We first had the pleasure of photographing long-distance sweethearts Laura & Jonathan when they both visited the Cape back in June. Laura & Jonathan have been together since they met in college, their freshman year, but, school & work have temporarily separated them. Laura is in her second year of getting her PhD in Miami, while Jonathan is living & working in DC. So, they look forward to the weekends they can together a few times each month.

There is something to be said about distance and how it makes the heart grown fonder. Watching Laura & Jonathan together at their wedding a few weeks ago at the elegant Wequassett Inn in Chatham, it was easy to see that while there many be many miles between them right now there is no shortage of love!

Here are a few of our favorite moments from their picture perfect wedding! Enjoy!

Some fabulous details of the day, including Laura’s gorgeous Badgley Mishka shoes and flowers by the uber talented Karen Taddei of Lilacs Florals.

Laura is gorgeous and her unique beauty is accented by her different colored eyes. One is sea blue and the other has bits of blue mixed with brown…soooo cool!

Simply a vision….what more is there to say?

Love this one of Laura & her girls, especially Laura with her little sister, Courtney, who is just about the cutest thing ever! These sisters were so sweet together all day. Courtney read a really lovely quote from Dr. Seuss during the ceremony that had her big sis in tears, as did her MOH speech at the reception. Having 2 sisters whom I love more than words can say, I could totally relate to what they were both feeling and it warmed my heart! It didn’t hurt that all the girls were just so sweet and a total blast to be around!

Jonathan was so cute leading up to and during the ceremony. Overcome with emotion and love for his soon-to-be wife, Jonathan was really struggling to hold it together. I admit, I have a soft spot for grooms who get chocked up during the ceremony.

The guys….so cool!

Here comes the bride. See what I mean about Jonathan? LOOOVE this photo of him watching Laura & her dad, Doug (aka DOUGGGIEEE) walk down the aisle. Minutes before walking his lovely daughter down the aisle, Doug also had a hard time keeping it together. Oh, the love how it did flow!!

I really like this perspective and love the look on the girls’ faces as they look on….

This next one of Laura’s gorgeous mom, Marjorie, really gets me. I can just feel the love & pride pooling in her eyes and I well up a little myself looking at this photo. Seeing my sisters become moms and witnessing the limitless love they have for their sweet children has given me a new appreciation for the sheer force of love that comes with motherhood. Moms everywhere…my hat is off to you!

I really like this fun perspective during the ceremony.

But, I LOOOVE this next series as Laura & Jonathan exchange their vows. There were more than a few happy tears flowing from those witnessing this exchange.

Part of what made it such an emotional day was that Jonathan’s father had passed away when Jonathan was just 16. Losing a parent is something that affects your life long after the immediate loss, and that loss is felt most strongly during these milestone moments. I have no doubt Jonathan…and his beautiful mom, Michele, seen here with her partner, Barry, were feeling his absence in this moment. I just love the way Barry is touching Michele. You just know he senses what she is feeling and is there for her. Such a beautiful thing!

Immediately following the ceremony, Laura & Jonathan gathered before photos for congratulatory hugs. Here they look at their rings and take in the magnitude of what just happened. It’s that moment, when it hits you….”We really did it!” Such a cool moment!

Laura & Jonathan’s ceremony was performed in part, the legal part, by Laura’s dad, which added a super personal and even more poignant aspect to the day. Here, Doug signs the marriage certificate, making it official. Love their reactions!

A semi-casual portrait of Laura & Jonathan, with Jonathan’s family, from left to right, brother, Aaron, his wife, Elise, and on the far right, mom, Michele.

After family photos, we headed to the beach for some alone time with Laura & Jonathan. I love this next shot. They both look so happy!

A fun perspective as we head to the dock for photos…

Jonathan & his groomsmen wore these super cute pink & blue argyle socks. A fun match to Laura’s super cute shoes…

This next one could be my favorite from the day…just love their completely joyful expressions!

And, I love how tender this next one feels. Plus, how killer is Laura’s dress and her totally toned back? Love it!!!

Hey cuties… Laura’s gorgeous hair was done by the very talented James Pruett of Studio 9. It’s perfectly beachy with a healthy dose of elegant! Love it!

Another contender for favorite photo of the day….so sweet!

This little girl saw us taking photos and came on to the beach to get a closer look at the “beautiful bride.” Too freaking cute!!

bleached starfish place cards + some serious bling = ….

After Courtney’s toast, she & big sis share a heart-felt embrace.

If Doug & Marjorie’s marriage is an example of things to come for Laura & Jonathan, something tells us they are in for a long & happy life. Check it out as our happy parents of the bride get down and boogie…

As a happy surprise, Doug grabbed a guitar and sang a little ditty for the newly married couple. Needless to say, the crowd went crazy!

Laura & her dad’s first dance was wonderful to watch. Their obvious love for one another was deliciously infectious!

Gotta love when a first dance turns into a sing-a-long!

A perfect day ended with a perfect send off, as Laura & Jonathan drive away in the family’s British convertible.

Thank you to Wequassett coordinator, Kalson Pang, and all of the other fabulous vendors who made our job not only easy, but super fun, including the talented band Flipside that kept folks having a blast and gave us lots of great dancing moments to capture.  Thank you too to Laura & Jonathan’s families and friends for their patience and happy dispositions as we worked through the requested portraits. But, our biggest thanks goes to Laura & Jonathan. Thank you both so much for opening your lives to us in such a personal way, for inviting us to document your incredible wedding and for being soooo much fun not only to photograph, but just to be around. We loved every minute of your wedding and hope these photos…and the others soon to follow…will forever be happy reminders of this special time in your life!

With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

I admit, I have never been a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. I’m just not a red hearts & pink carnations kind of girl. Andy is even less into Valentine’s Day than I am. But, were you to ask, “Are you hopeless romantics with insatiable appetites for chocolate and kisses?” The answer would be a resounding, “YES!”

I think it’s the expectation of Valentine’s Day that has always bothered me…particularly when I was single. I remember when February 14th  would roll around and I was without a sweetheart. I somehow felt less than. I hated feeling that way, and for a while, I grew to resent Valentine’s Day.

I can’t help but thinking that Carolyn & Brian were likely feeling significantly more optimistic about Valentine’s Day when, on February 14th, they decided to share a few drinks with friends after work. It was 2004, and both Carolyn & Brian were single. Carolyn’s new roommate insisted she join her at a Boston bar, where she was planning to meet some of her co-workers. Brian was among the group and he & Carolyn instantly hit it off.

Cupid’s arrow had hit it’s mark. Score one for Valentine’s Day!

The group had so much fun they all went out again the following night and Carolyn & Brian were once again drawn to one another. They talked about their shared love of the beach and Brian got up the nerve to ask the pretty Cape Cod native out on a date. One date led to another and two weeks ago, nearly 6 1/2 years after that chance Valentine’s Day meeting, this sweet, kind, smart, loving duo pledged their hearts to one another….for keeps!

The wedding took place at Carolyn’s mom’s gorgeous Harwich lavender farm. There were lots of sweet homemade touches, like lavender bouquets and family photos strung along the tent. Carolyn’s friends & fellow musicians/singers performed a beautiful song during the ceremony. All in all it was a wonderful celebration of a beautiful love. And much to my & Andy’s delight, there was an abundance of both chocolate and kisses!

Here are a few of our favorite moments from Carolyn & Brian’s picture perfect wedding…starting with some personalized chocolate bars that served as seating cards. So cute!

These bouquets, made with lavender picked from the farm, smelled soooo good!

Carolyn’s mom, Cynthia, puts a necklace made from Carolyn’s grandmother’s pendant on her seriously happy daughter.

This is one of my favorite moments of the day as Carolyn and her super sweet sister, Anna, share a moment before the ceremony begins.

Brian shares Andy’s taste for good scotch and gave his groomsmen each a bottle of his favorite label.

Purple & brown such a great combo…

Brian with his groomsmen sharing a laugh…including Brian’s brother, Michael (far left).

Carolyn & Brian decided to do some of their family photos before the ceremony, so we helped arrange a first look….

This way to a good time…

Carolyn’s adorable, big teddy bear of a dad, Rocky, walks his oldest daughter down the aisle to her awaiting hubby-to-be as friends and family look on. I just love this photo!

Brian looks pretty excited to say, “I do!” while Carolyn’s Uncle F.T. (Rocky’s twin brother and the officiant for the ceremony) looks proud as punch! So sweet!

Carolyn’s mom looks on with joy & pride…

I love this shot of Anna…she looks so serene and so beautiful.

We did it….always one of my favorite moments of the day!

Let the kisses begin…

Carolyn’s siblings, Anna, Tim & Keith, react to all the smooching….

