Allow me to set the scene. The day was gorgeous with blue skies above. Erin and Vitali were surrounded by their family and friends, and stood under trees and this beautiful gazebo with the gorgeous mansion behind them.

Some moments were tender…

And some amusing. The groom’s best man was his son; it took him a second to remember where he had placed the rings. But he held it together and provided them in due course.

Little tubes of bubbles were placed at each person’s seat. They were blown after Erin and Vitali’s kiss and as they exited, and then everyone continued to blow bubbles until they received another kind of bubbles in preparation for the toast. Blowing bubbles can be addictive that way. Everyone loves bubbles. Erin’s dad especially loved blowing the bubbles. Love it!

The Lord Thompson Manor has a great set up for the toasts.

Erin’s brother provided the stories and words of wisdom. He had Erin and her family in stitches.

We followed the toast with a few portraits. I especially wanted to capture something special of Erin and her grandmother. Erin’s mother had told me how close they are.

And of course, I had a little time with our bride and groom. This is one of my favorites. They seem so at ease and totally themselves in this moment.

Cocktail hour awaited! And what would a cocktail hour be without a signature cocktail? Apparently Vitali doesn’t drink, but because he is a white Russian he and Erin thought it only appropriate that they serve White Russian’s at their wedding. Too funny! Here we have a pair of white Russians.

The joy of the evening was definitely catchy and everyone was feeling a bit spunky. Erin’s parents Marion and Jack were hilarious as they danced their way in during their entrance.

After the rest of the bridal party and Erin and Vitali’s dog entered, they made their grand entrance. They immediately started their first dance.

One young lady was inspired to start dancing afterwards. Can’t blame her, it was a beautiful first dance.

Keirnan of KCK Photography, my partner for the day, captured this moment during the cake cutting. So much joy. Of course, who wouldn’t be joyous with two amazing cakes sitting right in front of them. The groom’s cake was brought in from their favorite bakery in New York as a special treat.

After Erin and Vitali each had a taste, Erin shared the red velvet cake with the kids. Yum.

Our evening was drawing to a close, but I wanted to make sure to get a few photos on the grounds before we left. The Manor looks absolutely stunning at night. I am so glad Erin and Vitali were up for a couple more portraits. My parting shot.

What an amazing day! There are so many people to thank for making it great.

First of all, Jackie and her team at the Lord Thompson Manor. Great work! Everything was perfect.

And the team of professionals that Erin, Marion and Jackie assembled.

Thanks to the following for completing Erin and Vitali’s looks:
Hair and make-up: The KISS Spa
Gown Designer: Pronovias of Spain from Mariella Creations
Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Formals by Antonio

And for creating the atmosphere and making the day even sweeter, thanks to:
Ceremony Musicians: Fensgate Chamber Players
Reception Band: Radiance
Floral Design: The Flowering Vine
Bride’s cake: Something Sweet by Michelle
Groom’s Cake: Two Little Red Hens Bakery

I also want to send out lots of kudos to Erin and Marion who teamed up to create the gorgeous invitations and other paper products. Your handy work absolutely paid off. Beautiful!

A very special thanks to Keirnan of KCK Photography for joining me this day. I so appreciate you and your talent. You are amazing. Thank you!

Finally, I want to thank Erin and Vitali and your wonderful family and friends for inviting us into this very special day.

For those of you who want to see a few more, definitely check out their Sneak Preview and their Slideshow.

Erin and Vitali chose The Lord Thompson Manor as the backdrop for their special day. The Lord Thompson Manor brings back the joy of weekend getaways from times gone by. It’s perfect for a destination wedding, where friends and family can join you for an extended period of time.

After the rehearsal, Vitali spent the night at the Manor. On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, Erin was treated to spa fun with the girls at the Cottage. I arrived to capture some special details and some of her getting ready.

Erin’s dress was beautiful. She had a complete look that totally fit with the style of her wedding at the Manor- elegant- and definitely influenced by the 1920′s.

The KISS spa is a serene place to spend a few hours. Everything is white on white. So of course, Erin’s bouquet of pinks, greens, and purples popped against the backdrop. That’s Erin getting her hair done with her mom and maid of honor watching in the background.

Checking out the make-up…

Even Erin’s dad had a little work done.

What an embrace! You can feel the love Erin has for her brother. He played an integral role in their day, as the brides’ best man. He stood on Erin’s side next to her Maid of Honor and gave the toast. She found a truly special way to honor him and their friendship.

