This morning we got a call from a reporter at the Cape Cod Times asking us if many of our couples were still following the age-old tradition of the groom-to-be asking his perspective father-in-law for his daughter’s hand in marriage. While this conversation doesn’t always come up with our couples, sometimes it does and every time we ask the groom if he asked for Dad’s blessing, the answer has always been, “Yes.”

I’m not sure I was really all that surprised to learn this, even though today’s weddings aren’t nearly as traditional as they once were. But, I will say, I love knowing that guys are still asking. I’m not at all a traditional kind of person, but I just love the gesture that these young men make in gathering the courage to have that conversation.

Personally, Andy & I didn’t follow any of the typical wedding traditions when we got married. Our ceremony & reception were held at Bourne Farm in Falmouth, which is this gorgeous property overlooking a pond, with grapevines in the summer and a pumpkin patch in the fall and marking the property lines are miles of hand-made stone walls. It’s got a very laid-back country kind of feeling, definitely not a church. We didn’t have a formal bridal party. My sisters walked down the aisle, which was really just a dirt path, each of them arm in arm with my dad. Andy’s parents walked down with his brother and Andy & I followed behind walking arm and arm together.

Despite our lack of tradition, one thing Andy did do was ask my dad for his blessing as he prepared to ask me to marry him. And, I was so happy to hear that he had done that. It was kind of silly, considering we’d been living together for 5 years when he asked and I was always certain that my dad was very happy about our commitment to one another and our desire to spend our lives together.  But, I thought it was such a sweet and respectful gesture on Andy’s part. I think my dad liked it too, even though he had long been sold on Andy being a part of the family. At one point, he jokingly threatened that if we ever broke up, Andy would still be welcome, but me he’d have to think about.

Anyway, this reporter’s question has got me wondering about what other couples have done when it comes to this question of tradition. And we’d especially like to hear from our grooms….Did you ask your sweetie’s dad for her hand in marriage before popping the question? And, if so, what was your reasoning for doing so and what did her dad say? And if you decided to forego that particular tradition, we’d like to hear about that too. Why didn’t you ask and was everyone cool with that?

Please share your experiences with us…we’ve heard some of your stories already during our meetings, but it might be fun for our blog readers to hear too!

Cheers, Chris & Andy

PS. We weren’t exactly stoked about our wedding photos (that’s a long story for another day). They’ve been stuffed in a box somewhere in the basement (FYI…not a good place to store photographs. Humidity is a killer). I couldn’t find the box today, but, when I do, I’ll post a photo of us walking down the aisle!

Here it is…

If you’re very lucky, you’re among those smitten souls who have had love sink its sweet teeth in with the promise never to let go. Jill & John are two such people.

Two weeks after graduating college, before leaving LA to move back home to Beantown, Jill was at a backyard barbecue with friends when a handsome guy she had never met walked in and caught her eye.  Sparks flew; the love bug had bitten.

Although John lived in LA and Jill lived in Boston, the couple spent the next year corresponding through e-mail and long phone conversations filled with the kind of heart-to-heart sharing that lets two people really get to know each other.

“We talked on the phone and visited when we could. Jill moved back to LA, so we could be together and give our relationship a chance. And boy, oh boy, did it work out well,” John told us.

Soon after confirming their love, John got a job offer in Michigan and the pair decided to go together. Come this spring, these two love birds will travel further East to say, “I do,” at the Cape’s oceanside Popponessett Inn in Mashpee.

Two weeks ago, we finally got to meet these two sweet, loving, goofy, and completely charming people when they came to visit Jill’s family for Thanksgiving. Jill & John had found us online and after a few conversations back and forth had asked us to be their photographers before we had the chance to actually meet. But, as soon as we said hello, we felt instantly comfortable and our warm feelings for them were confirmed! After chatting for a bit, we put on our winter jackets and headed out to take some photos and see what these two were like in front of the camera.

Needless to say, they were as sweet, loving, goofy and completely charming in front of our cameras as they are in person. Here are a few of our favorites from our time together…

Sharing a giggle…

Jill was very brave taking off her jacket for a few shots…it was bone-chilling cold…though you can’t tell here! You’re a rockstar Jill!!!

Seriously, are they cute or what?

I love this one…I think it just sums them up!

In search of our next spot for some photos, Jill gets a piggyback ride from John….awwww!!!

Taking shelter from the wind, we found this little nook outside Laureen’s Restaurant. If you’re ever in Falmouth for lunch, this place is ABSOLUTELY worth a visit. They have the yummiest food! And in the summer, you can get a table on the sidewalk and watch the world walk by!

This is one way to warm a cold nose!

A fun perspective through Laureen’s beautiful bay windows. I love this one!!

And another perspective…equally fun!!!

Don’t you just love that feeling? When you are snuggled up in a big cuddle with the one you love most. It’s the best feeling there is!

Time out for a little dancing on the Village Green. Seriously…Love it…especially with the guy in the background using his metal detector in search of buried treasure!

If contentment could be defined by a photo…this would have to be it!

They even make warming chilly fingers look adorable!!!

Although they really were smiling all the time we were together, for some reason, I just love the quiet sincerity this image conveys to me. It’s like you can feel how much John cares for Jill in the way he touches her hands. We wish them a lifetime of touches just like this one!

Jill & John….Big warm hugs to you both for taking time out of your short trip home to come be with us. You guys were so amazing and we had such a great time with you both!!! We’re so excited for your big day and for getting you both in front of our cameras again…in warmer weather! Seriously, you were troopers and made our jobs a cinch! Once again, we find ourselves inspired by the love of two more amazing people. Thank you thank you thank you for welcoming us into your lives with such open arms!!! And a little shout out to Jill’s parents, Judy & Kevin, for coming down to meet us too….it was great to meet you both and thank you for allowing us to be a part of such a special day in your daughter’s life! It is obvious there is a lot of love and laughter in your family and we feel truly honored to have been welcomed in! John we can’t wait to meet your clan!!! Big hugs to you all! Christine & Andy

On Monday night, we walked through the ballroom doors at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence for Southern New England Wedding’s annual magazine launch party expecing to have a fabulous time. And we did. But, what we didn’t expect was that one of our images would be this year’s cover shot. Oh yeah….that’s right…I’m sort of a cover girl! The image is one we took at the fabulous backyard wedding of Andrea & Will.

This has really been such an incredible year for Andy & me, between being voted Best Photographers on Cape Cod, finishing our new studio space (more news on that to follow in the New Year) and now a cover page….not to mention a four-page feature in the magazine. It’s all just so crazy.

Since starting Bello five years ago, we’ve been working really hard, pouring our whole hearts and souls into making the experience with us a positive one for our clients. The outpouring of love and support we get from these special people tells us that our efforts aren’t going unnoticed. But, still….a magazine cover? It’s pretty sweet! And we wanted to share the good news with you! Check us out…

The magazine hits newsstands next month. If you’d like an early copy, we’re happy to share our stash!