Way way way back in 2014, when I first started photographing weddings, I was hired by Monika to photograph her sister Sarah’s wedding. It was my third wedding EVER for a stranger. Their images and blog post from their wedding are still online. You’re welcome.
Sarah joked at Monika’s wedding that she went to look up the blog post recently and was struck at how I waxed and waned about how I wanted their family to be my friends. About how I felt at home with them and that they were all smart, sarcastic and witty. How they loved wine and good food as much as I did.
Flash forward 6 years and I have now photographed not only Sarah and her husband Suman’s wedding, but also their Anniversary prom, their parents family portraits, and now, Monika’s own Gastler Farm wedding.
2020 has been nothing short of weird for us all and the event industry is clearly highly impacted. While most of my clients decided to just elope and party later, Monika and Michael had the opportunity to compress their wedding into a much smaller event and hold it outside on a beautiful farm in a safe way. On a normal year, I photograph between 28-34 full weddings with more than 40 guests. This year, it was my 2nd.
In some ways, it felt surreal to be at such a picturesque location with such beautiful people, as the Anderson family keeps the most gorgeous personalities around them at all times. But it also felt incredibly amazing and left me filled with gratitude: that I could have such a lasting relationship with people who I value so dearly that return the feeling and that I had the ability and means to travel in the midst of a global pandemic to share such a beautiful day with people so deserving of it.
While I know that their Gastler Farm wedding wasn’t exactly what Mike and Monika had planned, and that not everyone they loved were able to be there, it was perfectly wonderful and absolutely picturesque in the greatest of ways and I’m so thrilled to have been a part of it.
Venue: Kalmia Gardens/Gastler Farm | Officiant: Sarah Downs | Florist: Just for You Floral Design | Invitations: Minted | Bakery: Madame Gateaux | Caterer: Cafe 56 | DJ: After Hours Entertainment – DJ James | Couple’s Attire: BHLDN, Converse, Mr. Ned, and Tie Bar | Hair and Makeup: Allure Traveling Beauty | Cocktail Bar: CT Cocktail Car | Koozies: Custom Ink | Coasters: Orchard Letter Press | Rentals: Connecticut Rental Center
Fabulous family, gorgeous spot, superb photos! I feel like I was there! What a great day! ❤️
Aw, thank you – what a nice compliment!