Jul
23
Fun. That’s what Donna and Jimmy are all about. And they wanted their wedding to express that part of themselves. Donna explained the evening as "a party where where there also happens to be a wedding." She totally hit the mark. People were smiling and eating and laughing and dancing all night long. And even the wedding ceremony was filled with joy and cheers. The gray skies couldn’t bring anyone down.
Donna and Jimmy started their day at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge; breaking all the rules, they got ready in the same room, so we didn’t do a special first look moment. Instead we started right in on the portraits. First one of our dashing groom.
And one of our lovely bride, looking stunning in her Vera Wang gown.
Then off to the Exchange Conference Center on Boston‘s waterfront. The guests had already begun to arrive and were being treated to drinks and good company. Donna was excited to see everyone.
Soon Donna and Jimmy were whisked away to a room upstairs for their Ketubah signing ceremony. A few of their closest friends and family joined them.
Totally cute holding hands under the table.
And one looking in from the outside.
We had hoped to go outside for portraits on the pier, but the weather that day thwarted our plans. Dave was able to give them a taste of the view through a window.
When getting married the second time around, there are definitely different people at your wedding. For Donna, the fact that her sons could walk her down the aisle made the day all the more special. Still she couldn’t take her eyes off Jimmy as she walked towards him.
The stories told during the ceremony were warm and funny, but my favorite moment was their kiss. Even the guests were super excited about it!
And Donna and Jimmy look so happy to have sealed the deal.
More soon, but if you just can’t get enough of Donna and Jimmy, check out their Ashland e-session, complete with a Harley-Davidson.
Apr
11
When Galit and Boris contacted us about creating a fashion inspired portrait session for them on their wedding day, we were thrilled. They had chosen to get married on the same day as our anniversary; and we love sharing our anniversary with fabulous couples. It’s so nice to be around newlyweds as they are embarking on this journey. Of course, the romance and fun of it all reminds us of our own wedding day. Plus these two are fascinating in and of themselves- both are well-travalled scientists with chic modern sensibilities. We could sit and chat with them all day long.
They chose to get married at Boston’s City Hall. Since photos were not allowed of the ceremony, Dave met up with them beforehand to capture stylish portraits in and around their neighborhood, Beacon Hill. They wandered among the cobblestone streets and brownstones, ran into a few local girls who had to have their photos taken with the bride and groom, and even ventured to their roof top for some great city views. We hope you enjoy their adventures.
If you want to see more from Galit and Boris’ wedding portraits, check out their slideshow.
Mar
11
The sparkles and sounds of Amber and Tyler’s wedding fit together perfectly with the taste and scents from the food and floral. From top to bottom and with all five senses, Amber created a feeling of city elegance.
Tyler chose Amber’s engagement ring with help from Amber’s mom, who also happens to be a jeweler. When they were ready to select their wedding bands, her mom was happy to help the couple find a perfect match.
Amber’s complete look- from head to toe- in style. Earrings, veil, hair, wedding dress, bouquet and rings… Beautiful.
A closer look at her birdcage veil, styled with jewels and feathers, and her teardrop diamond earrings.
After the ceremony, the veil was removed, but the feathered and jeweled comb for her hair stayed to add a sense of whimsy. Also check out Tyler’s distinguised black-tie tux with the singular white rose boutonniere.
The sounds that filled the air that evening can only be attributed to Keith Johnson and the AM Radio. They kept the dancing going and the guests entertained.
Actually Tyler also helped with the entertainment. He sang one special song just for Amber.
Though he knew the song, he wasn’t taking any chances.
I can’t think of anything more romantic. He even had a single red rose for his new wife. She rewarded him with a sweet kiss.
With the nerves set aside, it was time to party. Dancing to the great band was no problem for our groom!
And that completes the details from Amber and Tyler’s stunning wedding. If you would like to see the more from their wedding, I would recommend checking out their slideshow.
The pros involved in this wedding were amazing. Another round of thanks to:
Ceremony Venue: Borgia Room at The Westin St. Francis
Reception Venue: Alexandra’s at The Westin St. Francis
Hair: Antonio Cabral
Make-up: Aida Morano from Aida’s Custom Cosmetics
Gown Designer: Romona Keveza
Bridesmaid dresses: Siri
Groom’s tux: Canali
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Selix Rentals
Cake: Shinmin from I Dream of Cake
Floral Design: Jeffrey from J Floral Art
Band: Keith Johnson and AM Radio
Ceremony Musician: Amber’s stepfather, Carl Weimer
Invitations: William Arthur
Mar
08
You’ve probably already noted that Amber and Tyler‘s wedding at the historic Westin St. Francis Hotel above Union Square was all about city sophistication and classic style. She continued the look and theme with her floral design; limiting the type and color of flowers highlighted the texture and gave the whole look a cohesive feel.
For her own bouquet, held here by her bridesmaid during the ceremony, she chose white orchids with yellow centers.
Her bridesmaids’ bouquets were also a single flower type and color- all merlot calla lillies. They just feel like an flower for an evening event.
Together the ladies looked great- white on white for the bride and deep red with chocolate brown for the bridesmaids.
Corsages for the moms continued the look- deep red orchids.
To add to the elegance of the ceremony in the Borgia Room, white candles of varying heights and types were places on the mantle over the fireplace. They were surrounded by garnet roses and greenery.
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For the reception table decor in Alexandra’s, multiple containers were used on each table. Each had a different single flower type in complimentary colors; all the containers were varing sizes. The monochromatic look came together in a sophisticated way.
Up close…
From a distance…
One of my favorite touches was this monogram. The bride and groom’s formal initials laid on a bed of flowers- roses, dahlias, lilies, orchids- with lights around the edges.
Congrats to Jeffrey from J Floral Art for creating such a stunning look for Amber and Tyler.
Mar
03
Sophistication. Elegance. Cosmopolitan. All words that describe Amber and Tyler’s chic San Francisco wedding at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square. Selecting the location was key to creating the feel they were looking for. The hotel’s history, decor and architecture all added to the beauty of their day.
The ceremony took place in this fabulous space, the Borgia Room. I am enchanted by the wood panelling and the gorgeous ceiling. The chandeliers are not too shabby either.
I love the fireplace as the central focus point for the space and the wedding.
Even the hallways are magnificent at the St. Francis Hotel. They made for an excellent portrait location on a day when going outdoors just wasn’t possible.
As the guests made their way to the reception in Alexandra’s, they were treated to more elegant touches. The seat assignments were listed on this scroll.
Each place setting had a special gift awaiting the guest.
A Surf and Turf dinner soon arrived- quality to match any restaurant in San Francisco. And if you have tasted the food in San Francisco, you know that is truly high praise.
Champagne toasts followed the meal.
The reception space was gorgeous. I especially loved this mural behind the band, so beautifully lit.
And for a greater sense of the room, from our bride and groom’s perspective.
Through a doorway.
From the band’s perspective.
And the wedding dinner wouldn’t have been complete without a few tasty treats to cap off the day.
First a platter of desserts.
And then this stunning cake- wrapped in white chocolate sheets and decorated with dark chocolate swirls and roses. Amazingly elegant.
To add a sense of whimsy to the day, an adorable super hero cat groom’s cake.
More details and inspiration from Amber and Tyler’s wedding to follow soon. If you would like to see more from their day now, check out their story and their slideshow.
The pros:
Ceremony Venue: Borgia Room at The Westin St. Francis
Reception Venue: Alexandra’s at The Westin St. Francis
Hair: Antonio Cabral
Make-up: Aida Morano from Aida’s Custom Cosmetics
Gown Designer: Romona Keveza
Bridesmaid dresses: Siri
Groom’s tux: Canali
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Selix Rentals
Cake: Shinmin from I Dream of Cake
Floral Design: Jeffrey from J Floral Art
Band: Keith Johnson and AM Radio
Ceremony Musician: Amber’s stepfather, Carl Weimer
Invitations: William Arthur
Dec
18
Stylish. Fun. So sweet on each other. Leah and Dave are a joy to be around and were so much fun to photograph on their wedding day.
A few of my favorite bits from the day:
Dave purchased his tux. He knew it would be tailored perfectly if he owned it and he wanted to look his absolute best for Leah. He even spent some time ironing earlier in the day.
Leah gave Dave a special cologne and Dave gave Leah a special perfume as a wedding gift. They had learned that emotion tied to scents are uniquely suited to bring back memories; they selected new scents for their special day so they had another way to recall their joy. I love this.
They wanted the first time they saw each other to be private and intimate. It was so beautiful.
Leah didn’t even blink at the cold, and it was cold. She looked totally relaxed for all of their portraits, and there were lots. She’s one tough lady.
Dave and his twin brother Mark took a moment before the ceremony. I don’t know what they said to each other, but I loved watching their closeness.
The look on Leah’s dad’s face when he was giving her away.
When Emily (wife of Dave’s brother Mark) and Steve (husband of Dave’s sister Lauren) had a special welcome for Leah as the newest in-law.
Oh boy, I have a lot of favorites. I could go on all night. But perhaps I should get to some photos….
So here’s the rest of their story. Starting with the ceremony.
I love this photo of Dave waiting for Leah to walk down the aisle, with Mark watching him. Dave has already seen Leah on their wedding day, in her wedding dress. And there is definitely something different and equally special about this moment. You can see it in his eyes.
Their ceremony was held under the stars in the pavilion on the grounds of Wine and Roses in Lodi, California. The candles, lanterns and flowers added so much romance to the space.
Leah’s parents enjoyed the ceremony…
As did Leah.
It was also filled with emotion.
Dave’s dad found the newlyweds after the ceremony for a congratulatory hug.
Leah and Dave’s reception was in the ballroom, a beautiful warm lodge-like space. They sat a sweetheart table in front the fireplace and enjoyed a toast to their new status.
First dance.
I mentioned this toast by Emily and Steve. Emily not only welcomed Leah to the family, but also shared advice on living with one half of a pair of twins. Emily is married to Dave’s twin and so she knows all about it.
Then the party got underway.
Some guests were caught up in the romance of the day.
Others got into the dancing frenzy with Dave.
The dance floor was never empty, to be sure.
What a great night, all around! And for those who can’t get enough, a little PicFlick….
If you want to see more from Leah and Dave’s stunning wedding at Wine and Roses, definitely check out their slideshow.
And a big thank you to all of the professionals who helped make their day so special.
Event planners: Emily Mattos and Kristen Jensen from Sugar Rush Events
Ceremony and Reception Venue and Catering: Wine and Roses
Gown Designer: Reem Acra
Make-up artist: Mina Drake
Cake: River City Cake Company
Floral Designer, lighting and room decor: The Big Bang
Rentals: Stuart Rental Company
Ceremony musician: guitarist Davis Ramsey
DJ: Music By Brian
But the greatest thanks go out to Leah and Dave. We have so loved getting to know you both and are thrilled that we could be a part of your celebration. And so much gratitude to your wonderful families. We love you all!
Dec
14
I am always excited when I talk to a groom and he is as into the wedding details as the bride. That doesn’t happen very often mind you, and that’s fine; I just think it is so cute when the gents get excited about the whole shebang. So when I had my preconsultation phone conversation with Dave and Leah, I was amazed. Leah knew all of the details, to be sure, and she was on top of all the organization, but Dave was right there alongside her. And they each had their own projects. Dave even gave us a special tour of his favorite spots at Wine and Roses, their wedding venue. Together, they made their wedding day so special and memorable for each other and for their guests.
Just to give you a taste of their amazing style and their joyous day, here’s a sneak peek of all the fun before the ceremony….
First a few details.
Leah got ready in the bride’s changing room, above the Garden Ballroom. She was surrounded by her mom and her bridesmaids. Love the matching track suits- and the super cute "bridesmaid" tees.
Then she donned her glimmering dress.
Definitely star appeal in this number. So much sparkle.
Leah is stunning.
Dave got ready in his twin brother, Mark‘s, room. Mark made sure that Dave looked very dapper.
Check him out! What a handsome fellow.
Once they were both all set. They met up in a secret location to see each other for the first time on their wedding day. The privacy of their special locale made the moment even better.
Leah took a step back to get a good look at her groom. Big smiles all around.
Enjoying their alone time.
After we finished all of the portraits, the whole group went back to Leah’s getting ready room to relax, freshen up and warm up.
The boys clowning around…
Before the ceremony… I love the way Dave looks at Leah. Could he be sweeter?
Of course, this is just the beginning. Definitely check back for photos from their beautiful ceremony and their awesome party.
Nov
30
Twelve years ago, Tyler met Amber. He knew she was the one. And last month they were married.
For their the quintessential San Francisco wedding, Amber and Tyler chose the venerable Westin St. Francis Hotel which was built before the 1906 Earthquake. This historic Union Square hotel has hosted presidents and movie stars alike. It was the perfect backdrop for Amber and Tyler’s elegant city wedding.
For this wedding, I teamed up with our associate, Christine, and we started the day with Amber as she was completing the final touches to her look.
I set up a few photos of the shoes and the dress.
Love the light.
Making sure everything is just right.
We had a little time before the ceremony so we took the opportunity to take some portraits of Amber. She was simply striking.
She looked so glamorous; we had to capture her amazing fashion and style.
Then off to the ceremony, where Amber and Tyler said their "I do’s." and then this image which comes from the end of the ceremony would be the “We did’s”.
The portraits are often the first alone time our couples have on their wedding day. We were happy to step back and let them enjoy the moment.
Tyler with the bouquet in one hand and the new ring on the other. Definitely a married man. Welcome to the club, Tyler!
Such a touching and romantic first dance…
The night just got better and better as Tyler surprised Amber by serenading her with a red rose in hand.
Amber’s reaction.
Then a passionate embrace.
I have many favorite images from the day, but this is Jo’s favorite. It pretty much sums up their passion, their tenderness, their class, their glamorous hollywood style, and the feel of the whole wedding.
Thank you, Amber and Tyler, for inviting Christine and I into your most amazing day. We are so glad we could be a part of it.
Also many thanks to the pros who helped Amber and Tyler make their wedding a beautiful reality!
The team at the Westin was fabulous! It was wonderful to work with you.
Ceremony Venue: Borgia Room at The Westin St. Francis
Reception Venue: Alexandra’s at The Westin St. Francis
Hair: Antonio Cabral
Make-up: Aida Morano from Aida’s Custom Cosmetics
Gown Designer: Romona Keveza
Bridesmaid dresses: Siri
Groom’s tux: Canali
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Selix Rentals
Cake: Shinmin from I Dream of Cake
Floral Design: Jeffrey from J Floral Art
Band: Keith Johnson and AM Radio
Ceremony Musician: Amber’s stepfather, Carl Weimer
Invitations: William Arthur
If you would like to see more from Amber and Tyler’s city soiree, definitely check out their slideshow.
Jun
06
You may recall a couple weeks ago we shared a sneak preview from Shelley and Andreas’ engagement session. Last night, we hosted the fabulous duo and Shelley’s dad for their premiere. So much fun! Shelley and Andreas, we already knew, are friendly, warm and adorable together. But Shelley’s dad is equally great- he is so enthusiastic and genuine. Now I really can’t wait for their wedding at the Wang when we get to meet the rest of the crew!
Of course, now that Shelley and Andreas have had a chance to check out the photos. We can share them with you.
When last I wrote, I shared the Sacco’s bowling alley portion of the shoot.
In keeping with our retro theme, we headed over to the Rosebud Diner also in Somerville. We had hoped for at least one shot of the two sharing a milk shake- classic, no? Alas, this diner doesn’t have ice cream and therefore no milkshakes. We were all bummed, but still found ways to enjoy the space, inside and out.
Then walking about town, we happned to pass by Redbones BBQ and saw this fabulous red vintage truck.
Finally, we finished off our session in front of a modern wall. Dave and I have been wanting to create a composite image like the one above, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to do it. I also wanted to play with the lensbaby a bit.
We all were having such a great time, we decided to put away the cameras and grab a bite to eat. Redbones BBQ was calling- yum! yum!
Coming soon- the amazing slideshow Dave put together to show off Shelley and Andrea’s images. We will post the link on our Facebook fan page. So definitely become a fan to find out when!
May
04
We recently got these fabulous photo bags and I just had to share. They are perfect for pets (a la Max), kids and even certain wedding pix. One bride thought she might get them as gifts for her bridesmaids. I used to hate having a purse because I thought I would leave it somewhere. I love this so much I wear it everywhere. I love that Max is on it and in it. Definitely brings a smile to my face.
Dave’s messenger bag
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