Time for some photos in the lavender…

While I was catching this perspective….

Andy was catching this one…

Off to Merkel Beach for some alone time…and some more kisses!

My favorite photo of the day…

Sand, sea grass, a warm breeze and a couple in love….I can’t think of better combination

Carolyn’s bouquet…

Some details back at the farm…

Carolyn & Brian wanted to do a large group photo of all of their guests. While I went up to the second floor of the house to get the shot, Andy got this great shot. I just love how you can see Carolyn’s mom smiling brightly as she watches her daughter and new son-in-law make their way to the group.

First dance as hubby & wife…

Carolyn & Brian, Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us into your lives with such open arms & open hearts. Watching you two together and with your family & friends was both an honor and a joy! The note you sent after your wedding was so warm & full of love…just like you! And, we feel so grateful that our paths have crossed! Wishing you both a lifetime of love and laughter and an endless supply of chocolate and kisses! With love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxoxo

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

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

The weather was classic New England today. We woke up this morning, in anticipation of our wedding at the Chatham Bars Inn with super sweeties Amy & Ryan, and it started pouring. Then, the rain stopped and the skies cleared….honestly, a little too much for my liking. We ended up doing photos down at the beach with Amy & Ryan’s families and it was ridiculously bright. But, they were troopers and weathered the sun. Then, the haze set in, which provided fabulous lighting for our portraits with Amy & Ryan. And, then what looked like a tornado over the water moved it. It was soooo cool. A little scary, but very cool. This photo really doesn’t do it justice, but thought it would be fun to share anyway.

At this point, it seemed that the storm broke off into 3 spouts, the most visible is on the right…but again, this photo doesn’t really look as good as it did in person.

Oh, and the evening ended with a rainbow over the ocean and seals swimming off in the distance. How lucky are we to live and work here on beautiful Cape Cod? Super luck! Stay tuned for more photos from Amy & Ryan’s fabulous wedding!

You might remember Meghan & Mike from our love session with them last September. These childhood sweethearts have been working their way toward “I do” for over 12 years. And, on June 19, they finally made it.

This super sweet, family-oriented couple exchanged vows at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Osterville, supported by nearly 200 friends & family. Their bridal party, made up predominantly of family, was 27 people large, including 12 children (I think those numbers are right…honestly, there was so much love in that group it was hard to keep track!) Their ceremony was a wonderful celebration of the life they have already built together and of the commitment they were now making.

The celebration continued just down the road at the picturesque Oyster Harbors Club, where Meghan & Mike danced the night away. It was the perfect summer wedding here on beautiful Cape Cod. Here are a few of our favorite moments from their fabulous day. Enjoy!

Meg gets some help from her mom, Linda…

LOOOVEEE Meg’s gorgeous Vera Wang dress…totally different from anything I’ve seen with a lace bodice and tulle skirt. There was also this really cool detail that draped tulle across the front & back of the dress at an angle and then it all tied together in the back with a silk bow. This dress was made for Meg…

Meg gets a little help putting on her veil, which was actually her mom’s veil when she got married. So sweet!

And, while I was getting the above photo of Meg in the mirror, Andy was across town getting this super cute shot of Mike in the mirror…

PJ, one of Mike’s groomsmen,  helps Mike with his cufflinks….

While Mike’s brother, Jeff, helps him with his tie. Looove this photo of Mike. Is that a million dollar smile or what?

This is another of my favorites…such a cool perspective as Mike rides the trolley to the church.

With 12 kids in the wedding party and 15 adults, it took a while to get everyone down the aisle, but man did it make for some sweet photos, like this next one…

I live for moments like this next one, where our couples are so wrapped up in each other and the joy of the moment that it’s almost as if no one else in the world exists…..aaaaahhhhh!

Meg’s mom, Linda, exchanges a hug with Mike’s mom Laura.

The “We Did It!” moment…..love it!

Mike gets a congratulatory embrace from him friend, Mike, after the ceremony…

While Meg gets greeted by Mike’s niece and Meg’s now official niece, Shannon.

With champagne in hand, Meg & Mike wave by to friends & family as we head to the beach for photos…

Yummy sun flare…

Meg gets help walking through the beach grass….it was tough going with her tulle skirt getting caught on the rosa ragosa bushes, but Meg was a real trooper!

whooo hoooo…..

Meg’s brother in law, Quinn, flips his son, Liam, (at least I think it’s Liam. Liam is a twin with his brother Thomas).

During cocktail hour, Meg and her sister, Laura, check out the foyer of the club before guests arrive.

First dance…

Love this moment during their first dance…so sweet.

Down to the club’s beach for a few photos before sunset.

One of my faves from the day….so fun & playful just like they are.

Great big thanks to Mike & Meg for inviting us to be a part of your amazing day! You two are so sweet together…Mike your speech got us a bit welled up. It is obvious how much you both care about each other and your families and getting to be there with all of you was both an honor and a joyful experience. So thank you for trusting us to capture your day with love!! We hope these photos serve as happy reminders of your wonderful wedding and all of the poignant moments that got you there! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

You might remember Rachel and Paul from our e-session with them back in April. Click HERE to see photos and read more about them.

Last weekend, Paul & Rachel said, “I do,” surrounded by family & friends at the uber chic Wequassett Resort. Their ceremony was held poolside, with the reception following at the Outer Bar & Grille. Here are some of our favorite moments from their fabulous celebration:

Check out these gorgeous Navy patent leather & mother of pearl Giuseppe Zanotti shoes. Gorgeous!

Paul’s cousin’s daughter, Kaitlyn, looks on as Rachel gets ready to step into her dress.

I love how elegant Rachel looks in this next one, as her sister, Jessica (right) and Paul’s sister, Adrienne (left), help out.

Kaitlyn’s sister and fellow flower girl, Chloe, timidly peeks out from behind her mom. Love the eyes!!

Paul & his brother, Michael, get ready…

Paul works in production, so he was paying close attention to all of the last minute details the morning of the wedding…I love this perspective and he passes out boutonnieres to his groomsmen.

Wequassett’s pool….what a backdrop, eh?

Rachel’s sister, Amy, welcomes guests. Check out the programs….they had a Sudoko puzzle on the back…love it!

Rachel arrives, looking ready to see her hubby-to-be.

And, Paul, looks equally as happy to see his wife-to-be.

Rachel’s nephew and ring bearer, James, cuddles in with mom while he watches the ceremony. Sooo sweet!

I love this series as Rachel & Paul exchange their first kiss as husband & wife…

Taking a break from the excitement, we took our happy couple down to the dock for a little alone time…

Awww….

Love those dimples!

We really liked how they handled their cocktail hour. Rather than being introduced at the reception, Rachel & Paul, along with their bridal party & parents, were introduced at the end of the cocktail hour. I love this shot of Rachel looking back to see whose coming down next…

Paul’s dad also said a few words to guests around the pool. Here Rachel & Paul react…so cute.

Also during cocktail hour, Rachel & Paul dedicated a song to Rachel’s dad, who tragically passed away in October, the weekend they got engaged. They asked everyone to join them in a dance. And, as soon as the music started and folks started swaying, the dark overcast sky opened up and beams of sunlight shone down. I admit, I lost it, believing with all my heart, that this was a sign from Rachel’s dad that he was there, giving his blessing to the day. It was beautiful! Here, our happy couple reacts to the sun and all the love around them… Oh, love….what a beautiful thing, indeed!

Some details…

Rachel gets an embrace from Kaitlyn. So sweet…

I love Rachel’s expression in this next one….the happiness is just contagious!

And, this could be my favorite shot of the day! Love love love it!

Wequassett at night! Delightful!

Thank you Rachel & Paul for inviting us to share in this special time with you. It’s not often we see childhood romance lead to a storybook wedding. We had such fun with you and feel so honored to have been a part of such an incredible day. I will never forget your dedication dance and the parting clouds. Everything about your day was just perfect and so special! We hope these photos serve as happy reminders. With big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

Our first wedding of the season took place two weeks ago, when Andy & I left the sandy shores of Cape Cod for the bright lights of the big city…New York City, where we were invited to document the wedding of super sweeties Pam & Geoff, whom you might remember from our photo session with them this past fall in Needham. Click HERE to see their love session.

We first met Pam & Geoff three years ago at the wedding of Allison & Greg. Pam was Allison’s maid of honor. We had such an amazing time at Allison & Greg’s wedding. Everyone made us feel so welcome and so appreciated. We’d never experienced anything quite like it and aside from being truly humbling it really helped steepen our love & passion for what we do.

Needless to say, we were giddy with excitement when Pam called us to say she was getting married and couldn’t imagine doing so without us there.

Seriously?

