“Nobody else in the world knows the heart of me
Quite like the way you do and I can’t quit loving you
You’re the only thing that I need”
-Emily Hearn, please don’t take my love
~*~
Katie and Alex are married! These two met in college and have been together for almost 5 years. Their love is comfortable, honest and really fun to photograph! They love to laugh together, but also both have emotional sides, as evidenced in every other photo in this blog post 🙂 Katie and Alex’s wedding day was such a special one, one I had been looking forward to for almost a year. I remember the first time we talked on the phone and I asked them what they like to do together. They both said (at pretty much the same time) “We like to eat ice cream!” which is when I knew we’d be a good match 😉 We made some magical photos and I’m so excited to share them!
I met Katie and her bridesmaids at the venue, the gorgeous (and new!) Barn at Wight Farm in Sturbridge, MA. It was a fresh almost-fall day, sunny, but not too hot. Before Katie got into her dress, she took a few moments to walk around the ceremony and reception spaces to admire all the details she and Alex put all that hard work into.
Katie was overall pretty calm throughout the getting ready process, but there were times when those tears just started flowing! One time was the special moment below, when her mom tied her grandparents’ wedding rings to the back of her wedding dress. I’m pretty sure everyone in the room was crying at this point! But her maid of honor had those tissues at the ready! 
Another moment of intense-but-happy tears was when Katie’s dad walked into the room and saw his little girl in her wedding gown for the first time! Oh what a sweet, sweet moment. 
My second shooter Kay hung out with Alex and his guys and grabbed these next couple images! (I heard rumors that the inflatable T-rex was from Alex’s bachelor party? Is this true? We’ll never know.)
K+A didn’t have many photo requests, but one thing they wanted to do before the ceremony was a “No Look First Look”. They stood on opposite sides of a door so they couldn’t see each other, and then traded their handwritten wedding vows for each other to read. There was laughing and you can bet there was crying. Overall it was a peaceful moment, as we quietly snapped photos and K+A absorbed each other’s special words.
Then it was ceremony time! It took place in Wight Barn’s lovely, outdoor patio space, which was embellished with an amazing floral archway designed by Cameron + Fairbanks! It looked so pretty.
This might be my favorite diptych ever. Alex was so overcome with emotion as his bride walked towards him, and Katie couldn’t contain her tears as she made her way to her groom. So special. I bet you’re crying, right? 
Their ceremony was filled with meaningful readings, stories. Katie’s best friend/maid of honor’s father preformed their ceremony, during which he told a story of when Katie would join them on family vacations back in the day. They had a tradition of collecting pieces of sea glass and putting all their cool finds in a jar. He proceeded to hand Katie and Alex a jar of sea glass as a a gift, and as a symbol of them starting their own family traditions. 
After their first kiss, K+A just stared at each other for a couple seconds, which is obviously the sweetest. 
This bridal party was a blast! And I seriously love the placid blue dresses and maroon flower combination. 
Then it was portrait time!! I remembered from their engagement session last fall that Katie and Alex basically forget they are in front of a camera. They just do their thing. They giggle and kiss and hug and snuggle and I don’t have to tell them anything. The easiest moment of my job as a photographer is when my couples are so comfortable (and infatuated) with each other that they forget I’m there. I’m then left to do MY thing: compose, snap, laugh and thank God he led these loving people to me. (So sappy. But so true.)
Another photo request Katie had was one cool veil shot. Oh we took the cool veil shot! Tons of them! 
Thank you to Kay for this stunner! 
We made our way into the reception and found all those details I mentioned earlier! Gorgeous floral centerpieces, lanterns, and the rustic charm of the barn space. It was great!
This might be my proudest ring shot moment 🙂 
Kay caught this moment right as Katie and Alex were being announced into the party!
The big kids danced and the little kids danced, too. Awww!!! 
Best part of the reception, hands down, was this surprise choreographed dance that Katie and her dad practiced for weeks! It was even a surprise to Alex! They started out like most other father/daughter dances do, with a nice slow song… but all of a sudden! BOOM! These two had some moooooves!
And that was the start of a pretty awesome dance party for the rest of the night. 
Katie + Alex, thank you so much for your kindness and realness and trust! I hope you had the best day ever!! <3Stephanie
Florals: Cameron and Fairbanks
Venue: Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge
Catering: T3 Chefs
Video: Plasma Productions
Beauty: Jade Hair and Makeup
