From the moment I first met with Michele and Omer, they were gushing over the fact that they strategically planned their wedding on new Years Eve so that it was the party of the year. They envisioned it filled with laughter and joy the entire day, a ton of dancing, amazing tapas-style food, and just an all around “cheers to 2017!” party! Michele planned each detail with intention and care, making sure that everything coordinated perfectly with their laid back, but glam vibe. The stage was set for the most epic wedding of the year, and we were all SO excited about it!

3 weeks before her wedding, her family endured the most devastating and heartbreaking thing that nobody could have planned for when her Dad suffered from a medical emergency. A handful of days later, he left life here on earth to be in a better place. You can only imagine the emotional roller coaster that Michele and her entire family were on as she had to nail down the final details of the best day of her life, knowing that one of the most important people in her life wouldn’t be there. To say the least, it was a worst case scenario for any bride.

But you don’t know Michele. She is strong. She is fierce. She is that perfect balance of vulnerable but authentic. She wasn’t afraid to let her emotion show during their Mendhi ceremony the night before their wedding, or on her wedding day, but she remained so, so strong. There were moments of the day where tears welled up in her eyes, and I knew she wanted nothing more than for her dad to see his little girl all dressed up as a bride…but then she would smile through the tears. It’s like she knew what everyone else was certain of – that he was there. Maybe not in the physical, but his spirit was absolutely there the entire day.   At the end of their first dance, Michele and Omer gathered on the dance floor with all their friends and family to dane to a compilation of all her fathers favorite U2 songs and, without question, it was one of the most energetic parts of the evening. He may not be in pictures, but her dad was there.

Michele and Omer’s wedding at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills was an absolute dream to photograph! The snowy grounds outside The Barns made for the perfect winter wedding backdrop and, although it was absolutely frigidly cold, their entire bridal party were troopers and stood in the snow for wedding photos in the snow. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again – I would rather shoot when it’s 19 degrees than 99 degrees any time! We had never shot a white winter wedding at the Barns, so we were excited to have a bit of scenery change for this one!

Michele and Omer, thank you SO VERY MUCH for allowing us to be there with you on your incredibly amazing and special day!

Venue: Barns At Wesleyan Hills
Photographer: Alicia Ann Photographers
Videographer: Jordan Timbro
DJ: David Rossi with PowerStation Events
Flowers: Earth Blossoms
Make-up & Hair: Dana Bartone & Company
Dress: Mori Lee from  RK Bridal
Grooms tux – Bloomingdales custom-made via Knot Standard

 

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To learn more about booking your Connecticut or European Wedding, Engagement, or Anniversary session contact Alicia via the Contact link in the menu, or email directly at info@aliciaannphotographers.com

Alicia and her wedding photography team is local to Connecticut, in New England, and is currently booking 2017 and 2018 wedding photography sessions in New England and Europe. We shoot on both medium format film and digital.

Alicia and her team frequently travel for weddings, events, and non-profit portrait sessions and has clients from California to Europe to Dubai. To find out details regarding their upcoming travel dates to a city near you or to book a custom travel session, please contact them for more information.