We could not have asked for a better way to end our 2013 season than with Cara & Brendan’s amazing, love-filled Martha’s Vineyard wedding at the Sailing Camp Park in Oak Bluffs.

It was a weekend long celebration that began on Friday, when we attended their rehearsal dinner as guests. This is not something that happens very often for us, but we love it when it does, because it gives us a chance to get to know the people most important to them in a more informal way. And, as I’ve said so many times before, building relationships is what makes our work so rewarding, and also infinitely better than it would be if it were just a job for us.

Cara first reached out to us a few years ago, after finding us through a friend and liking our work. We’d kept in touch via email and facebook and were super (with a capital S.U.P.E.R.) excited when she contacted us  last year to ask us to photograph her wedding.

The fun first began this summer, when we photographed Cara & Brendan in Marshfield, for their bello love session. It ended with a sunset sail….I mean, come on. Fun! Fun! Fun! Click HERE for a peek.

After having spent such a fun day with them, getting to see first hand how much they care for each other, we just knew that their wedding was going to be the stuff from which dreams are made. And, indeed, it was.

It helped that Cara is crazy for details. She recently launched her new wedding planning business, Anchor Events, and if her & Brendan’s wedding is any indication, Anchor Events will be a rousing success! Honestly, there was nothing she didn’t think of when it came to the details.

But, what really made their day special was the love they share for each other, for their families and for their friends. Love was most definitely in the air, and I’ll admit, I was so moved by the emotion of the day, a tear or two may have fallen.

Without further ado, here is a quick look at these two wonderful people and the day they said, “I do!”

Beautiful, happy, delightful Cara gets buttoned into her stunning Reem Acra gown from L’Elite Bridal in Boston.

Cara’s equally beautiful sister, Heather, gets a little help with her dress from Cara’s childhood friend, Lindsay. It was so cool, Cara let all of her girls choose their own dress, in whatever style & color they wanted, asking only that they choose a shade of blush/peach/pink. I just love that…both in that it allows each lovely lady to express her own personality and because I think the photos always look so much more interesting when bridesmaids have different style dresses.

Beautiful buds by MV Florist complimented the girls and their dresses perfectly, with the peach & pink tones tying everything together in a cohesive way. And, oh, how I love the way the happy chaos of a wedding day translates in beautiful lines and imagery.

Cara’s super sweet dad, Joe, was tuckered out from all of the pre-wedding fun. Just looooove stealing moments like this. It’s real life and there’s nothing better than that.

Cara’s super sweet gal pals gather round and watch as Cara’s besties button her in.

As the fabulous Coco Chanel once said, “Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” Cara, this is you!

Is there any better way to wake up from a quick cat nap than to see your little girl all grown up and ready to marry her childhood sweetheart? Nope…except maybe to see your favorite Auntie looking like a princess.

Sweet, lovely Brendan gets a little help from his mate, Taylor. If he wasn’t welling up from the emotion, Brendan’s face looked pretty much like it does in this next photo all day long!

Last minute phone calls & buttoning up…

Brendan was so nervous and excited as he waited for that first look of his beautiful girl…Woooo hooooo!

Let the happy tears flow…

And be followed by happy giggles…

And promising smooches…

Cara & Brendan got ready at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown. After their first look, we met their families & bridal party in front of the hotel, with the Edgartown lighthouse as our backdrop. I just love this next photo as Cara & Brendan walk to meet the family, and a hotel guest snaps a photo from out her room window above. Our happy couple oblivious of the attention…too busy being smitten with one another.  { Swooooon }

A tender moment with Dad and goofing around with their adorable nephews, Aidan & Davin.

Cara’s besties, sis, Heather and sister-to-be Casey. Casey & Cara have such a sweet relationship. It’s as if they’ve always been sisters.

Cara’s adorable cousin, Kelly, helps her cousin along. You can’t see her, but Casey is back there helping too. Love you girls.

Brendan and his dad, Colin are big into restoring old cars. They brought a couple over to the Vineyard for the wedding, and I must say, they added the perfect flair to the day.

