It started off one of those steamy summer days, when the air is thick, thunder rumbles in the distance, and you can almost see the rain dancing in the clouds. The rain did make an appearance that morning and again later in the evening; and, somewhere between the rain and the rainbows, Amy & Ryan said, “I do!”

You might remember Amy & Ryan from our super fun love session with them last fall. The rain threatened then too, but again, it held off and left us with some perfect soft overcast lighting. Click HERE to see the session.

Like their love session, Amy & Ryan’s wedding was super fun and filled with lots of happy moments that left both Andy & I smiling as we watched and documented. Here are a few of our favorite moments from their amazing wedding day! Enjoy!

Amy takes a moment to play with her nephew, Daniel, before slipping into her gorgeous Vera Wang gown.

Amy’s sweet pooch watches as she gets buttoned into her dress.

Beautiful Amy…

Ryan gets a hand putting on his boutonniere from big brother, Jason.

Amy & Ryan, who live in Virginia, recently bought this super cute Captain’s house here on the Cape, not far from where Amy’s parents live. Can’t you tell how you chuffed Ryan is with their sweet summer pad!?

Ryan’s best friend and co-best man, John, does a good job of calming Ryan’s pre-wedding jitters as the two wait for the ceremony to start at Our Lady of Assumption in Osterville.

Ryan’s groomsman, Mike, peeks out the church’s side door to check for Amy’s arrival.

And, here she is…

Amy & her dad, Paul, share a snuggle before the ceremony starts. As a Reverend Deacon, Paul was doing double duty, walking his daughter down the aisle and performing the ceremony. I can’t think of anything more meaningful.

Here comes the bride….love Ryan’s expression as he watches Amy make her way to him.

The (cheeky) look of love….

After being pronounced hubby & wife, Amy gets a congratulatory hug from her dad…

A bagpiper led the newly pronounced Mr. & Mrs. down the aisle and out of the church…

Happiness is…..this!

After the ceremony, Amy & Ryan, along with their friends & family headed to the Chatham Bars Inn for the reception. The afternoon skies opened up and the sun was amazing! Although storm clouds gathered ominously over the water, on land it was a perfect summer afternoon.  Friends & family stood in support of Amy & Ryan…such a fun group!! Thanks guys, you rocked it!

A little drink to celebrate….

After family & bridal party photos were done, we took Amy & Ryan off for some quite time….nothing like starting off with a quick smooch!

I love their expressions of complete contentment in this next one…

This one very much reminds me of how Amy & Ryan were together the first time we photographed them. They really do have a gentleness about their love that is beautiful to see and super fun to photograph.

Heading to the dock for some photos….

Some individual portraits…

Looooove this perspective! This dock is beautiful and was soooo fun to photograph on.

Taking a little creative license…

Another fave…

Classic Cape Cod…

Cocktail hour fun…

It’s all in the details! Amy’s parents, neighbors and friends all donated these gorgeous hydrangeas for the girl’s flowers and the table centerpieces.

Friends & family captured Amy & Ryan’s super sweet first dance…

I think this next one is my favorite from the day…Amy & her dad get down! They were having so much fun. It was so great to watch!

Amy’s mom, Jean (right), and Ryan’s mom, Beth, look on with pride as Amy dances with her dad.

It rained during the reception, but clouds left as quickly as they came, leaving Amy & Ryan with this beautiful rainbow to cap off a picture perfect day!!!

We’d like to thank Kate Lewantowicz and the rest of the staff at Chatham Bars Inn for making our jobs not only easy, but thoroughly enjoyable! Thank you too to Amy & Ryan’s family and friends for being so wonderful and so much fun to work with!

And, of course, our biggest thanks go to Amy & Ryan. Thank you both for inviting us to document this special time in your lives and for being so sweet and so welcoming! We’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve spent with you and hope these photos serve as love-filled reminders of your picture-perfect wedding for many, MANY happy years to come! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoox

A few weeks ago, we heard from Jenn & Pete, who reached out to let us know that the month of May was full of blessings, as they welcomed the arrival of their baby girl, Julianna. And, they asked, could we come photographer her at their family’s new house in Harwich Port. Uhmmm, yes please!

We love, love, love it when our past brides & grooms invite us to document new milestones in their lives. It’s like coming full circle for us….it all starts with our love session (that’s Bello-speak for engagement session). Then, of course, there’s the wedding. And, well you know how the song goes, “First come love, then comes marriage, then comes….Julianna….in a baby carriage.”

Here are some sweet moments with Jenn, Pete, baby Julianna and the first “baby,” the couple’s English bulldog, Winston. Enjoy!

Meet Julianna….

Is there really anything cuter than a smiling baby? I think not!

