sarah bastille : : photo blog

heather + allan : : MIT endicott house, dedham

2011-11-16T11:15:00.001-05:00

So fun to discover a hidden gem of a venue! I've been photographing weddings for 8 years, but I'd never heard of The MIT Endicott House in Dedham. The estate is replete with lush gardens and romantic nooks -- there's even an Alice in Wonderland tea table tucked away in the woods.

In this storybook setting, Heather and Allan's centerpieces cast a spell -- the floating arrangements suspended from the ceiling gave the reception room an airy and ethereal atmosphere. Heather & Allan filled their day with charming personal touches: cupcakes baked by a dear friend, Heather's elegant wedding dress handmade by her mom, and gorgeous vocal performances by talented guests.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony, reception, and catering: MIT Endicott House, Dedham, MA
Videography: Heirloom Pictures, Marcella Hoekstra

liz + jerome : : shelter harbor golf club, charlestown, ri

2011-09-28T09:33:00.002-04:00

I met Liz and Jerome when Liz was a bridesmaid in her friend Jeanne's wedding last summer, so it was such a treat to see lots of familiar faces when it was their turn to tie the knot this July! Their wedding ceremony was held in lovely little Weekapaug Chapel, officiated by the wonderful Victoria Burdick. Before the start of the reception, family gathered for a traditional Chinese tea ceremony (complete with confetti cannons), and then it was off to the Shelter Harbor Golf Club for the party. Lots of laughter, fun, and crazy dancing ensued. A sweet note: toward the end of the evening, Jerome sang a little serenade to his bride, accompanied by members of his Trinity College a cappella group.

VENDOR INFO:
Reception & Catering: Shelter Harbor Golf Club, Charlestown, RI
Officiant: Victoria Burdick
Wedding planner: Jennifer Brinton
Flowers: Flowers by Semia
Cake: Vesta's Bakery, Westerly, RI
Band: The Pre-Nups, Murray Hill Talent

marissa + steven's details : : pinebrook country club

2011-09-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

Marissa & Steven decided that they'd like to keep their wedding images private, but they've graciously allowed me to share a few detail images showcasing their vendors' amazing work.

Here's the super-talented team who contributed to the stunning atmosphere:
Ceremony and Reception: Pine Brook Country Club, Weston, MA
Wedding planner: Janie Haas Events
Flowers: Spruce Floral
Hair & Makeup: Katrina Hess
Cake: Jenny's Cakes
Videography:Boston Wedding Films
Band: Lou Davis

sabre + eric : : gibbet hill, groton, ma

2011-09-26T10:56:00.000-04:00

When I last saw Sabre and Eric, I was ankle-deep in ice and snow, photographing their beautiful but chilly engagement session in Ipswich this January. There was no need for them to huddle for warmth on their glorious August wedding day at The Barn at Gibbet Hill, but they did plenty of snuggling all day anyway! Early morning rain had forced a change of plans -- the hilltop ceremony location had to be moved to drier ground. But the weather cleared up, and during the reception, we had a chance to sneak away to the top of the hill for a sunset photo session amid the ruins -- a spectacular end to a memorable evening.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony & Reception: The Barn at Gibbet Hill
Flowers: Suzanne's Weddings
Cake: Konditor Meister

sneak preview : : beth + ryan

2011-08-22T13:19:00.000-04:00

Gorgeous winery setting, ideal weather, and a wedding party with bridesmaids willing to climb a stone wall. What more could a photographer possibly ask for?

Two quick teaser images from Beth & Ryan's beautiful vineyard wedding -- lots more coming soon.

The Knot Best of Weddings 2011

2011-03-25T15:47:00.003-04:00

Sarah Bastille Photography been selected as a 2011 Knot Best of Weddings pick! It's an honor to have been chosen for the second year in a row, especially because the nominations are made by local brides.

I'm also thrilled to have some images featured in The Knot's first coffee table book, which was published in December: The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook, available in bookstores and on Amazon.com. The book is gorgeous, and it's an invaluable source of inspiration for wedding planning. I recommend picking up a copy!

sooae + chris : : castle hill, newport, ri

2011-02-02T11:45:00.007-05:00

Here's a peek at SooAe and Chris's warm and sunny seaside wedding at the Castle Hill Inn in Newport. SooAe & Chris love to travel -- each table was named for one of their favorite destinations. As placecards, guests received silver luggage tags, meant to to inspire future journeys!

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony & Reception: Castle Hill Inn, Newport, RI
Flowers: Toni Chandler Flowers and Events
Hair & Makeup: Luiz Filho
Cake: Confectionery Designs
Band: Greg Loughman, Jazz Trio
DJ: John Bellagama, RhythmPro

emilie + brian : : cape cod, ma

2010-12-07T23:50:00.003-05:00

I'm excited to post Emilie & Brian's beautiful Chatham wedding, but the writing will have to wait -- for now I'll just share the images. Enjoy!

jackie + burch : : liberty hotel, boston

2010-10-01T08:30:00.004-04:00

As a designer and a comedian, Jackie and Burch make a talented pair. Their wedding at Boston's posh Liberty Hotel reflected Jackie's fun vision of retro chic -- black and ivory accents, and lots of glam touches (feathers, rhinestone table numbers and "diamond" rings as napkin rings). But the evening was also enlivened by Burch's background as an improv comedian: during the ceremony, he produced a candy ring pop instead of the wedding ring, and later in the evening, there was a guest appearance by (what else?) a rubber chicken! It was just like a classic 40's screwball comedy: silly meets suave, with a dash of happily-ever-after.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony & Reception: The Liberty Hotel, Boston
Flowers: Tangerine Creations
Hair: Cathleen Foster
Cake: Party Favors
DJ: Siman Entertainment

sweet words from a recent client

2010-09-20T17:40:00.009-04:00

I wanted to share a delightful testimonial that I received from Jeanne and Drew, whose wedding I just featured below.

