This one is probably my favorite!

Bena and Ruoshi have this respect for each other that I think runs deep. They are young, but they are very wise!

And they’re also playful at the same time!

When asked what made them work well as a couple, they emphasized simplicity, compatibility, and similar faiths and cultural backgrounds

We also had some portraits by the Charles river, which was where Ruoshi proposed

You guys are just so wonderful and laid-back, I’ll see you very soon!

Thank you Kendra for helping out!

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Luci chose this beautiful plum-colored gown from Clair La Faye and I adore the hair fascinator she had, too. It is stunning on her!

Luci and Owen opted to have their portraits done all prior to the ceremony. We walked all around Harvard Yard and took plenty of time to relax, have fun, and laugh!

The light was so good that day! Also, Luci DIYed all her flowers. It was the perfect season for peonies and billy balls

SO much gorgeousness!

The weather was so perfect that day. We were holding our breath because it rained a lot that week

The family members joined us for the ceremony in the rose garden

This was a great moment during the ceremony when the officiant had them examine each others’ hands and said some beautiful words along with it

We had some fun time doing the family portraits! I know I don’t show a lot of family wedding photos on this blog, but yes, I typically spend about 20 – 30 minutes on them during most weddings as most people request them. As much as I capture in a photojournalistic style, documenting, in a more traditional manner, the families who are there, is very important, too

How incredible are all their shoes?!?!

Luci and her sisters are so much fun

This spiral staircase in the Harvard Faculty Club is so awesome. Even more awesome because it matches Luci’s dress

Then the guests began to arrive

A couple more!  I’m so happy to see Owen really get into the photos too

The dinner reception consisted of delicious food, fun toasts where Luci and Owen introduced everyone, and a game where guests had to guess in which years these old photographs were taken

Details round-up! And this wedding was nothing but short of stylish. Applause also to the staff at Harvard Faculty Club for being so professional in setting everything up

Row 1: Table centerpiece details. The centerpieces contained peonies, roses, and other fresh details, and were contained in beautiful mint julep cups
Row 2: Orchid on the coffee table, Chinese takeout box favors, centerpiece
Row 3: Detail of the favors, another centerpiece shot
Row 1: This is one of the most fun wedding guestbooks I’ve seen! The two dolls on the right represented Luci and Owen, and on each spread they were photographed doing something that Luci and Owen loved, such as eating Japanese food. I believe Luci’s sisters put this together for them
Row 2: Escort cards, dessert buffet from Whole Foods, lamb chop appetizer – the food at the Harvard Faculty Club is absolutely delicious, I cannot recommend it highly enough
Row 3: More appetizers and dessert buffet

Fun fact – just a couple of days after the wedding I ran into Luci and Owen while walking around downtown Boston! Thank you for letting me there as part of your beautiful day and thank you for your warm friendship. Your friends respect you guys a lot, as do I, and I wish you nothing but the best!

Vendors:

Venue and catering: The Harvard Faculty Club
Dress: Clair La Faye
Rings: Seababe Jewelry
Suit: J. Crew
Flowers: DIY, supplied by Bridgewater Gardens and Petali Flowers
Make-up and hair: Jathar Salon
Dessert buffet: Whole Foods

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I fell head over heels for Diana’s birdcage veil which is adorned with a fabric and feather flower fascinator. It really completed her modern look! Her dress was a Jasmine from Camilla’s Bridal

Diana and her bridesmaids got ready in a room at the MIT Faculty Club. There were large windows and the light streaming through was just perfect

Also, Carolina and her team, From Hair to Eternity, another one of my favorites, provided the makeup and hair for the bride and bridemaids.  Carolina, you’re so wonderful!

The bridesmaids wore cute dark blue strapless dresses with a bubble hem, all from Zara!

We did all the portraits (First Look, family, wedding party, ones of just the bride and groom) before the wedding ceremony – and it gave Diana and Greg ample time to spend with their guests during cocktail hour. I really encourage everyone to try to get as many portraits done before as possible if you value having more time with your guests – including a First Look

The next two photos are extra sweet as they are with the respective grandmothers.

Greg’s grandmother loved the kiss so much she said, “Do it again!”

The bridal party was energetic and up to my crazy antics. It was boiling hot that day so I was definitely trying to get them inside as soon as possible!

We took photos all around the MIT campus. I love this campus. Diana is currently a Ph.D. student there

This couple is just too gorgeous

It’s so fun playing with Diana’s dress too!

One more with that window light. Can’t get enough of it!

The ceremony was held at the MIT Faculty Club as well, officiated by a preferred vendor of mine, Jean Ellis-La Bossiere! I think it’s really cool that Greg is walked down by his parents

Uncles from both sides participated as well – Diana’s uncle gave a reading in Slovak (Diana is Slovak), and Greg’s uncle sang in German (Greg is German)

Diana’s parents and grandmother reacting to the beautiful song

The professionals who were at the MIT Faculty Club were really quite amazing. Nina, thank you for being so on top of things and making everything run so smoothly!

During cocktail hour, there was a really great display at the escort card table – two large photo trees showing photos from Diana and Greg’s younger years. Everyone particular got a kick out of the one where Greg looked like John Lennon

This is the gorgeous view of the Boston skyline from the reception room. This is why I love this town so much

The staff at the MIT Faculty Club and Orchids N’ Blooms set up this jaw-dropping reception. The table linen is sheer with navy blue swirls to match the white and navy blue wedding colors

And here’s the dip during the first dance!

Diana and Greg and her families were endlessly fun, I did not want to leave the wedding!

I turned off the flash for this picture to show the amazingness that is the couple behind RC Uplighting, my new friends! The colors went from amber to blue during the night and really adds a whole level of modern color to the reception

Diana’s parents showed some very lively Slovak dancing!

The ringbearer was a bundle of exploding energy

Mike Gent of Murray Hill Talent DJed the event. I thought his tall and thin speakers were really cool, you can barely see them!

The reception went on with a mixture of lively American AND Slovak music. I love multi-cultural experiences!

The guests also got to enjoy a dessert buffet of Slovak treats

More details and inspiration!

Row 1: the wedding cake (from Icing on the Cake), bridesmaid bouquet, groom’s boutonnière
Row 2: Flower displays at reception and ceremony
Row 3: Detail from Diana and Greg’s letterpressed invitations, Diana’s bouquet

Row 1: Wedding program, more reception table
Row 2: Inter-course sorbet, menu, the guestbook that I custom-designed!
Row 3:  Beer with customized labels as wedding favors, the ceremony setup

Thank you guys so much for your love, your friendship, and for being so awesome to be around. I wish you two nothing but joy and an amazing life together. From what I’ve learned from your friends, I expect nothing less!

The vendors:

Venue and catering: MIT Faculty Club, Nina Matthews, Catering Director
Cake: Icing on the Cake
Dress: Jasmine from Camilla’s Bridal
Rings: Bride’s rings are from Blue Nile, groom’s from E.B. Horn
Bridesmaid dresses: Zara
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse
Florist: Orchids ‘N Blooms
Make-up and hair: From Hair to Eternity
DJ: Mike Gent of Murray Hill
Ceremony guitarist: Lindsay Straw
Upllighting: RC Uplighting
Shang’s assistant: Nithya Sharma

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Nancy’s beautiful features were enhanced by the expert work of Ligia from Makeovers by Ligia. I’m so happy at how natural it all looked!

I really like their natural smiles. I kept telling them how they were such an easy couple to photograph because they were not afraid of the camera!

These blossoms are super dreamy

Delicious light, check!

The architecture of this building on the Harvard Law School campus is amazing.
Funny little known fact about myself – there’s a parking lot next to this building. I once dented a parked car here while trying to pick up equipment for an undergrad retreat!

What did I tell ya about shoes? Most ladies who follow my blog know my obsession with awesome shoes

This seal manatee (clearly, I’m not a biologist) with the duck hat is actually something that Andy wanted to bring, and I think it perfectly describes them – cute and quirky!

We went by the Charles River Esplanade, the Boston side, to wrap up the shoot.

This is my favorite image of the session. These flowers don’t stay around long!

Nancy and Andy, best of luck this summer as you continue planning your wedding, and Andy, congratulations on finishing law school! Wishing you guys the best!

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Ernie, I just have to make it clear, your smile is GREAT!

I totally dig Anna’s jewelry and dress. Great combination!

Yay sun!

I rarely show out-of-focus images but this one was intentional. Anna in particular chose this image because of the softness. You should check out a great post she has on A Softer New YorkI think this is my fav!

Thank you Anna and Ernie, it was so much fun hanging out with you!

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The following bridal shoot was a collaboration between me and the following listed vendors, all of whom have donated their valuable time and resources to make this shoot a beautiful experience. Thank you also to our models Kendra and Tina (who are both real brides! Kendra will be married next year and Tina was recently married), and to my assistants Maria and Christina, for making it happen.

Makeup: Makeovers by Ligia – a Shang Chen Photography preferred vendor, check out my interview with her at the end of this post!
Hair: Updos by Ann (updosbyann[at]verizon.net)
Florals: Bumble Bee Landing – a Shang Chen Photography preferred vendor
Venue: The Charles Hotel

Ligia applying makeup. Her work is meticulous

This is Kendra’s ring. It is custom-made in Boston’s jeweler’s building

Ann and Ligia placing finishing touches on Kendra

Loving the gorgeous light as Tina stretches out her veil – her dress was custom-made by a Parsons dressmaker

Bumble Bee Landing’s Dana’s work never ceases to wow everyone. She created two different bouquets that matched the brides’ style – modern glam for Tina and vintage for Kendra

The shoes are getting some love too. I was especially drawn to the fun ruffles on Tina’s shoes

Gorgeous!

Some up-close detail of Kendra

Kendra got her veil at an antique fair for $20! It was a perfect match to her Monique Lhuiller dress

There are many, many more images that I can’t fit here, so check them out at my fan page!

Interview with Ligia, a Boston wedding makeup artist:

Q: How did you start getting into wedding makeup?
A: I started doing bridal makeup by working for a hair and makeup company, and after gaining substantial experience, I decided to go solo.

Q: What type of makeup do you prefer and what brands do you like to use?
A: I usually opt for brands that do the job efficiently and are long-lasting, and by efficiently I mean brands that do not give you that “cakey” feeling and that photograph well.  It’s very important to me that women are made up, they look good in person and in pictures as well.  Among my favorite lines are MAC and Bobbi Brown.

Q: How would you describe your makeup style? What is your philosophy when it comes to wedding makeup?
A: My makeup style is simple, yet non-traditional.  When it comes to a bride, she should look like herself, flawless and more polished.  This look can be achieved not only with neutral but with bold colors as well.  In spite of the traditional bridal trends, colors such as reds can be used, as long as there is a balance between the eyes and the lips.

Q: How far in advance should brides look to book their makeup artist, and would you recommend a trial?
A: I recommend that brides book their makeup artist three to four months in advance if their wedding is during the wedding peak season (May through August).  Booking a trial is essential, because it is during this session that the artist gets a sense of the bride’s personal style, and tailors for her a look that is duplicated on the day of the wedding.

Q: Do you ever do more than one wedding a day?
A: Occasionally, I do two weddings in one day, depending on the times of the events and the distance between the venues.

Q: Tell me what you love about working on makeup especially for brides, and why did you choose to specialize in weddings?
A: What I love mostly about doing makeup is the boost of confidence I give ordinary women, particularly the ones who wear very little or no makeup.   Sometimes a simple look can make someone not only look beautiful, but also feel beautiful.

A big thank you again to everyone who has made this possible. Go team!

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We chose the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA as our location on a very cold winter weekend because it is the alma mater of Naimish.

Rebecca is currently in her residency in internal medicine, I thought the red stethoscope was a really cute touch

Portraits like these are so endearing because the couple here is so natural in a candid moment. I typically have them sit together and maybe I’ll say something funny, but it’s mostly unprompted. Actually, I probably wasn’t funny, but I like it when my clients laugh!

Can you tell I’m obsessed with the entrance lobby in building 7? I used to spend some childhood time here because my father used to be a professor in building 5 and this is where I entered to visit him

Sending secret messages with matching iPhones? This was Rebecca’s idea

Playing with light

Thank you to Mandy for assisting!

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Mary also had her hair and makeup trial run the day of the engagement session with Carolina of Special Day by Carolina, a Shang Chen Photography preferred vendor. Made my life a lot easier! It was really cold that day so almost the entire photoshoot was indoors.

We began at the very beautiful, very classic, Boston Public Library

One of the reasons why I love Boston so much is because I think it’s one of the few cities in the U.S. that reminds me of Europe. And having spent my childhood in Europe, I always have nostalgia for that place

I think Mary read my mind. When I went on my family vacation to Australia my cousins and I had an impromptu session with some bubbles. So M&J brought bubbles!

Mary and Jason continued to be creative as we headed over to the MIT Stata Center

A faaaaav!

Or maybe this one

Can’t wait! aaahh this picture makes me giggle :D

I just know that the wedding is going to be a blast!

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We first walked around the hotel for some photos. It was already dark and snowing so outside photos were pretty much out of the question at this point

This is at the bar at Henrietta’s Table

One of my favs from the night. How adorable are they?

Loved Amy’s headband and jewelry, her look was extremely classy and elegant

And Chris was looking rather dapper himself

Getting in close!

Under the red lights at Noir

They had stations all across the Regattabar, where the reception was held. Everything looked delicious!

And, no wedding is complete without friends. Here are just some of the friends who were there to celebrate. It was quite a fabulous and very camera-friendly crowd. Thank you all!

A toast to a wonderful and beautiful evening

Congratulations again! The Charles hotel is a place of many memories for myself, as I went there often during my Harvard days for recruiting events and dances! In addition, Andrew and I had our second date there at Henrietta’s Table, and Rialto is one of my favorite dining places in the area. Highly recommend it for a variety of excellent dining choices!

Vendor love!
Venue: Regattabar, The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA
Venue coordinator: Alexis Davis
Shang’s assistant: Christina
Live music / jazz band: Yours Truly Productions

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One of the first things I learned about Elena and Alex is that they love to travel! They decided to bring suitcases for the shoot, and lugged them around all afternoon. I was impressed. We also stuffed some other outfits and props into these suitcases, which you will see later on

They’re playful…

There were many silly moments during this shoot =)

I think I nearly got hit by a bus right after taking this pic

I love the back of her outfit. Sexy!

Elena went to Harvard for summer school and really loved the Square. I wanted to capture the eclectic and historic feel of the square

Then we took the T downtown

Of their many hobbies, wine-making is one of them. So they brought a picnic basket and blanket and lounged on Boston Common, enjoying some wine and grapes. I love it!

Love Elena’s beautiful eyes!

They’re romantic too =)

Elena also loves photography, Alex… is Alex

As the sun set, we wrapped up in a small side street in Beacon Hiill

Congratulations you two! And big props to Alex for putting up with our craziness, I hope you got a great barbecue soon after!

And did I mention I nearly got hit by a bus? It’s because I was standing in the middle of the street for some of them! Here is a behind-the-scenes photo from my assistant for the day, Maria. Thanks so much for helping out!

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