Oh, and even better, her bridesmaids, Allison (our former bride) and Rachel, were threatening to boycott the wedding if we weren’t there.

I swear…it’s enough that Andy & I get to do what we love together. But, getting to meet such amazing people makes us so happy and incredibly grateful.

We arrived in NYC on Friday night before the wedding to scope out the Ritz Carlton Battery Park, where the ceremony & reception were being held the following evening. Across the street was the park and a crazy view of the Statue of Liberty. It was a great way to kick off the 2010 season. We had dinner overlooking the water and settled in early, excited about what lay ahead.

Here are some of our favorite moments from Pam & Geoff’s amazing day. Enjoy!

Pam is beautiful and she was just radiant in her Lazaro dress, with hair & make up by Once Upon a Bride…

Pam’s dad, Martin, looked chuffed as pie seeing his Pam in her dress. I love this perspective. Being a bit of a Daddy’s Girl myself, I couldn’t help but smiling when I took this photo…

This next photo of Geoff feels very James Bond to me. I love the quietness of it, and the way the light streams across his face. Lookin’ good Geoff!

We’re always excited when our couples want to see each other before the ceremony. If you plan for enough time, it really provides a great opportunity for getting some fabulous photos in a very relaxed setting, without having to miss your cocktail hour. And, since your wedding day will already go by in a blink, it’s nice to have that extra hour to enjoy. Here Pam gets ready to see Geoff for the first time. Can’t you just feel the anticipation looking at the excitement on their faces. So fun!

Ahhhhh….I think that’s how our couples feel when they see each other for the first time. All the nerves just instantly float away and sheer joy takes over….can’t you just feel it in Pam’s smile?

They were so excited to see each other. It was such fun to watch.

And, Geoff’s brother, Matt, got it all on video, with the help of Pam’s sister, Jessica. Where would we be without our siblings?! Life is good!

Pam & Geoff’s bridal party joined the photos for some fun shots in the park. Behind us was the water and a fabulous view of the Statute of Liberty. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Super fabulous bridesmaids Rachel & Allison….we love you girls!!!

Come on now….is she freaking gorgeous in this next one or what? I just love the angles of her body as she holds her dress. Perfection!

This little girl seemed as mesmerized by Pam as we were. She is too cute in her stylish shades and bright red summer dress. Love it!

A perfect NYC evening and a stroll along the water before saying, “I do!”….Life is good!

Glowing…

The willow trees in the park made for a perfect backdrop.

A different perspective of that same moment…

I love this next one….Pam looks utterly happy & content.

We really try and make the “posed” portion of the day as fun as possible for our couples…and for us, which isn’t always easy when you have limited time and zero memory for good jokes. But, we try. And from the look on Pam’s face in this next one I say we accomplished our goal.  Pam’s laugh is so completely contagious!

Wrapping up, we head back to the hotel for the Ketubah signing. This next photo is one of those moments, when the reality of the day hits you. Pam looked at Geoff and said, “We’re getting married.” Love it!

It wouldn’t be a trip to NYC without a photo of our happy couple crossing the busy city streets.

During the Ketubah signing, Geoff’s mom and Pam’s mom share a hug. Awwwww.

I love this next one. Andy caught this beautiful moment just before Pam is about to head down the aisle, flanked by her super sweet and very attentive parents. Not being parents, it’s hard to truly know what this moment must feel like for them, but I imagine there’s a whole lot of love involved.

Pam’s dad gives his little girl a loving glance during the ceremony…

The lighting in the ballroom was uber romantic and the chuppah, created by Diana Gould, was gorgeous!

Pam’s adorable sister, Jessica, glances out to family & friends…

We did it….

The ballroom was gorgeous, with spot lighting on the centerpieces, my new D3S rocked it at 2000 ISO…thank you Nikon!

Love this moment during the hora….Do you think she’s having fun?

The toasts were funny, heart-felt and filled with love and Pam & Geoff enjoyed every second.

As did, Matt’s wife, Vikki. Love this photo of her listening to her hubby’s speech.

And this could be my fave of the day….Pam & Geoff give Jessica a big group hug after her speech. Love it!!

The music was fabulous and their guests danced the night away. It was a storybook wedding with a fairytale ending…

Big big thanks to Pam & Geoff. You two are wonderful and getting to be a part of your special day was an honor, a privilege and a total blast! Thank you for bringing us to The Big Apple and making us feel so welcome! We hope these photos serve as happy reminders of your incredible day for many happy years to come! More to follow shortly, but hopefully this tides you over till then. Thank you again for everything! We adore you guys! Big love, Christine & Andy xoxoxo

After a couple decides they trust us enough to want us to photograph their wedding, we push that trust a little further and send them a survey that asks a series of somewhat personal questions. Their answers help us get a better feeling for who they are and what is important to them. And, if all goes well, that personal connection makes them feel more relaxed with us, which, in turn, paves the way for fabulous photos!

When we asked college sweethearts, MaryHelen and Kurt what their favorite things to do together were, they replied, “Dancing, anything that involves the ocean, and eating.” This was a good sign, since Andy & I also love dancing, anything that involves the ocean and eating….though not necessarily in that order. And when their answer to the question, “What would be unique about your wedding,” was, “The quantity of dance offs at the reception,” we knew for certain that we were going to have some fun with these two.

Still, MaryHelen & Kurt caught us off guard when they glided onto the dance floor for their first dance and then proceeded to boogie on down to Huey Lewis’s 80s classic, “The Power of Love.”

This wasn’t your typical first dance. There were no rehearsed steps, no holding tightly to one another in an emotional embrace. Instead, it was as if there was no one else in the room…just two people who know how to completely strip themselves of inhibitions and really have a good time. It was as if we were getting a private glimpse into what a Sunday morning might be like in their house….dancing in the kitchen in their pajamas as their favorite song unexpectedly plays on the radio.

It was wonderful and their family & friends ate it up, especially when Kurt pulled back his jacket and slid across the floor to MaryHelen’s feet.

We really are so very fortunate to get to see how differently love manifests in different couples. There is no right or wrong way to love, but when you love without limits and trust that your heart is safe in the hands of the one you give it to, well, I’m pretty sure there is nothing better in the world than that.

And, so was the feeling of MaryHelen’s & Kurt’s wedding a few weeks ago at the lovely Hyannisport Club. The sun was shining, the air was warm but crisp, and happiness danced on the falling leaves and in everything around them!

Here are just a few of our favorite moments from MaryHelen & Kurt’s amazing wedding…

MaryHelen in her super sweet Priscilla of Boston eyelet gown….she was radiant!!

I love the way MaryHelen’s niece and flowergirl, Katherine, watches with wide-eyed wonder as her aunt checks her make up, looking very much like the perfect princess.

This next one feels very Grace Kelly to me…

Sugar and spice and everything nice…

Riding in the limo with the girls on the way to the church, I looked down the long stretch of lovely ladies and saw MaryHelen gazing out the window and my heart stopped for a second, captivated by the beauty of the moment and by the sweet sentiment as I imagined what her thoughts must have been in that moment.

Meanwhile, a little while earlier and across town, Kurt enjoys some time with his friends as he gets ready for one of the biggest days of his life…

Kurt & his mates! I love this shot and how cool is that old Colony Park? Super sweet ride boys!!!

Outside  Our Lady of Victory Church, MaryHelen’s sister, JoHanna, has a moment with her son and ring bearer, Thomas, before they both head down the aisle.

I absolutely love this kiss….I love the way MaryHelen is holding onto Kurt and the absolutely beaming look on her face! It’s moments like this that make life so sweet!

The new Mr. & Mrs….

This could be one of my favorite shots of the day…I absolutely love the expressions on both MaryHelen’s and Kurt’s faces as they get ready to drive away from the church with friends and family happily gathered in the background! Love it!!

YeeeeeHawwwww!!!

We stopped for photos at MaryHelen’s mom’s house, where we first photographed the happy couple for their super fun love session one year ago almost to the day.

Kurt & his dad are big into building boats and houses and fixing up antique cars, like this super sexy Rambler…

I love the light in this next one and how about that super cool moss that covered the pathway to the marsh? It’s so Enchanted Forest!

The boat on the left is Kurt’s. It’s the first one he ever built, thanks to a little help from his dad.

Having two amazing sisters myself, whom I adore more than words could ever express, this next photo of MaryHelen and her sister, JoHannah, makes my heart smile BIG!

Grrrrrrrrrr….sexy!

This is also a contender for favorite photo of the day. These two love each other with hearts wide open and it’s a beautiful thing to be around!

We had such fun photographing these two with this very cool car!

I absolutely love the easy breezy feeling in this next one as the Just Married signs blow in the wind & MaryHelen hangs her arm out catching the breeze and taking in all the happiness of the day!