"Our family and friends will not shut up about how much they loved Sarah. She left our wedding with about 50 people wanting to be her new best friend. From our first meeting with Sarah on her green velvet couch, we knew she was the photographer who shared our vision for classic photos with a fun and modern twist. We could not be happier! We gave her a list of "must-have" photos, and let her experiment with the rest. Thank goodness we did. She has a better eye than anyone, and it was the unplanned photos that we now love the most!

Probably Sarah's best qualities, aside from taking fabulous photos, are her incessant smile and calm presence. So calm, in fact, that I rarely knew when photos were being taken. If you're like me and have a fake, camera ready smile, then Sarah is your gal! Finally, I have photos where I look natural... forced smile begone!"

- Jeanne & Drew

jeanne & drew : : the mansion at turner hill, ipswich, ma

2010-09-16T09:01:00.008-04:00

The Mansion at Turner Hill has been featured as a location in several major films lately, and it's easy to see why -- it's stately but intimate all at once, with lovely gardens and lots of hidden nooks to explore.

Jeanne & Drew's celebration at Turner Hill was lushly decorated in fresh tones of pink and green by the creative team at Ilex Designs of Boston (a special highlight: the escort card table, which floated the cards on clear lucite suspended above a bed of hot-pink carnations). An emotional ceremony was followed by a high-energy reception set to music by Men In Black -- seems like Jeanne & Drew selected their wedding party and guests according to their superior dancing ability (or at least enthusiasm!)

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: & Reception: The Mansion at Turner Hill
Catering: Vinwood
Flowers: Ilex Designs
Lighting: Boston Uplights
Hair: Candace at Andrew Michaels Salon
Makeup: Michelle McGrath
Cake: I Dream Of Jeanne
Videography: Mark WIlland
Band: Men In Black

le Quatorze Juillet

2010-07-14T12:57:00.000-04:00

In honor of Bastille Day, a re-post: a few images from the City of Light.

marina & matt : : regatta place, newport, ri

2010-06-25T11:15:00.006-04:00

Some glimpses of Marina & Matt's wedding day at Regatta Place in Newport, RI: A sweet nautical theme in bright lemon yellow & deep navy. Warm sun and cool sea breezes. A solemn Greek Orthodox ceremony followed by a joyful reception on the waterfront. And, of course, lots of Greek dancing late into the night, with a beautiful summer moon high above. Ya'sou!

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: Church of the Annunciation, Cranston, RI
Reception & Catering: Regatta Place, Newport, RI
Hair: Femme Fatale Salon, Kassiane George
Makeup: Gloss & Glamour, Kristen Marrah
Cake: LaSalle Bakery
DJ: George Regas
Videography: Fresh Focus Productions, Michelle McNamara
Flowers: Grandiflora, Nancy Birch

Summer Noir at the MFA

2010-06-18T13:57:00.001-04:00

I had the pleasure of photographing the Museum of Fine Art's annual black-tie Museum Council Summer Party. The "Film Noir" theme was inspired by the gorgeous aesthetic of studio films and photography of the 30's and 40's.

Joining the Museum Council is a fantastic way to support one of the world's truly great art institutions (and to hobnob at top-notch soirees like this)!

meg + oscar : harvard faculty club

2010-05-25T12:53:00.000-04:00

Laid-back elegance and lovely weather adorned Meg & Oscar's sweet wedding celebration in Cambridge at Memorial Church and the Harvard Faculty Club. The reception featured irresistibly danceable tunes, courtesy of the peerless Chicken Slacks band.

A special thank you to Jason Falchuk and the talented crew at Boston Wedding Films -- top-notch pros who are always a delight to work with.

VENDOR INFO:

Ceremony: Memorial Church, Harvard University
Reception & Catering: Harvard Faculty Club
Flowers: The Celebrated Flower
Cake: Enchanted Wedding Cakes
Videography: Jason Falchuk, Boston Wedding FIlms
Band: The Chicken Slacks

anniversary post: jen & paul

2010-04-29T15:56:00.003-04:00

As I was watching the Boston Marathon in Coolidge Corner this year, I was surprised to see Paul, one of my clients from '09, run by on his way to the finish line. Coincidentally (or maybe not), Jen & Paul's one-year anniversary was just a few days ago!

In honor of the 26.2 miles (and 365 days!), here are a few images from their wedding.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: St. Ignatius, Boston College
Reception, Catering, and Cake: Veronique, Brookline
Photo Booth: Boston Photo Booth

to love!

2010-02-14T20:44:00.010-05:00

A little valentine to my 2009 couples -- thank you for so many inspiring, beautiful (and photogenic!) moments of love.

