Wedding season means an overflowing email inbox, sore shoulders, blistered heels, traffic jams, and many, many babysitter arrangements.  It means spending the nicest days of the summer apart from my family, and it means running, squatting, recharging and reloading batteries fast enough to be back to the dance floor in time to insert myself into a dance-circle and try to capture just the right angle of the kid doing a back flip. It means backing up a zillion files, editing until two in the morning and waking up the next morning to do it all over again.

But, it also means smiling until my cheeks hurt, laughing out loud (often), and wiping away tears during sentimental toasts or when a father takes his daughter to the dance floor for one last time. It means spending the nicest days of the summer in some of the nicest places in New England, and with the nicest people, and it means being excited like it’s Christmas Eve every ride home, just waiting to open up the files on my computer and begin polishing them into sneak peeks.

Wedding season reminds me, over and over again, that I am blessed beyond belief to be doing what I do, and to be working with the clients that I work with. And it goes by so fast that I have a hard time realizing where we are in the calendar, until a day like today, when September shows up in my periphery. It’s just a week away.

The school buses are lining up, the kids are all trying on jeans, the beach Saturdays are about to be replaced with apple picking, pumpkins will replace wild flowers on doorsteps and soon we’ll all be breathing the scent of cinnamon in the cool, crisp air.

This fall is shaping up to be my busiest yet, with weddings and portraits.

But before that all happens, I wanted to share a quick glimpse from a few of my season’s weddings thus far.

Because, every once in a while, it’s good to pause, right where you are, and to look back at the path that you’re on and acknowledge the beauty and the blessings that have marked your steps.

Here are just a handful of glimpses:

Portland Company, Portland Maine

The Rockport Art Association – Rockport, MA

Elks at Bass Rocks – Gloucester, MA

Private Residence – Cape Cod Wedding

Granite Links Country Club – Quincy, MA

The Essex Room – Essex, MA

Emerson By the Sea – Rockport, MA

Private Residence – Raymond, NH

Atkinson Resort & Country Club – Atkinson, NH

Hyatt Harborside – Boston, MA

It has been an amazing season thus far, and I wish I could have highlighted each couple and every camp and resort and country club that I’ve had the true pleasure of working with.

Here’s to the next three months of wedding season busyness & bliss!

November 10, 2013

The Parish of St. Ignatius – Chestnut Hill, MA
Zukas Hilltop Barn – Spencer, MA

Brookstone Country Club – Derry, NH

September 7, 2012

Amy and PJ were married in a tent wedding on a gorgeous September evening, complete with a hot air balloon touching down from the sky behind their heads during the ceremony. It was a beautiful and sweet wedding and I was so fortunate to be that fly on the wall, capturing these moments.

Ceremony

A couple more portraits after dark:

And…Reception!

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Sarah and Harrison were married at a fabulous, rustic and beautiful weekend long event up in Porter, ME. Unique details were everywhere, most were handmade and perfectly fitting for their personalities and the venue.  I loved everything about their event and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take part!

Maine Teen Camp: Porter, ME

September 1, 2012

With so many fabulous backdrops, we had fun running all around the camp for these portraits!

Reception: Dancing & Details

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September 24, 2011
Five Bridge Inn, Rehoboth, MA

Where we left off, Portraits:

The Scene & Reception:

First Dance

And…party:

Congratulations again, Janet & Mike!

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September 24, 2011
Five Bridge Inn, Rehoboth, MA

Janet and Mike were married at the charming Five Bridge Inn on the day after torrential rain. The clouds stuck around, but no rain fell and the entire day was picture perfect, or, at least I like to think so.

Getting Ready:

When we arrived, this hanger was the first thing I saw, even before I found the bride. Loving details, as I do, I just knew we were in for a fabulous day.

In a really beautiful tribute, Janet had the initials of grandparents who have passed on stitched into the inside of her gown.

She wore her grandmother’s jewelry.

The embellished flowers on the ribbon are from her mother’s wedding.

Ceremony Sneak Peek:

Portraits:

And…Mustaches.

You may need to click on these to see them larger to get the full “mustache” effect.

Everyone else in the party were sporting temporary mustache tattoos, but the groom and the best man, they have the real deal.

And shoes, of course, because I love ’em.

And onto the couples portraits:

Stay tuned for Janet & Mike Part II with more of their portraits, wedding details & reception highlights!

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September 23, 2011
Reception at Mile Away Restaurant, Milford, NH

Photo Center Snippets:

Reception Sneak Peeks:

This was the “Newlywed Game” – I believe this is them answering the question “Who is the better kisser?”

(Last picture, credit to Vinnie who grabbed his camera from the photo center to catch Jaclyn and Ben walking through the rain at just the right moment.)

Simply Mella Photography

September 23, 2011
Mile Away Restaurant, Milford, NH

Jaclyn & Ben were married on a drizzly evening, and yes, it changed the course of the wedding: it made it even more memorable. And this was one couple (and tent full of family and friends) who weren’t a little afraid of some rain drops and certainly weren’t going to let them put a damper on their good time.

Fall accents set the scene under the tent:

Getting Ready:

Ben and his best man and brother:

Glimpses of Portraits in the Rain:

Something old: The bride wore her grandmother’s bridal headpiece.

Something fun: Just because.

Ben and his siblings: I have to be honest here, I don’t exactly know what’s going on. But I loved it.

Rain? What rain?

I swear, he did this on his own, no direction from me.

Sisters

And coming in Jaclyn & Ben: Part II – Reception! Cake cutting, Newlywed Game, Dancing, Photo Center Fun. Stay tuned!

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The Nonantum Resort: Kennebunkport, ME
September 17, 2011

Peek at Portraits:

Something Old – Sal’s grandmother’s pin was carried by the bride on her bouquet.

The Cake

The couple did a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony after their cocktail hour.

Reception:

First Dance

Father, Daughter Dance:

Lots of adorable children on the dance floor (and everywhere – it will be a fun wedding to continue working on!)

Perhaps the 2nd most photographed lady at the event…

Thank you & Congratulations again, Joyce and Sal!

Simply Mella Photography