ROSA AND NATHAN'S WEDDING

Crystal Peak

Winstead, Connecticut

October 14th brings peak fall colors to most of this Connecticut.  This year the leaves were a bit delayed in their colors but we were able to get some nice colors for the groom and groomsmen portraits session at Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield, Connecticut.  Sometimes guys don't want "getting ready photos"  A great alternative to that is to meet the guys at a park or scenic location and get some great shots of them while the girls are going through the long make up and hair process which can take hours. We start the guys photo session with Nathan and his groomsmen followed by a heart warming "first look" with Nathan and his mom. "First Looks" with the groom and his mom and the bride and her father can be so emotional and make for such memorable photos.   What a great start to the wedding day. 

I went next to their venue Crystal Peak in Winstead, Connecticut and met Rosa for the start of her getting ready photos.  

We went outside for a "first look" with Rosa and her step dad followed by portraits of Rosa and her bridesmaids.  Laying out a wedding day timeline like this allows for so many great portraits without being rushed and trying to fit them into 45 minutes of cocktail hour time.  We had most of all the portraits finished before the ceremony began. 

I am sure many of you have heard of a "first look".  But have you heard of a "first touch"?  If you haven't, a "first touch" is where the bride and groom come together and share some intimate moments before the ceremony without out actually seeing or looking at each other.  A first look often is set up in a doorway where the couple can touch each other without seeing each other.  Often there can be a reading of personal vows to each other at this time.  Sometimes a prayer or blessings is given by the couple together.  Rosa and Nathan's mothers and Rosa's sister watched on.  By the end of the "first touch" we were all in tears.  It was a moving and beautiful moment. 

With the "first touch" complete and a few quick shots of Nathan's mom putting on his boutonniere we are all ready for their wedding ceremony. 

Now it is ceremony time in the lovely outdoor ceremony area at Crystal Peak.  Wedding ceremonies are a great time to capture so many beautiful photos.  I encourage my couples to add some time into their ceremony by doing such things as reading of personal vows, have somebody do a reading, perform a sand ceremony, Light a unity candle or such things to make the ceremony more memorable and have more time to capture the many beautiful moments taking place.  

Since I already took photos of Nathan and his groomsmen and Rosa and her bridesmaids all we I needed to do was take photos of the wedding party together and well as Rosa and Nathan together and the family formals together.  

We move inside for the wedding reception including detail photos, introductions, first dance, and toasts.  

We continue the wedding reception celebration with cake cutting, a mother, son dance with Nathan and his mom followed by three dances with Rosa and her parents.  One with her mom, one with her step dad and one with her birth father.    

We continue the wedding reception with candid moments and lots of great times on the dance floor.  What a wonderful wedding celebration Rosa and Nathan.