A girl and a boy + a cool car and a ton of love = PERFECTION!

Add a little sun flare and perfection just got a little bit better!

Some amazing details by the ridiculously talented Shama Klee.

Some more fabulous details from the day, including the nautical inspired cake by Delicious Desserts.

This post wouldn’t be complete without a quick look at the promised (and certainly delivered) hilarious dance offs that carried through much of the night’s party. Here, Kurt & his mates do a little move I call the Boys’ Joy Ride. I don’t know what they actually call it, but Kurt starts out and his mates quickly jump in as if they’re all getting in a car and going for a ride…it ends with them on the floor…hysterical!!!!

We’d like to thank Tasha Bracken of The Simple Details for helping make sure MaryHelen & Kurt’s day went off without a hitch…great finally working with you Tasha! Thanks to Shama Klee for giving us some seriously delicious eye candy at the reception. Shama, the designs you & MaryHelen put together for the tables were absolutely GORGEOUS. Even the smell of the honeycomb candles added to the perfect ambiance! I’ve never seen the Hyannisport Club look so elegant!!! Amazing job! Thanks to Scott & Roseann at the Hyannisport Club for always making our jobs so easy! You guys rock! Thanks too to the talented Night Rhythm for keeping everyone dancing so we could get some amazing pictures! Thanks to all the amazing vendors who helped make MaryHelen & Kurt’s wedding perfect!

But our biggest thanks go out to the families of MaryHelen & Kurt and to the happy couple themselves for trusting us to capture such an important time in all of your lives. MH & Kurt…you two are wonderful! The easiness of your love is so sweet to be around. It is obvious that you two are best friends first and foremost and that truly is a gift! We LOVED being a part of your incredible wedding and we hope these photos (and the others very soon to follow) will forever keep the memories of your day alive in your hearts for many happy years to come! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

I know the heading for this post is, at first glance, odd. But, if you follow this blog, you might remember our super fun love session with Kara & Jamie, which was entitled “Love in a Wooden Structure”. Having had such a great time in our wooden structure, we decided we had to find something equally as funky to take photos for Kara & Jamie’s amazing New Hampshire wedding…and we did! We found THE perfect place in an old abandoned fort on the Jackson seashore.

We drove up to NH the day before their wedding to check out some spots. The sun was shining and it was a glorious day. We knew this spot would be perfect. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was feeling a tad crabby the follow day and it rained pretty heavily for most of Kara & Jamie’s wedding.

But, a little rain wasn’t going to dampen spirits and spoil all the fun! Heck, no! After their ceremony at the stunning Immaculate Conception Parish in Newburyport, MA, we had a couple of hours to get back to the Wentworth By The Sea Country Club. We were debating whether to just head back to the club and do photos inside or around the tent. But, Kara, Jamie & their bridal party were all game for getting a little wet in the name of fabulous photos.  So we stuck to the original plan and headed for the fort. How much do we love when couples give us that kind of creative freedom? Totally LOVE LOVE LOVE that!!!

It was still a little drizzly at the fort, but we were able to get some great shots and hopefully they think it was worth a battered pair of Jimmy Choos!

The entire day was an incredible celebration of the beautiful love Kara & Jamie share, both with each other, with their families and with their amazing friends. Getting to be there with them on such a special day was truly an honor and a pleasure! Yes, they are beautiful outside for sure, but it is their inner beauty that really lit up the day with magic!

Here are some of our favorite moments from the day! Enjoy!

The sacrificial Jimmy Choos and some other fabulous wedding details….

Getting a little help from good friend, Bridget, Kara puts on her earrings after having her hair & make up done by the very talented Ashely & Candice at Daryl Christopher Salon in Waltham….she’s so beautiful it just takes your breath away, doesn’t it!? And I absolutely LOVE her hair down! GaGaGorgeous!!!

With a little help from her friends, Kara slips in to her crazy beautiful Anne Barge gown from L’Elite Boston. So different and the neckline on her was fabulous!!! And can we talk about her hair and the rose/feather accent? LOVE IT!!!

Two little rings symbolize a commitment packed with such love & meaning…

Jamie putting on the finishing touches….isn’t he handsome?

I love this next shot of Jamie getting in the Hummer limo….talk about riding in style.

Our handsome groom at the church. It was raining, but that didn’t stop Andy & Jamie from getting outside to get a couple of quick shots by this very cool door!

