Oct
29
We could not have had a more perfect afternoon with Lindsay and Alex for their engagement session- perfect puffy clouds against blue skies, not too cold, not too hot and the fabulous backdrop of Boston. We had such a lovely time, we really didn’t want it to end, which might account for our venture into Match for drinks and mini-burgers. Lindsay and Alex were just so great to talk with- I loved chatting about their possible honeymoon destinations, about their love of wine (have to get that list of Napa vineyards to check out) and their enjoyment of cooking.
I truly can’t wait to celebrate with them at the Copley Plaza next fall. Do I really have to wait almost a whole year?
We started off their engagement session on the Cambridge side of the Charles River, for some great views of the city.
As it happened, we came across this enchanting forest. The trees were so cool. Lindsay and Alex look right at home.
Dave’s view….
My view…
Then we headed into the city for a few more urban images in their old ‘hood. Dave’s turn for a kissing moment…
But I got the smiles and laughter.
So sweet how they smile just after a kiss.
We walked over Soldier’s Field Road to get to the Boston side of the River. We had hoped to get a spot on the dock, but there were people enjoying the day on every corner of it. As it turns out, we found an even better spot amidst the trees.
Then under the willow trees. It was a pretty magical place. And I absolutely love the way Lindsay and Alex are enjoying the moment.
We had such an amazing afternoon. Thank you guys! It really was Sweet.
And if you would like to see more, check out their movie.
Oct
21
Giddy, joyful, explosive enthusiasm, positivity, blissful, abundant smiles, cheerful, delighted, ecstatic, gleeful…. how many words can I come up with to describe all the ways in which Ellen and Edwin were two of the happiest people I have ever seen on their wedding day?! Before the wedding, Ellen was literally jumping up and down with excitement and happily sang a little song of joy with her niece about this being her wedding day. So much merriment is bound to be intoxicating; it’s no surprise that everyone, including Dave and I, wore smiles all day long.
Ellen arrived at Hans Fahden ready to go. Her sisters, mom, best friend, and neice got ready alongside her. She put some finishing touches on her make-up, and then put on her dress.
When Ellen and Edwin met each other at the end of the aisle, all of the built up emotions found an outlet- in laughter and in tears of joy.
Edwin’s parents watched on.
Ellen and Edwin sealed their commitment to each other with a kiss.
After the ceremony, we gathered the families together for portraits. Ellen’s sisters and best friend are hilarious. They teased Edwin with a long list of mandate’s regarding how to take care of Ellen. He was a very good sport.
Portraits of Ellen and Edwin in the gardens.
I love the way the gaze at each other.
Dinner in the wine cave soon followed. It’s so romantic in there- candles and flowers warm up the space.
As it turns out, Edwin’s friends are also hysterical. His best man gave a truly fabulous speech, which included actual emails Edwin had written during his courtship of Ellen. My favorite quote, "Game on!"
After dinner, Ellen and Edwin cut their cake. I am completely enamored with this colorful cake- actually a perfect representation of the feel of their day- bright, sunny, sweet.
Their first dance, as seen through the eyes of Ellen’s neice.
The father daughter dance. I can totally see where Ellen gets her joie de vivre.
Edwin getting down on the dance floor.
At the very end of our evening, Ellen and Edwin took their turn in the photo booth for a few shots. They have such a great sense of humor- the costumes were perfect and they totally played up the part. This is the very lost shot, as they tell the paparazzi, aka Dave, no more.
Special thanks to all of the professionals who made the day so special:
Andi and the team at Hans Fahden Winery
Sharon Van Geisen from Park Avenue Catering
Mary Ann Parker from Fleur de Lisa for their exquisite cake
Peggy Blatchford for the floral design
DJ Alexander Hansen from AMS Entertainment
Alisa from The Powder Room for her styling of Ellen’s hair
Groom and groomsmen’s attire by Hugo Boss
Margot Piper, Maid of Honor, and talented graphic designer for the printed materials
And to Ellen and Edwin, you are two amazingly adventurous kindred spirits- birds of a feather. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you. We are delighted that we could be a part of your celebration, and we can’t wait to see those photos from Guyana.
