As Nicole and Ian's September wedding at the Guilford Yacht Club approached, the forecast was wind and rain with Hurricane Lee churning just offshore. Yet when the day arrived, fortune smiled upon us. Lee turned north, sparing us the rain and treating us to dramatic skies. A perfect backdrop for this wonderful union!
Arriving at Nicole's corner suite at the Omni New Haven Hotel, I was thrilled to see all the beautiful window light and could feel the energy buzzing in the room as preparations began. Nicole's bridesmaids and mother helped her into her Mariella Creations gown while I took some detail shots of all her special items.
With whipping winds at the beach early in the day, we pivoted to the shelter of Yale's gorgeous gothic stone buildings for Nicole and Ian's first look and bridal party portraits.
Nicole tapped Ian on the shoulder for an emotional first glimpse of his beaming bride. The soaring halls and sturdy stone walls that have weathered centuries at Yale were a meaningful metaphor for marriage - strong and enduring through any storms, yet filled with beauty and grandeur.
The seaside ceremony showcased the natural beauty of the waterfront venue. All eyes were on Nicole and Ian as they stood in a living Monet painting. The scene was made even more magical by the floral artistry of Luck of Bolton Farms. Blooms of Hydrangeas, dahlias, and other seasonal greenery lined the Arbor.
They exchanged heartfelt vows, with a lot of laughter, and sealed the ceremony with a passionate kiss.
We surprised the guests with a group photo right after the ceremony. The bridal party walked to the back of all the guests. We had everyone turn around in their seats and then took a photo of the whole wedding from the balcony of the yacht club. It turned out to be one of our favorite shots.
We took a bunch of extended family and group photos during the cocktail hour. Even Jonathan the Husky from Uconn made an appearance. The light and the sunset were growing more incredible by the minute so I tried to get those done as fast as possible. I wanted as much time as possible with the bride and groom in that epic setting. You’ll see what I mean when you scroll down.
Having visited exotic locales across the globe, Nicole and Ian brought a travel theme to their wedding reception. Each table paid homage to a favorite city from their adventures together, with decor transporting guests on a world tour. Both family and friends made heartfelt toasts and the night continued as you’d expect. Until….!
A giant robot glowing robot made a surprise appearance on the dance floor. I think that might have been a node to Tokyo. Haha.
It was an amazing day with great people, congratulations to Ian & Nicole. I hope you all enjoy the photos!
I listed all the amazing vendor's info in case anything caught your eye.Â
Guilford Yacht Club -Â Alison Wehrle -Â 203-458-3048
The yacht club provided a picture-perfect waterfront venue for an unforgettable wedding.
The BeaHive Salon -Â Mel Gonzalez -Â 860-713-8688
Nicole's hair was perfection for her big day. Mel did an amazing job with hair for the whole bridal party as well. Very talented stylist! Thank you for your beautiful work.
Kiss and Makeup CT -Â Adrienne -Â 480-205-0283
Pam Contreras (Owner) -Â 860-830-4344
Adrienne's makeup skills are fantastic. She made the bride feel absolutely beautiful.
Thanks for enhancing her natural beauty.
Mariella Creations -Â Dora -Â 860-529-8558
Nicole felt like a princess in her dress. Thank you for making her feel beautiful.
Duchess of Desserts -Â Karla Thompson -Â 914-275-3415
The cake was not only gorgeous but delicious. Thank you for a sweet treat.
MNE Events -Â Gary "G.Money" Bass -Â 959-282-3071
The dancefloor was rocking all night thanks to your stellar DJ and hosting skills! Excellent energy and service.
Laser Show USA Corp -Â Alena -315-400-0400
The LED Robot shooting a smoke machine was a crazy fun surprise and brought the whole crowd to the dancefloor!