Emily & Robby first found their way to us in February 2019 (yup…two and a half years ago!!). They were planning their July 2020 Cape Cod wedding and enjoyed what the saw on our website and reached out about us photographing their wedding. We instantly hit it off with these two lovely people.
They themselves had met five years earlier, the day Emily interviewed at a strategy consulting firm in Washington, DC, where Robby was working. She was, of course, hired and while working closely together on a project, the two became fast friends. As sometimes happens with friendship (that’s how Andy & I started), deeper feelings began to grow. Although to be clear…Emily (like me with Andy) made the first move, one she now feels very grateful to have made.
“I credit my friend, Kelsey, for convincing me to apply for the job. I also credit myself for being brave enough to make the first move,” Emily told us. “Not my typical style, but I had such a good feeling about Robby.”
“We’re on the same page about so many thing,” she told us. “On our first date, I was nervous about how the office would react to us dating as co-workers and Robby made me promise, no matter what happened, to ‘always be nice to each other.’ It’s something we try really hard to live by and has been a great foundation (on which) to build a relationship.”
Even though Robby grew up in DC and Emily in the Boston area, the universe knew these two would be something special together, and so it had them cross paths, more than once before officially meeting. Back in 2011, while they were both studying abroad, Emily & her friends went to Oktoberfest and although they wouldn’t know it until many years later, a photograph of her and her friends managed to capture Robby in the background.
“We didn’t meet that weekend, but fast forward 7 years later, and we got engaged on a trip to Munich,” Robby told us.
Unfortunately, the road to their actual wedding took longer than anyone imagined. Like so many eager and lovestruck couples, Covid rained on their parade, forcing them to make the difficult decision to postpone their wedding a year. Planning became a moving target with ever-changing state mandates and restrictions. Their once 300+ guest list had to be whittled in half…a painful process that they met with personal phone calls and no doubt, lots of tears. Even weeks before, it looked like they might only have 50 guests. But, happily, the world (at least in Massachusetts) opened up enough for them to have 150 of their nearest and dearest gather to celebrate the day they had been now waiting nearly 3 years for.
As if an offering of sincere apology, the universe provided these two special people with an absolutely picture-perfect wedding day. Seriously, everything about the day was perfect…the weather, the bride & groom were calm as cucumbers, they were ready on time, their dog Ollie posed like a pro for photos and greeted everyone with an enthusiastic tail wagging performance while coming down the aisle. There were maskless hugs by vaccinated loved ones. It was….perfect. Photos in a minute….we’ve waited this long, what a little longer?
The wedding weekend started the night before, with a fabulous (and also perfect) rehearsal dinner, hosted by Robby’s ridiculously warm and welcoming parents, Wendy & Steve. These two instantly won me over. The way they love each other, their kids, their friends and family….they way they look you in the eye and speak so engaged and with such sincerity, as if you’re the only one in the room…well, it quickly became clear why Robby is the way he is and why Emily fell so deeply in love with him. He comes from good people. Good with a capital GOOD.
Here’s a sneak peek at the evening’s festivities, beginning with our adorable couple. Meet Robby & Emily…
The beach house at Chatham Bars Inn all dressed up and ready for Emily & Robby’s family style lobster bake dinner. Perfection.
Family & friends enjoying cocktail hour, including Robby’s super sweet sis, Lily, and groomsmen – Jack & Andrew.
The fog rolled in thick and heavy, but in no way dampened spirits during the evening.
Groomsman and shoe connoisseur, Albert, sharing some love and happy memories during his dinner toast.
Emily &Robby taking in the love being showered on them….yaaay for love and togetherness.
Robby’s super sweet parents, Steve & Wendy gave a heartfelt welcome to everyone, most especially to their new soon-to-be daughter-in-law. I’m not crying, you’re crying! It was very sweet! Guests, including lovely bridesmaid, Devyn.
Wendy & Steve capturing having a very adorable moment. I imagine they were just taking in the magnitude of the weekend….of the meaning for their beloved son’s life, gathering with family & friends…something that hadn’t happened for anyone for a very long time, and just knowing how PERFECT it all was. Makes me smile all over again looking at their beautiful faces.
Sissy, Lily, giving her very heartfelt toast (everyone should have a sister like Lily) while guests crack in to some lobstah, including Emily’s lovely dad, Peter.
I love the way Robby is always looking to Emily…seeing her happy, well, you can see for yourself the effect that has on him. Love these two!
Hugs for sissy. And cheers!!
To hugs, to love, to family-style dinners again….and cheers to Emily & Robby.
Friends gather….
And enjoy up close reunions in the name of love.
The sun sets on the beginning of a new chapter for Emily & Robby.
Andy & I returned to Chatham Bars Inn the next morning, super excited to once again be a part of a wedding day. Love the ring box Emily used for her rings. But, I REAAAALLLY love this sweet moment as Wendy whispered something no doubt incredibly loving to Emily, who had to hold herself…literally…back from tears. Just beautiful.
Robby and his groomsmen/besties get dressed and ready for the big day.
I mean…..the dress, the hair, the entire wedding look….is she stunning or what? Getting a little help from her moms…Wendy (Robby’s mom) and Betsy (Emily’s lovely momma).
Getting dressed al fresco at the Chatham Bars Inn.
Just love the expressions as Betsy, Wendy & Lily taking in Emily, all dressed and ready to go.
No words…
A big hug from mom….
Emily was so calm all morning…so full of grace, elegance and her eyes squarely on the prize….marrying her best friend.
AKA…the best friend….looking incredibly dapper.
Just love the emotion in this next photo as Emily and some of her besties (Morgan, Allison & Katie) see each other for the first time.
More emotional goodness as Emily & Robby see each other during their first look…
This was such a special moment for me, as a photographer and just a sensitive person. After having to wait two and a half years to get married, the emotion of that moment just overwhelmed them, as they fell into each other’s arms. There were smiles and happy tears and it was contagious.
Their fur baby and flower girl extraordinaire, Ollie, joined them for a few photos. Such a good girl!!
Love lives here….in your arms.
Swoon….
You + Me = Forever
Another favorite moment for me was when Emily’s dad, Peter, saw his baby girl all ready to go…a bride to be, no longer his baby. Look at the bursting joy on his handsome face. The photo on the right nearly took my breath away as I took it. After exchanging a big hug, Emily & her dad headed to meet the rest of the group for family photos and Emily turned for a quick second to look back and, I guess, make sure I was following. Everything about this photo screams elegance to me. The way she carries herself…she really is such a beautiful person…inside and so obviously out.
Mom Betsy and her baby girl….beauties.
So happy to be welcoming their newest family member….look how happy Wendy is for her sweet son. Be still my heart.
Hey fellas…
Owning this moment…and the middle of the street.
Such a wonderful group of really lovely people.
And here we go….
You think Emily’s ready??!!
Oh yeah….the look of love and certainty.
Joy….oh how it did flow.
With this ring, I thee wed.
We did it….the new Mr. & Mrs.
What’s better than having just married your best friend, been handed a cold glass of bubbly, as your closest friends come to congratulate you? Not much!!!
After their ceremony, Emily & Robby wanted to take a few minutes to themselves to take it all in…and take a few photos with Andy & me. They looked back to see where to…and well, I think it’s a wrap. Nailed it guys!!!
The look of love…
Most people might just see a row of empty cabanas…me, I see lines and light and the perfect backdrop for a quiet moment and a killer photo (I can say that, right? It’s braggy, but I mean….).
Here, in your arms, is where I always want to be….
Some cold water, delicious appetizers, a moment to regroup and absorb….these are the moments you’ll always remember.
Chatham Bars Inn’s dock is pretty iconic in the wedding world….
But, these two….who even sees a dock? I’m mesmerized by the way they look at each other. Just beautiful.
Afterwards, we all headed to the cocktail hour to join the party, which was well underway. Just love this photo of super cutie, Julene…
Guests having a blast..
And just loving being together again.
The new Mr. and Mrs. make their way to dinner and the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.
Signed, sealed, delivered…..I’m yours!
Twirl me in your arms, here is where I always want to be…
Having so much fun!!
Everyone had soooo much fun!
Dinner was family style buffet…so the party just flowed..perfectly.
Andy & I made a difficult decision that the last few weddings we have on the books will be our last. We only have a handful left and after this one, I wondered if we made the right decision. Emily & Robby, their families and friends, working with some of the best pros in the business again, including Allison Liset of Elegant Engagements, it all just reminded me why I love this work and why we made the decision 20 years ago to focus on weddings. I am excited for the unknowns of the future and feel super grateful to have been able to provide for so many couples…a beautiful collection of images that I hope they feel perfectly captured all of the love and joyful emotion that made their wedding so special and uniquely them.
Emily & Robby….thank you from the bottom of our very full hearts for allowing us to take this journey with you!! We hope these photos (and the many more still to come…can’t wait for you to see them all!!) serve as happy reminders of an incredible weekend for many, many happy years to come, and that as you reflect on your day, that you might from time to time, think of us and smile, as we will surely do when we think of all of you!
With love, hugs and deepest gratitude,
Christine & Andy xoxo