Weddings and Engagements. The most exciting time of your life (well except for when the kids start coming) — full of promise, the unknown, the planning!, and happiness.

I love  textures. The physical texture of the lace on a wedding gown. The buttery smoothness of fresh roses. The fresh grass. The crunchiness of crudities. The texture of a Dad’s face when he sees his daughter in her wedding dress.  Powerful powerful stuff.

These are a few of my favorites from the past year. Some have been posted on the event blog, many have not. Some I have a deep attachment to because of the moment caught, some for the beauty in the object.

They all represent love & affection; planning, craftsmanship and artistry.

The colors were so beautiful this year. Lots of bright bold purples, reds, pinks. The gowns were gorgeous! and seemed to ‘fit’ each bride to her personality.

The receptions great fun — without fail. The PhotoBooth was a MAJOR hit with everyone who booked it, and for some reason the parents seemed to get a real charge–re-living their youth? Pete and I always had a ‘discussion’ about trading spaces cause it’s just way too much fun to working the booth.

and the food? YES! please. Beautiful plated meals, buffets, cakes.

Thank yous.

To all the couples that entrusted us to their day. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you — before and after — your day. You all make this the best ‘job’ anyone could hope for.

A shout out to local venues and coordinators: Janet at the Mansion at Bald Hill  Lara at the Woodstock Inn, Katie at the Golden Lamb. 3 local professionals that have been an incredible pleasure to work with. They treat you like family.

and finally to Pete and Norm. You guys are the best to work with. Covering my back when I get into that wedding ‘fog’; we’ve work together for so long you already know what I’m gonna do before I know it myself. And making sure that our clients have everything they need before they need it.

Thank you!

It is so wonderful to work with people in love, that can laugh, and don’t mind getting a little dirty.

We used almost every inch of the fabulous Pink House grounds in Woodstock, including the wild flower fields behind the estate–incredibly beautiful grounds were just icing on the cake!

Kim and Bill are SO MUCH FUN to work with. Spontaneous laughter from everyone

I met Kim almost 5 years ago when photographing her sister’s wedding — on Kim’s recommendation!  Bill is a Customer Service Manager at my bank and I had no idea they were engaged to each other, so I was thrilled to be asked to photograph their wedding

One question I get alot is: “I don’t know what to do”.  It usually doesn’t take too long to know instinctively ‘what to do’

I was a little reluctant to ask Kim and Bill to get down on the ground, but couldn’t resist the wonderful wild flowers.

Shouldn’t have even hesitated!

Hoping the Courthouse didn’t mind if they came in a little worse for the wear

Part of the fun of these sessions is acting a little crazy, role playing and hamming it up at little.

You’ll just have to ask Bill what was going on here

(And a huge shout out to Norm for his usual brilliant, and twisted mind !)

LOVE THIS! Friends of Kim had painted a heart on her car window — perfect!

THANK YOU! More than I can say.

I’m not sure I can wait til the wedding!

xoxxoxo

And what a day it was! The skies threatened all day — and Jen calmly called it and said “inside”.

Half an hour before the ceremony began when the guys were arriving Mike said ‘outside, it’s stopped raining”

And so it was.

Jen is so incredibly beautiful that when I walked into their suite while her hair was getting finished I remarked on how beautifully natural her makeup was.

Kinda felt silly when she said she hadn’t put it on yet. True story.

Jen trains police dogs, and Mike is a state police officer. Their dogs got into the act, too!

The Mansion at Bald Hill is one of the most spectacular wedding venues in Connecticut. Beautiful manicured grounds, grand rooms with beautiful old wood but lots of windows to provide soft light. I’ve been to Bald Hill many times for different business functions, and I have to say that the staff is attentive, accommodating, and seem to anticipate everyone’s wish. And this is coming from a vendor! I want to give a big shout out to Janet Waterman who not only got the ceremony site setup with about 15 minutes notice when the sun can out, but didn’t blink an eye and some of our ‘wild’ ideas about pictures

I DARE YOU!!!

These guys from Jackson-Richardson Caricatures had lines all night from guests wanting their caricatures done. They are good!

Thank you Norm, for your help, and enthusiasm and wisdom.  Norm came up to me and said let’s get Jen on the bar. OK!

I pulled out one of my  business cards and said ‘like this”?

His idea was eerily similar to the same one I had a few years ago. Thinking I might need to update my cards

They say that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.

It’s true.

But more important is the making of new friends, and the huge honor it is to be there on the day they begin their lives together.

Thank you Jen and Mike. You are two very special people.

xoxo

Venue: Mansion at Bald Hill

Catering: Mansion at Bald Hill

Officiant: Sandy Ouellette, Desired Weddings

Flowers: Glimpse of Gaia

Cupcakes and Strawberries: Yummy Mummie

Caricatures: Jackson-Richardson Caricatures

And what a celebration it was!

They transformed the Raceway Golf Club by bringing in 8 white birches, hanging them from rafter to floor, and with silver and white colors made the winter sparkle.

With 300 guests, standing tables as well as table and chairs allowed people to mill and mix.

Buffet as well as passed hors d’oeuvres were spectacular – these were the biggest shrimp (is that an oxymoron??) I’ve ever seen. And delicious.

I was just messing around with a little camera shake — the dance floor was busy all night.

Lighting and Music by Revelation Productions. Anthony was great playing requested music and did fabulous work with the subtle uplighting.

Amy makes a  most beautiful bride.

And what celebration would be complete with out the pink Ape???

or some family time in the PhotoBooth??

Thank you so much for asking us to document your celebrations.

We wish you a lifetime of happiness.

I met Julie when I moved into the new studio,  right above Desired Weddings where Julie works as a bridal consultant.  It was so interesting to hear first hand the day to day decisions she and Dan were making about the wedding and I was thrilled and honored to be asked to document her day. “Nothing Traditional”. Ok. “PhotoBooth” OK! and she was right on about her friends getting into it!

Julie had picked out a Maggie Sottero dress that was stunning. Glimpes of Gaia always does breathtaking work on their floral artistry but they really pulled out the stops on the arrangements. I couldn’t stop looking at them. Sandy from Desired Weddings was the officiant and personalized the wedding like only a friend could do.

Julie and Dan’s bridal party was the keystone to getting the party going — all night dancing with great DJ services by Mush; the post wedding party didn’t seem to be letting up when Pete and I left well after midnight.

The PhotoBooth was jammed all night long! I had a hard time going thru to pick out my favorites,  Moms and Dads and Grandparents were frequent visitors. What a blast!

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Thank you to Lori and her crew at the KOC — so incredibly beautifully decorated, professional staff, great food.

Thank you to Norman and Carol for raising such a fine young man,

Thank you to Peter and Linda — who knew we’d meet again after Kim and Todd’s wedding, where one of my favorite all time pictures was made, of Peter in his dress socks and shoes and shorts!

and special love to Julie and Dan. You guys blow me away.

Julie and Dan’s photographs will be available to be previewed in about 2 weeks; their engagement images are up here and the password is   temp .  If you register I’ll be happy to send you an email when the wedding pictures are ready.

Is there no better time and place to be married than the Fall in New England…..I don’t think so.

How talented Jeannie is — she made her own gown!

I was laughing about this all day — who needs a ring pillow when a jack 0 lantern is perfect for the task.

And who needs flower baskets – or for that matter flowers — when beautiful leaves will line the way for Jeannie…

There is one in every bunch — and Colby is my new best friend!

This is obviously a large crop — but these ‘staches are just awesomeness! Left or right — we need votes!

Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club

GQ — next month

Thank you both for your warmth and welcome.  A wonderful day with your family and friends celebrating your new life together.

Ceremony: Family Farm in Woodstock CT

Reception: Valley Springs Sportsmans Club, Thompson CT

Catering: G7 (am always amazed but it just gets better and better)

I know it’s a good toast when I am wiping away tears….

And Pete wants to hire Tim’s brother as entertainment for his next family function.

TAB LE WARS!

I NEED COMMENTS— WHOSE TABLE WAS THE MOST FUN ????

