Kendall and Ricky's Wedding :: Atlantica on Cohasset Harbor, Massachusetts

In early 2019, I was hired to photograph a family friend’s Cohasset wedding in September 2020. At the time, I was easing out of weddings and decided this would probably be my last wedding for a while...maybe forever? It felt like the right time, and I looked forward to their engagement session in Boston, MA that summer.

Well, 2020 arrived, and Covid hit turned the whole wedding industry upside down. With all the uncertainty in the world, so many events that were looked forward to, had to be postponed. Couples, families, small businesses and wedding professionals felt enormous impact, on top of the day to day worries and struggles. Plans had to change.

In April 2020, Kendall and Ricky’s wedding date got pushed to April 2021. And then in early 2021, more dates were discussed, landing on July 9, 2021. This time, they had to change their venue. They’d still be getting married in their hometown, at the Atlantica on Cohasset Harbor restaurant.

Spring came and went, and things were looking up! Vaccines were being distributed. Mask regulations were lifted and large gatherings were allowed. We optimistically looked forward to this final date, knowing the wedding would happen no matter what!

My family was in New Hampshire all last week for summer vacation, when Sean told me that tropical storm Elsa was heading north, and would hit south of Boston....on Friday. July 9, 2021.

Holy smokes! I was already anxiously mentally preparing for the wedding - it had been almost 2 years since the last wedding I had photographed! My nerves were kind of high, on top of the whole "coming out of Covid" world we're all adjusting to at various paces.

The one thing I have told my couples (and myself) over the years is that the only thing we cannot control is the weather, and that no matter what, it will be a beautiful day, because a sweet couple will gather with their loved ones and get married.

I have photographed weddings on top of mountains, in thunderstorms, in the hottest summer heat, and in the snow. I’ve almost been struck by lightning, and I’ve trudged through torrential rain loaded up with all my gear. I’ve shot weddings at various stages of pregnancy and post-partum after having c-sections. I’ve pumped in bathrooms while sweet, tipsy wedding guests come in and out.

So, a tropical storm? Eh…what can you do?

I texted Kendall’s mom to check in, and she assured me that they didn’t care about the weather - they just wanted to get married and enjoy their long awaited party!

When you’ve waited as long as they have, it puts everything into perspective.

And if there’s one thing you learn as a wedding photographer (or any wedding industry professional), it’s how to be flexible and roll with whatever unfolds as the day happens.

And then, as the day progressed, the rain tapered off, and the fog lifted, and the most gorgeous summer sun shone down over Cohasset Harbor, just in time for their late afternoon ceremony.

In New England, any weather is possible if you just wait an hour or so.

Ricky and Kendall, it was an honor capturing your day! Seeing your loved ones surrounding you with love and laughter, beaming, so happy to be there - finally - to witness you starting this chapter of your lives together, was so special. And they were ready to PARTY!

Congratulations, and wishing you happily ever after!

Here’s a first look at highlights from their beautiful day. :)

VENDORS: Photography Shannon Sorensen Creative Studio // Venue Atlantica on Cohasset Harbor // Dress Alexandra’s Bridal Fall River MA // Alterations Amanda Catherine Custom Design Scituate MA // Shoes made in the UK // Flowers Awesome Blossom Cohasset MA // Cupcakes Montillio’s Bakery // Engagement and Wedding Rings King Jewelers Cohasset MA // Stationery Shutterfly // Hair & Makeup Pretty Bar by Danielle Keefe Artistry // Officiant Dr. Kathleen Keiran-O’Malley // Ceremony Music Violinist Cami Sylvia // DJ Mike Degagne Mass Bay DJ // Videographer Wicked Good Videos // Photo Booth Peter Chambers // Handmade Heirloom Pillow, Purse, Sweetheart Tablecloth by Heidi Sews Hanson MA

Carrie + Patrick | Pomfret Connecticut Wedding at Tyrone Farm | New England Wedding Photographer

Carrie and Patrick's wedding was a dream to shoot at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret, Connecticut. It is always fun photographing weddings at a new (to me) venue, and it was a perfect early September day in New England. When I met Carrie and Patrick last winter, we clicked pretty fast bonding over mutual fandom for all things geeky. The more they told me about themselves and their plans, the more excited I got. Superhero groomsmen? Yes, please. Comic book boutonnieres? Amazing. A playlist of geeky film music? I'm in love. 

The day started at the small cottage on the Tyrone Farm property where Carrie and her ladies were getting ready. It felt like an at-home wedding, very comfortable and cozy and laid back. Looking out the windows to the property, there was a gorgeous view everywhere you looked. Fields and stables and gardens and the barn...it's everything I love about rural New England. 

The ceremony took place in the back field with hilly, wildflower views. Carrie giggled in excitement and there was so much love and support in the air for these two. What I especially loved in that they included all their nieces and nephews in the wedding party along with their daughter, Roslyn, and it really felt like a special family celebration. 

We had a blast taking family and wedding party pictures, and then I happily had Carrie and Patrick all to myself to wander the grounds and give them some quiet moments together. It was like photographer heaven, everywhere I turned I wanted to shoot. And they were so kind to let me do my thing, I did my best to just guide them place to place and then let them snuggle up to each other, laughing and exchanging sweet kisses along the way. What I love about Carrie and Patrick is how easy it is to spend time with them. They're such happy, kindhearted people, and they surround themselves with equally wonderful friends and family. There was no stress, just enjoyment of the day, which is what I love. 

Carrie and Patrick danced into their barn reception to the Ghostbusters theme, and I couldn't stop smiling. That was the same song Sean and I chose for our own wedding introductions, and it just made me so happy to be around fellow nerds who know how to have fun and be themselves. Their guests were equally smitten with their music choices, cheering and laughing and gasping whenever another song came on that they recognized and enjoyed, like music from Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, or Rocky. 

There is nothing I love more than connecting with my clients so that by the time their wedding day rolls around, it truly feels like I'm hanging out with friends. I wear my heart on my sleeve and usually spend the day laughing, crying, cheering and giving people hugs because I can't help it, it's how I roll and that's how it should be. A wedding is a celebration and with all the planning and moving parts that go into making a wedding day happen, you have to love what you do and care about the people you work with. And I really do. 

Venue: Tyrone Farm // Pomfret, Connecticut

Catering, Decor, Flowers, Cake: Pranzi Catering

Videography: Classic Video Productions

Here are some of my favorite highlights from Carrie and Patrick's Tyrone Farm wedding. 

Claire + Ben :: Duxbury Massachusetts Backyard Wedding

Claire and Ben celebrated their emotional wedding surrounded by family and friends in Claire's parents' backyard in Duxbury, Massachusetts this past July. Among endless gardens of some of the most gorgeous florals and plantings, accented with small succulents and herbs for placecards, so much homegrown love went into this day. Claire and Ben put all of themselves into creating a celebration that reflected them individually and as a couple. Ben, a chef, orchestrated an amazingly delicious menu that smelled divine and tasted like the best homecooked meal you could imagine. 

It was everything a wedding should be - personal, heartfelt, modern with respect for tradition, an intimate feeling of closeness and importance to every single attendee... I could go on and on, but I will instead share some of my most favorite images from the day. 

We started the day taking photos in some of the Duxbury conservation land, then moving on to the Shipyard Lane beach on Duxbury, Bay, and back to Claire's parents' house for the celebration to begin.

Their ceremont consisted of Jewish and Quaker traditions mixed with their own personal touches. It was such an honor to witness. The guests were just as much a part of the ceremony as Claire and Ben, truly making it feel like a family and community celebration. One of my favorite things was the time they set aside for words of encouragement, where any guest could stand up and say some words, prepared or from the heart, a poem, advice, anything to encourage and support Claire and Ben as they begin their married life together. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. 

I could go on and on, but I will instead share some of my most favorite images from the day. 

Victoria + Nick :: Asbury Park New Jersey Wedding

I don't even know where to start. I didn't shoot as many weddings in 2015 for various reasons, but I am madly in love with the ones I shot. Vic and Nick's closed out the year for me in December, and it was gloriously fun. They are both from New Jersey and decided on Tim McLoone's Supper Club for their venue. I've only been to a couple places around New Jersey other than sitting on the Turnpike trying to get through New Jersey, and this wedding made me kind of love this state that I don't know much about. We were right on the boardwalk, and for early December it was gorgeous out. Like, sunny and 50s, light breeze, perfection. 

Vic and Nick have great style - very retro, colorful and focused on the stuff that they enjoy. Nick is an incredibly talented illustrator (check out the Save the Date, invitations, and table numbers he made) and Vic is writer and funny as hell in the best way. They are just good people and I am so happy they asked me to be there on their wedding day!

Holly + Derek :: Salem Cross Inn North Brookfield Massachusetts Wedding

Good morning, friends. I'm pretty sure I'll be setting a record today for cups of coffee consumed in between yawns. I stayed up too late last night watching the Oscars, working on photos, writing, prepping for the week ahead... Someday I'll spend Sunday evenings with my feet up and catch up on this last season of Downton Abbey, but this is not the week. Luckily, I have this gorgeous wedding to share with you as a result of this late night!

Holly and Derek's wedding day was gorgeously warm and sunny, the perfect end to September. The entire day took place at Salem Cross Inn in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, a new location for me, and for me it was love at first sight. I love venues that are rustic, charming, and full of that classic New England character. The Inn is set on a rural road, and from the apple trees out front to the cow pastures out back, the open grounds and barns and that's before even stepping foot in the inn, it's an amazing place for a wedding. I couldn't resist snapping some scenic shots before heading inside to find Holly and the ladies. 

Holly and Derek are as sweet as can be, and I am a lucky lady to have photographed their day because Holly was the final bride of my sweet friend trifecta - first Liz's New Hampshire wedding in 2011, then Rosalind's Hanscom Air Force Base wedding in 2014. I've been blessed to watch them stand up with each other, support each other, toast each other's new marriages, and share amazing memories between their families. 

I also want to add that Holly's flowers were done by Helping Hands Florist in Plainville, Massachusetts, where children and adults with developmental disabilities are supported, educated and given work experience that encourages and promotes creativity. They were absolutely gorgeous and I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a florist in Central Massachusetts. They offer services for any number of occasions. http://hmea.org/helping-hands-florist/

Lauren + Eyvi :: Bascom Lodge Berkshires Wedding

Monday, glorious, Monday...My friend Amy taught me how to make foamy milk for my coffee which has helped me cut sugar out. I enjoyed a delightful latte topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon this morning and almost finished it before it was time to bring Lil to school. It's important to have goals in life. Drinking an entire cup of coffee while it's still hot is an ongoing one of mine. Someday...

It's time to share Lauren and Eyvi's wedding! When Lauren and Eyvi contacted me about photographing their wedding, I was so excited, because it meant returning to Bascom Lodge at the top of Mt. Greylock, a favorite place of mine since shooting Tiffany and Andy's wedding there the September prior. I love the Berkshires, it's such a special part of Massachusetts and I wish I could spend more time there.

Eyvi and Lauren are such a sweet couple. They're kind, funny, and have this ease with each other that made photographing their wedding day a joy. It was important to them to spend plenty of time with their friends and family. Eyvi is from Iceland, so many of his childhood friends were there to celebrate, as well as his family. Their friends were so funny and I really enjoyed getting to spend this day around them. 

There was also the most amazing sunset - I'm talking warm pink sky and a brief sprinkle that resulted in a rainbow over the summit! It was perfect. Like, a photographer's dream.

Lauren's dress was vintage that she found on Etsy, and Eyvi wore traditional Icelandic dress. There were a lot of small, personal touches to their day, things that meant a lot to them personally but also to their friends and family.  It was an honor to spend this day photographing their celebration!

Mt. Greylock Massachusetts Wedding Sneak Peek :: Lauren + Eyvi

What an amazing weekend. Driving up to Mt. Greylock, the skies were clear and that perfect September blue. Everything about the day was sweet and simple and wonderful. I have just a couple pictures to share as a sneak peek as I start the editing process. I can't get over their joy. It's infectious.