Want to see more? Check out their sneak peek on Facebook and their wedding movie.
Oct
16
We met Andrea and Eric at the Great Bridal Expo about a year and a half ago. They were memorable from the beginning. Out of all the stories I heard that day, their proposal story stood out- Eric popped the question on top of a mountain in Palm Springs- and I even wrote about it here on our blog.
Then we met with them for their consultation and their story continued to speak to me. They met while working on a production of Into the Woods. I love Into the Woods and find it absolutely fitting that their story began with fairy tales as the backdrop.
And after their engagement session in Marblehead, we couldn’t wait for their wedding. It was so much fun getting to know them. We were really looking forward to celebrating on their wedding day and couldn’t wait to meet their friends and family. We knew that they, too, would be fabulous.
When the big day arrived this fall, we had a lot to look forward to. We knew there would be lots of love and great stories. We knew there would be music and dancing. We knew we would be surrounded by beauty.
So allow me to share from the beginning…
Dave and I split up for the getting ready. I started the day with Andrea.
And Dave headed over to the church.
Nephews, brothers and co-ring bearers.
It was truly an emotional day. Andrea’s dad felt the significance, walking her down the aisle, and Andrea had a huge smile on her face when she saw Eric.
They had a traditional Catholic ceremony, sans mass, in this beautiful church in Worcester.
After the ceremony they were all smiles.
They hopped into their limo and dashed off to the Harding Allen Estate, where they were hosting their reception, and where we would take the portraits.
We captured a few candid moments in between the cocktail hour and the reception. I love this one of Eric getting used to the feel of the ring on his finger. The brides have the whole time of the engagement to get used to a ring on that finger, but this is always an adjustment for the grooms.
And one closing photo of Andrea; this was captured as her sister was working on her bustle and she is smiling at Eric who is watching. She looks absolutely beautiful.
If you would like a taste of what’s to come, check out the movie Dave created of their special dances.
Oct
13
Those were the words written on our Facebook page by the father of our bride after seeing the sneak peek. And I feel compelled to comply. After all, Shelley and Andreas’ wedding at the Wang was simply dazzling, and not only because of the beautiful space in which they got married, but also because there was so much joy in the day.
So allow me to continue where I left off….
Shelley made her entrance on the grand staircase of the Wang Theatre lobby.
It really is an enticing place, a perfect place for a wedding. You know something momentous is happening when you step into the Wang.
I love the expression on Shelley’s face as she listens. Makes my heart melt.
And then after the ceremony, Shelley and Andreas retreated for a bit of alone time. In the Jewish custom, this is the yichud. A time for the newlyweds to breathe and take in the moment. Shelley and Andreas enjoyed even the moments before they got to the room.
During the cocktail hour, we completed the formal portraits.
Getting to know Andreas and his relationship with his brothers, we had learned of their super-human strength. For your viewing pleasure, we have captured one of their amazing feats- Andreas sending his brothers through the air with a simple push.
Being based primarily in the north and on the west coast, Dave and I had never had the pleasure of witnessing this special tradition, that of the Second Line, which comes out of New Orleans. It is basically a parade that celebrates the bride and groom- there are handkerchiefs, umbrellas, and fun music.
The reception got underway with more special dances and speeches. There were tears and laughter aplenty.
Andreas with his mom.
Shelley with her dad.
Shelley had a pretty short list of things she wanted to make sure we captured beyond our usual, but the rings shot was definitely one of them. Because Shelley had centered her theme around Boston (her rehearsal dinner included a picnic in the park and a Duck Tour), she had guests sign an actual book, rather than a traditional guest book. We chose to use this as the backdrop for her ring shot.
Towards the end of the evening, we took Shelley and Andreas outside for a few nighttime portraits. Under the Wang’s marquee, the lights were lit, creating a perfect backdrop for this closing shot.
Shelley and Andreas’ wedding was spectacular and there are so many professionals to thank for all your help.
First Maria and Sean and their team at the Citi Performing Arts Center- thank you so much for taking care of everything so perfectly. We look forward to working with you again.