(The slideshow above may take a few minutes to load).

sweetness and light at tupper manor

2010-02-08T14:01:00.034-05:00

In the middle of the winter, it's a treat to look back at some of 2009's balmy summer weddings.

Becky & John's sweet September wedding & reception at Tupper Manor in Beverly Farms featured a pale taupe-and-cream color palette, a Red Sox/Yankees rivalry, a candy bar and cigar rolling station, along with lots of love and and a few tears of joy. A favorite touch: the winner of that afternoon's Sox/Yankees game determined the cake cutting song. To the dismay of Boston fans (and to the delight of the bride), the band played "New York, New York".

VENDOR INFO:
Catering & Reception: Tupper Manor, Beverly Farms, MA
Hair: Kymm Devlen, Especially for You
Makeup: Sam at Girly Junk
Flowers: Le Fleurs, Andover
Cake: Cakes for Occasions, Danvers
Band: Night Rhythm, featuring Monica & Bryan

2010 Best of The Knot

2010-01-15T12:46:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year! I'm pleased to announce that Sarah Bastille Photography has been chosen by The Knot Magazine and its readers as a 2010 Best of Weddings winner. The issue, which also features Kelley & Ben's lovely Crane Estate wedding, is on newsstands now.

a midsummer night's dream

2009-11-09T23:12:00.010-05:00

Lush, enchanting, gracious . . .I could go on and on about this exquisite wedding. Instead, I'll let the images tell the story. This beautifully detailed event reflected the natural elegance and warmth of the participants, and the result was a truly unforgettable evening.

Special mention to the stunning floral design by the incomparable floral artists at Stoneblossom.

VENDOR INFO:

Catering: Russell Morin
Flowers: Stoneblossom
Band: Siman Entertainment

sweet harmony

2009-09-22T16:06:00.000-04:00

Laura and Drew are literally in tune with each other: they met at Boston College where they were members of The Acoustics, an a cappella singing group.

Musical touches punctuated the day: Acoustics alumni sang during the ceremony, and Laura's band Magnus played at the reception. And the guests were in for a special treat: Laura and Drew each got up on stage to belt out a tune with the band.

One idea I especially loved: the church was walking distance from the Harvard Club, so Laura & Drew had friends lead the way, holding oversized white balloons for the guests to follow.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: St. Cecilia, Boston
Reception & Catering: The Harvard Club, Boston
Flowers: Cocoon Home Design
Cakes: Sweet Tooth
Band: Magnus

here comes the sun (finally!)

2009-08-06T17:03:00.022-04:00

After a cool and rain-soaked June, the sun was an unexpected but very welcome guest at Gretchen & Tom's lovely seaside celebration at the Winslow Estate in Orleans, MA. The couple exchanged 'I do's' in an emotional ceremony under a lush floral arch created by Flowers By Fancy atop a hillside overlooking the ocean. The reception featured a packed dance floor, set to a high-energy soundtrack provided by Horns In The House.

Favorite details: the "chalkboard" wine coaster favors, which doubled as escort cards, and the stunningly detailed butter cream frosted cake by Creative Baking.

VENDOR INFO:
Venue: The Winslow Estate, Orleans, MA
Catering: Cosmos Catering
Wedding planner: Jenn Mentzer
Flowers: Flowers By Fancy
Hair & Makeup: Lisa George
Cake: Creative Baking
Band: Horns In The House
Linens: BBJ Linen
Place settings (china, flatware, glassware): Be Our Guest
Liquor, beer, wine: Harwich East
Equipment (tent, tables, chairs, dance floor, lighting): Undercover Tent

Spring '09 WPJA contest results

2009-07-22T18:18:00.010-04:00

The WPJA recently posted a list of winners from their 1st quarter contest, and one of my images from Lisa & Matt's wedding at the Crane Estate in Ipswich placed in the top ten in the 'Getting Ready' category. (More images from Lisa & Matt's wedding coming soon!)

From the judge's comments: "Wonderful job by the photographer to see this scene in a completely different way. The bride's hand on her shoulder is a moment that not everyone would catch and it really brings this understated but lovely image together. The use of the strong backlight helps to keep the composition simple. A rare wonderful use of a vertical composition."

More about the Wedding Photojournalist Association: www.wpja.com

sea of love

2009-07-22T16:02:00.012-04:00

Jessica and Jason's wedding at The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA was full of laughter, color, and plenty of art -- the P.E.M. has an amazing collection of art and artifacts from Salem's rich maritime history. I especially loved the ship's figureheads mounted to the walls of the Museum's East India Hall, keeping watch over the ocean of happy wedding guests below.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony & reception: Peabody Essex Museum
Catering: Hawthorne Catering
Flowers: Fino Fresh Design
Hair & Makeup: Wedding Tresses
Cake: Montilio's
Band: Groove Alliance

wpja contest results

2009-03-31T16:37:00.011-04:00

I was excited to learn that I have three winning images in the latest Wedding Photojournalist Association contest! It's so much fun to see my work alongside some of the world's best wedding photographers.

Fourth place in the category "Emotion":

Second place in the category "Great Natural Light":

Ninth place in the category "Ceremony":

Congrats to my colleagues and friends whose work placed in the contest as well!

true love, any way you slice it : : Gibbet Hill, Groton, MA

2009-03-12T16:11:00.032-04:00

Among the many things that Roland and Tara discovered that they had in common was a love of pie. Blueberry pie, apple pie, lemon meringue...you name it. So when Roland decided to pop the question, he made Tara an appropriately sweet gift: a hand-painted wooden pie plate, inscribed with the phrase, "Tara, will you share all the slices of life with me?"

They tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony officiated by Cindy Matchett in Groton, MA on a chilly, bright February afternoon. The reception was held at one of my favorite venues, The Barn at Gibbet Hill. Everything ran like clockwork, thanks to Gibbet Hill's Sara Zambuto and the skills of DJ Peter Diozzi.

The guests enjoyed a fabulous dinner, followed by the perfect dessert -- instead of the traditional wedding cake? Pie, of course!

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: First Parish Church of Groton
Officiant: Cindy Matchett
Reception & Catering: The Barn at Gibbet Hill
Flowers: Michele Bernard
DJ: Groove Entertainment

my kind of town

2009-02-27T10:07:00.017-05:00

In August, I traveled to Chicago to photograph Kerry & Greg's wedding at the exclusive Union League Club in the Loop. This wasn't my first time photographing Kerry's family -- back in 2007 I shot her sister Kristin's wedding, and it was so much fun to meet up with the family again! We stopped at the lakefront after the ceremony for a few must-have photos with the skyline in the background. As we arrived back at the hotel for the reception, we grabbed a few quick shots in the beautiful evening light on West Jackson Boulevard. For their reception décor, Kerry & Greg chose ivory, green, and gold tones, which created a dreamy and dramatic setting against the deep blue walls of the ballroom.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: Old St. Patrick's Church, Chicago
Reception: Union League Club, Chicago
Catering: Union League Club
Flowers: Ashland Addison Florist
Hair & Makeup: Solo Salon
Cake: Union League Club

published: Kerry & Andy

2009-02-24T12:42:00.006-05:00

Kerry & Andy's beautiful wedding at the Willowdale Estate was featured in the recent issue of Southern New England Weddings . Many thanks to the wonderful wedding planner Linnea Tangorra for helping to create all of the beautiful details that helped make the day so magazine-worthy!

Click here to download a PDF of the Southern New England Weddings article.

a grand celebration on castle hill

2008-09-18T13:11:00.031-04:00

The Crane Estate in Ipswich never fails to amaze me. I always love watching guests arrive at a Castle Hill wedding...every time someone walks through the door and sees the stunning view of the sweeping lawn for the first time, the reaction is inevitably, "Oh, wow."

And Kelley and Ben had a splendid wedding to match the grand setting. The meticulously planned, gracious and elegant celebration was expertly managed by The Catered Affair, and featured a ceremony in a lovely old stone church in Gloucester, lush floral accents by Flowers By Steve, a knockout Vera Wang gown and wonderfully unobtrusive videography by After Image Productions.

It was a special treat to work with the talented and super-fun hair & makeup artist
Luiz Filho, who was an absolute delight! He accompanied to the church and on to the reception, providing touch-ups to his gorgeous work when necessary (keeping everyone looking flawless all day).

During the reception, Kelley and Ben let me to steal them away for a quick stroll in the lovely evening light, and returned to the party to dance the night away to the rollicking sounds of The White Heat Swing Orchestra.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: St. Anthony By The Sea, Gloucester
Reception: The Crane Estate at Castle Hill, Ipswich
Catering: The Catered Affair
Flowers: Flowers By Steve
Hair & Makeup: Luiz Filho
Videography: After Image Productions
Band: The White Heat Swing Orchestra

red sails in the sunset

2008-09-03T22:45:00.012-04:00

Up in Bar Harbor, Maine, the forecast was gloomy: it had been raining all week, and more rain was predicted for Saturday. But the morning of the wedding, the clouds lifted to reveal a clear, gorgeous day for David & Nicole's wedding at the Bar Harbor Inn. David & Nicole exchanged their vows in an emotional ceremony overlooking the beautiful harbor, followed by a reception at the Inn (I especially loved their choice of wedding cake: authentic Junior's cheesecake, flown in from New York, of course)! And instead of favors, the couple treated their guests to an unforgettable afterparty: a sunset cruise of the harbor on a historic 4-mast wooden schooner, the Margaret Todd.

VENDOR INFO:
Reception & Catering: Bar Harbor Inn
Flowers: Chelcey Dunham
Cake: Junior's Cheesecake
DJ: Nik Shukla
Sunset Cruise: The Margaret Todd, Windjammer Cruises.

to the nines: 95 degrees, and No. 9 Park

2008-08-24T13:05:00.010-04:00

There's no getting around it: Tracy & Steve's wedding was a hot one. But the happy couple looked cool, calm, and collected as they exchanged vows amid an intimate gathering of family and friends in the Public Garden. There was even a Swan Boat ride to entertain the littlest guests! After the ceremony, Tracy and Steve strolled across the Common to the refreshing, elegant oasis of No. 9 Park, where icy cocktails and amazing food greeted their guests.

VENDOR INFO:
Reception: No. 9 Park

for Boston, for Boston...

