Alison & Timothy 8.02.08

Alison & Tim had an amazing wedding day. They are such a young, fun couple and they included some cool details into the day that made their wedding uniquely theirs. After the ceremony Alison's class congratulated her outside the church, then it was off to the Milford beaches for formals. At The Great River Golf Club, in rememberence of Tim's Dad, Alison & Tim made their entrance on Alison's Dad's 1968 blue corvette, immediately preceded by Tim's Dad's white corvette. Matt of Digital Media Odyssey and I accompanied them on a golf cart all over the place for more pictures. Then it was a fabulous party inside with the music provided by Jason & Jeff of CT Party Pros who also provided all the cool lighting! Congratulations Alison & Tim! Lunell

Lauren & Rian 8.02.08

The Lord Thompson Manor is probably Lunell's favorite place to take pictures - I'm beginning to see why. There is a family feel to every wedding there and Lauren & Rian's wedding was no exception. Rian has a Scottish background and I loved the way they included Scottish traditions in the Jewish ceremony. Lauren and Rian were really up for pictures - I love the moody light in the hallways and rooms and their interactions of course. They're just cracking up in so may pictures as well! Congratulations!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Ten years ago this weekend, Noel & I said "I Do". In some ways it seems like that was soooooooo long ago and in other ways, just yesterday. We've done an awful lot in those ten years! We've had 6 different addresses (yikes!), we've been blessed with a beautiful little girl, we've been fortunate to have traveled to lots of amazing places, and despite working together side-by-side pretty much everyday for the last 7 years....we still call eachother best friend and love!

To celebrate the big occasion, we took our FIRST vacation away together without Ciara and headed to Marco Island in Florida. We stayed at a Balinese-inspired hotel on the gulf coast and rented a convertible and pretended to be single and carefree again. If we had known how LITTLE our daughter would miss us (Nana & Papa spoil the heck out of her) we would've stayed a few more days :) We didn't bring any camera with us (a conscious decision to keep it all about relaxing and us - and not about the perfect light, and gorgeous scenery) but on the last day we broke down and bought one of those disposable cameras - not the best quality. Happy Anniversary to Us! :)







QUINNS! Our afternoon hangout. Great margaritas and salsa/chips!




Lookin' "fresh" after a full day at the pool and that margarita place :)




And one for nostalgia's sake :)

Kyleigh & Chris 8.01.08

Kyleigh & Chris are two of those people who are just as beautiful inside as out. Their devotion to eachother is so genuine - they're a pleasure to be around. I've been fortunate to have photographed them several times - Kyleigh's boudoir session, their engagement session and finally, their wedding. Their ceremony and reception took place at Waters Edge in Westbrook. It was gorgeous weather with great light and an interesting sky. I loved all the aqua blue/brown details which will come as NO surprise to anyone who knows me :) Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding! Lunell







Kyleigh's brothers seeing her in her gown for the first time

Mermaid Party

I love my daughter more than words can describe...but being someone who always thought that I'd have two boys...I've learned to embrace the fact that I have THE most girliest girl in the world! This summer was FULL of polka-dot bikinis, tea parties and everything MERMAID. Ciara begged for a mermaid party, and didn't care about the 'NO presents at all' rule (good thing since her birthday is in the winter). She insisted she just wanted to dress up like mermaids, play games and have a mermaid cake!

So off to Jo-Anns fabrics we went, and got a bunch of gaudy shiny fabric remnants. We bought a cake at Big Y for one silver coin + $1.99 and plopped an Ariel polly-pocket on top...and invited a few of her fellow-girly-girls over for some fun!



Running through the house is always a big crowd-pleaser


Followed closely by playing the piano






then it was a few rounds of "freeze-dance"






And ended with some Simon-Says and Musical Mats (chairs are too complicated)

Cailin & Ben 7.25.08

Cailin was an amazingly calm, happy bride and Ben could not have been more helpful and nice. What a great couple! I was back again for a 2nd week in a row at St. Bartholomew in Manchester and then it was off to the Farmington Club for the reception. We took pictures down by the water for a little while and then it was off to lots of great food and dancing. Congratulations Ben & Cailin! Lunell

The girls' bright blue dresses looked great





I loved the detail on the back of Cailin's dress


Dad trying to sneak a peek






Can you tell they're brothers? :)






These two flowergirls almost stole the show

Shannon & Michael 7.25.08

Back at Newport!

Shannon & Michael's wedding was simply incredible. For starters, the ceremony at Salve Regina was just breathtaking. Following the ceremony, we used the grounds for some pictures but I was glad when Shannon and Michael happilly agreed to go back inside for photographs. I could have taken pictures there all day but security asked us to leave after just 10 minutes. We did stretch those 10 minutes just a little!

The reception took place at the Regatta Place- I just love the casual Newport vibe. Even the Maitre Di spoke to me like he was my best friend. At one point, we had the couple on one of the boats with the videographer, who shall remain nameless, directing them from the dock below. Well, in his efforts to direct them he backed up and KERSPLOOSH! he's in the water. He actually threw his camera back onto the dock as he fell so he thankfully saved his equipment. The poor guy took an awful amount of teasing from the guests afterwards. The incident freaked me out enough that I stayed well away fom the water after that!

Congratulations Shannon and Michael. Cheers, Noel

Carla & Dan 7.19.08

It's official - Carla & Dan had the hottest wedding day of the year! :) But that didn't seem to matter one bit. Everyone had such a great time at their wedding - including the bride & groom. The day started at the Cottage House which is Lord Thompson Manor's sister site. I had never done getting ready pictures there before, but I just loved it! Carla and her whole family were there, along with the newest little addition....who almost stole the show :) The porch...I could've shot there all day - great light! Then it was off to the Manor. Dan choked up during the ceremony which got a huge laugh from Carla (who also choked up as well). Beautiful ceremony and great party to follow. Congratulations Carla & Dan! Lunell

Diana & Tod 7.19.08

Diana and Tod are just a genuinely wonderful couple - at times Tod was asking if I needed help or if he could get me anything. On his wedding day no less!

Diana & Tod had their ceremony and reception at the Grassy Hills Country Club - my first visit there. I really liked the walking bridal party shots up the hill - it's not often you can fit a whole bridal party into a vertical picture like that.
The parent dances took place to a picture slideshow - the father-daughter dance set to all the old pictures of Diana and her Dad was unbelieveably emotional. Congratulations!

Cheers, Noel

Courtney & Matt 7.18.08

I only remember three REALLY hot/humid wedding days this summer and Courtney & Matt's wedding day was one of them! Formals at Wickham Park were a little sticky but other than that the whole day ran smoothly. They were married at St. Bartholemew in Manchester where the priest revealed that the very first wedding he performed was for Courtney's Mom & Dad. The reception was at Chez Joseph (my first time there) and Bert & Peter did a great job of keeping the dance floor packed. There wasn't a dry eye when Courtney danced with her Dad and showed a slideshow of the two of them through the years...including me :)

Kristina & Paul 7.13.08

I thought I had been to practically every "getting ready" site in the state of CT, until Kristina told me she was getting ready at Candlelight Farms Inn in New Milford, CT. What a beautiful inn! Made especially touching because Kristina rides horses there, and it's just down the road from their house. It was the perfect start to a great day. Lots of sunshine and smiles. The reception took place at The Candlewood Inn which never disappoints for great scenery and good times! Congratulations Kristina & Paul. Lunell

Please DON'T vote!

Kristen & Mike 7.12.08

I don't think I have ever laughed as much as I did at Kristen & Mike's wedding. Yes, Kristen & Mile were fun. But I also seem to remember a few bridesmaids who were liable to say just about anything for a laugh. The ceremony took place at the Lady of Pompeii church in East Haven. I think the dark ceiling against the bright walls with all the stained glass windows made for great pictures -such a beautiful church. After the ceremony, we stopped off at Morris Cove in New Haven for pictures. It was at Morris Cove that my name mysteriously changed to Ferdinand and I was made to answer to that for the rest of the day! From there we journeyed to the Aqua Turf where we hit the evening light just right for more pictures. The party that followed words cannot describe! Congratulations!

Cheers, Noel

Jessica & Keith 7.11.08

A real summery wedding - without the heat!

The Inn at Mystic really was the perfect summer setting for Jessica & Keith's wedding - I think we took pictures at pretty much every corner of the grounds. Being on a hilltop made for some pretty cool skies as well.

Jessica actually had her dress made by one of her bridesmaids - hard to beat that wedding present. There were some really funny moments when the ringbearer and flowergirl came down the aisle - the ringbearer took a dramatic fall before finding some much needed respite behind his cushion. Quite an opening act to the big show! Congratulations.

Cheers, Noel

Bethany & Gregory 7.11.08

I really enjoyed shooting Bethany & Greg's wedding this July. The weather could not be more perfect and I loved the brown/blue colors of the bridal party. After the ceremony we ALL hoofed it downtown and we got some fun pictures on the Mystic Bridge and the docks as well. Lots of laughs! Then it was off to the Mystic Hilton for the celebration where the dancefloor never let up. Noel (who was shooting at the Inn at Mystic that night) got done with his wedding earlier than me, so there I was taking pictures of the Mother/Son dance, and I look over to see my handsome husband smiling across the room! Added bonus! :) Bethany & Greg, Congratulations! Lunell

BELLYDANCING

One of the things I love MOST about our neighborhood is that there are a bunch of girls (me included) who get together at least once a month to just hang out, relax and have some fun. We've had a blast this year - "Rock Band" night, spa-night, bowling, a wine-tasting field trip, a fancy dinner party (including the guys), and...bellydancing!

Gia was our fabulous performer/instructor for the evening, and after a lot of giggles and wine we were all ready to give it a go. Some of us were more talented than others (I think Lynda & Erika were the 'naturals') but we had a great time laughing and workin' those abs! If you've ever thought about trying it - you should check out Gia's website - she was great! Lunell

Notice all our apprehensive looks ("can we really do this?") as Gia starts her 1st dance




Lynda trying to pick up the moves






We all got to wear these little jingle jangly skirts!


Learning how to roll...








OUR REWARD - we definitely worked up a sweat!

Olivia & Brian 7.05.08

After taking Olivia and Brian's engagement pictures last year, I was really looking forward to photographing their wedding. The light was just so great at Olivia's house for getting ready pictures - I also got Olivia and her girls to climb up the hill on wet grass to take some outdoor pictures - everyone survived! The ceremony took place at St. Francis Xavier Church in New Milford - I liked the slightly Celtic cross window at the corner of the church so I took just a quick shot of them there before we set off for the Fox Hill Inn.

The weather couldn't make up it's mind - we had sun and rain at the same time - so we took lots of pictures inside. I love the grand foyer and red walls so I wasn't complaining! Of course we did eventually get some pictures outside as well. Congratulations!

Cheers, Noel