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Caroline & Mark: New York Yacht Club Wedding, Newport, RI

Published by brianwedge on December 30, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Destination Weddings, New England, Uncategorized, Weddings and inspiration. 5 Comments

A wedding ceremony at the church where John F. Kennedy was married and a reception at The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) in Newport, Rhode Island instantly conjures up impressions of refined, old New England elegance, tradition and beauty.

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Add a raging blizzard that shuts down most of the Eastern Seaboard to that quaint image, along with the boundless energy of Caroline and Mark… and you get a truly unique, once in a lifetime, storybook wedding that retains all the grace of traditional Newport… and all the fun of an incredible party with a hundred of your favorite snowbound friends and family.

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Engagement ring on her right hand, Caroline & Mark instinctually reach out to hold hands during the mass.

Caroline and Mark were featured on our blog last April (link here) when I flew down to Washington DC for a photo shoot amongst the cherry blossoms. I instantly liked spending time with them, and as I reported upon return, their infectious enthusiasm turned a two hour long engagement photo shoot into a 6+ hour walking tour of DC. Most of the time was spent laughing, having fun and getting them some amazing photographs almost effortlessly.

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Just gorgeous…

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Caroline’s Dad sees her for the first time as she wipes away a tear upon seeing him.

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Her dad practices lifting her veil… you can sense the emotion in the room as they are just moments from leaving for the ceremony.

Caroline and Mark’s winter wedding was everything they dreamed of. They were EXCITED about the blizzard, and they weren’t daunted for a moment by the cold, the wet or the logistical difficulties of the day. One of my favorite moments was watching Caroline tip toe through 6 inches of slushy frozen snow in clean white shoes, strapless wedding gown, bouquet in hand and leaning into a 30 knot sub zero arctic breeze… with a GIANT smile on her face. She saw me photographing her and just looked up and started laughing.

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Husband and Wife.

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Look at these two… they’re SO HAPPY!

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Off to the New York Yacht Club!

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The NYYC was wonderful. Beautiful details, an incredibly welcoming environment and a wonderful staff… eager to support everyone.

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“Living on a Prayer” never looked so good! Bon Jovi has nothing on this group.

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The ring bearer was adorable… and an incredible dancer.

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Mark, sharing his vocal talents with the band!

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The sparkler departure.

The absolute key to a winter wedding (and any wedding) in my opinion, is to have fun with whatever the weather or circumstances bring to you. If it’s a blizzard, a power outage or a rain storm… the most important element is how you embrace it. Mark & Caroline’s wedding was freezing cold, had at times blinding snow, required constant use of 4 wheel drive and it honestly didn’t hamper the party one bit.

Caroline and Mark never lost sight of the fact that they were there to celebrate, to have fun and to enjoy their friends and family. We were so impressed by how gracious and welcoming everyone was… and felt lucky to help document the beauty of their wedding! THANK YOU FOR HAVING US!!!

Want to see the COMPLETE wedding photos? They’re all right here.

Vendors:

Band: “Night Shift” (Amazing, fun and super talented)… they’re out of Boston and they were truly incredible.

Reception: New York Yacht Club (the events coordinator Julie could not have been a nicer, more professional, easy going host. Thank you Julie, we can’t wait to come back!)

Ceremony Site: St. Mary’s Church, Newport, RI

After Party: Cooke House, Bannister’s Wharf, Newport, RI

Hair: Jane Sincere

Makeup: Christina Squier

Florist: Sayles Livingston Flowers

Cake: Confectionery Designs (Mark Soliday)

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Spread the Aloha…

Published by brianwedge on December 23, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Destination Weddings, Editorial, Uncategorized and inspiration. 4 Comments

I’m back… back from Hawaii, back from sunny shoots, then snowy New England shoots, plane delays, 4 day long power outages, destination weddings, (new) exhibition planning and the like. There’s lots to update, and I promise lots of interesting posts for the new year. But for now, as I sit here looking out from my studio over the frozen ocean… I figured I would spread the Aloha by sharing some warm weather images for everyone locked in this deep arctic freeze. It’s only December and I fear I’m losing my tough New England grit… I’m daydreaming of surf and sun, all the time!

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Rainbows over Pipeline. North Shore, Oahu.

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My beautiful wife Malia, back in the homeland…

As many folks know, we were lucky enough to have some photo assignments in Hawaii recently. My wife (Christine Malia) was born and raised on the windward side of Oahu, and we were married in her hometown. Returning to the islands is very important to us, to see the family and reconnect with the land and the sea. For me, it’s a reminder that I’m a pale, bald, Irish/Norwegian/Polish Boston raised mutt… but most certainly a Hawaiian at heart, in love with the ocean and the culture. For Malia, it’s a homecoming of course… where speaking Pidgin or Japanese to a neighbor is commonplace, seaweed and spam a delicacy, and climbing trees for fresh fruit is what every local kid does after a surf session. The weather, the traditions, the surf… it’s as basic and engrained in her as anything I know. It’s really beautiful to see her in her element.

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Charging out to the lineup…

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Malia, post surf… warming up in her Hawaiian winter gear.

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Dawn Patrol on Sunset Beach, North Shore, Oahu.

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“Our” beach… Malia’s local, hometown beach… and the one we were married on five wonderful years ago.

