I Do: Leah & Darrell in Providence, RI

Who: Leah & Darrell
What: An elegant evening garden party followed by seaside dinner and dancing.
Where: December ceremony in Las Vegas with a seaside summer celebration at the stunning Squantum Association on the water in East Providence, Rhode Island.
When: Ceremony on December 15, 2007 in Las Vegas • Celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2008
How: Hair and makeup at Arous in East Greenwich, RI, flirty knee-length cocktail dress from BCBG, reception at the Squantum Association with insanely awesome DJing (the dance floor literally was packed all night) by Mike Aten of the DJ Experience.
Why: It was the summer of 2003 and Leah had stopped into Garden City's Eddie Bauer to get her dad a father's day present. She was immediately taken by the store's manager, but he was not as quick to pick up the MANY signals she was making. Suffice to say, it turned out to be a very fruitful father's day for Leah's dad, who received more presents than he was used to. Eventually, Darrell noticed the girl who couldn't stop shopping, and asked her out, only to stand her up.

Knowing in her heart he was worth a second chance, the two finally had their first real date. They became engaged in the kitchen of their first home together several years later, and last winter, after an especially stressful move to Virginia, the two decided to escape to Las Vegas for a surprise Strip side wedding. On Saturday, they celebrated their ceremony at a Great Gatsbyesque garden party, complete with the seersucker suits and pleated pink skirts.

To see Leah and Darrell together is to witness bliss. Let me show you...

I seriously squealed when Leah pulled out the fabric for what would become her birdcage veil after it was cut to size. I've ALWAYS wanted to photograph one and I think the results were fabulous and fun!

Once the cuts were made, Leah could relax a bit, and I love this sly smile she showed when her hair flower was placed just right.

She loved the final look.

Getting into her dress.

Most brides, including yours truly, would have a big breakdown if their dress' zipper went off its track leaving a serious split down the side. But not Leah. She remained completely collected as a sewing kit was rounded up and her mother (with steadier hands than I would have had) made the fix. The question of how she would get back out of the dress now that she was sewed in of course cause lots of laughs among the bridesmaids, who decided that task would be left up to Darrell!

Again, I don't usually post "formals" but the bond between Leah and her little sister Iris is worth sharing (I still tear up at the scene in Leah's Vegas wedding video when Iris comes running in mid-ceremony to surprise her sister, following a flight snafu). And look, formals can be fun, and fresh!

I love a couple who totally tunes me out and focuses on each other during their shoot. The resulting images are so real, and reflective of who they are as individuals, and as one. I want my brides and grooms to look at their images and remember how they felt at that moment, and not what "the photographer was telling them to do."

The Squantum had such a variety of settings and Leah and Darrell (and me) were eager to explore them all. I love the lines created by the wheat!

Actually, there were nice lines everywhere, like those left by the columns and sweeping staircases of the club's main house.

A secluded stone gazebo on an island accessible by a foot bridge became another favorite shooting spot. The light off the water was golden delicious and the rough outline of one of the stone supports seems to mirror their bodies.

Heading back to the party. Could you get a more breathtaking view than that? I think not!

Guests were treated to a viewing of the Vegas wedding video, which led to these laughs.

Iris had written Leah and Darrell's love story, which were framed, decorates with daisies and confetti featuring images from the Vegas wedding and placed at the center of each table.

Leah came to me by way of a referral from Jess Jones (you'll remember her from that stunning shot of her and Greg at Portland Head Light that graced the cover of Real Maine Weddings). The two attended Wheaton College, along with Sarah (whose wedding I photographed earlier this month. After three Wheaton weddings (I hope there will be more to come!!!), I am convinced that "Dancing Like a Rock Star 101" is a core class at the college. Seriously, they are that good!





I would give up a finger (not on my shooting hand of course) for an image of me and my grandmother dancing like that. What fun!

Leah wanted some sunset shots and she got em!

What a fantastic venue. So graceful. I would love to shoot there again, so if you are planning a Squantum Association wedding, please do let me know. I was a temporary Rhodie a few years back, and would love to come back. I am hopeful on my next trip, I'll have time to visit my favorite guilty pleasure eatery, Spike's Junkyard Dogs!