A Capital Day

Sara and Abhishek somehow managed to plan their wedding while planning and executing a second wedding in India! I’m having anxiety just thinking about that.

Their entire US wedding was held at the Marriott Hotel in Hartford, a surprisingly wonderful venue with access to some of the awesome elevated walkways downtown. The day began with prep for the guys and girls in neighboring rooms.

My second shooter, Jeff, also got some awesome, artsy photos with the guys in the top-floor pool.

The ceremony was held in part of the Capital Ballroom. Sara and Abhi wrote their own vows, and they were so sweet!

While the guests were in the lobby bar for cocktails, the wedding party and I used some of those elevated walkways for some really fun posed photos. As always, my favorite were the couples photos.

And some pictures of the beautiful bride, of course.

The reception was a ton of fun. It started with the usually dances and speeches.

The DJ set up some fun games and Abhi’s cousins especially kept the dance floor hopping all night.

Finally it was time for the night to end, with a great sparkler exit.

Congratulations, Sara and Abhi!

Welcome to the Navy!

Emily and Trevor were a dream to work with - photogenic, friendly, and willing to be a little goofy. 

The whole day was spent at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, beginning with hair and makeup with Emily, her bridesmaids, and the mothers. Emily's look was stunning - simple and elegant.

Once she was ready, it was out to the beach where Trevor was waiting in his Navy service dress whites. He was all jokes until he got to see his future wife!

Before the ceremony, we took a bunch of posed photos-- mostly serious ones, but my favorites are more silly.

The ceremony was held on the beach, in front of an arbor decorated by Emily's mom. The day could not have been more perfect; a relief after a recent string of rainy weddings I've done.

Before they could enter the cocktail hour, it was time for a navy tradition - the sword arch.

The reception kicked off with their first dance and speeches from their parents.

Just before dinner, I pulled Emily and Trevor outside to take advantage of the sunset. The timing and the backdrop were perfect!

After dinner, it was time to cut the cake - easy enough when you're using a saber bigger than the cake itself.

Then it was time to get out on the dance floor. The band, Those Guys, did an amazing job getting everyone moving. Oh, and the navy men switched their formal uniforms for some pretty interesting hawaiian shirts.

Which brought us to the end of the night and the sparkler exit. Things got a little discombobulated, but it all worked out in the end!

Congratulations, Emily and Trevor!

Beating the Rain

I woke up the morning of Megan and Chris's wedding to pouring rain. It wasn't the worst case scenario - the ceremony and reception were already inside, but it was going to put the kibosh on their first look, posed photos, and sparkler exit. It put a real damper on the prep, but then something amazing happened - against all weather forecasts, the rain stopped, and just... never started again.

We reverted the plan back to a first look at Hubbard Park, a beautiful setting for a really touching moment.

The rest of the day was held at the Aqua Turf Club, a sprawling, beautiful, busy venue. The ceremony was held in the gorgeous (and thankfully air conditioned) Chapel in the Pines.

After a few posed photos in a shady spot, Megan surprised Chris by changing into a second wedding dress before their introduction and beautifully choreographed first dance - dry-ice fog included!

The reception was a blast, with wonderful little moments interspersed in the energetic dancing.

Around 9:30, before too many guests made their exit, they held a "sparkler send-off" (though the party was nowhere near over), and it was one of the most photogenic I've ever seen.

While I had them outside, we took a couple night shots around the grounds.

Then they headed back inside to enjoy the rest of their night, and after a few final photos, I headed home.

One funny behind-the-scenes detail - we realized I had previously worked with the officiant, Mary Coburn, and the DJ, Geoff from Local Motion, before. Not the biggest surprise there. What was amazing is that we all had worked the same wedding, years ago, and now ended up together again on this totally unrelated wedding. What a coincidence!

Congratulations, Megan and Chris!

Love On The Mystic River

I met Leann and her bridesmaids at a beautiful rental house for prep photos and a touching moment when she read a letter from Josh, her groom.

Their daughter, Avery, was adorable. Just look at this face! "Cheese!"

They were married by the amazing Rev. Ron at the charming and historic Road Church in Stonington. They personalized their vows and had the entire assembly laughing.

Before and after the ceremony, I took the wedding party around the Mystic Seaport for posed photos. It's my second time this year shooting in the park, and it's such an amazingly fun venue I hope I get to come back soon.

The party kicked off with a karaoke cocktail hour, which was a blast, MC'd by Stephanie Stardust of Royal Beats DJs. I won't say it was the most talented live music I've seen at a wedding, but it might have been the most fun. Leann and Josh did do an excellent rendition of Wagon Wheel.

Inside, the reception was simple but fun - good food, good music, and lots and lots of dancing.

At the end of the night, a sparkler sendoff before the couple took off in a golf cart with a "Just Married" sign and trailing strings of cans.

Congratulations, Leann and Josh!

A UConn Love Story

Last fall I did engagement photos for some fellow UConn alumni out on Horsebarn Hill. They must have liked those photos, because they had me come for their wedding too!

I met up with Anastasia and her bridesmaids yesterday at the hotel as Veronica put the finishing touches on their beautiful hair and makeup.

Across town, my second shooter was playing with their pup, Buckley, and catching the guys getting ready.

I went with the girls to West Wharf Beach in Madison for some posed photos...

...where I caught this amazing photo of her little brother. Sometimes things just work.

For the ceremony and reception we made our way to the Guilford Yacht Club. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather for their short, beautiful ceremony on the south lawn.

The reception was a blast - good food, good music, a great crowd. Anastasia and Pearse's families are both amazingly fun and friendly.

I stayed through the end of the night for a special sendoff.

Altogether an amazing night - I expected nothing else from these two.

Congratulations, Anastasia and Pearse!