It’s hard to describe how I feel about Nicole and Phillip. Part of me feels like I’ve known them both for years even though I haven’t. Another part of me can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this incredible couple. And another part of me simply didn’t want to miss their wedding. For anything. Smitten. Yup, that’s it – smitten.

Our day started at Nicole’s parents’ home in a suburb of Groton, CT. Alana, George and I were all there. George got straight to work on the dress. Alana dug into the rest of the details while I shot candids throughout the house. Make-up was being done in the dining room. Hair was being done upstairs. All the other rooms were full of dresses, bags and what seemed like an endless number of bridesmaids. This is the wedding day chaos I’ve grown to love!

Once Nicole was finished with her make-up, she slipped into her dress in her parents’ room and did a quick butt bump with her as they laughed hysterically with each other. The moment for which they had worked and planned so hard was finally here and the relief and excitement they felt was tangible.

Nicole soon joined her dad downstairs and we packed up and headed off to the Branford House in Groton. Nicole and Phillip opted for a reveal and decided to spend an entire hour taking photos of just two of them. We were all pumped! The Branford House couldn’t be more beautiful – inside or out. Our biggest challenge was going to be to take just an hour…

Due to the wet weather, we set up the reveal in the main room of the mansion. We had Phillip facing out toward the water where the most beautiful diffused light (thanks to the clouds) streamed into the room. We couldn’t have asked for better light for the reveal. Nicole walked up to him, tapped him on the shoulder and they embraced. Moments later, Nicole wiped a tear from Phillip’s left eye and they embraced again.

We spent the next hour in and out of the mansion, as weather permitted, taking photos here, there and everywhere with this absolutely gorgeous couple. It was as close to Christmas morning that we as photographers could get without the tree and guy in the red suit. We had a blast! But all good things must come to an end and our hour was up in no time. Alana stayed at the mansion to capture the details. George headed to the hotel with Phillip and I went back to Nicole’s parents’ with her and her dad.

The chaos we encountered earlier was silenced. The ladies had already been picked up by the limo and were on their way to pick up the guys and head to the church. The limo would come back and pick up Nicole, her parents and myself. I took advantage of this time to take photos of Nicole with her parents as well as some of her by herself. Nicole’s dad is a retired Navy commander, so she borrowed his hat for a few fun portraits. She’s completely comfortable in front of the camera and we had a blast! I have a very hard time sitting and waiting. Just ask Dorothy.

The ceremony was held in the quaint Pequot Chapel. Nestled into a residential area, the church was originally built as a place of worshippers for vacationers summering on the coast of Connecticut. It has a Scandinavian architectural style and features an original Tiffany stained-glass window. Nicole had fallen in love with it as soon as she saw it.

The guests were seated and the groomsmen were lined up waiting in the wings when we arrive. The ladies processed down the aisle. Nicole and her dad entered the chapel to the sound of the organ and the guests rose to their feet. Phillip stood at the front of the chapel with a huge smile on his face.

Following the ceremony, the entire wedding party got in the limo and headed for the Branford House. We got started as quickly as we could on the family photos and then headed outside for the wedding party formals. It had stopped raining (yeah!) but the sky was still overcast, giving us absolutely perfect light for the photos.

It was soon time to get the party going. The entire wedding party was invited upstairs and lined up for their grand entry into the main room. Once the wedding party had been announced, they formed two lines and created a human archway through which Nicole and Phillip entered – smiling all the way!

The rest of the evening was filled with music, fantastic food (best mashed potatoes ever), and tender moments. Nicole’s dance with her dad was clearly an emotional time for both them and many of the guests. At one point, I snapped a candid of Nicole’s brother in is full military uniform (he’s a Marine) with his wife sitting at his side – her arm wrapped around his leg. Totally in love.

Nicole and Phillip’s cake cutting was one for the books. Somehow (you’ll have to ask Phillip), Nicole ended up with bright colored frosting all over her face. Phillip soon had some on his face as well.

Since there were three of us working at the wedding, it gave us the opportunity to surprise Nicole and Phillip with a same-day preview of about three dozen images we took throughout the day. They really enjoyed the surprise and so did their family and friends.

We did a few final images with Nicole and Phillip toward the end of the night. Using our trusty Sima video lights, we placed Nicole and Phillip on the ground against the stone wall at the back of the mansion. The dramatic lighting help create one of my favorite images of the day.

Nicole and Phillip – we can’t thank you enough for including us in your wedding day. We had an absolute blast celebrating with you and your families! We look forward to what the two of you will accomplish in life and wish you many years of happiness!

Vendors:

Dress Shop: Vows – Watertown, MA

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Pricilla of Boston – Boston, MA

Hair/Make-up: Uptown Salon and Spa – Westerly, RI

Church: Pequot Chapel – New London, CT

Cake: Felicia’s Sweetface Pastry Shoppe – Galesferry, CT

Florist: Montville Florist – Uncasville, CT

Caterer: Matthew’s Catering Co. – Central Village, CT

Rentals: Boston Unlimited Rentals – Stoughton, MA

Venue: The Branford House – Groton, CT

To see a slide show of Nicole and Phillip’s wedding, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reveal…the light couldn’t have been better!

 

 

Love this moment!  George had the perfect perspective.

 

 

I mean seriously…totally GQ.

 

 

 

 

 

All about the details with Nicole…check out the bottom of her shoes!

 

 

My favorite shot of George’s from the day…unreal.

 

 

Ready to go to Fiji!

 

 

By request…so funny!

 

 

Nicole has a lot of fun in front of the camera!

 

 

Love this moment!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let the party begin!

 

 

George’s shot of the guys.

 

 

Alana’s fabulous detail photos!

 

 

The human archway…so fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such a fun moment!

 

 

Alana captured this silly candid.

 

 

Checking out the sneak peek!

 

 

One of my favorites from the day.

 

 

 

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