Cara & Brendan added so many personal touches to their wedding, including making a pair of doors that served as the entrance to the ceremony site, and a sign in honor of Brendan’s beautiful Mom, Carolyn, who sadly passed away years ago, but whose presence was very much felt the entire weekend.

Brendan’s proud Papa, Colin, and his lovely wife Beverly prepare to walk down the aisle. I love the way Beverly is looking at Colin. She is such a warm, caring person and was so mindful of the bittersweet feelings Colin, Brendan and Casey were all having, wishing Carolyn could have been there to watch her son marry the love of his life. Beverly is an amazing woman, and based on all of the wonderful stories we heard about Carolyn that weekend, I suspect they would have been fast friends.

I loooooove Brendan’s face and the way his dad is looking at him as he watches Cara make her way down the aisle to him. Just wonderful!

Joe & Holly, Cara’s beautiful & super sweet momma, watch in delight as Cara & Brendan become husband & wife.

Cara & Brendan had a knot ceremony during their wedding, which was beautiful and perfectly fitting for both the setting and how life has kept them tied to one another over the years, despite distance and other relationships. Everything about this day was just so full of love & goodness!

After a beautiful ceremony, led by their dear friend, Chris, Cara & Brendan sealed their vows with a big, fat, wonderful KISS!

You think they’re happy? Ummm, yup!

We took a few minutes after the ceremony to head to the house Cara’s parents had rented for the weekend, which was right on the water. But, first, a quick stop in this awesome little forest wonderland…

Just dreamy…

I LOOOVE this next photo…mainly because Cara could not look happier or more radiant. Both her and Brendan’s expressions & body language perfectly sum up the day. Love. Love. Love!

Although he couldn’t come to the party, Cara & Brendan still made time for their sweet pup, Scup.

The beauty of Cara’s & Brendan’s rings could only be topped by the bride herself. I mean really….

Hummuna, Hummuna.

Loved all of the invitations, save the date cards Cara & Brendan choose…every detail so thoughtfully chosen, right down to the stamps & monogram seal.

The Sailing Camp is a large rustic space, but Cara & Brendan put their signature stamp on it, with the family style tables, fabric draping, hand made details like their light bulb Monogram and old treasures from Brendan’s dad’s collection. Colin deals in antiques and has the most amazing collection, which we got to peruse during their e-session earlier this summer. Honestly, it’s pretty fabulous!

The dessert station was super sweet, with a backdrop of fairy lights and some antique treasures, with the lovely cape by Cakes by Liz and Brendan’s fave…pieeee!

More awesome details..including an old anchor, which is an important symbol in Cara & Brendan’s relationship. They’ve always felt the other was their anchor.

Some of Cara’s besties, Bree & Melissa. Love these ladies!

I kind of obsessed with Coke in glass bottles. If this ring toss game they made wasn’t so darned adorable, I would have been horrified to see so many bottled Cokes not being savoured.

Watching their first dance was like watching a Disney princess movie come to life.

As was this next moment. I had looked outside and the night sky was spectacular, and their ceremony set up against that backdrop was as dreamy as it gets. Happily, Cara & Brendan humored me for a quick photo….Taaa Daaaaa!

Father daughter dance…

Casey danced with her big brother. It was a moving, emotional moment that left many wiping tears from their face. I nearly lost it, knowing what that feels like, not having your mom with you on such a special day. But, I held it together and just soaked in all of the love being sent at these two sweet siblings. Life is a collection of moments and these are the ones that stay with you a long, long time! Ahhhh….

Dance ladies…dance!

Melissa & Joe break it down! I loveeeed watching Joe dance. Fun. Fun. Fun!

Brendan and Holly ripping up the dance floor…

And, to cap it all off, Cara & Brendan said goodnight in style….THE END!

Cara & Brendan, Andy & I don’t know how to begin to thank you for sharing this amazing day with us. You two are wonderful individuals and an incredible couple, and two special people we are happy to now call friends. And, to your amazing families & friends we also say, “Thank you!” for welcoming us in such a warm & wonderful way! Big love & hugs to all, Christine & Andy xoxoxo