Jamie+Matt // Backyard Wedding in Ontario, New York

It was good, great, amazing luck that we were able to come to upstate New York and photograph this wedding. Geoff’s cousin was getting married in Rochester the weekend of Labor Day, and it had been on our calendar for a very long time. But we very coincidentally (and luckily!) got an inquiry from Matt and Jamie to photograph their wedding in Jamie’s parents’ backyard in Ontario, New York the weekend before Geoff’s cousin was to be married, and only about 30 minutes away from Geoff’s aunt and uncle’s house! And it’s GORGEOUS in upstate New York this time of year, and the humidity is lowww, and so we graciously accepted and were very excited.

I actually went to high school with our wonderful groom Matt! He was a grade or two below me and I knew him without a beard. When his identical twin showed up at the wedding sans beard, I was like “THAT’S MATT!” but then no, that’s the Germany-based, identical twin, beardless version of today’s Matt. And I believe by our counts that brings our identical twin client total up to 5! Anyway, Matt is kind and caring and fun and has great tattoos and I was so excited to be reunited with him, and to meet his lovely fiancee Jamie in person. We Skyped with them when we first booked them, and Jamie was really gorgeous. And I’ve seen her pictures on Instagram and she was still really gorgeous. But then in real life, it’s like she takes all of the gorgeous video and photos of her and mashes them together and it gets amplified into this REALLY RIDICULOUSLY GORGEOUS PERSON THAT THERE ARE NO BAD PHOTOGRAPHS OF EVER. Really. I culled through all the photos we took, and there are zero bad pictures of her. I didn’t see her make one expression the entire day that wasn’t 100% lovely and charming in every way. I’m not entirely sure how she does it. My best guess is some sort of Little Mermaid-esque magic where some sort of trade was made with a nefarious Disney character at some point, but I don’t have the proof.

Their wedding was beautiful, warm, and sunny. People threw rainbow sprinkles at them as they walked down the aisle, and Jamie ate them as she walked (again, she’s a girl after my own heart), and then Matt and the bridesmaids had to pick them out of her hair before they melted. There were lots of cats. There was also apple cider, donuts, and cotton candy. We took pictures next to willow trees! And next to Lake Ontario! And then in a freaking apple orchard covered in actual full blown apples and it was like WHAT KIND OF DREAM AM I IN. Apparently we need to photograph weddings in upstate New York more often.


– Date: August 26, 2017
– Ceremony + Reception Venue: Private Home // Ontario, New York
– First Dance Song: “You Are The Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
– Jamie’s Occupation: Freelance Graphic Designer
– Matt’s Occupation: Art Director, Advertising
– How You Met: Art School in Pittsburgh.
– Interesting Fact: We love coffee, we’re depressed that Hogwarts may or may not actually exist, cats should run the world (or do?), Matt’s an identical twin.
– Honeymoon: Backpacking in Europe
– Vendor Credits: Officiant – Jen Mastro (family friend). DJ – Adam Dibble from Encore Events. Florist – Kittleberger. Cake – Katie Beck. Caterer – Root Catering. Hair/Makeup – Rocky Grecco. Videographer – Mike Liu. Coordinator – Jenna with Bella Co.

Katie+Tony // Blacksburg, VA Wedding

We really need to get to perfecting the ability to shrink people down and put them in our pockets to carry around because I would definitely shrink Katie and Tony and bring them out to smile at me every once in a while. They both have infectious, super radiant smiles that are amplified when around each other, around family and friends, and around HokieBird, the Virginia Tech mascot that seems to be a giant turkey (who knew?). Their wedding was held at the expansive and beautiful property of the Beliveau Estate Winery in Blacksburg, Virginia and we were lucky enough to join them (and become very educated in the ways of the Hokies). Katie and Tony booked us a long time ago after a Skype meeting and a much-appreciated referral from our good friend Janice at Big Dog Little Bed Productions, and we were lucky enough to all get to work together as a big happy family on their wedding day, drones and all.

When we arrived at the winery, we already suspected Katie and Tony of being super stellar humans, but this was confirmed to us several times throughout the day by outside source as well as Katie and Tony themselves, who were SO NICE! And I told all wedding guests I met how beautiful Katie looked in her awesome wedding dress (all the sparkly gold wedding dresses, please!) and had two completely separate people tell me, “She’s beautiful inside and out.” So – it was confirmed. In addition, Katie’s Maid of Honor Laura told a fantastic little story about how she used to hang out at Katie’s apartment only to find her favorite foods inexplicably waiting for her, including pre-cut-up fruit, after Laura mentioned that fruit is a pain to prepare. I both identified with this story (fruit is a pain and I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks that) and found it wonderful that some people out there are still thoughtful, truly special people who listen and care about others in the way that Katie does. But it’s not even just Katie! Tony’s best man Dave told a story about how Tony once, without being asked, decided to help Dave’s family out by ironing Dave’s little sister’s tutu to help ease the pressure of them running a bit late. Laura also said that Tony helped her ride the subway to her new job in DC to show her the best way to get there. And we saw them do this all day. Smile at everyone, hug everyone, and be the nicest people in the room.