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The Entry. Pipeline, Oahu.

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We had GREAT conditions… double to triple overhead… but super crowded. Look in the background at the number of people taking off on one of these waves.

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This little kid was AWESOME. He wandered onto the beach at Pipeline… clearly local, still yawning and sleepy. He’s probably 12 years old, and must have just rolled out of bed. He looks out at the triple overhead surf for a few seconds, then promptly walks down to Pipeline and proceeds to TEAR it up. It was amazing to see.

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Malia showing her goofball husband the ropes.

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Our final morning run up to Makapu Lighthouse.

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Happy Holidays to everyone!!! Thanks for your patience while I was away… for all those editors, clients, friends and family waiting for something while we were away THANK YOU. We had a wonderful time, and will have some uplifting winter scenes soon! Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka!

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Barack Obama’s Victory: One photojournalist’s view

Published by brianwedge on November 5, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Editorial, News, Photojournalism, Uncategorized and inspiration. 4 Comments

Today was a day for images. A day of images. Think about it…

The Kenyan women celebrating, the jubilant mob in Times Square, Jessie Jackson crying, the incredible lines of voters, the American Flags… these enduring images carried the day. No matter how you heard the news, no matter where you were; what followed was a steady stream of incredible images that said more than words could.

As someone who knows the work, skill and effort involved in capturing enduring, meaningful images, I thought I’d take a moment today to recognize my fellow photojournalists out “in the field” bringing these incredible moments directly into our lives and our living rooms.

Newspapers turned their front pages sideways, to allow for more room for images.

The work truly is grueling. It’s physical, it’s tedious, it can be frustrating and it’s always challenging. Too often their work goes unrecognized. Their names hidden by the shroud of media sources like the AP, Reuters, or Getty Images.

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Today I wanted to bring one of those anonymous photojournalists into your lives. Her name is Scout Tufankjian, and she’s a friend of a friend, as well as a fellow member of the National Press Photographers Association with me. Scout embodies the true work involved in photojournalism. Scout has been with Barack Obama for TWENTY THREE months. Not a photo op here, or a press briefing there… but 23 months.

Her work, much like some of my documentary work, isn’t the type of thing that you get to come home at night from. It requires true endurance, tenaciousness and dedication. Behind each of those images you saw over the past few days, there was some talented person working hard to capture it for us.

Click Scout Tufankjian’s image above to go directly to her site documenting Obama’s campaign.

If you get a chance, go check out Scout’s site (the secret service gallery is my favorite). She’s amazing… and is one of the many photojournalist’s whose names and faces are often hidden from view, but whose talents make historic nights everlasting.

To those in the field…. Thank you!

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Nicole & Garrett: Oheka Castle, NY

Published by brianwedge on October 31, 2008 in Brian Wedge Photography, Destination Weddings, Uncategorized, Weddings and inspiration. 4 Comments

Nicole and Garrett’s amazing wedding at The Oheka Castle, just outside New York City this past week was a study in beautiful contrasts. Exquisite details, thoughtful preparation and incredibly high quality were contrasted with a bride and groom who were laid back, and simply delighting in the excitement of their celebration. Their wedding was a true union of souls, of families and of friends.

The details were everywhere. Her ring is inscribed with “forever”… his reads “and ever”

The anticipation builds…

A creative and unique perspective on Nicole being walked down the aisle by her dad. Christine and I planned this shot (and a series of others) so that we could silently, seamlessly capture photos while staying out of each other’s way. Easier said than done… but it worked!

Nicole & her dad, silhouetted with the castle in the background sets the scene.

Another scene setter showing the elaborate gardens, the exquisite day. Notice how at the exact moment that I’m photographing the image above, Christine is shooting this one… yet I’m not in her photo.

I’ve always loved watching the groom’s reactions, and though we always get the shots of the bride walking down the aisle, we also try for the groom. Because I’m so tall, I have an opportunity to shoot over the shoulder/heads of Nicole and her dad and capture this important moment of the day.

The chuppah was gorgeous, the rose petals on the aisle, the pumpkins… the flowers… it was beautiful.

A great series of natural moments. So genuine, so real.

Rose petals tossed as they walk down the aisle.

Garrett turned and looked at his wife for the first time after the ceremony concluded just as they finished walking down the aisle. His glance to her is timeless, sincere and loving.

Their walk through the Oheka Castle’s gardens.

First dance…

Another really touching moment: Nicole’s dad turns to address the couple directly during his toast. There wasn’t a dry eye left in the house.

The chair dance… Garrett was all over it. Nicole (intelligently) held on for dear life.

One of my favorite images of the day: here Garrett is tearing it up solo on the dance floor. But find Nicole (in the white dress) shielding her eyes. Classic!

It was a joy to support Nicole and Garrett. Amidst the exquisite details, the grandeur of Oheka Castle, and the hundreds of people present… they managed to create a wedding that was intimate, fun, and most of all genuine.

There are hundreds (if not thousands) of talented photographers in the New York City area, and when I asked Garrett and Nicole why they chose to bring Christine and I in from Maine after conducting an exhaustive search… Garrett said “because your photos just seem so genuine, so natural, that people are having fun and the images magically become beautiful.” What a wonderful compliment… but that “magic” resides in the fantastic people we are lucky enough to support on one of the biggest days of their lives.