I’ve had the pleasure of photographing Caitlin’s family several times over the years. Her sister’s senior session, her cousin’s wedding, even a sister session to surprise her mom. At her cousin Nathan (& Dani!)’s wedding, I not-so-subtly mentioned to Cait: “when it’s your turn, call me.”
Fast forward a couple of years and I get an email from Cait titled “It’s time!” I was SO excited. Mike had just proposed and they were ready to plan their 2018 wedding. Plans came together for an outdoor summer wedding at Birch Wood Vineyards, a winery wedding venue in Southern New Hampshire.
The bridal suite at Birch Wood Vineyards is one of the nicest I’ve ever seen – open, bright & furnished with stylist stations. Caitlin is so laid-back, so I knew the day would be relaxed. She also LOVES kids, and she lit up when the girls she used to nanny entered the room.
Cait had the best ladies to help her get into her gown – her sweet mama & sister/best friend Sarah. All kind-hearted beauties.
The sky was dark but not raining, so plans for the outdoor wedding ceremony in the vineyard were on…
50% of the ring bearers were thrilled. 100% of the flower girls were, and the girls took their jobs very seriously!
Mike’s one of those guys who seems so stoic. He is quiet, coaches football, and has an incredible jawline. I didn’t think he’d be emotional…but when Cait walked down that aisle, tears filled his eyes. And he couldn’t take his eyes off his bride. His sweet mama cried along with her baby boy.
Sometimes the best moment is the moment after the kiss – I love how Caitlin grabbed Mike’s face in her hands!
Thunder rumbled and rain threatened. People often ask about rain plans. My suggestion is to embrace the day – whether it turns out exactly how you planned or not. That will ensure the best pictures…because you’re genuinely having the best time. We had about 5 minutes to capture as many portraits outside as possible before the rain. And in between shots, these two giggled to each other, not a care in the world.
I told Cait that I wanted to be friends with all of her bridesmaids. She has an AWESOME bride tribe.
Their grande entrance into the Estate Room, with some of our favorites from the night…
I’m so excited to share Julie & Peter’s Curtis Farm wedding!
Curtis Farm is the loveliest farmhouse with beautiful attached barn and rolling fields. Its just as beautiful inside, filled with character – and on this day – flowers, too. Peonies, lilacs & ivy throughout the barn and along the tables.
I was thrilled that Julie invited me to join their wedding day and capture all of the details and moments for her and Peter. She had hoped for a warm sunny day, and while the weather didn’t work out as planned, it was just as wonderful inside the barn as it would have been outside. I heard several guests remark that they had never been in such a unique space.
Julie & Peter have been together for 20 years, and decided it was time to make it official. They invited their closest family & friends to celebrate in an intimate barn wedding in Westminster, just down the road from their home (and ours!).
Days like theirs inspire me to plan a vow renewal for Ben and I…maybe we’ll wait to our 20th anniversary. There’s something so special about celebrating your love with your children. These two each have adult children of their own (7 collectively) and grandchildren as well, and celebrating their relationship and now marriage with their kids and grandkids is a true celebration of family!
So life doesn’t always go as planned, right? You might get 6 grandkids to match, but never all seven (not naming any names! hehe, still a cutie Marissa!). And maybe 5 will smile, 4 will look in the right direction and one will cry. But this picture is family, and I know that’s everything to Julie & Peter. It’s not perfect, but its perfectly theirs.
They are so blessed, and so loved.
The celebration continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening. A wedding day filled with dancing and laughs, food, family & friends. I think it was everything these two hoped it would be. I stole them from the party for a minute on my way out, and these last two pictures tell the entire story. Devotion and love. I hope you’ve enjoyed. I know I did.
I recently headed back to one of my happy places, Zukas Hilltop Barn, to photograph Emily & Brandon’s fall wedding day. If you follow my blog, you probably know that Zukas is where Ben and I were married 7 years ago – I’ve been fortunate to photograph many weddings there since (thanks to Alyson’s preferred vendor list!), and they never disappoint. Each time I’m back they’ve somehow found a way to improve upon the last amazing wedding. Most recently this year with their new chavari chairs, which are gorgeous under the twinkle lights in the tent.
The foliage outside the bridal suite was insane…so had to light up the dress to make it pop against the fall colors! Brandon and Emily had their first look behind the fireplace in the main hall. I love the smile on his face as he waits – eyes closed – listening to Emily get closer.
After family & wedding party formals, we made our way through Zukas, from the tent (love those twinkle lights!) to the garden room (I think that’s what they call it) to braving the rain and mud outside for shots in the barn (Emily you are the best!).
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Time to get married! Their ceremony was short and sweet, and they spent the rest of the evening enjoying time with their family & friends.
The centerpieces doubled as favors. In the handmade wooden boxes, were candied apples! Pretty awesome.
Brandon couldn’t keep his eyes off his new wife. He’s such a teddy bear, and has so much love for this little lady!
Speaking of Brandon being a teddy bear, it melted my heart 1000% seeing him with his grandmother. He was so incredibly sweet and caring with her, it was beautiful to watch.
And then it was party time. Pretty sure this wedding wins the “make crazy faces at the photog” award – haha, still laughing as I look through them.
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