Wedding days don’t always run smoothly. So I’d imagine that Ben & Rachel are still pinching themselves on the perfection of their wedding day at Royal Sonesta Boston. It was such a smooth, calm, fun day filled with good friends, good times and meaningful moments. We were thrilled to provide both their wedding photography and wedding videography as a husband and wife team. More on our cinematic wedding film services here.
Here’s a glimpse into their beautiful September wedding.
The Royal Sonesta Boston is just across the Charles River, and is a beautiful spot for anyone looking for a Boston wedding venue with views of the city. You can see everything from the Museum of Science to the Prudential Center and iconic Citco sign from the Royal Sonesta. The team there is top-notch, led by our fave – events manager Bianca, and the ballroom is stunning, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Charles.
Rachel and her girls were so ready to start the day. I presented her with the Engagement Guest Book we created for her, and I love all the emotions happening just after she looked through the book with her bridesmaids, Mom and Grandmother. Her mom, close to tears, and her girls, so happy for her, as she glowed. Ready to marry her best friend.
Hey, Ben! His room was busy with excitement – all of his groomsmen, his parents and grandmother and Rachel’s dad, all there to help this guy get ready.
The guys actually had time to relax and play cards beforehand, while the ladies finished up.
Rachel was absolutely stunning. I’m so taken with this picture of her approaching Ben for their first look. Stunning.
After portraits, we headed inside for their Ketubah signing and Jewish wedding ceremony.
I love the progression of light outside as the sun dips below the horizon during their ceremony.
The ballroom was downright regal, with white centerpieces by Flou(-e)r, gold chevari chairs and gold tea lights along the tables.
Time to celebrate…with the help of Nightshift, one of our favorite Boston wedding bands. Everyone. Was. Ready. Especially for the jewish dancing and Horah!
The dance floor was insane. The perfect wedding trifecta: dinner, drinks, dancing. Enjoyed by all. On our way out, we flipped through the Guest Book we designed for them, and we were overwhelmed by the love encapsulated in one book. Their engagement pictures, with anticipation of this day, surrounded by messages of love and joy written by their favorite people. Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness together for this sweet, fun couple.
Kevin & Kelly have been together for over 10 years. They met in college in a less-than-romantic-but-totally-adorable moment over a washing machine. Who knew that a load of whites would bring two people to this place. In love, growing together, and now husband and wife. K+K, here’s a highlight of your incredible Tower Hill Botanic Garden wedding day.
We met Kelly through her bridesmaid Chelsea, a super-talented hair stylist with Christy & Co, our favorite wedding hair & makeup team. Hire them, they’re amazing.
All around, this is a sweet group. From Kelly’s grandmothers, to their parents, older siblings who were MOH & BM (and delivered the most loving toasts), and friends. The day was so smooth and so fun because of K+K and their people.
When Kelly told me they were getting ready at the new Homewood Suites hotel in Worcester, I got really, really excited. I’ve driven by this beautiful, ivy-covered brick building for years, always imagining how beautiful it would be as a backdrop for a bride & groom. First look location? Yes, please! Kelly braved the traffic in a wedding gown (which you’d think would be an automatic stop sign…but apparently not) to meet Kevin. Ahead of schedule and looking so ready to see his love.
Gorgeous flowers by Jeff French Designs, who never disappoints. Succulents, anemones AND ranunculus in the bouquets. Love this one of the wedding party below, before heading to Tower Hill Botanic Garden for their wedding ceremony in the Secret Garden.
I could go on and on about Tower Hill Botanic Garden. I’m obsessed. We’re members outside of weddings, and our boys have grown up going here. Just 45 minutes west of Boston, perfect for weddings and parties (oh, also the events team is top-notch), or just escaping life’s busyness. They also have wine nights on Thursdays in the summer. It’s paradise. Seriously. You should go.
Kudos to this wedding party. Everyone was ready early and up for anything. We leisurely toured pretty much all of Tower Hill, even making it to the Wild Things exhibit in the woods!
