Important Considerations When Hiring Your Wedding DJ

I’m thrilled to be sharing these tips and tricks from Jeff and Amy, owners and masterminds behind Mystic River Entertainment, offering entertainment services throughout New England. Jeff and Amy are two of the sweetest souls and their passion for music, party planning, and helping others is apparent in every conversation I’ve had with them. Best part? These two are dang good at throwing an awesome party with thoughtful music choices and their skill for creating a warm and positive environment for your guests is incredible - I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and I can confidently tell you that the DJ you select will directly influence the way your guests remember the party. SO. Without further ado, take it away Jeff!

Rhode Island Ocean House Sunset Beach Engagement

Every time I photograph a new couple, especially those first few moments after meeting, it’s uncomfortable. It’s 10000% normal to not feel instantly at ease being photographed and generally it takes a little while to feel like you can be yourself in front of the camera - I know, even as a photographer I freak out a bit when I’m on the other side. These are all emotions I’m ready for and prepped to guide my couples through to make for a positive and enjoyable experience. But truly, watching Chris and Sarah interact over the course of our time together was beautiful. There were moments when they were focused on each other that I felt like, and *really* hoped, that they had actually forgotten I was there. Chris looks at Sarah in a way that tells the whole world he knows exactly the gift he has in his arms - he’s so full of joy and contentment. And Sarah, well she lights up an entire beach with her smile and her calming and joyful demeanor brings an undeniable peace.

These are the moments and stories I live to photograph.

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.

Boston, Massachusetts Engagement Session - Charles River | Sky & Chris

Meet Sky & Chris!

Everything about this sunrise session had me FALL-ing in love.

With traveling to Boston for their session amidst a crazy wedding season, in order to make it work I had a crazy idea and texted them asking… “any chance you would be up for a sunrise session?” and they responded with my absolute favorite phrase from any couple:

“We’re up for anything!”

So we set the date and I set my alarm (I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had my husband set another 10 alarms to make sure we got our butts out of bed and our 3 month old daughter bundled up for the adventure).

These two braved the cold morning air and were nothing but smiles. We were able to walk around, find this amazing tree and I watched them get more comfortable being with each other in front of the camera (helped along I’m sure by the increasing warmth as the sun came up). It was magic.

A little backstory to the location choice! Sky and Chris met because of rowing, and the Charles River holds a lot of significance for them, as does the sport. In fact, Chris proposed to (a very stunned) Sky in front of 200 high school students and their parents during an awards banquet for the athletes he had been coaching. It’s a story that will bring anyone to tears and one I know they will hold onto forever. So sweet.

Beyond excited to photograph their 2020 wedding!

Harkness Memorial State Park Waterford, Connecticut | Rachel & Harrison

an we please just talk about how seriously stinking CUTE these two are?

Rachel and Harrison currently live in Arizona and when we chatted over the phone about their wedding, I encouraged them to still consider planning an “Engagement Session” even if it was just the week before so we would have the chance to connect and also give them some adorable New-Englandy photos while they were back on the east coast.

Well, I’m so glad we made the time. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to spend even more time with them in addition to their wedding day.

Elegant Farm Engagement Photos - Connecticut | Joe & Tori

When I received their inquiry several months ago, I remember smiling as I read that although from an outsider’s perspective these two seem like opposites, as they discovered their friendship and gave it the chance to blossom they often times couldn’t believe just how similar they really were. I love stories like this.

From the very first conversation we shared, I could tell that Joe and Tori were a couple full of life and fully in love. Their love for nature and genuine openness to each other and new experiences is not only sweet and infectious, it’s something I know will carry them through the ups and downs of marriage.

That first conversation also had me completely excited to finally meet them in person and see their love in action. From the moment we began and these two started interacting I could tell the whole night was going to be magic - and it was.

Olana State Historic Site: Hudson, New York - Engagement Session | Bridgette & Mike

If you follow my Instagram you may already know that my sister is getting married!!! While Bridgette is technically my husband’s sister, making her officially my sister-in-law, since the moment we met she’s been the sister I never had. From road tripping to Florida, watching her graduate from college, bar-hopping, hanging out and finding the best places to eat, to now watching her be the most amazing Aunt to our daughter - I simply can’t imagine life without her. And now she can’t imagine life without Mike!

By this time next year these two will officially be Mr. & Mrs. and I couldn’t be happier for them. Aside from just being thrilled to have watched their love story blossom from the very beginning, it’s also been a huge privilege to have been trusted with capturing some of the milestones along the way.

Lighthouse Point Park New Haven, Connecticut - Engagement Session | Taylor & Sean

The only thing I love more than photographing couples in love is photographing couples in love with their dogs.

Taylor and Sean were another couple that we had to reschedule and move locations due to predicted weather, but the great part about all of this meant that they were able to bring these cuties with them. And, really, that because of that I got to meet these cuties! If you can’t tell just by the photo above these two pups are simply full of love. I didn’t even have any treats on me and look at them cheesin’ for the camera.

We only had a few minutes together before the real rain started coming down, but it was a few minutes well worth it. Keep an eye out for their continued engagement session later this month…. and then for their wedding in 2020!

Lighthouse Point Park New Haven, Connecticut Engagement Session | Kelly & Stephen

We had to reschedule this session…. two times? Maybe? I felt bad every time we touched base and made the decision to call it and hold out for better weather. I mean, it’s New England and we’ve got to roll with Mother Nature’s punches, but I was crossing my fingers the day we ended up getting together that the stars would align and give these two the best weather. And align they did.

Kelly and Stephen, you guys are awesome. An absolute blast to be around and the smiles you bring out in one another are making me smiling just writing this.

Looking forward to your 2020 wedding! Thanks for asking me tell your story.