Julianna loves her mobile. Would love to know what she’s thinking when she watches it….so sweet!

Okay, perhaps the only thing cuter than a smiling baby are a smiling baby’s itsy bitsy parts…..swoon!

Perhaps my favorite from the session!!!! LOOOOVEEE everything about this next one.

And this cute perspective is also a fave! So fun!

So serious….

Oh mommy!!!

Love Julianna’s dimple and her super cute expression in this next one.

And, now for the first baby in the family….meet Winston!

Hey Mr. Underbite lookin’ good representin’ the family!

Apparently, bulldogs don’t generally like the water because their bodies make it difficult to swim. Winston was an enthusiastic exception to the rule…

I love this one…

And laughed my butt off when I saw this series Andy captured…I’m not sure which is flying farther, Winston’s face or his drool. Priceless!

It is unquestionably a lot of work being new parents. There’s so much to adjust to, but moments like this next one somehow make you forget how hard it can be….

Ahhhhh….a peaceful summer afternoon on Cape Cod where all that matters is….this moment! Looove!

Thank you Jenn and Pete for thinking of us during this special time in your lives. It was so great to see you both (and your family, Jenn!) again and wonderful to meet Julianna. She’s a total doll and was a very patient, not to mention super delicious, model. We hope you guys love these photos as much as we loved spending the afternoon with you! Can’t wait to share the slideshow we’re putting together for you…I admit, even I’m getting a bit teary as we put the finishing touches on it. Be in touch soon! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Years before Bello was born, I used to work a corporate job in downtown Boston…..gasp! I know. Crazy, right? One of the few things I liked about working in Boston was my daily commute on the T. After a short walk and a 10  minute bus ride, I’d get on at the Oak Grove orange line station and off I’d go. That train ride used to afford me about 30 minutes each morning to either catch up on sleep or read a book.

One of my favorite reads from those days was Erma Bombeck’s “Family, The ties that bind…and gag.” Ms. Bombeck was a wonderful columnist who found humor in the everyday experiences of being a wife & mother and brilliantly shared it with her readers.

I remember catching myself laughing aloud as I read about her family and noticed parallels to my own.

She once wrote about family, “We’re a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.”

The older I get the more deeply I value my family and the more fortunate I feel to have such an amazing little band of characters with me on this journey.

An unexpected blessing that has resulted from the birth of Bello is the creation of our Bello Family. Although some of the couples and families we photograph come and go without a lasting relationship, there are many more who stay connected with us. We often get e-mails announcing the birth of a new baby, the death of a loved one or the engagement of a sibling. And, we are incredibly grateful for this wonderful extended family of ours. Although there is no locking each other out of rooms, there is love and loyalty the likes of which we never imagined.

For the past three years, Andy & I have been invited to document a very special little band of characters, who have become a cherished part of our Bello family. Terri, the matriarch of this wonderful, loving group, is a talented photographer in her own right. And, knowing she entrusts us to document some of the important milestones in the life of her family is not only super flattering, but it’s a huge honor and one we accept with happy hearts.

Last summer, we had the pleasure of photographing Terri’s son’s wedding. Click HERE to see Ryan & Anette’s gorgeous Wequassett wedding. And, this July 4th weekend, like the two before it, we had a reunion of sorts and once again captured some happy moments with Terri & her family. Our first session with the family was in celebration of Anette & Ryan’s engagement. And, for this latest one we celebrated the anticipated October arrival of Anette & Ryan’s first baby…..whooo hooo!

I admit, it’s challenging coming up with FUN & unique “poses” for the same family year after year. But, I think we were once again able to do so with a casual style that is befitting this sweet, loving, fun, silly, incredibly warm family. We hope you agree.

Meet Terri, Alan and their fabulous kids (from left to right) Leigh, Randi, Ryan & Anette. Randi, a budding fashion designer with ridiculous amounts of raw talent, styled the family’s session. Although we loved their look, apparently, they got more than a few stares (and comments) while out to dinner and ice cream following our session. Someone actually said they looked like an advertisement for picnic blankets. I admit, I cracked up when Terri told us that!

The kids….

I love the feel of this next one…like an album cover for the modern day Partridge Family.

Anette showing off her barely visible bump.

sweet, silly and full of love….

Hard to believe she’s due in October, right? Gorgeous!!!

I love this next one because of what they were talking about when the photo was taken. It’s an inside family joke, but let’s just say it involves….a camel. Say, what?

This was one of those in between moments, when we weren’t asking the family to do anything in particular and no one realized Andy was taking the photo, and I absolutely LOVE it!

Alan & Teri…..we adore you!

more silliness…

snuggle time…

This family laughs together…a lot! Wonderful!

