Jan
24
If you loved all the varied uses of pinks from Maren and Steve’s "Special Touches," just wait til you see their flowers. All of the texture and softness and beauty. Plus, I am adding a bonus to spark your appetite with some of my favorite food images.
Part 2- Flowers and Food
First the flowers, pinks perfect for a summer wedding.
Loving the lushness of our bride’s bouquet. And check out our groom’s boutonniere.
The walk down the aisle was just perfect with these flower baskets hanging from the seats.
Sweet flower girl with her soft pink roses bouquet.
They brought the pails from the ceremony to place on the cocktail hour tables.
The dinner setting was just perfect. Some tables had tall centerpieces, some with petite centerpieces, all set off by the crystal chandeliers.
One of the tall centerpieces. The use of greens and whites add depth to the arrangement.
Along the fireplace, the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets were placed in glass vases tied with pink ribbons.
And now for a few sweet, yummy morsels. Maren’s caterer- Blue Rocks Catering- was fantastic. The food both looked and tasted (what we were able to enjoy) amazing!
Oh and her beautiful cake. A perfect combination of the food and the flowers!
And one last favorite, which I think shows how perfectly her floral choices fit with the grounds of the Glen Manor House…
More thank you’s to their amazing team of experience professionals:
Ceremony and Reception Site: Katie Wilkinson from the Glen Manor House
Getting Ready location: Kate Jenkins of the Pelham Court Hotel
Caterer: Ingrid Martins of Blue Rocks Catering
Cake: Kate Repko from Cappuccino’s
Floral Design: Sayles Livingston of Sayles Livingston Flowers
DJ: Sidney Posey of DeeJays Etc.
Ceremony Musicians: Crystal Pascucci and Quartetto Vivo
Hair and Make-up: Wavelengths Salon & Spa
Wedding dress designer and salon: Simone Carvalli; Maria Spyridopolous of Sabella Couture
Bridesmaids Dresses and salon: Watters & Watters; Cheri Amor of Perfect Bridal
Groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse & Tuxedo
Invitations, place cards, save the dates- aka the full design suite: Steve Reepmeyer
Want more? Check out their slideshow, PicFlick. Or on the blog, their engagement session, sneak preview, scoop and details: part 1.
Jan
11
Maren and Steve pulled together one of those stylish weddings that most brides dream of. Their ceremony and reception were held in a fairytale estate with beautiful grounds. So here’s a little inspiration from their special day.
Part 1- The Special Touches
First off, pinks were the order of the day- from mauve to pastel- subtle shades and hues of luscious pink. More on the flowers in a later post (also pretty in pink).
The full compliment of paper products- invitation, save the dates, name cards and more.
Bird cage for collecting cards.
Programs.
Maren’s shoes with a hint of turquoise. This was a beautiful accent color to the pinks, and only used in two spots. Her something blue.
Her purse also with turquoise. She added the little hummingbird pin, a nice touch of whimsy.
Now check out their venue. The Glen Manor House is nothing short of stunning.
Loving the period details throughout, reminiscent of a French country estate.
The view of the ceremony lawn from the back patio, where the cocktail hour was held.
The back patio. Maren and Steve bought all of the lounge furniture and pillows to ensure it would have just the feel they were going for.
Twinkling in the evening.
A beautiful celebration such as this simply can’t be pulled off without a team of experienced professionals. Special thanks to all:
Ceremony and Reception Site: Katie Wilkinson from the Glen Manor House
Getting Ready location: Kate Jenkins of the Pelham Court Hotel
Caterer: Ingrid Martins of Blue Rocks Catering
Cake: Kate Repko from Cappuccino’s
Floral Design: Sayles Livingston of Sayles Livingston Flowers
DJ: Sidney Posey of DeeJays Etc.
Ceremony Musicians: Crystal Pascucci and Quartetto Vivo
Hair and Make-up: Wavelengths Salon & Spa
Wedding dress designer and salon: Simone Carvalli; Maria Spyridopolous of Sabella Couture
Bridesmaids Dresses and salon: Watters & Watters; Cheri Amor of Perfect Bridal
Groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse & Tuxedo
Invitations, place cards, save the dates- aka the full design suite: Steve Reepmeyer
Want more? Check out their slideshow, PicFlick. Or on the blog, their engagement session, sneak preview and scoop.
Aug
17
Brace yourself. This one’s a long one. I just couldn’t help myself. Too much fun. Too many beautiful spaces. Too many wonderful people. So there are a few more than usual.
Maren and Steve planned an absolutely stunning destination wedding at the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, RI. Their guests traveled from far and farther to celebrate with them and were treated to a weekend getaway celebration. Care was given to the smallest of details (each guest had their own personalized itinerary) and thought to the feel of the whole event. Spaces were created for relaxation, for dancing, for socializing. More on all of that later in a details blog post. For now, I want you to be able to get a sense of what it was like to be a guest at this wonderful wedding. And the answer is nothing short of amazing.
