Andy & I love rehearsal dinners. We loved our own (which was a bit unorthadox and mainly involved putting our family & friends to work and then ordering pizza afterwards…but it was a chance for us to all be together, and that hasn’t really happened again since). We also love attending them as guests…I mean who doesn’t love noshing on some hors d’oeuvres while catching up with friends. And, we also love photographing them.
There is so much that happens on a wedding day. There’s lots of emotional build up and anticipation and the rehearsal dinner can be a more chilled out version of the wedding, where family & friends gather to celebrate the couple and the commitment they’re about to make to one another. There are often touching speeches, tokens of appreciation exchanged and general merry-making.
Andy & I love photographing them because they offer a preview of things to come at the wedding. We get to meet family members we haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting and it gives them a chance to feel more comfortable with us, and ultimately the more comfortable someone feels with us, the better our photos will be. But, really, what we love most about the rehearsal dinner is watching our couples soak in all the love being showered on them. There are few opportunities in life when everyone you love & care most about in this world comes together in joyful celebration. So, getting to be a part of that…two days in a row, is pretty awesome!
Tanya & Stu’s rehearsal dinner a few weeks ago in Wareham was all this and more. It was relaxed, fun, a beautiful evening, with boiled lobsters, grilled steaks, stunning views and lots of love & smiling faces.
We have a strong affection for Tanya and Stu, who are two of the most in love, kind, caring, warm & wonderful people you could ever hope to meet. We had been looking forward to their wedding weekend with excitement and anticipation, knowing it would be a total love fest. As expected, it was all that and more…kicking off with their chilled out lobster boil backyard rehearsal dinner.
Here are just a few moments from their wonderful evening…
Family members say hello with big hugs…..sigh!
Happy, smiling faces….our faves!
One of Tanya’s Matrons of Honor, Karima, was very pregnant for the wedding, and having seen how exhausting those last couple of weeks can be for our momma friends & family, my heart melted when I noticed this sweet moment as Karima got some love & comfort from her very attentive hubby. I expect the baby has arrived by now? If so, big congrats to the new parents!!!
Smiles….
You know how parents aren’t supposed to say they have favorites among their children, but they generally do? Well, that’s how I feel about Tanya & Stu. We have so many amazing couples we get to know, work with and make part of our bello family, and although we love them all dearly, there are a few who stand out…whose love shines so bright and is so true and beautiful that just getting to be around that kind of example makes you want to be a better person, a more attentive partner. Tanya & Stu are that kind of couple for us. When you see them looking at each other, you just know theirs is the kind of love we all strive for….kind, gentle, pure of heart and full of goodness. I love this next photo because in it I can feel the strength of their love…It was just a quick moment, Stu grabbed Tanya’s hand as they were talking with friends, but I was immediately drawn to the way he took her hand in his…with strength, but also this reverence…like it was the most precious thing he’d ever held. And, that pretty much sums up how these two feel about each other. You just can’t help wanting to be around that kind of love.
More friends, including one of Stu’s besties, Fred…..I think Stu’s friends are the perfect reflection of Stu himself. They are all seriously good men.
Stu’s crazy sweet momma, Beth….one of the nicest women ever!! Just such a warm, kind, loving lady. Love this group so much!
Some of Tanya’s besties, Marissa & Katrina find a quiet spot to practice their speeches for later. They were so adorably nervous, but did an AMAZING job!! Way to knock it out of the park ladies! xx
As welcoming as they are, Tanya & Stu happily included all of their friends & family’s dogs in the celebration. This little guy was hoping we might be stopping by with some food…sorry, love…no luck.
Lobsters & love…pretty awesome combination!
Tanya & Stu with Stu’s proud and very sweet dad, Joe.
As if the heavens were smiling down on this union, Tanya & Stu got the most gorgeous blue sky to cap off their rehearsal dinner party.
Taking a moment to give thanks for all of the love & kind words showered on them throughout the night….
We can’t wait to share with you the main event…it was off the hook beautiful…in every way!! More to come soon! For now, big, big thanks to Tanya & Stu and their families & friends for including us in such a wonderful weekend of love! It truly is people like you who make us love what we do!!! Big hugs, Chris & Andy xoxoxo