After having just over a month off with no weddings we were really excited to get out and make some new images. The forecast wasn’t looking so good come wedding day but we’ve always had pretty good luck so we crossed out fingers and headed out for Simsbury. The rain seemed to just stop as we pulled up at the Old Drake Flower Bridge where Katelyne and Mark were going to have their first look.
Mark pulled up in his blacked out GMC Denali, put on his jacket, checked himself in the mirror like reflection of the tinted windows and with a huge smile on his face walked onto the bridge ready to see his soon-to-be-bride for the first time on their wedding day. We stood on the bridge for what seemed like forever hoping the rain wouldn’t come before Katelyne arrived. The time had finally come, Katelyne got out of the car looking absolutely amazing with her long flowing curls and sparkly blue shoes. As the click-clack of her heels on the wooden bridge got louder as she neared the smile on Marks face became larger and larger. After the first look we photographed them on the bridge while waiting for the rest of the bridal party to arrive (still looking to the rain to STAY AWAY!) I gave them a little instruction and then ran back out of ear shot to get the shots I wanted (as I normally do) Mark was laughing, Katelyne was smiling and I was making great images. Then I moved closer for a different angle, the laughing and smiling continued but now, I could hear them. Katelyne was saying some of the meanest/funniest things to Mark to make him laugh. To me this makes these pictures even more special because I know they can have fun and nothing about their laughs was fake and posed.
With the rain still holding we made the call to head to Elizabeth Park in West Hartford to do the rest of the pictures. Within minutes the rain started. We finished the shot of the girls and quickly ran under the gazebo. I thought this was going to be the end of our 2 year no rain streak but just as quickly as the rain came it went and we were back to finish the pictures. The bridal party was a great group of people who needed little direction to get in place, in fact for my favorite shot of the day of the bridal party standing in front of a line of tulips they all fell into line quickly and perfectly, I told them they did great and looked perfect to which all the girls replied in unplanned unison “Thank You”. That moment coupled with that image made my day.
Seconds after we packed the car to head back to Simsbury the rain started and it was pouring! I call that a win.
A beautiful ceremony adorned by the music of a close friends father who sang and played the acoustic guitar for the wedding precession. Though Mark and Katelyne had already had that “first look” moment the happiness and excitement of getting married wasn’t lessened in the least bit.
With their short-and-sweet ceremony over it was clear everyone was ready to party! In the bridal sweet as the wedding party prepared for their introductions I saw props of all kinds as they rehearsed. The two highlights for me where the brides maid dressed in a light up Hulk mask and Hands and the groomsmen who “made it rain” with a hand full of ones!
There were so many great moments on Katelyne and Mark’s wedding day. Some sweet, some funny and some emotional. Mark’s Best Man and Katelyne’s Made of Honor both gave really fantastic, funny yet heartfelt speeches and after Katelyne’s dance with her Father, Mark had an extremely emotional dance with his Grandmother.
The rest of the night was filled with dancing, laughs and cigars.
Congratulation Katelyne and Mark!
Photography By: Matt Branscombe and Mike Ciarleglio
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