Lara Kimmerer | photographer

three sneak peeks!

I am headed out the door, like right now, actually I should have headed out the door a while ago, but I'm staying calm about it because I'm leaving for a wonderful and great reason.  One of my best friends is getting married this weekend.  I'm very much looking forward to being in a wedding!  And, please wish me luck...I'm giving one of the toasts.

Before I skedaddle I wanted to give you a sneak peek at three shoots that I have coming your wayon top of all of the other ones that I have waiting in the line-up.  Without further ado, I give you...

Shannon & Amanda

 Kate & Sean

and Cassandra & Lenny, who had a fabulous wedding this past Saturday.

See you next week! 

and the big hat wins

Those of you who know me know that the place where I feel most like me is my lake in NJ.  Being in it, or near it calms me...but I prefer being in the water.  Actually being in the water - on 'my' rock looking out at the lake allows me to feel as if I'm ageless.  I feel 5 years old - and my wise 31 year old self - and I'm able to imagine all the years in the future with children of my own swimming off the dock - and grandchildren too.  I hope that I will be 85 and standing on that same rock one day.  My rock also allows to me feel as though everything is okay - for those moments all worries or thoughts are completely gone.

This is the fifth summer without my mom around.  (five summers!)  I cannot express how five summers have passed by so quickly.  I often look up at the house from the lake and can imagine her inside...getting dinner ready, taking a nap (she loved her naps)...just being.  But there are those times where it truly feels like she's been gone for much longer than five summers.  The house doesn't have that homey feel it once had (though my dad tries his best).  Her presence can be seen but not always felt.

The time I spend at home during the summer is time I try to relax and enjoy what I'm so grateful to have - my family home, the lake, my dad, my friends, my cats.  However, often when I'm driving back up north I find myself crying.  I'm crying for all that I don't have, for all that I'm missing.  New Jersey can be a difficult place for me to be - even with all that is there that I cherish and love.

Two weekends ago I found myself, for the first time in a long time, crying on our drive back to Massachusetts because I didn't want to leave.  And that made me happy - because the reason I didn't want to leave was because I had a truly wonderful weekend.  A perfect summer weekend on my lake.  It felt so familiar.  It felt familiar and wonderful and nostalgic all rolled together.

Graham, Peter, our friend Janelle, and I spent the weekend swimming and water skiing and taking naps and swimming(!) and just enjoying the lake on a weekend.  Actually, one of my favorite parts was waking up early on Saturday morning and water skiing with Graham and his friend Paul.  It was an overcast morning that turned into a complete downpour.  Paul and Graham went before the squall and had decent water.  I got to go after the rain - and the water was wonderfully smooth.  It was the perfect way to wake up.

The main event of the weekend though was the Centennial Ball at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club.  My favorite part about being a member is the history that surrounds the place.  I won't profess to know every detail about Lake Hopatcong's history, but I do know quite a bit.  I've spent many hours wishing I could go back in time to around the turn of the century and see what the place was like.  Two weekends ago we had a small opportunity to feel a bit of that.

The four of us did our best to dress the part.  I think we did a pretty decent job.  And to top it all off...I won an award for 'best hat'!

  

after the award, the hat came off and we danced!

The club 100 years ago.

The club now.

edited to say...my outfit and Janelle's were rented from the absolutely wonderful Nan at Antique Costume & Prop Rental.  She's by appointment only and her place is so fun!!  She has costumes from every era in time you could want.

Allison & Ben | married at Elm Bank | part two

While Allison & Ben and their guests enjoy the beautiful late afternoon cocktail hour and the hors d'oevres created by Max Ultimate Food, we're going to check in on all the details at the reception.       

Allison's Mom, Kathy, whom I've know for a few years now, did an amazing job planning the wedding. She brought an unbelievable group of vendors together to create the ultimate event.  One thing I highly recommended to her though was hiring a 'Day of' coordinator, which she did - the fantastic Paula Marrero of Marrero Events.  Kathy was able to put all the planning behind her and enjoy the day she had created along with all of the guests.

The building at Elm Bank is a completely blank canvas, which makes planning an event there really fun, I'm sure.  Michael and Company's flower arrangements were absolutely gorgeous...they smelled amazing too.  Peonies are such a beautiful and elegant flower.

