Millenium Bostonian Hotel Wedding - MariaLisa & Liz

We could see the sun set on Boston's Faneuil Hall from the windows of the Millenium as Liz and MariaLisa were getting ready for their wedding ceremony.  They both looked stunning and their families were in full force, helping with all of their last minute details.  Together, they are the perfect Yin & Yang pair, complementing and strengthening each other.  MariaLisa, the organized planner and deadline keeper, and Liz, the free thinker and fashion finder.  On the wedding day they both walked down their own aisle in unison with their families, meeting in the middle, and by the end of the ceremony hardly a dry eye was left.  Their love for each other was contagious and as you'll see in the slideshow toward the reception- their energy infected everyone in the room.  You'll also see some of their unique and meaningful details playing on the idea of city night lights, and even a little horse drawn carriage, representing one of their favorite romantic memories together.  Don't miss MariaLisa's fist pump in the middle of the ceremony, when she was had snuck in a vow that Liz would agree to let her have a puppy!  Press play on the slideshow below to see a preview of their wedding day (note: music will play- adjust your speakers to your preferences.)


Venue & Catering: Millenium Bostonian Hotel
Flowers & Decor: Ilex Designs
DJ: Ari Rosenfield of Beattrain Productions
Wedding Gowns: Alfred Angelo Bridal Company Store
Wedding Party Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse
Wedding Party Dresses: Bride-N-Belle Boutique
Cake: Konditor Meister
Cityscape Canvas "Guestbook": www.greatbigcanvas.com
Groomsmen Shoes: Puma
 

Lenox Hotel Boston Wedding - Elyse & Justin

Winter weddings are so special and rare- a chance to celebrate with friends and family when most people simply hustle home to huddle under a blanket.  The sparkle of snow crystals dusting everything, the starry night unencumbered by the leaves of trees, and the feeling of people hugging a little tighter and holding hands a bit more to keep warm.  Even though Elyse & Justin were married in November with fall leaves still holding onto the trees, their wedding reminds me of the cozy elegance of winter with acrylic chairs resembling the sheen of ice, crystals sparkling like icicles from silver branches, long sleeves, lace layers, white bow tie, and Hershey kisses like Valentine chocolates.  They had lots of unique little touches, like their dog Remi as their ring bearer, a sugar bar to represent their love of candy, a specialty cranberry cocktail, and some very unique life size planter-pot characters.  There were some priceless moments during the toasts when Elyse's family pulled out some embarrassing moments from her past, and a heart warming end to their evening with everyone crowding the dance floor around them.  Press play on the video below to see a slideshow preview of their wedding day (note: music will play- adjust your speakers to your preference.)


Venues & Catering: The Lenox Hotel
Portrait Location: Boston Public Library
Photography: Anne Ruthmann Photography 
Florals & Crystals: ilex Flowers
DJ: Mike Amado
Dress & Alterations: L'elite Boutiqe Boston
Cake: The Icing On The Cake
Donations instead of favors, made to: MSPCA and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Real Wedding; Linden Place, Bristol, RI - Outdoor Ceremony & Indoor Reception

Jackie & Chuck's Wedding

Jackie... a professional dancer. Chuck... a professional actor. Their wedding... like a broadway musical. ;-) Indulge in my terrible writing skills as I work on my script that retells the day as it unfolded before me...

It all started at the boutique Hotel Orrington in the heart of Chicago's North Shore. The stage was set, and the dress made it's dramatic entrance in the hallway...


But wait! There was drama lurking around the corner! A broken steamer- primed to ruin the delicate layers of fabric! Maintenance men work hurriedly to fix the problem before it's too late! Will they fix it with enough time to make it to the wedding?! Dun, dun, duuunnnnn


The guys hang in the balance- blissfully unaware of the potential drama. But the groom senses that something might be wrong. At this point, he can only hope to see his bride at the end of the aisle!


The flower girls secretly plot to hide the dress from Jackie so that they can marry Chuck instead!


Their plan is spoiled by the bridesmaids who rescue the dress and get Jackie ready just before she needs to walk down the aisle! The bridesmaids protect Jackie from the flower girls so that she can finally see her groom...


Jackie took a deep breath and walked into the amazing Alice Millar Chapel at Northwestern University- greeted by the angelic sounds of the organ and the radiant light of the stained glass windows....



Their marriage received many blessings from family and friends...


... and by the tongues of angels.


The youngest watched from the back of the room, but were still present to send fertility blessings to the couple. (Every musical has to have something about making babies!)



The guests all cheered with joy and congratulated the newlyweds as they made their way back down the aisle! Married at last!



Grandma was pleased to know that her grandson the actor really was straight after all these years (hey.. I don't make the stereotypes, I just use them to amplify my poor writing skills!!)



And the flower girls finally make amends with the bride, knowing that they've lost the battle... but may still win the war.


To avoid any potential wardrobe malfunctions, the bride and groom duck into the green room for a quick wardrobe check before the very active third act!



The guests arrive at the Hotel Orrington greeted by handwritten placecards, family photos, and daisy centerpieces. All simply understated and elegant for an afternoon reception.


The wedding party reminisces on fond memories with their beloved friends and wishes them well on their future path together.


[Enter music. Cue singers. Cue dancers.] La da, da, da, deee, dahhhh...



As the bride dances with her father, in the distance we see a sign of what may have been a story from the past, and one that may also point to the future...



The flower girl thinks to herself... it should have been me in the sparkly dress...


The bride and groom blissfully dance the afternoon away...



... and they all live happily ever after...


THE END. [Cue Wedding Bells.]


Jackie & Chuck - thank you for indulging me and my ridiculous side!! I had so much fun capturing and celebrating your wedding day with you!! Can we do it again?? Take two??

Megan & Andrew's Wedding

Megan is one of the most excited brides I've ever met! Her energy was just so infectious that I ended up with cheek cramps from smiling so much behind the camera!! Andrew was always calm and steady, which turned out to be the perfect compliment to their partnership.


How can you NOT get wrapped up in her excitement?! I just love it!!!

Her bridesmaids carried a lovely set of red tulips, which were waiting for them in the window sill...


A sneak peek around the altar...


While the girls were getting ready downstairs at the beautiful St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN - the boys were putting on a gun show upstairs... niiiiiiice!


These are two must take shots for just about every wedding... and I love it when can they turn out like this!! Can't you just FEEL their anticipation and joy?!!



Priests that let me get cool angles like this are awwwwesome!!



Ah, the joys of trying to keep children still and quiet in church! Despite what it might look like, these children were actually VERY good!!


Now THIS is a kiss!!!


I totally planned this... again. Man, I'm good... HA! ;-)


Out of the corner of my eye I caught this adorable moment between Megan and the ring bearer...


After the ceremony, the bridal party stopped at Monument Circle for some fun and casual shots. It was freeeezing cold, so I kept it short and sweet and still managed to get some awesome stuff... like this one which totally cracks me up!!


And this one... which melts my heart...


The reception was at the ga-ga-gorgeous Union Station! I loooooove weddings in old train stations!! Seriously- I would love to just go around the country photographing weddings or reception in the fabulous train stations built during the Golden Age before the Depression... but I digress.



For some reason, the wedding party was held hostage upstairs for about an hour while the rests of the guests were enjoying a cocktail hour downstairs. The wedding party was really taken care of though with their own set of appetizers and drinks, so I guess it was just a way for everyone to relax for a bit. The bridal party had fun peeking at the guests through the mezzanine windows... sorry ladies, the gun show did not make a return appearance.


(Doesn't that last one look like it's from a movie?! It's totally the lighting.)

Some awesome toasts..


Simple red, white, and black accents, and I believe the cake was done by a family member!


I'm in love these shots of them mingling... it really gives you the feeling of catching a glance of them from across the room...



I almost always get teary eyed during the father daughter dance!!


Megan & Andrew tried soooo hard not to play typical wedding reception music, but eventually they caved because they wanted to get people on the dance floor! Kudos to knowing when to give in for the sake of your crowd. ;-)


There are sooooo many awesome dancing shots... but it would be silly to show them all... so here's just one of my faves..


Toward the end of the night, everyone got on the dance floor for the bride & groom's final dance... it was pretty awesome..


Wow- what a wedding! Thank you so much Megan & Andrew- I'm so honored that I got to photograph your awesome day!!!! I hope you have lots of ridiculously good looking and super nice babies just like yourselves!!!