It isn’t every day that I get to post a wedding the day after it happens.   However, Juliana’s dad arranged for a special surprise for his beautiful daughter – a slideshow of their wedding images to be able to share with their family at today’s brunch.  Juliana, your parents love you!  Your dad and your mom did such a great job helping to coordinate your wedding while you and Chris finished up at the Air Force Academy.  I know you have some special family visiting – so please enjoy the day with them.  And, as you and Chris head off to serve our country only days after your wedding, it is my pleasure to share these images with you on July 4th.

So, here is that slideshow – along with some of my favorite images from your wedding day.

How pretty is Juliana?!?!?  :)  We took some getting ready shots in the hotel – then moved outside for some family shots and one of my favorites – the dynamically lit one of Juliana in front of the barn in the back of the Windsor Marriott.

And then the handsome groom, Chris…..

I think I should hire Juliana’s mom!   She had her camera with her everywhere!  This photo made me chuckle….. I imagine this will be me when my daughters get married one day….. a very LOOOOONG time from now!!!

We went to Juliana’s parents house in Windsor for photos.  Though the really strong sunlight prevented us from utilizing every part of their beautiful yard, we wanted to capture some shots by the fountain.

Then, thanks for trusting me when I suggested going to the train tracks for some photos…. I really love how they came out.

And I have to add another shot of Juliana – I think this will be one of Chris’ favorites!

Then off to a fantastic reception with great music and lighting from Tony from After Hours.

And, I loved this photo of Chris and his guys smoking cigars.

I met Sarah and Tim when I was photographing Sarah’s dad’s wedding back in 2007.  They had JUST started dating and I loved them together from the start – literally!  Sarah and Tim are from the same tight-knit group of friends who graduated from UCONN.  Their relationship has been supported by so many who hold them dearly – this wedding was really a celebration!  Tim and Sarah hosted a classy party – much to be expected from a conservative gal (You go girl!).

The ceremony was Russian Orthodox.  The rings are exchanged (and flip-flopped from hand to hand by a couple of people) at the back of the church when the bride enters.  Once they process to the front of the church, there is a wine ceremony, the best man and maid of honor hold crowns above the bride and groom’s heads (for what must have seemed like eternity to their poor arm muscles!), as they circled the altar.  The intricacies of the ceremony were amazing – the music, the ornate Bible and candles…  Really, it was something special to photograph.

After a quick group photograph of all of their guests on the stairs of the church, we headed to the State Capitol -significant because of Sarah’s passion for state-level politics.  The bridal party was hysterical as you can see (note the Irish Jig) and the candids of the girls.  I also must thank Seshu from Seshu Photography for coming to shoot 2nd with me.  ”Mr. Shoe” as the girls so nicknamed him, picked up some awesome candids!  (BTW, Seshu,  ”Mr. Shoe” is a nickname that sticks!!!!

Then, off to The Simsbury Inn for an aways wonderful reception experience.

Sarah and Tim, thank you for making me a part of another Richards family celebration.  It was so much fun and such an honor.  I hope you enjoy what Seshu and I captured for you.

Becca and Dave were so much fun to photograph.  Dave’s sense of humor is so dry and fun.  I mean DRY dry… like the desert in August sort of dry!  I loved it….. And, Becca, talk about a strong, fun woman (with a great laugh, btw)….  In her job, she works with some really crazy people (and I don’t mean really fun/crazy.  I mean CRAZY crazy, diagnosed super crazy.  So, this girl has learned how to let loose and relax in real life.  The two of them are a riot together.

We did most of their formal photos before their beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, CT.  Then, I had some special time with the two of them after the ceremony.  We did some fun, dramatic lighting…. like Dave looking like a 1920s mobster (one of my favorite groom shots of late).  And, worthy of note…. none of the outdoor studio lighting would have been possible without dear old Andy running back and forth to my car to get lights and stands and battery packs, etc.  Thanks Andy!  You also rocked the photo booth!

These guys had one heck of a party for a reception.  There was amazing food, there were ice cream sundaes, there were special cocktails.  All in all, this was quite a celebration.  Thanks so much for having me be a part of it!

Ann and Zach – what a party!  These two have such fun friends and family.  We really enjoyed celebrating with them.  They had a beautiful church ceremony with a quick stop at the State Capital steps for photos and then off to Cascade in Hamden for one heck of a soiree!