We took a little break from shooting to wait for the sun to get a little lower in the sky and while we waited Alan took a moment to himself….so cool.

Then his merry clan joined him. Awww….

Love that blue sky….

Doesn’t Terri have such a warm smile? It’s hard not to feel happy just being around her!

Hello handsome papa-to-be!

I love this photo of Leigh…she has such gorgeous green eyes, just like her momma!

Ryan being a goofball and Anette reacting…so cute!

Love is…..a big bear hug from your mom!

….or the company of the people you love most.

Love is….family!

Thank you Terri, Alan, Leigh, Randi, Ryan & Anette for once again inviting us into your inner circle. We love spending time with you and photographing you all together. The love you share is beautiful and seeing how much you all care for, respect and enjoy each other is truly inspiring! You always bring out the best in us and in our photography and for that…and for another wonderful afternoon…we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

We really do feel very fortunate to get to know and work with some amazing couples. Not only are they beautiful on the inside & the out, but they are warm, welcoming, full of good energy and that special brand of love that new lovers share.

The way they love, with hearts wide open, is such a beautiful thing to get to see….and equally as enjoyable…to get to photograph.

Allison & John are no exception. In fact, the way they are together and the obvious love they have for one another is so sweet and so pure that being around them makes me want to drop my camera and throw myself at Andy.

Andy & I have been together for more than 15 years and those intense feelings of infatuation that drew us to one another back on the beaches of Marbella, Spain, are still there. But, time has a way of changing things. We have a history now. We have been together through hard times and glory days. We know each other better than we know ourselves. We have lifted each other up and sometimes, in a moment of weakness, we have let each other down.

The history we share has a way of covering the early passion and wild abandon with layers of stronger, deeper feelings of love, commitment, trust & familiarity. One is not better than the other. Rather, they are all part of the joy that is life.

It’s such a treat for us to get to regularly see new love, in all its sweet, unbridled glory….when the kisses are still new and the electricity nearly visible.

Sometimes, after a particularly good session with our couples, we drive home, holding hands a little tighter. The kisses taste a little sweeter and those old feelings bubble closer to the surface, making us appreciate the journey that has led us to today.

Allison & John did that for us and we hope these photos may one day remind them of this time in their lives and do for them what they did for us.

It’s amazing the way Allison & John light up at the sight of one another. They met on a ski trip to Tahoe, but even the snow couldn’t cool the feelings these two instantly had for one another.

Allison & John seemed so smitten with each other and so completely happy it was easy getting shots like this next one…I just love how their hands are intertwined…like they can’t touch each other enough!

Oh, and how they make each other laugh! Wonderful!

Allison & John live on the opposite coast, in San Francisco. They wanted a setting for their session that spoke to the Cape’s charm. So, we took them to a spot that is special to us, where Andy asked me to marry him and where I happily said, “Yes!”

These next few make my heart smile so big it hurts…

So sweet & sassy and full of love!

The look of love….

Allison & John did a lot of kissing during our session, and something tells me, that’s not unusual for them. Awww, buttercup, I love you!

I don’t know what it is about this next one, but I love it.

If you read this blog regularly, you’ve heard me say it a thousand times, but there truly is no better place than in the arms of the one you love….

I’m not sure which I’m obsessed with more….Allison’s killer legs or those too-cute-for-words shoes!

Like spying a private moment…..love it!

New love in all it’s wonderful glory….

The light at the beach was AHHHH-MAZING! And the pink hues of the rock just accentuated the fabulous light and made the electricity coming off these two even more electric!

A different perspective from the same moment….

I realized when I was putting the photos together for this post that we had very few of Allison & John looking at the camera and I think it’s because they are just so into each other that the rest of the world kind of goes away when they’re together. How nice is that?

One of my faves from the day…just as the sun is about to dip below the horizon.

If their love could be described by a sunset, this would be the perfect description….

As would this…

Thank you Allison & John for taking time out of your brief visit home to come play with us. We had such fun hanging out with you both and documenting your love. You two are wonderful and we can’t wait to be there with you when you say, “I do!” later this summer. Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo

Weddings are about love, commitment & celebration. I’m stating the obvious, I know. But, some couples are better than other at staying focused on the love, the incredible honor of the commitment and the sweet joy of the celebration.

The little stresses that inevitable show up on the wedding day don’t hinder the experience and the couple is able to really be in the moment. When that happens, there is true magic to be found.

Such was the case at the beautiful, picture-perfect wedding of college sweethearts Meg & Brian. You may remember Meg & Brian from our fall love session with them. Click HERE for the link.