Mr. & Mrs. introduced for the first time.  They had taken dance lessons, which made the first dance fun to watch.

Four people toasted Allison & Ben.  Each person had a different take on them as individuals and as a couple.  I enjoyed listening to them all.

There was an 'Ultra Lounge' where the bar was placed.  If guests wanted to pop off of the dance floor and have a quiet conversation - this was the place to go.  As the evening progresses - the ultra lounge really comes to life...you'll see.

And the dancing begins...DJ Raffi kept the floor moving.

See what I mean!  I loved the mood out there.  Lighting for the entire night was designed by Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting. 

These desserts were incredibly tasty.  The mousse on the left was served on edible white chocolate spoons!  And on the right we have chocolate mousse dusted with chocolate and topped with edible flowers...fit right in with the garden theme at MassHort.

Allison & Ben really made sure to enjoy each other the entire evening.  Very rarely were they off of the dance floor.

 

Allison & Ben - Thank you both SO much for choosing to include me (& Peter) in your wedding day.  We had an amazing time.  This is one wedding we won't soon forget.

*****

Location:  Elm Bank at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society

Photographer:  Lara Kimmerer

Day of Coordinator:  Paula Marrero of Marrero Events

Hair and Make-up: Salon Capri

Dress:  from VOWS

Flowers:  Michael & Co. Inc

Catering:  Max Ultimate

Cake:  Icing on the Cake

Lighting:  Suzanne B. Lowell

DJ:  DJ Raffi

Allison & Ben | married at Elm Bank | part one

It has been wonderful getting to know Allison & Ben over the last few months...photographing them on their boat, and going out for drinks afterwards, and discussing wedding plans.  We found out that both of them are quite the adventurers.  They're very active people and even spent their honeymoon camping, hiking and climbing rocks - and traveling around on a motorcycle.  Their wedding was so wonderful because it brought out their other side - the romantic one with added beauty and grace.

When Allison looks into Ben's eyes you can tell how much in love she is with him.  When Ben looks into Allison's eyes you know he feels like the luckiest man in the world.

*****

Allison & Ben were incredibly lucky and received an absolutely beautiful day at Elm Bank in Wellesley for their wedding.  A few of the details...

And here we go...

 

I love Ben's reaction here.

 

I love both of their expressions in this moment.  For both the images above and below - Peter grabbed the shot on the left - and I took the one on the right.

Allison, you look so happy.

They walked up the aisle to Michael Franti and Spearhead's "Say Hey (I Love You)."  This is one of my favorite moments (and Peter grabbed this one too).

Allison & Ben gave me time immediately following the ceremony to capture the, "Oh my gosh!  We're married!" moments, and I'm so grateful they did.  They spoke to no one...just left the ceremony and had time to themselves.  I was there of course, but I don't think they really noticed.

The light was fantastic!

And then we went right into portrait time.  This was the perfect flow for their day.  We took photos of just them and then grabbed their family members out of the cocktail hour to finish up the formal photos. Everything moved smoothly and efficiently - and they definitely had a good time.

I'm pretty sure Ben said something to the effect of, "We're married!"

Love this one.

Allison, you're absolutely beautiful!

Allison & Ben are off to their cocktail hour...and we are off to check out the beautiful flowers and details at the reception - and the reception itself.  Check back real soon!           

*****

Photographer:  Lara Kimmerer

Day of Coordinator:  Paula Marrero of Marrero Events

Hair and Make-up:  Salon Capri

Dress:  from VOWS

Flowers:  Michael & Company Inc.

Catering:  Max Ultimate

Cake:  Icing on the Cake

Lighting:  Suzanne B. Lowell

DJ:  DJ Raffi

Beth & Eric | sneak peek

On this 4th of July weekend the British and the Americans came together on Cape Cod in a newer England* to celebrate the marriage of this lovely couple.  I feel incredibly lucky to have met Beth & Eric and their amazing families and friends - and quite honored that I had the opportunity to spend their wedding day with them.  

Here's just one for now:

* Beth's sister Sarah used the phrase 'newer England' in her speech, and I decided to borrow it for this post.