Normally, we like to do our love sessions, aka engagement sessions, with our couples as far out from their wedding as possible. There are a couple of reasons for that, but mainly, we don’t want the session to be one more rushed thing our couples feel like they have to do in the busy weeks leading up to the wedding. But, sometimes we have to make exceptions for couples who live out of state and just don’t come to the Cape very often.

A couple of weeks ago, we made a very special exception for Hawaiian hotties, Lauren & Justin. Justin is in the US Navy and unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get any time off before his wedding. But, because we adore Lauren & her mom, Betsy, who we met a couple of years ago, with Lauren’s super sweet sister, Lindsay, and because we very much appreciate the sacrifices brave men like Justin make in serving our country, we decided that since we couldn’t do a pre-wedding love session with these two sweethearts, we would take what we could get and do a post-wedding love session with them.

The session took place the a couple of days after the wedding, before Lauren & Justin had to fly back to Hawaii. We met at Lauren’s parents’ very cozy Marstons Mills backyard. It was a perfectly personal setting for Lauren & Justin and it was also a really lovely change of scenery for us. Here are a few of our favorite moments from our time together….

We absolutely love the way these two are together…there’s a comfort, familiarity and a very deep sense of love that makes catching moments like this next one a breeze!

Great lighting certainly adds a wonderful quality to an image, but for me, it’s always about the emotion. When love & joy are present you just can’t go wrong….see what I mean?!

I love these next two….Lauren & Justin are often smiling together, but Justin has this way of leaning into Lauren that just melts my heart. He’s a big strong guy, but I get the feeling he finds a lot of his strength from the love he & Lauren share and that is a beautiful thing!

love love love this one…..

And this next one for me is my favorite of the day. It just screams summer love to me. All they need is a couple of ice cream cones…aaaahhh!

Joy….

Adoration….

Friendship…

Love…it’s all there with these two!

A quiet pond, sunset and lovers on tiptoes….what more do you need?

I love Lauren’s smile….it makes me smile just seeing it!

Come on…tell me you’re not smiling too?!

Deeee-lightful!

Lauren & Justin, thank you for giving us one of your last evenings here on the Cape before heading back to Hawaii. You two are wonderful together and we love being around you and photographing you together. We’re sorry we couldn’t have done your love session before your wedding, but we hope you still enjoyed the post session as much as we did and hope these photos serve as more happy reminders of this exciting time in your lives for many, many years to come! Big hugs & lots of love, Christine & Andy xoxo

Last month, Hawaiian hotties, Lauren & Justin, said, “I do!” at the West Parish Congregational Church in West Barnstable, followed by a super fun party at The Beach Club in Centerville.

With very little time off as a member of the Navy, stationed in Oahu, we didn’t actually get to meet Justin until just a couple of days before the wedding. Lauren actually stole him away from his bachelor party here on the Cape so we could say, “Hi!” and go over some wedding day details. Not exactly how we like to win over our grooms, but Justin was a great sport about it…and we had beer in the fridge, so it all worked out.

And, like all love stories deserve, Lauren & Justin’s wedding had all the elements needed for a perfect storybook ending….or beginning, depending on how you look at it. There was some rain in the morning, but the most gorgeous afternoon light at the beach, followed by a star-filled night sky. Everyone was in good spirits. There was love & happy tears aplenty, and all felt right with the world. Here are just a few of our favorite moments from their fabulous day…

So much about the military is based on precision and ceremony, even getting dressed. Here Justin gets a little help putting on his ribbons & medals (left), while groomsmen & fellow Navy man, Sterling shows off Justin’s dog tags (right).

I love this moment when the bride walks through the doorway on her father’s arm….Taaaadaaaaa!

The look of love….

Justin was getting a little emotional as he read his vows, which were, by the way, really beautiful and totally heart felt. He may be a strong, military man, but Justin is just a big softie at heart!

Leaving the church as husband & wife….

Lauren gets a big, happy hug from her mom, Betsy, who is THE sweetest lady. She’s exactly the kind of woman you think of when you think of the word “mom.”

And here, Justin’s super sweet mom, Pam, rests her head on her son’s strong shoulder, taking in the idea that her little boy is all grown up. Awwwww…..

I love this shot of Lauren & Justin each separately playing with their new rings while receiving congratulatory hugs from friends & family in the receiving line. So fun!!

West Parish….so pretty!

As they walk through cocktail hour at back at the beach club, Lauren & Justin react to shouts of congratulations from friends & family….

The sky was stormy, but the sun poked through while we were doing photos….it was such cool light!!! And, such a cool wedding party!!! Way to work it guys!

Mr. & Mrs….

I love this perspective…

perfectly beachy….

Behind every great man, is a great woman!

perfection….

Rrrrroooooowwwwrrrrr…..

The moment after the Rrrrroooooowwwrr moment…. Priceless!

Lauren & Justin’s cake, made by the super talented Delicious Desserts, was designed to mimic Lauren’s gorgeous dress…sooo cool, right?! The dress was from Meredith’s Bridal Boutique, formerly of Mashpee and now with a studio in Scituate.

Karen Taddei of Lilacs designed the gorgeous centerpieces that gave the club an understated elegance that perfectly complimented Lauren’s style. Favors featured classic Cape Cod salt water taffy.

Navy flags flew proudly beneath the American flag in honor of Justin’s service…

I love this shot into the club at dusk as Lauren & Justin enjoy dinner with their friends & family…

A little fun with sparklers….

Big thanks to the families & friends of Lauren & Justin! You all are wonderful and we had so much fun with you. Thank you for making our jobs not only easy, but also incredibly enjoyable! And a special, super-sized thank you goes out to Lauren & Justin! Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us to be a part of such an important time in your lives! You guys are so good together and we loved watching you say, “I do!” and seeing all the love filled moments that followed. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness and hope these photos serve as happy reminders for many, many years to come! Love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo