Jessica and Todd | New England Aquarium, Boston, MA

Jessica and Todd were married on May 14th, 2011 at the New England Aquarium…It was during our EXTREMELY rainy month of May, here in the Boston area, but we totally lucked out! The weather was a bit overcast, but it didn’t rain during any of our outdoor time!

Jessica and I have a bit of a history together…We went to the same high school and actually played field hockey together for a couple of years before Jessica graduated! Although, it had been quite a while since we had seen each other, Facebook allowed Jessica to see my wedding work – and the rest is history – haha!

The day started at The Park Plaza hotel for hair and make-up…

2011-05-30_0012011-05-30_0022011-05-30_004A big thanks to Sharon Reiley , of Sweet Stuff Studios for Photographers, for being my second shooter! She was able to head over to Todd’s room and cover them getting ready!

2011-05-30_003These pictures were taken just before the first-look – but still separately!

2011-05-30_006Jess and Todd opted to do a first-look and it was a GREAT one! I absolutely loved the city back-drop, their reactions, and their genuine love of each other in their “private” moment, without their family and friends watching.

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The first-look allowed us to plan in a chunk of time to head to The Public Gardens for pictures. Jess and Todd rented a shuttle bus to take all of the bridal party and family around the city and on to our final destination at The New England Aquarium…It worked out beautifully!

The shot on the left is a true depiction of our day! People were in awe watching us take pictures…They were giving their congrats and taking out their own camera or cell phones to take pictures! They actually would stand and watch us! Everyone loves a wedding!

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During the bridal party pictures, Sharon and I worked as a team! She photographed the guys, while I photographed the girls! We had done this before and it saved me a bunch of time!

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We then headed to Christopher Columbus Park and took a few pictures as we walked over to the aquarium.

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This is the view that the guests had as they watched the ceremony and enjoyed cocktail hour…stunning!

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The ceremony began…

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We grabbed a few more pictures after the ceremony, just out on the dock!

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Then they got to enjoy their cocktail hour! This little cutie pie is Todd’s newphew…absolutely adorable and loved the camera…there are quite a few great pictures of him!

2011-05-31_020A few of the details…I absolutely loved the shells as their place cards!

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2011-05-31_019When the reception began, they went right into their first dance…

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and then into the speeches! There were quite a few of them! The maid-of-honor, Corey, gave a great speech! She also went to our high-school and played field hockey with us! They have been best friends WELL before I even met them…I actually can’t think of one of them, without thinking of the other!! Two peas in a pod!

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The dancing got underway BEFORE they even did the cake cutting…Everyone was ready to party!

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The parent dances came right after the cake…

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and then the fun began!  I knew that Jess was a dancer and she didn’t disappoint! Todd was right there with her!

2011-05-31_0292011-05-31_028In the middle shot on the left, is Jess dancing with her good friend Julie! I photographed Julie and David’s wedding  last year – another fabulous couple!!

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A final good-night kiss…. 

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Jess and Todd – Congratulations…I am so happy for the two of you!

As your sister Emma said during her speech, you are an unbelievable role-model, and just like Emma, I have looked up to you too, since I met you my freshman year!  All of these years later, you have grown into the person that I always envisioned you to be…an educated, professional, world-traveler with an enormous heart. You are truly an unbelievable woman all around…I am a better person to have known you!

Congrats again! 

  

Vendor Info

 bridesmaid dresses| Nordstroms and Macy’s

hair| Grace Mahoney – Blushing Brides http://www.blushingbridesboston.com/

make-up | same as hair

florist | Costco

ceremony | New England Aquarium (Officiant – Kaia Stern)

reception venue | New England Aquarium

cake | Whole Foods

dj| Patrick Treacy http://www.soundscapedj.com/ 

 

Songs 

introductions | Dog Days Are Over (Florence and the Machine)

first dance | My First, My Last, My Everything (Barry White)

father/daughter | Rainbow Connection (Kermit the Frog)

mother/son | You Are So Beautiful (Rod Stewart)

cake cutting|  Whole Wide World (Wreckless Eric)

last dance | Don’t Stop Believing (Journey) 

  

Bride/Groom Questions 

  

What was the most memorable moment of your day?

 The first look – I am so glad we set aside the time for the 2 of us to meet privately before the ceremony.

 

What was your favorite detail?

 I loved that we had our bridesmaids each pick our her own dress – so they all looked their very best and the variety really highlighted their best features. 

 

Any advice for future brides/grooms?

 Don’t sweat the small stuff .

 

Funniest memory from your wedding day?

 The toasts. 

 

If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

Make it longer! It went by way too fast.

  

Where did you go on your honeymoon? 

 Tahiti! and Sonoma