Welcome to the Blog!
I’ve had the privilege to be part of so many incredible days and here you’ll find a collection of them as well as some tips and suggestions for making your best day ever come true — with a few personal posts sprinkled in every now and then too! Take a look around and find inspiration for your best day!
location guides
Classic New England Church & Backyard Wedding
Working with Kelly and Stephen to document this day amidst a global pandemic had it’s ups and downs in planning, but I think after everything we can say that their wedding plans worked out exactly as they were supposed to.
We held to their original plan of a church ceremony in Branford, but the reception that followed took place at Kelly’s childhood home. Now, her home is not in just any neighborhood - it’s one of those neighborhoods they make shows about. All the kids grew up together, the parents are all friends, it seems the neighbors collectively raised each other’s children (giving a whole new meaning and depth to the phrase “it takes a village”), the group even had their favorite song that brought everyone out on the dance floor at once. I don’t know all of the details of the many years of friendships that have developed in this neighborhood, but I do know from experiencing the level of community on display for just one night, this is they type of community and we should all be fighting for these days. It was so beautiful to watch Kelly and Stephen have all of their closest people celebrating with them in a place with such history for them.
Elegant Connecticut Countryside Summer Wedding
And then Courtney began to walk towards Ryan and the sun came out. I could hear gasps of excitement from their guests, it was that noticeable. An undeniable sparkle and warmth from a sun we hadn’t seen all day. I’m telling you, I’m crying as I’m writing this, because it was one of the most redemptive moments of 2020 so far and I was there with a front row seat to witness.
Congratulations, Courtney and Ryan! I can’t thank you enough for trusting me in this season and allowing me to capture some of your most precious memories.
Possibly my favorite moment from their day were the two separate moments (both captured with photos you can see below) where shortly after they had exchanged rings, shared a kiss, both Courtney and Ryan looked down at their hands with the sweetest expressions, visibly realizing that the hand they were holding was now, without question, there’s to hold forever.
Intimate Backyard Connecticut Wedding
Joe & Tori’s wedding plans, along with so many other of my couples this year, were affected by the global pandemic. They moved their original wedding date from June to August and ultimately had to push their larger celebration until 2021. But that didn’t stop these two from saying “I Do.”
In fact they didn’t just face a pandemic, in addition to COVID-19 they also had a tornado touch down in their town the night before their ceremony (yes, we are still talking about Connecticut). The neighborhood where they were married was greatly impacted, so much so that Joe spent the morning cutting and clearing trees from the place where they were to officially tie the knot. I honestly couldn’t believe the destruction from the tornado when I was driving in to photograph their wedding. A date change, canceled rehearsal dinner, a downed cell tower that resulted in communication with their loved ones being difficult, a broken wedding dress strap (from Tori sharing a tight hug her dad at the end of the aisle - the best possible reason for a slight wardrobe malfunction) and a power outage - these two truly faced just about all of the obstacles in their wedding planning.
But on a Friday afternoon in August these two spoke words of truth, standing back to back, as they read their vows in a quiet moment before the ceremony. They tied the knot with their closest friends and family there to witness and they kept one another grounded in the things that they know to be true.
Summer Coastal Connecticut Tented Outdoor Wedding
Whitney and Dylan are two people who love intentionally. Everything they do is done with such care for those around them. Every detail of this day of celebration in Mystic, Connecticut at The Stonington Meadows came together beautifully. Whitney’s dress was absolutely breathtaking, the weather was glorious, the florals were stunning, the ceremony was meaningful, and the party was epic. It was a beautiful day and I could not think of two more deserving people to have their plans finally fall into place.
Intimate Adirondack Mountains Adventure Wedding
Leia and Dave are both lovers of the outdoors. They are two people who light up in each other’s presence and their calm demeanor and steadfast devotion to each other is admirable. Not to mention they both have the best sense of humor and watching their genuine and carefree interactions throughout the day was such a fun front row seat to have.
The were married at the Chapel at Camp Fowler, a stunning and peaceful woodsy building with pine features, followed by some portraits by the water and surrounding buildings, beach, and canoes and then an intimate and fun backyard gathering. This gathering was uniquely and exquisitely styled and arranged much in part and thanks to their amazing families, including their sister-in-law, Jess, who owns Different Blend Bakery in Schenectady, New York. Be sure to checkout the amazing cake, s’mores station, custom napkins, and many other carefully attended to details that made this celebration so clearly crafted in love.
We ended the evening with canoeing around the lake and letting the newlyweds enjoy a grand adventure together - their first canoe trip as Mr. and Mrs. captured forever. The day wouldn’t have been complete without running down the dock together hand-in-hand and a jump in the lake. Admittedly, I asked them to do this twice because it was just too much fun.
This wedding day had all the intentionality behind it I wish for all of my couples. If an adventure inspired intimate wedding in the Adirondacks doesn’t speak to your soul, that’s ok. But these two celebrated in a way that was true to them and their relationship and I hope that every couple feels empowered to choose the things that are most important to them on their wedding day. It truly doesn’t matter if you call it an elopement, micro-wedding, destination wedding, intimate wedding - for Leia and Dave the celebration was no-fuss in all the ways they intended. They will forever have this day etched in their minds and can always look back and know that they chose love, they chose each other, and they chose to declare their union and be affirmed in it by their families who will continue to stand by their sides for years to come as they watch Leia and Dave, undoubtedly, embark on many more adventures together.
Tree Farm Boho Styled Shoot Turned Real Wedding
The added twist to this styled shoot was that our models were a real couple I connected with on social media and they exchanged vows and were legally married during the shoot! They traveled in from Ohio and it was quite the destination elopement weekend (be sure to check out their Engagement Session and cozy morning of wedding shoot if you haven’t already).
Where a typical styled shoot might be called off due to rain, because we were holding an actual ceremony we obviously went ahead with the plans and we think the rain and dark sky add an element of realness and romance to this styled-shoot-turned-real-wedding. So many amazing vendors and talented creatives came together to make this possible and their entire intimate wedding day was a complete surprise from start to finish! So cool.
Summer Connecticut Island Wedding
The first time Courtney and I chatted on the phone we connected over so many things - among them, the similarities shared by our significant others (right down to them sharing the same birthday). During their initial inquiry call we talked at length about the plans they envisioned for their wedding day, but even more importantly, I had the opportunity to get to know them and hear about their love story up until their engagement. These two have been together for about 10 years, and from the bits and pieces I’ve picked up from conversation, as well as their live-life-to-the-fullest personalities, I would say that those 10 years were filled with more epic adventures and life experiences together than some have the opportunity to have in a lifetime.
When they were officially engaged, in conversation with Courtney’s 98 year old Grandmother (affectionately known as Grma), she asked that they get married in Connecticut so that she could dance at their wedding. A Connecticut wedding wasn’t necessarily a given because Courtney and Jeff have lived in Connecticut, Hawai’i, and Colorado, but they decided to plan for a New England wedding to make Gram’s wish come true.
Fast forward to a meeting over Christmas week to tour Guilford Yacht Club together, followed by a global pandemic (COVID-19 plot twist), added state guidelines, gathering mandates, travel restrictions and a change of venue. At the end of it all? A happy ending for two of the most deserving people I know. A stunning wedding with their family in attendance on Chaffinch Island in Guilford, Connecticut where they frequented together in the early days of their relationship. Gram was in fact able to dance at their intimate outdoor wedding reception, and the joy that lit up that backyard made several months of stressful wedding planning and adjusting worth it.
5 Date Ideas for the Engaged Couple During COVID-19
Are you recently engaged? Did you get engaged before the global pandemic, began planning a wedding and are now looking around wondering what the next year will hold?
I have a lot of feelings about this season, and I can’t imagine as an engaged couple all of the feelings you are working through, but I hope no matter where you are in life, if you are next to the one you love, you are supported and encouraged that in the chaos of the moment we become stronger. Stronger as individuals, stronger in our relationships - increasingly aware of the things that really matter in this life.
Awhile back I’d posted “5 Date Ideas for the Engaged Couple,” but I realized that I should maybe revisit and modify this list for those of you engaged during this season and looking for inspiration to lean into joy and dedicate time your significant other. So here goes!
Spring Engagement Photos Harkness Park
This Engagement Session actually happened last May. Whoa. I can’t believe I’m just now sharing this gorgeousness, but when I photographed these sweethearts I was actually about 8 months pregnant, and well, that was a pretty crazy season of life - I’m kind of loving revisiting these images just a few weeks before their celebration with friends and family.
I began working with Whitney and Dylan back in 2018, if you can believe it. I still remember sitting at Starbucks chatting about the dreams they had for their wedding day (plans that were ultimately altered a bit by COVID-19). Well, I’m happy to say, not only did these two have an intimate ceremony and still get married on the original day they had planned, although they had to postpone their larger celebration, the party will be happening THIS month and we’re all pretty excited.
Since I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know them they’ve bought a house, added fur babies to their pack, and actually gotten married - it feels like a lot of life has happened since we met and I couldn’t be more excited to stand with them in celebration as they are able to have their closest friends and family witness their commitment to all of life’s changes and challenges ahead.
How to Lovingly Un-Invite Wedding Guests
I’ve spent countless hours on the phone with my existing couples and inquiring couples and, understandably, everyone is feeling a lot of emotions. I don’t know how many times I can say I’m grateful for the people I get to work with, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop shouting it from the rooftops or writing it on every little corner of the social media world that will listen, but it’s true. Because of this job of capturing some of the sweetest New England love stories I have also seen and experienced endless kindness, compassion, and grace. I am a firm believer that the “worst of times” can show the best of people. And I think that’s what this pandemic has done in several ways.
Standing on the foundation of conversation that there are a lot of serious things happening in the world, I also believe that we are all allowed to feel all the feels and we should all have a community of people who allow us to do this and don’t immediately tell us that there are worse things happening than having to reschedule a wedding. Are there worse things happening? Absolutely. Is it also a bummer that you have to make adjustments to the wedding day you had originally envisioned? Also definitely yes.
OK, so let’s jump into one of the things I’ve found to be causing couples stress (on top of everything else). What about the amazing people who have already invited (because you want them to be there celebrating with you) that because of state and local guidelines you now have the dreaded task of choosing who you will need to ask to stay home - essentially the dreaded un-invitation?!
Mystic, Connecticut Summer Engagement Photos
If you’re one of my couples you know that during our inquiry call I spend quite a bit of precious time chatting about your Engagement Session and the importance of this time that we spend together. I have a whole list of reasons for this that I will share in another cohesive blog post, but can I just say that I love when my couples get excited about this and make the Engagement Session a priority?!
Fun fact! Courtney & Ryan will be getting married NEXT month. The photos they receive in their gallery won’t be used in the “typical” Save-the-Date fashion, as they’d already had that taken care of (although they did end up using a few to be in touch with their guests with some COVID-19 updates and information). But that doesn’t change the significance of this evening of exploring around Downtown Mystic, Connecticut along with one of my favorite local beaches. I loved having the opportunity to get to know them both better before their wedding day and it added an extra level of uniqueness because their wedding is so close and all of the details are falling into place. I know that the time we spent together in will make them immeasurably more comfortable in front of the camera on their wedding day and a huge bonus is that they also have some cute couples photos to hang around their home where they aren’t in wedding attire.
Destination Engagement Session - Portsmouth, New Hampshire | Amanda & Kevin
When Amanda first asked about making their Engagement Session a bit of a mini destination getaway to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, I was all about it. There is nothing I love more than exploring fun and unique locations with my couples, and their love for Portsmouth, combined with the fact that I grew up in New Hampshire, made for one very fun evening and a nostalgic little road trip!
We spent the few days before keeping a close eye on the weather (New England seems to have gifted us this year with an extra dose of random thunder storms), but ultimately we made the call to make the trip and I’m glad we didn’t decide to wait. An intense fog rolled in during our time together and we dealt with a light shower, but honestly I think the ambiance and few umbrella photos added a beautiful level of romance and there’s something about a little rain that brings couples even closer together that I appreciate. Pair that with a gorgeous dock on the New Hampshire coast, vibrant flowers filling every garden we visited (plus a hidden rose garden with an epic archway I had discovered while scouting), adorable rain soaked streets and urban brick buildings, cute restaurants with bistro lights… and a surprise building painting they agreed to take a goofy photo in front of - These two are so sweet and up for any adventure in any weather.
Cozy Session Morning of Destination Elopement - Mystic, Connecticut | Tori & Christian
I have so much more to share of these two cuties and this Destination Elopement Weekend, but for now, I hope you’ve had a chance to checkout Tori and Christian’s Engagement Session!
The morning of their Elopement we did a cute and cozy session at their AirBnb in Mystic, Connecticut and it was so sweet to capture these early morning moments with them.
Engagement Session - Watch Hill, Rhode Island | Tori & Christian
Every once in a while life’s coincidences align in a way to connect you with people you wouldn’t have likely had the chance to meet, if not for the exact timing of a seemingly random series of events. These are some of the connections in life that I often feel most grateful for because my circle gets a little bigger and the world seems to get a little smaller all at the same time.
The way that Tori, Christian and I met and I came to photograph their elopement weekend was exactly that - a series of apparent coincidences that led to a phone call where we instantly connected and ended with Christian yelling in the background, “Let’s do it! We’re in!”
After getting to know them both over an extended weekend, I so appreciate their totally “here for it” approach to everything - they are two of the most genuine and fun people, full of laughter, inside jokes, and no reservation when it comes to snuggles. It’s clear that they show up for each other in their relationship, but they also show up for everyone they encounter with incredibly kind hearts.
Also worth mentioning is that Tori was totally up for rocking a bright red dress for a sunset session in Watch Hill, Rhode Island the weekend of their Elopement and we created some serious magic.
Tori & Christian, I can’t thank you enough for trusting me to capture this weekend for you. For allowing me a window into your love story and honoring me with the incredible privilege of capturing the intimacy of your relationship and marriage. I’m looking forward to seeing all of the crazy adventures life has in store for you both!
This Destination Elopement Weekend did not disappoint and I can’t wait to share more photos from our time together.
Summer Connecticut Backyard Intimate Wedding
Where do I even begin?
The first time Alyssa, Alex and I hopped on the phone to chat about their wedding plans and get to know one another we connected over their love for National Parks. At the time I was knee deep in design plans for our national park themed nursery and we hit it off immediately. These two radiate joy, they love each other beautifully, intensely, and simply. Exploring during their Engagement Session it became evident that these two get each other.
Fast forward and #COVID-19 changed their original wedding plans but they adjusted to the changes with such grace, in the end deciding that although they would wait to celebrate with their large group of friends and family, but they wouldn’t wait another year, month, or day to get married.
And so, I was able to witness and capture their dreams come true in the backyard of Alyssa’s childhood home.
And it. was. stunning.
COVID-19 wasn’t the only thing they overcame. Let’s just talk about the absolute torrential downpour that happened right as we were supposed to have their First Look. Alex and I stood underneath the tent as the wind blew, the rain came down in the most intense way, and we waited it out. Props to Alyssa and Alex for being extra patient and taking my advice to wait just a little bit longer so we could have their First Look under the gorgeous tree they had planned because it was absolutely worth the wait for the most beautiful light and post-rain-perfectness. Make sure to check out the look on Alex’s face when he first saw his bride because it’s definitely precious.
And seeing their personalities shine through with their decor and National Parks place cards (each one carefully chosen for each individual person), these two certainly didn’t let life’s circumstances detract in anyway from the intent with which they committed themselves to one another.
Congratulations Alyssa and Alex! Thank you for allowing me to capture this incredible journey for you both…and bring on the party in 2021!
Engagement Session - Stonington Borough | Tiffany & Patrick
One of my absolute favorite things about photographing in New England are the amazing and vibrant colors you can find on the coast - in the landscape and the architecture. Tiffany and Patrick’s Engagement Session was no exception with a beautiful sunset and so many gorgeous flowers in bloom. These two will be getting married this Fall and were ahead of the planning process, choosing an intimate wedding celebration long before COVID-19 changed the world (and with it, the way we can currently gather).
It’s been encouraging to watch their plans fall into place and have a chance to catch up as we walked around exploring this stunning coastal town - making this location even more meaningful is the fact that Patrick proposed here!
Engagement Session - Harkness Memorial State Park | Sarah & Jordan
After months of quarantining, getting to spend a beautiful evening hanging out with Sarah and Jordan for their Engagement Photos - well, it truly meant everything to watch these two interact and chat about their wedding plans. Their outfit selections were on point, not to mention, Sarah’s doppelgänger might be Cinderella and they both have the most infectious smiles.
Saying Yes to Your Dress
Choosing a dress - the dress - can come with some questions. Here are some helpful tips to walk you through the process and leave you empowered to look and feel your best on your wedding day!
How To Pin A Boutonnière
There are 3 main things I see the gentlemen struggle with on their wedding day that can be easily avoided with a little bit of pre-wedding prep. After all, no one likes to add any more stress or reasons for sweaty palms on their wedding day! What are these tricky day of activities you ask?
Pinning Boutonnieres. Folding Pocket Squares. Tying ties or bowties.
Always and forever.
Without fail, at every wedding, someone is on their phone looking up tutorials, graphics, and videos about how to do these things. Learn them beforehand and you will be well on your way to being a well-prepared Groom. Promise.
The more control you feel you have over the little things that happen during the day, the more you will be truly in the moment enjoying the celebration.
The ME Part of US
Life used to be filled with uncertainties and questions when it came to what a fairytale ending should look like. I had preconceived notions about how it should feel to be in love and to be fully me with another person. And I had tucked away feelings of “something’s not quite right” because I was more concerned about fitting into other people’s stories than I was about the power in each of our journeys, and the importance of bringing myself, unedited, unfiltered, and unaltered to the table.
There were several seasons (and a lot of tears) involved in shifting my mindset, primarily focused on finding my independence and ultimately myself, in getting me to the here and now of my story, but the pinnacle of it all was finding Andrew - finding my home.