In my opinion, New Bedford Whaling Museum is one of the coolest venues in New England with giant whale skeletons suspended dramatically from the ceiling, gorgeous harbor views, and really interesting museum exhibits for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour. While it may not be the look all couples desire, for those who want their wedding venue to have character and history, especially for a couple who digs science or marine biology, it’s totally awesome. Plus, with its variety of different rooms and interesting indoor spaces, it’s the perfect venue for a winter wedding or one where weather might be a factor (nearly every wedding in New England, right?).

Victoria and Mark were married there earlier this summer, and I was just giddy when they hired me to photograph their wedding; I used to be a park ranger at Point Reyes National Seashore giving talks about whales, so this venue was right up my alley. I can’t wait to get back there!

First, a few of my favorites (the harbor lights were sooo pretty that night from the balcony!), and then we’ll start at the beginning where they got ready at a nearby hotel before going to the beautiful seaside family property where they had their first look….

Vendor Info provided by the couple:

Venue: New Bedford Whaling Museum

Coordinator: Casey Nelson, cnelson@morins.com

Catering: Russel Morin Catering

Photography: Danielle of Salty Raven Studio & Event Photography

Hotel: Fairfield Inn and Suites

Hair and Makeup: Katelyn Webb Beauty

Justice of the Peace: Dr. Jeri Katz, Jerry Cibley & Company

Music: DJ Jake of Cape Tunes

Dance Instructor:Vadim Asmolov, Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Mystic, CT

Florist: NovelExpressions on Etsy

Dress and Tux: Nicole’s Boutique in Brick, NJ (designer – Maggie Sottero) & Men’s Warehouse (for tux)

You know that thing about catching the bouquet at a wedding….

I met Tori & Bridget two summers ago when I was the photographer at their friends’ wedding, and I will not forget the level of excitement in the crowd when Tori caught the bouquet. Fast forward a year, and the light at sunset during their Adventure Session was unreal (see it here!). Skip ahead one more year to their wedding day, and I couldn’t believe it when they had another sunset that was just wild. Stunning light plus their chemistry led to perhaps the most romantic series of photos I’ve ever taken of a couple at their wedding.

The sunset was magical, but the whole day was lovely. A few of my favorite things about their Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park wedding:

-How totally apparent it was that Tori & Bridget were in the moment on their wedding day, enjoying each other and their guests fully. So Tori’s earrings wouldn’t cooperate- so what. She didn’t care! So it was too windy to light the candles on the tables- not a big deal at all. I could tell how much they adored their family and friends and how much it meant to them to be wrapped up in love- even literally when they were gifted a gorgeous handmade quilt inspired by the clothing they wore for their Adventure Session. It’s the one in the sunset photos, and it will be treasured always no doubt.

-The generations of guests present, from grandparents to little babes in arms. The state park pavilion was next to a playground, so the kids were over the moon. They’re going to think all weddings involve swings!

-The food was AMAZING. It was an all vegetarian buffet, and even the most meat-and-potatoes focused guests were going back for seconds.

-The ceremony was so touching. The celebrant knew Bridget from college days when she and Tori first met, and the personal and powerful sermon she delivered was the best I’ve ever heard. A friend sang Ave Maria, and her voice gave me chills. Many a tear was wiped as her voice soared.

I could go on and on, but I’m so thankful to have first met Journey and Amy who then led me to Tori and Bridget.

All the best wishes,

Danielle

First, a few of my favorites followed in storytelling fashion from getting ready to getting down on the dance floor!

And now to the beginning where Tori and Bridget got ready in the state park’s adorable cabins….

I love this moment caught just before the ceremony started. “You’re going to need some tissues for this one,” is what I’m imagining him saying.

The photo below is special to me for a couple of reasons- Tori & Bridget were listening to the readings, and I noticed that a sliver between the pews framed their clasped hands. The lines from the shadows and carvings lead your eye to their hands, but then there’s another layer to it- Tori’s parents were married in the same church, so the pews have family history as well.

Months ago I received an email out of the blue from a woman asking for help identifying a shirt pattern. She explained that she was making Tori and Bridget a wedding quilt inspired by the clothing they wore for their Adventure Session! She had found a checkered fabric to match Tori’s dress already, but the pattern on Bridget’s shirt was a little too tricky to discern. I asked her to please let me photograph them opening the quilt because I knew it would be super special, and wow. It totally was.

Vendor Info provided by the couple:

Reception Venue: Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park

Photography: Salty Raven Studio & Event Photography

Catering: Brian Wrubleski of Mel’s at 22

Celebrants/officiants: Elsie Rhodes, the reverend of First Presbyterian, and Tamara, a family friend who is in seminary

DJ: DJ – Elm Street Entertainment

Flowers: Info coming soon!

Bridget’s suit: Made for her by Bindle & Keep

A few seasons ago I was hired by Nir of Nir Landau Photography to be a second photographer at a large Jewish Orthodox wedding he was photographing. Since then, I’ve photographed at least half a dozen more Jewish Orthodox weddings, and they’re some of my very favorite to photograph for a few reasons. I get chills each time during the bedeken when music is heard in the hallway and the groom rides in with a wave of friends and family after singing and dancing during his tish. I love the way the bride is flanked by mothers and grandmothers with sisters and cousins and friends standing behind her.

