Janine and Tom met at a wedding and according to Janine "Tom was a groomsman. I called "dibs" on him prior to the wedding based on his facebook profile and when he walked into the reception hall wearing a cowboy hat and belt buckle I knew I was a goner! We consider that night the beginning of our relationship." Tom serves as an army ranger in the 75th ranger regiment based out of Fort Benning, GA. In the fall of 2013, Janine received the dreaded phone call. Tom had been critically injured by a suicide bomber. He lost his right eye and upper half of his nose, broke his right foot, had a collapsed lung, and shrapnel wounds all over his body. But according to Janine' "his brain & heart were untouched (the best parts!)." These two have been through so much together, and what they say is true: what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. They celebrated their long awaited wedding a few weeks back at the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, Mass where Chuck (and our talented second shooter, Vina!) captured their emotional and love-filled wedding day. It was a day filled with so much joy, as well as a solemn reminder to live each day to the fullest (as their memorial table for fallen service men and women reminded us). Janine and Tom, we can not imagine two more loving, genuine and giving people. You guys deserve one another, and that says a lot given the solid character and heart you each bring to the table. Congratulations on your marriage and we wish you so many years of love together!
Jenn + Jeff = Married
There's just something about a black and white wedding palate that doesn't get old. It exudes a classy timelessness and just looks so *sharp*. Jenn and Jeff are like that though. They live life to the fullest and have excellent taste. Their wedding was a perfect combination of their style and taste. Choosing things like a Sunday morning ceremony at the delicious and beautifully accented L'Andana Restaurant made for a memorable and comfortable wedding day. Chuck was on hand to capture it all and we're smitten with the photos he captured of this sweet pair. Jenn and Jeff; thank you for trusting us to capture your union! We trust you have years of happiness together and wish you the best.
Kimberly + Marty = Married
Once upon a time there was a pretty girl named Kimberly who worked at a pizza joint. There was a charming boy named Marty who happened to love pizza and frequented this fine establishment, but unbeknownst to Kimberly, Marty was there for more than pizza. Marty's frequent visits to Family Pizzeria ended up not only gaining him some delicious slices of pizza, but a wife. Clearly their relationship moved beyond their sweet beginnings and into something more real and comfortable. Kimberly and Marty tied the knot on a lovely spring day in Western Mass late in May and started the next exciting chapter in their lives together. Their wedding day was filled with those that mattered most to them, along with some beautifully rustic accent pieces (cowboy boots? twinkle lights and a barn? check!) and a whole lot of laughter. We were thrilled to be there capturing their fun day and are loving the photo results. Special thanks to our talented second shooter Ashley for joining Summer Street for the day. Congratulations Kim and Marty! We are so happy for you both and wish you many more years of joy!
Favorite Photos from 2012 - Wedding
What an amazing year it's been. Whenever we stop to count our blessings (which we try to make a daily habit of) we are floored by the opportunities we have to work in a medium we love for really good people. Yes, we take thousands of photos at every wedding and spend countless hours ensuring each image is taken care of and presented with the same joy we captured it with - but without you - our clients and supporters - our work is nothing. We'd have no beautiful flower arrangements to ooh and ah at, we'd have no sweet glances to capture when a couple sees one another for the first time on their wedding day, we'd never hear your loved ones toasting to eternal happiness and we'd certainly have a lot fewer friends. The truth is, weddings are filled with emotions and it's a complete honor to be able to bottle those up and give them back to you each and every wedding. After a wedding is over, when we're home and editing photos on a tuesday morning, we're still laughing about the way your Uncle Randy took center stage during 'Gangnam Style', we're still inspired by the hard work you've put into your wedding details and with each and every couple portrait that we edit and refine, our observations of your love reinforces why marriage is such a beautiful thing. We love capturing these moments and giving them back to you as a visual journal of one of the happiest days of your lives. We can't help but feel as though the joy and love of these special days rubs off on us too. It's contagious, and we can only hope 2013 will bring as much hard work, excitement and happiness as 2012. Happy New Year, Friends!
Sarah + Ben = Married
We've had the distinct honor of knowing Sarah and Ben since the beginning of their relationship, which coincided with our cross country move from Minnesota to Massachusetts four years ago. They too, were moving from MN to MA and Sarah was a dancer, Ben was an academic - just like us. It was destiny that we meet once we moved out here and the four of us became fast friends. Our time in Massachusetts has been bench marked by a few very special relationships, and Sarah and Ben are a huge part of that. We've shared countless dinners, artistic projects and genuine conversations with them. To say that photographing their wedding was an pleasure would be an understatement. We loved documenting their day in a way that reflected their distinct personalities and united commonality (in fact, their wedding ceremony readings were from The Metamorphosis of Plants and Julia Child's autobiography...which is SO perfect for both of them). Ipswich Mass has become a very special place for Sarah and Ben, so The Inn at Castle Hill was a perfect backdrop for their intimate 21 person guest list. The Inn lies within the grounds of The Crane Estate, so we were also able to photograph them by the breathtaking mansion grounds, which we loved and felt as though we'd be swept to an English Palace. Their ceremony started with the sound of the wind gently moving hand bells that their guests held (which was so peaceful and beautiful) and ended ended with an emotion filled kiss and an explosion of laughter and cheering. Their evening boasted a beautiful sunset and heartfelt toasts as they enjoyed a foodie-approved dinner catered by Fireside Catering. Sarah and Ben, we are so happy for you and know that the future will hold great things for you both. Congratulations!!
Marleah + Chris = Married
While Marleah and Chris live on the beautiful island of Nantucket, they decided to get married in the equally beautiful town of Scituate for their wedding. A ceremony at Saint Mary of the Nativity was followed by a reception at the gorgeous cottage home Marleah grew up in (yay backyard weddings!). Add in some portraits out by the water (not to mention an extremely photogenic couple) and, well, you can see the results above! Did we mention that their lab Fletcher makes his second appearance on our blog here? All of the details were perfectly suited to emphasize the relaxed, coastal ambiance and laid back vibe that Marleah and Chris share. It was like one giant dinner party - with some rocking dancing! Marleah and Chris, we have loved getting to know you and enjoyed every moment of working with you. We know you will provide each other a lifetime of happiness. Congratulations!!
Jessica + Jon = Married
After shooting Jessica and Jon's wedding, we have a new favorite type of wedding: BACKYARD WEDDINGS. Jessica and Jon wanted a wedding day that was zero fuss (they were even barefoot for their ceremony) and full of love and family. When we met up with them at a neighbor's house for first looks portraits their neighbor friend was chopping fruit for their wedding reception later. Jessica arrived with a stunning floral wreath (her step-mom arranged all the flowers) and a nervous excitement to see her groom for the first time that day. Jon was smooth and sweet as he turned to see his beautiful bride and their connection gave me chills as they shared their excitement for the evening ahead. We couldn't have had better light or setting as we snapped away for their woodsey couple portraits. After some family photos we were ready for the ceremony where Jon's children played a leading role as they welcomed Jessica into their family. Jessica's father quickly orchestrated the ceremony space switch as it turned into a magical reception as the guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres on the lawn. The musical playlist lulled the group into a casual yet classy gathering as Jessica and Jon hugged their nearest and dearest as Mr. and Mrs. So easy, laid back and full of love. Mission accomplished!
Kristin + Brian = Married
Kristin and Brian were married at the Mansion at Turner Hill in Ipswich on the rainiest day in June. As their big day approached and the weather kept threatening major storms on their wedding day, we were all a little disappointed that their outdoor garden ceremony and leisurely cocktail hour they had originally planned to be outdoors would need to be moved inside. Lucky for us (and the rest of the wedding guests) the inside of the Mansion at Turner Hill is absolutely spectacular. In fact, it has served as a backdrop for many major motion pictures and even stepping inside you feel as though you have been whisked back into another era. As the morning of the big day arrived and as all of the preparations buzzed, Kristin was as cool as a cucumber as she readied herself to see her groom for the first time on their wedding day. Brian and his guys waited for the ladies while relaxing in the historic smoking room, playing cards and drinking scotch. As the rain poured down, we found a large covered overpass for Kristin and Brian to have their First Look and Portraits utilizing the natural light while remaining dry and clean in the hurricane-like weather. We were all glad to go inside afterward where guests started arriving to be welcomed by a large fire in the library and many happy welcome hugs. A cozy vibe isn't something you might expect at a June wedding but it was a fabulous touch and highlighted the exquisite nature of the venue. Their ceremony was sweet and beautiful and the rest of the evening went off without a hitch; dining in the tent, toasting to their happiness and rocking out the dance floor with a live band. While the wedding did have to utilize that all important 'Plan B' rain back up plan, the most important elements - family, love and two people entering into a new life together - were so present and full that the small details paled in comparison. It truly was a perfect day.
Morgan + Peter = Married
You will not meet a couple that is better suited for one another than Morgan and Peter. We've absolutely loved getting to know these two, especially since they booked us to shoot their gorgeous Cape Cod wedding almost two years ago. You really get to know someone in that amount of time, and one of our favorite perks of this job is when clients become friends. It was in that process that we got to know them better, met their dog, had an engagement session with them, worked on some smaller photo projects with them and exchanged about a thousand e-mails. On their wedding day when Kendra's allergies were so bad that she had lost her voice completely (but felt fine) it was no big thing since the four of us had established a relationship throughout their engagement and knew everything was going to work out (p.s. Morgan gets bride of the year for trusting a miming photographer with large group portraits!) Their wedding day was everything they imagined it to be. Gorgeous weather, perfect beachy wedding details, happy guests, a rocking dance party and an overflowing love that surrounded them as they became a new family. So much love. Morgan and Peter, it's been a true joy being a part of your lives. We couldn't be happier for you!