And to Danielle of Full Circle Events, we really appreciate your guidance.
For helping create the look, feel, taste and sound of the day, thanks go out to:
Paula at Gourmet Catering
Glynn and David from Sweet Tooth for the cake
Gay at Whole Foods who provided the floral
Juanita Barbour from Eyes on Me for the Shelley’s make-up
Sarah from Back Bay Hair Designs
Meagan and Ralph from the InterContinental Hotel
Dav El Car Service for the transportration
And last, but definitively not least, their fabulous officiant Deb.
But most of all, we want to thank Shelley, Andreas and both of your families. I am so glad we could be a part of this journey with you. What a joy it has been!
Now, I am sure you want more, more, more, so definitely check out their engagement session part 1, part 2 and slideshow, along with their sneak preview. And absolutely do not miss out on their wedding movie!
Oct
10
When last I wrote about Jess and Ivan’s wedding, I spoke all about how chill they were and how they most looked forward to socializing with their friends and family. So when we shared the photos with them for their premiere, it was no suprise that they were most interested in seeing the faces of all their loved ones. They would point out, "Oh, there’s so and so" or "that’s my cousin…" or "that’s your neighbor from the time you were two…" Or "he was there when Ivan proposed in Ireland." Well you get the point. Their special day was all about the people.
Of course, the wedding day planning all started with the two of them and their desire to share their lives together. So I will pick up with the ceremony…
They pretty much kept all of the traditional events of the day short and sweet. And the ceremony was also very streamlined. They did, however, include the kiss.
Because they elected to see each other before the tea ceremony and the western ceremony, we also took their formal portraits before the ceremony and they were able to attend cocktail hour.
Ivan found a way to chat with the friends right next to him and the ones across the room. 
Jess hadn’t seen many of her childhood friends in a long time. She enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with her crew.
One of the best parts of the Downtown Harvard Club is the view. Check out the sunset.
I love it when a bride and groom are surrounded by their friends and family as they take the dance floor for the first dance. Though it seems for this moment, Jess and Ivan were in a world all to themselves…
Jess’ dad gave the one toast, and he too kept it brief. That didn’t keep him from getting in a few good laughs.
I plan to share more details from their day later, but I couldn’t resist sharing this cake. It’s AMAZING!!! They wanted to honor Ivan’s chinese heritage so they had Konditor Meister decorate it with the double happiness. The swirls are like the clasps, frogs, that are the "buttons" on a Chinese dress.
And then it’s party time. Jess’ grandfather on the dance floor…
I am not sure if it was a special request or if the DJ just knew our boy Ivan. But Ivan is a HUGE Red Sox fan so when the DJ played Papelbon’s special song, Ivan and his friends thoroughly enjoyed themselves doing the Riverdance.
And one last image from the night…
And their slideshow….
Special thanks to:
Tania and all of the folks at the Downtown Harvard Club- Tania is an amazing coordinator; she helped with Jess getting ready, provided the forgotten hairspray, and was always in the background guiding the day.
Also for taking care of all the special details:
Wedding cake: Konditor Meister
Floral: Nellie’s Wildflowers
Entertainment: Entertainment Specialists
Officiant: Justice of the Peace Helen Kerivan
Many, many thanks to Ivan and Jess. I am so, so glad you asked us to photograph your wedding. It was so much fun and such a special way to celebrate with you two.
Oct
07
Me oh my- I am so excited to share more from Lauren and David’s amazing day at the Castle Hill Inn.
With the rain far behind us, we captured a few images of our happy couple with the beautiful scenery whenever we could steal them away.
And then we spent the rest of the evening photographing all the joy- and there was lots.
Lauren and David definitely like to have fun. They are so playful together. And Lauren must have had about a thousand different facial expressions to show her happiness.
After the first dance, the hora.
Each couple went up in turn, Lauren and David first, followed by Lauren’s parents, and then David’s. His mom was a little nervous I think.
David’s cousin gave one of the toasts and he rewarded her with a huge thank you hug.
Dancing got underway in full force. Lauren’s parents, so fun.
I loved this moment. Just before they fed each other the cake, there was definitely some teasing going on. And Lauren, all with her eyes, says, "Please."
Then more dancing. Lauren made sure to have a little time with each of her grandfathers.
And with her girlfriends.
Lauren’s sister was a great help throughout the day, and also enjoyed a little time on the dance floor once the party got underway.
Maybe the best thing about a destination wedding, like this one in Newport, is that everyone has more time together, because all of the guests stay for the weekend.
Lauren enjoys another chance to connect with friends.
I have to close with one of my favorite images from the day. We had this amazing sunset over the water. Such a beautiful place to spend a couple of moments as newlyweds.
Many thanks to the professionals who helped make Lauren and David’s day so special.
A big shout out to Nancy and her team at Castle Hill. Nancy was truly amazing, top notch all the way.
Also special thanks to Rocco Michaluk of Video & Vision. It was really great to work with you.
And for helping to complete Lauren and David’s vision:
Floral Design (more on this in a later post because WOW! gorgeous work): Laurel Lane of Laurel Lane Floral Design
Wedding cake and groom’s cake: Scrumptions
Invitations: Ruth at The Party People
Other printed materials: Judith Carroll at Papers
For creating Lauren and David’s personal looks:
Hair and Make-up: Jen Murphy and Frank Antonio from Frank Antonio Hair & Makeup
Lauren’s wedding dress: Romona Keveza from Bridal Reflections
Bridesmaid dress: Lazaro from Fontana’s
David’s attire: Georgio Armani
Groomsmen’s attire: Calvin Klein from Century 21
Plus a huge thank you to Lauren and David and your families. It was such a joy to be a part of your day and to celebrate with you.
Make sure to check out their slideshow as well.
Oct
05
Ever since we met Shelley and Andreas, I have been soooooo excited about their wedding. And for lots and lots of reasons. For one, Shelley came to us because she was referred by another Boston photographer, a friend of ours and hers, who was going to be a guest at the wedding, so I knew it would be fun. And because they were getting married at the Wang- where my dearest friend took me to see the ballet version of Romeo and Juliet about 10 years ago and I fell in love with the theater and the ballet. Also because Shelley has such a great sense of style- if you have been following her blog, The Spotted Duck, you totally understand her chic-ness. And it doesn’t hurt that Shelley and Andreas both grew up in my neck of the woods- the Washington Metro Area. And because we had an awesome time with them on their engagement session- bowling? seriously? so cool.
But really, the biggest reason is because Shelley and Andreas are amazing together. High School sweethearts who figured it out early on and have been in love ever since. They have really, truly grown up together. They have been through the roughest of times and the absolute best of times together. So how could I not be excited to share in one of the best of times?
And now for a glimpse of their day…
We met up with Shelley in her room at the Intercontinental Hotel. With her friends and family around her, she donned her dress. We captured a few of her alone. The room had this awesome red settee and she looked so perfect lounging in it. Don’t you just love the birdcage veil?
A little bustling….
Andreas coordinating before the big meet up.
Yeah! They get to see each other. Well, almost.
We popped into a hired car (the driver was awesome, by the way) who took us around the city for the portraits. We started at the Carousel on the greenway.
Can I just say? People are so nice. The guy who ran the Carousel was great. He let us hop on for a few quick pictures all by ourselves. And everyone watching and waiting was really nice too. They just smiled and offered congrats to our joyous couple.
Then off to Beacon Hill for brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and red doors. Quintessential Boston!
Shelley’s very modern, textured bouquet…
We arrived at the to the Wang, where the wedding festivities occured. The boys kick back in the groom’s lounge for a bit.
And one more portrait. The whole gang in the theater…
Wow- there so many more images to share, but for now, if you want more, check out their engagement session: story 1, story 2, and the slideshow.
Oct
03
When last I wrote about Erin and Darren’s fabulous Boston wedding, I shared their story up to the ceremony. Picking up where I left off… the ceremony was held in the Wharf Room at the Boston Harbor Hotel, with views of the waterfront as the back drop.
Having spent their courtship in London, it was only fitting that they import their rabbi, a former Bostonian himself who now lives in England, to perform the ceremony. Their close friendship with their officiant made for a very special and meaningful ceremony under the chuppah, with lots of personal stories and lots of smiles.
This picture totally makes me laugh. All eyes are on Darren, except for Erin’s mom, who can’t take her eyes off her daughter.
Fortunately, Darren said the right thing. He stomped on the glass and sealed the deal with a kiss. And Erin and Darren exited with absolute joy.
We then ventured upstairs to the Rotunda, my absolute favorite part of the hotel, for cocktail hour. Some guests enjoyed the views on the patio outdoors. Others mixed and mingled indoors. Many hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Family members reminisced and passed around old photos.
All were ushered downstairs for the reception to get underway in the Wharf Room. Erin and Darren kicked off the party with their first dance and guests soon followed suit.
As Erin danced with her father, her mom looked on.
Erin and Darren listened as toasts were given by their closest friends and Darren’s brother.
Fun, fun, fun. Following some of the formalities, a little Irish dancing. Which as it turns out is a lot like Jewish dancing only with different music. It is just as fun and crazy and enthusiastic. And for these two, it melted into the hora, which culminated in this men’s group dancing in a wild circle.
Our final photos of the evening were a few that Dave imagined and created. Focusing on their connection to Paris, we brought the Eiffel Tower into the mix.
With that, I have a few thank you’s and kudo’s.
First, special thanks to all of the professionals who made Erin and Darren’s day amazing:
Michael and his team at the Boston Harbor Hotel, the beautiful venue with the amazing staff
Teresa and her talented crew from Mimosa Style for their floral creations
DJ John Dudley for the reception entertainment
Lisa Husseni for the ceremony music
Vows and Anahit Alterations for helping Erin find and perfect her dress
David’s Bridal for the bridesmaids gowns
Jean Yves for the groom and groomsmen attire
Judy at Four Season’s Hair
Make-up by Caitlin Murphy
Erin and Darren, you two have been absolutely wonderful to work with through and through. I was going to title this entry Beauty and the Beast, as I thought "Beauty" aptly described Erin and "Beast" alluded to Darren’s life as a wrestler, but I couldn’t do it, because there really isn’t anything beast-like about either of you. Thank you so much for welcoming us into your day!
For anyone who would like to see more, you should definitely check out their slideshow.
Oct
01
I adore Lauren and David. Yup, I do. Why? Because nothing could dampen their spirits on their wedding day. And they had a few more things than normal to contend with, including a torrential downpour that came out of nowhere about 20 minutes before their outdoor ceremony was set to begin. Throughout it all, they handled everything that came their way with grace. I not only adore them, I admire them. And it doesn’t hurt that they are super nice and darn cute together.
So let’s start at the beginning of their day. We met up with Lauren at the Castle Hill Inn in Newport where she and David were celebrating their wedding. We started with Lauren in her room as she and her girlfriends were getting ready.
Then she met up with David in the chalet garden, where they saw each other for the first time on their wedding day.
The rain started coming down just as we finished the family portraits. And it kept coming down for a good long time. Fortunately, the ketubah and bedeken ceremonies were scheduled to be indoors. The went off without a hitch.
It seemed like the rain would pass. It was amazing- on one side of the building you could see sunshine and blue skies, on the other side rain. Lauren waited and watched.
They held off the ceremony as long as they could and just in time, the skies cleared completely. Except for a few of the most perfect fluffy clouds. It was definitely worth the wait.
A few of my favorites from the ceremony…
That’s David’s brother walking Lauren and David’s puppy, and ringbearer, Henry. Isn’t Henry such a sweet little pup?
Lauren walking down the aisle under the enormous sky…
Lauren during the ceremony…
The sun shining down on the happy couple under the chuppah…
I love Lauren’s smile.
And David’s.
And a fabulous kiss under blue skies.
Talk about weathering the storm. Lauren and David absolutely enjoyed all of the good stuff that came their way. It was such a delight to be with them on their wedding day.
There are definitely lots more to come. But if you want more now, check out the sneak peek on the Allegro Photography fan page.