WHOSE EVER TABLE GETS THE MOST VOTE WILL ‘GIFT’ AN 8X10 TO TIM AND SARA–THE HAPPY COUPLE’S CHOICE!

I gotta say how much I love the Hora! Wish it lasted about 1/2 hour, although I’m betting Tim and Sara were glad to be on solid ground again.

Mad Dog 2020… Guys, it makes my stomach ache from the good times in ’76…. that’s all I’m gonna say about that.

And what a way to end the night-at least in Waterford.

Thank you both for your warmth and hospitality. Pete and I were treated like family and it was pure joy to document your love and celebrations.

I’m not gonna say much here (except when I can’t help myself)  and let the pictures tell a story of an amazing day.

Part One of Two:

I wish I could say this little guy was practicing Superman moves, but NO! Took a header on the slopped path at the Amphitheater. I felt my wrist break all over again. Thank goodness some loving and kisses brought him back to rights.

Maddie won my heart-not only her sweet nature thru the day, but as I was leaving she pulled on my hand, very shy, and handed me a calla lilly.

I very nearly cried.

MAZEL TOV!!!

This cake was one of the most beautiful I have seen. Having dappled in cake decorating in my younger days, I was blown away by the detail work.

Simply gorgeous.

Part 2 tomorrow, or when the storms end.

Date: May 1st

Ceremony Location: Eolia Mansion, Harkness Park, Waterford CT

Reception Location: Eolia Mansion, Waterford CT

Caterer: A Thyme to Cook

Cake: Yummy Cakes by Lynn

Flowers: Hoelck’s Florist

Christine’s bridal gown, shoes and flowers are the secondary pieces to her Gram’s angel pin. She was with them today.

I think Christine would have been running up the church steps regardless of the weather. I never saw either Chad or Christine without a grin, or a look of complete mischief all day. There were up for anything!

After the service at the lovely Park Congregational church we stepped outside a columned porch for some really quick formals; and then later across the street from the Seaman’s Inne for more. It was a wind tunnel! So much fun! They are so expressive I had a hard time not rolling at their antics.

The Seamen’s Inne does such a fine job of welcoming their guests, and tonight was no exception. Kim Aubin and her staff were excellent, and I was particularly impressed with the staff attached to Chris and Chad. Everything they needed was provided instantly.

But a party is nothing without the people; whether it was Chad’s men and new father in law roasting him hard, or the Mom’s getting into the table wines, dancing without a stop all night long. Rip Entertainment kept the dance floor packed all night–and Christine and her Mom didn’t get off once that I saw. Scott Dery from Worner Bros Video was a pleasure to work with-very aware of the photographer’s need to roam. I hope I didn’t walk thru the scene too many times. Kelly and I couldn’t get over how much fun the day was. So much laughter and love!

A deep thank you for letting us share your day.

Carolyn: Yes, we’re going to be married at Harkness Park on Wednesday 15th October

I was intriqued to say the least with a Wednesday wedding and it’s so cool that Carolyn and Adam had their first date on October 15 2006, on the beach at Harkness, got engaged on the same beach October 15th 2007, and now celebrated their marriage October 15 2008!

The Eolia mansion has to be one of the most magnificent venues on the East Coast, first class service and gardens that are immaculate.

With Carolyn and Adam so happy with their friends and family supporting them it was a beautiful fall wedding.

I Love Love LOVE Carolyn’s simple slippers! The cobalt blue shoes were just the right color to complement the simple orange bouquets the girls carried and just popped with color.

This one was a surprise–as Carolyn was dressing she walked by the glass table and her reflection was perfect!

A huge benefit of having the dressing, ceremony, and reception in one place is that there is no down time or travel time between sites.  Carolyn’s photography coverage was only 4 hours long,  but we were able to get the girls gettting primped, the guys formals with plenty of time. Carolyn and Adam chose too see each other prior to the ceremony which saved a lot of time, as we were able to get some formals done before the ceremony, as well as afterwards.

Dinner was held in one of the rooms off the main entry with a fabulous view onto the Long Island Sound.

Thank you so much for asking me to share your day.