DOMINIQUE AND RYAN'S WEDDING

Aria

Prospect, Connecticut

The Holiday Season is a beautiful time to have a wedding in the sense that many of the venues will be adorned with holiday decorations and the feeling of Christmas and Holiday spirit will be on the air.  Such was the case with Dominique and Ryan's wedding at Aria in Prospect Connecticut.

Their wedding started with getting ready shots of Ryan at his home in Seymour Connecticut.  Ryan, his parents and brothers as well as his groomsmen were all there so there was much excitement and celebration.  Following the getting ready shots I went to Dominique's house in Oxford Connecticut where the excitement continued with her parents, grandmother, bridesmaids, kids and friends as well as the make up artist all getting ready for the special day. 

After the getting ready shots we all headed over to their church for a catholic wedding at Saint Thomas Church in Oxford, Connecticut.  Following the ceremony, it started to snow as they left in the limo and we were really in the Holiday Spirit then.

Both Dominique and Ryan are of Portuguese heritage and family is very important and a big part of their wedding day.  They wanted a lot of family portraits to remember their family so we spent the next few hours taking portraits in the grounds outside Aria while we still had daylight with the gently falling snow about us.  As we lost daylight we moved inside for portraits of Dominque and Ryan as well as the bridal party and family

Their reception was a grand affair with hundreds of family members in attendance.  The DJ had a fog machine and covered the dance floor in a blanket of fog for their first dance.  Their was much Portuguese music and folk dancing which was a great cultural experience.  Other highlights of the night were blindfolding of the groom and switching of the bride for removing of the garter as well as more pranks that brought so much humor for the evening.  Their were many opportunities taking family photos through their reception including a 75 person plus portrait of some of the family members.  

The feeling of warmth was all around us with the beautiful Christmas decorations, falling snow outside and being surrounded by such a large closely knit family all celebrating together.  

Esteves 7.jpg Esteves 77.jpgGroom Ryan getting ready for his wedding day at his home in Seymour Connecticut Esteves 146.jpg Esteves 182.jpg Esteves 218.jpg Esteves 235.jpg Esteves 243.jpg Esteves 297.jpgBride portrait getting ready at her home in Seymour Connecticut Esteves 378.jpg Esteves 392.jpg Esteves 399.jpg Esteves 415.jpg Esteves 434.jpg Esteves 460.jpg Esteves 554.jpg Esteves 560.jpg Esteves 563.jpg Esteves 598.jpgUnexpected snowflakes start to fall for the bride and groom at Aria Wedding and Banquet Facility in Prospect Connecticut Esteves 616.jpg Esteves 663.jpg Esteves 679.jpgWedding portraits of bride and groom, Dominique and Ryan inside the hall at Aria Wedding Banquets in Prospect Connecticut Esteves 702.jpg Esteves 748.jpg Esteves 753.jpg Esteves 762.jpg Esteves 779.jpg

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Esteves 1009.jpg Esteves 1029.jpgFun dancing at Aria Banquet Faciilty Wedding Reception Esteves 1031.jpg Esteves 1038.jpg Esteves 1042.jpg Esteves 1048.jpg Esteves 1049.jpg Esteves 1050.jpg Esteves 1014.jpg
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Esteves 1077.jpg Esteves 1083.jpg Esteves 1090.jpg Esteves 1092.jpg Esteves 1111.jpgThe blindfolded groom is in for a big surprise when he reaches for the garter, not knowing that his bride has been replaced by his best man. Esteves 1133.jpg Esteves 1140.jpg Esteves 1160.jpg Esteves 984.jpg Esteves 986.jpg Esteves 988.jpg Esteves 994.jpg
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