I’m falling behind on my posts for this week! On y va! (My way of working in a little French: “Let’s get started!”)
Marissa + Junior hold the trophy for greatest amount of time between an engagement session and a wedding. Generally speaking, my love for my work fades over time — the further away I get from a picture I took, the less I favor it (usually because I’ve gotten a little better at what I do!). Yet some of my all-time top picks still come from Marissa + Junior’s engagement session, which I shot over a year ago. The first photo in that post is hanging prominently in my office, in fact!
Marissa + Junior were actually the third wedding I ever booked, but also the furthest out, so they benefited big time because they got me dirt freaking cheap AND experienced. A rare and lucky combination (and one they deeply appreciated, which was quite gratifying). I finally had the pleasure of photographing their lovely wedding on August 28th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, in Hamden, CT, followed by a reception at The Lily Lake Inn in Wolcott. I managed to make Junior laugh a couple of times, and I got to spend part of the morning with their precious dachshund Pepper (WITH WHOM I DID NOT ABSCOND, THOUGH I VERY MUCH WANTED TO, YOU’RE WELCOME), so I consider it a very successful day. Shall we?
I don’t think I left a single piece of furniture in Marissa’s parents’ living room untouched. I moved a lot of stuff around — but I promise I put it all back! I just really liked this corner and the buttons on top of the curtains.
Going over the ceremony details one last time:
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a gaggle of bridesmaids frantically search for the “eye” half of the hook-and-eye closure on a wedding dress (left). I think I was the one who found it this time. :)
I like all the hands in the photo on the left.
And here’s Marissa, looking beautiful and ready to go. By the way, her dress was EXACTLY what I expected. I haven’t lost my touch. ;)
To the church!
The guests’ reactions to the flower girl, just to put a smile on your face. :)
Junior was a little overwhelmed when he saw his bride, but the thing I like best about this photo is Marissa’s brother’s reassuring hand on his shoulder. Perfect.
I’ve always wanted to take a photo from a church balcony. Mission accomplished.
I gave this photo to Marissa + Junior in a sneak peak just after their wedding; it was one of Marissa’s favorites. I love it, too.
I know that all my couples love one another, but Marissa + Junior’s passion is palpable — obvious to anyone who spends time with them. Everyone should be so lucky to have someone feel for him as these two do for each other. :)
Husband and wife. :)
Marissa’s theme was cherry blossoms, which she managed to work into every detail of her reception:
…including her cake, which was DELICIOUS. (A big thank you to Junior for making absolutely sure I got a piece — he even followed a waiter into the kitchen for me! It was worth it!)
First dance. Love the one on the right.
This picture makes me smile. So much joy all in one place.
Because of a number of unforeseen delays in the day’s schedule, we didn’t have as much time as we wanted to take portraits of the two of them. Their reception ended early enough, however, that we were able to spend a few minutes afterward roaming around the Lily Lake Inn grounds for a few shots. Here’s what we got:
I think this is my favorite.
Talk about handsome!
And last but not least, another favorite. I love the warmth in this one and the contentment on Marissa’s face:
Don’t forget to check out these and my other favorites in Marissa + Junior’s slideshow, set to a classic Edith Piaf recording of “La Vie En Rose.” (If you have problems viewing the slideshow, would you do me a favor and let me know about it?)
Marissa + Junior, I already know that you love your photos, so I won’t tell you to enjoy them. What I will say is that it was a pleasure to work with you and an honor to photograph your wedding. You two put trust in me well before anyone else did and made me feel so welcome, and for that I will be forever grateful.
And I take it back, I will say it: Enjoy your photos!
by Molly
3 comments