Cityscape Weddings
Stephanie + Michael’s beautiful Providence, RI Winter wedding at Cafe Nuovo
A Winter wedding in New England can be great fun with great light and great people. Stephanie and Michael are just those folks. They came my way as many clients do from referrals through another wedding–Steph was the maid of honor in a wedding I photographed last year. She watched us work that day and loved the images so when she called it was so exciting for me since that group of tight friends were so sweet and loved a good time like nobody else.
They had a great day/night planned for their Winter wedding that was all centered in downtown Providence, RI. We started at the Biltmore getting ready and its classical interior styling that harkens back to great days of old. Next up was a majestic mass at the First Unitarian Church of Providence timed perfectly as the thin Winter sun just started to reach Golden Hour gorgeousness as we exited the ceremony. We were further aided by some mix up with the limos that gave us extra time to craft some epic shots while transport was arranged. There are always silver linings–you just have to take advantage of them.
The reception was in the epicenter of downtown at Cafe Nuovo in Citizens Plaza. The main dining room offered 180 degree views of the urban environment and dancing was in the bar area. One thing that Stephanie and Michael arranged that really made for some spectacular photos was having their first dance in the dining room area amidst the tables and ambiance of that space. They rocked well into the night squeezing every bit out of Cafe Nuovo’s grandeur before heading for some late night karaoke at the Boombox.
Stephanie and Mike had a smile on the whole day and their gentle go-with-the-flow attitudes were a perfect balance to the party animals they were throughout. It’s so much fun when things come together like this–I was just wishing for a flake or two of snow to complete this Winter wedding but happy again that it never materialized as a made my 2 hour drive home very late that night. Silver linings.
Vendors:
Caterer/Venue: Cafe Nuovo
Entertainment: Unique Sounds – DJ Jon Smith
Event Planner: Nikki Phillips
Hair and makeup: Dayna Purcell @ Solon Viva and Sarah Rodrigues @ Making You Glow
Linens and chairs: Quality Rental
Florist: Heritage Flowers
Sonia + Amilton at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel
After their engagement shoot last year I knew this would be an incredibly fun wedding and it certainly lived up to my expectations. Wow! They and all their friends and family really put on a show dancing and partying like rock stars. Chris, my second camera that day said, “They were the best dancers he’s ever seen at any wedding.” They just had fun from the oldest to the very young they all celebrated the marriage of this beautiful couple well into the night.
Also, I completed my first Brenizer-method stitch of 41 images using my 50mm at F1.6. The photo is the first in the slideshow above.
Not Just Any Thursday…Stella + Bryan Get Hitched
A thin December sun sank slowly down Beacon Street as Stella and Brian slowly strolled through the Boston Public Garden. Long shadows were their company along with Jason, my assistant, and I. Stella wore a vintage looking coat she purchased in Paris and Bryan looked perfect in his tailored suit. They laughed.
Not an hour earlier had they made it all official during a Boston City Hall ceremony. They were the first eager folks to arrive but that waiting room filled up quick. We’d started our day together at Piers Point Park in Eastie (East Boston) before heading into town. They had memorized beautiful vows to each other and after the officiants legal words and a quick exchange of rings we were off.
First stop the Beacon Hill and the cobblestones of Acorn St. Next we drifted down to Charles Street and then into the Public Garden. After some Mama duck riding we Uber-ed it to Inman Square in Cambridge and Trina’s Starlight Lounge. Trina’s was the scene of one of their first dates but we were too early for the hipster-dive so we ducked into the Druid for some Guinness and Jameson’s. We had the place to almost to ourselves except for a few regulars who bought them drinks and posed for pix.
We ended at Trina’s where they scarfed the famous grilled hot dogs and indulged in some fancy cocktails. Save for the wedding dress this date seemed like it could have been just another regular Thursday night out for these guys–and I think that’s exactly what they wanted.
Jessica & Alex at The Liberty Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
Jessica and Alex had a wonderful wedding at the Liberty Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. We decided to go off-site to get some cityscapes in around Beacon Hill and the Public Garden–knowing all along that we’d take advantage of the unique spaces within the hotel throughout the night.
Chris and Shauna’s Fairytale Wedding | Seaport Hotel, Boston
Their love story was quite the fairytale as was their wedding day itself. Hurricane Earl was supposed to make it’s presence known, yet the day was gorgeous, with only a bit of wind to remind anyone that Earl had even been a threat. Shauna looked the part of the princess in her Maggie Sottero gown. Shauna’s bridesmaids were some of the sweetest and most attentive I have ever seen and the flower girls were adorable and loved the camera. The Seaport Hotel provided a beautiful waterfront backdrop for an absolutely gorgeous day. Congratulations Chris and Shauna – hope the surprise honeymoon to India was AMAZING!
Emma & Steve at The State Room in Boston
Emotion, beauty and an incredible view all came together like the perfect storm for Emma and Steve.
O wonderful it is the feeling
Having all the burden lifted,
I am for a day only a ghost of a being
All my creative talents gifted,
Allow me the space to truly create
For on this night I am not in charge-ifted.
A scholar of iambic pentameter I am also not, but how glorious was this day to let Nathan take the reins, and the stress, and all the formals, and allow me to be creative and free. I once had the pleasure to listen to Beverley Hills wedding photographer, Joe Buissink, speak about our profession. He said his secret–besides shooting on “P” mode, was to have someone else be the lead photographer so he could be free to create.
Emma and Steve’s wedding was at The State Room–60 State Street in Boston and one of the preeminent Boston wedding photographer venues in the city. One of the best little secrets at this location is the smaller Harbor Salon located off to the side of the Great Room. I’ve photographed weddings where this space was used as the cocktail area before for a celebration in the Great Room, but on this night, this little big room pulled double duty as both chapel and reception hall for this eco-centric couple’s wedding day.
Harbor Salon turned wedding chapel.
Like changing the Garden parquet from ice hockey to basketball in one afternoon, State Room staff flipped this room in just a cocktail hour!
Photo by Nate
Photo by Nate
Walk to PO Square for pix. Photo by Nate.
Nate has a handle on these formal portraits.
The girls waiting for formals in PO Square.
I’m allowed to peep from the side as Nate sets them up for some portraits.
Veil by Doreen Vandermeer of Unveiled Bridal Designs
Partridge feathers and fiddlehead ferns create a center piece of sorts on the lapel – byTangerine Creations
Having some fun with the cake cutting.
All of these beautiful and fun photos are not even possible without the incredible work of the vendors listed below (click their links to see more):
Caterer, cake and event planning: The State Room
Florist: Tangerine Creations
Favors: Taza Chocolates – Organic, stone ground chocolates made in Somerville, MA from beans sourced directly from cacoa famers in Central America and the Caribbean. We send them to all our clients as thank you’s.
Entertainment Provided By: Siman Entertainment – The Superband
Wedding gown: Marisa by Tamara Kristen
Veil by: Doreen Vandermeer – Unveiled Bridal Designs
Jewelry by: I Gorman Jewelers, Washington DC
Hair and make-up by: G Spa – 35 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
Bridesmaid’s dresses by: Jasmine Bridal, Belsoie Collection
A little rain never hurt a wedding
Julia and Ian make some magic outside the Four Seasons in March.
Into every Life a little rain must fall. Yes, yes, and we’ve all heard how rain on your wedding day is good luck. With the right photographer and adventurous clients like these two magical moments can be created even in the torrential rain, like this March storm that soaked most of Julia and Ian’s wedding day. Let it rain! Also, see if you can notice my not-so-short, 6’3″ second photog holding my Canon 600 speedlight behind them–I bet you can’t find him. Thanks Chris for getting wet and making my shot!
Alan + Melissa at the Seaport Hotel
I love to shoot at the Seaport Hotel at the World Trade Center. Great views with plenty of cityscape at just about any time of day. We shot their engagement session in the chill of Boston Winter but had a seasonable Spring day for the wedding–just the right amount of clouds, sun and a spot of rain. Alan’s Iranian (Persian) family melded perfectly with Melissa’s laid-back western Mass clan creating a moveable feast of color, food and fun.
Sarah & Noah get married-Redux
Some more photography highlights from Nathan and myself:
Vanessa & John get married; go bowling
Turner's Pond in Milton provides a nice backdrop for pre-ceremony portraits.
Vanessa and John were married at St. Greg’s in Dorchester with a reception at Venezia on the water but it was a great little suggestion from Vanessa to do photos before the ceremony at Turner’s Pond in Milton. With the fading light in late Fall and early Winter it is crucial to get photos in prior to dusk so I was psyched when these guys understood that and found this spot. We found some unique spots at the Venezia as well out on the boat docks at night.
But that was just the pretty we found in this very urban landscape. The real F-U-N was the unique mix of friends and family. Irish dancing from John’s side mixed with a latin Caribbean vibe from Vanessa’s crowd. The staff at Venezia were great and very easy to work with throughout the night. So much variety in one small wedding.
Alone but far from lonely-Vanessa hikes a trail in her weddin' dress.
My happy couple at Turner's Pond.
Perfect light (thanks to Steve Sangalang holding my flash) and late afternoon provided by Mother Nature.
Family.
The men.
Vanessa arrives at the St. Gregory's.
Escorted by her nana
Some laughter at the alter.
John's parents looking on.
A little emotion for the ring exchange.
More fun and some levity.
After communion.
The Kiss. Vanessa's Mom and MOH celebrates with John's best man, his brother.
All married up and ready to party.
Some quick portraits at Venezia from the bridal suite.
Again with the assist from my awesome second camera, Sangalang, with just the right kiss of light.
It was so dark it it provided nice negative space.
First dance.
Vanessa's Mom watching her dance with an old family friend.
Young love.
John, flying high.
It ended like it started for me with these two--at a bowling alley of course.