Boston Public Library Wedding :: Old South Church :: Katherine + Greg

Hello! Did you think I'd disappeared? It gets a little quiet on the blog at this time of year as most people want to wait for warmer weather before they get married or take engagement pictures. What's with that? Let's start a campaign for more winter weddings! Snow! Twinkly lights! Stoles and fur and pashminas! Hot toddy signature cocktails! Take the wedding I'm about to share with you right now - it was the epitome of timeless Boston elegance. I also went a little picture heavy so go get yourself a hot chocolate while the images load up :)

I started my day with Katherine and the girls at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The super talented Dani Wagener was doing make up and Lindsay Griffin was working her magic on hair. Katherine's dress was like a waterfall of lace and ruffles from Kleinfeld in NYC, shoes and purse from Kate Spade and invitations from RSVP:

I loved this - Katherine helping her Mom Ellen, MOH Melissa helping Katherine:

That feeling when the zip/buttons are done and you're in your wedding dress on your wedding day:

Dad Richard came in to see his daughter as a bride for the first time:

As Katherine slipped into her sparkly silver shoes, Audrey was over with Greg and the guys:

If you're getting married in the winter you have to remember that it's often dark by 4pm. Katherine and Greg wisely chose to do a first look and see each other before their ceremony. Awesome for the following reasons:
- We had daylight for pictures and could take advantage of the stunning courtyard of the Boston Public Library
- All of the formal pictures are taken early when hair and make up are perfect
- In the craziness of the wedding day when you're pulled in a million different directions it's nice to have a little quiet time together
- Best of all, once you're officially married you go and enjoy a glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvres with your closest friends and family vs. spending your first hour as newlyweds posing for pictures!

Audrey caught this one as we walked over to the library

With the wedding reception held in the Boston Public library there'll be lots more pictures coming up soon but it would be remiss of me not to give Jessica from The Catered Affair a HUGE thanks for being so amazing to work with. Jessica was SO organized and helpful and it's always such a pleasure to work with the whole team (which is good as I'll be back at the BPL for Carrie & Mike's wedding in May!)

All of the flowers, boutonnieres and centerpieces were by the inimitable Petalena incorporating tiny paper flowers made of pages from Pride & Prejudice in the bouquets - perfect for a library wedding!

Seriously Katherine?!?! Could you look any more beautiful?

It was getting fairly chilly at this point so we made our way back to Fairmont Copley Boston (another favorite wedding venue of mine! I'll be photographing Beth & Jeremy's wedding there in October) for family pictures:

The wedding ceremony was at Old South Church (smart planning to have everything within one block in case of a crazy snowstorm!) and Reverend Kenneth Orth conducted a beautiful ceremony while Janet made sure everyone knew where to be! I'll let the ceremony pictures speak for themselves except for saying a huge thanks to Ned Jackson who kindly agreed to shoot with me (most overqualified second shooter ever!). He had a great view from the balcony and three of these images are his.

  

Married! Hoorah! I remember the first time I visited the Boston Public Library, feeling like I'd stumbled into a grand historic building in Europe. I'm in the library fairly frequently these days - weddings and corporate holiday parties but I'm still wowed every time - it's SUCH a stunning venue and perfect for a wedding reception!

Katherine and Greg wanted a few pictures in Bates Hall so Ned masterfully handled cocktail hour and most of these shots are his:

We headed up the grand staircase to Bates Hall, love the drama of the lights (with a little Lowel G1 light magic by Audrey):  

The wedding reception was held in the Guastavino room (previously known as the Popular Reading Room) - in love with the linens, chargers, centerpieces - a perfect elegant winter wonderland wedding.

Katherine and Greg entered along the book-lined gallery and went into their (perfectly choreographed) first dance followed by parent dances:

Katherine's Dad Richard welcomed everyone and talked about how proud he was of Katherine and happy for her and Greg. Maid of Honor Melissa and Best Man Dave shared all sorts of funny stories about beach vacations and Greg's style upgrade after meeting Katherine. Greg's Dad Cliff then explained how Katherine has been behind so many of Greg's achievements including his recent marathon success:

The dancefloor was well and truly opened by the awesome Kahootz who had everyone dancing and even singing along with them. It was also a pleasure to work alongside Tom & Megan from Long Haul Films (again! - one of my very very very favorite wedding film teams! I can't wait to see the film!)

Audrey caught this sweet moment from the balcony during the last dance:

Guests picked up adorable little lanterns to light their way home:

And that's all for today! It's 7 weeks until I photograph my next wedding but I have some (hopefully) snowy engagement sessions and a rather special styled shoot coming up so it won't be too quiet on the blog. I might also attempt to pick my favorite images from 2013 and do a little review of last year - good idea? Want to read it?

Katherine & Greg - what a BLAST your wedding was!!! From your NYC engagement shoot in the hottest conditions known to mankind to your chilly but warm-hearted perfect Boston winter wedding it's been such a pleasure getting to know you both. Both of your families were so welcoming and happy for you both and your friends definitely know how to party! Wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter, health and happiness!

Oh go on then...a late night picture outside to end on: