After several months of hard work, the Bello blog is finally up and running. Its launch coincided with our new Bello Photography website and we are excited to introduce you guys to our new look. We will be posting super-sized images of our fabulous Bello couples, from their engagement session to their wedding day. We might even add a slide show or two! Through our blog, we will also introduce you to some of our personal projects and provide a glimpse of what makes us tick. So browse through the posts, check the archives, leave comments, and SPREAD THE LOVE!

Chris & Andy

Sarah & Parke’s wedding was something the Great Gatsby would have enjoyed. It was elegant and understated, but the guests were clearly there to have a good time. And at the center of it all was the coming together of two people clearly meant for one another.

We had the pleasure of being there with Sarah & Parke when the said, “I do,” last month at St. Peter’s Church in Osterville. The reception followed at Sarah’s family’s beach front home also in Osterville. The ever-professional Undercover Tent erected a tent on the private tennis court for guests to enjoy the culinary delights of Cape Cod’s premier caterer, Olive Chase of Casual Gourmet. Meredith Fancy of Fancy Flowers put together a beautiful display of fall arrangements and the band Rare Form rocked the house until late into the night.

Thank you to all of the other vendors for helping to make our job so easy. But, most especially a big BIG thank you goes out to Sarah & Parke, and both of their families, for allowing us to be there with them on such an auspicious occasion! The love and friendship you have shown us means more to us than you can know! Big hugs to you all! xoxox C & A

Sarah looking stunning in her gorgeous gown from Kleinfeld’s in New York.

A moment with flowergirls Isabella & Julia.

Parke puts on his tie while his brother, Taylor, looks on.

Check out those baby blues….lookin’ good Parke!

Sneaking in the back of the church for their big entrance, Sarah and her bridesmaids prepare to walk down the aisle.

It’s subtle exchanges like this that are the moments we live for… (Don’t you just love the way Sarah is looking so lovingly at Parke? It’s as if there is no one else in the world at that moment. LOVE IT!!)

We did it!! Sarah and Parke face their friends and family after being pronounced hubby & wife, then take a moment for a quick kiss before leaving the church in style in Parke’s dad’s MG.

Picture perfect…

The guys…

And girls…

Some guests enjoy the view down on the family’s private beach.

Tennis anyone? Okay, maybe not now. You’d never know it was a tennis court would you?

Thank you again Sarah & Park for opening your hearts to us. We feel truly honored to have been a part of such a memorable time in your lives! You guys are the best!! xo

Living on Cape Cod it’s hard not to be near a cranberry bog. We are fortunate enough to have one at the end of our street. The bog near us is actually a working bog, operated by Brian Handy, who grows some 180 acres of cranberries in the towns of Falmouth and Bourne that he sells to Oceanspray. Every fall, we see the delicious berries ripen to a glowing red. Cranberry juice just happens to be one of my favorite drinks so it’s pretty cool to know that the juice I like so much may have come from right down the road. Even cooler is being able to watch how the berries are harvested before they end up as juice in our fridge.

Every October, like clockwork, we notice a more prominent redness to the bogs. A few days later, the workers are out there gathering their harvest and we think to ourselves, “We should photograph this.” But, it happens so fast and life is so busy, we inevitably miss it saying, “Next year!” Well, this year, we finally made it out there and spent a couple of hours documenting the process. The guys we spoke with at the bog said this year’s harvest was less abundant than in years past thanks to the dry weather we had in August and September.

The method of collecting the cranberries has changed quite a bit over the years. The days when workers had to hand pick the cranberries from the vine on their hands and knees are gone! Today, only a few workers using large machinery are able to harvest several hundred square feet of bogs in a fraction of the time. These changes have led to some unrest in the town and as a result this bog may not harvest cranberries next year, which made us feel ever better about finally getting out there.

We hope you enjoy the show as much as we did!  Happy Thanksgiving!

We shot our first wedding at the Cape Cod Museum of Art last month. What a fabulous place for a wedding, surrounded by all of that art it was hard not to feel inspired. Equally inspirational was the relationship of the couple whose wedding we were photographing. If ever two people were perfectly suited to one another Cathleen and Stephen are certainly those people. They are a fun, silly couple who seems to thrive on stirring things up and bucking tradition. A perfect example of this was Cathleen’s wedding dress with it’s come-hither red accents. Red, and the love it inspires, were certainly themes for this fall wedding, with gorgeous red and yellow floral arrangements featuring sunflowers and red lilies. There were votives filled with cranberries on the tables, and Cathleen hand-painted the table numbers using very art-inspired red and yellow designs…very impressive!

Catering was provided by Crazy Chef’s, which does a stunning job with displays. Art could be seen in everywhere, including on the passed hors d’oeuvre trays. It really was such a lovely venue for a reception. We snuck away for a bit to take the bridal party to the beach for some photos….wouldn’t you know it was an unseasonably warm October afternoon and Corporation Beach in Dennis was packed! It seriously looked like a July afternoon with people everywhere! We managed to find a little corner away from the crowds. Here are some photos from the day. Enjoy!

Here’s a shot of Cathleen & Stephen’s invitation with their wedding bands.

Heirlooms from Cathleen’s grandmother stayed close to her heart throughout the wedding.

Stephen gets a hug of encouragement from his dad just before the ceremony.

Here comes the bride.

Love this shot of one of the flower girls receiving communion. Too cute!

A tender touch during the vows. Cathleen got a little teary eyed during the vows and ring exchange. We just love weddings!!! So much love!!!

Looking ever so sassy down by the sea wall.

Cathleen and her bridesmaids react to a photo of Mario, Cathleen’s friend and one of her attendants. He was a total clown during our group shot. I like to give clients a peek when we get a good one. Andy’s more secretive…he likes to WOW later! I just can’t wait!

Love and art go hand in hand

A great big thank you to Cathleen & Stephen for being so much fun to work with. We feel truly honored to have been there with you on such an important day and hope these photos keep those feelings of love and joy on the surface for many years to come!!! With hugs, C&A

Just before the cold weather settled in and the beach grass lost its golden hue here on the Cape we made it out to for one last engagement session at our favorite beach in Falmouth. The session was with our new friends Lauren & Ed, who are getting married in Boston next June. Lauren was referred to us from a co-worker of hers, Tracy Peterson, whose wedding we photographed a couple of weeks ago in Newport (stay tuned for those photos). Thanks Tracy…we love you!!!

We had such a great time with Lauren & Ed. They were silly and sweet and obviously in love. Photographing them was not only a lot of fun, but it was also a breeze…Lauren with her mesmerizing aqua blue eyes and Ed with his killer smile and Hollywood good looks; how could we take a bad photo?! We had such a hard time picking just a few for the blog that we decided instead to share with you the slideshow we put together for them. Have fun!

A big thank you to Lauren & Ed for coming down to the Cape to spend the day with us. You two were such naturals in front of the camera. Thank you for putting your trust in us and for being a really nice end to our season! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Every now and then we manage to capture a really funny or unusual image and so we’ve decided to start sharing some of them with you as part of our new Bello Chuckles photo section. We hope you laugh along with us and are reminded that life is too short to take ourselves too seriously! If we can’t have fun, then what’s the point?

We’re really hoping this new section gets people talking (and laughing), so to make it more interesting we’re going to ask you to come up with a witty/funny caption for the images. All thoughts and comments are welcome!

Our first Bello Chuckles photo features this little lovebug. He’s the adorable nephew of one of our fabulous couples, Molly & Guy, who got married last month here on Cape Cod. He comes from a large Italian family and is quite the character. We just loved photographing this little guy, but we’re not sure the feeling was mutual. We got the feeling he was trying to tell us something. What do you think? Roll your mouse over and off the image quickly for the full effect. Then, tell us what you think he’s trying to say.

 

Molly & Guy’s wedding was one of those weddings for us when it was impossible to be there with them and not want to join the party! The ceremony was a full mass at Corpus Christie Parish in Sandwich. We’ve never been to the Parish before, but it was a big beautiful building with a grandness that perfectly suited this couple and their celebration! We stopped at Dowses Beach in Osterville for some alone time with Molly & Guy and then joined the party back at Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee where things really got going.

The high energy Boston-based band Beantown rocked the house and allowed guests to get in on the act. It was hysterical to watch and the energy was infectious. The temptation to grab an instrument and join the fun was hard to resist!!!

Thank you to Randy and the crew at Willowbend for providing an incredible backdrop on a perfect fall afternoon, for always taking care of us and making sure things run smoothly, and for making our job such a breeze.

Our biggest thank you goes out to Molly & Guy who are such fabulous people and a perfect match! You two were a blast at our engagement session last spring and we knew your wedding would be amazing. You certainly didn’t disappoint! You guys rock and we love you! Thank you for just being you!!! xoxoxo

Below are a few of our favorite photos from the day. ENJOY!!

Molly tries to tuck behind the door leading into the waiting room off the church’s grand entrance to hide from guests as they arrive before the ceremony begins.

And here, one of Guy’s nieces gets emotional during the ceremony as her new cousins comfort her….seriously, is that a cute photo or what?

Molly’s stunning Vera Wang dress from L’Elite Bridal Boutique in Boston was a show stopper! Here she & Guy leave the church after saying, “I do!”

A quick kiss and a toast before heading to the beach for photos. This Rolls Royce by Executive Transportation of West Falmouth is our favorite for the killer red fabric lining the roof’s interior and the sexy red leather seats! Request Chris as your driver…he’s sweet, low-key and as a Cape native he knows where he’s going and how long it takes to get there, which helps ensure you arrive on time!

If you’ve followed this blog at all, you’ve probably sensed I have a thing for shoes. Love these puppies by Kate Spade with the cutesy bows on the back to match the bow on the back of Molly’s dress.

Simply stunning….Is he a lucky Guy or what?

Back at Willowbend for photos with the rest of the gang.

Guy gets a little lift from his friends! Whooooaaaa!!!

Here they get a bit more serious….not to mention studly!

The girls show they know how to have a little fun too. I don’t know what it is, but we have the best looking couples and wedding parties. You all make us look good and make our job a piece of cake!!

Molly & Guy’s moms, Sheila & Sara, celebrate as M&G seal their new union with a kiss.

What do you think Molly’s niece is thinking as she checks out the cake??

A new Elvis is born…Guy’s nephew joins the band with some serious hip hop style!

Molly lets loose as she rocks out with Beantown.

Well, that’s just a glimpse into Molly & Guy’s special day. Thank you both again for being so wonderful and so much fun to be around!!! xoxoxo C&A

Maybe it’s because they both come from large families, Kaitlin with her brother and 2 sisters and Adam with his sister and 3 brothers, but whatever the reason Kaitlin & Adam are the kind of people you just want to have around you. They are sweet, optimistic, energetic, fun, and completely in love. We had the pleasure of being there with them as they said, “I do” a few weeks ago. The day started off cloudy and rain seemed to threaten their tented reception at the Asa Bushnell House in Centerville. There was a quick rain storm just as the ceremony started, but by the time Father Mark Hession of Our Lady of Victory in Centerville prompted the newly married couple to kiss, the rain had stopped. At Dowses beach for photos with family & their bridal party, the skies provided a dramatic backdrop and by the end of our time on the beach, the sun poked through for the most incredible light for portraits of Kaitlin & Adam. Here are some of our favorites from the day:

Kaitlin’s killer Christian Louboutin baby blue pumps. I was obsessed with these puppies and the way her legs looked in them all day! FABULOUS!!! Oh, and how about her gorgeous ring! Sweet!!!

Hopping on the trolley to head for the church…see what I mean about her legs!!!

And how about this handsome devil and his groomsmen? Not too shabby!

Adam showing off his new hardware.

We often recommend that brides keep it simple when it comes to make up on their wedding day and Kaitlin hit a homerun with her wedding day look. (Love the eyelashes!!! Don’t be afraid of fakies ladies…they can really add some serious wow factor!)

Adam didn’t do too bad with his wedding day look either….Eat your heart out 007!

The wind was a bit breezy down at the beach for our photos, but it came in handy for this shot.

Check out those cool storm clouds and how they contrast with the sun peeking through….love it!

Cocktail hour at Asa Bushnell House

And here’s the view the guests enjoyed…

I love this angle during the toasts. And Kaitlin just looks so beautiful listening to her dad’s heart-felt speech.

A big hug and thank you to Kaitlin & Adam for choosing us as your photographers. We loved getting to know you at our engagement session earlier this summer and were truly honored to be there with you on such a special day. You two are wonderful and we hope you keep us in your lives for a long, long time! xoxo Chris & Andy

We knew last year, after our engagement session with Allison & Greg, that their wedding was going to be a lot of fun. Not only did they immediately place their trust in us and let down their guard to have some fun, but their love and affection for each other were clearly visible. Nothing is a surer recipe for great photos than love, laughter and a pinch of faith!

Not only did their wedding measure up, but it far exceeded all of our expectations. Surrounded by 83 of their closest friends and family, Allison & Greg said, “I do,” on the deck of the Carriage House at the stunning Ocean Edge in Brewster. It was a gorgeous day, and an afternoon ceremony, which we love, since we favor using natural light whenever possible. The band Flipside provided the perfect soundtrack to the party, with everyone dancing the day away.

The best part of the afternoon for us was when we surprised Allison & Greg with a slideshow of images from the wedding day after dinner. We set up our laptop just outside the dining room and let it run, which is something new we’ve started doing for our clients. The reaction we got from everyone at the wedding was just amazing. We actually felt a little bad at one point when the dance floor suddenly cleared and a crowd formed around the laptop. Allison’s mom, Elaine, and Greg’s mom, Randye, couldn’t stop thanking us and made us feel like we were rock stars. I started wondering if we were going to be asked for autographs! (hee hee) Seriously though, we’ve never got so many hugs and kisses leaving a wedding! It was really such a treat for us! Randye had even told us she was inspired to write a song for Allison & Greg as a gift to them after watching the slideshow we had put together for them after our engagement session…we were honored and dumbstruck that she would find such inspiration in our work. We really do have the best job EVER!!!!

So, a big thank you to Allison & Greg and their wonderful families for allowing us to be a part of such a special time in their lives and for welcoming us with such love! We’re all about spreading the love, so thank you for sending some our way! Hope you feel us sending it right back to all of you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! xoxoxo C&A

Now without further ado…here’s a sampling of things to come.

Here’s Allison getting her make done.

Check out how gorgeous her hair looked, thanks to Erin Keefe of Ten X Spa. Erin also did the hair of another Bello bride, Erin May (check out our City Chic blog to see Erin’s stunning tresses).

Allison gets her first look at Greg before their ceremony. We did family formals before the ceremony, which was more relaxing for everyone and allowed Greg & Allison to enjoy their cocktail hour. Plus, it gives us the opportunity to capture great moments like these:

Allison’s mom, Elaine, walks past as the happy couple takes a moment to enjoy each other.

Allison & Greg get a hug from Greg’s parents, Randye and Bob. Is that a happy family or what?

Best friends Matt & Pam share a giggle with the happy couple before they say, “I do.”

A moment alone (except of course, we’re there too!)

After the ceremony, we took Allison & Greg down to Ocean Edge’s private beach. Here are a few shots from our time together.

Here’s one of my favorites from the day…they just look so totally happy and into each other.

Thank you again Allison & Greg for everything….you guys rock! xoxo

It’s been weddings every weekend for us here at Bello Photography since June, but this past weekend we found ourselves with a free weekend so we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and went camping. Okay, we didn’t go far, actually, just down the road to Nickerson State Park in Brewster. It wasn’t exactly camping and hiking in the mountains, but it was wonderful just the same.

We arrived Saturday morning, set up our tent, had some lunch and took our bikes out along the Cape Cod Rail Trail down to Dennis and back. It was a perfect September day here on the Cape and the trail was loaded with other bikers out to have some fun. Of course, we stopped for ice cream on the way back at the quaint Pleasant Lake General Store in Harwich and took a five minute business detour to check out flooring options for our new studio space at the Mid Cape Home Center in Dennis. Otherwise, we left all things work related behind. It was a relaxing and relatively uneventful two days. Although, Andy claims to have heard coyotes howling in the early morning hours across the pond in front of our camp site. The following are a few photos of our night out in the great outdoors taken with our little point and shoot camera. (We left the big guns at home.)

Here we are goofing off on the bike trail. Look Ma, no hands! And Andy’s trying to bike, take the picture, and smile all at the same time.

Here’s Chris getting the fire ready to cook dinner. Check out the luxurious digs in the background! Sweet! Oh, and we found a great place down the road from the park that sold cedar firewood. It smelled heavenly burning.

Our camping neighbor for the night decided to try his hand at fishing in Flax Pond. Unfortunately, I don’t think his efforts proved as fruitful as they were nice to watch.

Andy looks out over the lake as the breakfast fire gets roaring.

Anyone have a funny/silly/outrageous camping story to share?

What is it that makes American girls go crazy for English guys and vice versa? Whatever it is, it’s a combination that seems to work! Like Andy & me, Megan is American and Simon is English. Last month, the happy couple left London to say I do here on beautiful Cape Cod. Megan grew up in Centerville and was introduced to Simon by her friend Nora, who is also an American living in London. Nora is married to Simon’s brother, John.

Megan & Simon’s reception was held at the fabulous Willowbend Country Club. It was very much a celebration of love and family and we were honored to be a part of it! Thank you to Randy and the crew at Willowbend for taking care of us and most especially to Meg & Simon for inviting us to be a part of such an important day in your lives. We feel like kindred spirits; if only you two lived on this side of the pond! With much love! C&A xo

Here’s Megan & MOH Hillary getting ready in Meg’s childhood bedroom.

And then it just hits you….”I’m getting married today!” There are few moments in life that carry with them that much joy! Can’t you just see it on her face?

Meg heads out to say, “I do!”

Nora made the most amazing scrapbook documenting Megan & Simon’s relationship as a gift for her best friend. It was gorgeous and one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever seen! The time and detail that went into it were incredible! You rock Nora!!!

Simon flanked by his good friends and groomsmen, brother John (left) and Matt (right). You gotta love the English sense of humor!!!

Meg & Simon share a tender moment with their parents at the conclusion of their ceremony at Our Lady of Victory in Centerville. The ceremony was performed by Father Mark Hession, who has a way of really drawing in those he speaks to and giving you something personal and meaningful to take away from his services. Neither Andy nor I is Catholic, but Father Hession’s words always seem to make us stop and take a moment to count our blessings and give thanks for our own relationship. Thank you Father Hession for sharing the love! The world can use more people like you!

Simon’s mom, Andrea, beams with pride as she glances a loving look toward Simon’s dad, Paul.

We did it!!!

Meg & Simon share a private moment by Willowbend’s iconic red barn overlooking the club’s cranberry bog.

Heading back to the party.

The guests’ favors were nostalgic gifts of Megan & Simon’s favorite childhood candies.

The incredible band Night Shift kept the crowd partying well into the night. These guys know how to bring the house down!

Thank you again Meg & Simon for inviting us into your lives with such open arms. You are amazing people and an inspirational couple and we feel truly blessed to have been entrusted to capture for you these and other beautiful moments on your wedding day!