Mary Kate and Justin {Candlewood Lake, CT wedding}

I am happy to feature Mary Kate and Justin here again, this time in honor of their gorgeous wedding day. Justin called me a year ago, after a recommendation from a friend (thanks to the sweet and dashing Eric and Jen Loos, married one year in June) and he was so well-spoken and enthusiastic, I couldn't help but take to him right away. And after a couple phone calls and some plan tweaking (i.e. a wedding date change), he pretty much booked me on the spot. And when I finally met him and Mary Kate for our engagement session in the spring, I felt like we were old friends. And what a terrific couple, I can't say that enough. They are warm, considerate, down to earth (and they just so happen to be very easy on the eyes, Justin poised and totally dashing, MK so elegant and soft-looking--total lens candy, this pair :) For so many reasons, it was so worth the hike to Danbury, CT, and it couldn't have been a nicer day. It was cloudy all morning, and it rained during the ceremony, and throughout our entire drive to the Candlewood Inn. But once we arrived, the sun broke through over the lake, and we had a gorgeous glistening evening from that point on. I had a blast with the wedding party, and MK and Justin brought their A-game to the photos, so we scored intimate close-ups, sexy poses, and lots of fun shots. And this continued all night; MK and Justin were entwined in one another's arms on the dance floor all night long, and busting out all kinds of sassy moves. I couldn't keep my lens off of them! Mary Kate and Justin, couples like you make my job such a pleasure. Thank you for being so welcoming, and so enthusiastic about having me there (Justin kept checking in on how I was holding up--so sweet!). You two are going to have such a happy life together, and I am so pleased I could document the start of your marriage.





Mary Kate strikes a pose. And oh those Irish eyes.




Such lookers.







These two can DANCE. They were so sexy on the dance floor!





On the left, the bride's equally gorgeous twin sister; on the right, Justin's adorable grandmother.




Take a peek at their slideshow:

Megan and Matt {Lake Pearl Wedding}

In August, I had the pleasure of documenting the marriage of two wonderful people, Megan and Matt. I had the company of awesome photographer Johnny Arguedas, who added his sharp perspective to the day. During the ceremony, the priest kept referring to how wonderful it is when two genuinely good, nice people find one another and choose to marry. It ws such a simple sentiment, but I found it to be so true! Megan and Matt are both such kind, warm, honest people, and it was obvious how overjoyed they were to commit to one another in marriage. Matt's eyes shone with tears as his bride came toward him in the church (I love it when the groom is the one to cry!). Megan's smile is infectious, and I don't think she had a moment without it all day. It was raining when we left the church, and pouring on the way to the reception. But once we pulled into the venue, Lake Pearl Lucianos, the lake was glistening with sunshine, and the grass was drying. From there, it was a brilliant summer evening under the tent, as the sun set over the lake. Congratulations Megan and Matt! I am happy to finally have some photos to show you...




Megan, you are gorgeous.

Johnny captured this shot right before Megan graced the aisle. I love the pure joy on her face.




Johnny composed this shot. On the right is his perspective; the left and below are mine.



LOVED this tunnel. And Megan's miles of legs.


So sweet. How adorable is this Matt fella?


And of course, take a peek at their slideshow, set to their last dance song (I loved it):

Simone and Thibault {Wedding}

It was a year ago, in the thick of wedding season, when my best college friend and moon-sista Simone called to tell me she was getting married, and it was happening soon, and that I absolutely had to be there. The timing couldn't be worse. I was coming off a crazy stretch of weddings. I was up to my ears in editing. I had never left my kids before. But as she knew all along, of course I was going to be there, so I found myself on a plane to Los Angeles to celebrate (and document) the marriage of Simone and Thibault. To describe the friendship I share with Simone would be telling a well-worn, enchanting, cacophonous tale of twists and turns and tears and frustration and magic....Somehow, our memories are poetic. Ours is a tale of drawings on scraps of paper and letters and guitar strings and trinket-treasures and mermaid hair...To tell it is like putting words to a strictly instrumental song. To me, she is poetry and other worlds and mystery and familiarity...that small, quiet girl in the corner of the room who didn't say a word but who I wanted to know. Someone who has torn and tempted and tested me as an artist. The kind of friend you could lie around with in pajamas all day in a one room apartment in Pasadena and never run out of odd, idle but wonderful conversation. The kind of friend with whom you can communicate for a decade through letters instead of email. The kind of friend with whom you can disagree and fight torridly, but who you know will always be there, honestly and wholly loving you despite.

The wedding and surrounding whirlwind were in every way just what I expected. The few days were a hot California moment, a wild ride, as always. And as soon as I was back in reality in MA, I jumped right back into work as if I had never left, never having a chance to blog it. Tomorrow marks one year, and I want to honor Simone and Thibault's marriage by putting up some of my favorite images from their day. Again, these days I am immersed in wedding splendor, and buried in editing, with no time for personal posts...still, I am pausing for a moment to tell a little story about a sparkling day in an orange grove in California, and a sweet and fulfilling moment I spent there. Happy anniversary, S & T, love you.

The Los Angeles theater is right around the corner from S & T's downtown apartment.

The wedding took place in a historic orange grove.



Oh so pretty.

A French marriage tradition adapted by S & T.




This sexy pair of legs belongs to the officiant, Mihn.



I think Thibault might actually have fallen asleep here.







Behind the lens...Michelle, my partner in crime, crouching in weeds to "get the shot," as well as an attempted self portrait of the two of us.

Back to the city...why not a few street shots after our romp through nature?



Love you two cutie pies. Wish I could be there right now. Happy anniversary.