This blog is about the joy that two people can share. Brittany and Craig epitomize joy – both in their relationship with each other and those around them. They’re one of those couples who enjoys each other’s company (major understatement) and simply laughs all the time. That’s what I remembered most about their engagement session. Shooting their wedding last weekend was no different. It was a wonderfully outrageous time with two amazing people, their family and friends. And fortunately no speedos (running joke w/ B&C).
Brittany and Craig selected the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, MA for their ceremony and reception. In spite of the challenging weather that day, Brittany and Craig’s spirits were still high. While everyone was getting ready, Brittany grabbed my umbrella and ran out into the rain saying, “What kind of fun photos can you take of me in the rain?!” Brittany wasn’t about to let a few rain drops dampen her spirits.
Once everyone was ready, we prepared for the reveal. Craig waited at the end of the long deck with his back to Brittany. She and I pulled up in a golf cart. I could see the anticipation on her face. “Give me just a minute to get set up.” I said to her. She nodded her head in agreement – eyes fixed at the other end of the deck staring at Craig’s back.
Brittany walked right up behind Craig and spanked him. It took him a bit by surprise and everyone started laughing. He turned and looked at her. “Oh baby – you’re SO beautiful!” They stood there admiring each other. It was one of those moments that should have never ended.
We snapped a few photos of Brittany and Craig around the hall before heading over to the barn to meet the rest of the wedding party. A huge barn door meant the wedding party could stand right inside and stay dry and we could shoot from outside and stay mostly dry. While we worked, the rain let up and we moved around the property with the whole group and finished up the wedding party formals.
The ceremony was shifted from the lawn to a tent. Craig and the guys went ahead while I finished up the formals with the ladies. Guest were quickly filling the tent. Soon, Brittany and her dad sped across the field in a golf cart to take their place at the back of the tent. As the flower girl and ring bearer stepped up to walk down the aisle, the ring bearer reached in the flower girl’s basket and took some petals out and dropped them on the floor. She looked at him in disbelief. “We are just sharing.” he said innocently. She broke into tears.
The rest of the ceremony went as planned. Brittany’s uncle entertained the crowd with his advice to the newlyweds and Brittany and Craig both said, “I do!”
Following the reception, we snuck away with Brittany and Craig for a few more photos of just the two of them before joining everyone down at cocktail hour. The rain was holding off and we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. Meanwhile, DJ Greg provided some live jazz with his sax as people munched on all kinds of appetizers and caught up on times past.
The reception started with a grand entrance from the wedding party finishing with Brittany and Craig. The room simply erupted as they entered. They shared a first dance and then laughed and cried their way through a handful of toasts from family and friends.
One of the highlights of the reception was when the videographer Jeff Brouillet and his team surprised the crowd with a “same day edit” wedding video. Jeff and his team worked side-by-side with us all day and did a simply amazing job. I said to George at one point, “You know what I like about him – he’s as passionate as we are about what we do.” And even though the same-day-edit video was just under four minutes in length, it was long enough to leave the crowd in tears. They LOVED it and so did we.
DJ Greg had the dance floor literally bouncing the rest of the night. He played some sick mixes and even rocked out with some Vanilla Ice – perfect read on the crowd who clearly grew up in the 80s and 90’s. The whole crowd sang the lyrics and did their best Vanilla Ice dance moves.
The evening ended with a sparkler celebration out on the lawn. Guests scattered across the open area and in a moment’s notice, the night was alive with glistening light. The perfect ending to a wonderful day!
Brittany and Craig – we had such a great time with you all and are so happy we could celebrate your wedding day with you! Thank you for your smiles, laughter and including us in it all. Just one question – can we do it again??!! Maybe this time in speedos. For real. 😉
Vendors:
Dress Shop: Elegance by Carbonneau – Worcester, MA
Hair: Milano Salon Day Spa – Allston, MA
Makeup: Jessie Stockbridge of The Makeup Artists – Boston, MA
Florist: Holmes-Shusas Florist – Worcester, MA
Cake: Gerardo’s Italian Bakery – West Boyleston, MA
DJ: Greg Capozzi of C-Zone Music – Natick, MA
Videographer: Jeff Brouillet – Worcester, MA
Venue: Warren Conference Center – Ashland, MA
To see a brief slide show of some of the best images of their wedding, click here.
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