Mary Kate & Justin {Engagement}

I wanted to get Mary Kate and Justin's engagement pictures up right away for a couple reasons...1.) they are already married! (The wedding was last weekend and every bit as gorgeous as I knew it would be.) 2.) I absolutely looooved this shoot. Mary Kate and Justin live in Danbury, CT and booked me from afar. So the first time we met was when they walked toward me through the low glistening sunlight in Old Lyme, CT for our engagement session. I just adore this couple; not only are they warm and friendly and up for anything, they are such a striking pair! Justin has this adorable, flirty grin, and Mary Kate, with her long legs, curtain of raven hair and grape green eyes looks like she stepped out of the pages of 1940s fashion spread. We started at this wonderful used book store nestled in the woods in Niantic, CT called the Book Barn. There are all these darling out-buildings brimming with books, each with a clever name, such as Last Page, Haunted Book shop and Hades. Simply enchanting. After exploring all of the sweet literary nooks and crannies, we moved on to the shore where my parents have a beach cottage (or "beach shack" as I lovingly call it). I knew MK and Justin were JUST the pair to try out something I've wanted to do for awhile. My brothers are lovers of any vintage gem, particulary if it has a motor--and they acquired these two old, rusty, yet fabulous dirtbikes--one blue, one a delicious yellow. I just knew they would sizzle in an engagement session. And MK and Justin had just the adventurous spirits to try them out! With the help of my brother Sam, we got the engines to cough to a start, and off MK and Justin went into the sunset! We ended the shoot with a stroll through the beach community, Point O' Woods, and stopped at some of my favorite spots along the way as the sun dropped. Enough explanation, take a peek at this adorable pair and our fun, photographic adventure!

Alicia and Ian {St. Clements Castle Wedding}

The wedding of Ian and Alicia was particularly special to me as it was my first time back to St. Clements Castle, where Matt and I were married six Augusts ago. And I couldn't have had a more wonderful couple to document in this sentimental location. Ian and Alicia are my "royal" couple; Ian hails from England, and has this lovely British accent and a delightful wit to accompany it, Alicia's fresh-faced, clear blue-eyed, adorable-nosed look just says "Kate" to me, and of course, they were married at a castle, surrounded by an English contingency in ornate hats. Reminiscent of my own wedding day, their nuptials took place on the hottest day of the summer--and they were troopers, and decided to hold their ceremony outside overlooking the roiling bend in the CT river, despite the heat (so worth it for that striking view!). Ian and Alicia did not complain when I kept them outside for some portraits, and to look at the photos, you'd never know charming Ian and radiant Alicia were sweltering! It was an absolute pleasure being back at St. Clements, documenting such a beautiful evening and such a charming couple. With Ian's wit, and Alicia's smile, my job couldn't have been easier, and I'm so happy to finally unveil the photos...










Alicia's eyes are mesmerizing...




Ian's mother's love for her son was so sweet to see.

Could this hat, or the lovely dame wearing it be any more fabulous?

Nicole and John {Blithewold Mansion, RI}

It was a beautiful July day in Rhode Island for Nicole and John's nuptials. Nicole and John are both graduates of Providence College, though their paths never crossed during the their four years at the school (the same story as me and my beloved!). But it was meant to be, and they met years after graduating at an alumni event--where sparks flew instantly. Because the school was what drew them together, they decided to plan a Rhode Island wedding, with the ceremony at St. Dominic chapel at Providence College, followed by the reception at the grand Blithewold Mansion on the coast. The gardens are so beautifully cared for and extensive, that with our limited time, we covered only a very small piece of the estate's grounds. But we found this ferny wooded path, with low light streaming through the trees, and that was all I needed! I was so pleased when, a bit into the reception, Nicole and John approached me to do a few more photos on the front lawn of the estate, as the sun was setting over the water. It was the perfect summer night, and guests flowed right out of the tent onto the lawn to enjoy the ocean view. Once back in the tent, it was a rowdy party, and what I loved the most about it, was that John and Nicole were in the center of the crowd all night, wrapped in each other's arms. I think the photos of their faces in the last few shots of this post say it all. They are a genuine, gracious pair, and I loved watching them become their natural selves on the dance floor, entangled in each other's arms all night.



Nicole's vivid blue eyes.




An attempt at a niece and nephew shot...


John and his entourage.

One of the dashing groomsmen doubling as my second shooter.









The best man asked all the groomsmen to stand up with him as he delivered his toast.

A teary moment between Nicole and her father.


Lots of love between the flower girls and the ringbearer.





And now for their slideshow...be sure to turn your volume up!