Erin’s mom helped her with the finishing touches up in her bridal suite.

The antique lavalier is Erin’s something old. The necklace belonged to Erin’s Great-Grandmother who passed it on to Erin’s Grandmother who passed it on to Erin’s Mother who wore it on her wedding day.

When Erin was all ready, her friends joined her at the spa. I love the smiles on all of the ladies, each expression tells a different story.

For this very special occassion, I was joined by Keirnan of KCK Photography. Not only is she a hugely talented photographer, she is wonderful to work with. Thank you, Keirnan, for helping me out and a huge thanks to your family for giving you up for the day. I totally appreciate it.

Keirnan popped over the Manor to get a few of Vitali and his kids as they were getting ready.

Here’s Vitali helping his son and groomsman.

And some special portraits. All the kids….

One more of the pup- because I LOVE this photo. Keirnan prefectly captured this adorable moment.

I will leave you with a teaser, one image I captured as Erin walked down the aisle on her dad’s arm, a prelude of what’s to come. Though I placed it at the end of the post, it is definitely “the beginning.”

There’s lots more to come… the ceremony, the toasts, the dinner, the cake, the party, and some fabulous portraits. So check back soon!

When the brides and grooms-to-be arrived with their families, they were shown to their table, where their personalized tasting menu awaited them.

Each table was decorated with a different theme and all of them were gorgeous.

Love the beach theme with shells and candles for this centerpiece.

I am such a fan of bright colors and especially love tropical flowers. Check out these orchids!

And something a bit more classical, various arrangements including calla lilies, roses, and candles, all in white.

She had her wonderful candy bar all set up, again all whites, a tribute to the winter season.

And the food and service, as always, were amazing. I love the pizzas and the mini-burgers.

Throughout the event, the wedding couples were serenaded with music by either the fabulous string quartet or the rocking band. They toured the grounds and had the opportunity to meet all of their wedding vendors. They could choose to talk with the florist, the fabulous cake designer, the ladies who created custom invitations, a videographer, a jeweler, an officiant, a tux shop, the folks from KISS Spa who will take care of hair and make-up and offer massages, and of course, wedding photographers.

An all around great day!

No slideshow this week; all the photographs are right here on the blog. Enjoy!

A bit about our wonderful collaborators for this wedding photography extravaganza:

Bridal Heirlooms is a full service bridal boutique in the heart of South Hadley, Massachusetts. The ladies at Bridal Heirlooms will provide you with the best service and guidance, in a comfortable, relaxed setting. The shop was started by two sisters who share the enjoyment of making a bride feel special on her wedding day. They provide each bride with personal and professional care as they work together to achieve each lady’s dreams.

The Lord Thompson Manor is a country estate perfect for dream-come-true wedding receptions. The stately elegance of the Manor, the serenity of their Frederick Law Olmstead designed grounds, their James Beard Foundation celebrated chefs and their outstanding service provide the ultimate setting that ensures any wedding is as perfect as a bride could dream of. Whether grand or intimate, or wildly extravagant, The Lord Thompson Manor has a wonderful way of bringing romance and individuality perfect for each bride and groom. The Manor is only a short distance from Boston, Hartford, Rhode Island, and New York City. When you arrive, you drive down a half-mile driveway to the front door; there you will begin to feel the tranquility of their 40 acre estate, towering trees, and quiet country paths. You will begin to experience the luxury of an unhurried celebration reminiscent of a time gone by.

Bridal Heirlooms has a wonderful selection of dresses and Christine and Shirley know just how to match a gown to a person’s style. We wanted to create a collection of images that hearkened back to times gone by, but with a modern touch. And we wanted to show off their fabulous gowns.

The Lord Thompson Manor is a stunning wedding site nestled in the woodlands of Northeastern Connecticut. It is just a short drive from Boston, Rhode Island, Hartford, and even, New York. A perfect getaway close to home, this estate was once a hunting villa. The feel of the site is still warm and welcoming and intensely glamorous – a wonderful place for wedding photography.

Here’s a sneak preview of the Lord Thompson Manor bridal fashion shoot.

We owe a huge thank you to our model Samantha, who was amazing and patient and gracious, throughout the shoot. And of course we are so grateful to Christine and Shirley from Bridal Heirlooms and to Jackie from the Lord Thompson Manor. We had such a wonderful time working with you and at the Manor. Thank you!