I started the day with Mikayla at her mom’s house in Foxborough.

Fun shoes.

Here she got ready with her girls,

including one super cute puppy, Ruby.

Ruby couldn’t help but be the center of attention, even during the bridesmaids toast.

Absolutely stunning.

Waiting for her chariot

Then I found out John had gotten her this super cute LV bag as her wedding gift. Good work, John.

Just before the rain started, I was able to create a couple of portraits of Mikayla outside. The grounds are beautiful, too.

And then we dashed inside for dry safety and enjoyed the spaces provided by the gardens.

Some fun with the bridesmaids.

A few portraits of John before the first look.

He cracks me up.

Awaiting the cue from Mikayla to turn around and see her for the first time.

As you can imagine, he was blown away. But you’ll see more of that and more of the ceremony and reception from this Providence wedding soon. Or if you want more right now, check out their Boston e-session.

Love this image of Lauren’s sister taking her in.

Lauren and her bridesmaids.

First look behind the Wharf Room

Love the look on Rob’s face.

Dave took a step back to give them a few moments of alone time.

Formal portrait of the girls

and the boys. The casual bridal party photos took place after.

Prepping for the ceremony

Super happy walk down the aisle

Love it when there is laughter during a ceremony.

Hmm…. does it fit?

And with these joyous moments, we’ll leave it at that. More to come from their BHH reception and a few more portraits soon.

Of course it wasn’t just the one photo idea and their connection to photography that sold me. It was how great they are together. They laugh so easily and celebrate each others’ strengths. They are clearly partners in the truest sense of the word. It is always a joy to witness that kind of commitment and love.

I invite you to enjoy part 1 of Stefanie and Tamara’s wedding at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden, planned and designed by Edna from EFD Creative.

Ok, I didn’t mention the other reason I have a connection to these two. Stefanie went to Duke, and as it turns out, Tamara has become a huge fan. Go Blue Devils!

Not afraid to see each other before the wedding, but saved the dresses and other details until their first look.

Two styles for the two ladies.

Stefanie hiding so she wouldn’t see Tamara’s dress.

Stefanie got ready with her bridal party’s assistance.

A bridal portrait.

Tamara’s details and getting ready with her crew.

And then the rain began. Not what Tamara wanted to see, but she handled it in stride.

Since T&S had to share the limo to get from the hotel to Tower Hill, they made these black-out glasses. This way they wouldn’t see each other until their official first look.

First look inside the Orangerie.

Stunning bouquets by Orly from Tangerine Creations.

One formal portrait, just a tease for what is to come. We couldn’t go outside because of the rain but enjoyed all we could of the view and the indoor options.

More to come from this Tower Hill wedding, but check out their Larz Anderson Park e-session in the meantime.

To start, Pri’s bridesmaids enjoyed the view from the Manor.

Then we went upstairs for the getting ready and a few inspirational detail shots. Love her lengha.

Dave popped over to be with the groom and groomsmen at the Wylie Conference Center.

Pri read her note from Dan and opened her gift.

A few portraits of the guys.

Celebratory round of pool with drinks.

Pri’s almost done.

First look. Worth the wait.

Check back soon for more from this beautiful Tupper Manor wedding.

To get things started, a bit from the getting ready…

This bridesmaid= too funny

Isn’t Christie a classic beauty?

They had a first look by the Trinity Church, but on the way had to pass by the John Hancock building. Fun reflections.

Michael was blown away.

Such natural smiles.

Time for portraits of the bride and groom.

And the bridal party

Then back to the Oval Room for the ceremony. Music was a huge part of their wedding. Of course, since Christie is a professional singer, and it is such a big part of their lives.

Honoring multiple traditions…. Unity candle

They also signed a ketubah and stood beneath a huppah.

Exchanging rings

Sweet kiss leads to wedded bliss.

Shared breaking of the glass

Back outside for a few more portraits. Here, in front of the Boston Public Library.

And then inside the Copley Plaza, there are so many beautiful spots for a couple to sneak away.

Loving this editorial image Dave composed. Just outside the Venetian Room.

More to come from their Copley Plaza Wedding reception in the Oval Room.

Getting ready- Brian at home in Beverly

Bruce at the Wylie Conference Center

First look at the beach behind Tupper Manor

the bridal party

Brian practicing his song (which he wrote for Bruce- see what I mean about romantic?!)

Ceremony on the lawn with the beautiful fountain behind the couple

Bruce reading his poem, in Mandarin- such a sweet moment

More to come from their time down by the beach and the Tupper Manor wedding reception. But if you want more right now, check out their north shore e-session, which involved James Bond moments, their sweet pup and a canoe adventure.

Want more? Check out their Arnold Arboretum e-session slideshow.

Before I go on and on and on about the amazing-ness of their day, I want to thank all of the professionals who helped make it so:

Ceremony Location: Mission San Francisco de Solano / Reception Location: Buena Vista Winery / Photography: Allegro Photography / Flowers: Cozy Posies / Invitations: The Paper Source / Dress: Romona Keveza / Bridesmaids: Monique Lhuillier / Groom and Groomsmen Suits: Banana Republic / Lighting design: Wine Country Party & Events / DJ: PureEnergy Productions / Hair: Descend Salon

And with that, I continue their Sonoma wedding story with a few more portraits at Bartholomew Park Winery.

One of my favorites because it totally captures their personalities!

Following the portraits, we drove across the street to Buena Vista Winery for their dinner and dancing reception. They received quite a welcome from their guests.

Sisterly toasting love.

The venue gets even more romantic as the sun sets.

Dave’s vision for a mafioso shot with a few of their bridal party.

Another fave from the night because it includes people we love– Allie is the fourth in a family of brides and grooms. When you get to celebrate such wonderful moments with a family, you feel as you are a member of the group. And this crew is so welcoming that they have even said as much. So we were able to capture them all in this image- Lauren and Steve, Emily and Mark, Allie and Matt, and Leah and Dave. Each couple and wedding was unique and each one was fabulous!

Need more from this amazing group and Allie & Matt’s beautiful day, check out their PicFlick!

And after the ceremony, a few portraits of our bride and groom around the grounds. Then off to Bartholomew Park Winery for more photos in another special spot to our couple, a park where they have spent many hours wandering, relaxing, enjoying.

Love the humor in this image.

We had great light during their portrait session, and it even drizzled a bit (yes, in Sonoma, in the summer, unbelievable). All making for some super fabulous photos still to come.

Then this summer, about a month before their wedding, we got to meet Matt (over ice cream at Ici, no less). He is absolutely everything I would have hoped for in a match for Allie- charming, handsome, adventurous, thoughtful. We talked about all kinds of things- their wedding, of course, but also travel destinations and sports and family and home decorating. Our excitement was definitely building.

The big day arrived in August. It was perfect. Allie started her day at her parents house in Sonoma, surrounded by family. We followed this with portraits at their home before going to the Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma Square (the same church where her parents and her sister had gotten married). And Matt got ready at the Lodge in town with portraits at City Hall and around the square. Portraits at a favorite park and a party at Buena Vista Vineyards capped off the day.

And so I share with you, Allie & Matt’s wedding, part 1…

Leaving you with just a hint of what’s to come. More soon!