Sometimes you just know that a wedding is going to be a lot of fun. With Katie and Tom's, that was made clear early on, when Katie shouted across a Vegas dance floor at 2am that she'd love to have me as her photographer. And after my husband (and second shooter) and I met both Katie and Tom for a drink in New York to hear more about their plans, I knew it was going to be an incredibly special day.
We were not disappointed. There were toasts with mini-champagne bottles and newly-gifted flasks as the bride & groom were getting ready with their best people. There were two excellent bands. There was pizza (East Coast plain cheese pizza, the best of the best) and a DJ booth for the groom at the after party. There were tears of emotion during the private vow reading and then jokes being cracked in response. There was a packed dance floor all night. Most of all, there was the spirit of this sweet, funny, indelible couple. They smiled throughout the day (even through some quite chilly outdoor portraits) and seemed to have absolute comfort with each other. It felt like they were truly themselves, which is no easy feat on this this most heightened and electric of days.
And if that weren't enough, serving as a backdrop to all of this cheer was a truly beautiful event. With free rein over the luxurious estate, guests had the opportunity to move across the grounds over the course of the day, from an intimate white barn for the ceremony to the grand ballroom for the reception. Copper details were sprinkled throughout the event - the decorate piece the couple made themselves that hung above the ceremony, the groom's tie clip, the moscow mule mugs, flasks for the groomsmen, many gorgeous pieces in the dinner tablescapes, and then, against all odds and weather reports, a sliver of it in the sky at the end of the day. (Just a few days before both snow and rain had been predicted!) What an honor to capture such a celebration.
Wedding Venue: The Ashford Estate / Caterer: Merri-Makers Caterers / Officiant: Rob LaCombe / Florist: Dahlia Florals / Rentals: Maggpie Vintage / Chairs: Barnes Farm Tables / Bluegrass Band: Magnolia / Reception Band: Russ Bennett Band w/ Hank Lane Music / Wedding Dress: Schone Bride / Groom's Suit: Suit Supply / Bridesmaid Dresses: Yumi Kim / Videographers: Birdhouse Weddings / Second Photographer: Noah Christman
