My sister chastised me the other day saying, “I am so sick of looking at those party pictures on your blog. Seriously, it’s time for something new!”

I wish I had a good excuse. I don’t….not really. So, I’ll just say this, “I’m sorry! Really sorry!”

Now that we’re back, I can’t think of a nicer introduction back into the world of blogging than by sharing one of our recent love sessions, aka engagement session or pre-wedding session, featuring super cuties ~ Danielle & Adam.

These two love birds will say, “I do!” next month at the gorgeous, seaside Wychmere Harbor Club in Harwich Port. And, we are super excited as these two they could not be more perfectly matched. Danielle is silly, fun and vivacious. She’s warm & wonderful and you can’t help but instantly like her. Adam is more serious, shy and quietly reserved, though having spent just a little time with him, it’s easy to see there is real depth to him. He’s like a big sweet onion, with lots of layers to peel. And, I suspect that if you’re lucky enough to be in his inner circle, you see a side to him that not everyone sees…and the rewards in that are no doubt rich!

We got together with them a couple of weeks ago. They’re both huge fans of the outdoors, so Andy & I took them to one of our special places and had a blast watching them interact. After 5 years together, it’s obvious that their love runs deep. See for yourself…

The look of love…too sweet!

Love these next two and the way Danielle laughs with her entire being…it’s sweetly infectious!

Swoooooon…..

I got your back, baby!

Our happy couple…are they cute or what?

Love is….laughing about nothing in particular with your best friend.

Snuggle time…it’s like “Hammer Time” only waaaay better and minus the parachute pants!

Wherever you lead….I will follow.

I haven’t said it in a while, so I feel I can indulge myself…..THE best place in the world is in the arms of the one you love. If this next photo doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what does.

The session ended where it began, back in the woods, which is where Danielle & Adam love to spend their free time. The light in the woods had changed and provided the most divine glow. Andy & I were like kids in a candy store, while Danielle & Adam just enjoyed each other and this time to stop and reflect on how lucky they both are. It really doesn’t get much better than that!

Be still my heart~!

hello, gorgeous!

And, once again…as it all began…with giggles & snuggles and oodles of love!

Like something out of an enchanted forest…dreamy-licious!

Danielle & Adam, thank you both for such a fun afternoon. We wished we could have spent more time together…maybe done a real walk in the woods, so Adam, you could dazzle us with your species identification talents. Some other time…yeah? In the meantime, we hope these photos help make you feel as excited about us as we are about the two of you and getting to be there with you next month when you say, “I do!”

With love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxo

Andy & I were there to support these organizations and their efforts to further promote Cape Cod as the Northeast’s most prestigious destination wedding location. The evening was a huge success, with lots of fabulous food, wine by Truro Vineyards, and music by CapeTunes.

Other sponsors included: AFR Furniture, Geek Girls, Desiree Spinner Events, Rentals Unlimited, Prestige Valet, Be Our Guest, Undercover Tent & Party, Ormonde Productions, Patrice Milley Floral Design, Lilac Flowers, Designers Touch, All About Flowers for Weddings, Lady Slipper Stationary, Treats Catering & The Dennis Inn, and Sysco Boston.

We volunteered to take a few photos of the bash, along with fellow Mashpee photographer, the very talented Dan Cutrona.

Here are a few of our highlights from the night…

Awesome lighting provided by Ormonde productions set the stage for a festive evening, as staff from The Casual Gourmet prepares for guests to arrive.

Olive Chase, owner of The Casual Gourmet (far left) makes some final preparations as guests begin arriving.

Delicious snacks sent from the angels at Sysco Boston….

mmmmm good…

The evening’s sponsors…

Beautiful arrangements were everywhere, provided by Patrice Milley, Designers Touch, All About Flowers for Weddings and Lilacs. And the super fun linens were provided by the fabulous Be Our Guest.

A tasty treat from Brad & Kathy of Treats Catering & The Dennis Inn.

Olive Chase of The Casual Gourmet (far left) welcomes some of the Cape’s wedding professionals…

Attendees could tweet live, with a large projector screen showing the latest news. So totally cool.

Some of the fabulous ladies of Wychmere Harbor Club & Longwood Events. Hey ladies, lookin’ good!

Short rib sliders provided by The Casual Gourmet. Yes, please!

Some of the Cape’s warm & wonderful ministers, Lucinda Graham & Nancy Wurlitzer, along with Cape Cod Museum of Art Executive Director, Elizabeth Hunter, enjoying the evening’s festivities.

Olive looks on as Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Board member Bill Catania, of the Catania Hospitality Group, addresses the group about investing more chamber funds into building Cape Cod’s already stellar reputation as a destination wedding location.

Having fun with Prestige Valet…

The fabulous Desiree Spinner of DSEvents…

Courtney Dunbury of Courtney’s Floral Creations in Falmouth and the fabulous guys from Sperry Tents….

Brad Boyd from the Dennis Inn…

Music Maker Scott Rosenthal of Cape Tunes…

Big thanks to Olive Chase for inviting us to be a part of such a fun night of networking. Thanks too to all of the fabulous vendors here on the Cape that make this such a special place to say, “I do!” Andy & I are super excited to be a part of this incredible industry and we look forward, with much excitement, to another stellar wedding season here on beautiful Cape Cod, our special little corner of the world, where wedding dreams come true. Christine & Andy xo

Wedding Wire, the nation’s leading wedding marketplace, last week announced that Bello Photography has been selected to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards 2012 for Wedding Photography!

The prestigious annual awards program recognizes the best local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry.Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards 2012 is determined by overall rating, number of reviews, review performance from 2011, and consistency of reviews from year to year.

Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation. We are super proud to have received 5 stars, the highest possible rating, ranking Bello Photography among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community.

Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of our top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of The Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate the 2012 winners for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are honored to be among the very best photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. And, we send great big hugs to all of our past clients who nominated us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards 2012! Thank you!! You all are why we love what we do! Christine & Andy xo

Although she lives a world away in South Africa, Candice & I developed an almost immediate friendship the day she first reached out with an e-mail. She’d written to say that she’d stumbled upon our website and spent the rest of the day “Oohing & ahhing over all of the beautiful photos.” I mean, how can you not love someone who makes you feel so good and asks for nothing in return?

It wasn’t just her very generous comments that made us fall for Candice. She just has this way about her that makes her irresistible. Truly, Candice is one of those people who instantly lights up a room….even if she’s not physically in it. She is kind, generous, totally sincere, funny, seriously sweet, humble, wise beyond her years and yet with so completely innocent. She is beautiful in the truest sense of the word. She is unflappably positive, full of life and boundless energy. She is creative & fun with a capital F-U-N! If ever a person could be a star, it is Candice….self-luminious and held together by pure goodness.

All of my assumptions about Candice were confirmed when she came to visit us a couple of months ago.

For nearly four years, Candice & I have exchanged e-mails and shared instant facebook message chats, and I would often say that I hoped our paths would one day cross in person. During one of our instant chat this summer, Candice surprised me with some exciting news, “I’m coming to America,” she said. Of course, the immediate reply was, “You must come stay with us!!!” I wasn’t sure she’d actually take us up on it, but, happily, she did.

Just after Thanksgiving, Candice walked out of the international gate at Logan Airport and straight into our hearts. She came with a dear friend of hers, Julia, who quickly became our dear friend as well. The two of them brought with them such love & goodness.

I must admit, Andy & I were more than a little nervous about meeting Candice & Juls. In the weeks leading up to their visit, we would get e-mails and messages with updates on the countdown to their arrival. Candice would say things like how excited she was about meeting “The bellos” and how it was, “a dream come true.”

We were left wondering how we could we possibly measure up to what were surely unrealistic expectations. Honestly, we’re quite boring. Yet, from the first hug, a bond was solidified and the three days we spent together were truly some of the happiest.

Andy & I took our new besties to Boston and showed them the sights, including an evening of ice skating on the Commons’ Frog Pond, which was so fun as Candice was a pro skater in South Africa and had some serious moves on the ice. We also showed them around the Cape and on our last day together, we took them to our favorite spot, where Andy & I said “I do.” Candice is a budding photographer, so we gave her & Juls a few pointers on how to use their cameras and then turned our cameras on them. We had an absolute BLAST!!!

Here are a few of our favorite photos of these two beautiful young women. Sweet, sweet Candi….

Girls unite….

Juls (left) and Candi (right). Doesn’t get much prettier than these two lovelies!

Seriously, can’t you just feel the love coming out of these two sweeties?

Love is…..the embrace of a good friend.

Love this next shot Andy stole of Juls. love, love, love!

The shot on the left of Candice reminds me of a Lancome ad. Her beauty absolutely radiates from within!

Another ad-like moment…

girlie giggles…

Hummuna hummuna…

Sun-kissed…

Besties….

Our amazing day together was capped off with a picnic on the beach (Yes, in November), where we watched one of the most stunning sunsets over the Sandwich boardwalk.

Later that night, Candice & Juls made us the most amazing traditional South African dinner, with a dessert that blew our socks off. I still can’t believe we didn’t take any photos of it! What were we thinking!?! I guess we were just too busy having fun! They even did the dishes afterwards. Honestly, we never wanted them to leave! And their visit created memories that Andy & I will cherish forever!

Come back you two….we miss you! Seriously, Candi & Juls….thank you from the bottom of our hearts for including us in your big adventure, for being THE best house guests ever and for loving us without reservation! We love you both to the moon and back! C&A xoxoxo

Kimmy’s second child, Sadie, came 3 months early, weighing just 2.5 pounds. She was in the neonatal intensive care unit for 3 months and there were some pretty scary moments when we thought we might lose her. Miraculously, Sadie survived  her ordeal unscathed and is now a happy, healthy, delightful little girl, who is excitedly making plans for her 4th birthday in February.

We had hoped this third pregnancy would be much like Kimmy’s first, when her son Calvin made his way into the world at 41 weeks, tipping the scales at 9 pounds 15 ounces. Andy & I were there at the hospital with my sister & brother-in-law when Cal was born and I was blessed to be in the room when he took his first breath. It was one of the most profoundly beautiful experiences of my life….something I will never forget and hope to experience again this time around.

But, things got scary for my sister, when, at 23-weeks, she once again started having problems. As a precaution, doctors ordered her to bed rest. Unable to walk around too much or lift anything, it’s been really hard on her. Me & my dad have been helping out by going up once a week, on Tuesdays & Thursdays, to take care of the kids, do laundry, grocery shop…whatever she needs. And, Kimmy has the most unbelievably supportive group of friends & neighbors, who have been dropping off meals, taking the kids and just generally providing the most loving support.

Still, it’s hard for Kimmy….relying on the kindness of others and having two children to take care of, while also needing to take care of herself and her baby.

As she enters her 32nd week, and we continue to move past the marker of when Sadie arrived, I’ve been thinking a lot about the sacrifices mothers make for their children and how being a mother starts long before our children officially make their way into lives.

I am so in awe of my sister…of the incredible mother she is to her two amazing children, and of the grace she has shown as she struggles bravely through her pregnancy.

I was fortunate enough to go with her to her most recent ultrasound appointment, with Cal & Sadie in tow. Getting a peek at our sweet girl in 3D was so cool and although we want her to stay put a bit longer, seeing her sweet little face made me excited for the day she does finally join the family.

In honor of my sister, of the sacrifices she has made for her beautiful children, and the boundless love she has for them, I wanted to share one of my favorite poems by E.E. Cummings, along with some photos from Kimmy’s ultrasound appointment.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in

my heart) I am never without it (anywhere

i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear

no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want

no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life: which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

With much love & admiration,

Auntie Chrissy xoxo

Measuring 20-28 inches in length, with a wingspan of 22 to 34 inches and weighing sometimes as much as 6 1/2 pounds, these colorful birds are not native to the Cape, nor to the country for that matter.

The Ring-Necked Pheasant was introduced into North America from Asia in 1857 as a game bird and over the years has become an established species over much of the continent, especially in agricultural lands.

Today, the Massachusetts Division of Fish & Wildlife stocks & maintains pheasant populations in various wildlife management areas across the Cape, including the Francis A. Crane Wildlife Management Area, which is located along Route 151 in Mashpee, just a stone’s throw from our house. It is apparently a popular area for hunting. I really can’t imagine killing one of these beautiful creatures…

A cool pheasant fact: In very bad weather, pheasants are known to stay on a roost for several days without eating. So glad I’m not a pheasant. Then again, with their diet, what are they really missing.

Pheasants eat seeds, especially cultivated grain, grasses, leaves, roots, wild fruits and nuts, and insects. We’ve seen ring-necked pheasants in our yard before and I like to think it’s because Andy has a lot of bird feeders all over…but maybe today’s visit was due to our inattention to the fallen leaves. See honey…it was good to wait another week before raking!

Whatever the reason for his visit, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that this little guy stays safe. Thanks for visiting little buddy….you’re welcome here anytime!

Don’t get me wrong…Andy & I feel pretty confident that the work we do makes our clients happy, and we don’t expect the reaction to be any different when our subject is another photographer…it’s just that knowing our subject is a photographer themselves does somehow turn the heat up a bit.

As intimidating as it can be, it’s also really flattering, and especially so when the photographer is willing to trust you with the thing they value most in the world…their family…particularly when the photographer has been in the business longer than you and has a very solid reputation for being one of the best in the industry.

Yes, the heat was turned up pretty high two weeks ago, when we photographed Brewster photographer extraordinaire, Amy Dykens, at her beautiful home and with her two gorgeous boys, Charlie & James. It was especially nice that it was Charlie’s birthday and we got to celebrate that with him and his family.

Amy was interested in getting some portraits of herself, which we think is wonderful and something we really need to do ourselves. It’s quite pitiful how few photos we have of the two of us…like a landscaper with a bare lawn.

Amy’s home studio is gorgeous and offered beautiful window light….exactly how we like it. Here are a few of our favorite pics of this sweet, unassuming, talented, beautiful lady…

Slightly more serious….still oh so pretty.

The birthday boy, Charlie, with his momma & little bro, James. Are they cute or what?

With their land abutting Nickerson State Park, Amy & her boys often go for long walks in the woods…so we decided to join them, but before we left, James gets playful with his brother’s super cool hat.

The beech trees were in full bloom. The color was spectacular.

James, Amy & Charlie prepare to jump off a fallen tree limb for a more candid family portrait. Love the giggles!

Way to catch some air, birthday boy!

With my sisters and so many of my friends now mothers, I have a much more profound appreciation for just how special the bond of mother & child is….when I see moms with their children my heart beats a little stronger. I hope these next couple of photos of Amy with her boys do the same for her…

Not only are they super close, but they’re also super cool!

Love, love, love this next candid moment as James snuggles with his mom and watches as his big brother gets his moment in the spotlight. Having spent just a little time with him, it is obvious that James is an incredibly sweet boy and I can’t help but think that just comes shining through in this next shot…

This next one is what was happening while James & Amy were looking on. I just looooove the colors of the leaves and the sunlight peeking through, providing a dramatic spotlight on Charley’s handsome 14-year-old face! Model scouters sit up & take notice…this boy has got a face that was made to be photographed.

Next, Amy & James had their turn in the spotlight. Oh, the joyful smiles…how they are contagious!

Something a bit more dramatic. Charley is learning to play the guitar and James plays piano…should Amy ever decide to trade in her camera for a microphone and start a band, I’m thinking this would make a great album cover, no?

Or perhaps this moodier version in black & white…

Amy has the most amazing collection of rocks. I’ve never thought much about rocks, but Amy has tons of beautiful heart shaped and striped rocks that force you to sit up and take notice. As does Charley, in this next portrait with his cool cap and piercing green eyes. This boy puts the cool in cucumber.

Playing with leaves….love the joyful expressions!

And these too….so fun!

But these next couple take the cake as my personal favorites of the day…without prompting, they all just grabbed onto one another….Aaaahhhhh, be still my momma-lovin’ heart!

Love, love, love this next one of sweet baby James and his soulful blue eyes!

Snuggling doesn’t get much better than this…

Amy, thank you so very much for entrusting us to capture this special time in your lives, for sharing your beautiful boys with us and for making us feel so completely at ease! It was so great spending this quality time with all of you! We hope you love these photos as much as we loved our time together. Special thanks too to Charley . We really appreciate you taking time out of your b-day celebration to humor us (and your mom) with some more photos…oh, the trials of being the child of a photographer! Thanks too to James for sticking with us longer than you probably would have liked. We really appreciate all of you and feel so honored that you called on us, Amy! We hope we lived up to your expectations. With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo

Two weeks ago, we headed up to Boston to hang with and photograph super sweeties, Lindsay & Chris. Like us, Lindsay & Chris also have an affinity for autumn. “I love fall, especially as it leads into holiday season….fires, family & good food = heaven!” Lindsay told us. We couldn’t agree more and thought this a perfect time for Lindsay & Chris’s love session.

The bello love session, aka engagement session, is something we like to do with all of our couples as it’s a great way for all of us to get to know each other before their wedding. Let’s face it….not everyone loves being photographed, particularly by two photographers they’ve only met once before, and especially if it means public displays of affection…which, of course, weddings do!

So, we think of these sessions as a practice run, a chance for all of us to get to know each other better, to warm up to one another and to let down our guards for a mutual exchange that inevitably results in lots of love & goodness…and hopefully some fabulous moments captured in beautiful imagery.

Lindsay & Chris’s session was everything we hoped it would be. We met them at their home, on one of the prettiest streets in South Boston. We choose this location after they shared with us that one of their favorite things to do together is to go for walks around their neighborhood, which, by the way, is super cute.

Peppered with great little restaurants, cute boutiques and the kind of happy hustle & bustle that the fringe areas of the city offer, their neighborhood provided the perfect backdrop for documenting love in the fall. To make it more fun, we decided to hit some of the places they most enjoy being together. Below are a few of our favorite moments with these two sweethearts!

As fate would have it, our afternoon together was one of those quintessential fall afternoons. The air was cool, but warm enough to head out without a sweater and the leaves on their street were at their peak.

One of their favorite spots for a good cup o’joe or a little tummy treat is the South End Buttery…so cute! And, ooh, the smells coming out of this popular spot were drool inspiring!

We jumped inside the dinner section of the Buttery for a couple of quick shots. It was early in the day, so it wasn’t opened for dinner service yet, which was great for capturing some private snuggles…

Next we headed to Coppa, one of their favorite spots for dinner…

While Lindsay & Chris enjoyed a drink and a giggle, we ran around documenting their time together…

I don’t know why, but some of my favorite shots of our fabulous couples are those in between moments, like this next one, as Lindsay & Chris walk down the street to our next location…And, can we talk about the super sweet sun flare. Looooove fall light almost as much as the colors!

Hi cuties…

Nothing says fall like a playful leaf fight…

two cuties cuddling + fallen leaves = heaven!

The look of love…

A stolen moment through some beautiful wrought iron…swoooooon!

Love & kisses…

Fall perfection!

Falling in love….

These next couple were taken on Lindsay & Chris’s front stoop and in their street….fall doesn’t get much better than this.

Ivy cuddles…

We ended our session with a little street walking…southie style.

Lindsay & Chris…thank you both for showing us around your neighborhood and for being so much fun to spend time with and to photograph! Your love is a tender & beautiful thing and we can’t wait to document your wedding next summer! With big love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxo

A few years after graduating from college, I packed a backpack and headed off on a cross country adventure, via Amtrak. I had been working in human resources for one of the major banks…BORING with a capital B! Uncertain of where I wanted my life to go, but pretty certain that I didn’t like the current path I was on, I quit my job and headed out to “find myself” or at least find some adventure.

I planned out a route that led me from Boston to Denver, Denver to Santa Fe, Santa Fe to Phoenix and finally Phoenix to San Francisco. I met so many fabulous & interesting people riding the train those few weeks and saw such beautiful places and parts of the country I had never seen before. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

For Kim & Jamie, the train is where they found love….glorious, I-can’t-live-without-you LOVE! It all began when two unsuspecting people boarded a train bound for Connecticut. Kim was moving back home from New York after being laid off from her job in the city. Having to pick up her life and move meant lots of trips back and forth on the train.

One day while riding back to CT, a handsome young man sat in the seat next to her and they began to chat. Jamie had just got off work and was also on his way home to CT. For the next hour, they talked about everything.

As they shared stories, Kim felt a connection and wondered if he might ask for her phone number. Just as the ride was about to end, he did. Although, she wasn’t one to give out her number, something about Jamie made her reconsider.

“I just remember him being really charming and cute and funny, so I figured I’d give him a chance….and the rest is history,” Kim told us.

“At first sight, I knew that I would love to get to know this person,” Jamie explained. “As time went on, she continued to become everything that I was looking for in a partner. It wasn’t long before I realized how compatible we were for each other and just knew she was the one.”

Super cute, right?!

Andy & I just loved the story of how Kim & Jamie met and wanted to incorporate it into their love session…and what better way than with an old train car. Here are a few of our favorite moments from our time with these sweethearts, who will say, “I do!” this spring in Chatham.

AAAAALLLLL ABOARD!!

A little choo choo smoochin’…

Hey baby….ride this train often?

Happiness is….finding love in the most unexpected places!

Swoooooon…..Love the light, love Kim’s beautiful love-filled expression, love everything about this moment!

Seriously….are they cute or what?

Another delicious moment…just love Jamie’s seriously happy expression in this next one!

If you’ve visited this blog before, you’ve probably heard me say this (more than once)….There truly is no better place in the world, than in the arms of the one you love. Love, comfort, safe & secure…it’s all there in this embrace!

This one too….dreamy!!!

The look of love…

Okay, so they didn’t meet on the MASS trains, but still…pretty cute, no?

Love Kim’s expression & posture in this next one…so deliciously girl-in-love!

Fun, fun, fun…

S.e.x.y!!!!

Where two paths come together as one….so symbolically befitting!

After spending some time with the trains, we decided to mix things up a bit and headed off for some more fun with our sweethearts…

Couples who laugh together, stay together….

laugh & play….color me fun!

Sitting on the dock of the bay….no wastin’ time here…just snuggling goodness!

Kim & Jamie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to come see us! Thank you too for sharing your beautiful story with us and for inviting us to be a part of this exciting time in your lives. We’ve had so much fun with you already and look forward, with great excitement, to being there with you as you embark on this next love-filled chapter in your lives! With love & hugs, Chris & Andy xo

It read, “Hi! I adore you guys (I’ve been stalking your blog for ages now). Your work is beautiful, but you two just seem really fun too! Brian and I live in Annapolis, MD, but I grew up spending summers on the Cape. Cape Cod is my “happy place” and means so much to me. This weekend (Thanksgiving day, to be exact), Brian surprised me by flying up to the Cape (I thought he’d be in PA with his family, while I was on CC with mine) and proposed on Millway Beach in Barnstable, near our family house. We couldn’t be more excited! You are quite literally the first vendors of any type I am contacting. I wanted to see if you have any availability for Sept. of 2011. We haven’t nailed down a date or location yet, but I knew I loved your work and wanted to find out about possible dates and costs, etc. Sorry for sending the longest message ever, but I look forward to hearing back from you… Thanks so much! Rachel (& Brian)”

Immediately, I felt a warm, fuzzy feeling for this super sweet and flatteringly enthusiastic couple. We try to respond quickly to all inquiries, but with Rachel’s, I wrote back instantly. Being that excited about possibly working with us will get you everywhere with me…I’m shameless that way.

Rachel & I exchanged about six e-mails within just a couple of hours and like that….she had me at “Hello!”

Over the months that followed, Rachel & I wrote each other….a lot. Her messages were always filled with such love & goodness; just seeing her name in my inbox would put a smile on my face.

It’s amazing to me how Bello is about so much more than just taking pretty photos. The relationships we build with our fabulous couples & families not only make what we do infinitely more enjoyable for us…and hopefully for them, but ultimately it is because of these deep & often lasting relationships that our work elicits the kind of reaction Rachel expressed in her first message to us.

Unfortunately for us, Rachel & Brian live in Maryland, so we didn’t actually get to meet them in person until the week of their wedding. Right away, it was like getting together with old friends and we just knew that we were going to have a great time watching them say and celebrate two very big little words….”I do!”

As it should have been for this wonderful couple, it was a picture perfect day here on beautiful Cape Cod. Rachel was stunning. Brian was dapper. And love radiated all around them! Their wedding was over 7 years in the making and friends & family were visibly excited. Here are a few of our favorite moments from their very special day…

Like me, Rachel is mad for life’s little details….including this super cute hanger she got online. Loved this perspective from the window of the house Rachel & Brian rented for them and some friends to stay in the week of the wedding.

Shannon from Wedding Tresses works her magic on Rachel…who was beaming like this all day long!

I’m not sure what it is that I like so much about this next shot of Brian, except that it just feels so much like him…cool, calm & collected.

Some of Brian’s friends enjoy their time together while getting ready for the ceremony…

Rachel chose these super cute teal dangling earring to be her something blue. They also happened to match her teal & green wedding color scheme. Is she radiant or what?!!

Brian’s brother, Matt (left), and good friend, Pat, get ready….

Rachel heads out to see Brian for their “first look” moment…

Brian waits…Is he adorable or what?!

Love this next shot of Rachel….her body language and the excited/nervous look on her face as she peeks around the corner to see her soon-to-be hubby.

The first look….oh, how the love it did flow!

Same moment from another perspective…can you tell which one was taken by me and which was taken by Andy??

The look of love….

Again, another perspective from roughly the same time…

The gang’s all here! Rachel & Brian rented the Windmill House in Yarmouthport for them & some of their friends to stay in during the week of the wedding. It made for the perfect backdrop for photos. We absolutely LOVED this fun group of friends. They were up for anything and made our jobs an absolute blast! Thanks guys…you rock!

Besties…Brian’s brother, Matt, with Rachel’s MOH, Kim. And on the right, Sara….stand-in officiant extraordinaire with Brian’s good friend, Pat.

A close of up some of the gals (Val & Lauren) & their heart-shaped glasses…so fun & fabulous.

All of the girls…such beautiful ladies inside & out!

The guys with their main man, Brian.

Brian’s super sweet niece, Olivia, performed her flower girl duties like a champ. Love the expressions of the guests as they watch her make her way down the aisle. And, can we talk about the adorable banner Rachel & her ridiculously talented mom, Linda, made? AMAZING!

Brian’s good friend Matt (aka Hunter) was a great sport when it came to his role as adult ring bearer. Rachel’s  mom, Linda, hand made the super-sized pillow for him to carry. Again, love the guests reactions as Matt makes his way down the aisle, most especially the beaming smile on the face of Rachel’s super sweet Nana (in the back). She almost didn’t make it to the wedding because she wasn’t feeling well, but the love she obviously had for her granddaughter carried her through. Sadly, Nana passed away just a couple of weeks after the wedding. Our hearts go out to Rachel, her mom Linda and the whole family. (hugs!)

Love this next moment….can’t you feel the joy as Rachel recites her vows and Brian takes it all in? Lovely!

This next one really tugs at my heart-strings. It is such a beautifully emotional moment, standing in front of the person you love most in the world, pledging your heart and a lifetime of commitment to them, while your family & friends watch in support. Sometimes the emotions bubble to the surface in the most wonderful way! LOVE!

Rachel has a pretty nifty party trick…she can saber a champagne bottle. She showed off her skills at the end of the ceremony, sealing the deal and kicking off the celebration! Sooo fun!

We did it!

Some of Rachel & Brian’s fabulous details, including the bridesmaids’ beautiful bouquets by Petals by the Sea. The invitations were custom designed by Rachel with the help of Jessica Zwirble of Poundcake Press. And once again, mom, Linda, hit a home run with her hand-made bean bags for the cornhole board Brian built.

Following the ceremony, we took Rachel & Brian to the beach for a couple of quick photos just as the sun was setting. It was heavenly. Oh, and I’m a sucker for succulents in wedding flowers. Love, love, love!

Love is…being willing to walk in swampy beach grass barefoot for a photo!

Banded together…forever!

As they were heading out of the grass, Rachel let out a resounding “Whooo hooo!” Funny how that happens soon after the ceremony is over. It suddenly hits you….”I’m married and you & me are going to be together forever!” Yup, that’s Whoooo hooo worthy!

In the lifeguard chair for a couple of shots. Do you think Rachel & Brian are happy? Oh, yeah!

Bellisima….

Absolutely love the light in this next shot and the way Rachel & Brian are looking at each other. Delicious!

More deliciousness….

I realized while culling through the images looking for special ones for the blog that Rachel & Brian were looking at each other like this quite a lot. Maybe it’s having been together for so long or maybe it’s just being filled with such love & joy. Whatever the reason, there is something very sweet and very tender in their exchange and we just love that!

Some fabulous reception details…including the hand-made table runners by the fabulous Linda, the matching place card board and Hunter’s special pillow. Rachel & Brian didn’t opt for a traditional wedding cake, instead they got this super cute mini cake (love the pedestal and little banners made from the wedding fabric) for them to cut and then had the most scrumdelicious ice cream cupcakes (yes, you heard right…ice cream cupcakes…talk about a brilliant idea) from Stone Cold Creamery. The guests gobbled them up. Okay…I admit it, we indulged in one ourselves. Mmmmmmmm good!

The wedding was held in the backyard of Rachel’s aunt’s & uncle’s Yarmouthport home. We just loved the way Undercover Tent worked the family pool into the reception area. It was very pretty & provided a dramatic feel to the space. Fortunately, no one fell in.

Matt gives a very sweet, heartfelt and funny speech. Love Rachel & Brian’s reaction.

They also had a Cape Cod Photobooth for guests to take photos and put in a scrapbook. It was a big hit with the guests (and Rachel & Brian!). We also had fun pulling back the curtain for a sneak peek at folks enjoying themselves…

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who always make our work not feel like work…especially Sarah at The Casual Gourmet for taking such good care of us. A special thank you to Gordon Ryan for pitching in and giving us a hand when we really needed it! Thank you Ryan…you rock!

Rachel & Brian…what can we say to you? Your wedding was everything we knew it would be and more! We absolutely loved finally meeting you both in person and getting to know you, your wonderful families and friends. Thank you for entrusting us with documenting such an important time in your lives, especially having made that decision without having met us. Being there with you, sharing in your wedding, was such a treat and we hope these photos and the others soon to follow help keep the memories alive for many MANY happy years to come! Thank you too for being so much fun to photograph….”not photogenic.”???? You’re crazy!!! We adore you both and Rachel…I hope we still keep exchanging wonderful, love-filled e-mail! With big love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxo

Normally, it can take our couples a while to warm up to the idea of being photographed, to let down their guard and just have fun with it. But, not Julia & John. They opened up immediately and gave us front row seats to who they are and how much they love each other. It was heavenly! Click HERE for a look.

When the session was over, we began counting down the days till their wedding, as we knew it was going to be something special. And indeed it was. Julia put a lot of care & thought into all of the details of the day and it all came together brilliantly. And, John…John was just itching to celebrate.

It’s always hard trying to summarize a fabulous day in just a few photos, but here are some of our favorite details and moments of love & fun…

Hope you’re wearing shades, because this bling shot is blinding…

John’s beautiful niece Brooke…

Julia is stunning and moves with such grace & elegance. Just love these next few moments as she slips into her gorgeous Selia Yang dress, then checks herself out in the bathroom mirror….swoooon!

And, can we talk about her fabulous hair, styled by the super talented Stacey Kuehn.

Julia gets some positive feedback from her beautiful friends, Helen (left) and Kristen (right).

The flowers by Lilac Florals were beautiful…though not quite as much as flower girl extraordinaire, Ashleigh, John’s other niece.

John’s best man, Michael, tying his tie…

The happy groom….John’s dad passed away several years ago from ALS and he wears this bracelet in memory of his dad.

Michael shares some snuggle time with his super cute daughter.

A little arm wrestling to pass the time…

Julia gave John this super cool watch as a wedding present.

Like a lot of our couples this year, Julia & John opted to see each other before the ceremony, so they could enjoy their cocktail hour with their family & friends….and also to help settle their nerves. Love this moment just before and just after seeing each other for the first time…

Can’t you just feel the love???

The guys do a little first look documenting with their phones…

Julia & her girls & John and his guys…

The gang’s all here…

We had a good chunk of time to do some photos with just Julia & John on their own, which was something we’d been looking forward to since their love session earlier this summer. And here’s why….

It really was THE perfect late September afternoon. The weather was spectacular and all felt right with the world…love the way Julia’s legs look in this next shot as we walk to the next location…tres sexy!

Delicious fall light…Mmmmmm, good!

Love, love, love…

Down to the water for some more snuggling in the yummy late day fall light…

These two laugh a lot together….and we love that!

They also do sexy really well too…

This next one is how I think of Julia & John when I think of them together…comfortable, sexy and always fun!

Bellisima…

Like John’s father, Julia’s dad also passed away a few years ago. So, she asked her Uncle Mehdie, her dad’s best friend, to stand in and walk her down the aisle. Mehdie looked proud as punch!

One more quick glance at his beautiful niece as they head down the aisle…love this perspective Andy caught of guests watching and documenting the moment…

The look of love….dreamy!

When Julia is really happy her whole face lights up and she scrunches her super cute nose…it’s hard to not smile when you see her do it!

Guests relishing the moment as well..

As do her girls…

Sand ceremonies have become a popular way for couples getting married here on the Cape’s sandy shores to mark the symbolism of two lives joining to become one….

After the ceremony, we stole Julia & John for a couple more quick photos….there’s something nice about having just a few minutes after the ceremony, now that the marriage is official. The joy is somehow more visible…don’t you think?

Mmmmmmmm….glorious love!

I’m a total sucker for love in all it’s glorious forms and this next shot just screams happy love to me!

Some more fabulous details. Julia & John selected all white arrangements for the table and brought in fabric and up-lighting to line the back wall and give the room more color, which changed from warm auburn during dinner to cooler pinks & blues later in the night. It’s amazing how adding colored lighting really changes the whole look & feel of a space…and it’s so fun to photograph.

Mingling during cocktail hour…

John & his beautiful momma, Jerri, during their first dance…..love the mother/son & father/daughter dances. They always get me.

Hey now….

Celebrate good times, come on!

This next one pretty much sums up the day…

Big thanks to Julia & John’s family & friends for being so much fun. Thanks too to all of the vendors who made our job not only easy, but also a pleasure. And, a special thanks to the fabulous Matt Grazier, for being such a good friend and for being there when we needed him. We love you Matty! And to Julia & John…hopefully by now there is no doubt about how crazy we are about you two and how much we loved being a part of your amazing wedding. You two are wonderful and we look forward to watching where life takes you as your share the adventure together! With big love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxo

My relationship with Cape Cod began when I was just a little girl. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of family vacations we would take here. My dad would rent a house for a week and he’d invite my grandparents to come join us. There were sparklers, inflatable swimming rings shaped like ducks or purple dinosaurs, my Grandma’s infamous potato salad, piles of collected sea shells and the delicious smell of sunscreen. It was the best of times!

The trips would always start more or less the same. My dad would pack up his old beat up car, loaded with far too many clothes (he did have 3 girls after all), our favorite board games, and me & my sisters. Once the car was sufficiently stuffed, we’d all crowd in and make that torturous 2-hour drive to the shore.

My sisters & I would continually ask my dad, “Are we there yet?” “Are we close?” “How about now?” or screech out his name because someone had crossed that invisible line in backseat that marked one sister’s space from another. I admit, there was also the occasional flying fist, and not always because we were playing “Punch Buggy.”

Once, on a particularly steamy drive down, one of my sisters dared me to toss my shirt out the window, which I did…by accident. It was not a good scene. Upon hearing the news…my sister, of course, ratted me out as soon as the shirt left my hand…my dad slammed the car breaks, swerved into the break-down lane, jumped out of the car and went running down the highway, darting traffic to get my shirt. Needless to say, he was not happy with me.

But, when we’d crossed that bridge onto Cape Cod, the smell of the sea in the air…all problems seemed to just melt away, like soft served ice cream on hot tarmac.

The week that followed would be filled with days on the beach, swimming and building sand castles. Back at the house, we’d play penny poker with my Grandpa, while Grandma cooked up something delicious, often involving Italian sausage or tomatoes. And, throughout the week, my dad would let me borrow his camera to document the highlights. Even then, I knew how important it was to preserve the wonderful memories we were creating.

Today, it brings me much joy to be able to do that for our bello families, who love Cape Cod as much as we do and who come here to make memories of their own.

Earlier this month, we were invited to visit with Kathy & Dave and their two super sweet kids, Hailey & Grayson, at their Nauset Beach home in Orleans. They wanted to document some end of the summer fun before they had to head back to the city, where work & school awaited them.

We photographed this lovely family a couple of years ago, so we were really excited to see them all again and see how much the kids had changed. Click HERE to see our first session together.

During our time apart, Kathy & Dave had done some work on their house/property, including building this super cool tree house for the kids! Talk about summer fun…..

Hailey & Grayson…

While Andy was trying to get the kids to laugh/smile for the camera, I sneaked into the tree house for a different perspective…

Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it…Vogue!

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

Trying to get Grayson to sit still for this next shot was no easy doing, but man was it worth it! The sun was coming in through the side windows creating this spot lighting effect that was to die for! Love it!!!

Kathy, Dave & the kids….hanging out in their new digs.

I can’t help but smile when I think about all of the wonderful memories Hailey & Grayson will make in that tree house! So fun…

Meet the other family members….Sapphire & Kiss.

I just love Grayson’s expression in this next one. Andy was asking Grayson what his favorite candy is…apparently a very compelling question to a five-year-old.

Happy faces…

The whole gang! Love is…family time!

Momma & her girl and Daddy & his boy…

Hailey is definitely not a girl who’s afraid to get her hands dirty and we love that about her. Love this next photo of her as she races up this tree…

Kathy & Dave also got this super cool vintage Willys jeep earlier this year (which they painted themselves) and were so excited to take us out for a spin. Totally rad! We all drove down the beach in it together and it is a blast!

Kathy & Dave take a moment for themselves…

Aren’t they cute! Love the kids playing in the background!

A fun family moment…

Someone created this super cool climbing structure/sculpture on the end of Nauset Beach using old driftwood. It was sooo cool and Hailey just couldn’t help herself and had to climb it. I just love this photo of her…she looks so innocent, sea-swept and so completely unaware of how beautiful she is.

Sunset & the end of another summer of memory making…

Thank you Dave & Kathy for once again inviting us into your lives with such warm, open hearts and for sharing your beautiful children with us! We had so much fun spending time with all of you and documenting you all enjoying each other. We hope these photos serve as wonderful reminders of your sweet days here on beautiful Cape Cod. With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo  PS…Hailey, I promise to make sure we have time to see your home movies the next time we get together. They sound so fun! And, Grayson…if you’re very good, maybe we’ll bring chocolate!

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

Children give us new reasons to grow. Without thought, we readily leave selfish pursuits behind to tend to their every need. Children teach us patience, test our resilience and push us to expect higher standards for ourselves.  They open us up to new ways of loving that seem beyond the realm of possibility.

That is not to say it’s easy. No, children can be difficult and precocious. They are boundless energy unleashed at times when we most seek peace. They are rambunctious and fearless, stubborn and sometimes downright ornery. Yet at their core they are pure goodness…souls born to love….completely free of judgments and without prejudice.

Children are everything we were and all we hope to be. And simply because of their presence in our lives, we become better versions of ourselves.

Andy & I don’t have children of our own, but we have been blessed with many incredible children in our lives, including the children of our Bello families. And, the time we spend with them has certainly made our lives richer.

A couple of weeks ago, we spent an afternoon with one of our long-time bello families. Thomas, the younger brother of Rachel, one of our brides from 2005, was coming to the Cape to visit his mother, Susan, and Susan had contacted us about photographing Thomas with his wife, Kathleen, and their little girl, Eliza.

We had done the same thing for Rachel, her husband, Chris, and their little girl, Sabine, two years ago, so we were happy to get to see Susan again and spend some more quality time with Thomas and his family. Here are a few of our favorite moments from our time together.

A little tea time toast with Mommy & Daddy…Cheers!

Swings…what is it about swings that makes children light up with sheer delight and lets their parents harness their own inner child? Don’t know, but whatever it is….we love it!

Picking pears with Nana and raspberries with Mommy…Can we talk about Eliza’s eyelashes for a second? Oh, if mascara makers could only bottle what babies have naturally!

Love this…If you roll your mouse over the next image you’ll see Kathleen & Thomas getting down with Eliza! Too cute!

When I look at this next one, I hear Debby Boone’s 70′s classic “You Light Up My Life” playing in my head. Could Kathleen & Thomas look any prouder of their little girl? Love it!

If ever there was a sweet-as-pie face…this next one of Eliza is surely it! Deeee-licious!

This next series makes me smile…love Eliza’s reaction to getting a little too close to the prickly flower…

Susan has this fabulous koi pond on her property and the koi are massive, but Eliza showed no fear as she excitedly fed them with mom & dad at her side…

Climbing the apple tree with Daddy….oh, the joy!

Bellisima!

Just hanging out under the apple tree with her blue bucket…

Off to collect some apples…

A quick change, followed by some snacks and a little snuggle time…

Love these two photos…while I was focused on Thomas & Kathleen’s reaction to their little girl, Andy was behind them, focusing on Eliza’s reaction to them. Oh, the love! See what I mean about how children change our lives!! Makes my heart smile BIG!!

More evidence of how families become richer with the addition of children…look at all of the adults faces as they watch Eliza….{heart}

Family photo…

I still can remember being a young girl and the way I felt when my Dad held me…it was the safest place in the world!

Wanna play?

Yup! This next one is contender for my personal fave of the day….Eliza reminds me of Cindy Lou Who (from the Grinch) with those gorgeous big blue eyes of hers and her cute curly strawberry blond hair & red bow!

Dollies are to little girls what Manolo Blahnik’s are to their grown up counterparts and these next photos say it all…

After three hours together, Eliza was ready to call it a day and attempted to head in for dinner. Here are two perspectives of the same moment….while I wanted to capture the reach in its entirety, my talented husband went in for a closer look at the story and focused on Eliza’s delicious legs. I love it…right down to her spread toes and the dirt on her knee! Precious!

Thank you Susan for sharing your beautiful family with us once again! It was so great seeing you & Thomas again, and finally meeting Kathleen & lovely Eliza! Children grow up so quickly, and so we hope these photos serve as happy reminders of these early years for many happy years still to come.

With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xo

When everything else around you is falling apart, family is who you count on. And, no matter how messy life can get….and we saw just how messy this weekend as Hurricane Irene stormed up the East Coast….family is that safe place, where love comes easily and acceptance flows freely.

This is not to say that family is always easy, let’s face it…we’ve all got some crazy in our family closets. But, if you’re lucky, your family, and the time you spend with them, is what makes life worth celebrating!

Being wedding photographers, we see and document the start to new families all the time. Two individuals from different families are drawn together by love and often their love combines to create new life….simultaneously a new family is born and two existing families grow as love multiplies in the most beautiful of ways.

As wonderful as it is for us to get to photograph the start to these new families, it is equally as wonderful when our couples come back to us to photograph their growing families. Such was the case when Jenna & Aaron, whose wedding we photographed back in 2004, recently came back to us to photograph them and their deliciously sweet little boys, Brady & Sam.

Jenna & Aaron have held a special place in our hearts for a long time. They were one of our first wedding couples and a special bond was formed. We’d kept in touch over the years through e-mail, but we hadn’t seen them in a very long time. So, we were super excited when they called to schedule a family session.

Although it felt like a lifetime ago since their wedding, seeing them again, it was as if we never missed a beat. We had such a fun afternoon with them & their boys and are super excited to share with you some of our favorite moments from their family time with us…

Brady gets a smooch from his beautiful momma, while he & his little brother show off their super fly shades.

Aaron and his boys explore the water’s edge…Life really is about these seemingly insignificant moments when we take the time to just be together. It truly doesn’t get any better than that!

A family that plays together, stays together! Love all of their expressions in this full-on moment of fun! And, can we talk for a second about the way sweet Brady is cradling his dad’s head in his hand. Seriously?! Be still my heart!

Family is….everything!

Sweet Brady and his absolutely stunning momma! I don’t know what it is about this photo of Jenna on the right, but I just love it. She is one seriously sexy momma!

Summer afternoons are meant for family time. Love the light in this next one, right down to the way it’s reflecting off the swarm of little bugs in the field. It just screams, “Summer!” to me.

Holding hands is such a simple gesture, yet, there is so much love to be found in this gentle way we connect with the people we care about…sigh…..

Beautiful boys…

I just love this next one. It’s something about Sam’s expression as he races his big brother between the grape vines that gets me. It’s like he’s saying, “This race is mineeeee!” Too darned cute!

And the warmth in this next one….both in the light and in Jenna & Aaron’s expressions as they carry their boys through this field…is just heavenly to me!

As it is in this next one….and can we talk about Mr. Mischievous’s expression for a second?

We headed to the beach for the final moments of sunset and I just love the feeling of complete joy and freedom in this next one of Sam & Brady sitting atop a lifeguard chair. It represents everything that is wonderful about childhood to me…

A little marshy exploration…

I remember going to the beach as a kid with my parents and there was something about getting wet that was just irresistible to me and my sisters. My parents would say, “Don’t go past your ankles, I don’t want you wet for the ride home.” And, as hard as we’d try, inevitably we’d get a little wet, and then a little wetter. And, before we, or they, knew it…we were soaked. I can’t help but thinking of those moments when I see this next photo of Sam, who is giddy with excitement over wading in deeper than he knows he probably should. Lucky for him, his gorgeous parents are a lot more understanding than mine were!

Watching the sun set over the horizon….Ahhhhh, a perfect family moment!

Jenna & Aaron, you two are as beautiful and full of love & joy as you were on the day you said, “I do!” Thank you sooooo much for coming back to us and sharing your beautiful family with us! You have been in our thoughts often over the past 7 years and it was so wonderful to meet Brady & Sam and to spend time with you all! We hope these photos serve as wonderful reminders of how very fortunate you are to have so much love & goodness in your lives. Thank you for sharing that with us and for bringing a little love & goodness to our lives! With lots of love & big hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo PS…We’d like to send a special shout out to Dolly for thinking of us at Christmas time! We miss you Dolly! xoxo

They were both members of the college crew team, and although Andrew admitted to having feelings for Carolyn for some time, love didn’t float to the surface until Carolyn’s senior year. Andrew was a year older and had already graduated, but came back to Williams for an alumni rowing event.

“I had a crush on Carolyn, but since I didn’t think she was interested, I was able to act like myself around her rather than be nervously trying to impress…and I guess it worked out,” he told us.

It sure did…Carolyn & Andrew said, “I do!” a few weeks ago at the beautiful and historic Highfield Hall in Falmouth. We hadn’t seen the happy couple since their love session last September. Click HERE for a peek at that session.

Carolyn warned us prior to their love session that she really didn’t like being photographed. Happily, they were very excited about the photos we’d captured for them and so we were really looking forward to getting them back in front of our cameras at their wedding.

In the months before the wedding, we’d heard that Carolyn had been working out and getting super fit. Now, we thought she looked pretty fabulous before, but she looked absolutely radiant on her wedding day (If she didn’t live in NY, I’d hire her as my personal trainer so she could whip my butt in shape). More than just shedding a few pounds, Carolyn seemed to have completely shed her inhibitions about being photographed.

While I’d like to think it was because we earned their confidence with the photos we captured for them at their love session, really I think they just got carried away by all of the love and happy energy swirling around. Whatever the reason, Carolyn & Andrew gave us lots of love and goodness to capture and we’re so excited to share some of our favorite images from their picture-perfect day…

Carolyn got ready at her parents’ Falmouth home and I was drooling over the light in her parents’ bedroom…that and her mom’s vintage suitcases, which she’d inherited from her grandmother. They made for the perfect accompaniment to our stunning bride and her equally stunning La Reine dress…

Carolyn’s mom, Joanne, helps Carolyn’s gal pal, also Joanne, tie the bow on her sash, while one of the family pooches seems a little sad about not being included in the day’s festivities. Awww, poor guy!

Some special details…

Love these two photos of Carolyn’s parents each getting ready…Carolyn’s dad, Paul, is known for his signature bow ties.

Carolyn’s uncle had lovingly restored this 1937 Studebaker, and, it is stunning in every detail. He generously offered to let Carolyn & Andrew use it for the day, and he even played the role of chauffeur for the special occasion. Love this moment as Carolyn hops in for the drive to Highfield Hall.

Seriously, I am obsessed with these suitcases. And, can we talk about our happy groom?

Love the light and moodiness in this next one as Andrew watches his mom, Laurie, help put on the boutonniere of Andrew’s best man, Morgan.

Good fellas…

What a joyful greeting Andrew gets from some of his & Carolyn’s friends before the start of the ceremony. LOVE it!

Friends gather…

The joy was seriously contagious!

Carolyn’s dad, Paul, looks proud as punch as he gets ready to walk his baby girl down the aisle.

Love, family, friends + a big old tree = the perfect setting to say, “I do!”

The beaming bride…

Carolyn’s parents and grandparent react to the announcement of the new Mr. & Mrs.

Carolyn’s girls workin’ their sage green Ann Taylor dresses. Lovely!

The look of love…

Dreamy…

After a few photos on the porch, we headed inside to take advantage of Highfield’s crazy beautiful, floor to ceiling antique mirror….be still my heart!

This next one is definitely contender for favorite of the day…I love the way the light is spilling across them, i love the beautiful stained glass window, and i just love the way they are tenderly holding each others hands…love, love love!

Our happy couple…

Fun…

Time for a toast…

It was such a beautiful day…actually one of the hottest days of the summer….so guests were outside a lot. Here’s a fun moment during cocktail hour as some friends get their photo taken by another friend. Real smiles make my heart sing!

Some of the drool-inducing appetizers served by the fabulous Casual Gourmet.

More cocktail hour fun…

Carolyn & her crew team friends do a little rowing re-enactment.

They say life is in the details, and Carolyn & Andrew’s details were beautiful….something tells me that may be a metaphor for their life!

The beautiful floral arrangements were courtesy of the talented Joan Doyle of N. Falmouth.

If ever there was a perfect setting for one of Casual Gourmet’s beautiful wedding cakes, this was surely it!

Get down on it, girl!

Andrew & his mom share a dance, while Carolyn gets a big smooch from her Grandpa following their special dance….having lost my Grandpa recently, and my mom before my own wedding, these moments really tug at my heartstrings!

Carolyn’s too-cool cousins strike a pose….hey now!

Carolyn gets jiggy with her former roommates, one of whom (far right) flew all the way from India for the wedding.

A great big thank you to all of the fabulous vendors who made our jobs not only easy, but super fun. Thank you too to Carolyn & Andrew’s family and friends for welcoming us with open hearts. But, our biggest thanks go to Carolyn & Andrew! Thank you both so much for trusting us to document a day as important as your wedding. Thank you for giving pieces of yourselves to us in every photo. We hope these serve as happy reminders of your incredible wedding day for many, many years to come! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

“She had a smile that I could not get out of my head,” Mike told us. “Getting Sara to smile quickly became a major motivator for me in life – that had never happened to me before with anybody and that is when I knew I was meant to be with her.”

In the years that followed, Sara experienced some family hardships, and through it all, Mike was there.

“Being in Chicago during those times and away from family was certainly a trying experience,” she told us. “In each of these instances, Mike has been my rock. I have never met anyone that does more to make friends & family alike feel special and loved. Mike is the calm to my storm.”

Next spring, these two lovebirds will say, “I do!” here on picturesque Cape Cod, a place that has always held a special spot in Sara’s heart.

We first met Sara & Mike in April, when they came to talk with us about photographing their wedding. And, like they were soon after their first date, we too, were smitten. There is just such an easiness about them…as individuals and as a couple and we were so excited when they asked us to document their wedding.

I know I’ve said this before, but relationships really are at the cornerstone of everything we do. Our photography is very much about trying to capture that something special couples and families share that make them unique. Equally as important to us is building relationships with our couples and families, because when there is trust and familiarity, getting great photos just gets a whole lot easier. To this end, we include a complimentary love session in all of our album packages. And although we do this more for our benefit than anything, we hope at the end of the session our couples walk away having had a whole lot of fun.

Here are a few of our favorite moments from Sara & Mike’s recent love session in and around some of their favorite spots in Dennis.

I don’t know what it is about this one that I like so much… but I really like it. It just feels very dreamy to me…what do you think?

The look of love…

Sara & Mike ended up wearing the expressions they have in this next photo quite a lot during our session.  Makes my heart smile. While I don’t have too many years experience, I think that being able to laugh together and not take life or yourselves too seriously is definitely an important ingredient in a long, happy marriage.

Is there any greater comfort than being wrapped in the arms of the one you love? I think not!

love, love, love….oh, glorious love!

There she goes again….We love our little Sara and her larger than life smile.

These next photos are for you Midge….Midge is Sara’s mom and she told us about this really nice stretch of landscaping along the edge of property not far from their home. We were all a bit skeptical about taking photos in front of someone’s property, but Sara & Mike agreed to jump on the wall for a quick photo.

This next photo is just after Mike & Sara jumped off the wall and high tailed it out of there….

Next we headed to one of their favorite beaches for some photos before sunset. The light at the beach was sooo sweet…really diffused, which made the beach colors just sing.

Since we were already feeling like rebels….Lifeguards only, you say? I think not…

Hiya cuties…

When I look at this photo, I can’t help but hear Stevie Wonder softly playing in my head, “Isn’t she lovely….”

Love this sequence…

Oh, if only we could bottle Mike & Sara’s contagious laughter and keep on a shelf in the office for those particularly long days of editing when we need some relief…

Mike apparently is very rarely without a baseball hat perched on his head, so he had to get a couple of shots with one of his faves, his Michigan State Spartans cap. I like this fun perspective Andy caught.

This is one of my faves that I captured…Sara & Mike just look so happy and I love all of the stuff going on in the background…the seagull flying and the departing beach goers.

Hey beautiful…

I’m telling you….nothing better than love….love this next one!

If the one with the beach goers in the background isn’t my fave, this one is. Again, it feels dreamy to me…

Sara & Mike thank you so much for making time for us during your brief and busy visit home. It was so great seeing you both again, getting to spend some really wonderful time together, and getting to meet more of your family, Sara. You all have already made us feel so welcomed into your lives and we can’t wait to be there with you when you say, “I do!” next year! Until then, we hope these photos serve as a fun teaser of the good things to come and also as happy reminders of this very exciting time in your lives and the lives of your families. Thank you again for making our jobs so much fun! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

This man is none other than Cape Cod’s DJ extraordinaire DJ Danny Walsh.

A couple of weeks ago we photographed Danny with his fiance, Brandy, and her super sweet daughter, Samara. After attending hundreds of weddings himself, Danny will be the Man of the Hour this September as he & Brandy say, “I do!” at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth.

We are soooo excited to get to be guests at the wedding, but we wanted to let Danny know how much he means to us by doing a love session for him & Brandy…and of course, their love wouldn’t be complete without Samara. So, the five of us hit some of their favorite spots for an afternoon of fun. Here are some highlight from our time together…

Like me & Andy, Danny & Brandy have an affinity for Cupcake Charlie’s. If you haven’t tried these cupcakes, don’t start now….they’re addictive, truly! We started our session in the Mashpee Commons, with some kissing & cuddling and cupcakes…oh my!

Love this sequence as Brandy & Danny enjoy a little smooching, much to the embarrassment of Samara…so cute!

MMMMmmmmmm!

good cupcakes + even better company can only be a good thing!

The soon to be Mr. & Mrs.!

Samara is such a sweetie, and a very talented Anime artist. Love this photo of her and her beautiful smile as mom & Danny exchange a smooch.

The only thing more delicious than a Cupcake Charlie’s cupcake is a DJ Danny sandwich. Love Danny’s expression in the photo on the left, and the way his girls are loving him. Soooo sweet! And, can we talk about Brandy’s beautiful sea blue eyes…dreamy!

Hey handsome…

Love is….the comfort & joy found in the arms of the keeper of your heart!

The new happy family….

This next one makes my heart smile! Just love the look of love in Danny & Brandy’s eyes and how sweetly Samara leans on her soon-to-be stepdad’s shoulder. Swooooon!

Danny really is such a sweet guy. And, it obvious watching him with Brandy & Samara that he has brought much love, happiness & comfort to their lives. Yay! for love & new families!!!

Hey beautiful…

Samara really does have a special relationship with Danny and watching the three of them together is so wonderful! Can’t wait to see all the love & sparks fly at the wedding!

This next one is a bit edgier, but I just LOVE it!!!

Close ups…

Are they cute or what?

Hey cuties…

The look of love…

Home is wherever the heart is….

Brandy, Danny & Samara, thank you so much for sharing your special relationship with us in such a wonderful, open way! We had so much hanging out with all of you and hope these photos serve as love-filled reminders of this happy, exciting time in all of your lives!!! Thank you too for the wonderful dinner after our session! It really was such a great afternoon and we can’t wait to be there with all of you when you, Danny & Brandy, commit your love & lives to one another at the place where we first met you Danny. Lots to celebrate! Adore you guys!!! Big love & hugs, C&A xoxoxo

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

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