In anticipation of Valentine’s Day and out of a deep-rooted love for all things chocolate, Andy & I did some baking this weekend. Okay, I admit, I did the baking, but Andy helped wrap & package so we could send delicious balls of love to some of the special people in our lives. The delicious balls of love were cake pops and this was the first time I’d tried my hand at making them. And, I have to admit, they came out pretty Yummy! Here’s a sneak peek…

After all of the baking & packaging was done, Andy & I curled up on the couch to watch a movie, “P.S.” I Love You,” staring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. What a tear-jerker!!! I cried my face off, while Andy sniffled silently, pretending he wasn’t as equally affected.

Laying there on the couch next to my best friend, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I couldn’t help but think about love….and all its many forms.

In the beginning, everything is new & exciting. We are the best form of ourselves. Butterflies take temporary residence in our stomach and amazingly, the wonderful person we’ve fallen for can seemingly do no wrong.

Over time, we relax a little, things get more comfortable and the bad habits we pretended we didn’t have start rising to the surface. Yet love remains.

And, with more time, those quirky things about our partner that we thought were endearing in the beginning become downright annoying. We bicker more. We kiss less frequently. There are highs and lows. Yet all of this only serves to make our foundation grow stronger. And through it all love still remains.

Finding the kind of love I have with Andy has been a revelation for me. My parents split up when I was 7 and neither remarried, so I never really had a front row seat to the kind of love that lasts. And, for a long time I wondered if it was real.

Over the years, I have learned that love is indeed real, but like anything worth having, love takes work. It takes time, commitment and a healthy sense of humor. It takes sacrifice and compromise. And, sometimes it means admitting you’re wrong, even if part of you still thinks you are right….although if you ask Andy he’ll say I never do this.

Before I met Andy, I didn’t much like Valentine’s Day. Perhaps because it was a reminder of what I lacked in my life. I see things differently today, although, I still find it a tad sad the way Valentine’s Day has become so commercialized. Let’s face it, love is so much more than taking one day to send flowers or fancy chocolates (insert winking smiley face).

Sometimes though, in the business of daily life, we need a gentle push to remind us to take pause and honor all of the love we have in our life. Valentine’s Day provides that annual reminder…

“Valentine’s Day is NOT for saying ‘I love You. It’s for saying I love us. I love who we are together. How we’ve grown, from our nervous conversations to the ONE we two have become. Valentine’s Day is for taking the time to say, I love us!”…Hallmark Cards TV commercial

So, this morning, Andy & I lingered in bed a little longer. We started the day with a kiss & a cuddle and tonight we’ll enjoy dinner, not in front of the TV, but sitting across from each other, so that we may tell the other how much we love “us.”

Here’s wishing you a day filled with love, reflection, quiet moments of “us”…and lots of creamy, dark chocolate! Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you for all the love!!!

With love from, Chris & Andy xo

2010 was our eighth year photographing weddings. Even seeing that written, it is still hard to believe. So much has happened in what feels like a blink. This has been a whirlwind adventure for us. And, with each passing year, we continue to pour ourselves into everything we do with as much passion & commitment as we have to give.

We started bello with a naive fearlessness that let us believe life would get easier simply by doing what we loved. We quickly learned that there’s so much more to this business than just taking beautiful photographs. And, this year proved somewhat challenging for us. Not the photography part and certainly not the amazing people part. But, 2010 was the year we struggled most with finding balance. Balance between work & life and balance as individuals who are together 24/7.

So, we took some time for us, to indulge our married selves and indulge in the other passion we share - Traveling. We went to Panama. We filled our hearts and nourished our souls. We met some amazing people, documented some amazing sights, and had an AMAZING time.

With our batteries fully recharged, we came back and photographed more incredible weddings featuring some truly inspiring couples. We photographed bello love sessions, special families and a commercial job or two. And, every now and then, we took photographs just for us.

We finally crossed some items off of our 5-year goal list, and then added even more. We e-mailed a lot…I mean a hella lot! And, somehow, along the way, the girl who never liked fish developed a taste for sushi.

2010 was the year we once again attended a wedding as guests. Our dear friend Lou came from the shores of Ireland to the coast of Cape Cod to elope by a lighthouse. She was there with us in Spain when our love first blossomed, and it felt good and right to be there with her when hers took flight.

We got countless cuddles from our beloved niece & nephews and the other special children in our lives and we wondered again if our life would feel complete without little lovebugs of our own.

We got published. More than once. Actually, like 8 times.

We celebrated another wonderful year with my grandfather as he amazingly turned 101. And, with happy hearts, we returned to Andy’s home in England to reunite with family & friends, some of whom we hadn’t seen in six years.

We laughed. We cried. We stressed out when things didn’t go exactly as we’d planned. And, we worked on accepting our imperfections. We spent months finessing our brand and are finally close to launching our new website, blog and client proofing site. Can I get a hallelujah?!

I think it’s safe to say, 2010 was a big year for us…a turning point of sorts. Having reached a level of success we had only dreamed of eight years ago, we were finally able to take stock of our lives and map out a new direction that ensures more balance.

As we head into 2011, we look back with gratitude and look ahead with a renewed sense of hope and excitement for this incredible, passionate, love-filled work we do. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for taking this journey with us. Happy New Year!

In peace & love,

chris & andy xoxo

We first met Jamie & Monica three years ago, when they came down to the Cape to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jamie’s family. The family had contacted us about doing a portrait session and they also wanted to talk to us about photographing the upcoming wedding of Jamie’s sister, Andrea, and her then fiance, Will.

We had such a nice afternoon with the family and the following summer, we returned to their family home in Woods Hole to photograph Andrea & Will’s amazing backyard wedding. Click HERE to see the wedding.

We just love having those kind of lasting relationships with our couples and families. Getting to witness & document life’s milestones is such a joy and being asked to come back year after year is truly humbling. For us, photography is all about relationships…relationships between the people in our photographs and equally as important are the relationships we have with those wonderful people.

Needless to say, we were thrilled when Jamie & Monica reached out to us again to ask if we’d be available to photograph another family session, this time with Monica’s family. Monica & Jamie, with their two boys (Maslen & Andreas), were being joined on the Cape for Thanksgiving by Monica’s parents, Lily & Lionel; Lionel’s dad, Lionel Sr.; and Monica’s sister, Michelle, and her husband, Pat, and their two boys, Casper & Toby.

Like the first session with did with Jamie’s family, it was chilly…with a capital C. But, that just meant more cuddling…which is fine by us. Here are a few of our favorite moments from our session with this super sweet family:

Jamie, Monica, Mazzy & Andrecito (Monica’s family has Latin roots, so that’s what Andreas’s grandparents call him and I love it!) Poor Andrecito was super sleepy, having not yet adjusted to East Coast time after flying in from California the day before our session.

Pobrecito….Look how tired Andreas is in this next one…poor little guy just wanted to nap. I could just munch on those cheecks.

Mazzy & Andreas’ cousin, Toby, was trying desperately to make Andreas laugh….gotta love the effort!

It worked for everyone, but Andreas…I think he was just wondering what the heck was going on and why he wasn’t fast asleep. So cute.

Monica’s sister, Michelle (do they make beautiful girls in that family or what?) with her family…hubby, Pat, and super sweet boys, Casper & Toby.

Love this next shot of Casper….Obviously I don’t know him well, having met him just once, but to me it perfectly reflects his sweet, thoughtful disposition…

And, this could be one of my favorites of the day as Monica & Michelle get a big hug from their mom, Lily. Me gusta mucho!

Nothing says love like a big hug from mom!

Except maybe a cuddle from your favorite cousin…

I love this next shot, not so much because of anything having to do with photography, but because of what led up to it. You see, Lionel Sr. was being very patient about having to have his photo taken in 45F weather. He lives in Florida and isn’t accustomed to such chilly temperatures. He had his coat on for the entire photo session….except when we asked if he’d like to take a photo with his son. Well, at that suggestion, he flung off his coat, and with much spunk and spright, ran over to the spot we’d picked for the photo. And, this is the result….I just love the joy & pride written all over his handsome face. This is what Thanksgiving is all about…

Cousins….love, friendship and adoration all rolled into one.

Freedom is the feeling you get when there is no where else you’d rather be than exactly where you are…

Two photographers….two perspectives…one great moment in time!

I love this next photo of Toby…he is full of energy and a playfulness that shines through here…

When the camera wasn’t focused on him, Maslen was often climbing, running, jumping or rolling and here we catch him in the act (Thanks for the heads up, Jamie!)…too cute!

I come from a family of 3 girls and I love my sisters so much it sometimes hurts. They are my best friends, my confidants, my cheerleaders and sometimes a source of great angst, but the relationship is stronger than any other in my life…for they have been there since the beginning. Loving my sisters like I do makes me love photographing and looking at photographs of other sisters. And, Monica & Michelle happen to be beautiful subjects…

Lily & Lionel…

Michelle & Pat….

Monica & Jamie…

The whole gang…Notice Lionel Sr. in his coat & scarf. And, check out Lionel (jr.) with his thumb in Andreas’s mouth in an attempt to keep him awake for one more shot. But, my favorite part of this photo is the look of utter boredom on Mazzy’s face. I think it’s safe to say that he’d had enough of posing at this point and was ready for the hot chocolate he’d been promised. Priceless!!!

A great big thank you to the entire family for taking time out of your brief visit together to spend a couple of chilly hours with us. Jamie & Monica it was so great seeing you again, seeing how big Mazzy had grown and meeting sweet Andrecito. It was a special treat too to get to meet your whole family, Monica. You all are so warm and welcoming and so full of love! It was a pleasure watching all of you together and getting to spend some time with you. We hope these photos serve as happy reminders of your Cape Cod Thanksgiving! With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo

We had so much fun at Claire & Dave’s Boston wedding that we couldn’t wait to get back to the Cape for part two, which was held two days later at the lovely Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster.

Their second wedding had a completely different feel to their first, which, if you ask me, is how it should be if you’re lucky enough to marry to the person you love…twice.

Although her dress was the same, Claire had some modifications done that made it feel completely different. And, like her first wedding, at the end of the night, she slipped out of her gorgeous wedding gown and into another sexy little number, this time an ivory & gold dress with some serious wow factor! So fun!

Claire also changed her hairstyle for wedding #2 and opted for a different, although equally as fabulous, pair of shoes. Dave traded in his tux for a more casual, though seriously stylish, steel blue suit and orange tie that perfectly matched their fall color scheme.

Friends & family wore winter parkas over their party clothes and wrapped tightly in blankets & pashminas provided by Claire & Dave for the breezy, beachside ceremony. Although it was colder than a summer beach wedding, the cold brought everyone closer and created a warm atmosphere of joy & delight that was befitting this wonderful couple.

And, as expected, those happy, love-filled feelings carried over to the reception, which was held in Ocean Edge’s tented Pavillion, where Cape wedding planner, Allison Liset of Elegant Engagements, worked her magic. There were wonderful toasts, first dances and friends & family partied late into the night.

I wouldn’t say one wedding topped the other; rather, they were each perfect representations of the incredible love Claire & Dave share and we were thrilled to have been invited to be a part of them both.

Here are some of our favorite moments from Claire & Dave’s incredible Cape Cod Wedding, including the below shot of Claire’s super cute Badgley Mischka shoes.

Claire’s adorable nephew, Kiernan, entertains himself with a computer game, while his mom helps his auntie get ready for her big day. I love this moment…how his pant legs are pulled up, his jacket bunched and the look of total concentration on his sweet little face as happy chaos floats all around him. Priceless.

Claire takes in the moment as her super sweet sister/co-MOH and ceremony officiant, Mary, adjusts her dress.

Dave & his guys…

Claire is all smiles as she prepares to walk down the aisle with her father, Kevin. Completely different setting from the church shot of Claire and her dad during Claire & Dave’s first wedding…but the joy & excitement is exactly the same…and I love that!

Can’t you just feel the joy (and the cold) in this next shot as Dave gets “walked down the aisle” by his super sweet parents, Louise & Rick? Love it!

Claire & Dave were literally surrounded by family & friends during their beachside ceremony. Folks gathered in for warmth and for a close up view as these two wonderful people exchanged their very heart-felt vows.

A guest uses her gifted pashmina for protection from the wind. Tres chic, no?

The look of love…

Claire’s beautiful friends & bridesmaids, Renee & Amy, react to Claire & Dave’s exchanging of vows…

Although it was chilly, the beach was gorgeous and the perfect backdrop for Claire & Dave’s wedding…

Love this moment…

And this…You think they’re excited to be married? Yeay for love!

This could be my favorite moment of the day…completely lost in their own world and in the joy of the moment!

Claire’s good friend and fellow teacher, Christina, had undergone surgery on her broken leg 10 days before the wedding, but that didn’t stop her from participating in this special day. I love this moment as Christina gets a hand from the girls. It was hard going pushing the wheelchair across the wet ground and the girls were giving the guys in the bridal party a hard time…telling them not to worry, that they had it covered. Three cheers for girl power!

This old stone tower, whose history is a bit of a mystery, has been standing tall since the Mansion was part of an 1800 acre private summer home, complete with farms and a game reserve. Today, it makes for a beautiful backdrop for a wedding portrait.

so pretty….

I love Dave’s face in this next one…he is just bubbling over with love & happiness. It’s hard not to smiling looking at him here…

Swooooon….

I’m not sure which I react to more in this next one….how incredibly close Claire & Dave are to one another or that gorgeous ivy, draping down the tower behind them. love love love this next one!

Claire’s beautiful bouquet by the uber talented Courtney Dunbury of Courtney’s Floral Creations in Falmouth. beautiful…

I am crazy about the light in this next one and the gorgeous lines of Claire’s body!

Claire & Dave cut their stunning fall cake by the talented bakers at The Casual Gourmet.

Loooooove this next photos of Dave dancing with his mom. Check out her face! Is that happiness or what?

Dave’s sister-in-law and dad get down and boogie! So fun!

I love this awesome shot Andy caught of the crowd dancing to the always popular “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. I just love how everyone is holding hands or grabbing onto someone….there is just such a joyful connectedness I feel when I see this image. Love it!

Thank you to Megan Yaps of Ocean Edge and Allison Liset of Elegant Engagements and all of the other fabulous vendors who helped make Claire & Dave’s wedding was absolutely perfect! Thank you too to Claire & Dave’s amazing family & friends for being so warm & welcoming. But, our biggest thanks as always go to our happy couple! Claire & Dave, if we could be there with you again for wedding #3, we’d be there in a heartbeat! You two are WONDERFUL! You are wonderful with each other and with everyone you care about and the love you share is beautiful, inspiring and infectious all at the same time. We adore you and feel incredibly grateful to have been a part of such an amazing time in your lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! With love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxo

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and a day from which some of my fondest memories have been born. I come from a small, but loud, Italian family and when we would all get together — my dad, my two sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents — it was like love had come to roost round the dining room table. And, oh, how the laughter and noisy banter did flow.

There was no pressure to buy gifts that might later be returned. There was no pomp or circumstance; only togetherness, full bellies, and afternoon football.

Being English, Andy didn’t grow up celebrating Thanksgiving, but he too has grown to love it, especially the turkey with gravy…reminds him of Sunday dinners back home. But, really, the thing we love most about Thanksgiving is the opportunity it provides to pause and take stock of our lives and of all the things we are grateful for and have been blessed with over the past year.

On the eve of Thanksgiving, as families start to gather, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you…members of our bello family…for trusting us with capturing your most precious memories, for opening your hearts to us, and for sharing with us your lives and your love. We are truly humbled and incredibly grateful to have you in our lives!

We also want to thank our special vendors….the other half of our bello family….for making our job not feel like work, for supporting us and helping us grow. We couldn’t do what we do without you!

And, finally, thank you to our faithful blog readers, wherever you are (and most especially you, sweet Candice) for being interested in us and what we do and for all of your wonderful comments, which make this blog so fun for us!

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! In peace & love, Chris & Andy xoxo

PS…To tempt your taste buds, we thought we’d share with you some photos of a scrumptious-looking Cranberry & Apple pie from the Centerville Pie Company that was unexpectedly delivered to us yesterday courtesy of the fabulous Desiree Spinner of DSEvents. Thanks Des…you are wonderful!

Does any other food say, “Love,” quite like a homemade pie? We think not!

You know you want to dive in! Mmmmmm….

May your tomorrow be filled with much love and lots of pie! xo