This photo is going to come as quite a surprise to Kara & Jamie! And we can’t wait to hear their reactions! Apparently, Jamie’s groomsmen were a bit hungry so they had a quick pizza delivered to the back of the church without anyone knowing. Here the guys shove their faces in the rain. Love it!!!

Swedish Invasion! Relatives of Kara’s dad, who sadly passed away when Kara was just 19, made the long trip from Sweden to see Kara say, “I do!” I just love this perspective.

Not even pouring rain could dampen Kara’s excitement as she heads into the church to marry the man of her dreams! Love it!!!

It was an emotional moment as Kara’s mom, Anne, walked her daughter down the aisle.

Immaculate Conception is a beautiful parish and the alter provided a stunning backdrop to Kara & Jamie’s exchanging of vows.

During communion, Kara gives her mom and good friend, Bridget, a quick smile….this is one of my favorite times of the Catholic wedding ceremonies because it gives couples a chance to take it all in and look around and see all of the people there to love & support them.

Jamie & his friends made a quick stop to pick up beer for the trolley ride back to New Hampshire and as a little gift for his friends, Jamie bought everyone a Mega Millions ticket. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t the winning ticket. Shucks!

Jamie bought all of his groomsmen these super fly chocolate brown & white kicks to match their very stylish beige Seersucker suits.

Kara’s beautiful sister, Kristen, and her hubby, Marc (left) with Best Man Fill-In Extraordinaire, Marshall. Marshall wins huge points for being a last minute fill in for Jamie’s friend, Ryan, who couldn’t make the wedding because he & his wife were due to have their first baby. Marshall’s speech was AMAZING…apparently he’d been preparing for the fact that he might have to fill in. Way to go Marshall! BTW…Kristen & Mark also recently had a baby, little Taylor, who is a total lovebug!

Love in a cement (looks like some brick too) structure! Ducking out of the rain for a bit, we took Jamie & Kara in part of the fort that looked like it might have housed munitions. There’s something so fun to me about taking beautiful people in beautiful clothes and putting them in a really rough and tumble location. I just love the polarity of the situation. I also like the symbolism of an old building…you could say marriage, if you’re lucky and work hard at it, is like this cement structure. It’s worn and some spots are battered, while others still appear new. And yet through it all, it has stood the test of time.

Having a moment…bello style

I LOVE this next one! The joy on Kara’s face makes my heart smile! Another great example of the benefits of having two photographers. While I was inside the structure getting the above shot, Andy was outside capturing this fabulous moment!

Again, two photographers…two unique perspectives (mine is on the left and Andy’s is on the right)

This is where Kara’s shoes took the biggest beating….but what a cool shot, no?

Love is…..this moment!

The lovely Kara….

The day before the wedding, while scouting out the area for photos, I found this very cool heart-shaped rock and gave it to Kara & Jamie as a little good luck charm. I think a few of the guys thought I just carried heart-shaped rocks around with me for cool photos. Not a bad idea, but I didn’t….this one was all thanks to serendipity!

Braving the rain and seriously slippery rocks, Kara’s friends rallied to get this cool portrait! Thanks guys…you totally ROCK!!!

I love this next shot! I always prefer those in between moments either right before or right after a kiss. For me, there is just such a feeling of anticipation…love it!

Some of the amazing details of Kara & Jamie’s day…

Their first dance was as sweet, fun and playful as Kara & Jamie are themselves.

They say it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day. Perhaps that is true, but something tells me these two don’t need much luck. They’ve already got all the key ingredients for a happy, lasting marriage!

Okay, so Jamie’s family apparently has a strange tradition of doing somersaults at every wedding. It was pretty tricky business capturing this fast moving chaos, but talk about fun!!! Even Kara went for it with Jamie’s sister, Nicole. And, that’s Jamie’s mom in the middle, with I think one of the cousins. I’m not exactly sure what they’re doing, but it looked like some sort of surfing move, with the cousin shimmying backwards across the dance floor…talk about hysterical!!! BRILLIANT!

Thank you Kara & Jamie for instantly welcoming us into your lives with such open hearts! We had a blast being there with you at the rehearsal dinner, getting to meet some of your friends and family and then again, at your wonderful, love-filled wedding celebration! You two are such warm, happy, genuine, loveable people and our lives are richer for knowing you! We hope these photos bring you as much joy as being around you both has brought us! And like our cement structure, we know your love will stand the test of time. Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo