When I met with Thaya and Brian for their pre-wedding consultation, I knewtheir wedding date was the 12th. I joked at the end of the session that I would see them on the 13th. Brian responded, "If you show up on the 13th, you can be certain that we’ll be here waiting for you." Their quick wit is what I love most about these two.

Thaya and Brian met in spite of their friends. Brian’s first impression was that she was "mean" but definitely thought she was attractive. When he asked a mutual friend about her and explained that he thought she was attractive, the response was, "Thaya??!!" Apparently the friend has a lot of tact…

The next move was Brian offering to walk Thaya home after another dinner with friends. She said she preferred to take a cab, but being a gentleman, he insisted on walking her home. What he didn’t realize is that she lived three miles away. Thaya obliged and they walked the distance together.

Thaya grew up in Salem, MA and chose her hometown for the wedding ceremony. The venue for both the ceremony and reception was the historic Hamilton Hall situated on Chestnut Street – arguable the most beautiful street in the city. This was our first time shooting there and we were excited to shoot in a new venue.

Thaya and Brian both got ready at the hall, so George and I were able to capture photos of both of them getting ready. There was a light drizzle outside, so we kept everyone inside prior to the ceremony for photos.

The ceremony itself was held in the two-story hall. The elegance of the ornate mirrors and brass light fixtures complimented the music of the string quartet serenading the guests as they took their seats. Brian and his attendants walked into the room. The bridesmaids and bridesman walked down the center aisle. The door opened at the back of the room to reveal Thaya standing with her father. I looked at Brian. He swallowed hard.

The ceremony included two beautiful songs sung by Thaya’s mom and dad, who are both professional musicians. Their voices filled the hall leaving the guests in awe and Thaya holding back tears.

Once the ceremony finished, the wedding party moved upstairs to the "loft" so the remainder of the guests could head downstairs for cocktail hour. We took the family photos back in the main hall and then snuck across the street between rain drops for the wedding party photos. We finished the formals with a few more of just Thaya and Brian in the upstairs loft.

The guests were asked back up to the main hall for dinner. Thaya and Brian stood outside the room while their emcee shared a few stories about their lives together. Brian stood on the stairs playing with his wedding band while Thaya listened intently to the speaker, laughing and smiling. Just before they entered the room, they leaned in for a kiss – one of my favorite photographic moments of the day.

The rest of the evening was filled with delicious food, lauging, dancing and a very special toast from the wedding party. Because of the location and the elegance of the event, it almost felt as if we had stepped back in time for an evening – we just happened to bring digital cameras and a 1980s CD back with us in our Delorean. Smart move as far as I was concerned.

Photographically, rain isn’t what we usually wish for on a wedding day. It tends to dampen not only our photographic plans, but also some spirits. The only thing the rain did the day of Thaya and Brian’s wedding was multiply our photographic opportunities and create an incredible environment we wouldn’t have had otherwise. One of the best shots of the night was taken in the mist in front of Hamilton Hall. Backlighting Thaya and Brian also lit up the raindrops all around them and created such a dramatic photo. If it had been a clear evening, we never would have had that shot…or a few others for that matter. Thanks Mother Nature!

Thaya and Brian – George and I had an absolutely wonderful time celebrating your wedding day with you, your family and friends. We hope that as you continue your lives, you walk many more miles together with as much admiration for each other as you had during your first walk home. And Brian – even though I never had the privilege to meet your father, I know he would have been incredibly proud of you on your wedding day.  Our best to you and your families!

Vendors:

Venue: Hamilton Hall – Salem, MA

 Caterer:   Vinwood Caterers – Ipswich, MA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thaya’s attendants all signed her ballet slippers.

 

 

 Thaya’s dad literally danced down the aisle.  It was awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 The view from above

 

 

 George grabbed this great candid as they processed out of the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 George said,"I didn’t tell them to do that.  They just did…"

 

 

 What a handsome couple!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 See..no rain…no picture like this.  LOVE it!

 

 

 That moment when they were being announced…

 

 

 Their first dance.

 

 

 Nonstop action all night!

 

 

 Brian’s formerly secret talent – walking like an Egyptian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And, yes, thank you rain!

 

 

 And once again, thank you.  And thank you to Thaya and Brian for braving the elements and trusting us!!

 

 

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