It’s a mouthful, but not a bad title, eh? I guess the skills gained during my 7 years as a newspaper reporter/editor come in handy from time to time.

If you haven’t guessed already, the wedding of the fabulous duo, Meaghan & Sean, had a golf theme…of sorts. Sean is the resident golf pro at the Boston Golf Club. He & Meg enjoy an occasional game of golf, and so what better spot for their wedding reception than at the lovely Scituate Country Club.

We were holding our collective breath leading up to the wedding as weather forecasts were calling for tropical storm conditions. We absolutely adore Meaghan & Sean and didn’t want to see their special day washed out. So, we kept our fingers crossed and planned to make the best of whatever Mother Nature threw our way. Somebody upstairs must have been looking out for them. As it turned out, the rain held off so Meaghan & Sean could get all of their photos outside, taking advantage of the beautiful views. And, overall, the wedding itself was a huge success. YEAAAAHHH!!!!

These two love birds were so much fun and were absolutely two of the happiest people we have ever seen at their own wedding. They danced, celebrated, and smiled ear-to-ear late into the night with friends and family seeming to have the time of their lives. We couldn’t have wished for anything more for these two incredibly warm, loving, genuine, sweetie pies. Okay, a little sun would have been nice. But, we’re not complaining.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from the day:

The bling and the invite…

Meg takes a moment to take it all in before heading to the ceremony to say, “I do.” Doesn’t she look beautiful? Love it!

Meg heads to the chapel in style in an old Ford. A classic car and a classic beauty!!

I love this photo of Sean before the ceremony. I think he looks very handsome and serene. He’s a lot funnier than this photo lets on to, but I still love it!

It wouldn’t be a photo of Sean and his buddies if golf clubs weren’t involved.

Meg chats with the driver as she waits to be called into the church for the start of the ceremony. I just love these stolen moments. She looks so happy and ready to begin.

Sean and his groomsmen share a giggle right before the start of the ceremony. It’s such an exciting time those moments before you say, “I do.”

St. Mary’s in Scituate provided a stunning setting for the ceremony with it’s ornate ceiling and stately columns.

Meg & Sean share a private moment during the service. Like little kids joking during mass. Love it!

Sealed with a kiss… I love that the little altar boy is clapping. Seriously, how cute is that? And check out his sister’s face to the left…wonder what she’s thinking?

Off to the Scituate Country Club for a few photos of the happy couple. Check out those storm clouds! Yikes! It did pour later that evening, but Mother Nature was kind enough to hold off long enough to get some shots outside.

Meg & her girls apparently found it very funny when we asked them to give us their best catwalk walk. Sometimes it’s not what we’re asking our subjects to do that gets us the photo we want, so much as their reaction to our question. This is a perfect example of that.

Meg & Sean’s faces during their first dance pretty much tell the story of their wedding day! These two could not stop smiling, dancing and laughing all night long!

Just a few details from their fabulous day! One of Meg’s friends made a CD for guests featuring the couple’s favorite songs. We got a copy and there’s some great music on there, including one of my favorite songs by Brett Dennen, a talented young artist with some very cool things to say. Check him out if you haven’t already. And, another cute detail Meg put together were these monogrammed bags she had made for her bridesmaids. So sweet! I’m dating myself here, but with those bamboo handles they remind me a little of the classic Bermuda bags we girls couldn’t live without back in 1980. I think I was in about 6th grade when they first came on the scene with the reversible cotton covers and the hinged wooden handles. I had one with a purple corduroy cover. I can’t remember what was on the other side, but I loved it!!!

Big BIG thanks to Meaghan & Sean (and to both of your families) for being such incredibly warm, genuine, lovely people!!! You guys have made us feel so very welcome in your lives since day one and we feel really fortunate not only to have been there with you on such a special day, but now, after almost a year of knowing you both…to be able to call you our friends! The love you share is everything love should be and we hope it continues to grow and blossom and bring you much MUCH happiness! We love you guys!!! xoxo C&A

Most of our weddings keep us here on picturesque Cape Cod, but a couple of weeks ago, we had the pleasure of photographing the fabulous New Castle wedding of New Hampshire natives and high school sweethearts McCall & Matt.

Preparing and packing for an out-of-state wedding was a little different for us, since we’re usually just a short drive away. But, what a fun treat!!! Like the Cape, New Hampshire has miles of shoreline, but with a slightly more rocky coast.

We first caught up with McCall & Matt at their ceremony run-through at St. Theresa’s Church in Rye, then headed to their poolside rehearsal dinner at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel & Spa, an elegant cliff-side hotel overlooking Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. It was a perfect way to spend a summer evening. There were lots of laughter and happy tears…mostly from Matt. The dam opened during his dinner speech and didn’t close until the dancing ended the following night. (Although I suspect there may have been more the following morning as they rehashed the fun-filled and incredibly emotional days before.) Have I mentioned yet how much we love the softies?! LOVE THEM!

Here are some favorite moments from their special day:

Poolside at the Wentworth….pretty nice, eh?

McCall’s adorable Kate Spade shoes and her gorgeous gown from L’Elite in Boston.

Can’t you just get lost her her beautiful blue eyes? Gorgeous!!!

Matt & his mates….

Matt gets a little comforting from his brother Chris as their cousin, the Reverend Albert Tremblay talks about how wonderful Matt is. He might be biased, but he certainly isn’t wrong.

The happy Mr. & Mrs….

McCall gets kisses from one of the adorable flower girls. How sweet is that? Seriously, look at those little lips. Love it!!!

The bridal party. These guys were so much fun and such great friends to McCall & Matt. Thanks guys for being such troopers and clambering out onto the rocks!!! You all ROCK!!!

The happy couple…

And my personal favorite from the day…Can’t you just feel the love and contentment!?

McCall shares a special moment with her dad. Like me, she’s totally a Daddy’s girl!

A great big, heart-felt, love-filled thank you to McCall & Matt for being so wonderful. You guys have put your trust in us from the beginning, since we led you to that rusty wall at your engagement session. Thank you for letting us bear witness to such an intimate time in your lives. Knowing you trust us to capture all of those wonderful moments and memories means so much!! We wish you much love and continued happiness!! You guys are the best!!! With love & hugs, Chris & Andy

No one was thrown into the air at the fabulous wedding of former cheerleaders Pam & Erik, but these two wonderful people were so obviously over-the-moon happy to be marrying each other hearts were definitely jumping for joy.

Pam & Erik met in 2002, during their freshman year while cheering at Vanderbilt University. They are both incredibly warm, loving, family-oriented people who love life and each other with great exuberance.

We got to be there with Pam & Erik at their rehearsal dinner, which was held at the Belfry Inn in Sandwich. The inn is a converted church and provided a really elegant backdrop to the start of their fabulous wedding weekend! Here’s a collage featuring some highlights from the evening.

Their intimate, informal, yet incredibly elegant wedding was held the following day at Pam’s family’s summer home in Sandwich. The ceremony took place just before sunset, overlooking the backyard pond. It was an idyllic setting for these two Nashville-based lovebirds. Erik is in his third year of medical school at Vanderbilt, so Pam (who happens to be studying for her doctorate in physical therapy) and her mom, Wendy, did most of the planning, working closely with wedding planner Allison Liset to put together the most stunning garden party-themed reception.

The flowers, by Karen of Lilac Florals, were mostly white orchids (my personal favorite, right up there with gardenias and lilacs, which I love for their smells.) The colors for the wedding were navy blue and shades of brown and all of the details these stylish ladies selected were just gorgeous! A photographer’s dream for sure!

But, what really made this wedding beautiful was all of the love floating in between and around Pam & Erik. Here are some of our favorite shots and moments from their wonderful day!

Pam gets help putting on her G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S Monique Lhuillier gown. Stunning!!!

Keeping tradition, she puts on a sexy little garter! Fierce!

Taking a moment to reflect. Okay, I admit, we asked her to stand in front of the window and reflect, but does she look amazing or what?

Pam and some of her girls give it some serious sexy attitude. The girls’ hair and make up was done by the talented ladies at Wedding Tresses. Nice one ladies!

Pam & her folks share a little giggle before the ceremony.

Erik looking very dapper!

I love this stolen moment as Pam’s sister, Emily, and friend, Carla, check out whose arriving as the guests pour into the backyard for the start of the ceremony.

The ceremony…

I LOVE Pam’s face in this shot, right after she & Erik kiss and are announced hubby & wife…Can’t you just feel the joy!?!

And here are a few portraits of our new Mr. & Mrs….

We played around with some layering in this next one….using Photoshop we were able to create a pretty cool texture to the image that I think gives is a really romantic feel. What do you think?

And here’s one of my favorites. I just love how tenderly Erik is touching Pam’s face, and the way their fingers are intertwined. You can just tell their love runs deep!

And here’s our favorite shot from the day of Pam & Erik inside their fabulous tent before the start of the reception. Love it!! The tent is by Undercover Tent and Crazy Chefs did the delicious catering and the gorgeous cake was by the Queen of Sweet - Lisa Raffael at Delicious Desserts. Mmmm good!

We’d like to extend a great big thank you to all of the wonderfully talented and incredibly professional vendors who helped make our job once again, a cinch!

But, our biggest thanks go to Pam & Erik (and to their families) for inviting us into their lives with such open arms and open hearts! We have had such a great time getting to know you two over the past year. You compliment each other so well and the way you love each other is both beautiful and at the same time inspiring! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of such a special time in your lives. We hope these and the other photos to come serve as a wonderful reminder of all that is good in your lives. And Erik, we have no doubt that your parents were there with you & Pam, in spirit, beaming with pride at the man you have become and all of the wonderful choices you have made in your life. We love you guys!! Chris & Andy xo

My grandfather recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Gramps, or Ugly, as he is affectionately referred by us grandkids was born August 25, 1909. 1909….it’s so crazy to me to think that he has lived through almost an entire century. He has lived through two World Wars and remembers clearly the transition from horse and cart to engine-run automobiles. He saw the invention of television, rock and roll, talking motion pictures and penicillin. And before he was 30, he was introduced to frozen food, bubblegum, canned beer, nylon and the ball point pen….all things we take for granted today.

He often tells the story of how he used to ride in the back of his father’s old wind up pick up truck to deliver vegetables from the family farm in Arlington to Fanueil Hall, when Haymarket was a hub for farmers looking to sell their goods.

Despite all his years, my grandfather still acts and looks much as he has my entire life. He definitely moves slower now than when I was a kid, and you have to shout when you talk to him. But, he is still the feisty, lovable, funny Ugly I have always known.

Here he is directing the family in song as we sing Happy Birthday at his party a couple of weekend’s ago. He’s such a clown!

And here he is diving in to his strawberry shortcake birthday cake. I just love the cheeky child-like look in his eyes in the photo on the right. He had just finished sucking a big piece of cake off of the knife. Just goes to show, you’re never too old to enjoy good cake!

I get sad when I think about how little time I have left with this incredible, warm, generous, smart, funny man. Gramps has been a constant loving presence in my life since the day I was born. When my parents first married, they lived on the middle floor in a three-story apartment that Gramps owned in East Boston. My great-grandmother lived on the top floor and my second cousins lived on the first floor with their mother, my grandfather’s sister Viola. Even though we moved to a house in Melrose when I was 3, just after my sister Debbie was born, I can still remember my first home and the strong sense of family that was nurtured there.

Since that time, there have been many more memories created with my family and central to most of them is my grandfather. He and my grandmother, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 98, have always been the glue that holds our family together. Holiday dinners were spent around their kitchen table. Many summer days were spent playing in their backyard, picking Gramps’ fresh vegetables from his garden and eating…always eating!

Every year when I was young, my grandfather and his siblings organized their families for the annual Ferullo Family picnic at Kingston State Park. It was the best part of my summer. I got to reunite with all of my cousins for a fun day filled with oodles of hugs & kisses, laughter, swimming, family games and of course…eating! Lots of good eating!

I could never visit my grandparents’ house without Gramps and Grams trying to give us something - a rewired lamp, mismatched sheets, or delicious leftovers. Gramps has always given what he could to his family. Even today, he is still this way, taking extra fruit from the assisted living facility cafeteria to give to us when we visit.

Here he gives his sister, Mary, a blanket and makes sure she’s comfortable. I just love this man to pieces!

My grandfather has taught me many things–how to refinish furniture and pick a fresh carrot. He taught me to appreciate simple food made with love and showed me that a good marriage isn’t always perfect. He taught me how not to drive and how difficult getting old can be. But, the biggest thing I have learned from my grandfather has been the importance of family, that riches don’t come from money, but from the comfort you get in knowing you have people who love you and will always be there for you, no matter what!

It’s always been about family with my Gramps. Here my sisters and I share a little family time with Gramps. Again, always the jokester he pulls a funny face! Don’t let him fool you though….he really loves those moments when we all fawn over him!

Here he gets some lovin’ from Sadie. She knows a good man when she sees one. (I don’t know why, but Sadie goes in to all of her kisses with an open mouth….she’s hysterical! I just love this series, how you can tell she’s checking Gramps out, decides he’s good for kissin’ and goes in for it whole heartedly! Too funny!)

And here the three Michaels get together for a picture. Gramps, my dad and my nephew are all named Michael…but there’s only one Ugly!!! (I love the way my dad laughs. It’s hard not to laugh when he does….although little Michael just looks confused.)

In celebration of this legend of a man, my aunt hosted Gramp’s birthday party at her house. Our whole family came out to celebrate, my sisters and their families, my cousins and their families. Even three of my grandfather’s younger sisters and their families came out to honor the eldest Ferullo son. It was like the reunions of yesteryear. The memories came flooding back.

My cousin, Mayrlee, (seen in the below photo) gave my grandfather the coolest present. She collected old and not-so-old photos from everyone in the family and put together a wonderful book for Gramps. His memory isn’t what it used to be, but with a little help he remembered and you could see that he too was being flooded with memories of bygone days.

Here he looks at a photo of my grandmother with my two aunts. She was such a strong and beautiful woman my Grandma!!!

I can’t help thinking what a strange phase of life this must be for Gramps. All of his kids are grown. His wife of 63 years is gone. His friends are all gone as are most of his siblings. Even the grandkids he used to bounce on his knee not so long ago now have children of their own. Today, home for Ugly isn’t the humble ranch in which he spent so many years. Instead, it is a nearby assisted living facility shared with other elderly folks who are just waiting for their time to go.

As wonderful as his birthday was, it was also a bitter reminder that I don’t have much time left with him. I know none of us can live forever, but the thought of losing my Ugly breaks my heart and I just can’t imagine life without him. He isn’t just my grandfather - my Gramps, my Ugly. He is my very dear friend.

Gramps went into the hospital unexpectedly the other day with an irregular heartbeat and what they thought was an infection. It turns out he has gallstones. It’s been a bit of a scare, since any trips to the hospital at this age could mean the beginning of the end. We’re all really worried about him. Andy & I are off to visit him at the hospital today. If you think of it, say a prayer for Ugly and hold tightly to the ones you love!

Amid a busy season of photographing other people’s weddings, Andy & I stole a little time away this week to celebrate our own wedding. We were married September 8, 2001. Seven years later and our love is even deeper than the day we said, “I do.”

Marriage certainly has its challenges, don’t get me wrong. But, there is no one I would rather have at my side than Andy. He is my best friend, my partner in crime…and photography, the first one I want to share happy news with and the one I always go to when I need a shoulder to lean on or a hug that reaches into my soul and makes everything better. He is my biggest cheerleader and the kindest, most sincere, generous person I have ever met. I am truly blessed to have him in my life. And, even though life has been stressful for us these last few years since starting Bello, he is everything that is good about my life.

It’s been a couple of years since we actually did anything on our anniversary. Two years ago, we completely forgot it was our anniversary and only remembered while on our way to photograph our friends’ Adriann & Matt’s fabulous Wequassett wedding. This year, we decided not to let another year pass without getting out of the office and spending some quality time together.

So, on Monday, we did a little work in the morning and then took a drive to Dennis to check out Clancy’s Beach Bar, where we’ll be photographing the wonderful wedding of Emily & Larry later this weekend. Afterwards, we stopped by a nearby beach and spent the afternoon just soaking in the warm late summer sun, sipping champagne and enjoying each other, basically doing a whole lot of nothing. It was my first swim in the ocean all summer and even though it was just an afternoon together…it felt like we were on vacation!

It was a wonderful day and a good reminder that the best times spent with Andy are when we’re doing nothing special, just enjoying each other’s company.

After the beach, we headed back to Clancy’s because we were craving fried clams and fish & chips - quintessential Cape Cod cuisine. Coincidentally, Larry & Emily were there for dinner too, so we spent a wonderful evening with them.

It was a great anniversary!!

I only got one photo off before the battery in our little point and shoot camera died. (We hadn’t planned on taking any photos, so I didn’t have our backup battery with us. Oh well!) I call it “Eyes Only for You.” Cheezy, I know, but I admit…I’m cheezy!

I love you honey! xoxo C

Kristyn & Patrick’s day had all of the ingredients for a perfect day. It was a perfect summer day on Cape Cod…not too hot and the rain held off. Kristyn looked amazing in her Monique Lhuillier gown and Patrick - the perfect groom is his custom tan suit. All of their families and friends were there with them. The ceremony started on time…All was right with the world.

It was perfection!

It was the kind of day you imagine and hope your wedding will be, and so it should have been for these two special people.

Surrounded by their families and friends, Kristyn & Patrick said, “I do,” on the croquet lawn at the ever-elegant Wequassett Resort in Chatham. Overlooking the ocean at sunset, their ceremony, led by family friend Bernie Conlon, was peppered with laughter and tears of joy. We just love it when the guys get choked up during the ceremony, mostly because it reminds us of our own wedding. Sorry for that full disclosure Patrick…and Andy…but we women love a man with a soft side!

Here are a few of our favorite moments from Kristyn & Patrick’s Beautiful Day:

The dress….LOVE IT!!!! If I could have another wedding (and Kristyn’s killer bod), I would LOVE to wear this dress!

What a cute touch….Kristyn bedazzled her shoes with her and Patrick’s initials and their wedding date. She also had all of her bridesmaids sign the shoe bottoms. The superstition behind this tradition is that the bridesmaid whose name is the first to wear off will either be the next to get married, if she is single, or the next to have children if she is already hitched.

Looks like a couple of those names wore off pretty quick!!! Funny thing is two of the bridesmaids were already pregnant at the wedding.

The invitation and the bling…

Kristyn pins on her dad’s pledge pin on her dress, along with her own. Aww…so sweet! And how sexy does she look? S-E-X-Y!!!

I love these shutters in the new units at Wequassett and the contrast of all of the straight lines against Kristyn’s sexy curves. Perfect!

Heading to the ceremony….love the light in this shot!!!

We did it!!!

Some alone time for the happy couple…

Are they cute or what???

Love is the best feeling there is….don’t you think?

Getting down for a little bridal boogie…

A great big THANK YOU to Amy Walsh at Wequassett for being incredible to work with. You are a consummate professional! Thank you too to the uber talented gang at Nightshift, for playing exactly the right music. It was an honor to be there with all of you that night! You guys are a class act!!!

But, our biggest thanks go to Kristyn & Patrick (and to their families) for trusting us to capture such a special day for you, for welcoming us into your lives with such open arms and for just being such incredible people. Your strength and your love are inspirational!!! We knew from that first day at the beach last November, when you braved the cold and let your love keep you warm that your relationship was a special one! We love you guys!!! And you will forever hold a special place in our hearts!!!

We also want to send a special message of love to Kristi & Ella Stone. You are in our thoughts and our prayers!! Kristyn & Patrick have asked that we dedicate this post in loving memory to Gary Stone. We didn’t know you, Gary, but it is obvious that you left a lasting impression on the lives of many people and you will surely be missed.