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.

HomeCora ProperApril 9, 2020Comment

Yale New Haven, Connecticut Winter Wedding | Michelle & Johnny

Michelle and Johnny’s December wedding day was truly stunning; however, it was the emotion woven through the entire day that had in me in tears at least 3 times while editing their galleryl. There were so many touching and heartfelt interactions between the beautiful new Mr. & Mrs. and their friends and family.

I met up with these two to walk around Yale University a few weeks before the event to scope out the perfect spot for some photos. Let’s just say - I’m glad we took the time to do so because the weather cooperated and we got some seriously lovely photos of them snuggling together with incredible architecture as the backdrop for their love story. Fitting, as Yale is where they first met. These two were rockstars bearing the cold and I’d say it was worth it!

Branford House Wedding | Regan & Dayne

Regan and Dayne are some of the sweetest people with the most genuine hearts you’ll ever meet.

Years ago they first became aware of each other when Regan attended Freshman orientation at the Branford House where Dayne was giving a presentation. How cool that they can now say they were married in this same place (the exact same room, in fact). Their day was filled with all kinds of sentimental touches, woven together with the history of the legacy of their loved ones - fitting, considering they are both passionate historians. The dress Regan chose to wore was previously worn by her grandmother and mother and it was an absolute honor to photograph such an heirloom. And Dayne, a pianist having performed at hundreds of events at the Branford House previously, finally had the opportunity to sit and play for his wife. So many gorgeous long-awaited meaningful not-soon-to-be-forgotten moments are what this day was comprised of.

It was an absolute pleasure getting to know these two and walking alongside them capturing the next chapter of the beautiful story they are writing together. Thank you, Regan and Dayne, for trusting me to capture your wedding!

Beach Horse Session | Rhode Island

I pinched myself at least once a minute just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming during this session.

Johnna and Jay were married in September (you may remember their wedding from this blog post) and with a shared passion for rescuing horses, we had always planned to do a session on the beach late in the year when it opened up for these majestic creatures.

With beautiful florals, modified wedding attire, four of their four-legged friends, and their love to keep them warm (as well as about 100 layers of tulle for Johnna) we took to the beach and magic was made. I’m so grateful to have gotten to know this beautiful couple over the last year.

Christmas Tree Farm | Couple's Session

Christmas Tree Farm session - the perfect setting for Christmas card photos!

The Stonington Meadows - Mystic, Connecticut Wedding | Meghan & Timothy

Meghan and Timothy are incredibly sweet and classy people - there’s really no other way to put it. In addition to this, boy, do they know how to break. it. down. on the dance floor. I’ve truly never attended a wedding where two people along with all of their friends and family knew every word to every song for an entire evening. At the close of the night, I’m pretty sure the dance floor was just as packed as when the night began - the true sign of a really good party.

They met in Boston while in college, and as they say, the rest was history. Timothy planned an elaborate surprise when he proposed and had brought their friends and family together to celebrate.

Their wedding day was full of beautiful moments (and heartfelt vows) displaying their history of falling more in love over the last 5 years and it was an honor to capture this next part of their story.

Congratulations, Meghan and Timothy!

Welcome to the Blog!

location guides

IMPORTANT INFO

Locations

LET’S BE FRIENDS