La Dolce Vita - Kym and Antonio's Wildflower Wedding at Kentford Farm
On September 20, 2014, Kym & Antonio were married with a ceremony and ceremony at Kentford Farm in Stonington, CT.
I've said it before but I'll say it again...I treat every wedding differently. They really are all different, just like the couples I work with. I may shoot a funky city wedding with lots of bright colors at an industrial space, or I could find myself on The Cape, or even a farm. Even though the are all different and I photograph them differently, the couples all have one thing in common. They care about the marriage! It’s more than just a wedding.
The wedding is the celebration, but my couples are in it for the long-term and really treat their wedding photography as a serious investment. This could not be more evident than my wedding collaboration with Kym and Antonio. I met Kym because she managed an equipment rental place called Borrow Lenses here in their Boston office. I rent gear there from time to time and every time I would pick up my order, this pretty blonde woman would always ask me things about myself. "What are you shooting this weekend? Where do you live? What do you like to shoot?" She was always engaging, sweet and I always looked forward to chatting with her when I went it. One day I realized that I never really asked her anything about her. What was her story? Turned out she had just moved back east after working for Borrow Lenses in San Francisco. She too was a photographer and was recently engaged to Antonio.
We had a lot in common as she shared more about herself with me. I suggested we hang out soon and she agreed. Funny, the young hungry me would have immediately asked her "Oh who's shooting your wedding? Do you want to see my stuff?". But nope, that really never occurred to me. I just liked this woman and couldn't wait to develop a friendship with her. So I left the store and headed to upstate NY for a wedding shoot. While I was there, I got an email from Kym. Basically, her words blew me away and said not only was she glad I reached out to get to know her and that she wanted to get together to hang, but more importantly, she looked at my stuff and wanted to hire me to shoot her wedding. I loved that this came from an organic place, that I didn't try to get the job myself. It just happened. And since that day, our friendship has blossomed!
The day of the wedding, Kym and Antonio got ready at Foxwoods, which is basically where everyone stayed, including me. I met Kym at the spa where her make up was being done while my second shooter, Kerri Green, hung with Antonio and his family. I loved that many of Antonio's family came all the way from Italy, where he is originally from.
Kym finished getting reading in her room. Kerri headed over to the farm with Antonio while I stayed back with Kym and her mom and dad until the very last minute. When we arrived at Kentford Farm, I was blown away by the location. It was the most magical place ever! Kym's uncle owned and lived on this property and there were literally hundreds of gardens and secret spaces to photograph everything. Details as far as the eye could see. There were cones of lavender for throwing on the couple, small jars of raw honey for guests to take home, the most incredible food provided by my husband's buddy Jason, the owner of Caseus in New Haven. (Kym and my husband had brainstormed about the food for her wedding. Food was really important because Antonio comes from a restaurant family and is going to open his own soon.)
The ceremony was filled with tears and joy. Both the bride and groom's parents spoke before Kym and Antonio said their vows. After the ceremony I stole Kym and Antonio for formals while Kerri captured cocktail hour. From there, we moved to dinner and lots of dancing! Lots and lots of dancing. The couple created their own photo booth with fun props and polaroid cameras for guests. There was cake smashing, drinking, dancing and fun for all. And the fun didn't stop there. the next morning I snuck into the couple's room for a morning after shoot. (Which I blogged about here.)
I'm sad to say that last month, Kym and Antonio returned to the West Coast. Renting gear at Borrow Lenses just isn't the same for me anymore. I was so sad when she told me they were moving back. Good thing my brother lives near them in the East Bay, because I miss them more than ever now.
Kym and Antonio, I miss you so much, but I am so thrilled that I was there through all of it. (They know what I mean.) I can’t wait to see you in California soon!
Vendors
Cake: You Take the Cake Location: Kentford Farm Caterer: Caseus florist: Kentford Farms Dress: Vows Bridal Outlet Hair: Emily Reale Make up: Norwich Spa Officiant - Jimmy Helton DJ - Mike Cortigano