Andy & I were looking forward to Leigh & Zach’s Mandarin Oriental wedding all year long. So, when August 20th finally rolled around, we were like two kids on Christmas morning….giddy with excitement.

The reason we were so excited is because we have a very special relationship with Leigh & her family. We love them! I mean….LOVE them. So much so that the word adoption has been tossed around. Our affection for this family isn’t because they are as passionate about photography as we are or that they are crazy supportive of us…although we do love those things about them. What really made us fall for this family is the way they love….big, live-out-loud, fun-with-a-capital-F, You-Complete-Me kind of love. The kind of love that is hard to ignore and makes you pine to be a part of it. And, for that kind of love, we are big time suckers.

We first met Leigh & her family three years ago, when Leigh’s mom, Terri, contacted us to do a family portrait session. She also mentioned that she’d love for us to photograph her son, Ryan’s, wedding…even though he hadn’t yet proposed to his gorgeous & unsuspecting girlfriend, Anette. Ryan literally proposed the day before we met them and the two of them were thrown head-first into full-on wedding planning.

We had a blast at the family session…like I said, this family knows how to have fun together. And, since then, we’ve photographed them every July 4th, when the kids all flock home for the family’s annual summer holiday on Cape Cod. It’s a pilgrimage we look forward to every year.

And, Ryan & Anette’s wedding….it was one of those celebrations you just don’t want to end. Click HERE for a look.

Getting to photograph another wedding with this wonderful family was an absolute delight! Unlike Ryan & Anette’s seaside ceremony & celebration, Leigh & Zach, opted for something in the city…only fitting since that’s where they met.

These two lovebirds met in grad school at MIT. And, ironically, their first date was actually at Ryan & Anette’s wedding. Apparently, Leigh’s date cancelled last minute and she asked Zach to join her in his absence. We didn’t know then that it was their first date, but we could see there was something special between them and although no one asked, we quietly approved.

If ever there was a perfect match, Leigh & Zach are it. Click HERE to see where our love story with them began. Having had such a great time with them at their MIT-inspired love session, we just knew their wedding was going to be something special…and it didn’t disappoint. It was really hard to narrow down our favorites to just a few…I mean really hard. But, here goes…

Some fun details…Terri has a knack for putting together some really creative gift boxes. Leigh & Zach’s boxes contained some fun surprises, including some yummy looking Boston Bah chocolate bars and Red Sox playing cards (these guys are serious fans).

For all her goofy silliness, Leigh can be downright gorgeous when she wants to be. It’s her crazy-beautiful eyes that really get ya!

Our handsome groom and a little bling…

Love the sweet & somewhat nervous look on Zach’s face as he’s about to see Leigh for the first time. Leigh’s dad, Alan, and brother, Ryan, along with Zach’s super sweet dad, Stephen, watch as Leigh makes her way to the first-look spot, with her beautiful momma, Terri, at her side.

Oh, the anticipation…

Love these two together!!!

A sweet kiss…

Zach’s crazy cute mom, Alice, was beaming all day long…..LOVE this photo of her.

Leigh gets a smooch from her cousins & flower girls, Frankie & Reese.

These guys are very much about family. In addition to Frankie & Reese, the bridal party included Leigh’s youngest sister, Randi, Anette & Ryan.

Zach’s dad, Stephen, was his best man. Here they are together, with Ryan & Alan. Taaaa da….

The girls getting goofy…

The ceremony took place after the family photos, in the Mandarin Oriental’s outdoor courtyard…an absolutely stunning setting to say, “I do!” In this next one, Leigh’s parents look proud as punch to be walking their little girl down to the man of her dreams…Love the expressions of family & friends too!

The ceremony was performed by two close friends of Leigh’s family and during the ceremony, they asked Leigh & Zach to turn and face their family & friends and take in all the love around them…it was a really lovely moment!

Even Leigh’s nephew, Dillon, (aka Dill Pickle) approved.

After the ceremony, we took Leigh & Zach off for a little alone time…and a few more photos. Here they steal a kiss in front of the Boston Public Library.

Are they cute, or what?!

Love this spot in the city…

As pretty as the above moments were, this next one is a fun favorite…love all the stuff going on around them! City gritty and fun! Hey lady, how’s your lunch?

While heading back to the hotel, Leigh & Zach were hot & thirsty, so what to do….stop for a couple of beers maybe?

Yup! These two are really into good food & good beer, so we decided to make a quick stop at the swanky Charlesmark Hotel. This ended up being all of our favorite part of the photo portion of the day, as it was totally them.

Love this candid moment of Leigh as Zach dashed off for a minute…

A sweet smooch and a complimentary bottle of champagne, courtesy of the seriously cool hotel manager, who was really welcoming to us and very accommodating.

In a funny coincidence, a couple of classmates of Zach & Leigh’s passed by the hotel while we were there. Go MIT!!

With plenty more partying to do, we wrapped up and headed back to the Mandarin so Leigh & Zach could join their cocktail hour…Salud!

Terri is an architect and a fabulous photographer. She’s crazy creative and we were totally gaga for the details, colors, and really structural table arrangements she helped pick for Leigh & Zach’s wedding. And, can we talk about the ridiculously beautiful custom linens. LOVE!

Now that’s some sushi…

More fabulous details! Love the gray & purples!

Befitting this fun couple, Leigh & Zach’s first dance was a fabulous choreographed number that had their friends & family on their feet!

For their speech, Ryan & Randi did a little performance entitled “Leigh in Her Own Words: A Year of Facebook Status Updates.” It was brilliant!

Opting for a lighthearted spin on the traditional wedding cake, Leigh & Zach has these super cute cupcakes & whimsical cake topper made by Amanda Oakleaf Cakes in Winthrop.

It seems appropriate to end this post where things began for Leigh & Zach…at MIT, of course!

We’re sad it’s over, but Leigh & Zach, we hope these photos help keep your fabulous wedding day memories alive for many happy years to come! We love you guys and had so much fun with you, your families and friends. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us to share such a special day with you! Big love & kisses, Christine & Andy xoxo