Maybe it's the introverts in us, but we love weddings with small guest lists. I think it's a combination of seeing the bride and groom lavish love from each and every guest, or maybe it's because the whole wedding feels like a dinner party, but either way we're fans. Dan and Suzy celebrated their union at the DeWolf Tavern in Bristol, Rhode Island a few weeks back, and Chuck was there to capture all the action. If you've never been to Bristol, you really should add it to your travel list. It's the sweetest little costal New England town, with a sleepy old main street and beautiful historic houses that line the streets. It's no surprise that The Dewolf Tavern was equally as cozy for a wedding. We love how the late fall twilight illuminates their dark and striking features, and how Dan's pop of red on his tie and boutonnière are just the right touch of color. Beyond the aesthetic details, these two are charismatic sweethearts, and we couldn't be more grateful for their trust in our work! Congratulations Suzy and Dan, we know you have years of happiness in your future together!
Christina + Alex = Married
Is there anything better than a summer wedding at a historic mansion? We may be biased, but we'd say no. Christina and Alex were wed on a beautiful summer day in July and Chuck (and our fabulous second shooter, Katie) were there to capture all the action. Our favorite highlights from their wedding include photos on the house-boat that Alex's parents recently moved onto after selling their house (how cool is that?) and the surprise song Alex's sister sang during their first dance. We love when our couples personalize their weddings and this wedding was full of personality! The Linden Place in Bristol remains one of our favorite "little" mansions in Rhode Island and seeing it in action again for Christina and Alex's big day just reconfirmed our love for that beautiful house. Congratulations you two! We wish you all the best!
Julia + Chris = Married
We loved photographing Julia and Chris' Wedding at The Linden Place in Bristol, Rhode Island. We have a thing for historic New England houses so that alone was enough to have us running around like kids with too much candy, but it was really the spirit of their wedding day that got us. Julia and Chris are both extremely intelligent, creative and well spoken people whom we admire. Their wedding was such a beautiful representation of them as a couple as well as their friends and family coming together as one big happy group. I started off with Julia and her best ladies at the salon where they all primped and prepped to look even more gorgeous than they already were; while Matt hung with Chris, his guys and the couple's adorable dog, Buster, as they prepped for the ceremony. Something we see more and more of is when brides have a 'First Look' with their fathers after they are all ready and dressed and before he walks her down the aisle. I'm a big fan. Julia and her dad decided to share this moment with just the two of them minutes before the ceremony started and I'm pretty sure it was more emotional than the First Looks we do with bride and grooms. Meanwhile, guests outside waited for their crisp outdoor ceremony to start with warm cups of apple cider. Once the ceremony started Chris' face lit up when he saw Julia for the first time and the two of them only had eyes for each other which made the rest of us swoon in their sweetness. After the ceremony we zipped down to the Bristol waterfront for a few photos of the newlyweds on the docks and on the streets. The evening continued with a warm and cozy reception by a *huge* fire and lots of dancing and desserts. I'm in love with the giant paper flower installation Julia "whipped together in an afternoon" (super bride?) and tried to convince Chris that they need it as their headboard now. The paper flowers and loving, energetic celebration were just two small manifestations of what a great job Julia and Chris did infusing their wedding day with their personalities. What a great day! Julia and Chris, we are so happy for you and have loved working with you. Congratulations!
Charlene + Andrew = Married
There are some days, scratch that, MOST days that we feel completely blessed to have the job we do. Weddings like Charlene and Andrew's exemplify our feelings times 100. Yes, weddings are beautiful events filled with flowers, beautiful dresses and freshly shaven faces. You don't have to twist my arm to enjoy photographing beautiful things....it's inspiring and fun. But all of those things are nothing if you don't have LOVE and JOY. This is what makes our job different than just shooting magazine or blog styled shoots. Charlene and Andrew's wedding was filled with so much happiness. They are better together than apart, and it was clear to everyone that their passion for life and each other far surpassed the glamour and glitz of a fancy wedding day. That isn't to say that their wedding wasn't beautiful. It was STUNNING and every detail was perfectly placed. But despite all of those things, their biggest priority on their wedding day was each other - and it was so joyfully obvious. They exchanged vows at their meeting place and Alma Mater, Bryant University and The Eisenhower House in Newport, Rhode Island was a perfect backdrop for their laid back tented reception. We absolutely loved shooting their portraits on the perfectly New England coastline in Newport and have to say that our favorite moment of the day was when Andrew surprised Charlene with a song he had written her during the reception. We actually think he may have a career as a rockstar ahead of him (seriously). Charlene and Andrew, Congratulations. We are so happy to have shared in your big day and wish you a lifetime of adventures!
Lauren + Neil = Married
Lauren and Neil were married on a Sunday. We love Sunday weddings because they are like big family reunions. People eat slower and talk more. They hug abundantly and laugh with gusto. We loved watching the way their guests cheered them on as they celebrated their first day as a married couple. They held their wedding ceremony and reception at the Crystal Lake Golf Club in Mapleville, RI - and it was an ideal venue. They had a ceremony in a tucked away wooded area and took a boat back to the reception site. Some people have getaway cars...Lauren and Neil had a getaway boat! After a few portraits with their beloved Dog, Morgan - they had a lovely reception with some of the cutest centerpieces and probably our favorite cake of the season. Lauren and Neil, it was such a pleasure capturing your day - we wish you many years of happiness together with Morgan and Batman (and maybe even some human babies too!) !
Marisa + Andy = Married
One of our favorite things about shooting weddings is watching how each individual couple makes an event their own. In many ways, planning a wedding is the first big project a couple will undertake together. It's not just the brides party, and it's not just the grooms. It is something that represents both of them, and what makes them compliment each other so well. Marisa and Andy had a wedding that truly reflected themselves. From the unique wedding venue on the shore of Jamestown, RI to the beer they lovingly crafted months leading up to the wedding - there wasn't an element that wasn't personalized. They also had a Quaker ceremony, which is especially cool because it consists of the wedding guests contributing readings, poetry, music or on the moment toasts to the couple - instead of having an officiant lead the entire ceremony. All wedding guests sign the couple's marriage certificate, which is such a beautiful way to remember the day that everyone came together to watch them become husband and wife. We also have to give a big shout out to Jamie from Jamie Marland Photography for joining Summer Street for the day with her expert eye behind the lens. (We especially love the shoe shots, Jamie!) Congrats to Marisa and Andy - and thank you for trusting us to capture your wonderful day!
Marisa + Andy = Engaged
So if you know us even a little bit, you know that we love to cook, and we love to eat. Funny thing then that we met up with Marisa and Andy, who have both worked for some of the best restaurants in Providence. You may have also noticed that we often comment about how we often think of our clients as friends, and want to have dinner parties with them. (Maybe we're weird...) Anyway, our wildest dreams came true during Marisa and Andy's engagement session. We got to shoot them on a rooftop with a 360 view of Providence (and in the un-air conditioned 'perfect light' staircase of said building....you guys are troopers) and then in their apartment as they cooked us an amazing lunch. Talk about a treat! We are super excited to be shooting their September wedding, and even hope that the sombrero ends up making an appearance at their wedding. And finally, a huge thank you to Jamie from Jamie Marland Photography for assisting with the shoot!
