Kelly & Ryan's Westford, Massachusett Saint Catherine's of Alexandria & Westford Regency Inn
I first got together with Kelly & Ryan almost exactly a year prior to their wedding for the Nubble Lighthouse engagement session. The sun that day was bright, the tourists crowded the lighthouse, and the temperatures were just a tad warm. My dream for their wedding day consisted of just a smidge of cloud cover with the perfect temperature so the girls wouldn't freeze, but the guys wouldn't melt either. I. Got. My. Wish!
Driving down to Massachusetts the morning of their September wedding was surreal. I just couldn't get over how fast the time had gone by. Where had the past year and a half since Kelly first contacted me gone? A whirlwind. That's what it was. Walking in to Kelly's suite at the Westford Regency Inn was like walking into a dream: there was the distinct smell of air spray in the air, the poof of makeup powder floating around the window, the pop of the champagne cork as mimosas were made, the smell of the heat from the curling irons ready to be used, and the laughs from the gorgeous ladies as they anxiously awaited the moment when Kelly would walk down the aisle. Before long, the details were finished, the dresses went on, and it was time for Ryan to meet his bride at the end of the aisle at the church.
The Catholic mass wedding ceremony was held at the stunning St. Catherine's of Alexandria in Westford, Massachusetts, which has an incredible cathedral ceiling and gorgeous light streaming in through the side windows. Tears of joy were common place amongst Kelly & Ryan's family and friends as the ceremony started until the ringbearer stole everyones attention as he was carried down the aisle dangling from the hands of his dad, who was a groomsmen, and Kelly's matron of honor. Then the tears turned to laughter. And that was how the ceremony went: tears of joy, spurts of laughter, and lots of smiles. Everyone had been waiting for this day.
At the conclusion of the service, we went back to the Westford Regency Inn for their formal portraits before kicking off the party under a huge tent on the front lawn. And boy does this crowd know how to party! There were so many highlights that it is hard to mention them all. I got to see Keriann & Joe, who were married earlier this year at the Nashoba Winery (I LOVE seeing my past couples!). Kelly & Ryan's cake was huge, gorgeous, AND the cake was purple! (Don't believe me? Check the photos below.) The guests broke out a pile of maracas that enticed everyone to form one of the longest conga lines I've ever seen. One of Kelly's bridesmaids is a die hard Michael Jackson fan and Kelly made sure that the DJ played her favorite song, which resulted in everyone clearing the dance floor just for her (and boy can she dance!). Add in two of Kelly's other friends and you had the recipe for one absolutely awesome, kick butt dance off that went just about all night long. And I would be wrong to not mention Kelly's grandfather who was burning up the dance floor a ton and was rocking out with his grandkids. It was such an awesome night!
Kelly & Ryan (& family), thank you so much for letting me be there for such an absolutely epic day! I hope that we cross paths many times in the future so I can party it up with you more (like in 2015, nudge nudge to your bridesmaid!). You guys are awesome!
I'm getting very close to having their full gallery up on my website, but here is a sneak peek at the massive number of photos that the newlyweds have coming to them to help relive their wedding day.
This first shot is obviously not printable, but the series of shots I took surrounding their bridal party firing off poppers during their formal portraits just screamed at me to do this for them.
And now on to the still frames from the day:
Date: September 14, 2013 | Ceremony Location:St. Catherine's of Alexandria in Westford, Massachusetts | Getting Ready & Reception Location:Westford Regency Inn in Westford, Massachusetts | Bridal Boutique:David's Bridal | Groom's Attire:Men's Wearhouse | Cake Artist:Frederick’s Pastries of Andover, Massachusetts | Florist:A Belvidere Florist in Lowell, Massachusetts | DJ Service: Main Event Entertainment in Londonderry, New Hampshire | Transportation:Harris Limo in Lowell, MassachusettsMakeup Artist:Beautiful Faces in Waltham, Massachusetts | Hair Styist: Stefanie