Hope & Samantha’s Elizabeth Park Wedding – Hartford, CT Wedding Photographer

Over the last year and a half, I’ve gotten to know Hope & Samantha as we planned for their 2019 Elizabeth Park Wedding. Although I am primarily a portrait photographer, I love working with a limited number of weddings and events each year! I began my business almost 10 years ago as a wedding photographer, so I have a lot of experience working with couples and families, and understanding all of the planning a logistics that go into such an important day! The other advantage is that because I don’t photograph many weddings, I can focus on the clients that I have each year and spend more time on their special day. The turnaround time for images and products also tends to be much faster. Last year we met for their fun engagement photoshoot at the Comstock Bridge in East Hampton. I can’t believe that it was already time for their wedding day! We started the day at the Avon Old Farms Hotel in Avon, Connecticut. This beautiful, multi-level facility was perfect for their getting ready images. Both wedding parties were just a few rooms apart, so we had to plan for some logistics to make sure that the brides didn’t accidentally see each other! But everyone did a great job helping us move throughout the rooms and get everyone looking beautiful before the ceremony. They even exchanged a little gift (always a recommendation of mine!) which was such a special moment for both of them to capture the opening. When it was time to go, we followed Samantha out to the limo and traveled ahead of Hope to Elizabeth Park where the ceremony and reception were held at the Pond House Cafe. After some photos with her family and wedding party, it was time to prepare for the ceremony and Hope’s arrival! The ceremony was held on the main patio of the Pond House and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect late afternoon setting for it. Emotions ran high as they were watched over by many family and friends. Formal portraits were taken during cocktail hour at the main bridge and in the rose gardens at Elizabeth Park. The arches were not in bloom quite yet, but there was still plenty of greenery and blooming rose bushes near the gazebo. Despite a busy afternoon, we nearly had the gardens to ourselves, which was perfect for portraits of just the happy couple! Their reception was fun and heartwarming, as we danced to tunes spun by Keith Allen (DJ). It was such an honor to meet and capture Hope & Samantha’s wedding day and I can’t wait to see some of these beautiful images in print! Enjoy some of the (many) favorites below!