Blog— Weddings — Massachusetts — 2021 —
Five Bridge Inn Wedding Photos
Megan & Jake*
Five Bridge Inn, Rehoboth, Massachusetts (Ceremony & Reception)
October 11th, 2021
One of the hardest things about being a second photographer at a wedding is, often, you don't get to meet the bride and groom until the day of. And, by that point, most brides and grooms are so stressed out you're lucky if they even remember your name by the time you leave.
That's why I try very hard to listen to couples when I second shoot. Because you never know when you might pick up something interesting about them that makes for great photos.
For Megan and Jake's October wedding at Five Bridge Inn, that something was basketball. During their wedding ceremony, Megan and Jake both talked about their love for the sport and the way playing against each other in pickup games helped them fall in love.
Naturally, we chatted about it during their formal photos and when Jake let me know that he and his groomsmen played a game earlier that day at a basketball court ON SITE? Well, we just had to incorporate it into their bride and groom portraits. And, as you might expect, it was a slam dunk.
* These photos were taken as part of my work as a second photographer for Lily and Lime Photography
and are presented here strictly for portfolio/display purposes.
Megan and Jake's wedding day took place on a picturesque fall day at Five Bridge Inn, one of my favorite venues and I knew right from the moment my time with this bride and groom began that this would be unlike most of my weddings. For one thing, this couple eloped in 2020 and this day was meant to be their stress-free celebration of their first year of marriage.
For another, Megan and Jake kicked off their day with a first look and formal photos to get the bulk of their photos done before their ceremony. I'm so glad they did as the first look was fun but, also, it gave their friends and family plenty of time to get organized and fly through their formal photo list.
I was especially thankful Megan and Jake chose to do some of their bride and groom photos before, and some after, their ceremony as it broke up the photo sessions and allowed us to explore the Five Bridge grounds more than I typically can during a wedding day. Oh ... and it doesn't hurt that these two were already pros at posing and looking natural in front of the camera.
Megan and Jake's ceremony took place outdoors at Five Bridge Inn and was a beautiful commitment ceremony with plenty of religious readings that showed what they value in life and how they value each other. I especially loved the subtle ways the two of them talked about their competitive streaks in athletics during their vows. After all, the couple that plays together, stays together.
Once their ceremony concluded, I could tell Megan and Jake wanted to get to their cocktail hour to mingle with guests but, thankfully, they allowed myself and the lead photographer to pose them in a couple additional places on the Five Bridge Inn property and I'm so glad because that's where we came up with the idea for the basketball court photos.
To say I loved seeing these two in their true element is an understatement. It was by far my favorite part of their big day together.
The basketball court wasn't the only place Megan and Jake showed off their athletic side. It was also a key part of their decor as their centerpieces showed some of the common interests they have, many centering on outdoor adventures and traveling.
I'd be lying if I said I couldn't wait to see how the night progressed and if those athletic skills translated to the dance floor. We wouldn't have to wait long once they got into the Five Bridge Inn tent as they moved right into their first dance.
And what a beautiful first dance it was.
Speaking of beautiful, one of the things I loved the most about Megan and Jake's wedding was how many of their close friends and family members spoke and delivered toasts on their behalf. All told, there were six speeches on the evening and, because they were split up before and after dinner, it never felt like things got repetitive and I could tell the bride and groom were honored to hear the kind words of those closest to them.
Megan and Jake's wedding reception was a delight to photograph and I knew we were in for a special night when the two didn't make a huge deal out of the formalities of the evening. Sure, they had a beautiful cake cutting and a nice double parent dance but, when push came to shove, this night was about one thing and one thing only: Having a good time once the music kicked in.
As anyone who has followed this blog for any bit of time knows, I love a good wedding reception with awesome lighting and few places fill my heart quite as much as Five Bridge Inn's tent.
Even without traditional uplighting, the tent always looks amazing and it sure did on the night Megan and Jake celebrated their marriage.
From the first to final song played, Megan and Jake's dance floor was packed and it was so much fun getting to run around capturing candids, even if that meant occasionally dropping to the floor to get a great shot the surprise Conga Line.
At the end of the day, though, as fun as party shots are, I never wanted to lose sight of why I was at Megan and Jake's wedding: To photograph the candid moments between the bride and groom.
As I was scheduled to stay until the final song, I hoped Megan and Jake would cap their night with a sweet dance together and, boy, did they. As much as I enjoyed their first dance, it was Megan and Jake's last dance that proved to be the most beautiful moment of the evening as the lighting was incredible and the vibe even better.
What a way to end a wedding!
Megan and Jake capped their night in each other's arms, in the center of the dance floor, and I can't think of a better way to sum up such a beautiful event.
I've had a lot of great weddings at Five Bridge Inn and there's a reason why it's one of my favorite venues and couples like Megan and Jake, and their beautiful reception, show why I will never tire of getting to photograph these moments.
So thank you Megan and Jake for including me in a small way on your journey down the aisle together. It was my pleasure getting to capture this special day for you and I wish you the best as you officially officially celebrate your life together as husband and wife.
