I don't know about you, but I can't get enough of this wedding. Not only are the details picture perfect (thanks to our good friends at Whim Events!) but Andrea and Geoff have a glow that makes us smile. 2013 has been a big year for us on Summer Street with the addition of our new Associate Photographer, Chuck. We knew that we were on to something good when he officially joined us earlier this year, and now that the fruits of his labor can be seen by all, we feel so so lucky to have him. Many people think that just Matt and I shoot every wedding on this blog. While I wish we could take the credit for such a broad body of work - we all work as a team and craft our skill based on what each couple's wedding day story has to tell. Every couple that we work with is different, so we don't want all the weddings we shoot to look identical. We aren't a big photo studio that doesn't care about our clients individual personalities. We are so lucky to have Chuck and a talented group of regular second shooters to call on when needed. While it could be hard for me to narrate Andrea and Geoff's story because I wasn't the one who shot it - I love that their story shines through the images. Their wedding day reminds us of an awesome combo of The Great Gatsby and a family reunion. Geoff's laugh looks contagious, and Andrea looks like the happiest woman in the world. Their dance party was on FIRE. We're so glad to have Chuck on our team to help tell love stories that we can narrate and enjoy without being the ones who shot the wedding because in the end that's what its about: a beautiful and provocative collection of photos to visually narrate the first chapter in the history of a brand new family.
Stephanie + Tyler = Married
At this point, you've seen all of Stephanie and Tyler's photos and there isn't much more I can add in text that communicates just how incredible their wedding day was. I mean really! Go ahead and start at the top and look through them again. Don't you love the happiness that oozes from their faces? From their friends and families? Stephanie and Tyler are really *good* people. They both have hearts of gold and it leaves us feeling like things are pretty great with the world when two such deserving people have found love and are moving forward in life together. Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington, Connecticut served as the perfect backdrop for their classy nuptials and we loved all the personalized details Stephanie and Tyler added into their wedding to make the venue feel like home for the day. We had a blast working on this wedding and can't imagine two people more deserving of a lifetime of happiness. Congratulations Stephanie and Tyler!
Jennifer + Rory = Engaged
Just when we think we've seen it all and our job starts feeling routine, we get knocked off our feet by an amazing shoot on a farm with an extraordinary couple who brought along their SHEEP to the session. Meet Jennifer, Rory and their furry friend Reggie. These two will be tying the knot later this fall in Chicago and wanted to capture an Engagement Session in Massachusetts where they are spending their summer. Rory works for Heifer International Farm which is an amazing organization that works to end world hunger through community agriculture. Heifer International has a farm in Western Mass where we went out to shoot their session. The quiet pastoral landscape was so peaceful and refreshing after a very busy month of shooting and go-go-going for us on the Summer Street team. Working in a more relaxed pace wasn't the only enjoyable part, however. Jennifer and Rory are truly amazing people and we enjoyed getting to know them during their session and watching them light up when they engaged in one another. As always, the presence of animals in front of the camera kept us on our toes and made us feel so grateful to have the opportunity to document the love stories of so many wonderful people (and their furry friends!)
Kristen + Brian = Married
Kristen and Brian were married on the most perfect June day. Everything they had hoped and dreamed for in their wedding celebrations went off without a hitch. We love that they incorporated the most beautiful view of the Boston skyline as the pillar of their wedding. Since the property lies on the other side of the water looking west onto downtown Boston, Kristen and Brian rocked the 'working with what you've got' concept at the Hyatt Harborside Hotel in East Boston by incorporating the gorgeous skyline view into all of their wedding celebration. Kristen and Brian utilized the breezy outdoor tent at the hotel to allow guests to mingle on the lawn during the reception and incorporated personal touches into their wedding with a late-night freshly rolled cigar bar, homemade limoncello favors and showcased the Groom's father as a solo trumpet player during their ceremony. We loved photographing their beautiful wedding day and know they'll spend many happy years together. Check out all of their wedding photos here. Congratulations you two!
Laura + Peter = Engaged
From the first e-mail, Laura and Pete were clear about one thing: they wanted some photos of themselves as newly engaged Somerville-ians. It's not very often that we get to shoot couples in our own neighborhood, so you can imagine our excitement to meet them and capture them in the Boston neighborhood we share a common thread for. Somerville is a quirky and dense place that has a lot of personality and houses some really interesting people. It's been called the Brooklyn of Boston, and one of my personal favorites, the Paris of the New England (okay, it's not really as beautiful as Paris but there are lots of really amazing artists here!) From the moment we connected with these two, it was clear that they were perfectly suited for one another and were completely adorable together. We loved photographing them both in their neighborhood and their home (including meeting their sweet felines) and can't get enough of this session. Congratulations you two!
Katie + Matt = Married
Even though both of them grew up in Massachusetts, it took moving all the way across the country to California to meet and fall in love. With a common love of adventure sports, the outdoors and spending time with their dog, Katie and Matt were made for one another. Their wedding was a true celebration of two lives and families coming together in support of their commitment and love for each other. There was such joy and tenderness in the way they interacted with each other throughout the entire day. We started with getting ready photos of each of them and although they were cool and collected on the outside, Katie admitted to being "more than a little nervous" with the excitement and anticipation bubbling up inside. After their adorable first look and some couple portraits in a nearby state park, their closest friends joined them for bridal party photos before the ceremony. We made our way over to the meticulously gardened Independence Harbor for their ceremony which left few people with dry eyes as everyone witnessed their grinning, tear streaked happy faces say 'I do'. The celebrations continued into the evening with lots of hugs and some serious dance moves thrown down on the dance floor while Katie and Matt soaked up the happiness from those around them. The Summer Street Photobooth was also hopping all night with wedding guests who showed us exactly how to rock a feather boa. We had a blast shooting this wedding and know that Katie and Matt will share many happy years together. Congratulations you two!!
Erica + Mike = Engaged
We're kind of in love with this session. The colors, vibrancy, timeless 'Boston' vibe AND a completely in love and adorable Erica and Mike? It's all pretty perfect. We started this session on their home street in the back bay which was quintessentially Boston (we could have shot there all day) and had to take advantage of some photos of them on their front steps. Often while shooting in Beacon Hill or Back Bay we'll joke with clients that they are just going to go sit on some random person's steps and we'll all pretend that they live in this gorgeous brownstone with a blue door (because the color and textures photograph so well). In Erica and Mike's case, we had the privilege of shooting on their *actual* front steps, which not only made for a pretty backdrop but also a fantastic memory for these two as they write their story together and can someday remember when they lived there. After shooting around their house we zipped over to the Boston Public Garden right before the skies opened up and poured rain. The color and twilight in the last series of images is so fascinating to us and just proves how mother nature is always keeping us on our toes as natural light photographers. While we thought we may have some dewy soft sunset light we got a clean and cool look instead, which we love. Erica and Mike will be on the blog again very soon as they prep for their August nuptials in Newport, RI. It's bound to be an amazing day!
Kristen + Matthew = Married
This wedding makes us so happy. We often get asked what our number one piece of wedding planning advice would be, and time after time, we always say that if you as a couple can find ways to incorporate yourselves, your background and your future into your wedding day that it will be a truly unique, enjoyable and memorable event for yourselves and your guests. Kristen and Matthew nailed this one on the head. We LOVED photographing their big day and watching them celebrate their commitment with their nearest and dearest. The day started off with an intimate ceremony on the beach in their neighborhood and was followed by a relaxing and beautiful lunch at the Trafford Restaurant in Warren, RI. The space was so airy and calm, so with the addition of a nice mix of loving family and friends (and some incredible food) the atmosphere was just perfect. After the lunch reception more family and friends joined them at their house for a backyard gathering celebrating the newlyweds. Kristen had arranged a sweet surprise for her Matthew when Rhode Island's famous Del's Lemonade truck made an appearance during the reception. Kids and adults alike enjoyed iced lemonade with their lawn games and conversation. It was a truly enjoyable day for all that we were honored to get to capture. Kristen and Matthew, you both have been such a pleasure to work with. We wish you all the joy and happiness in the world. Congratulations!
Kelsey + Danny = Together
Sometimes, all you need for really great photos are two people perfectly matched for one another. You may remember Kelsey and Danny from their amazing wedding in Guatemala (oh, and their awesome engagement session there too). They are currently living state-side and happened to be in Boston for a weekend during Danny's birthday, so Kelsey decided to surprise Danny with a mini photoshoot with us. It's always a happy occasion to re-photograph a couple we've worked with for their wedding, and even more so when said couple has become so near and dear to our hearts. We love the simplicity and joy in these images...just Kelsey and Danny, being together and so so happy.
Carolyn + Pat = Engaged
There is so much to love about Carolyn and Pat. In so many ways they are the classic American love story, and equally as adorable together. Carolyn has a heart of gold and a smile that sparkles. Upon first glance, Pat could be taken as a no-nonsense hockey player, or something equally as intimidating. What I love though, is how Pat clearly melts when he's around Carolyn and you can tell that she lights up his whole world. It's pretty stinkin' adorable - so you can imagine our ease photographing the two of them during their recent engagement session in Quincy. They'll be tying the knot in just over a month at the New England Aquarium, which is bound to be a fun evening filled with love and lots of dancing!
Erika + Jeffrey = Married
Erika and Jeffrey had us at hello. From the very beginning we loved their vision for a beautiful, rustic wedding with an emphasis on having a great time for everyone involved. The Smith Barn at Brooksby Farm in Peabody was the perfect backdrop for said vision that went off with out a hitch. We're becoming huge fans of what we're calling 'one-stop-shop' wedding venues that offer so many diverse and beautiful backdrops for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception (as well as the photos of course) but no one has to mess with transportation during the wedding day. It makes the entire event run smoothly and ultimately more enjoyable for everyone. You can imagine our delight with a property as rich in history and beauty as Brooksby Farm - especially when we have two adorably in-love people who are just as attractive to work with as they are to photograph. In fact, we've got a petition out with their families to get these two moved back out to the East Coast so we can hang out with them more. We loved having the honor of capturing Erika and Jeff's wedding, and know these two will have many years of happiness as they celebrate life together. Be sure to check out all of their wedding photos here. Congratulations Erika and Jeff!!
Martyna + David = Engaged
It's official. Engagement Sessions on the beach may be our favorite type of session this summer. There is something about the easy, care free vibe of two sweet people in love (and their dog!) strolling by the water enjoying themselves that makes the perfect recipe for great photos. College sweethearts Martyna and David (and their dog Rose) are no exception. We're loving these photos and were honored to capture their Engagement on Nantasket Beach before they tie the knot in Poland (Martyna's homeland) next summer. Congratulations you guys! We wish you many years of love, laughter and long strolls on the beach.
Shannon + Mike = Married
Oh how we adore these two. Shannon and Mike were wed on the most perfect June day that was filled with joy, happiness and and outpouring of love from their friends and family who joined together to witness their long awaited union. Believe it or not, they met while studying abroad in Italy, but grew up just miles from one another (on a different note, they are currently honeymooning *in* Italy and we couldn't be more jealous...). It became quickly obvious to one another that they were meant to be, and they continued their relationship state side which eventually led us to the glorious day you see above. Humble, hard working and as genuinely kind as two people can be - Shannon and Mike deserve one another. It's been such a joy working with them and we couldn't be more happy for their future together. Congratulations you two! We wish you many years of wedded bliss.
Mike + Melaney = Engaged
We spent an enjoyable evening in the Arnold Arboretum with Melaney and Mike a few weeks back and are excited to share some of their Engagement Photos with you today. After a very busy month of shooting, editing and diving into the craziness of wedding season, it feels good to take a moment to slow down and enjoy looking at photos like these. It's far too easy for us to keep trucking forward at 100 miles per hour going from session to session and doing our thing, but more often than not, it's best for us to slow down and notice the sweet ways our couples interact with one another. The little glances, the snuggles and the way their hands fit together. Melaney and Mike are a perfect example of just how good two people can be together. I love the way they laugh around one another, and how you can just tell that everything is right with the world when they are near one another. It's so very sweet and we are honored to get to capture their (and all our couples) love. You'll see their sweetness again on the blog after their Endicott Estate wedding this fall, which is bound to be a beautiful day!
Patricia + Alix = Married
It's always a special treat when the impending forecast says rain for ten days before a wedding day, only to be welcomed by the clouds rolling back to reveal a calm sunny sky on the morning of the wedding. All of that was really just a cherry on top of a really sweet sundae, however, because nothing could have dampened Patricia and Alix's spirits on their wedding day. When we arrived to capture getting ready photos of the two of them, they were each surrounded by their large loving bridal parties who were busy getting ready themselves - and both Patricia and Alix were like the calm eye of the storm....joyful, grounded and so ready to become husband and wife. They saw one another for the first time as Patricia walked down the aisle, and Alix's grin was so large it was as through his face was going to split in half. After their heartfelt vows and an amazing musical performance by a few of their friends - they sealed their ceremony with a kiss and danced down the aisle as husband and wife. The celebration continued at the Lake View Pavillon where their guests showered them with hugs, heartfelt toasts and a packed dance floor. Patricia and Alix, it's been a true joy working with the two of you. We wish you so many years of happiness together and know your future together can bring nothing but sunny skies. Congratulations!