“I have found the one my soul loves”- Song of Solomon 3:4
The first word that comes to mind when we think about Andrea and Michael’s wedding is “Family”. Tom and I both love our families so much and to be able to share and capture the love of family on Andrea and Michael’s wedding day was such a pleasure for us! The values of love and family made for a truly beautiful day in the celebration of two very sweet people pledging their lives together.
A few months before the wedding Tom and I met up with Andrea and Michael for their engagement session. We took photos all around the lawns of Harding Nursing home- where they both work and first met! It was a blast getting to know them more and learning about the wedding, so when it came time for the big day, we were so excited to see them again and meet their family that they had told us about!
The morning of the wedding was rainy and grey, but none of that seemed to matter on a day that was so full of happiness. When I arrived at Andrea’s parents house I was welcomed in and introduced to everyone, including Andrea’s sweet fur baby (who did not leave her side throughout hair and makeup.) Andrea and her mom spent the morning getting ready together, taking time to share stories with me and they showed me so many beautiful heirlooms – they even kept love notes written between Andrea’s grandparents, along with her grandmother’s ring! While I was spending time with Andrea and her mom, Tom was at Michael’s house with his sons. It was so fun for Tom to get to hangout Mike and his boys, they had him cracking up all morning!
The ceremony and reception took place at Dibbles Inn. With rain showers on and off all morning it was a tough call to choose an outdoor garden ceremony or an indoor ceremony. Andrea and Mike chose together to have the ceremony outside, but before it could happen, they wanted to pray together without breaking the tradition of seeing each other. One on each side of the bridal suite door they prayed, hand in hand. Michael’s prayer was so moving that after he turned back to go downstairs Andrea started to tear up. Wiping them away she told me “that was so beautiful”, and it was, and the special moment they shared together was just as beautiful. With Mike now waiting at the end of the aisle, it was time for Andrea and her parents to make their way down. When the door to the garden opened for Andrea, Mike could not hold in his happiness, his emotion melted everyone’s hearts! We loved that Andrea and Michael’s wedding party consisted of just family, with Andrea’s mom standing up for her, and Michael’s sons standing up for him, it created an intimate ceremony. They shared such sweet handwritten vows that included the boys and had a sand ceremony that the boys took place in as well.
The reception was held in the Adirondack room at Dibbles Inn. The room was decorated beautifully with family photos in vintage frames, babies breath in mason jars for centerpieces and the food was delicious! Each table had a spread of fruits, veggies, and, my personal favorite pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting! There was a gelato stand serving up yummy dark chocolate and raspberry treats all night. The dessert table was overflowing with giant cupcakes, mini half moons, and of course the wedding cake – which had the cutest cake topper that included their family! The dances and speeches that were shared were so sweet, and funny (shoutout to Mike’s boys), and the night had the perfect ending with a sparkler send off!
Congratulations Andrea and Michael! What a beautiful day we were so happy to share with you! We wish you so much love and happiness!
