Our fall wedding season ended with this. We are lucky, lucky photogs.
Gorgeous light, a beautiful venue, and most important, a sweet, funny, in-love-since-high-school couple most excited to celebrate this monumental day with their favorite people.
Ben and I have been to a wedding at Bedford Village Inn as guests, but this was our first time photographing there. With all new venues, we do our homework before and have game plans ready for sun, clouds and rain. We’re always prepared on the wedding day.
Kelli & Ryan met and fell in love in high school. They have the sweetest love story that made my cry during the initial consult. I am SUPER emotional and love love stories most of all, but I can typically keep it together during the first meeting. Not this one. First time crying during a consult. Aaaand I teared up within 15 minutes of photographing their preparation when the mamas showed me the gifts they received from Kelli – custom-engraved bracelets with the sweetest “we love our moms” messages.
Her engraved gift to Ryan was a bit more direct. 🙂
These two had one of the nicest days of the fall, with warm sun that the ladies actually had their makeup with Mollie Brown Makeup outside on the deck! Finally time for Kelli to put on her STUNNING long-sleeve Maggie Sottero lace gown from Kleinfeld.
Ryan & Kelli’s private first look on the back patio at Bedford Village Inn. Just the two of them. Ryan’s got that always-smiling charm and so much love for his girl.
This group was the best. This is the kind of group that gets along so well and just has fun. Looking through their pictures, I always feel like I must be super funny. Everyone’s laughing (for real) and having a good time. But I think it didn’t have that much to do with me. At least this time. 😉
Kelli was going for a “Historic/Rustic” theme to compliment their wedding venue selection, and the bouquets and gowns nailed it. Flowers by PJs Flowers in Bedford NH.
Kelli borrowed pins from her grandmothers for her something borrowed, something old and something blue.
The light was literally perfect for their portraits. After we finished up, we headed inside so Kelli’s mom and sis could put in her cathedral-length veil. Meanwhile, Ben was outside capturing guests arriving. And he spotted…a unicorn?!
Inspiration can strike at the oddest moments. Heading downstairs with Kelli, we passed by a friend’s room who happened to have the COOLEST floral wallpaper. Furniture moved, room borrowed, instant bridal portrait thanks to bounced flash.
The outdoor ceremony space at Bedford Village Inn is nestled between the buildings with bistro lights and plants galore. It felt like a secret garden. They got married just as the sun started setting, and it got dark quick. We set up flashes prior to the ceremony so we’d be ready from the switch from soft natural light to darkness.
First kiss with the moon in the distance! If I could insert the lovey-eyes emoji right here, I would.
I’m pretty sure Kelli was most excited about the Kane’s donuts. Ok, maybe they came second to Ryan, but it was a close second. Here’s her first look at the donut boards! Again, insert lovey-eyes emoji.
Ryan’s best man was his cousin Devin. He gave a hilarious toast…but sorry Devin, your thunder was stolen real quick. Staci, Kelli’s sister, wrote & performed a rap to Salt-N-Pepa, complete with that a mic drop that DJ KevMac wasn’t too thrilled about. Everyone was off their seats at the end, it was INSANE. Someone please post a link to a video in the comments below. I need to see it again. Insane.
That moment when you finally realize how amazing the donuts are.
Kelli’s my kind of girl. Second dress on, donut in one hand, wine glass in the other. Their dance floor was insane. Such a fun party.
Congratulations K+R. We loved celebrating with you!
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…
The owners of Peirce Farm at Witch Hill invited Ben and I up for a tour of their newly-renovated property last summer. They & their historic estate farm wedding venue in Topsfield MA are so lovely that we agreed as we left that we needed to photograph a wedding there asap. Not two weeks later, Kristin & Jimmy vibrantly entered our lives with laughs and hugs and excitement. It was love at first sight.
I can’t even tell you how excited I was to see these two on their wedding day. We got up there early to capture the character of the farm before heading in to meet with them. Ben and Amy were the videographers for the day, so Ben started with drone footage for their wedding film…which means I also get aerial pictures. Woot!
I can’t begin to tell you how fab Kristin & Jimmy are. They are unique shining stars with exuberant personalities and hearts big with love. They shower their favorite people with love, and have a cult following in return. Present company included. I’m a fangirl, groupie, smitten kitten.
This day was one of the happiest, most loving, fun weddings because of these two. Thanks to Kristin’s gorgeous aunt, matchmaker & bridesmaid – they found their perfect match in each other. They borderline have their own secret language. Its that kind of unique connection. They also have fantastic style, and with the help of an incredible team – Peirce Farm, The Inside View & Vinwood – the day was filled with fantastic style as well. I could literally go on for days, but you want to get to the pictures, so here we go!
Preparations in the 19th century mansion…
**Kristin discovered ring lighting! GORGE.
Kristin’s mom, little sis & bestie Jenna are kindred spirits, so the morning was filled with laughs and dancing and happy tears. And holy gorgeous, batman. Kristin LOVED her gown, and she was a total goddess in it. Stella York nailed it.
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Kristin gave her dad the first look of the day just outside the room where Jimmy was breaking open the bottle of Bookers that he’s waited a year to drink.
Their wedding ceremony was on the lawn across from the mansion at Peirce Farm.
So this was my FAVORITE part of the day. The best. Best. Best. We planned for portraits during cocktail hour, and the time turned into something truly special. I may have broken a sweat about getting all of their portraits finished in time, but it was worth it for them to have these moments.
Congrats K&J. So much love to you…and sooooo many more pictures!
 
 
 
