When clients come to see me at my apartment in Hartford for their initial consultation meeting, I often know within minutes if they are “my” clients. Derek and Christine were no exception. I think we carried on for about 45 minutes about everything under the sun, except weddings. We laughed and joked, and we connected. And it’s times like that where I sit back and really realize how blessed I am to do what I do. Derek and Christine are the exact type of people I want to surround myself with each and every day because they are just that incredible. When we finally got around to talking about their wedding Christine made some jokes about how she is kinda the “un-bride”, and isn’t really into planning a ton of details. Now, many of you know that as a photographer, I love incredible details at a wedding. But weddings aren’t about incredible details…even though they are fun to photograph. Derek and Christine’s wedding at the Branford House was everything a wedding should be. Beauty in it’s truest, purest form. Life and love coming together in flawless harmony. Surrounded by so much love from their friends and family, it was a public declaration of a decision that had been made in both their hearts long, long ago. So long ago, actually, that they were high school sweethearts. With a love that has already stood the test of time, their wedding was a beautiful and incredible celebration of two lives officially becoming one.

Derek and Christine, thank you so very much for trusting us to document this incredibly special day. You two are incredible…and so much fun to be around!!

We started out the day by taking photos of Christine’s details inside the bridal suite at the Branford House.Christine absolutely beautiful mother helped her get dressed. I love when brides have a such special relationship with their mom that they don’t need any others to help or stand by them except the woman they love and respect the most.Oh, Christine, you are stunning!The light in the bridal suite at the Branford House was absolutely beautiful on that lovely September day and gracefully let us do our thing of taking stunning photos.One of my favorite wedding photos of all time on the right. Three generations of beautiful women getting ready for the most important day of Christine’s life.Christine’s dad was such a character and had everyone smiling and laughing all day and into the night. Shortly before he walked his daughter down the aisle, he made sure to keep her laughing to relieve any nerves she may have had.Something that was so incredibly special for me to witness: Christine’s dad helped Derek get ready. I think it such an awesome thing when the father of the bride really accepts his new son in law into the family. You can see in these next few photos that Derek was a part of the family long before this day and that Christine’s dad loves him like a son.Once again, I was having a bit of a love affair with the light at the Branford House. And we haven’t even come to the portraits yet where the light on the lawns of the Branford House was AMAZING!Derek was looking pretty sharp in his custom suit.One of the things I love about having a wedding at the Branford House is that there are a lot of options for where to have your wedding ceremony. It is possible to have it on the gorgeous stone deck of the Branford House, as Derek and Christine did, or also to have it on the lawn near the house or closer to the water. No matter which option is chosen, the view for all the guests at is guaranteed to be a stunning one! I absolutely love the architecture at the Branford House!One of the many things that made Derek and Christine unique and special as a couple is that 4.5 months before their wedding they had a baby girl, Sophia. Sophia made a short appearance during their wedding ceremony as they did a blessing over her and her life. It was a very sweet and special moment for their adorable little family. I seriously love all the stone at the branford House. So pretty and timeless!So I know I keep talking about the gorgeous light at the Branford House but, seriously, it was like the heavens just poured out their love on Derek and Christine (or me???) on their wedding day because the light was sooooo pretty!One of my absolute favorite things about shooting a wedding at the Branford House is that not only is the mansion itself absolutely stunning, but the view of Long Island sound is equally as stunning. It has all the charm of an old-school New England stone mansion but also the beauty of nature surrounding it. So pretty!The light hitting this archway at the Branford House was absolutely stunning! This little nook at the Branford House mansion reminded me of Italy with it’s stone architecture and the greenery. One of my all-time favorite portraits! Derek and Christine were able to enjoy a few moments alone sitting on the stone bench in front of the Branford House while looking at the water of the Long Island sound.Not only is the outside of the Branford House really incredible but the inside of the mansion has all these cool nooks and crannies.Culinary Concerts did a fabulous job with the food, including a spectacular presentation!Fisher Florist was on hand to provide Derek and Christine with simple, elegant flowers.These super tasty cupcakes were provided by J Cakes and they were oh so yummy!Love all the dark wood inside the Branford House!The Mark Greel Band did a phenomenal job at keeping all the guests dancing all evening long! If you are looking for an outstanding band for your wedding, you need to hire these guys!Want a surefire way to impress your guests? Hire a barista to make custom coffee’s and cappuccinos all night long!