As I skipped ahead to Maren’s entrance in my last blog, I thought I would take a step back because I love this moment before Steve enters. The anticipation gives me goosebumps.
The guests also couldn’t wait to see Steve’s reaction to Maren’s entrance.
The ceremony was full of smiles and tears. When Maren and Steve brought each mom a specially embroidered handkerchief and white rose, Steve’s mom already had tears on her cheeks. So Maren helped wipe them away. Steve’s love and understanding of his mom came out in his smile.
Gotta love the folks who bring out the laughter.
At the end of the ceremony, Maren and Steve had not one, but two kisses, and then this very tender look as they enjoyed their new husband and wife status.
Oh wait, make that 3 kisses.
We snuck away for a few portraits on the grounds.
Immediately it felt like Maren and Steve were meant to be on this estate. They were so at ease at the Glen and comfortable in the space. It fit like a glove.
A private toast before they joined their guests.
The cocktail hour was enjoyed on the back lawn and guests spread out to all of the outdoor spaces, really enjoying the property.
Steve and Maren were such excellent hosts. It seemed as if they had invited all of their nearest and dearest to their private country estate. They really took ownership of the celebration, graciously welcoming their guests.
Loving the playfulness that comes with children.
And the sweetness. I can just imagine the conversation, something along the lines of "You look like a princess" from one of the ladies. Followed by "So do you," from the other.
A quick portrait on the steps with the whole bridal party. The kids are simply too cute.
For that matter, so is Maren. This moment during their first dance is hilarious. Maren is perfectly in character.
Loved hearing the story of how they chose the first song. Steve had requirements, well really just one. He didn’t want a song that would make him cry. Something upbeat fit the bill and as he liked Dean Martin, "Ain’t that a Kick in the Head" seemed a perfect choice. It was all fun, no tears.
As it turns out, his mom had similar requirements. So Steve surprised her with his favorite song from his childhood, Elvis Presley’s "Teddy Bear." The crowd, and his mom, loved it.
Dinner was served.
And guests wandered in and out of the ballroom, the dining rooms, and the outdoor spaces on this perfectly lovely evening.
What it actually means to be married I think. Too funny.
Just as we were about to depart, Steve broke out the cigars. He was hanging out with his friends- the whole group of guys, and gals, enjoyed a celebratory smoke.
Oh, what a night! And day, for that matter. This was such a wonderfully joyful wedding. I am so glad we could be a part of it. Many, many thanks to Maren and Steve for including us.
Additional gratitude goes to all of the professionals who helped make their day so fabulous. Each and every person was amazingly talented and wonderful to work with. Honestly I think Maren said it best though. "I just want to invite them all to Thanksgiving dinner." Now if that isn’t high praise.
A very special shout out of thanks to Katie Wilkinson the manager of their ceremony and reception venue, the Glen Manor House. What a joy it was to work with you! Everything was impeccable.
Getting Ready location: Kate Jenkins of the Pelham Court Hotel
Caterer: Ingrid Martins of Blue Rocks Catering
Cake: Kate Repko from Cappuccino’s
Floral Design: Sayles Livingston of Sayles Livingston Flowers
DJ: Sidney Posey of DeeJays Etc.
Ceremony Musicians: Crystal Pascucci and Quartetto Vivo
Hair and Make-up: Wavelengths Salon & Spa
Wedding dress designer and salon: Simone Carvalli; Maria Spyridopolous of Sabella Couture
Bridesmaids Dresses and salon: Watters & Watters; Cheri Amor of Perfect Bridal
Groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse & Tuxedo
And the knock your socks off invitations, place cards, save the dates- aka the full design suite put together for their wedding, by none other than our groom, a professional designer by trade, Steve Reepmeyer.
So honestly truthfully, I had such a hard time narrowing these down for the blog. I really hope you will check out their slideshow and their PicFlick. And if you haven’t yet seen their engagement session, definitely check that out.
Aug
06
On the radar, there was a rain cloud stretching from New Hampshire to Washington, DC and it was moving East at a steady pace. We had been watching the weather reports all week long, dreading what was to come for Maren and Steve’s wedding. They had chosen the most beautiful location for their destination wedding- an estate by the water in Portsmouth, RI- with an outdoor ceremony in the gardens. And they had planned a photo tour prior to the wedding which would take us around Newport‘s stunning coastline. Of course, this required a rain-free day. Dave and I were certain we would be relegated to Plan B. I brought the red umbrella for whatever photos we would be able to take outside.
What we didn’t count on was Maren and Steve’s good fortune. We had no idea they had some kind of extra special karma hanging out in their corner. Because what unfolded was nothing short of a miracle.
Maren got ready at the Pelham Court Hotel- a sweet boutique hotel with a great suite for our bride and her ladies. She didn’t seem at all concerned about the weather, which at that point was all sunshine in Newport.
She and Steve saw each other for the first time in the courtyard of the hotel. I love this moment where they get a good look at each other. And I love that Dave purposely captured the blue sky as part of the image. He wanted to make sure they had at least one photo with blue skies from their wedding day.