Kevin & Kelly’s wedding ceremony was in the Secret Garden, and their good friend Kyle officiated. They wrote their own vows and there were lots of laughs as the reminisced on their journey to this day. Especially the laundry.
Guests headed to cocktail hour in the Winter Garden at Tower Hill, and we wandered out behind the Orangerie for a few more portraits with just the two of them.
Their wedding reception was in the Orangerie, decorated simply, with comfortable mahogany chairs for guest comfort.
There are so many great moments from the night, but Ben’s already telling me that this highlight is too long. So I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite moments & dance moves.
Laura and Chris were married just down the road from our studio, at Wachusett Mountain. Laura told me before that she wanted her day to be fun and sunny, and they got exactly that! From the beautiful sunny day, to the yellow accents throughout from her shoes to invitations to flower girl gowns and gerber daisy bouquets, sunshine was a definite at their wedding.
Chris and Laura got ready at Wachusett Village Inn, and headed to the top of Wachusett Mountain to meet for their mountaintop first look. Just the two of them (and two very discrete photographers).
I love this next picture, just after their first look. As Laura takes in the view, Chris can’t take his eyes off of his almost-wife, gorgeous in her wedding gown.
Their wedding ceremony was held on the lawn at the base of the mountain. Laura slipped away with her girls, including the cutest flower girls ever, while the guys headed to the ceremony to greet the just-arriving guests.
I always love the Sky Ride – its a great opportunity for the bride & groom to spend some precious quality time together, without the potential for anyone to interrupt. While we created a few more beautiful portraits at the top (love the one of her looking over her shoulder!), her guests headed to the chairlift, and they ended up with a little impromptu Sky Ride receiving line while waiting for an open chair. Worked out great!
The day continued into the Mountain Lodge for their indoor Wachusett Mountain wedding reception.
Meaghan and Steve’s Omni Parker House wedding in Boston was simply stunning, from Boston Public Garden pictures to their ceremony and wedding reception at the Omni Parker House. It was an absolutely perfect formal Boston wedding. You may remember these two from their engagement session in the South End last fall. Here’s a glimpse into their beautiful wedding day.
Before the first look, we took a couple of minutes to create some beautiful, timeless portraits of Meaghan. Also below is a picture of the hardcover guest book we designed for them using pictures from their engagement session.
Meaghan made her way through the crowd of tourists to Old City Hall, the location we selected for their first look. And as luck would have it, the area was quiet and empty, with just Steve waiting for his bride.
The first look is such a special moment between the bride and groom. These two enjoyed the time with each other, seemingly without a care in the world. It was beautiful to watch. These are the moments that make photographing weddings so fulfilling. To be invited into a couple’s lives on one of the most important days in the lives, and to mindfully capture the moments and details in a way that will bring all of the memories back. So that they may look at their wedding photographs and remember exactly how they felt that day. He can still hear her laugh. And they can share these moments with their family, both now and in the future.
After the first look, we headed to the Boston Public Gardens for their portraits. But not before a colorful tour of Beacon Hill, courtesy of good friend, JP and tour-guide-on-demand.
We snuck across from the Gardens with just Meaghan and Steve. I love the dappled light through the trees, and how softly it wraps around them. It just adds to the romance of their quiet time together.
I love portraits at the Boston Public Garden – the variety is endless.
The wedding ceremony was at the Omni Parker House in the Grand Ballroom.
A lot of the ceremony was interestingly about avocados and quacamole. Without a doubt the most entertaining ceremony, and I hope someone recorded it. The avocado message tied in on several different levels, and was carried through to the handmade quacamole bar as guests exited the ceremony, a definite show stealer!
The details came together beautifully, from the menu to cake to the flowers and table setting.
And then the celebration began with a big opening, and continued with lots of amazing food and dancing late into the night.
And my personal favorite, captured just as the elevator door was closing. Congratulations Meaghan & Steve!
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