I am still editing the text of this story. If you see a mistake, trust me I am on it. Read on!!
I broke a rule last night by publishing these photos without the story behind it. I thought about this all night and woke this morning that I could not go on with my day unless I told you about the day that Johnanne and Brett had for their wedding this past weekend at Eastover Farm in Rochester, Massachusetts.
First off let me say that both Johnanne and Brett are cool people. Each of our appointments were jovial and fun. To read her review that it was like a dream was indeed a dream come true for me.
The weddings that I do at Eastover Farms require tenting. All week long before the wedding it called for rain....and lots of it. That makes a wedding planner and designer nervous when the party is going to be outdoors. Even right up until Friday, I had my hand on my speed dial to Chase Canopy, one of my signature partners, to be on stand by for some last minute changes.
Well none of that ever happened. It was a most perfect day. From about eleven in the morning on it just got better and better by the hour.
There are always nerves in the air on the day of a wedding, to expect anything less would be insanity right? My groom showed up early and went over a few last minute details with regard to his whiskey bar that we together had planned and designed. Brett, the groom, of course supplying the whiskey of his choice. I now know that Jamenson's is his drink of choice.
After getting the details out of the way, I had time prior to the ceremony to pull off the formal portraits of the family, yes I was the photographer too on this wedding. The weather was just too good not to get Brett and Johnanne out into the rolling fields surrounded by stately 17th century stone walls. She looked amazing in her retro silhouette gown that was embellished with seed pearls and fabric flowers. The little braid that completed her hair met perfectly with the fresh flowers that I had especially prepared for her to wear in her romantic updoo. ( is updo actually a word?)
She carried a lush bouquet of sunflowers and field cut posies. She asked me at the last minute if I would help her affix a beautiful ivory and cocoa cameo that was her grandmothers to her bouquet. I did, and it make it perfect.
We spent a good hour out on the farm working the photoshoot. They were both so good, laughing, being romantic, excited for the ceremony that was minutes to come. It made my job as the photographer really easy. They were both willing to do whatever it took to get amazing wedding photography, they did and it shows.
The tone of the wedding of course is set in the details. The first detail that always announces the wedding is of course either the Save the Date or the Invitation. For this lovely wedding, I worked with another of my signature partners, Kelli at A'Deux. She and I have this thing going on (singing, we got a thiiiiiiinnnnggg, going ooonnn, I think that it is Al Greene.). We get each other so well. I can tee almost anything up and she inevitably will knock it out of the park. You can see the signature program that she created along with the rest of the stationery suite for this wedding. I loved that she worked with the bride to create a program that included a crossword puzzle with fun facts about the bride and groom. What guest doesn't like something to do while they wait for the bride right? So cute!!
Another major design detail was the use of denim. We were on a farm and it worked so well. When in Rome right. The bridesmaids wore a slip cut denim dresses and carried farm flowers similar to the bride. The junior bridesmaid, looked lovely in a vintage lace, sash waisted dress. They all were awesome to work with, striking their poses, smiling with their eyes, total top model style. I almost felt like Nigel Barker. Hey I am bald.
When you are married out on a farm you can forget the silk linens and chivari chairs. The look calls for more rustic, simple styling. Of course they fire pit with hay bale seating sets to tone for guests to chill. As guests made their way past the entrance table which displayed blackboards for guest seating and guest sign ins. I am not a huge fan of the traditional guest book. There are so many other creative things that you can do for your guests to leave their "impressions" with you for the rest of your lives. I am especially fond of Brett and Johnanne so as a wedding gift I had my original rendering of their event matted displayed it so guests could sign on the matte. Many guests asked who drew it, when I said that I did, they always laughed. When I assured them I had, they always looked at me with disbelief. Yes I am the guy who does that too.
Ok this is where it gets a little dangerous. You see all this whiskey? At the end of the night there was very little left. What does that mean? Tipsy guests, totally tipsy groom. Good Times!!! There was a big party going on. Guests were jammin in the tent to tunes blasting on our ipod sound system. And a whole other set of guests were outside, chillin, smokin cigars and enjoying the heat and smell of the fire.
I am a Rochester Boy too. I totally want to sing the theme song from the Dukes of Hazard (Just a good Ol' Boy, never meaning no harm) when I see this picture. The brides brothers and a family friend enjoying a little guy time with out wives and kids. Just enough time to chill out before we surprised them again........with fireworks. What an end to the night. Congratulations my friends Johnanne and Brett, you are both so nice, so made for each other. My best and love, always, CMP
