Rustic, Retro Spring Wedding at The Red Lion Inn in Cohasset, MA :: Including a Custom Sweets Table and a Dog Treat Table :: Jade and Matt

This couple, the details, the space, the other vendors, and all of the love.. everything about this rustic, retro wedding at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset, MA this past Spring was amazing. Jade and Matt really made this day their own, there were so many personal touches that added to the elegance and the fun, retro styling. And their wedding planner, lolagrace events, was on top of everything, executing and augmenting the vision they had. They setup a Polaroid photobooth for the reception, Jade added literary flair to her bouquet with handmade flowers made from pages of meaningful books, there was a nod to their Italian heritage through an Italian treat table filled with cookies from Montillo’s Bakery, homemade Pizzelles made by Jade’s family, and colorful Jordan almonds, and the list goes on.

In addition to a sweets table for the human guests, these two had a Doggie Treat Stand. This table dedicated to K-9s had various flavors of dog treats from Jack’s All Natural, photos of their own pups, and pictures of dogs available for adoption through the Last Hope K-9 Rescue Organization. These two dedicated a piece of their wedding to helping find loving homes for rescue dogs. Their selflessness in having dogs from this rescue organization be a part of their wedding was so memorable and just so sweet. And even though we just met, I could tell that is a prefect representation of who they are.

Ceremony Site: Saint Anthony Church in Cohasset MA
Reception Venue & Catering: Red Lion Inn in Cohasset MA
Wedding Planner + Designer: lolagraceEVENTS
Florist: Holmes McDuffy
Wedding Photographer: Michelle Girard Photography and Design for  Lindsey Rae Photography
Cake + Cookies: Montilio’s Bakery
Cake Topper:  (DIY by a friend)
Sequin Table Runner from ETSY
Rentals: Peterson Party
Make-up: Bre Welch – Leather and Lace
Transportation: JB Livery, Weymouth, MA

Additional Details:
Doggie treat stand with Jack’s All Natural dog cookies and photos of their dogs and of pups that were available for adoption at the Last Hope K-9 rescue organization
Italian treat table with colorful Jordan almonds, Montilio’s bakery cookies and Italian pizzelles, homemade by the bride’s family.

In an Emergency, Who will photograph your wedding?

One of the bigger worries in running your own one-woman-business is.. what will you do if something happens that would prevent you from being at or from giving your absolute all at a wedding? It’s a scary thought. From my perspective, I am invested in your wedding. We have been talking and planning the day together, we’ve probably done an engagement session where we spent most of the time laughing as we wandered around looking for beautiful locations and great pockets of light, I have had your wedding date marked on all of my calendars now for sometime, I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together, how beautiful you’ll both look, and witnessing all of the love that day. Like I said, I’m invested and I’m so excited for you and to be a part of it. But what if, for some reason, I can’t be there?

I am fortunate. I am part of an incredibly supportive community of photographers in New England. And I know that, if I need help, there would be no shortage. I have seen it happen when other photographers need help, whether they need a second photographer last minute because something happened to the second who was scheduled or if they themselves have run into a problem. We show up for each other. A lot of people find it surprising, since we are ‘competitors’, but if you knew the people I feel so lucky to call colleagues and friends it wouldn’t surprise you at all.

Why am I telling you this? Well, this past year I photographed a wedding on behalf of another photographer.  Something very real came up in advance and she needed help. She handled it wonderfully, keeping everyone posted. A number of photographers offered to be there for her. I feel honored that she chose me to cover the day in her stead.

Jade and Matt, the bride and groom, handled it all so amazingly too. After meeting them, that made sense. They are such giving people in their everyday lives, how gracious they were in this moment was a reflection of who they are. Check out my next blog post to see more of their incredible rustic, retro, elegant wedding at The Red Lion Inn in Cohasset, Massachusetts photographed on behalf of Lindsay Rae Photography.

Fourth of July Wedding at the Lord Jeffery Inn :: Amherst, Massachusetts :: Johnson Chapel Wedding Ceremony :: Jeita and Donald

Half a year ago(I can’t believe its been that long!) I got to be a part of a truly amazing couple's wedding. And these two had one heck of a day. Every part of Jeita and Donald’s wedding included something fun or unique, some of which I had never seen before! It was a truly memorable day. After their much-anticipated ‘First Look’ we spent some time taking photos of the two of them. After, we got all of the family and group photos taken so that nobody would have to skip even a little of cocktail hour!

I went ahead to Amherst College's Johnson Chapel and Jeita and Donald took advantage of some time alone, walking there together. To start their ceremony, Jeita and Donald entered the chapel from opposite doors, coming together at the beginning of the aisle, and walked down the aisle together, hand in hand. It’s easy to say with confidence that their wedding ceremony was one of a kind. Jeita and Donald's friends 'charged' them with their vows, a really sweet and emotional moment I had not seen before where each friend asked them one part of their vows and they waited for the response.. ‘I do.” “I will.”

There were many laughs, even fist bumps with the priest, but nothing beat the exchanging of rings. We all got to see Donald completely surprise Jeita with gorgeous Sapphire stacking wedding bands.. her reaction was priceless! You’ll be able to see that below. I was so excited for this moment (we had been told ahead of time – it’s good to make sure your photographers are prepared!) and it really didn’t disappoint.

Afterward everyone was led from the chapel to the memorial at Amherst College by a bagpiper for celebratory toast together. And from there on it was a party at The Lord Jeffery Inn. I'm talking about a whole night of clinking drinks, live music from a killer band, festive Fourth of July hats and glasses for everyone, huge heartfelt hugs, a packed dance floor that was constantly moving, singing, jumping. Their priest even busted out with some rapping to close out the night, another first for me! It was all so much fun that it even attracted a couple of wedding crashers! And at the center of it all was so much love for Jeita and Donald, two incredibly caring, fun, beautiful people. 

Wedding Reception at The Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst, Massachusetts
Wedding Ceremony at Amherst College's Johnson Chapel
Ceremony Officiant: Mark Bozzuti Jones
Wedding Styling and Planning by Jackie Martucci, Events by Jackie
Flowers by Louis Barry Florist
Cake by Greggory's Pastry Shop
Wedding Band: RipCord from Boston, Ma
Wedding Gown by Caroline DeVillo from Nordstroms
Grooms Suit by Armani from Sak's Fifth Avenue
Wedding Rings from Dan Bouvier

Rustic September Wedding at The Ranch in Southwick, Massachusetts :: Fall Farm Wedding :: Emily and Paul

While she was getting ready, Emily was so excited for Paul to see his boutonniere, made with shell casings his best man secretly retrieved. She orchestrated it as a surprise for Paul who is a hunter, wanting there to be pieces of the wedding that could speak to who he is just as much as the rustic flowers and lace spoke to her. She had a wedding cake made with that in mind too, designed to be half white lace and half camo. I was really struck by those details, by the consideration and even the symbolism in it.. two people with their own distinct personalities coming together in a relationship, an official union, to build something entirely different, new, and beautiful.

Beyond those details and touches, it was really clear how much love there is between these two. The amount of emotion at their ceremony was tangible; I think everyone got choked up as Emily came down the aisle, tears in her eyes. That energy carried through the night with heartfelt toasts and then a whole lot of celebrating, including quality dance moves and a packed dance floor! 

Wedding Venue: The Ranch in Southwick, Massachusetts
Wedding Photography by Michelle Girard Photography and Design
Florist: Forget Me Not Florist in Northampton, Ma
Cake Artist (Baker): Mama Cakes in Westfield Ma
Acoustic Music and DJ: Gary S Jones
Hair and Makeup by Salon Amici in Southwick, Ma
Wedding Gown by Maggie Sottero from Bridal Corner in Chicopee, Ma
Bridesmaid Dresses by Bill Levkoff