They worked together. And they had the same birthday. That’s what got the conversation started.
A conversation that quickly blossomed into an 8-year long friendship. An 8-year long friendship filled with joy and great stories that weathered the test of time. They laughed together — as friends. They dreamt of the future together — as friends. They each watched the other test out different relationships, and lent an ear when it didn’t work out. And they used to joke that they hoped the other would be able to find a suitable date to their future weddings (all the while sincerely wishing that their best friend would find their perfect mate to one day wed).
8 years later, it turned out that date (and that perfect mate) had been laughing with them, dreaming with them, and listening to them all along — as best friends.
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I think every wedding photographer on planet earth had a 10.10.10 wedding — and here’s mine. You’ll recall Erica + Allan from their (extremely giggly) engagement session earlier this year. Their wedding was intimate and easy. And I know Erica has been waiting SO patiently to see her photos, so without further delay, let’s start with the details!
I may or may not have rented a macro lens for this occasion. I may or may not have loved it. (P.S. Glen loves photos like these when he can find me in something reflective. It makes me laugh.)
Erica made (or at least had a hand in) most all of the details of her day, including her flower girl basket, complete with her new initial.
Erica also works for a local bridal boutique, so it was no surprise that she choose for herself a gorgeous and absolutely perfect dress.
Funny story (and note to brides): Wedding dresses come on crummy plastic hangers, such is life. They’re functional, but they don’t photograph well. I’m going to start carrying a nice wooden hanger with me to all my weddings, but you may want to upgrade your hanger yourself. In this case, we were lucky to have wooden hangers in the hotel closet, but as with all hotel hangers, it was constructed without a hook (so it can’t be stolen). So how’d I get a hookless hanger to hang from the door? 1) A bungee cord (which I am NEVER without) and 2) an idle bride who wanted to lend a hand (she’s behind the door). You can sort of see it in the photo above. Clever. :)
Love appliqué lace. It’s so subtle and delicate.
And a big high five to Erica for HIRING A MAKEUP ARTIST. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it every single time: Pay someone who knows what they’re doing to do your makeup for you. Erica’s makeup photographed beautifully — and she even commented that she never would have done it that way on her own. Bingo! Take heed!
Love this photo:
Meanwhile, Allan and the guys were on the second floor gussying themselves up. Brides and grooms, staying in the same hotel for the preparation portion of the day is extraordinarily beneficial to the photography process — consider it. Even though I photographed this wedding solo, I was able to easily dart back and forth between Erica and Allan’s suites when needed. I got a good workout from running the stairs all morning, certainly, but I missed nothing.
Allan, fastening some of his many, many buttons.:
I’m totally enamored of this photo — the position of the hands, the composition, the light. I think it would look great as a framed print (Or maybe I decorate weirdly?).
Love these:
Once the boys were safely off to the ceremony site, I headed back for Erica’s final touches and some quick bridal portraits.
I showed this to Erica as soon as I took it and we both said “New Facebook profile pic!” We were both right (she’s using it as I type this!). She looks stunning, but my favorite part is the glint of light in her earring.
Erica, did you know that people pay good money to have lips like yours? SERIOUSLY.
Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Lily Lake Inn and the weather was FABULOUS. The backdrop wasn’t too shabby, either.
Their ceremony was short, sweet, and to the point — just like I like ’em. They even wrote their own vows, which were the perfect combination of humor and affection. Love the one on the left:
My favorite photo from every wedding:
After the kiss, I ushered the newlyweds to a secluded spot for some alone time. The combo of the light and fall colors in the background here? UGH. LOVELY.
Allan’s smile makes this photo:
If you know Erica, you know that the shot on the left is SO Erica. :)
Erica’s flowers were a surprise gift from Amelia at Whisconier Florist (their website does their work little justice). I’ve never seen a bouquet like this, and Erica was so touched by the gesture.
I will give New England this… Fall here is like nowhere else.
And now, the reception — keeping with the fall theme:
And a little more fall:
I lost it when I saw this, though — because hey, sometimes you need a change of pace. You sunk my battleship. :)
I was only at Erica and Allan’s reception for about an hour and a half — enough to cover the major events before the dancing started. Personally, I think this is the best scenario. Let me get the important stuff; let your friends cover the dance floor. I promise you they will take more (and more hilarious) dancing shots than I ever could — though I take many! (What can I say, an enormous camera makes dancing people shy, even when I dance like a fool with it and them!)
But I’m still around to grab gems like these:
The first minute or so of Erica and Allan’s first dance was a typical, romantic slow dance. But then, as a couple that is full of surprises is wont to do, they busted out into a fully choreographed salsa number (which they put together themselves, I might add). And I’ve got to tell you, Erica had the most perfect dress for it. Right? Love this:
And because I’m a sucker for sweetness, I’ll end on this:
Erica + Allan, thanks so much for inviting me into your lives and asking me to photograph your wedding. You are far and away the smiliest couple I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with, and knowing how much you cherish photography makes delivering these to you all the more gratifying. All my best to you. Enjoy.
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Side note: I’m ditching the slideshows; I don’t think they work for me right now. I might revisit them later, but there’s no sense forcing it. I am, however, going to start listing relevant vendors, because I think that’s more helpful.
Venue / Caterer: The Lily Lake Inn
Florist: Whisconier Florist
Dress: By Marisa Bridals from Julie Allen Bridals
Officiant: Cheryl Johnson, Connecticut Justice of the Peace
by Molly
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