Meg & Brian said, “I do!” on June 26th at the gorgeous Winslow Estate in Orleans. An unexpected gem, with its white wash finish, arching entrances, and patina metal roof, Winslow Estate is a refreshing change from the classic cedar shingles of most Cape Cod architecture. Andy & I loooove this place and want to photograph here all the time. So fabulous couples getting married next summer at Winslow Estate please call us…soon! We’ve only got a few more spots open for 2011.

Everything about Meg & Brian’s day was perfect…the setting, the weather, all of the fabulous little details they choose, but mostly the abundance of love & happiness….that was what really made the day perfect! Here are a few of our favorite moments from their picture perfect day.

Meg & Brian chose blues and yellows as their colors and it was so perfectly summery and reflective of the sun & sea here on Cape Cod. Loved it!

Meg gets help getting into her beautiful gown from her super sweet mom, Chris, & her talented sister, Kasey, who gave one of the sweetest MOH speeches ever!

Loooove this next one as Chris gives her baby girl a big, heartfelt hug. Can’t you just feel the love?!

Checking her sassy self out! Lookin’ good Meg!

Kasey and her too-cool-for-words son, Tucker.

Brian & his posse get ready. One of the things we really liked about Meg & Brian’s bridal party is that they each had guys & girls on their side. It was a very sweet break from tradition.

Brian & his groomsmen pass the time before the ceremony with a quick game of poker…

Is that a backdrop or what? Looove this place!

Can you feel the joy?

With this ring, I thee wed.

Sealed with a kiss!

Brian’s lovely parents, Rob & Pat, react to the kiss….so cute!

I love this series of Meg’s niece, Lucy, reacting to Meg & Brian sharing a kiss.

The bridal party comprised mostly family and a few of Meg & Brian’s closest friends…

Brian’s groomsmen Matt & Nate looking unassumingly cool in their shades. By the way, this shot was completely candid. Andy grabbed it of the guys as they were waiting for the girls to finish having their photos taken. Is Matt’s hair the bomb or what? And, I’m diggin’ those 70s shades!

Love the parasols almost as much as I love the girls’ expressions…

Lucy takes a moment for herself…..I swear, my heart skipped a beat when I saw her sitting there alone, looking so sweet & pensive as she plays with her yellow fan and waited for her mom to finish up with photos. Another priceless candid moment. Loooove it!

Come on…we just don’t normally get architecture like this here on Cape Cod. And, I am crazy about it!

The best place in the world…..in the arms of the one you love. Don’t their faces just say it all?!

There’s something about this next one that just tugs at my heart strings….cut off heads and all.

Love is….this!

And this….perhaps one of my favorite photos of the day, as Meg’s mom & dad, Jim & Chris, react to their daughter’s first dance with her new husband. Oooooh, how I live to capture these moments!

Lucy helped her mom, Kasey, with her MOH speech by providing shells and rocks to Meg & Brian. I just adore Lucy’s expression in this next shot and the way she’s molded into her mom’s side. If you are fortunate enough to have a tight-knit family who loves you unconditionally, you are rich beyond measure!

This next one, as captured by Andy, is another favorite from the day. If pride were to be defined in the dictionary by a photo, it would be this one. Check out the expression on Meg’s dad’s face as he dances with his daughter. And, as a side note…he sang to her the whole time they danced together. Be still my heart!

After their dance, Meg & her dad share a hug with mom, Chris. Rich, rich, rich beyond measure!

Next to the photo of Jim’s face in the dictionary would be this one of Brian’s mom, Pat. Pride & love personified.

After the parent dances, Meg & Brian invited their families to join in a family dance. I love Meg & Brian’s faces as they watch their parents dance.

Afternoon weddings are a personal favorite of ours. There is just a casual elegance to them that makes people relax and really enjoy themselves. Add in a killer view, a gorgeous day, and a cold one and well, life doesn’t get much better than this…

Brian is a somewhat quiet, shy kind of person, so when his father, Jim, had DJ Keith Lemire, put on a Neil Diamond classic and hand over a microphone as he busted more than a move or two, proudly singing off key, we had to wonder if we hadn’t yet seen all sides of Brian.

Meg & Brian react to Jim’s performance….

Classic! We’re inviting Jim to our next party!

Just a few of the super cute blue & yellow details from Meg & Brian’s magnificent wedding!

Big thanks to Mary & the talented crew at Casual Gourmet for being so amazing to work with and for taking such good care of us. You guys are the best! Thank you too to the other fabulous vendors we had the pleasure of working with: Meredith Fancy of Fancy Flowers, Undercover Tent & Party, DJ Keith Lemire, and Anne Marie Gandolfi of Digital Imaging of Cape Cod. But, our biggest thanks go out to Meg & Brian and their families for welcoming us with such open arms and for sharing such a joyous and love-filled day with us! We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed being there with you! Love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo