Love can find you in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times. Such was the case for Nora & Josh, who grew up in different states, went to different colleges, had different friends and worked in different fields. But, two years ago, a chance meeting on a tiny island in the Caribbean led a path straight to love.

Ironically, the chance meeting didn’t actually involve Nora & Josh. Instead, Josh met Nora’s dad, Phil, and her older brother, Matt, while out to dinner.

Nora’s parents have a vacation home in Aruba and Josh had gone there with his family for vacation over the Passover holiday. Josh & his family were attending a Passover seder at a temple on the island when Nora’s dad & brother walked in. Seeing Josh & his brother, Dan, laughing & having a good time, Phil asked if it would be okay if he & his son joined them at their table, hoping Matt would have someone to talk to. Little did he know that he was getting more than just a dinner companion for his son. As it turned out, he also got a husband for his daughter.

After a wonderful evening of talking & laughing, Phil told Josh about his daughter, Nora. Emails & phone numbers were exchanged. Curious, Josh sent Nora an e-mail. But, it wasn’t until Matt gave his seal of approval that Nora was convinced to return the message. And, boy is she glad she did. After a few months of e-mailing, they arranged to meet in person, and it was love at first sight.

Nearly two years to the day after that first face-to-face meeting, Nora & Josh, joined by family & friends, said, “I do!” at the beautiful Black Rock Country Club in Hingham. We were so excited to get to be there with them, sharing in the celebration and documenting all of the love & joy that surrounded them. Here are a few of our favorite moments from the wedding…

As we arrived at the club, we spotted this mother turkey with a couple of poults (aka baby turkeys). The little ones took off when they saw me heading into the woods, but not before I caught this quick shot of momma.

Nora was so cute all day…just beaming in a way that said, “I’m-so-excited-to-be-marrying-my-best-friend!” Here she is slipping into her gaga gorgeous Pronovias gown, with her favorite perfume and some serious wedding bling!

Beautiful Nora….

Some of Josh’s wedding day details…

Josh gets a hand from little brother Dan…

We love when our couples want to see each other before the ceremony, for a bunch of reasons, and the visible anticipation you get with the big reveal is definitely one of them!

Black rock….where two became one.

Love is…..this!

Nora’s proud momma, Michelle, looks on with delight as we get some photos of Nora & Josh….is she cute or what?

Seriously…how’s that for a beautiful bride? I’m crazy for Nora’s dress!!! loooove it!

Hey handsome…how you doin’?

love & fun all rolled into one!

I just love when we’re photographing our couples and they look into our cameras and you can see all of the love they feel for their partner so clearly visible in their eyes….warms my heart, it does!

We knew we were going to have some fun at this wedding after we spent an afternoon with Nora & Josh last September during their love session (aka e-session). These two know how to laugh & joke together…as you can see here as Josh pretends to photograph Nora.

Can you feel it? The love & joy?

Love…as delicate and resilient as tall grass…it bends & bows, but if you care for it, it’ll stay firmly rooted.

Josh, Nora & their posse of friends & family.

We were totally diggin’ the scenery at Black Rock. Now a golf course and private community, it used to be an old quarry, so there was lots of fabulous exposed rock and this sweet little area…so pretty!

Josh’s little brother, Dan, and Nora’s sister, Erica…who had me in stitches all day long! Love this girl!

The guys…including Josh’s bro, Dan, (on Josh’s right) and Nora’s brother, Matt (on Josh’s left)

Love this candid moment of the girls & guys while in between posed shots…

Now the girls’ turn…We have to give a special shout out to Nora’s friend, Brooke, (far left) who aside from being lovely in every way, is also a talented photographer and she is the one who found us and convinced Nora to hire us. Brooke was working with Martin, the dad of our former bride, Pam, who apparently told Brooke about us and Brooke passed our info along to Nora. Oh, how we love when our past couples & their families spread the bello love! Thanks Martin! And, thanks Brooke!!! You both rock!!!

smooches….

and more smooches…

Love this next one…

Petals & sand and love, “Oh, my!”

Beaming….

Ruffle delight….

Just married….

Because we did their portraits before the ceremony, we had time to capture some great candids during cocktail hour…looooove when we get to do this!

The clubhouse…

laughter + lamb = a party…

Gorgeous centerpieces by the talented folks at Clifford’s Flowers made the ballroom shine!

Besides saying, “I do!” the thing I think Josh & Nora were most excited about was this masterful cake by TLC celebrity Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro of Carlos Bakery. We didn’t get to try the cake, but it looked amazing…the flowers were so real looking, but all totally edible.

First dance….full of joy & laughter, the way it often is between these two lovebirds!

Erica’s speech, though somewhat controversial, was in this photographer’s humble opinion…HY-sterical (one of the funniest I’ve ever heard). As funny as it was, it was also love-filled and definitely got folks ready to party!

Love these different expressions as they listen to the speech…check out the guy in the back in the white and the woman in the middle….priceless!

Nora & Josh’s day really was the stuff dreams are made of….and to think we all got here thanks to a chance dinner meeting on a tiny island about 2000 miles from home. Yay for finding love in the most unexpected places!

Thank you to all of the vendors who made our job such a pleasure, and special thanks to Josh & Nora’s families and wonderful friends for making us feel so welcomed. But, our biggest thanks go to Josh & Nora for the trust you put in us and for being such fun, warm, wonderful people! We can just picture you two, still vacationing in Aruba when your in your 80s…reminiscing about all of the love & laughter you experienced along the way! We hope these photos serve as happy reminders of your incredible wedding day for generations yet to come! With big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Every year for the past 3 years, we’ve had the pleasure of photographing Terri & Alan and their family as their three children come together from different corners of the country to reunite for the July 4th holiday here on beautiful Cape Cod. It is a time we look forward to with excitement…and, I admit, a dash of nervousness.

Terri is a talented photographer herself and one of her major projects every year is the family’s holiday card. The photos we capture are often a big part of that card, so there’s a bit of pressure on us to come up with fun, fresh settings & poses that make it exciting not only for us & the family, but for everyone who will receive the card.

Luckily, Andy & I tend to work well under pressure. It also helps that this is one of the coolest, most loving, fun, down-to-Earth, just great-to-be-around families you could ever hope to meet.

In addition to the annual family reunions, we’ve also been invited to photograph the wedding of oldest son, Ryan, and his lovely bride Anette. Click HERE for a look at their amazing Wequassett wedding. And, later this summer, we’ll be there when middle child, Leigh, says “I do!” to her sweetheart, Zach, at the fabulous Mandarin Oriental in Boston. We are sooooo excited! Click HERE for a sneak peek at their super fun MIT engagement session shot this spring!

In talking with Terri about her ideas for this year’s family session, she had a concept in mind for her holiday card and was looking for a colorful, funky background…preferably something involving graffiti or a mural. Unfortunately, here on the Cape, there’s very little in the way of graffiti or murals that would be right for this kind of thing…trust me, we’ve searched high & low for it over the years. Of course, if anyone knows of any we may have overlooked, please let us know.

We tossed around some other ideas and Terri mentioned the Cape Cod Lavender Farm in Harwich. As it happens, last summer, we photographed the owner’s daughter’s wedding, which was AMAZING! Click HERE for a look. So, we called Cynthia & Matt and asked them if it would be okay to use their property for our session. They graciously agreed….we love you guys!!!

This year’s lavender crop was not what it had been in years past due to the weather, they told us, but it was at the peak of picking, so timing couldn’t have been better.

Here are some of our favorite moments from our time together. Enjoy!

The dynamics of this year’s family session changed fairly dramatically, with the new addition of baby Dillion, Ryan & Anette’s too-cute-for-words son. It was the same when our nephew, Calvin, was the first baby to come on the family scene. Literally overnight, it became all about him. And, the same could be seen in this family. I just love everyone’s expression and how the focus…if even out of the corner of one’s eye…is all on Dillon. And, tell me he doesn’t know it! So cute!

Can we talk about Dillon’s two snaggle teeth? Or the expression of pride & joy on his adorable papa’s face?

Lovin’ the lavender and everyone’s color choices. FYI…Randi…the youngest daughter in the middle of the photo is a crazy-talented up & coming NY fashion designer and she made her shirt. If we were the same size, I would have tackled her and stolen it! Soooo cute!

This next one kills me….talk about all about baby. And, how about the look on Dillon’s face? Priceless!!!

The family’s newest sub-families….(on LEFT) Anette, Ryan and baby Dillion and soon to be Mr. & Mrs., Leigh & Zach (RIGHT)

These guys really know how to play and have fun together and I just love how Zach fits right in!

What you can’t see in these next photos may have been even more entertaining than what you’re seeing here…Ryan is holding an iPad with Dillon’s favorite show playing and at the same time Ryan is making goofy faces and doing whatever it takes to get his boy to smile…worked on Mom & Dad too!

Family…and a field of lavender…ain’t life sweet!?!

Love this perspective my talented hubby captured of Anette playing with Dillion, while his attentive aunties reach for him. So fun!

The most unorthodox of the lot, I think this next photo could be my favorite because it is soooooo this family! Everyone’s personality is absolutely shining through true to form and it makes my heart smile! Randi is fussing over something on her pants, Leigh is cracking up at her little sister, Ryan is probably worrying about an insect on him, while Anette laughs. Terri can’t get enough of her new grandson, who’s looking around no doubt wondering why there’s a sofa in a field of lavender and the entire family is gathered around. Alan seems to be thoughtfully taking it all in, while Zach smiles at the camera, looking happy as punch to be a part of this fun, quirky family. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!

More orthodox, with everyone posing pretty for the camera…but the one above is still my fave!

Peek-a-boo I see you!

Siblings….there are very few bonds as tight as this one! Oh how my heart doth smile!

Alan & Terri…where the love all began! Beautiful Randi!

Ryan was again going to great lengths to make his boy smile and it was sooo cute. Dillon was totally cracking up as was his beautiful Mommy!

Thank you Terri, Alan, Ryan, Anette, Dillion, Leigh, Zach & Randi for once again inviting us to share this special time in your lives with you! We hope we were a part of helping create some more fabulous family memories for all of you! Can’t wait to see you all again next month at the wedding and to see this year’s card! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

The Wequassett Inn is a gorgeous spot no matter how you slice it. But, Julie & Kris somehow found a way to take one of the Cape’s jewels and make it even more sparkly. Was it the over-the-top details, including gorgeous flowers & decor by the talented team at the New York based Experience and Creative Design, or the fact that it was one of those quintessential Cape Cod summer afternoons…the kind that over the years has inspired countless writers & artists? Was it Julie’s gorgeous dress and Kris’s stylish suit or the fact that Night Shift rocked the roof off the ballroom? Yup, those things absolutely added some serious sparkle to the day. But, what really made the day shine was all of the love & joy surrounding and radiating from Julie & Kris.

We knew when Julie & Kris wanted to do their love session (aka engagement session) at the carnival that we were going to have fun with these two. Click HERE for a peek at the session. Still, all of the love & goodness laid out before us had Andy & me giddy with creative anticipation. Really, words just don’t do the day justice, so we’ll let the photos speak for themselves…

Julie’s crazy beautiful Marisa gown…I love this perspective, if I do say so myself. It’s so challenging as photographers (particularly when we regularly work at the same fabulous locations) to come up with new, fresh angles and ideas that keep it fun and interesting for us and for our couples. This next photo was something I’d never tried before and I’m digging it. Love when that happens.

Julie & Kris chose teal, green & white as their colors, which we LOVED, plus some touches of old, new, something borrowed & something blue. And, their invites from Ceci of New York? I think I died and went to letterpress heaven!

Absolutely loved their escort card alternatives, these super cute compasses, with each guest’s name on it, which fit in with the theme of their invites, with maps and also their save the date card, which featured one of our photos designed to look like a vintage postcard sent from far away. Sooo fun! And, the draping/uplighting in the pavillion ballroom, with fabric and sand dollars hanging around each chair gave the room such fab glam factor.

Julie’s girls get a lesson on how to take the veil on and off…You think Julie is excited about what is to come?

Beautiful Julie…and a little Cape Cod inspired bling.

We just loved these girls….they were so fun, so warm and so wonderful to work with! You girls rock!

Some of Kris’s details…

Love this cool perspective Andy got of Kris’s chain as he bends over to put on his shoes….so cool, honey!

More fabulous details, including the stunning 4-tier cake by Konditor Meister that was a show stopper.

Handsome Kris and his handsome guys, who were as wonderful as the girls! Such a fun group!

Kris closes his eyes as he waits for Julie and their first look before the ceremony…awwwww!

Love & kisses and a soon-to-be Mrs.

Yaaay for love!!!

Love is….feeling just like this!

Our happy couple looking radiant!

Can’t stop the kisses from coming…

Behind every great woman is a great man!

And behind every great man….

Love, Love, Love this next one…their smiles make my heart smile too.

Couldn’t get enough of all the fabulous details…

Julie’s sweeter than apple pie mom, Terri, was beaming all day long! I love this next photo of her brimming with pride & joy for her little girl and all the love being showered on her. Yay for wonderful, supportive moms and their little girls all grown up!

A quick steam before the ceremony starts…

Let the ceremony begin…

Smiles were everywhere to be found…

The handsome fella on the right is Stephen, the dad of Allison, one of our fabulous brides from last summer…click HERE to see Allison & John’s equally amazing Boston wedding. It was so great seeing Stephen & his lovely wife, Jane (not seen here), again! We just love our Bello family!!

Love this perspective as Terri gets ready to walk down the aisle, led by her super sweet son Joe…

Moments later, Julie gets ready to make her walk down the aisle, on the arm of her sweet papa, Mark…

We did it….

The garden terrace was decorated with tons of draped fabric, hanging ivy & branches and glass vases brimming with shells and starfish that really turned the space into something spectacular…

Guests enjoy cocktail hour…

Kris’s nephew was obsessed with the train and police car he was given for being in the wedding….even playing with them on the sand ceremony table…during the ceremony. Too cute!

Making their grand entrance to the reception, Julie & Kris receive a warm welcome from friends & family…

Get down on it….

I love Julie’s expression as she listens to the funny, heart-felt speech given by her maid of honor, Ashley, (aka Ziggy, which we like to pronounce ZIIIGGGGGGGGYYYYY because her heart & personality are that big)…

Ziggy gets jiggy….

Kris breaks down his best Michael Jackson moves…

Some friends show off their Thank you gifts….

Speaking of thank yous….a big thank you to Kalson Pang at the Wequassett & Heather Minicucci of Simply Inviting Weddings for making the day and everything leading up to it come together perfectly! Thank you too to all of Julie & Kris’s family & friends for welcoming us with such warm open hearts, but most especially thank you Julie & Kris for trusting us to document this special time in your lives and for being so fun to photograph and to just be around! Your love is a beautiful thing and we hope these photos serve as happy reminders of your amazing wedding for many love-filled years to come! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

We first met Lindsay & Scott three years ago, at the wedding of their good friends Patrick & Kate. Click HERE for a peek at Kate & Patrick’s beautiful Hyannisport wedding.

Pat & Scott have been friends since college and Scott was in Patrick’s bridal party, so we’d already had a chance to work with Scott before he’d even proposed. This work of ours is as much about building relationships as it is chronicling them, so we just love when we get to work with friends of our bello couples. Needless to say, we were thrilled when Lindsay & Scott contacted us about photographing their big day.

The ceremony took place at St. Michael’s Church in Bristol, with the reception following at the stunning Blithewold Mansion….almost 5 years to the day after Scott & Lindsay first met.

Their story began one steamy summer in New York City. Although they now live in Los Angeles, Lindsay was working in NY and Scott had come out for the summer to work as an associate at a law firm.

“In all honesty, we did not have the instant ‘head-over-heels’ (feeling) that many couples claim to have,” Lindsay told us. “In fact, the first few weeks we dated we didn’t know if we even liked each other at all,” she joked.

Perhaps out of fear of rejection, they tested each other…pushing the boundaries and sharing a sarcastic banter that, at least in the beginning, prevented their relationship from venturing below the surface. Yet, something held them to one another and a few weeks into the relationship, they spent a full day together. Joking was put aside, they delved into deeper subjects, and seeds of love began to take root.

“Don’t get me wrong, we still love the banter, but (we) also realized we connected on a whole deeper level. From there, we were pretty much inseparable for the rest of the summer,” Lindsay said.

That fall, after a tearful goodbye, Scott left the Big Apple to finish law school in Chicago. They left things loose and both secretly wondered if their new relationship would survive the distance. As fate would have it, that special something that kept them tethered to one another in the fragile beginnings of their relationship seemed to bind them even more tightly together with the challenge of distance and they spent nearly every weekend together in either Chicago or NYC. At the end of the year, Scott moved back east, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Lindsay & Scott’s wedding was as much a fairytale as their love story. The weather was picture perfect, the setting – like something out of a dream, and with much love & joy in their hearts, friends and family gathered to celebrate with gusto.

Here are some of our favorite moments from their incredible celebration…

Lindsay’s mom lives in a private community not far from the mansion and she was able to use the association’s community building to get ready. It was such a charming space, with beautiful details that were a dream to photograph, like this vintage chandelier and super sweet mint green wall and matching bench.

Lovely Lindsay was glowing right from the get-go! We were gaga for her gorgeous loose updo and natural make up by the talented ladies at New Leaf Hair Studio in Bristol.

Loooove this next one of Lindsay…the angles of her body and her crazy beautiful gown by Amsale are delightful!

A different perspective…equally as deliciously feminine.

More loveliness, including Lindsay’s gorgeous bouquet by Stoneblossom Floral & Event Design.

I know this next one is posed….I mean, come on…who stands in front of a window like this, but I still can’t help but swooooon….

Lindsay and her beautiful sister (and expecting momma) Barre.

A moment caught through the window….

Lindsay & Scott chose navy & lots of bright oranges & yellows for their colors and it was the perfect palette for a summer wedding.

Scott adjusts his tie….hey handsome!

Love this shot Andy captured of one of the groomsmen’s shoes and super cute checked socks. So fun!

Scott’s gorgeous momma, Rosemarie, looks proud as punch as she sees Scott for the first time dressed to say, “I do!”

This next one is to me the perfect family portrait! Scott’s brother, John, and sweet papa, Scott, give him an unprompted kiss during the family photos. I think what I love most is Scott’s adorable expression and how tenderly John’s hand is on his brother’s chest. Soooo sweet!

Hey good lookin’

Groomsman extraordinaire, Patrick, greet guests, including his lovely wife, Kate (in the sexy white & orange dress), as they arrive at St. Michael’s Church.

Here comes the bride….I’m not sure who looks happiest in this series…Scott, Lindsay or Lindsay’s super sweet dad, Jonathan.

It is one of the greatest commitments those who chose to marry make and in that moment, when you stare into your partner’s eyes, contemplating what the other is giving to you, nothing else in the world matters. Ahhhhhh….

The look of love…..

We did it….

John’s smile says it all…..beautiful!

On the trolley back to Blithewold….happiness is this moment!

Lindsay & Scott with their mates….thanks guys! You all were soooo much fun to photograph and just to be around! Thank you for making our job not only a cinch, but also a whole lot of fun!!

Barre gets a little loving from her main man, Blake, Lindsay’s nephew, (sorry David, but you know how it is with mommas and their baby boys!)

After the family photos, we had a few minutes to take Lindsay & Scott around Blithewold’s stunning gardens for some photos. First we started on one of the patios….I just love this little snuggle. Are they cute or what?

Some of my favorite moments with our couples are when we’re far away, catching them just walking together. I mean, is this a beautiful moment or what?

And this…that light is soooo yummy!

This was a stolen moment Andy captured as we walked through the woods….love Lindsay’s expression!

Talk about dreamy light…..

Be still my heart! Seriously, that dress was made for these woods!

I love this next one so much I could cry…I wish I could bring a bamboo grove with me everywhere I go!

Contender for favorite photo of the day….

If contentment could be defined by a moment in time….this might it.

Some of the beautiful details that decorated their tent…talk about eye candy!

me + Tuscany tables = happiness!

Super cute cake by Confectionery Designs and cookies by Jimemmajack Cookies. Catering was done by the equally talented Russell Morin Catering.

First dance…

toasts….

This next series pulls at my heartstrings, as Lindsay shared a special dance with her Grandpa. Having just lost my own Grandpa recently, I know how special these photos will one day be to her!

Lindsay’s dad provided this family sword for the happy couple to cut their cake. Love Scott’s face (like a little kid with a new toy) and Lindsay’s “Say what?” expression! Priceless!

Sunsets and happy endings….

Thank you Lindsay and Scott for putting your trust in us and for being sooooo much fun to not only photograph, but just be around! You two are adorable together and we look forward to watching where your love and life take you! We hope these photos serve as happy reminders of this incredible time in your lives and we might be a part of the happy memories too! With big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxoxo