Kelly & Joe’s Wedding!

Before we get to Kelly & Joe’s incredible wedding, I want to just say a few things about the new blog.  With this blog I hope to bring you not only the joy we all find in looking at photographs and hearing stories, but also ideas or inspiration for your own events.  One of the aspects of the blog that I am super excited to be adding is a personal touch from my clients.  I have asked my clients to write some personal narratives to make their blog post not only showcase their images but their perspectives as well!

Let’s start this one off with some words from Joe on proposing to Kelly!

“I spent so much time trying to plan a perfect and memorable proposal at just the right restaurant after a fabulous show in the city under a brilliant moonlit sky that I nearly missed what is most important to us.  After weeks of asking our friends and family for suggestions I finally realized the right place for me to ask Kelly to marry me was the Church we secretly hoped to be married in.  So I asked Kelly to take a drive out to the Church to see if we really liked it, and after enjoying a quick lunch at the Love Lane Diner, we headed to the Church.  I wasn’t quite sure how to propose, so after we walked around the Chapel and Kelly was just about to walk back to the car I dropped down to one knee and asked “Will you marry me?”

Kelly and Joe got married this past year on the most perfect fall day out on the North Fork of Long Island!  The temp fell somewhere in the 70’s, the sky was the most incredible blue and the leaves were at their peak autumn color.  An appropriate day to celebrate the love and marriage of two of the nicest people you will ever meet!

Kelly’s beautiful dress by Demetrios. As a city girl and mostly a city photographer- when I saw the barn structure at the back of Kelly’s yard I was thrilled! It’s all relative right?  Others might think, a barn- really? Yes!  I love that rustic feel!

Kelly getting ready with the ladies…

And Joe with his men…notice how the girls seem to have fun when they are getting ready!?  I think the men are just thinking, how do you put this thing on?

Kelly’s bouquet and the bouquet of her bridesmaids were just gorgeous!  They were created by Landscape Adventures in Riverhead Long Island.

One of the gazillion reasons why anyone would instantly love Kelly is that she laughs and she laughs and she laughs!  The ride to the church can usually be a nervous one, and Kelly may have been nervous, but she enjoyed every second of it!  Why wouldn’t she, she was about to marry the man of her dreams!

When I asked Kelly and Joe if they could relive 15 minutes of their wedding day, which 15 minutes would they be,  Joe had this heart melting answer; “Waiting for Kelly to walk into the Church.  Those few minutes lasted an eternity and I was able to picture each moment of our future lives together.  Once Kelly walked through those doors everything stopped, I could no longer hear the music, or see our family smiling and encouraging us.  From that moment on I couldn’t take my eyes off of Kelly and was elated that we were now to be husband and wife.”

I love this shot Greg captured from the back of the church. As mentioned on this blog before, there are plenty of fast happening moments when the bride walks down the aisle.  We get  caught up in the groom seeing the bride and the bride seeing the groom, but what about that moment when the bride’s Father and the groom look at each other before the exchange?  I love the look on Joe’s face, as well as his brother and the priest. I feel like this shot gives me a little window into something that happens between men.  Appropriate it was Greg who was able to see it.

“My favorite memory of the wedding day was the ceremony.  Joe and I chose a traditional ceremony at a church and it was so meaningful and special.  I feel as if our love and commitment is so solid.  Saying my vows to Joe was the most special thing I have ever done.” Kelly

Every church sets up their bride and groom in different places for the ceremony.  Most churches have the bride and groom sit side by side but at this church they sat apart from each other.  The result?  These two could not stop stealing moments to look at each other but  then they would quickly go back to paying attention to their wedding ceremony!

“The funniest part of our wedding day was when Kelly took my right hand and tried to place my wedding ring on it while I wondered if I was supposed to say something or just go with the flow….Fortunately Deacon Jeff was kind enough to announce to Kelly and I (and all of our guests) “The other left hand” so we all shared a laugh and our rings wound up on the “right” fingers.” Joe

And like Kelly, Joe loves to laugh too- could they look any happier as they pull away from the church newly married surrounded by their family?

This moment was hysterical!  The limo driver asked Kelly and Joe to open a bottle of champagne. Limo drivers love to make this moment happen!  Joe was very cautious opening it to make sure the champagne did not go all over them, as we were about to do a portrait session.  After some hesitation, guess what happened?  Nothing!  Nothing happened but an explosion of Kelly and Joe laughter!

Remember how happy that barn made me?  Well how about a gorgeous opening of land, lined with Maple trees that were the perfect shade of yellow?

Thank you Greg for capturing this moment between Kelly and Joe.  Fantastic!

Ok, so not only are they nice and full of laughter, but Kelly and Joe are incredibly fun too!  Right by where we were taking some beautiful romantic portraits there was a HUGE pile of raked leaves….I asked, “Kelly and Joe, would you be willing to….”   I think I didn’t even have to finish my sentence.

On the way to our next portrait location I looked back to find Joe twirling Kelly and the setting sun perfectly lighting them.  I love these two!

“My 2nd favorite part of the day was taking all of our portraits at the vineyard.  It was such a beautiful warm day.  I loved that we shared this special sacred time.  It felt like our own little escape as a newly married couple.  When I look at the pictures I am immediately taken back to the feelings, sights, smells, and sounds of our amazing day.” Kelly

Even though the vines were past their season, the setting sun and the love between these two make this photograph full of life.

Perhaps my favorite image from the whole day, Kelly and Joe share their first dance.  Although they were surrounded by a huge group , I’m guessing these two were lost in their own world at this moment.

While Kelly and her Father wait for the band to line up their Father and Daughter dance song, Kelly takes a moment to give him a long hug.  I love looking at this image.  I’m not sure what is going though Kelly’s mind, but I imagine it to be powerful thoughts of love and gratitude towards her Father.

Joe shares a dance with his beaming Mom while Kelly looks on.

Yes you saw this right, this little ring bearer was exhausted after a long day of ring security!  It’s a big job for a little guy!

What makes Greg and I super happy on a wedding day?  When the bride and groom have more fun than anyone else in attendance!!!

Kelly & Joe we wish you a lifetime filled with BIG love and BIG laughs!