Ashley and Ray are the epitome of what I hope all my clients are: energetic, emotive and just head over heels in love. We can talk for hours, and I feel like a part of their family! Maybe photographing Ashley’s sister Jessica’s wedding a few years back broke me into the family a bit…! From Jessica’s wedding, I just was one of them. It was a given that I was going to be there for Ashley and Ray’s big day, and man I was counting down the days! Their families are so warm, so welcoming and I felt so safe and held and just good when I was around them!
As luck would have it, they were the perfect family to have around me that beautiful June day. See, in June a very close friend and employee Eric Langlois of RAW Photo Design went missing. We were heading a search party all week but no luck. I had to leave the search for my friend and photograph Ashley and Ray’s wedding that Saturday, and while I was obviously torn about leaving I was yearning for a hot shower and needed to be surrounded by so many people I cared about. My best friend Susannah happened to be their officiant that day and knows me inside and out and was there at the whole wedding along with a crew of vendors and friends who were such an amazing support to each other- Mike Romano my second shooter, Jim Altieri from Vintage Cinema, Tony Palmieri from Datura: A Modern Garden and the amazing and sweet staff of the Riverview… not to mention all of the friends and family members who let me cry while shooting, and laughed with me all day and just held my heart so solidly.
Not to make their day be about my grief, but I think it’s important for you all to see where my head and heart was when I created these images. How much joy and love and anticipation and care. As sad as I was, man, put my camera in my hand and I couldn’t help but be taken over and transported away into a happier and sweet place. This was the only time that week when I completely forgot what was happening, and that Eric was missing. It was magical and necessary, my poor heart needed a break so bad. And what a break it got! There was so much beauty! The flowers were absolutely amazing and delicate and lush! Her gowns were so romantic and she just glowed! She wore her heart on her sleeve all day and smiled and laughed with Ray Ray so much, it just made me so happy. And right before the reception started… there was a rainbow! A sure sign that I was right where I needed to be, celebrating love, and life. I am not sure if you both know what you did for me that day, but thank you from the very bottom of my giant heart!
Big thanks to the amazing team of vendors for the day:
Dress designers: Watters (1st dress) Allure (2nd)
Both dresses were purchased at Bancroft Bridal in Agawam, MA
Bridesmaids dresses: Bill Levkoff
Flowers: Tony Palmieri of Datura: A Modern Garden
Cinematography: Jim Altieri of Vintage Cinema
Officiant- Susannah McGlamery (my childhood best friend)
Cake: A Little Imagination Cake, Middletown CT
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
DJ: Party Pro DJ’s
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