Tower Hill Botanic Garden :: Wedding Photography :: Prameela + Geoff (Part I)

I remember the first email I got from Geoff inquiring about my availability to photograph his wedding to Prameela. They were still deciding on a venue and really wanted an outdoor wedding ceremony in Massachusetts without a tent. They finally settled on Tower Hill Botanical Garden in Boylston, MA and what a great choice it was!

But before we get to Tower Hill for the beautiful wedding ceremony in the Secret Garden and the wedding reception in the Orangerie, I'll share a few wedding preparation favorites with you.

I arrived at Prameela's friend Deb's house on the super hot 97 degree Sunday and as I walked in I was greeted by all sorts of cotton reels and sewing accoutrements hanging from the ceiling. I was most excited thinking this was a new wedding tradition for me to document:

As it happens, it was the birthday of one of Deb's daughters (one of Prameela's flower girls) and she'd had a sewing party the day before ;) so not wedding related at all but I still like the picture!

Here is the beautiful wedding invitation, very fitting for an outdoor wedding ceremony:


And of course the wedding dress which was so light and airy:


The time before a wedding can be crazy, busy and even frantic but everything was super calm as Prameela had her make up applied and even the flowergirls got a hint of blush!

Delicate pearl jewelry sent over by Prameela's family in India complimented her dress perfectly:


You'll have to come back on Thursday to see Prameela in her wedding dress and Geoff in his suit as they get married in the secret garden in a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony but I'll leave you with this last image of the bouquet by Bloomers. I've photographed so many colorful weddings this year but I really don't ever get tired of brightly colored flowers - they pop so nicely in the pictures.

And just wait until you see the tall centerpieces sitting under the glass roof of the Orangerie...

Wedding preparation...

It's 12:38am and I just got home from the beautiful wedding of Prameela & Geoff at Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston, MA.

Driving today it struck me that I totally have a little pre-wedding routine going on and seeing as it's been a couple of days since I've posted I thought I'd share it with you. If you're here for the pretty pictures - feel free to skip this and come back tomorrow ;)

The day before a wedding:

- Charge all batteries including spares (this is no easy feat and involves 12 electrical outlets)

- Format around 128GB of memory cards

- Load new batteries in all flashes/pocket wizards etc

- Pack Think Tank bag with camera body, back-up camera body, back-up, back-up camera body, bunch of lenses (14-24 2.8, 50 1.4, 105 2.8 Macro, 35 2, 10.5 fisheye), multiple flashes and other fun stuff

- Load shootsac bag with favorite lenses, usually the 85 1.4, 70-200 2.8, 24-70 2.8 and other essentials such as small sewing kits and selection of bandaids

- Load lightstands, umbrella adaptors, honl grids and other equipment for off-camera flash lighting into bag

- Print out directions to all locations (in case GPS and iphone should fail)

- Print out "homework" document by bride with key info

- Print out copy of timeline/program if provided

- Confirm time/location details with assistant/second photographer

- Fill car with gas

The morning of a wedding:

- Load all of above equipment into car

- Check trunk of car contains additional supplies including a large selection of different colored umbrellas (in case of rain) and satin padded hangers (in case of wedding dress being on ugly wire hanger)

- Apply thick layer of sunscreen for outdoor ceremonies. A sunburned photographer is not a happy photographer

- Start driving with essential pitstop to McDonald's for giant bucket of diet coke (other fast food diet coke is not acceptable)

- Head to ceremony/reception location to set up lighting or bride's location for getting ready pictures with loud music playing

This 2010 wedding season I have mostly been listening to Florence + The Machine in the car (last year was the Ting Tings - especially "That's not my name"). The criteria for my pre-wedding music is that I have to be able to sing along really loud.

I am terrible singer, horribly out of tune but I think there's nothing better than singing your heart out in the privacy of your own car. Plus it ensures I arrive for each wedding not only full of diet coke but with a good song in my head and a smile on my face :)

I just heard that Florence + The Machine were nominated for a VMA, Video of the Year no less! "Dog Days are Over" is probably my favorite song on the CD (other than #9) so I looked up the video and it's so crazy that I thought I'd share it with you. If you're in work and you can't turn the sound up you might want to check back when you get home as you REALLY need sound.

I think the blue back up singers are just brilliant (they appear at 0:28):

Like? Not like? What's your favorite song to sing out loud to in the car? Or maybe you only sing in public...

