Fall in New England has a special magic. It makes you want to wear cozy sweaters and be with your favorite people. It’s ideal for a wedding. Lex and Nora held a multi-day celebration full of deeply meaningful details that connected the generations of their families. Their elegant New England wedding centered on what mattered most to them. I documented it with aesthetic film photography that portrays the weekend’s emotion and nostalgia.
A Fall New England Wedding
When I asked Lex and Nora what was most important to them about their New England wedding, they said that they wanted to celebrate in a way that was genuine to them. That meant “a mix of tender, silly, playful, emotional, and full of care.” They wanted to create space for the joy of their friends and family. In addition to more quiet moments of connection, Lex and Nora new their community would come to the celebration full of energy.
This New England wedding kicked off on a Friday. Lex and Nora got ready together at a family member’s home. We followed with portraits before heading to the ceremony. At every step, Lex and Nora’s community surrounded them with love and a lot of laughter.
For the first night’s reception, Lex and Nora hosted a seated dinner for their guests at a historic mansion. The candlelit meal had all the romantic ambiance you could want in a fall New England wedding. Guests sipped cocktails and listened to speeches. Tall tapers and floral arrangements in warm hues decorated the white and gold tables. The pale blue walls, wainscoting, and botanical wallpaper added to the night’s elegance.
Unique Wedding Details
Nora and Lex’s New England wedding felt unique because it was full of personal details. On the first night of their celebration, they surprised guests with a book bar. They hand picked the books that guests could take home as favors. This is such a perfect way to give favors that don’t contribute to waste. Guests got to choose from a number of options, including the modern queer classic Red, White, and Royal Blue. Mary Oliver’s Devotions made it onto the book bar too – perfect for a New England wedding.
Other wedding details showcased Lex and Nora’s personalities too. They chose unique rings, including one with an alternative stone for Lex. Nora and Lex really made their wedding looks their own with their accessories. Lex even wore a small locket containing a picture of them with Nora.
A Multi-Day Celebration
Having a multi-day celebration worked so well for Lex and Nora. They could take their time and connect with each other and their people over two days instead of one. A two-day wedding also gave them the chance to have formal and more casual gatherings. They got the best of both worlds for their New England wedding.
Even though Lex and Nora’s Saturday lawn party was more casual than Friday’s ceremony and reception, this event showed just as much attention to detail. Long tables featured roses. Colorful, oversized pumpkins sat near the fire pit, and orange flowers decorated the bar. Market lights hung across the yard. Everything combined to create a special atmosphere, one that was both homey and elevated at the same time.
Wedding guests ate well all weekend, too. At the lawn party, they could choose from a wood-fired pizza truck and a gourmet french fry truck for dinner. Later, once folks had been dancing for awhile, a vintage ice cream truck arrived. The playful and delicious details added to the sense of joy that filled the evening.
New England Wedding on Film
I always ask my clients why they’re drawn to my wedding photography. Lex and Nora noted that they like my film work. I specialize in film wedding photography. In fact, I first learned photography on an old-fashioned 35mm film camera. Film portrays a nostalgia and warmth that’s tangible. You can look at a film photo and feel connected to a bigger story of the generations that came before and those who will come after us.
This New England wedding translated beautifully into film images. The deep greens of early fall and vivid hues of the floral arrangements look so organic. Film often gets described as “timeless,” but to me, it’s more important that it captures the emotion of the moment. You can see that in the film portraits of Nora and Lex. The warmth of film also fit the cozy, classic New England atmosphere of the lawn party.
New England Wedding Photography that Endures
Nora and Lex’s wedding was unforgettable because it was so genuine to them. They were unapologetically themselves, and their community showed up to celebrate them in a big way. Documenting their wedding on film honored that sense of warmth and connection at the heart of their wedding.
Would you like me to photograph your wedding? Let’s add your love to the archive with amazing images. I’m a Philadelphia wedding photographer who is happy to travel wherever your love takes you. Reach out to me!
Thank you to the vendors who made Lex and Nora’s New England wedding possible:
Planner/Coordinator: Nightingale Events
Photography: Theo Nash Photography
Catering: Doro Catering and Events
DJ/Band: DJ June
Florist: TK Floral Designs
Rentals: Smith Party Rentals
Cake: Dee’s One Smart Cookie
Hair/Makeup: Jen Kinford
Nora’s Wedding Attire: Loulette