And then the incredible dancing…. the hora sometimes lasts a whole hour! The speed of the spinning is such a thrilling challenge as a photographer. And the tricks or schticks performed for the couple- amazing. People standing on their heads, incredible jumping feats, wild costumes….so much energy and love all in the span of a night!

This wedding with Nir was at the Cambridge Hyatt, and the joy was right there at the surface as the two families came together!

I had so much fun second shooting this wedding last season in Beverly, MA with my friend and colleague Leise of Leise Jones Photography! She mentioned the couple was into contra dancing, and from the moment the band struck the first chord, the dance floor was alive. The caller even made the two of us photographers join in for a spell! Since the couple chose the Estate at Moraine Farm partly for its natural landscape, I enjoyed documenting the changing fall colors and flower details. Then, as twilight fell, I stepped outside to photograph the tent’s profile at night. There’s something about a glowing tent with that blue, blue sky….

First, a few of my favorites:

And now, let’s rewind to the beginning of the event:

Gloucester, MA may be my new favorite town on the North Shore; it was a dream location for Leigh and Glen’s Adventure Session. We started off at Cape Ann Brewing which was perfect for this adorable couple that loves exploring local craft breweries. (For those of you who are counting, this was my second Adventure Session this season that started out at a brewery- I hope to see this trend continue!)

After a tasty flight of beer and a quick session in front of some colorful lobster traps (Glen was even wearing a lobster shirt!!!), we took a jaunt around town and then journeyed out to a lighthouse.

And….woah. The light at sunset out on the jetty was incredible, and I can’t get over how amazing and romantic these two were.

I can’t wait for their wedding next June!

Salty Raven is once again seaside! We moved to Salem, MA in March of this year, and I’ve been itching to explore the North Shore with a couple ever since. When Mark and Victoria mentioned that they love good craft beer, rocky shorelines, and arcades, I knew Salem would be a perfect fit for an epic Adventure Session. We had a blast, and I’m so excited to photograph their wedding in New Bedford next month!

We started at Notch brewery, and if all my Adventure Sessions could start with delicious session beer, I would be a happy camper!

Abby & Colin are just the cutest couple ever. They became sweethearts in high school and planned their wedding at the Log Cabin to coincide with their 8 year anniversary if you can believe it!

Skinner State Park has long been a special place for them as a couple, so when they suggested it as a destination for their Adventure Together Session (AKA engagement session), I was all for it. The views from their picnic spot were spectacular; we could see for miles across the Pioneer Valley. We could also see the storm clouds approaching, so when Abby pulled up the radar on her phone and guessed that we might only have 15 minutes before the downpour started, we wrapped up and headed for the overlook. Warning- if you’re scared of heights, you might need to close your eyes for a few of these photos!

P.S. When you bring Martinelli’s sparkling apple cider for a picnic up on a mountain, remember that it doesn’t have a twist-off cap! I’m actually glad they didn’t have a bottle opener with them though because it made for an awesomely hilarious sequence of pictures. We were all in stitches. Strength, persistence, and a rusted steel thingamajig saved the day!

Check out the radar showing the giant storm approaching!

Success! And a volcano of bubbles!

New England was blanketed by more than a foot of snow today, but while the storm raged on, I was taken back to the sunny evening I spent with Joan & Matt just a couple of weeks before their wedding this fall at Union Station Banquets (see their wedding post here). The late summer light was just sooo gorgeous, and the sunset was one of those that you savor until well past dusk…

Okay, first of all, I haven’t moved my business down to Florida despite my dislike of snow and ice. I’m just super lucky that my husband’s family lives in South Florida, so for a couple of glorious weeks each winter, we can soak up the sun and wear sandals instead of snow boots. This past visit over the holidays involved a new twist- a lifestyle family session in Miami! How adorable is this one-year-old? And how amazing are palm trees? I’m sure all the year-round Florida photographers are sooo over them, but to me they’re magical.

Over the course of a wedding season I might photograph a ceremony on a beach in Cape Cod, in front of a lighthouse in Newport, or amongst a field of goldenrod in Maine. One of the things that makes me stand out as a wedding photographer is that I also find inspiration indoors in places of worship; I love photographing rituals and the joining together of a couple, no matter the setting. In fact, the longer the ceremony, the more time I have to explore (quietly and discreetly) available light, shadows, and different vantage points. Joan & Matt’s full mass ceremony at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Springfield, MA allowed me to do just that. I just love the photo I caught of them sneaking a look at each other.

Their reception followed at the Grand Ballroom at Union Station in Northampton, MA, one of the coolest venues in the Pioneer Valley because it was the site of the old train station in Northampton and sits above The Tunnel Bar, a super romantic bar known for tasty martinis. Here are seven of my favorite photos from the day to start off with….

….and here is their wedding day story told in chronological sequence!