Emily & Ingrid*
Kilburn Mill, New Bedford, Massachusetts (Ceremony & Reception)
July 19th, 2024
One of the most surefire ways to tell I'm photographing a fun wedding is when it comes time to leave … and the dance floor is still packed.
It's in these moments that I know the people assembled are having the times of their lives and I can think of no greater complement for Emily and Ingrid on the night they said “I do” back in July at the Kilburn Mill in New Bedford. After an afternoon of lovely and touching moments between the two introverted brides, it was so sweet to see them let loose to some great summer music and enjoy the night they became wife and wife.
And if you know me, you know there's nothing I love more than a good party and some great summer tunes.
* These photos were taken as part of my work as a second photographer for Pretty Nerdy Photography.
and are presented here strictly for portfolio/display purposes.
My time with Emily and Ingrid began with one of the quietest and most low key bridal preps I've ever seen as Emily finished getting ready before her and Ingrid's afternoon ceremony on the rooftop of the Kilburn Mill.
From the moment I walked in, I could sense Emily was the shy and reserved type and I always commend these kinds of brides for stepping out of their comfort zone for a day that requires someone to be the center of attention. Emily handled it well, though, thanks in large part to friends who kept her chilled and relaxed as she got into her dress and ready to go.
Just from my interactions with Emily during bridal prep, I could sense what kind of ceremony we were likely to have and I was right. Emily and Ingrid were married in a quick six-minute celebration of their love and it fit the tone of their day so very well.
The two shared lovely vows to each other, a quick sand ceremony to show the way their lives were now forever entwined and, just as quick as we started this ceremony, we were on our way to cocktail hour and their formal photos.
But when you spend every day loving the person you're meant to be with, why drag your wedding ceremony out, right?
After a busy and eventful cocktail hour where Emily and Ingrid posed for formal photos with friends and family members — and where I walked the reception venue taking guest photos with anyone who wanted to snap a quick shot together — the two brides, my lead photographer Becky of Pretty Nerdy Photography and I made our way to a nearby beach for couples' portraits.
I have to say, I think this might have been Emily and Ingrid's favorite part of their wedding day as it gave us all a chance to step away from the hustle and bustle of the wedding itself and just take a couple of minutes focusing on the brides at the center of it all.
And, if you've followed this blog long enough, you know there's nothing I love more than getting a couple out there on their own for some sweet and intimate portraits together.
Following their bride and bride portraits, Emily and Ingrid made their way back to the Kilburn Mill and we rolled right into the busiest part of the day: the beginning of their reception.
The newlyweds kickstarted the festivities off, fittingly, in each other's arms with a beautiful first day and it really set the tone for the night as the dance floor and in each other's arms was, not surprisingly, the place where they were able to most feel at home.
Following their first dance, the brides sat down for a pair of sweet and emotional toasts from their respective maids of honor and had a chance to catch their breathes while dinner was served.
After dinner, Emily and Ingrid rolled through their remaining formalities with a low key cake cutting and two lovely father-daughter dances that I could tell meant a lot to each bride.
With their formalities in the book, however, it was time for Emily and Ingrid's wedding day to take the best turn as the dance floor opened and their friends and family members could finally let their hair down.
And boy did they ever.
I always love when it's super clear a couple is having a blast during their wedding reception and there was simply no hiding how much fun Emily and Ingrid were having, especially when one of the songs of the summer (“Hot to go” by Chappell Roan) came on and the dance floor turned into pop concert almost immediately.
Through it all, though, the two brides at the center of this celebration were never far from each other and I think that says everything about what really mattered on this beautiful summer night.
As my time with Emily and Ingrid came to an end, I was covered in sweat from running around the dance floor like a madman trying to capture everything but it was well, well worth it.
I don't think I could have predicted just how much fun these two brides would have when I initially saw them but there's something to be said for the moment when the stress of a wedding day fades away and a couple can finally be themselves and that's exactly what happened when the dance floor opened and Emily and Ingrid could celebrate their love in their own unique way.
So congratulations Emily and Ingrid for a beautiful wedding day and best of luck on this new and exciting chapter of your lives together as wife and wife.
-Paul J. Spetrini
