This is a wedding that I have been waiting years for! I was waiting for it before these two were even engaged!
I first met Jamie and Steve at Jamie’s brother’s wedding back in 2015 – At that point I got to know Jamie a bit more than Steve because she was in the wedding party! Then a year later, one of her best friends, Mary, found me and chose me for her wedding:) When I walked into Mary and Ryan’s wedding day, Jamie was so sweet and welcoming…It felt like I was hanging out with my best friend!! After Mary’s wedding, I had the opportunity to photograph their bestie Mandy and Noah’s day – and Jamie (and Mary) were in the wedding again:)! I have looked forward to every wedding to hang out with this group of lovely ladies and to see all of the familiar faces of their family and friends!
When I heard from Jamie and Steve shortly after they got engaged, I was so EXCITED to be a part of their day! They chose Valley View Farm to be the host for their day. It is out in Western MA…close to UMASS Amherst where they met! I had never been to this venue, and it was a bit of a hike for me, but I would have gone anywhere to be a part of their day! These two are the BEST!!
One fantastic part about Valley View is that you can do everything on their grounds! When I arrived, I couldn’t believe how gorgeous and well thought out their property was. Absolutely perfect for a wedding day and SO many spots for gorgeous photos!
I actually arrived before the bride and groom and was ready and waiting…along with their bouquets;)
Having photographed three of these ladies weddings, I also knew two other bridesmaids, Anna and Shannon, from those previous weddings! Such familiar happy and welcoming faces! Last but not least (and representing for all the UMASS friends) is Alissandra! She was the only one that I hadn’t met before but she fit into this group seamlessly:)
The Love Nest at Valley View is perfect for getting ready AND for details photos too:)! This little dish was such a cute addition and those earrings were killer!
Jamie’s mom and dad are also the sweetest – loved seeing them again!
The girls and mom had a birds-eye-view of Jamie’s first look with her dad!
Down in the Cider Bar at Valley View, Steve and the guys were waiting to put on the finishing touches and head out to the first look…isn’t this space amazing?! It also plays host to the guests as they arrive! A great spot to wait for the ceremony to begin!
In almost 12 years of photographing wedding, Valley View gave me my first swing to work with (and horses that you will see later)!
After our first look at the big tree, Teri (the coordinator) graciously brought us around the grounds in a golf cart so that we could utilize all of the beautiful spots quickly and without sweating:)!
We were working with a strong mid-day sun during our photos time, but these two hung in there like troopers! The orchard at Valley View is freaking adorable!!
After some alone time, the wedding party joined us and we moved to a couple spots with them before heading in to wait for the ceremony to begin!
Stunning, stunning, stunning – these two and Valley View🙂
The fabulous parents of these two are on the left and Jamie’s nephew’s (thanks to Gina and Jared) are on the right:)!! I love getting to meet my former couple’s growing families!
While the girls tucked themselves away, I grabbed some detail photos that were ready and waiting for all of the guests:)!
These two used their time before the ceremony to come into the barn and practice their first dance:)
After the ceremony, these two headed up to the Nest to have a couple minutes to themselves and to call Jamie’s grandmother – who was adorable on the other end of the phone!
After their call (and a signature drink alone) they joined cocktail and we even squeezed in some photos of those fabulous familiar faces! Along with a big UMASS Amherst group!!
All of the intros were fun and silly!
Jamie and Steve went right into their choreographed first dance and they pulled it off flawlessly!
After the speeches and toasts, we snuck outside for a few photos as the sun went down! We had to use that cool truck and visit the horses…it is all part of the Valley View experience!
HORSES!!! Absolutely beautiful and to be up close and see their size and detailed beauty was just so cool!
Back inside, Jamie and Steve danced with their father and mother respectively and then partied the night away:)
The Hora is ALWAYS a favorite for me:)
Then some party time before I headed out:)!
Jamie and Steve – Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your day! I loved every second of it and can’t wait to see you again soon…I am going to continue to be stuck to you all if I have my way;)!!
Vendor Info
bride’s dress | Vow’s Bridal
bridesmaid’s dresses | Birdy Grey
hair | Honey Hair and Beauty
make-up | Honey Hair and Beauty
florist | The Botaniste
ceremony | Kezia Bacon
reception venue | Valley View Farm
cake | Atkin’s Farm
DJ | Viren Entertainment
Songs
introductions | Good Life by Kanye West
first dance | Beyond by Leon Bridges
father/daughter | Somewhere Over the Rainbow
mother/son | I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
last dance | Give Me Everything Tonight
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
The whole day but especially our first dance, the toasts, and being with our family and friends!
What was your favorite detail?
Our favorite detail was being able to have our nephews there! Cutest wedding guests ever 🙂
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
We recommend doing something to make the planning more fun, we took dance lessons and loved it! Everyone says it but it does go by fast so try to take a step back during the day and take it all in.
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Feeding horses in our suit/wedding gown will be hard to forget!
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
Definitely not! Everything was amazing 🙂
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
San Francisco and Sonoma
Again I have no words – best day of our lives thanks to you!!! We can’t wait to reminisce and look at the photos every day because they are so amazing️
Thanks! Jamie