We took a couple of portraits in the courtyard. We actually had to have them sit in the shade, because it was still so bright out.
Then we headed off to Ocean Drive, for photos along the rocky coast line. As we drove there, we could see the storm clouds getting closer.
Check it out in this image. Towards the west an ominous sky.
In the same spot, but toward the east, the bridal party got to enjoy a few more moments of beautiful blue.
At this point, the sky was getting dark fast. Steve asked his groomsmen to bring the umbrellas to us, just in case. They were ready for the worst. Strangely the storm seemed to stop and hold it’s position.
We were able to capture a few more at this spot, and even stop at another along the coast.
I was so glad that we had been able to get those photos in. I figured that was all the luck we would have and was prepared for the inevitable indoor ceremony. When I arrived at the Glen Manor House, I was greeted with blue skies again. What?!? I thought. Then I saw that the gardens were set up for the ceremony. I honestly thought the coordinator had made a mistake. She told me she had checked the radar and it looked fine. I was shocked but happy.
Then of course, the skies turned to gray again. Didn’t bother the ring bearer one bit, though.
Maren and Steve took a moment to enjoy the view of the water, gorgeous even with the gray skies.
Then the ceremony began. And unfortunately just as the bridal party made their entrance little drips of water started falling very lightly to the ground. This is it! I thought. Now it’s going to downpour on their ceremony. The pessimist in me came out. I couldn’t help being concerned for all of the guests and our truly fabulous couple. And just as quickly as it had started, Maren walked out, and I kid you not, the drizzle stopped.
Not one more drop fell. Crazy? Maybe. True? Yes. A miracle? Absolutely.
Post script- I suppose all this sounds a bit overdramatic. And I can be prone to that, but just to give you a sense of how bad this storm was, everywhere but at Maren and Steve’s wedding that is, check out this article.
Jun
09
We often say that engagement sessions are like double-dates, except we have cameras. After all, there’s a lot of laughter, we go to beautiful places, and we generally have fun. Our e-session with Maren and Steve was no exception, plus their session included dinner and dancing to boot.
We started off in the North End, for a really beautiful and quaint bit of Boston. We were lucky enough to enjoy near-perfect weather. So we wandered and strolled and found some quiet nooks and a few more public spots for a wide variety of surroundings.
Monday was a great night for the shoot as it also happens to be the night that many restauranteurs take a break. We had the doorway to this little Italian restaurant all to ourselves.
At the edge of the North End, you also get a unique view of Boston.
We then took the Charlestown Ferry across the river at sunset. The light was beautiful, the wind cool, and the views amazing. I am so glad Dave suggested this- what a great way to enjoy the water and the cities on both sides.
Once in Charlestown, we walked along the pier and captured a few images of Maren and Steve enjoying the scenery, the breeze and each other.
Among the boats.
We took a break as the dusk turned to night and enjoyed a meal at a favorite Tavern overlooking the water. Then ventured out for a few more on the pier.
As promised, there was dancing.
It was so hard to choose which ones to share. These two can not take a bad photo. Definitely check out their slideshow for more photos.
We can’t wait for their wedding at the Glen Manor House near Newport.
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
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.
Sep
02
I am so excited to share the second installment of Erin and Vitali’s wedding. You may recall that they were married at the Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, Conn. In the first post, I made it to the beginning of ceremony so there is lots more to share.
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.
Aug
22
Erin and Vitali are such a great match- they both value their families and each other completely. Vitali totally makes Erin laugh. And Erin watches out and protects Vitali. Perfect! Add to that a plethora of adoring friends and you have just the right mix for not only a fabulous wedding day, but also an amazing life together.
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!
Jul
12
Fabulous news! We had four full-page photos published in Gala Weddings Magazine. We received the proof and the magazine, and it looks great!
The magazine focuses on the New England region and the brides and grooms who get married in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Most of our images are from Becky and Danny’s wedding last summer. They were married at the Chanler at Cliff Walk in Newport.
Here’s Danny looking over his vows before he walks down the aisle…
And here’s Becky with her Dad walking towards the ceremony on the lawn.
The used this one from their portrait session as the lead image for their RI section.
And this one is from Ariana and Jesse’s wedding, used for their lead photo in the VT section.
Then they sprinkled a few more smaller images throughout. The bouquets and table arrangements in this spread are both ours from Becky and Danny’s Newport wedding.
And the mooncake is ours in this inspiration spread of citrus colors; it’s from Krista and Andy’s wedding.
If you want to see more from Becky and Danny’s RI wedding, check out their sneak peak, the scoop, their CT bbq, the details, and the slideshow.
If you want to see more from Ariana and Jesse’s Tilden Park wedding, check out their sneak peak, scoop, and slideshow.
If you want to see more from Krista and Andy’s Hakone Gardens and Decathlon Club wedding, check out their scoop part 1, scoop part 2, details, and slideshow.