Hyatt Regency, Cambridge, MA :: Wedding Reception Photographs :: Neeta + Rich (Part IV)

Do you have ANY idea how HARD my clients make my life?

They have these amazing weddings with all sorts of gorgeous details, their friends and families are so fun and welcoming, they have some of the most delicious food I have ever eaten, they dance like they should be on TV, there are toasts that make people laugh and cry and then they expect me to fit it all into just a few blog posts??!?

Frankly, I don't know how I do it.

But do it I must. Because I am Leah Haydock. Photographer of beautiful weddings. And I know you are clicking that refresh button ready for your next hit of epic pictures of fabulous people in love. And so once again, we head to the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA for the wedding reception of Neeta & Rich.

Quick recap:
Engagement pictures in the winter **here** and in the spring **here**
Getting ready **here**
First look **here**
Ceremony **here**

Neeta & Rich met when they were at school in Northeastern in a ballroom dancing class. Now I should admit that I also took a couple of ballroom dancing lessons when I was at Sheffield University. I dragged along my then-boyfriend Tom and we valiantly shuffled around and stood on each others toes for maybe one semester before realizing we were rubbish.

No so for Neeta & Rich who eventually became dance partners and now they're life partners. And if their marriage is even half as strong as their first dance then they'll have an amazing life together.


Don't worry - lots more dancing pictures later. In case you're wondering where the detail pictures are of the reception, you should head over **here** to the blog of Kate McElwee. Kate was my second shooter and she's a phenomenal photographer in her own right. We concocted this crazy plan a few months ago that we would second shoot for each other just for kicks and to try out some new things. So I second shot for Kate at one of her weddings at the Wentworth Hotel **here** and on Saturday it was her turn to return the favor and Neeta & Rich will benefit from her gorgeous pictures - go on, hop over to her blog and then come back here ;)

Too much writing from me! Time for the hilarious toasts from Jill, Neeta's best friend and John, Rich's brother and best man:


I don't usually take pictures of food and I don't think I've ever blogged them but the Indian buffet from Masala Art was so so so delicious that I think a few pictures are in order. Let's just say it was so yummy that Kate and I didn't even talk during dinner, we just kept saying mmmmm:


As the light started to go down it was time to cut the cake. I could show you pictures of that but I kind of like this picture of the cake with Neeta hanging out with her Mom in the background:


Recently I've been really into stealing outside for just 5 minutes just after the sun goes down, you get this amazing twilight blue sky...add some twinkly lights from the Boston skyline and I'm in heaven:


The DJ played this hilarious game with the guests. He had Rich's friends and family on one side of the dance floor and Neeta's friends and family on the other side. As Sweet Caroline played, Rich's side had to sign the [Sweet Caroline] "BA ba ba"part and Neeta's side would respond with [Good times never felt so good] "So good, so good, SO GOOD". It got pretty serious with everyone on the dancefloor singing their hearts out. Mrs Kim even tried to sway the DJ to choose Rich's sign but Neeta was declared the ultimate winner:


And of course with everyone up on the dancefloor, the party really started:


The ballroom on the sixteenth floor of the Hyatt provides a great backdrop of Boston at night:


I had major feelings of dance inadequacy all night with these two cutting up the dancefloor, I think Neeta's feet in her gorgeous pink shoes barely touched the ground and Rich? Damn, he can move:


And that ladies and gentlemen brings us to the close of the wedding of Neeta & Rich. Did you enjoy it? I did!

Amazing Vendor List (seriously - lots of fabulousness, you could totally book any of these people and you'd be happy!)
Photography (what can I say?): Leah Haydock
Overqualified second shooter: Kate McElwee
Wedding planner extraordinaire: Christy Kahana of CAKE Weddings (I cannot say enough good stuff about Christy and her wonderful assistant Erica. If you don't yet have a planner or day of coordinator, you need to call 617 999 8908 or email her christy@cakeweddings.com NOW, seriously - they have walkie talkies and everything!)
Wedding Venue (Ceremony & Reception): Hyatt Regency, Cambridge, MA

Justice of the Peace (would highly recommend Karol to anyone looking for a MA wedding officiant): Karol Simon (attilasimon@yahoo.com 978 337 0590)
Lovely fuchsia pink flowers: Jody of My Personal Florist, Reading, MA
Hair (brilliant!): super talented Kelly Bonica of Blondie Salon & Spa
Make-up (flawless!): super calm Rose Ventura (rslb_ventura@yahoo.com 617-959-2778)
Guitar & Flute Duo (musical!): Alla Breve
Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister
Catering (mmmm mmmmm mmmm): Sorabh Kapoor, Masala Art, Needham, MA
Video (very generous with his video lights, thanks Ben!): Ben McElroy
DJ (great job! dancefloor was full and nice lighting that didn't shine ugly red spots on the dancefloor and mess up my pictures like other DJs): Mark C of Curtis Knight Entertainment

Want more?
Here's my website: http://www.leahhaydock.com/
You can friend me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leahhaydock
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/leahhaydock
Or just email me: leah@leahhaydock.com

Oh go on then, one last picture. Congratulations Neeta & Rich. It has been an absolute pleasure and an honor to get to know you and to document your wedding day! Wishing you a lifetime of health, wealth, love and laughter. And dancing.

Hyatt Regency Cambridge Wedding Ceremony Pictures :: Neeta + Rich (Part III)

After the getting ready fun which you can catch up on **here** and the super cute first look **here**, we had a little block of time scheduled to take some pictures of the family and wedding party before the wedding ceremony that would take place outside at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge, MA.

More time to spend on your wedding day with your closest friends and family? More time to enjoy the amazing Indian appetizers at cocktail hour? Relaxed family pictures and fun with the wedding party? Yes please!


Some call me Leah Haydock, epic wedding photographer.
Others call me Leah Haydock, child whisperer:


As guests entered the courtyard of the Hyatt Regency for the wedding ceremony, they were invited to enjoy a glass of Mango lassi:


The music of Alla Breve signaled the start of the wedding ceremony (check out the sheet music on the ipad):


Rich with his brother John, sister Sherrie and groomsman Scott waited patiently:


Neeta walked down the aisle (her beautiful pink bouquet is by My Personal Florist in Reading, MA) and took her place opposite Rich as they prepared to say their vows. Rich looked straight at Neeta:


And Neeta looked right back, with the biggest smile ever:


The wedding ceremony included beautiful personal vows that Neeta and Rich had written themselves, they were heartfelt, touching, funny and very "Neeta & Rich". Special guest Liger watched his parents get married from a window in the hotel, there was laughter and just so much love:


And by the power vested in me by the state of my blog, I pronouce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride:


I think it's fairly safe to say that this is a picture of extremely happy newlyweds. I am having trouble deciding who looks the most happy:


If you come back tomorrow - not only will there be the most amazing first dance EVER but I'll also link you over to pictures from my second shooter, the most overqualified second shooter ever, that's all I'm saying :) And I'll have a list of all the wonderful vendors who made this wedding the great event it was. My editing speed directly correlates with the number of comments so feel free to talk back...

Update: if you'd like to see the wedding reception pictures click **here**

Want more?
Here's my website: http://www.leahhaydock.com/
You can friend me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leahhaydock
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/leahhaydock
Or just email me: leah@leahhaydock.com

Hyatt Regency Hotel, Cambridge, MA :: Boston Wedding Photographer :: Neeta + Rich (Part II)

Welcome back to Neeta & Rich's first look pictures in the Empress Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA.

The whole concept of the first look is that you get to have a private little moment with your significant other before they become your spouse. Hair and make up is fresh, you don't have to wait until 6pm at night to see each other on a day that is all about the two of you, you have more time with your wedding party and family AND you get to enjoy cocktail hour, what's not to love?

And this was SUCH a great first look! We set Rich in position, looking out over the city, this is actually his reflection in the wall:


Neeta entered and carefully stepped down the stairs towards her almost-husband:


Rich waited patiently:


And then they saw each other and Rich was a combination of speechless and flabergasted alternating between saying "Oh my God, Oh my Gosh, You are SO freakin' beautiful" and just LOOKING at Neeta:


Rich spun Neeta around so he could see her properly and her gown swirled out as she moved. And just wait until you see the first dance pictures.....


On a scale of one to ten how happy do you think Rich was?


Hello shoes:


It only seemed appropriate to have at least one dipping picture. I like to think of myself as a full-service photographer and to that end I posted how to achieve the perfect dip **here**, I think Neeta and Rich DID practise:


We had a teeny tiny block of time in the schedule before we had to meet up with everyone for wedding party and family pictures so we pootled around the hotel, I kind of like the random waiter in the background:


I call this image "Love In An Elevator"


And I don't have a name for this picture but I really really like it:


If you'd like to keep reading and see the photographs of the wedding ceremony you can click **here**

Want more?
Here's my website: http://www.leahhaydock.com/
You can friend me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leahhaydock
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/leahhaydock
Or just email me: leah@leahhaydock.com

Hyatt Regency Hotel, Cambridge, MA :: Boston Wedding Photographer :: Neeta + Rich (Part I)

Oh do I have a treat for you this week...it's the wedding of Neeta & Rich and what a wedding it was! Oh the bright colors, the most amazing first look ever, the touching self-written vows, the "dancing with the stars" style first dance, the best Indian food I have ever eaten and SO much more.

But first, if you'd like to hear about how Neeta and Rich met, check out their winter engagement shoot in Newburyport **here** or their spring engagement pictures in Boston **here**.

I arrived nice and early at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge, MA to take detail and getting ready pictures starting with the wedding invitation. I loved the bright colors at the wedding:


The room where the girls were getting ready was a blur of hair and makeup and nails and sandwiches so I stole away with Neeta's wedding dress and hot fushia pink shoes which I decided to photograph sitting at the top of the escalator. My creativity knows no bounds ;)


Hair was done by the super talented Kelly Bonica of Blondie Salon & Spa who gave Jill and Ruby the most comprehensive direction ever on how to remove Neeta's veil. Neeta was mostly smiling and laughing which is the best way to be on your wedding day. Actually other than the fact that she was marrying her best friend Rich, some of the smiling was probably due to having Christy Kahana from C.A.K.E Weddings as her wedding coordinator extraordinare.


Neeta and her bridesmaids had all had henna applied to their hands; Neeta explained that Indian tradition is to hide the initials or name of the future husband in the Mehndi design:


Speaking of Rich, he was in the next room getting ready with the groomsmen and his family, I'm loving his Mom and Sister helping him with his tie:


If you're a friend of Neeta & Rich or you read the previous blog posts, you'll be familiar with their pet Liger. I thought it was only appropriate to get a shot of Liger as acting CEO in the boardroom:


Love love love this picture of Neeta as she gets ready to put on her dress. Not sure if it's because of her little hand clap or the sparkle in her eyes. Flawless make up courtesy of Rose Ventura (rslb_ventura@yahoo.com 617-959-2778)


Neeta stood very still holding her veil in the air as three sets of hands laced up her beautiful Maggie Sottero gown:


And that, ladies and gentlemen is all for today. 17 images as a preview of the fun ahead, I know, I know, I'm so mean. But if I posted 100 images today then a) it would take forever for the blog to load and b) it would all be over now and you'd have nothing to look forward to tomorrow.

If you'd like to see their first look in the Empress ballroom you can click **here**

Feel free to leave some blog love in the comments for Neeta and Rich. Neeta is probably my #1 blog reader and I'm going to be sad when she leaves me once I finish the wedding pictures....


Looking for more?
Here's my website: www.leahhaydock.com
You can friend me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leahhaydock
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/leahhaydock
Or just email me: leah@leahhaydock.com

Exchange Conference Center, Boston Wedding Photographer :: Danielle + Kevin (Part IV)

Did you miss the ceremony? Catch up **here**. As twilight fell, guests continued to enjoy cocktail hour out on the patio of the Exchange Conference Center. Here's the wedding cake by The Icing on the Cake:

Danielle's daughter Kaitlyn was responsible for the next surprise; the beautiful framed pictures on display at the card table. Julia Snider was my fabulous second shooter for this wedding and this picture is one of hers:


Tracy Dolce of In the Pink Ink Events was the DOC (day of coordinator) and was very involved in lots of different elements of the wedding:


Danielle and Kevin danced their first dance:


Kevin's brother and best man made his toast:


And then it was time for the next surprise, and what a surprise it was. Rene Rancourt who is best known for his rendition of the National Anthem at the Boston Bruins games came out to sing:


Danielle couldn't believe Kevin had managed to arrange this without her knowing, guests were going crazy and then Rene serenaded both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom:


Recently I've been taking pictures just after the sun sets and I kind of like them:


Photobooth by Boston Photobooth Rental:

Quick comment on the awesome DJ, Kevin Stallings from Good Times Unlimited, this is the third wedding I've photographed with music from Good Times Unlimited and the DJs are phenomenal. Super professional and the dancefloor is ALWAYS absolutely packed.

Parent dances, lots more dancing, drinks and good times out on the patio:


Danielle & Kevin - I had so much fun photographing your wedding and getting to know you both (and Kaitlyn!), I'm looking forward to our beach photoshoot in the fall. One thousand thank yous!