Lara Kimmerer | photographer

Bonnie & Burton | married at Codman Farms | part two

Bonnie & Burton arranged their day in a very different way - and in a way I loved.  First - they did their photographs before the ceremony (which was wonderful!).  Second - they had their guests arrive about two hours earlier than the ceremony.  They served cocktails and food...and the best part - they joined their guests!  They were able to see everyone and have conversations before the most important part of the day.  This created a real feeling of community when they actually said their vows (which were amazing...and they wrote themselves).

All-in-all the day was overwhelmingly relaxed, and felt very warm and comforting.  You could really sense how everyone that was there absolutely wanted to be there supporting Bonnie & Burton.

We're picking up where part one left off.  Part two will be devoted to the ceremony because it was incredibly beautiful and very moving - and I couldn't narrow the photos down.  This was perhaps the most moving ceremony I've ever witnessed (accept for my best friend's - but you know...).  Peter and I noticed how more and more guests started to put their arms around one another as the ceremony progressed.  Tears were definitely falling quite a bit as well.

Codman Farms...

These are B&B's friends who read during the ceremony.  I couldn't resist grabbing shots of them with the barn in the background.

Everyone beginning to gather for the ceremony.

Bonnie and her dad, and her bridesmaids walked from the gardens to the barn.  It was a bit of a distance, but well worth the walk - a very beautiful moment.  I should say - all of the photos of Bonnie and her dad in the garden were taken by Peter.  I am definitely jealous I didn't take them.

 

Peter's view - My view.

Bonnie lost her mom not too long ago - something we have in common.  I knew her mom not being there was upsetting - understandably, but she made sure to include her in small ways such as wearing her jewelry.  I admired the way she gracefully walked through the day - experiencing it fully - after all...it's her wedding day - a day you want to fully take in even if someone you love dearly isn't able to share in the day with you.  But, I also noticed during the ceremony how every now and then she would take a deep breath and look slightly to the sky.  My eyes would immediately fill with tears - knowing in a very personal and deep way who she was with in that moment.  The next photo will forever be a special one to me.

Dancing after the ceremony!  Loved it!!

After the dancing I had a few quiet moments with Bonnie & Burton.  They were able to take in what had just happend and gather themselves for the celebration.  And I was able to capture all of those emotions.

The many DIY details, incredible food, dancing and celebration in the barn coming up.  Check back!

Bonnie & Burton | married at Codman Farms | part one

The morning after each wedding I shoot my brother calls me and asks, "How was the wedding yesterday?"  And, without hesitation I answer, "I think it was the best wedding I've been to."  Sometime this fall Graham laughed and pointed out that I say that after every wedding.  Yes, that may be true.  I get caught up in the day and the swirl of emotion - and the next morning I'm still floating in the incredible high of sharing in my couple's day - their day.

So, yes...without a doubt...every wedding I have shot I have also loved being a part of the entire experience.  Every celebration is different because every couple is so unique - and their families and friends play a big part in creating the 'unique-ness'.  This year I have had the pleasure to meet, and truly get to know many incredible couples. I was honored to learn more about them by being behind the camera and capturing the moments that make up just this one day in their lives together.

With all of that in mind...Bonnie & Burton's wedding will hold a particular place in my memory forever.  While editing images I'll often find myself smiling - laughing - and sometimes really taking in an embrace or a shared look (which inevitably brings the tears).  While editing B&B's photos I found my heart bursting (seriously though) with joy and love - and so many feelings I can't put into words...honestly.  I'm not sure if I'm expressing this well, but know that these thoughts and feelings are always true and usually quite deep within me.  Their wedding day was one of the best weddings I've ever witnessed.  

Take a look for yourself.  We began the day at Bonnie & Burton's home - a place I love - especially the kitchen.

Most of the jewelry above was Bonnie's mom's.  The 'D' is her initial, and Bonnie wore it facing out...a way to have her with her throughout the day.

Below is Burton and his John Deere tie tack.  There were many tractors at Codman Farms and we made sure to make use of them in some of the photographs we took later.

Bonnie & Burton got ready at home together.  I absolutely loved this!  The vibe was incredibly relaxed, and I really liked how they were spending the entire day together.  Definitely different - but definitely wonderful too.  And, yes, Bonnie did her and her sister's makeup.  She did it beautifully - and better than I've seen some people pay for.

We did have a reveal of sorts when Bonnie came down with her dress on.

One final look and then we were off to Codman Farms.  (I should say...this is one of my favorite photos that I've taken - ever.)

B&B decided to do photographs before the ceremony.  Which was incredibly wonderful!!!  I can't express how absolutely wonderful this really was.  We had plenty of time to get great images - but they also had time to themselves - to take it all in.

All of the flowers throughout the wedding were wild flowers grown by Stillman's Farm.  The arrangements were done by Emily Fazzina of Cuisine en Locale (who prepared the incredible food for the day - I'll be talking about them in another post soon to come).  Bonnie's bouquet was one of the most gorgeous bouquets I've ever seen.

So much more to come!  Check back very soon!!

Amanda & Shannon | married at Look Park | part two

We were so lucky to be given such beautiful light after the ceremony.  Once we were finished taking photos we headed to the Garden House at Look Park for the party!  Shannon & Amanda did a lot of DIY for their wedding.  The flowers were from OrganicBouquet.com - and I was told that Amanda put the arrangements together.  And their cupcakes were from Whole Foods!  They brought it all together with help from family and friends. Their amazing meal was provided by Seth Mias Catering located in Leeds, MA.  I highly, highly suggest you seek them out.  I was craving the food from their wedding a few weeks ago. 

I love the table card holders. They're pieces of wood with slits to hold the cards.  The Garden House is beautiful inside - cozy, but plenty of room to dance!

The cupcake topper is from Etsy.  Shannon had them painted to match what they were wearing that day!

Amanda & Shannon - thank you so much for including me in your day.  I was honored to witness such a moving ceremony - and fantastic dancing too!

Amanda & Shannon | married at Look Park | part one

Amanda & Shannon were married on a beautiful day in Northampton at Look Park.  They live in the Boston area now, but they met while both going to college - at different schools - in Western Mass.  They decided to celebrate out that way - and they couldn't have chosen a better location.  I went to photography school in Western Mass - not far away from Northampton, and somehow I managed to never visit Look Park.  The Pines Theater, where they had their ceremony, is a beautiful location for a wedding ceremony - and Amanda & Shannon made sure to use every aspect of the space.  

As you will see, the ceremony happened on the 'stage' - but the processional of the wedding party and Amanda & Shannon together took place across the entire lawn leading up to the stage.  This was possibly the most moving part of a ceremony I have ever seen.  The music was beautiful - and you really felt the weight of what was about to happen.

First though, they needed to get ready.  Peter met up with Amanda, while I hung-out with Shannon.

While Shannon was looking for her dress she found the perfect yellow dress for her bridesmaids to wear.  Yellow is Shannon's favorite color - and so the 'bridesmaids' dress quickly became her wedding dress.  The bridesmaids found dresses that they liked - in white!  

Amanda and her crew preparing to take the long walk down the lawn.  I think Amanda & Shannon should have the next photograph really big on their wall.  Such a beautiful moment in a gorgeous setting.

We began taking portraits just as the sun was setting and getting really golden.  The light filtered through the pine trees was some of the most beautiful light I saw this year.

Party photos are next!  Check back real soon!