Sep
17
Did I promise dancing? Or did I promise dancing?
When Heather met up with us for her planning meeting, we talked about all sorts of details regarding timing and portraits for her wedding at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. But what she was most excited about was the dancing. She couldn’t wait for the party. She wanted to see all of her friends and family having a good time. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint. But before we get to the dancing party, a few formalities, with a less formal air.
Early on in the dinner reception, Heather’s dad welcomed guests and toasted the bride and groom and their future together.
His words and thoughts definitely connected with Heather.
Throughout dinner, the guests relaxed and got to know each other. Many were meeting each other for the first time. The long tables were perfect not only for the physical space of the ICA’s theater, but also for encouraging interactions. Conversations never lulled.
Being a theater, dramatic lighting was a must. The reception had an elegant chic feel to it.
Christian took a spin around to visit with his friends and family who had traveled from Italy to celebrate with he and Heather. There was much joy and merriment.
After the sun set, Dave stepped outside to take in the whole scene. On the left the theater’s long expansive window allowing a view into the dinner reception, and to the right Boston’s beautiful waterfront skyline.
And now for the party….
One of my fave’s of the night. I love the feeling Dave captured in this image- the intenisty, the connectedness, the energy….
From the abstract to the literal. These two were crazy fun on the dance floor; they had some serious moves.
Feeling the music.
A little showmanship and all about the fun.
I have to close with my favorite image from the night. For me, this one image tells Heather and Christian’s story. Actually watching them dance together, I got to see so much about how they work together- the give, the take- each completely in tune with the other. And so clearly enjoying being together. I can’t help smiling.
Everyone had a great time dancing under the stars. All in all a truly amazing evening.
And now my chance to say thank you to a truly fabulous team of professionals who created and assisted in making this vision a reality:
I absolutely have to thank Kim Stone and Billy Evers of Rafanelli Events and their amazing colleagues. What a night! Heather and Christian didn’t have a thing to worry about with you guys on the job. The whole event went perfectly. And the look of it all, the feel of it all…. Well, don’t worry, I will go on in another blog post, but for now I just have to say I loved the way you mixed a modern aesthetic with classic elements. You guys throw one hell of a party!
Also thank you to:
The ICA Staff, who took care of all aspects of the location including lighting
The crew from Wolfgang Puck for their amazing food and service
Cakes to Remember for the beautiful wedding cake
The look of the evening would not have been complete without the talent and assistance of:
Winston Floral
Be Our Guest
Signature Event Rentals
Party by Design
Peterson’s Party Center
The entertainment for the evening was out of this world. Huge kudos to DJ Kupah an DJ Kaz from Upside Entertainment.
And a special thank you to Matt Teuten of Matt Teuten Photography for the photo booth. What a hit!
A few final thank yous for helping the get the day started on the right foot:
Westin Waterfront Hotel
Vera Wang for Heather’s gorgeous white dress
Luis from Luz Beauty for the hair and make-up
Congrats again Heather and Christian! You guys make an amazing couple; it was such a joy documenting your celebration.
If you would like to see more from Heather and Christian’s Soiree, check out their sneak preview and their slideshow.
Sep
11
Yelena and Rob’s wedding was definitively all about the fun. And there was a lot of fun to be had. Everyone came ready to celebrate these two fabulous people. There was enthusiasm and vigor aplenty and a whole lot of love and admiration too. We had the perfect recipe for a great evening.
We started our day with Yelena in her suite at the Fairmont Copley Plaza as she was getting her hair and make-up done. Her closest girlfriends and family were are all around, checking in and getting ready themselves.
And then came the unveiling of the dress. It was a pretty momentous occasion and her dad was super excited for it. He definitely had to be there and wanted to help place it where we needed it so we could get some beautiful pictures. I love when dads get involved. And really, I can’t blame him. Yelena’s dress was stunning. She chose a Vera Wang gown that perfectly accentuated her classic beauty alongside her modern sophistication and style. Gorgeous!
Before we ventured downstairs for the Ketubah signing and Bedeken, we wanted to capture a few portraits of Yelena alone.
And then downstairs for Yelena and Rob to see each other for the first time on their wedding day.
He was already in the room where they would meet up. But his groomsmen didn’t want him to catch a glimpse of Yelena before she was ready. No peeking, Rob!
Yelena entered. Both their faces lit up. Lots of smiles and laughter followed.
After the ketubah and bedeken ceremonies, Yelena and Rob met under the chuppah for the traditional Jewish ceremony with all of their guests. They utilized the St. James Room at the Copley- what a great feel.
A few of my favorite candid moments from the ceremony…
Yelena and Rob went off for their yichud. The remaining family members were totally amusing as they exited.
Rob’s brother "connecting" with his friends and family…
The portraits followed. The boys were philosophical. Or rather, hysterical. Serious fun.
And I leave you with just one from our portrait session with Yelena and Rob.
This is clearly just the beginning of Yelena and Rob’s amazing celebration. There was dancing, dancing, and more dancing- along with great food and good times hanging with family and friends.
If you want a few more, you can also check out our Facebook Page where we posted their sneak peak.
Aug
28
Heather and Christian were married earlier this year in Italy. But Heather knew that she wanted to have a fabulous bash with all of her friends and family when she and Christian made it to the States. She enlisted the help of the talented crew at Rafanelli Events to make her dream party come true. Working with them while living abroad in Lebanon was a challenge she was up to and the end result turned out magnificent.
I began the day with Heather as she and her mom were getting ready at the Westin Boston Waterfront.
A little pampering and some fabulous music courtesy of Luiz (Luz Beauty) and his ipod got the party started on the right foot. Let me just say Heather was definitively the most easy-going bride. She was totally calm and relaxed during what can sometimes be a little bit of an anxious time. She sat back and assessed and enjoyed everything as it was happening. That said, this prep time was a lot of fun and we all wanted to start dancing right then and there. Okay so maybe some of us actually did.
Love the silhouette as Luiz plays with Heather’s hair.
Mom, who had finished just as I arrived, enjoyed the view as Heather finished up.
Then we all headed over the Institute of Contemporary Art, where the real festivities were set to take place.
And there we met up with Heather’s husband, Christian. I love how his face lights up when he looks at Heather.
Dave and I took a few portraits with our gorgeous couple in and around the ICA. The view of the Boston Harbor is so beautiful and we had a truly lovely evening.
And then the celebration really got underway. The cocktail hour was held outside on the back deck of the ICA.
The Rafanelli team put together some really fabulous touches for Heather and Christian, including their own personalized Italian sodas (appropriate given that Christian is from Italy, they met in Italy and were married in Italy) and photos in acrylic frames from their wedding ceremony.
And a quick peak of what’s to come. The dinner reception was in the ICA’s theater. Love the fabulous view and the setting sun. The colors of the sky perfectly matched the lighting, floral and linens for the event. Stunning work!
Check back soon for more from the Heather and Christian’s elegant and modern soiree. There will definitely be loads of details to share from the rest of the evening and you are not going to believe the dancing at this event. It was non-stop amazing fun.
Aug
17
It is with great pleasure that I share Lauren and Steve’s wedding. They were married in true California style with an outdoor ceremony and reception all on a private estate in Carmel Valley. They were surrounded by friends and family for a weekend of festivities. Though relatively close to home, their wedding definitely had more of a destination feel. We had an amazing time sharing in their celebration.
Without further ado….
Lauren’s gorgeous dress, in the master suite at the private residence.
Lauren getting ready with her bridesmaids, a good friend and her sister-in-law Emily.
The finishing touches…
The true fun begins, Lauren walks down the aisle on her father’s arm. Her smile made everyone in the area smile along with her.
Their ceremony was held on the front lawn of the estate under a gorgeous old oak tree.
During the ceremony, Lauren’s Spanish family shared a reading.
After the ceremony, we took a few moments for portraits around the estate. I love how her magenta bouquet matches the bougainvellia.
A little into the evening, we stepped out for a few minutes to capture some images as the sun set. The light was absolutely stunning streaming through the valley. And Lauren and Steve were able to enjoy a few private moments.
Dave captured this image of their reflection in the pool. I love the dreamy, watercolor quality of it- all done in camera.
The reception got going with a fabulous meal, great speeches, and good times all around. There were definitely tears during the ceremony. But once the party got started, Steve and Lauren were cracking up non-stop.
All of their guests surrounded them when they took the dance floor for their first dance.
They danced to an upbeat swing song. The movement was so much fun, absolutely perfect for these two.
Lauren dancing with her dad.
Steve with his mom.
Our closing photo from the evening. What a idyllic way to celebrate, under the stars, under the lights, on a perfect evening.
We have so many people to acknowledge and thank for making Lauren and Steve’s wedding a dream come true.
First, Heather from Colette Cuccia Wedding & Event Design. She and her partner made sure everything about the day ran smoothly. A huge success!
Also, a shout out to Ginger at Studio 519 for Lauren’s beautiful hair, with touch-ups by Lauren’s fabulous sister-in-law to-be Leah. And to Justin Alexander Bridal who completed her look with that gorgeous gown.
For the lovely bridesmaids, kudos go out to Jasmine Bridal for their B2 collection. And to Jos. A Bank for the guys.
The paper goods and gifts set the tone for their day:
Invitations: Union Street Papery
Save-the-Dates and other printed materials: Little Lulu
Favors: beau coup
The party and party design were amazing. Huge congrats and thanks to the following:
Caterer: Paradise Catering
Wedding Cake: Layers
Floral Design: Kathryn Smith Flowers
Lighting Design and Plants: Plant Tenders
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
DJ: Daryl Lowery
Video: Dream Media Weddings
And lastly, to Lauren’s dad Phil, you are amazing! The flowers you planted around the ceremony site brought the space to life. All I can say is: Wow!
Thank you so much, Lauren and Steve, for including us in your wedding day. We are so glad we could be a part of it.
And for those of you who would like a few more from this gorgeous wedding, check out their Sneak Preview and their Slideshow.
Aug
12
On her wedding day, I asked our wonderful bride, Lauren, if it felt real. And then followed up with, "When did it feel like this was your wedding day?" Her response was, "When David [of Allegro Photography] arrived." I smiled.
And then later, when she was about to put the dress on, and Lauren was kicking out all of the men, except aforementioned David, because as she put it, "He’s family; he can stay." I laughed. Of course, all of us who weren’t helping her put on the dress, still closed our eyes or turned our backs until she was ready.
And then still later in the evening, when Lauren’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, Leah (whose wedding to Lauren’s brother Dave we will be photographing in November) checked on us to make sure we had eaten something. Actually, come to think of it, we were being offered food all weekend. Definitely family.
You see we have been a part of Lauren’s family since her brother Mark married Emily. We started with their engagement session and then photographed their wedding, which was when we met the rest of their families.
When Lauren got engaged in the winter of 2008, she called us up almost immediately to share the news. We were so excited for her. She knew she wanted us to be a part of her celebration, and we were looking forward to it. At that time, she hadn’t chosen anything else; she wanted to make sure we were available- how cool is that?! So throughout her planning process and decision making, we were a part of things. From her initial plan to get married at a destination resort in Mexico to her ultimate decision to create her dream wedding at a private estate in Carmel Valley.
When the big day finally arrived, we were so excited. Excited for Lauren and Steve, excited for both their families, and excited to see everyone. In honor of this, I dedicate Lauren and Steve’s sneak preview to family. Enjoy!
Lauren’s mom just after Lauren put on her dress.
Lauren and her dad after he walked her down the aisle.
Steve’s parents, being absolutely adorable, during the reception.
The families together.
Lauren’s adopted parents from her time in Spain, also being rather cute.
Lauren and Steve are clearly devoted to their mom’s. They gave each mom a beautifully embroidered handkerchief.
And they included family wedding photos as decor.
Now for the sibs.
Steve with the groomsmen, which included Lauren’s bothers and Steve’s brother.
Lauren looking up to her "little" twin brothers Dave and Mark.
Lauren getting ready with the help of her bridesmaids, which included her sister-in-law Emily (Mark’s wife) and her sister-in-law-to-be Leah (Dave’s fiance).
And I just want to close with one of my favorite photos from the wedding, one of the newly formed family unit, our gorgeous bride with her handsome groom.
What a totally fabulous and wonderful wedding! I can’t wait to share more of the happy couple and their gorgeous day. Definitely check back soon!
Aug
09
When I walked into the Boston Mandarin Oriental, the gentleman at the door greeted me with, "Welcome home!" and boy, oh, boy had I come home. The Mandarin is a lovely modern hotel with amenities like you wouldn’t believe. To start, their standard rooms are larger than most older hotel’s junior suites. This brand is known for quality, luxury, excellence- all with an Asian flare. You will discover that they go the extra mile with all of their events as well.
Located in the heart of the Back Bay, the hotel is perfect for the cosmopolitan bride and groom who want an urban feel and access to some of the traditionally beautiful architecture of Boston. It is an easy ride over to Commonwealth Ave‘s tree-lined pedestrian way, and perfect for guests staying at the hotel to enjoy great restaurants and shopping when they are not partying it up at your celebration.
The first thing you notice, after the greeting, is the Mandarin‘s modern architecture and decor- clean lines and exquisite materials. Even the floral arrangements in the lobby speak to the aesthetic.
The entrance….
The complete view…
I can’t help gushing about the event spaces and staff. Once again, you will be wowed with service and style. All of the rooms have beautiful furniture and artwork on the walls. It feels like you are in a place where people might live. Very welcoming.
And the details of each space are lovely. My favorites are the light fixtures…
And the fabric walls. A really nice touch.
And then there is the service. I met up with Rachel, who is the Catering and Conference Services Manager responsible for weddings and social events. She is fabulous; she and her staff will totally take care of all your needs. Even the needs you didn’t know you had. For instance, the staff brings out Japanese slippers before dancing so that ladies can wear something a little more comfortable for that portion of the evening. Also they bring warm scented towels between dinner courses and cool towels during dancing. Amazing!
And for the bride and groom who want to make the space extraordinary, Rachel’s team will take care of it. They can change the lights on the panels in the back of the ballroom (pictured below in yellow) to be almost any color. There are also spotlights that they direct on the tables. They can change the color of these as well as put gobos (which create shadow patterns) in them. All of this is included! I was floored.
Another awesome bonus- there’s a great salon (Mizu) in the hotel. Super convenient!
But I save the very best part for last. This is brand new, hot-off-the-presses information- the Mandarin has secured the rights to have weddings outdoors in the space behind the hotel. So now you can have your fabulous outdoor ceremony and your super-chic reception all in one location. To top it off, check out the view. The John Hancock Building and Boston skyline are totally within reach.
If you are looking for a Boston wedding site with understated elegance and service that will knock your socks off, you have to got to check out the Mandarin.
Apr
24
We are so excited because we were just invited to be a part of Gilded Boston‘s bridal show- the Gilded Bride- at the Algonquin Club in the Back Bay in Boston. This event was designed specifically with the stylish bride-to-be in mind and will be a happy alternative to larger bridal expos. We will be photographing the event as well as sharing our work. It is this Sunday, April 26 from Noon to 5 pm. You receive a $5 discount when you pre-register online. We hope to see you there!
Apr
18
I am not often surprised by hotels. Enchanted? Yes. Amazed? Yes. But rarely surprised. I think it is because I have traveled around the world with varied accommodations and worked at many hotels. However, a little over a week ago, I visited Amanda at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge. And I was… well… surprised.
Read More»
Apr
10
Oh me, oh my. The Boston Park Plaza Hotel is simply fabulous! Last week, I met up with Abby Brennan, their wedding coordinator, and blogger extraordinaire of Peaches by Plum.
Read More»
Mar
16
I was so amazed this weekend and last at the Lord Thompson Manor. We love the venue, but this was the first time we had been there for their wedding showcase. What an extraordinary event! Jackie brought everything together beautifully.
Read More»
