wedding journal
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The coziest little spot on the Internet for inspiration, advice, and ideas for weddings in Boston and across New England.
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When it comes to weddings, there are some days that just feel magical from start to finish. Alix and Wiley’s wedding at Turner Hill in Ipswich was one of those rare and unforgettable occasions. From the couple’s radiant smiles to the flawless coordination of every detail, everything came together in a way that made this day simply perfect.
Turner Hill in Ipswich, with its stunning grounds and historic charm, provided the perfect backdrop for Alix and Wiley’s celebration. Nestled in the picturesque town of Ipswich, this venue combines the elegance of a classic New England estate with the warmth of rustic sophistication. The manicured gardens, grand estate, and sweeping views offered an unforgettable atmosphere for both the ceremony and reception.
Side note – if you haven’t been to Turner Hill yet, you’re missing out. It’s one of my favorite venues. With its unique blend of history and natural beauty, it offers something special for every couple.
Engagement Photos
When I first met Alix and Wiley, we instantly clicked. It felt like I had known them for a long time. Their personalities are so easygoing, kind, and filled with a deep respect for one another. And, let’s not forget, they are so cute and undeniably in love, it was a breeze working with them from start to finish. They made every moment effortless and fun, and their love for each other was truly inspiring.
And, to top it all off, Alix and Wiley brought their adorable pup along to both their engagement session and wedding day! She completely stole the show.
I realized I never posted about Alix and Wiley’s engagement photos…yikes! So, I wanted to share a few of those photos now. We also took these at Turner Hill, which provided a stunning, timeless backdrop for their engagement session. The couple was so natural in front of the camera, and we had such a fun time capturing their connection and excitement. Whether they were sharing a laugh, walking hand-in-hand, or simply enjoying each other’s company, their love for one another was clearly evident.
The Wedding Planning Queen
One of the things that truly stood out about this wedding was the planning process and all the credit goes to Alix. I have to give a huge shout-out to her because she deserves all the praise for the flawless execution of this day. Alix planned everything and I really mean everything. From the stunning invitations to custom cufflinks for the groom and matching pajamas for the bridal party, she put so much love and detail into every aspect of the celebration.
Alix truly has an eye for design and a knack for making everything feel personal and meaningful. The first dance, for instance, was beyond beautiful, they took dance lessons to ensure it was a moment that was unforgettable.
I’ve told Alix many times that she should seriously consider a career in wedding planning because she is a total natural. She made it look so effortless, but I know just how much thought and work went into bringing her vision to life.
The Wedding Day: Perfection in Every Moment
First Look with Dad
Alix and her dad share such a special bond, and their first look was one of the most emotional moments of the day. It was so beautiful to witness his pride and love for her as he saw her in her gown for the first time. It was a moment of pure joy and love, and I feel so grateful to have captured it.
First Look with Wiley
Alix’s first look with Wiley was absolutely breathtaking. She looked stunning, and his reaction was priceless. He was completely taken aback by her beauty. It was one of the best first looks I’ve ever seen because you could literally feel the excitement and anticipation for this next chapter of their lives together. And, of course, their pup joined them for this special moment too, adding an extra dose of cuteness to the scene.
A Special Moment at the 10th Hole
Right after the ceremony, we hopped into a golf cart and headed over to the 10th hole, where Wiley had previously asked for Alix’s father’s blessing. It was such a unique and memorable moment! The couple was able to tee off together, and their family and friends were able to watch from the ceremony site. This was particularly special because Alix and Wiley are members at Turner Hill and very involved with the club, so they were able to make this happen. It was such a cool experience, and I’m so glad they were able to incorporate a piece of their lives and memories into their wedding day.
A Day to Remember Forever
As the evening came to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on just how perfect everything turned out. Alix and Wiley’s wedding was a perfect blend of beauty, joy, love, and fun. A celebration that everyone will remember for years to come. From the heartfelt vows to the unforgettable first looks, and of course, the unforgettable moment on the golf course, it was a day to remember forever.
Thank you to Alix and Wiley for letting me be a part of their amazing day. It was truly an honor. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness!
The vendor that made the day seamless:
Photographer – @daniellelittlesphoto
Venue – @themansiononturnerhill
DJ – @begeventgroup
Videographer – @alexcole.photography
Florist- @justbloomdweddings
Caterer – @vinwoodcaterers
Dessert – @mayflour_
Make-up – @makeup.by.marlo
Hair – @faithdoeshair__style
Dress – @flairboston
Suits – @gibleesmenswear
Invitations – designed by bride and art by @ezymba_art
2nd shooter – @heatherlittlefieldphoto
Content creator – @marriedandsocial
If you’re getting married at Turner Hill in Ipswich, we should totally connect!
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One of my favorites parts of editing is seeing the image come to life. Enhancing and making the colors pop, removing any unwanted items from the image and creating a beautiful final image. In this blog post Before and After: Engagement Photos, you’ll see how I transformed these RAW images to the final edit.
It all begins with the raw, unfiltered beauty of your original engagement photos. The Seaport District provides a stunning canvas, with its iconic cityscape and waterfront views. Each photo is a snapshot of a special moment frozen in time, but there’s always room for enhancement.
Process:
- Color Correction: The first step is to enhance the colors to make your photos pop. I carefully adjust the saturation, contrast, and brightness to ensure that every detail shines through, creating a vibrant and visually appealing image. My signature editing is true to color so rather than change the color, I want to give them more life!
- Background Enhancements: While the Seaport District is beautiful, there are objects in the background that I don’t want in the final image. Those might be trash cans, other people, umbrellas, a street sign or my sister holding an umbrella over the couple (check out the last photo.) The goal is to accentuate the romantic ambiance without losing the authenticity of the location.
- Skin Retouching: Everyone wants to look their best in their engagement photos. My retouching ensures that blemishes are smoothed, skin tones are evened out, and any imperfections are gently corrected, while still preserving the natural beauty of your unique features.
Your engagement is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of love. The Seaport District provides the perfect backdrop for your images. With a sprinkle of digital magic, I bring out the best in your photos, ensuring that each image reflects the beauty of your love story.
When you hire me as your photographer, I take the time to make sure your images are the best they can be! If that’s what your looking for, let’s chat!
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Sarah and Nick’s wedding at the Publick House in Sturbridge was a beautiful celebration of love and commitment.
I first met Sarah & Nick for their engagement photos (you can read about that here), and I knew from the moment we met that we were meant to work together.
If you haven’t been to the Publick House, you are missing out! It’s charming colonial architecture and scenic location in the heart of Sturbridge, was the perfect venue for their spring wedding. Stepping outside to the grounds, the lush greenery and blooming flowers in May provided a stunning backdrop for the ceremony and reception.
The ceremony was held outside, with the sun shining down on the couple and their guests. The vows were heartfelt and emotional, it was clear they were meant to be together.
Following the ceremony the reception was held under the tent which is beautiful and the decorations were spot on.
Afterward they had a hot dog/sausage cart brought out around 9PM. And let me tell you, it was the perfect snack for my drive home!
The amazing vendors!
Photographer – Danielle Littles Photography
Venue – The Publick House
DJ – Jeff Fowler
Invitations – Truly Engaging
Dress – Marianne’s Bridal
Suits – Men’s Wearhouse
Make-up – Beauty by Jillian
Hair – Hair By Stephanie Marie
Thanks for reading Publick House Wedding in Sturbridge: A Dreamy Spring Wedding
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Over the years first looks have become very popular but why?
So what is a first look?
The first look is when the soon-to-be married couple see each other for the first time on their wedding day before the ceremony.
When I got married 5 years ago, I wish I had known more about the first look. We weren’t able to capture all of the photos we wanted and 5 years later, I am still bummed out. I believe if we had done a first look, we would have been able to get all of our must-have photos!
Ok, so you know what the first look is. Let’s talk about why you should do it!
1. Private moment with your significant other.
You’ll realize at the end of your wedding day, that you’ve barely had any time with your spouse. Yes, you’ll be with them during the ceremony, photos and reception but there is so much going on during that time that you won’t have had a moment to yourselves. The first look creates that moment.
2. You can get the majority of your photos taken before the ceremony.
I believe that this is one of the biggest perks to having the first look. As I mentioned before, I believe if my husband and I had done a first look for our wedding, we would have all the images we wanted.
Cocktail hours usually aren’t long enough for family, wedding party and the new married couple to all have the photos done. You may not be able to mingle with your guests during cocktail hour.
Ask any photographer, we hate to feel like we don’t have enough time for your must-have photos!
3. Calms the nerves.
I don’t think it matters who, you’re going to have some nerves on your wedding day, I know I did! Seeing your soon-to-be husband or wife beforehand can make the nerves disappear. All of my couples have felt less nervous after!
Sounds great, right?!
You’re probably wondering what the downside to the first look is, and although there are things to consider, I still think the first look is a must! But let’s talk a little about what to consider.
1. You’ll need to get ready earlier.
Ideally, you’ll want the first look to take place 1.5-2 hours before the ceremony. This means you’ll need to get ready earlier. Depending on your ceremony start time, this tricky.
During your wedding consultation, let’s chat about this to see how we can fit the first look in your timeline (if that’s what you want!)
2. Possible challenges with lighting.
The best time for lighting is about an hour after sunrise and before sunset. Most people aren’t getting married at 7/8PM at night so most first looks are happening around 1/2PM. The lighting isn’t the best, but that shouldn’t stop you!
