Kerri & Chris, Married; Brookfield, CT

Kerri and Chris were married two weeks ago at St. Mary’s church in Bethel, and had a reception to follow at The Candlewood Inn in Brookfield, CT.  I’m not really sure where to start with this post because this wedding was a complete and udder blast!  The Bride and Groom were stunning, and glowing, the Priest was the funniest guy I have ever met, the light was perfect, the photo booth was off the hizzy, AND (as if all of that wasn’t enough) the dance floor was INSANE!  Seriously what more do you ask for at a wedding?  Oh…and I almost forgot…I completely feel in love with Kerri’s dad!  This guy has got to be the coolest dad on the planet (After my father of course ((WINK WINK)))!  From the moment I met him I was hooked.  At all of my weddings, there’s always someone (usually one of the groom’s men) that gives me a hard time, and I know right then that they are my play mate for the day!  This day…it was Kerri’s dad…..and I had a ball

Also wanted to give a big Thank You to Athena Blude’ for 2nd shooting on this one!

So here are some of the details for all of you wondering…

Hair: Kate & Emilies Salon

Makeup: Adam Broderick

Gown: Occasions Bridal

Reception Venue: The Candlewood Inn

DJ: DTM Productions

Videographer: DVP Video

And without further chit chat….

We started at the salon and then moved to Kerri’s parents house in Bethel.

As I started roaming the house to find a spot to hang the dress, I saw out in the back yard there was a load of laundry on the line outside.  I immediately smiled and told Joe I knew exactly what to do with the dress!  As I headed out Kerri’s dad followed and began to try to clear the laundry so I could get a “nice” shot of the dress.  I asked him to leave the laundry (of course) but promised I would get a nice one just for him. So for the post I had a hard time choosing!  Normally I would never include 4 dress shots, but now that Joe is shooting with me…there is more to share!  Joe’s is the bottom right.

The two first shots below are also Joe’s of  Kerri getting into her dress.

This was also one of my favorite shots from the “getting ready” part of the day.  As a photographer you’re always trying to shoot those same important moments, because those are the ones that your clients expect, but as an artist, you have to do it in a new way.  It can be a struggle to stay fresh and new, but I am finding it a very rewarding challenge

Here is an Athena grouping.  She was with the guys and got some really great stuff of them getting ready.  I love the one of Chris and his dad in the middle!

Here is Kerri in all of her glory!  I think my favorite thing about Kerri through the entire process was how laid back she was.  Really the perfect bride!  Not so laid back that it created chaos, and not so attentive that that it caused stress…just somewhere right in the middle!

Joe grabbed this shot from the balcony of Chris and his brother waiting for Kerri.  I thought it was a nice change from the close ups I always get.

Again this is not a typical shot for me to put on the blog, but I thought it was really cool and it tells a story….

The ceremony ended a bit early so we had some time for extra portraits…however, it was as hot outside as it was on the surface of the sun….so we decided to go back to Kerri’s parents house, where there was plenty of shade, and we took a few shots.

We then headed back to the Candlewood Inn and began to take the remaining formal shots.

During the formals, some of the most fun shots for us as photographers come during those in between moments, as people are gathering and chatting…I took a great candid of Kerri on the left and Joe caught the one of Chris on the right.

I think this one is my favorite of the day…There is just something to be said about that tree and the way it catches the light off of the lake.

Obviously with a name like O’Connor, it’s to be expected that there is going to be some Irish (and Scottish) flare added to this wedding.  The Bag pipes playing in the background during cocktail hour was great.  I don’t know what it is about a man in a kilt, but I’m just saying…

So this is just a disclaimer.  Kerri is not crying in this shot.  She is actually laughing because both of the toasts were completely hilarious!  When you have been together as long as these two there is bound to be a laundry list of things to bring up and Chris’s brother and Kerri’s sister had no problems doing it.  It was really funny watching these two react to all of the funny stories.

Yup…you guessed it…this is where I cried!  Cause Kerri’s dad is AWESOME…and you can tell that they are super close, and I just loved these few moments between them.  Like no one else was there.  I also adore the shot on the right of Chris dancing with his mom.  They had to of taken lessons or something cause they were so in sync with one another.  I just loved this photo because I think it really captured the mood and the fun loving relationship these two obviously have.

We go outside for evening light…..I get butter people!

So just like everything else there is a story behind this.  I indicated earlier that Kerri and Chris have been together FOREVER…..like since high school…..or when dinosaurs roamed, take your pick.  This is actually a framed picture that they had from their prom…which also happened to be held at The Candlewood Inn…too funny huh?

I absolutly loved this ring shot….Athena had the idea to use the four leaf clovers that Kerri had used for her favors, and after a little while of playing, I got this one…

In closing I just want to say…Thank you Kerri and Chris for including me and team BTL on your wedding day!  It was so much fun, and an honor to be a part of it!!!

Ohh and there will be a photo booth post coming shortly!