So… I’m sorry, everyone. But both Katie and Tony, two of the most selfless individuals we’ve had the pleasure of meeting, are already taken. And I feel like their relationship will just be one of those where they both show up after a long day and Katie will be like, “Tony, here is a milkshake I brought home for you to surprise you!” and Tony will laugh and be like, “But Katie, here is a milkshake I bought YOU!” and they will giggle and hug because that’s the kind of people they are and they’re proof the world is still a good place.

– Date: July 29, 2017
– Ceremony + Reception Venue: Beliveau Estate Winery // Blacksburg, VA
– First Dance Song: “You Are The Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
– Katie’s Occupation: Education Finance Researcher at Georgetown University
– Tony’s Occupation: Client Manager at Square One Bank
– How You Met: At a party! Fell in love over our shared admiration of hip hop.
– Interesting Fact: We’ve lived together in studio apartments for two years and still want to get married! We also went to the same college (Go Hokies!) at the same time and didn’t know each other.
– Vendor Credits: Officiant – Pamela Creekmur. DJ – Horizon Entertainment. Florist – DIY arrangements with flowers from Stonecrop Farmers. Desserts – Our Daily Bread. Caterer – Beliveau Estate Winery. Hair/Makeup – Polished by Clair V. Videographer – Big Dog Little Bed Productions.

Ashleigh+Rob // A Baltimore, MD Wedding

Ashleigh and Rob are every bit as wonderful and friendly and amazing as you’d think from looking at them. Everyone loves them, and so do we. Rob gave us the biggest bear hug when we met him in person for the first time the night before the wedding, even though I believe I immediately stuck my hand in one of his groomsmen’s plate of crab dip. And while on the dance floor the next day, some random girl I didn’t know said to me, “Look at Ashleigh. Isn’t she wonderful?! She is so genuine!” and I agreed wholeheartedly because YES SHE SERIOUSLY IS. They are so huggy! And smiley! And joyful and fun and everything good. We are quite happy to have worked with them, and excited to be back in Baltimore!

This was our most educational Baltimore experience. We’ve been there before visiting friends or seeing concerts, but this time we saw a lot of historical stuff too. There was a free ghost tour being offered in Fells Point and we took it because who in their right mind turns down a free ghost tour? And we learned a lot about the city! Also – did you know (unrelated to ghosts and probably the least important fact about Baltimore ever but one that I find the most amusing) that they have some sort of adorable trash machine that lives in their river, sorts garbage out via conveyor belt, and then a tug boat comes and removes the river dumpster full of trash? And that this contraption has large googley eyes and his name is Mr. Trash Wheel?! Look at him, he’s adorable.

So – we met some incredible people and saw an incredible trash wheel and stayed in an incredible city. Everyone here was SO NICE and we were treated like family. And the weather cooperated (yay!) and Ashleigh wore flat shoes and ran like a champion and look at her smile I love herrrr. And Rob is so nice and wonderful and lost his tie clip like 4 times but found it every time! We love you guys and have warm, fuzzy feelings toward Baltimore.

• Date: May 20, 2017
• Ceremony Venue: St. Casimir Church // Baltimore, MD
• Reception Venue: Richardson Farms // Hydes, MD
• First Dance Song: “First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes
• Ashleigh’s Occupation: Nurse/Student
• Rob’s Occupation: Accountant
• How You Met: We met through mutual friends while at a bar. Ashleigh loved Rob’s jokes & Rob loved that Ashleigh actually laughed at them all.
• Interesting Fact: We decided that 2017 was a good year to get married, buy a house, & go back to grad school. Yay adulting! :)
• Honeymoon: Amalfi Coast, Italy
• Vendor Credits: Officiant – Father Dennis Grumsey. Band – Sly 45. Florist – Holly Frisch. Cake – Lauren Lotz of Lotz of Sweets. Caterer – Richardson Farms. Hair – Brushing Bride. Makeup – Fleurt Beauty Company. Videographer – Brett Bye Videography. Coordinator – Robyn Burke.