmaids, and her mom got their hair done.

After a quick stop at the hotel for the dress, we made our way to the barn where the guests were already seated for the ceremony. They wrote their own vows that got laughs from everyone .

Webb Barn's gardens were in full bloom, so of course we had to get lots of couple's photos.

After cocktails, we moved inside the barn for the remaining festivities.

It was a relatively short night, but they packed in lots of excitement and lots of great music.

And to end the night they had a visit from an ice cream truck!

What a fun night! Congratulations, Kaitlyn and Adam!

Till Death

I'm so excited to finally be able to share these! Skoobah and Nate are college friends of mine, so they asked me not to share their engagement photos till they could surprise everyone with their save the dates... which they appropriately timed to arrive for Halloween!

As soon as Skoobah told me they were planning on doing skull face paint I knew the perfect spot - a local trail where I've taken other couples, but which is also home to a bunch of creepy hidden gems.

Skoobah and Nate were great! They were having so much fun, it was easy to get amazing photos.

I love these photos so much, they've actually changed the way I do engagement photos a bit - I'm trying to encourage couples more to find something unique to them as a theme for their engagement session.

I can't wait for the wedding!

Merlot on the Water

"Merlot on the Water" was the venue for Maria and Shawn's wedding, but also tells you a lot about the tone for the night - wine and music in a beautiful lakeside setting. 

I met Maria, her mother, and maid of honor in the bridal suite for prep.

Then we headed to the nearby Connecticut Trolley Museum for a first look and some posed photos. It was an awesome place to take photos and I definitely want to go back just to check out the exhibits.

We returned to Merlot for an outdoor ceremony overlooking the lake. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

After cocktails, Maria and Shawn were introduced with a wonderful choreographed first dance.

The rest of the night was full of good music, food, and dancing, with an elegant twist - many of Maria's family are ballroom dancers.

Congratulations, Maria and Shawn!

Palm Trees in Connecticut

When I posted a quick instagram photo from Kristen and James's wedding, a bunch of my friends thought I'd flown down south for a destination wedding!

Actually, it was just at the lovely Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven, a perfect spot for this beachy, fun wedding.

The weather was perfect as they said their vows next to the water, and there was tons of amazing food and drinks during cocktail hour and dinner.

There were speeches from friends, parent dances, and lots of great music to keep people out on the dance floor all night.

Congratulations, Kristen and James!

Get Pumped for the Wedding!

I was so excited when Paige contacted me about her engagement shoot - she and her fiance, Jay, wanted to do the photos in one of their favorite places, Snap Fitness.

I love a flower-filled park as much as the next photographer, but it also puts a smile on my face to do a shoot that is truly unique to the couple - and this was definitely a first for me!

The shoot itself was pretty straightforward - Paige and Jay arrive ready to exert themselves and with a variety of poses and favorite exercises in mind.

I could tell they were more relaxed and having more fun than most because they were in their element. I know these two are going to have a fun wedding too!

Congratulations, Paige and Jay!

In Simsbury Inn

I met Anna and Stan at the Simsbury Inn to get photos of them getting ready with their friends and family.

They had a first look in the lobby, and then we piled into a few cars and went to the Pinchot Sycamore and the Flower Bridge, local photo hotspots, for some posed photos.

The ceremony was held on the patio, officiated by a friend and blessed with beautiful weather.

Their reception was a ton of fun! Great dances, traditional music, tasty food, and wedding games.

Congratulations, Anna and Stan!

"I Do" At The Zoo

Jenny and Joe only had to tell me one thing to convince me I had to do their wedding: it was going to be at Beardsley Zoo. I didn't even know you could get married at the zoo!

The day started elsewhere, though. Specifically Lucious & Co., where Jenny and her bridesmaids got hair and makeup done. The folks there did an amazing job!

Next we moved to the zoo, where the guys and the girls were getting dressed in the Hansen Building.

We went to the rainforest building for the first look. Joe and I were kept company by adorable little monkeys while waiting for the bride to walk in. When she did, though, Joe only had eyes for her.

Before doing more posed photos, we stopped to say high to the Howler Monkeys, who were really interested in Jenny (or maybe just wanted to eat her bouquet).

Their ceremony was officiated by Joe's dad, a talented speaker who added an amazing, personal touch and a great sense of humor.

Afterward, there was time for people to hit up the food truck and explore the zoo, which was empty except for wedding guests. (At the risk of sounding crotchety, a zoo with no kids? Amazing.)

The reception proper started with a big announcement from the couple - after years of snakes, geckos, and other little pets, this animal loving couple had adopted their first dog just days before the wedding. Geronimo was a little nervous about all the people and excitement, but so so cute!

After that was the first dance...

...and then a trip to the carousel.

The rest of the night was dessert, dancing, and hanging out with friends and family. And one quick late-night portrait session, because I can't let a good set of arches go to waste.

Congratulations, Jenny, Joe, and Geronimo!

Birchwood Wedding

After doing an engagement session with Angela and Jalen, I was so excited to see what they put together for their wedding day, and they did not disappoint!

My second shooter and I met them at a nearby hotel for prep, but pretty quickly we moved to Birchwood Banquets for first look and posed photos.

I loved their outfits - very classy and elegant without being stuffy.

The ceremony was held outside, and their vows were beautiful. Hardly a dry eye anywhere!

The reception was a blast! Everyone came ready to celebrate the new couple, and the mix of Ethiopian and American dance music kept things interesting all night.

The night ended with an Ethiopian tradition, where Angela and Jalen went along a line of family elders, giving thanks and receiving blessings. Easily the most emotional exit I've had the chance to photograph.

Congratulations, Angela and Jalen!