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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The guys….so cool!

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

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

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

I really like this fun perspective during the ceremony.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

bleached starfish place cards + some serious bling = ….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo