Fall Wedding at Ventosa Vineyards, Estate Winery in the Finger Lakes :: Geneva, NY :: Heather and Jack

I went to college with Heather, she was a part of so many pieces of my life then, from the photography program to our sorority. She's the first person I ever photographed a wedding with actually, traveling from New York City up to Syracuse to work with her. Heather is someone that has always been so full of life, so ready for an adventure and to embrace all of the possibilities in this world. She's also someone that you can really talk with, have a real conversation with, go to when you need a friend. If you can't tell, I have a high opinion of this woman. So when she called me up to ask me to photograph her wedding, I was so incredibly honored. 

I hadn't had the chance to meet Jack before their wedding day. Heather had told me about him and about their relationship, and I was excited to meet this man, her partner. And he did not disappoint. Not only was he warm, quick to smile, and easy to be around.. it was also so clear how much he loves Heather. How much they so clearly love each other. You could feel it from the moment that they saw each other at the First Look, throughout the whole day..

Jack was waiting for Heather by this large Oak Tree on the vineyard's property. His back to the grape vines, where she'd be coming from. Heather's father walked her down the path to the tree. Her dad kept her bouquet for her and watched as she approached the tree, with Jack on the other side. They took a moment there. Then they held hands, still not seeing each other. And, with a nervous, excited, take-it-all-in kind of breath, they both turned.. and the amount of love in that moment, as they saw each other, was almost tangible. An incredible start to a beautiful day. That joy didn't dissipate. It carried on from the First Look, through all of the family portraits and photos with their lively wedding party, into their ceremony, reception, and the surprise fireworks that they orchestrated (telling their guests that they were going outside for a group photo, only to be surprised by a fireworks display over the vineyard's vines!). I am still smiling as I think back on it all!

Wedding Venue: Ventosa Vineyards in Geneva, New York
Officiant: Tracy Gumtow
Hair by Erin Kline
Makeup by Alexandra Grimm
Wedding Gown and Bridesmaid Dresses from Alfred Angelo
Groom's Attire from Giovanni's
Ceremony Flower Archway from Don's Own Flower Shop
Fireworks by Young Explosives
Dessert by Biscotti's Italian Bakery

Block Island Wedding at the Spring House :: Fall Oceanside Wedding :: Caitie and Drew

Caitie and Drew's wedding was on a somewhat historic weekend for Block Island, though they probably would've preferred it hadn't been! It was one of the extremely rare times that the ferry to the island was closed for three days in a row, thankfully opening back up in time for their Sunday wedding. It was noteworthy enough that a number of locals mentioned it to me. The ferry shut down did add some stress and made getting to the island a bit trickier. I learned that there's a plane though, which was running reliably!

Caitie and Drew's wedding day was beautiful. And not just because the ferry started running again and it didn't rain! It was beautiful because of who these two are, how much they clearly adore each other, the people that were there with them, and how personal and special so many elements of the day really were. Let me tell you about a couple of those personal touches.. Caitie's wedding gown was actually handmade. The skirt was originally from her mom's wedding gown, Caitie made the bodice of the dress, and then her mom put it all together. The skirts that the bridesmaids wore were made by Caitie's mother too and they paired them with their choice of a white top. The flower girl for their ceremony was their dog, Garbi, and she even had her own dress for the day! Caitie made made her own floral arrangements with the help of Etsy. Drew's brother even officiated their ceremony! 

All of those details and more made for an incredible, memorable day celebrating the start to Caitie and Drew's marriage! 

 

Wedding Ceremony and Reception at the Spring House Hotel in New Shoreham, RI on Block Island
Wedding Planner: Amanda Barker from Hidden Host Events
Wedding Gown was handmade by the Bride and her mother. Skirt is mom of bride's skirt, bride made bodice and mom put it all together.
Bridesmaid Dresses: Mother of the Bride made all of the bridesmaid skirts
Floral Arrangements: Bouquets & boutonnieres are made by the Bride
Groom and Groomsmen's attire from Men's Wearhouse
DJ: Ra-Mu and the Crew

Glastonbury Boathouse Fall Wedding Reception :: United Congregational Church of Tolland Wedding Ceremony :: Rebecca and Justin

As a wedding photographer, I get to connect with people and witness some truly beautiful moments, between families and partners and friends and even vendors. It's one of the reasons that I love what I do. Some of those moments might not seem grand in the retelling of them but they still make an impact on me, probably because those moments really represent love in such a genuine way.

When I started photographing on Saturday with Rebecca, there were definitely some nerves. The forecast had been bad leading up to the day, and skies were grey but it was holding. With clouds but no rain, we proceeded as planned with Rebecca and Justin's first look outside at a nearby park. We set it up, the big reveal, and, as Justin turned to see Rebecca, you could feel any anxiety there was just wash away. The love and joy that these two share could be felt immediately. It was in their expressions and the way they embraced. Something about that moment announced that they are partners, they are there for each other, they make one another better, they make everything better. Throughout the rest of the day, being around Rebecca and Justin, I couldn't help but smile and join in their joy. They make it easy. All of that love, it's contagious! I'm still grinning as I look at the photo below of Rebecca adjusting Justin's bow tie, the one that she was so excited to surprise him with that day!

Wedding Ceremony at the United Congregational Church of Tolland in Tolland, CT
Wedding Reception at The Glastonbury Boathouse in Glastonbury, CT
First Look in Tolland, CT
Floral Arrangements by Wildflowers of Tolland
Catering by David Alan Catering
Wedding Cake by Cake by Lilly
Hair and Makeup by Headliners Salon and Spa
Wedding Gown by Maggie Sottero from Madeline's Daughter in Portsmouth, NH
Groom's Attire by Vera Wang from Joseph A Banks
Bridesmaid Dresses by Alfred Angelo
Wedding Favors: Cookies from Maddies Cookies

September Wedding at the Lord Jeffery Inn :: Fall Wedding in Amherst, Ma :: Tracy and Matt

The way that Matt and Tracy look at one another and hold onto each other, with so much love, the way they clearly compliment each other, the joy you feel around them and for them.. it is easy to see how strong their relationship is. And their wedding day was all of that and more. It was such a beautiful, emotional day that focused on their family and the life they are building together.

It was so touching to be able to watch their First Look and to see those huge smiles and happy tears. Luckily we had a pro nearby for a makeup touchup afterward ;) That excitement and love carried through the whole day too, as they said their vows, kissed for the first time as husband and wife, started their reception with their first dance. raised their glasses and wiped away more tears after heartfelt toasts, and just let loose on the dance floor. It was an incredible day and an incredibly start to Tracy and Matt's marriage!