July 23, 2015

Ryan & Sara’s Ritz Carlton Boston Common Wedding

I’m so excited to share Sara & Ryan’s Ritz Carlton Boston Common wedding with you today! Sara & Ryan are incredibly warm and gracious, and their wedding day was a beautiful, elegant reflection of the best of both of them.

 

Sara’s Monique Lhuillier wedding gown was one of the most unique and intrique dresses I’ve seen, with crystal beading, three-quarter length sleeves and an open back. STUNNING. Truly princess material on her. We’ll get there soon, promise.

We started at the Ritz Carlton Boston Common where Sara & Ryan – in their own perfectly-lit suites (love!) – got ready for the day. The Ritz Carlton does it right with their customer service – they were helpful and accommodating throughout the day. A special thanks to Nicole Montmarquet for hanging with the guys and second shooting with me throughout the day, and to my sister Amy for assisting me with bags, light stands, snack & water all day. These ladies are the best!

 

One of the best ways to showcase your engagement portraits is with a wedding day guest book. Guests get to see their engagement pictures and leave thoughtful messages, creating a beautiful momento for the bride & groom to enjoy. Here’s Sara and her mom getting their first glance at the custom guest book we designed for her and Ryan.

Sara showered everyone with thank you gifts while they were getting ready, including these adorable floral jammie sets…so of course we had to do something cute with them!

Sara was so excited to surprise her bridesmaids with her beautiful gown! Her maid of honor and fabulous sister Karen helped while mom and dad looked on. Complete pinch-me-I-migh-actually-be-a-princess moment!

One of the most touching moments I have ever witnessed as a wedding & portrait photographer is when Sara read her card from Ryan. Sara was expecting a short note, but Ryan wrote from the heart and had Sara (ok everyone in the room, of course me included…and not just watery eyes here, I’m talking tears streaming down the face) in tears as she read his two-page handwritten letter of love for her. It was one of those moments that make me so incredibly grateful for what I do – that I get to be present to witness and document moments as beautiful and tender as these – to preserve and bring back the memories as they continue to build their life & legacy together.

Their first look was the sweetest, which we planned in a beautiful hallway at the Ritz Carlton. Their private moment away from the bustle of the city, before we headed out to the Boston Public Garden for Boston wedding party portraits and family formals.

Sara’s smile never faded once throughout the day, I love how she radiates happiness as we made our way to the Boston Public Garden. Despite being a busy Saturday in June, we cornered some beautiful spots in the Garden and had a ton of fun with the pictures…and Sara’s veil!

My favorite part of the day, when we leave everyone else behind for bride and groom portraits – this time starting in the Boston Public Garden. These two have such a chemistry, and if they weren’t already both incredibly beautiful on their own, together they are show-stopping. I can’t even imagine how cute their babies will be. Hopefully I’ll get to photograph them when the time comes and you’ll see!

Ryan and Sara lived in the North End before moving to Manhattan, so having their ceremony at Sacred Heart Church in North Square was especially meaningful and reminiscent. Side note – we also celebrated their new NYC home with a Central Park engagement session!

This fantastic processional shot was captured from the balcony by Nicole!

A twirl on the square before heading to one of their favorite Boston spots for more pictures – Christopher Columbus Park.

 

I just can’t get over how pretty these two are together. Storybook. After pictures in the park, we headed back to the Ritz Carlton ballroom to celebrate at their wedding reception.

The Ritz Carlton ballroom was adorned with beautiful centerpieces, silver and crystal accents and most importantly, Search Party. This Boston band was fantastic and had the dancefloor packed all night. After dinner, Sara & Ryan surprised their parents – who coincidentally had the same song for their first dance at each of their own weddings – with a special dance just for them before opening up the dancefloor. It was such a thoughtful surprise! Here’s a glimpse into their night, with some secret late-night pictures of just Sara & Ryan to close the night. Some of my favorites.

Sara & Ryan, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day. I absolutely adore the two of you, and am so glad to have worked with you!

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