2008-08-19T10:22:00.008-04:00

Met at BC, married at BC! Caron and Alex tied the knot at St. Ignatius at Boston College, not too far from the spot where they first met. There was more than a dash of school spirit: as the couple walked back down the aisle, newly married, guests cheered and waved maroon-and-gold pom-poms. (They're such loyal alums that they just had to have a BC grad for their photographer!) The reception at Veronique featured fabulous food and service (as always), and the dance floor was packed all night long.

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony: St. Ignatius, Boston College
Reception & Catering: Veronique, Brookline

Ni hao, Beijing!

2008-08-12T15:06:00.006-04:00

The Olympics have brought Beijing into the spotlight, so I thought I'd share a few images from my 2004 trip to China.

I was booked to shoot a November '04 wedding in Pusan, Korea, and decided to extend my trip to spend a week in Beijing before the wedding. My husband and I climbed the Great Wall, marveled at the smog, ate some great food (and some unidentifiable food), and wandered the Forbidden City on a rare blue-sky day.

a romantic hideaway in the woods : : willowdale, topsfield, ma

2008-07-24T23:11:00.021-04:00

Kerry and Andy found the perfect spot for their June wedding: the stunning, newly renovated Willowdale Estate in Topsfield. Willowdale is a turn-of-the century mansion in the Art and Crafts style, nestled amid acres of woodlands. Everywhere I turned, there was perfect, soft light: a photographer's dream!

I was already thrilled to be working in such a beautiful location, but I was even happier to be working with the absolutely fantastic planner Linnea Tangorra – it's such a pleasure to watch her work. She received a Best of Boston award last year, and it's easy to see why.

Other favorite vendors: the lush flowers by Jessica Wrobel, and artistic videography by Marcella Hoekstra.

The bride created some amazing details: Kerry is a talented visual artist, and she designed all of her paper details (menus, programs. etc.) using pale, luminous shades of pink. Dreamy!

VENDOR INFO:
Ceremony & Reception location: Willowdale Estate, Topsfield, MA
Catering: Willowdale
Wedding planner: Linnea Tangorra
Flowers: Jessica Wrobel
Hair & Makeup: Interlocks Studio, Newburyport
Cake: Montilio's
Videography: Marcella Hoekstra, Heirloom Pictures
Band: K2

Some images below are by the talented Kristin Cioffi, who captured gorgeous images as a second photographer for the day. Thanks, K!

published: Boston Weddings Magazine

2008-07-07T13:08:00.008-04:00

On the 23rd, I attended Boston Magazine's fabulous launch party for the new issue of their wedding magazine. The party was held at The Liberty Hotel, which I promptly fell in love with – if you're still on the hunt for a wedding venue, you have to add this place to your must-see list!

The current Boston Weddings Magazine showcases a pagespread of images from Oni & Michael's July '07 wedding – the Fall/Winter issue is on newsstands now!

classic elegance at Castle Hill

2008-04-20T12:44:00.016-04:00

Bathed in gorgeous late afternoon light, Elizabeth & David's wedding at the Crane Estate epitomized grace and elegance. The whole celebration proceeded flawlessly, thanks to a "dream team" of vendors: The Crane Estate's wonderful event coordinator Laura Daley, fabulous artistic videographer Rosemary Jenseth of AfterImage Productions, lush floral arrangements by Jessica Wrobel, delicious (and gorgeous!) food by Capers Catering, swinging tunes from Hush, and (literally) the icing on the cake – a stunning confectionery creation by JohnnyCakes.

Vendor Information:

Reception: The Crane Estate, Castle Hill, Ipswich
Catering: Capers Catering
Videography: AfterImage Productions
Flowers: Jessica Wrobel
Cake: JohnnyCakes
Band: Hush

Published: "Ten Must-Shoot Moments"

2008-04-14T12:30:00.008-04:00

One of my favorite images from 2006 is currently being featured in all regional editions of Brides magazine.

one plus one equals one.

2008-04-14T11:41:00.016-04:00

Erin and Hyung-Do are numerically-minded. Both mathematicians, they met in school, and a friendship blossomed into love. Their wedding celebration at the Gamble Mansion in Boston celebrated the union of their heritages – for the lovely traditional Korean tea ceremony, Erin and Hyung-Do changed into gorgeous Korean hanbok robes.

두분의 결혼을 진심으로 축하합니다!
("Congratulations on your wedding", Erin and HD!)

Vendor information:

Reception: The Gamble Mansion, Boston
Catering: Cuisine Chez Vous
Flowers: Nature's Design
DJ: DJ Raffi

talented client news: Vee Vee in JP

2008-03-14T09:09:00.005-04:00

I love sharing news of my clients' new ventures and successes – Dan & Kristen (wedding in Truro, 2006) have opened a fantastic new restaurant in Jamaica Plain called VeeVee.

It's getting fantastic reviews, so if you're in the neighborhood, be sure to check it out!

a valentine.

2008-02-14T10:18:00.016-05:00

On this day dedicated to love, I wanted to send a valentine of my own to all of my 2007 couples – a little slideshow featuring each couple from the past season – just a few of the many sweet moments I was privileged to capture this year. Enjoy!

1,000 cranes at the Crane Estate

2008-02-02T18:47:00.006-05:00

1,000 paper cranes are a classic symbol of good fortune, and for Sarah & Scott's wedding, Scott folded every single one of the thousand cranes – such dedication! Jessica Wrobel's beautiful floral creations graced the ceremony chairs and place settings, and the day was expertly captured by the talented videographer Mark Willand, who I'm always so glad to work with.

One of the many things I love about the Crane Estate is its versatility – so many options for ceremonies, and so many stunning locations for photos. Sarah & Scott chose to have their ceremony in the lovely Italian Garden; during the ceremony, the sky seemed to threaten rain, but in the end the weather behaved very courteously...the rain held off until the minute after the last guest stepped into the Great House for dinner.

Vendor information:

Reception: The Crane Estate, Castle Hill, Ipswich
Catering: Vinwood Caterers
Flowers: Jessica Wrobel
Videographer: Mark Willand
Band: Hush

yong jie tong xing

2008-01-19T11:59:00.003-05:00

The Commons in Topsfield was the setting for Denise and David's wedding in August. For the reception, each table was named with a phrase in Chinese or Hebrew, along with a translation...a lovely way to celebrate their combined heritages. One of my favorites? "Yong jie tong xing"..."forever united in your hearts".

Vendor information:

Reception: The Commons, Topsfield
Catering: Vinwood Caterers
Flowers: Annette Rinaldi
Band: Kahootz

niki & john : : waltham, ma

2007-12-26T11:26:00.005-05:00

Niki and John celebrated at the gorgeous Lyman Estate in Waltham on a beautiful, warm summer evening. Red silk lanterns danced above tables set with luscious chocolate linens and monochrome centerpieces in summery jewel tones.

Vendor information:
Reception: The Lyman Estate, Waltham
Caterer: Tables of Content
Flowers: Madison Floral
DJ: Greg Gates

Happy New Year...

2007-12-26T11:24:00.000-05:00

During the busy fall and winter season, I haven't had a chance to share images from the rest of my 2007 events. With all this ice and snow around, it'll be fun to look back at last summer's events and look forward to all the wonderful weddings to come in 2008!

by the beautiful sea

2007-09-07T11:17:00.004-04:00

Shala and Jonathan chose the chic (and aptly named) Belle Mer in Newport for their seaside wedding in August. Shala and Jonathan's beach-inspired details, in shades of white and cream, complemented the venue perfectly.

Vendors:
Reception: Belle Mer, Newport
Flowers: Stoneblossom

american girl meets norwegian boy

2007-09-06T23:43:00.007-04:00

The Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA is a gorgeous natural setting, set high atop a hill, surrounded by fields and rolling mountains in the distance. On a flawless summer evening, Jaclyn and Runar's wedding brought together families from both sides of the ocean, the U.S. and Norway. Runar's Norwegian relatives delivered their toasts in excellent English, and Jaclyn's sister even attempted a bit of Norwegian during hers!

Vendor information:
Reception: Fruitlands Museum
Caterer: Seasonal Specialties
Cake: Konditor Meister
Flowers: The Frugal Flower

there's no place like home

2007-08-02T17:32:00.003-04:00

My favorite holiday (Bastille Day!) was clear, cool and beautiful, and provided the perfect evening for Oni & Michael's cozy, elegant celebration at their home. Their chic details were beautifully coordinated by Kori Elizabeth Events, and Capers Catering created the colorful and delicious menu -- the cocktail hour featured "mini" appetizers: tiny lobster rolls, diminutive cheeseburgers, and little takeout boxes with Asian noodles.

Vendor details:
Wedding planner: Kori Elizabeth Events
Caterer: Capers Catering
Flowers: Bow Street Flowers
Cake: JohnnyCakes

happy trails!

2007-07-31T17:08:00.005-04:00

Kelly and Tim love the outdoors, so they named their tables after favorite hiking trails. Each table had a handmade wooden cutting board inscribed with the table name, and there were beautiful earthy details in the floral centerpieces as well -- I especially loved the artichokes! Their favors were little burlap bags filled with trail mix.

My favorite detail of all was the name of Kelly & Tim's own sweetheart table: "The Long Trail".

Vendor details:
Reception venue/caterer/cake: The Red Lion Inn, Cohasset
Florist: Artistic Blossoms
DJ: Greg Hodges

le Quatorze Juillet

2007-07-14T11:33:00.002-04:00

In honor of Bastille Day, a few shots from the City of Light:

published: Elyse & Don

2007-06-27T13:44:00.001-04:00

Elyse & Don's September wedding is featured in the brand new issue of The Knot Boston magazine, on newsstands now!

toes in the sand

2007-06-21T22:19:00.002-04:00

The sun was in hiding, but Scott and January didn't let that stop them from marrying with their toes in the sand on Ogunquit beach. It was a lovely ceremony performed by January's uncle, and the couple exchanged rings that were handcrafted by Scott's stepdad from silver dollars.

The reception featured a delicious clambake and a cake shaped like the cruise ship where the happy couple met for the first time!

Wedding planner: Diane York, Maine Wedding planner

better than ice cream?

2007-06-21T21:58:00.002-04:00

Yeechin and Mike met at Phillips Andover, although they weren't high school sweethearts -- they waited until they had gone to different colleges, then realized that they were meant for each other!

Their ceremony was at a church just down the street from their high school. We stopped back at Andover for a few quick photos at their alma mater, and on the way from Andover to the reception, the newlyweds decided that they just had to stop for a quick icecream at Richardson's in Middleton.

The reception was at the elegant Peabody Essex Museum. Yeechin and Mike had requested karaoke in addition to the traditional music, and serenaded each other as their family and friends gathered around; a very sweet ending to a great party!

published : Jodi & Chris

2007-05-23T19:03:00.001-04:00

I'm excited to announce that the spring issue of Bride's Boston magazine has featured Jodi & Christopher's October DeCordova wedding; the layout is great -- keep an eye out for it on the newsstands!

modern love at the decordova

2006-10-10T22:16:00.002-04:00

Jodi is a designer, and her details were just amazing -- she designed everything herself. Her color palette was a modern and bold fall theme: brown & orange accented with a fresh fuschia pink. She carried the design theme all the way through her reception details, (even the swizzle sticks for the mulled cider served at the cocktail hour!)

The DeCordova Museum was a perfect, dramatic setting for Jodi & Chris's wedding...modern & classic at the same time.

crane estate celebration

2006-10-09T18:30:00.002-04:00

Christine and George just glowed all day! It was a beautiful evening at the Crane Estate -- the wonderful Dana Markos (A Secret Garden) created the fabulous floral arrangements and bouquets in a a lively and fresh autumn palette.

a vineyard afternoon

2006-10-02T15:39:00.004-04:00

Sarah and Wael celebrated their union in one of their favorite places: Martha's Vineyard. Their afternoon ceremony was held at the historic Whaling Church in Edgartown, and the reception was at Atria just down the street. I loved their favors -- tulip bulbs wrapped in tulle, with wry quotes about marriage adorning the tags.

rustic elegance

2006-10-01T14:12:00.001-04:00

I was back at Mount Hope Farm on the 16th for Hermine and Mike's wedding; the ceremony was a beautiful Armenian Apostolic service in Providence. At Mount Hope, guests were greeted with a sweeping view of the Mount Hope Bridge and by the beautiful reception flowers and details, all lovingly coordinated by Hermine. As the lovely sunset faded above the ocean, the lanterns in the tent swayed above the happy couple and their guests as they danced the night away...

love in bloom

2006-09-11T15:14:00.001-04:00

Samantha and Neil's love has deep roots -- literally. They own a landscape design business, and they imbued their wedding with their love of the natural world. Mount Hope Farm was an ideal setting for their vows, with lovely open fields and mossy stone walls. The hazy afternoon sun set into a mellow and beautiful evening, perfectly suited to these newlyweds...

a funny thing happened on the way to the wedding...

2006-09-10T12:48:00.002-04:00

Elyse & Don met as performers in the comedy troupe 'Improv Boston'. They're very funny people, and they invited lots of past and present members of Improv Boston, so it was a very entertaining night at the Veronique Ballroom! Elyse & Don named their tables after favorite comedians, and their favors were fake moustaches, which were a big hit with the guests...

wpja contest results

2006-09-08T22:03:00.001-04:00

I was thrilled to learn that I recently earned top spots in two recent contests. A detail shot from a July wedding won 2nd place in the Details category of the WPJA Summer 2006 contest, and one of my favorite shots took the top spot in the AGWPJA summer contest.

I'm humbled and honored to be listed alongside people whose work I admire so greatly, some of the most talented people working in wedding photography today.

"The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) is a professional organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from around the world. What sets our members apart in the industry is their candid, documentary approach – a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography."

Visit the WPJA at http://www.wpja.com

showered with luck, part one

2006-09-04T12:30:00.006-04:00

On Saturday, the rain held off for Linda & Brian's ceremony at the beautiful St. Peter's by the Sea in Narragansett, RI (which features original Tiffany windows). Their wedding reception at the Dunes Club was set against a backdrop of a dramatic, stormy ocean -- before the rain started, we were able to sneak outside for a few quick pictures on the deck. Linda & Brian's reception settings featured arrangements and details in lovely shades of chocolate and periwinkle blue.

showered with luck, part two

2006-09-04T12:00:00.003-04:00

Sunday brought rain as well, but it didn't dampen Lisa & John's spirits! Their wedding at the Seaport in Boston was a cozy and elegant celebration of their union, complete with great food, a spirited crowd, and great music.

Blithewold bliss

2006-08-27T22:47:00.002-04:00

When you plan a wedding in August, the last thing you expect is cool, dry weather -- but that's just what Meghan and John got on Saturday...a perfect wedding day! Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, RI is a stunning spot, set amid acres of botanical gardens right on the ocean. The fabulous Chad Michael Peters decked out the tent with lush floral arrangements in shades of pink, with glowing pink and white paper lanterns floating high above.

VENDOR LIST:
Reception venue: Blithewold Mansion
Catering: Russell Morin Catering
Flowers: Chad Michael Peters

girly stuff: tips for the bride

2006-08-27T20:26:00.001-04:00

Hair and makeup will often take longer than you think (especially if your mom/bridesmaids are also using his/her services). This can throw off your schedule if you don't plan for it...I'd suggest adding some buffer time just in case. This year, it's been the #1 schedule delayer!

When you schedule hair & makeup too tightly, it can seriously cut into portrait time and make you feel rushed when you're getting dressed. If you plan for "too much" time, the worst that can happen is that things will go quicker than planned and you'll have some extra time to relax before the ceremony.

Another note on makeup: there's no need to add extra-heavy makeup 'for the camera'...you should feel like you, just more glamorous. And please try to stay away from body glitter or bronzers...anything with a gleam or glitter or 'glow' may show up as shine/sweat in photos, especially with flash. A subtle shimmer is okay if you really want it, but keep it very low-key.

A very small thing, but if you want a nice pic of your dress on the hanger, buy a covered satin hanger...there's nothing wrong with clear plastic, but satin looks a little bit dressier...

And a word about shoes: stilettoes are hip and gorgeous. I love them. But they're really tough to wear on a lawn. If you're having your wedding outside or want to walk on the grass for a bit during your portraits, consider heels with a slightly wider base, or bring a second pair to change into.

fab double-header, part one

2006-08-21T16:14:00.004-04:00

This weekend I had two weddings at two of my very favorite venues -- The Veronique in Brookline and the Crane Estate in Ipswich.

On Saturday, we beat the raindrops to get some great photos at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline. The reception at The Veronique was dazzingly decorated by Winston Flowers and orchestrated by Longwood Event's amazing staff -- I'm always impressed by their impeccable service. Laura & John danced the night away with their guests and we all had a blast!

VENDORS:
Reception/catering: The Veronique
Flowers: Winston Flowers

fab double-header, part two

2006-08-21T07:25:00.001-04:00

Then it was on to Jennifer and Adam's wedding at the Crane Estate on Sunday -- a cloudy day gave way to sunshine just as they were saying their vows on the Grand Allée. I loved the wedding newsletter that Adam & Jen composed for their guests! They even had their favorite beans imported from their local coffee shop so that everyone could share their favorite brew. The reception was deftly orchestrated by the Crane Estate's wonderful MaryEllen, and the peerless DJ Raffi kept the party going.

Such a great weekend...!

Reception: Crane Estate
Catering:
Music: DJ Raffi

a wedding at a sculpture museum

2006-08-14T13:39:00.001-04:00

Lovely weather graced Kelley & Geoff's wedding at the DeCordova museum on the 12th -- a beautiful setting, and some gorgeous light. I was even able to get that old clichéed image of the bride & groom with a gigantic fiberglass baby...classic!

VENDOR LIST:
Reception: DeCordova Museum
Caterer: Tiger Lily Caterers
Hair & Makeup: Salon Marc Harris
Flowers: Nature's Design

general wedding day tips

2006-08-12T10:53:00.001-04:00

Here's a grab bag of ideas & tips to make the most of your wedding day:

1) Once you put on the dress/tux, RELAX! The planning is over and this is the signal for you to start experiencing the day instead of organizing it.

2) First thing in the morning, hand your cell phone to your trusted right-hand-man/woman (same reason as above).

3) Be together! Take five minutes from the party to steal away and have a romantic moment, just the two of you. See if you can find a spot where you can see the party and all the people there celebrating the two of you. Be proud of the party you've worked so hard to throw. And then go back and join it!

4) Unless it's really not your thing, do take time away from visiting with guests to get onto the dance floor...(grooms, this means you too!) Guests love to see you both having a great time, and they'll join you on the floor.

5) I was reminded of this one this weekend: no red wine! (That goes for both of you). Just witnessed a mishap yesterday...someone jostled the groom's hand and the merlot went flying (right onto his new wife's dress, of course). Nothing a little club soda couldn't fix, but it's a lot easier to spot-clean white wine stains...

I'll be adding more to this post as I think of things, so check back!

sand and seashells

2006-08-11T20:15:00.004-04:00

Here are a few images from Jillian & Brian's beautiful, beachy wedding at the Wequasset Inn in Chatham. They used beautiful seashell details throughout the wedding; there were shells peeking out of Jillian's bouquet, on the programs, and tied to the placecards. The shell theme even extended to the menu, with a lavish ice-cold raw bar during the cocktail hour!

VENDOR LIST
Reception venue/catering: Wequassett Inn
Hair & Makeup: Lisa George

past '06 weddings coming soon......

2006-07-29T19:43:00.000-04:00

I'll be adding more weddings from this season (between 4/24 and 7/29) as I get caught up! Stay tuned...

love on The Heights...a BC wedding

2006-04-24T18:54:00.002-04:00

Jaclyn & Greg met at BC (my alma mater), and they knew that's where their ceremony had to be. I'm always glad to be back on campus, and St. Ignatius is beautiful. Before heading to the reception, they wanted a quick portrait in front of Walsh Hall, where they met. The reception was held at the brand-new Granite Links Golf in Quincy; it's a gorgeous facility with tons of natural light and a stunning view of Boston. And it's always fun to work with talented videographer Mark Willand. One of my favorite details were the cocktail hour hors d'oeurves -- bite-sized hamburgers and paper cones of french fries.

VENDOR LIST:
Reception venue/caterer: Granite Links Golf Club
Makeup: Bruce Fisher
Videographer: Mark Willand
DJ: Dave Pettengill