Nathan & Amy
First Unitarian Church of Providence in Providence, Rhode Island (Ceremony)
& Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, Rhode Island (Reception)
November 18th, 2017*
Most of us won't admit it but by the time you get through September and October as a wedding photographer, which are traditionally the busiest months of the year, all you really want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep for about four months.
It's why late fall/early winter weddings are some of the most difficult shoots of the year. And that doesn't even factor in the rapidly deteriorating weather conditions and the fact that the sunshine, in New England at least, is just about gone by 4:30 p.m.
It takes a lot of energy and motivation to get through those final shoots of the year and that's why I was so happy when I walked into Nathan and Amy's wedding in November of last year as I knew it was going to be my final wedding of 2017, I was merely a second shooter so I didn't have much responsibilities and the bride and groom were a really sweet couple having a laid back and beautiful wedding day.
And I can't think of a better way to have closed 2017 as their formal photos took place at one of my favorite spots to shoot in all of Rhode Island (The Statehouse) and their reception was at one of my favorite venues to boot in Quidnessett Country Club.
And while we may be two months into the new year now, it's never a bad thing to reflect on the year that was and the lessons learned from a great wedding to close it all out.
Nathan and Amy's wedding ceremony was held at the First Unitarian Church of Providence and though I'd never been there before, it had all the qualities I love in a historic church. The lighting was great, the ceilings were high, the seats were grouped in an odd fashion and the balcony area gave a great view of all the surroundings.
Nathan and Amy's ceremony was short and sweet and I was thankful it was as we were quickly running out of daylight and had a lot of plans for their formal photo session. Namely, we wanted to go to the Rhode Island Statehouse as that's where Amy works and where the two had their engagement session.
I've shot a lot of wedding and engagement photos in this building but Nathan and Amy's wedding was the first time I was lucky enough to shoot inside, as seen in the lead image of this blog.
And though we were there for quite a while, I could have easily stayed for much longer as it was a blast and we got a ton of great shots that I know this couple will love for a long time.
By the time we left the Statehouse, the sun was gone and it was beginning to feel much more like winter than before. Thankfully, our session wrapped up right before the rain began and with Nathan and Amy's reception inside, the drive to Quidnessett gave us plenty of time to relax before my coverage of their wedding ended with a really fun first dance and a pair of really nice speeches.
I really loved the details this bride and groom had as Quidnessett is a beautiful room to have a wedding reception in but the wallpaper makes for a difficult backdrop to most decor.
Thankfully, Nathan and Amy chose details that went great with the theme, including a beautiful cake stand that had one small cake on the top and two full levels of donuts underneath. It was as beautiful as it sounds.
I also loved the little bit of Nathan and Amy's reception that I was booked for. The two had a great first dance where they circles the dance floor over and over again before ending in grand fashion with a great dip.
Afterward, a trio of speeches that made everyone misty-eyed closed my time with Nathan and Amy and, man, what a great way to end it.
By the time I left Nathan and Amy's wedding, I knew we had had a great night and I can't think of a better way to have closed out a year.
I love second shooting as it exposes me to a lot of couples and weddings I wouldn't have seen otherwise and Nathan and Amy's nuptials were a perfect example as to why.
Not only was the day relaxed and the couple super sweet but the locations they chose were among my favorites and lended themselves to some truly fun photos.
I know wedding season is still three months away but thinking back on Nathan and Amy's big day has me eager to get back out there. So ... is it May yet? :)
-PJS.
* These photos were taken as part of my work for George Street Photography and are presented here strictly for portfolio/display purposes.