Lobster love in Fan Hall.

Steve and Kate wanted something distinctly Boston so they devised their own version of TTD.  With a swagger that few people could pull off they tramped about Boston kissing, loving and drinking lemonade from Faneuil Hall to the MFA with stops in between. After a beautiful ceremony in the unique Class of 1959 Chapel at the Harvard Business School, and an afternoon brunch reception at the Four Seasons these two were not done as if evidenced in the photos. Lots of fun and I’m sure a few memories. When your bride tells you that her Dad can steer a car with his knees while loading a machine gun any Boston wedding photographer would perk up quickly to what might come next.

Harvard Business School Chapel on Western Ave was one of the most unique structures I've photographed (both inside and out).

Inside the Chapel light streams in from the glass ceiling.

When Life gives you lemons...

Horsey ride with his new bride.

As sure as anything--it will always be windy along the St. James Street side of the Hancock Tower.

Waiting on their bus or limo--this is where they get the ride-off-into-the-sunset ride.

Some love on the Fish Pier.

Just a few quick ones from this beautiful wedding day for Sherri and JJ at the Seaport Hotel and environs. Weather was perfect after so much rain. Fun people all at this mega-wedding–what more can a Boston wedding photographer ask for.

Model perfect.

JJ is doing alright for himself here. This is a man who knows how to dress! Tip #1: Get a beautiful girl and hold on.

The garden behind the Winter Garden was the perfect place for the reveal.

Mama gettin' some lovin'.

The boyz and there were a ton of them!

Sis and niece lookin fab on the aisle.

A kiss is just a kiss--unless it's this one.

The speech...

...and some heartfelt tears.

Gettin' down--these folks could "move it, move it!"

Splashing in the fountain in Copley Square after a sweltering day in Boston.

Temps were in the 90s in Boston but Jessica and Leo were cool as could have been in front of the camera. They had a plan in mind and spots they wanted to hit–mostly the Boston Public Library and Copley. The late afternoon light was yummy and the haze provided a natural softbox–plus it didn’t hurt to have an assist from my super second camera, Chris Gagne–thank you! Just some pix from our day in the late-afternoon light of mid-Summer.

Finding the light in the BPL.

Kanoodling in the book room.

And more kanoodling.

And even more in the nooks and crannies.

Having some fun being statuesque.

Courtyard reflections.

Beautiful end to a beautiful day.

Under the pagoda on Boston Common where he first proposed.

With just weeks to spare we snuck this lil’ engagement shoot in just before their wedding next week.  They had a plan from dress (we changed into saree and kurta at the Sevens Pub on Charles Street), to the places on Boston Common that meant something to them.  Late afternoon light did the rest and some impromptu first-dance-practicin’ added a bit of the unexpected.  If this is how their Trinity Church ceremony and Colonade reception next weekend will go down it will be quite a day–and they only have to change outfits 3 times that day.

Shadows and light along one of Beacon Hills side streets.

Sondra and Erik play under a canopy of green in the Public Garden.

Lots of fun with Sondra and Erik and their little doggie strolling about Beacon Hill and then stepping out in the North End. As a Boston wedding photographer I always encourages my couples to bring props (umbrella’s come in handy) and a quick change of clothes ’cause you never know what Mother Nature will do.  S &E took it to a whole ‘nother level having a 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier complete with hair-do and bling. I can’t wait to see if lil’Oliver will be the official ring bearer for their November wedding. Time will tell–until then we have their Summer engagement shoot–”And her little dog, too.”

Every tree in The Public Garden is named with genus and species and a few have other names carved in as well.

North End bistro.

It was through a random conversation that this Boston wedding photographer had during a smidgen of downtime at the Mass Audubon Habitat in Belmont when I learned of Norm’s knowledge and apparent love for orchidaceae or the orchid. I told him how I buy them, usually from Trader Joe’s, and can never get them to re-flower–let alone live more than a month in my captivity. While he told me many things about how to care for these delicate flowers his advice was to just “lightly mist” the plant–particularly the flower.  He said this absolutely nonchalantly as if it just made sense. Problem solved. There may be a metaphor here and I could go into how it relates to marriage and relationships but I won’t.  What I will say is this–Norm gets it. I see what Cheryl sees in him and somehow this one little shred of his character gleaned from a snippet of idle conversation in the middle of his wedding said so much.

Just FYI the orchid my wife, Asha, received for being a room parent at my daughter’s school is still full of flowers and thriving–lightly misting all the way.

Cheryl adds the finishing touch to her wedding look--what else a single orchid.

Last look before wowing her waiting groom.

Sneaking up on Norm.

Norm gets a first hand look.

Home grown from Norm's personal stock.

Practicing some dance moves in a quiet moment.

The hardware amongst the flora of Cheryl's bouquet.

Something old.

Mom worried about the details wipes a lipstick kiss at the alter.

Rings readied to be passed throughout the audience to be blessed by each.

Lots of emotions at the alter.

Sealed with a kiss.

The main room.

The toasts became roasts.

Our night ended with a first dance...

And a last kiss.

Once again I must thank my wonderful assistant, Renee, and all these other wonderful vendors:

Caterer: Season to Taste Catering (Cambridge)

Florist: Jeri Solomon Floral Design (Melrose)

Cake or desserts by: Dessertworks (Norwood)

Linen & Chairs (If other than venue): Linens: Be Our Guest

Calligraphy, Invitation and all stationery Design: Designed by our bride, Cheryl McCaffrey

Entertainment Provided By: George Farrell Jazz Band (Boston)

Wedding gown by: Alix and Kelly

Jewelry by: Earrings by Swarovksi, Gold mesh bracelet by J. Crew, Silver antique bracelet, Cheryl’s Grandmother’s, Engagement and wedding ring by Jade Moran

Make-up by: Chantal Ambroise for Bobbi Brown

Do you hear that Asha--I'm no muggle!

My favorite comment this year and certainly way up there on the all time list. Thank you, Kathy. While I do find it amazing to be party to moments like these, the magic is in the moment. I gotta think there must be some magic between these two to begin with.  I look for this at every wedding but only rarely does it all come together like this; maybe that is magic–with a tad bit of luck and a dash of skill.

Love in a limo; Livin' it up while we are going to the party.

When I photographed Michelle and Sean’s engagement session last Winter I had one burning question for these astute scholars of language and grammer, “How do you properly use the semicolon?”  I am a friend of the “long dash”; I sprinkle it around  my writing; I’m caught constantly peppering just about every paragraph with it.

Dictionary.com says, “A semicolon is used to separate two parts of a sentence that have a relationship to each other in terms of meaning when each part could stand alone as a sentence in its own right.” Is this not a great metaphor for these two? And lets hope that I’m using that word correctly.

Michelle and Sean were married; Holy Cross was the backdrop for their incredible wedding ceremony; Lord Thompson Manor pulled out all the stops for an elegant reception where the crowd danced the night away; a super moon appeared just for good measure. [I'm sure run-on sentences are still a no-no but you get the idea]

Some pre-ceremony shots.

The dress hanging in the Carriage House.

The shoes!

Cupid's torch can heat water forever, and make someone love another unendingly.

Michelle right before the reveal.

Window light makes everything alright.

Having some fun with the guys. Photo by Chris Gagne

Wedding Party shot out the Manor dining room window. Photo by Chris.

A smooch before leaving the church. Photo by Chris Gagne.

A surprise for the guests; some practiced dance moves!

Michelle's Mom and Dad share a moment as the couple shares their first dance.

Super Moonlight to end the night. Photo by Chris Gagne; he did all the hard work on this one!

Check this out: Many thanks to my awesome second camera: Chris Gagne and the staff at Lord Thompson Manor. Brick Park had them movin’ and groovin’ until the very end. Michelle’s wedding gown was by Mikaella and her hair and makeup were done by Lindsey Quaglia. All the calligraphy was done by the bride’s Mom!

Dianna and Geoff had some post ceremony time to comune with Nature at Berry Pond in Andover.

Goeff and Dianna had one of those weddings where we covered so much ground from Medford to Andover and back to Chinatown in Boston for a reception celebration that won’t be forgotten. I always tell my clients that I’m game for what they want to do. Berry Pond in Andover was a spot that is dear to them for dog walking but was 30 minutes north of the ceremony site and even further from our reception destination at the China Pearl in Boston’s Chinatown.  Any Boston wedding photographer would have loved these two and their free-wheeling spirit but the venue changes can be a nightmare. My second photog Darren McCollester and very able assitant Meghan Taylor provided great support in having this run smooth and the I93 Gods were good to us as we sped easily from point A to B to Chinatown!

St.Francis of Assisi in Meford: The House of Father Joe!

Father Joe getting warmed up.

And getting the crowd involved--no falling asleep in his church!

I had my knee-waders on for this shot.

Geoff with some back up sang a capella for Dianna.

As Boston Wedding Photographers it is always a privilege to be published. Today we thank Beantown Bride for selecting Christine and Brian’s wedding from Mass Horticultural Society. And for all those brides who pray for no rain on their wedding day, check out the photos and see how rain can’t stop you from having a beautiful wedding.

Click here to see this wedding story & photos!