I’ve had a lot of unique experiences shooting weddings.They’ve taken me many places and I’ve met so many interesting people. Being greeted by Captain America and Freddy of Nightmare on Elm Street when I arrived at the hotel was definitely a new experience. But it goes with the territory when shooting a wedding the next town over from Salem, MA on Halloween.

George and I found Zack sitting at the bar with the guys. They were ready to go. Meghanne and the rest of the ladies were still upstairs getting ready. We headed up the elevator, which we shared with a guy wrapped entirely in toilet paper and some other odd looking characters, to find Meghanne and her entourage.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in the room was the adorable miniature white tux that Tucker would wear for the ceremony. Meghanne and Zack thought it would be fitting to have Tucker, their son, in a tux and have him pulled down the aisle in a wagon since he was too young to walk. It was the perfect entrance for a garden ceremony. I hung the miniature tux in the window next to Meghanne’s gorgeous wedding gown. George finished a few detail shots and headed back downstairs to work with the guys. I stayed with the ladies.

The amount of stuff that fills a hotel room on a wedding day always makes me laugh. It doesn’t seem to matter if you have the biggest room in the hotel or the smallest. It’s just a matter of time before the entire place is covered in hangers, plastic dry-cleaning bags, shoes, clothes, cosmetics, presents, food, and just about anything else you can imagine. I don’t think a wedding day would be the same without it. It’s almost like a rite of passage. Out of the chaos, a beautiful bride always emerges. Today was no exception. Meghanne was stunning in her wedding dress. She has a smile that lights up the whole room. It was twice its normal size today. She just couldn’t wait to get married!

We arrived a short while later at Brooksby Farm. Meghanne and Zack planned an outdoor ceremony with the reception to follow in the Smith Barn. To take full advantage of the beautiful historic grounds at the farm, we took all the wedding formals before the ceremony. There was a perfect secluded spot to set up a reveal for Meghanne and Zack and give them a few moments alone before joining the rest of their wedding party for formal photos. There’s a great tree on the property which has low sweeping limbs that are SO cool for photos, especially in the splendor of fall foliage.

During the pre-wedding consultation, Meghanne and I talked through some photo ideas for the apple orchard that surrounds the property. She really wanted to climb up a ladder into an apple tree for some pictures. I happily obliged the day of the wedding. We had such a fun time with the wedding party in the orchard and captured some really unique formal photos. I think the flower girls were most excited about having an apple for a snack. We finished the formals with a few family groups right at the back of the barn before heading back across the street for the ceremony.

Meghanne’s brother, John, was the wedding officiant. The ceremony included a sand ceremony as well as Zack’s family hand shake, which he performed with Meghanne as a surprise for their guests right before they kissed. Everyone loved it!

During the cocktail hour, we did a few more extended family photos by the barn and a couple more shots with just Meghanne and Zack. They then joined the cocktail hour and visited with their guests.

When the bridal party was introduced, all the ladies carried masks like you would find at a costume ball. Each was unique and incredibly colorful. Meghanne’s was pure white. It was a perfect way to incorporate the holiday without inviting Captain America to the wedding.

The evening’s host was Russ, Meghanne’s uncle who is a professional DJ. He added personal touches throughout the night and helped me organize an "everyone" photo on the dance floor to kick off the dance party. From then on, the barn was rocking. It got pretty warm at one point, so the staff opened up the barn doors at the far end of the dance floor. With the concrete ramp outside, the dance floor simply doubled in size. People were dancing everywhere!

Congratulations to Meghanne and Zack! I wish you and your adorable son Tucker many years of joy and continued celebration. Thank you for including George and I in your wedding day!

Vendors:

Hotel: Boston Marriott Peabody – Peabody, MA

Ceremony & Reception: Smith Barn at Brooksby Farm – Peabody, MA

Caterer:  Cloverleaf Catering – Topsfield, MA

 

To see more wedding photos from Meghanne and Zack’s wedding, click here.

 

 

 

She never stopped smiling…

 

 

Toasting the groom – one of George’s candids

 

 

LOVE this shot – I was trying to balance myself in the tree so I wouldn’t fall out. Totally worth it!

 

 

Another favorite…don’t worry – we have a towel under the dress!

 

 

Things got a little crazy in the orchard

 

 

Another great candid by George

 

 

Definitely a unique shot

 

 

Such an amazing natural smile

 

 

And again…

 

 

Tucker being escorted down the aisle.  "Hey – does that thing gotta Hemi?!"

 

 

Meghanne and her dad

 

 

I think he likes her

 

 

The big entrance…it should be obvious who took this picture.

 

 

Such a cool twilight shot.  I thought the masks were great!

 

 

Enjoying the moment

 

 

George’s view of the "everyone" shot

 

 

Dance party!

 

 

What great colors!

 

 

They spotted me!

 

 

 

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