I’ve had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Lillian as well.  During the past couple of years, we jetted back and forth to Vancouver with regularity, being with Sherman’s dad as his health declined.  Amid these often tough times, Lillian would call us up, take us out, shower love on our kiddos, and make us feel happy.  We were thrilled when she introduced us to Ken.  Theirs is a true love story–they met while Ken was vacationing in Vancouver from his home in the U.K.  Despite the long-distance, they were determined to be together.  And now they are!

They had the best kind of wedding.  A beautiful setting.  An intimate group of dear friends.  An emotional ceremony.  Heartfelt, hilarious toasts.  Yummy cake.  Children passing out next to the dance floor.  Delightful!

I’ve been to a couple of Canadian weddings now, and they have two great traditions that I think we Americans should adopt.  First, they sign the marriage certificate during the ceremony.  Second, they insist upon a “midnight snack” toward the end of the reception (cupcakes, in this case).  Awesome ideas, eh?!

As both the photographer and a guest at this wedding, I relied greatly on my talented second photographer, Niki Flynn.  I met Niki over the internet via a lucky but unlikely set of someone-I-know-knows-someone-you-know connections.  It was an awesome fit.  All of the fantastic details shots (other than the first two) are hers.  I especially love the image she made of the bouquet and of the lodge at dusk.  She also covered the groom’s preparations and most of the dancing (as you’ll see, I’m even in the background swirling the kiddos).  Aren’t her images of the father of the groom and the couple’s first dance especially striking?  Niki is delightful to work with and we quickly felt like we went way back–despite meeting each other the day before the wedding.  (And for my family and friends, this means you can catch a rare glimpse of the Zemler Wu’s in this gallery!)

Congratulations, Lil and Ken.  I’m honored to be part of your lives.

For Paul and Lauren’s Gown Around Town session, the destination wasn’t hard to decide.  They got married (as did I) at the Roger Williams Park Casino, which is inside Providence’s Roger Williams Park–one of the most spectacular urban parks in the nation.  We combed the full park–swan boats, awesome tree, little red school house, and the Temple to Music, just as the sun went down.  I wish I got to do a session like this with every couple I work with–a photographer’s dream come true!  Thanks, Paul and Lauren!

…GRACIOUS FANS!  IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE LEAVE A LITTLE LOVE IN THE COMMENTS HERE ON THE BLOG!…

Ashley and Eric share an awesome, playful spirit.  I love their sense of humor, which definitely carried over into their photos.  Check out Eric surrounded by bridesmaids, Ashley ‘pouting,’ and the newlyweds sharing their first taste of cake.   As the photos reveal, they laughed their way through the day.

Ashley’s attention to detail (with the help of her lovely mother Laura, who looked amazing in her off-the-shoulder gown) brought a true beauty to the wedding.  Ashley’s bouquet included exquisite pink orchids.  Their cake had tiny waves in the frosting, completing a sea-side theme.  The chocolate fountain was a huge hit and made the ballroom smell delicious.   My personal favorite was the basket of flip flops beside the dance floor, making sure no one would be slowed down by uncomfortable footwear!

With such a happy couple, it was (of course) a very happy party.  The perfect ending to this perfect day?  A sparkler-lit exit, and off to honeymoon in Greece…

Congratulations, Ashley and Eric!  What a wonderful wedding.  Can’t wait to show you the rest at the viewing…

P.S.  As always, a special thanks to the rest of my photographic team.  Sherman assisted with skill and style.  Brenda Cooney was again by my side.  She is the creative vision behind the great shot of the bridesmaids helping Ashley with her dress, the moment when Laura sees Ashley, the singer in the church balcony, the super-modern handholding shot with just a tiny sliver of the bride and groom, and the touching black and white of Ashley and Eric’s last dance.  I am so grateful to Brenda for sharing her talents!

I had the distinct pleasure of photographing Paul and Lauren’s wedding and reception at Roger Williams Park earlier this month.  I love weddings (a big part of why I veered toward wedding photography!), but their day was particularly special to me.  My husband Sherman and I were also married at Roger Williams, now almost seven years ago.  The park is filled with wonderful memories for us, and I felt a unique sense of joy and creative energy in photographing another happy couple getting married there.

Paul and Lauren’s romance began nearly nine years ago, so their families were particularly pleased that they were “finally!” getting around to tying the knot.  It was surely an event worth waiting for.  Although the day continually threatened rain, we cautiously went outdoors to the park’s Rose Garden for portraits–then continued to cross our fingers through the outdoor ceremony.  The rain held off and the overcast skies and damp leaves made for fantastic photography.  We even managed to stay outdoors, taking advantage of the bandstand and bridge for portraits after the wedding (about the time we finished, the storm let loose–our timing was just about perfect).

Paul and Lauren had a love birds motif, so our photos of the rings and the “lucky sixpence” in Lauren’s shoe had to take advantage to the lovely feathered friends they used in the decor (and on top of their cake–too cute!).  The wedding party, including the adorable brother/sister ring bearer/flower girl pair Zachary and Natalie, brought an awesome energy to the day.  Many of my favorite shots include the wedding party; they kept Paul and Lauren (as well as the photographers) laughing all day long.  Well, except for the touching and heartfelt toasts.  Not a dry eye to be found then!

Paul and Lauren, thanks for the honor of joining in your day.  It’s been our pleasure to get to know you.  Many happy returns!

P.S.  Photographer Brenda Cooney covered Paul and Lauren’s wedding with me.  She’s responsible for the fantastic coverage of the groom and groomsmen on the porch before the ceremony.  The gorgeous shot of Natalie in the garden is hers.  And she always rocks the cake shot.

P.P.S.  My darling husband Sherman assisted.  He couldn’t be kept away from a Roger Williams Park Wedding.  And nobody maneuvers a reflector or video light like he does.

The full set of images from Paul and Lauren’s wedding is now available for online viewing.  Click here to see!

Brad and Sarah had a spectacular day for their wedding.  The bride began at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge for hair and makeup with the ladies, while the groom and his men were at his mom’s in Quincy.  Sarah was well-prepared for “old, new, borrowed, and blue”:  her dress and hairpiece were both updated vintage pieces, customized just for her.  I think you’ll agree the results are stunning.  Equally stunning–Sarah’s very tall navy blue shoes, with lovely bows occasionally peaking out from under her swish skirt.

The aptly named “bridesmen,” Sarah’s four brothers, joined her side of the party–along with two lovely bridesmaids.  On Brad’s side, his two brothers and four additional groomsmen–but not a sister to be found in the bunch.  Their ceremony was at Old South Church in Copley Plaza, a grand and sacred space.  At the reception at the Royal Sonesta, Brad’s brothers delivered among the best toasts I’ve yet heard.  Mostly, the crowd was rolling in laughter, but with one big group “awwww….” moment:  the couple met because of the television show Lost, which fittingly aired its final episode the day after the wedding.  As Brad’s brother told us, for this pair, the more fitting title is “Found.”

Congratulations, Brad and Sarah!  From scotch in the limo to the photo booth/guest book and beyond, you put together a fabulous event.  Wishing you a lifetime of happiness ahead…

P.S.  I had the pleasure of capturing this wedding with two spectacular fellow photographers.  My frequent photographic partner Brenda Cooney joined me in covering Sarah, while Jocelyn Mathewes of Studio Mathewes captured the groom’s preparations.  They both brought their eyes to many beautiful details and awesome moments of emotion.  Thanks, ladies, for sharing your wonderful talents!

P.P.S.  Friends and family of Brad and Sarah, follow this link to purchase prints from their day.  The full set of images from the event will be available for viewing beginning on Sunday, July 25 (after the happy couple has had first chance at seeing them!).  Please stop back then!