Here it is! The first “official” wedding of 2019. However, Heather and Chris did things totally different for their day and instead of throwing a big, huge extravagant wedding, they threw an incredible intimate dinner party with their closest friends and family. If we’re being honest, that’s some of our favorite days to photograph. We had an incredible night with these two and cannot thank them enough for allowing us to photograph such an important day.
Meet: Heather & Chris
Every year we have a handful of couples that truly stand out above the rest. Couples that not only fall in love with our photographs but become true friends to Jenn and I. They’re usually the laid back type, the adventurous duo and are always up for a cup of coffee, lunch or dinner with us. Emily & Warren are definitely apart of that group. From the first breakfast date with them, I knew we’d be amazing friends. We shared a love for traveling, adventures, food, and so much more. When it became time to photograph their wedding day, I knew it was going to be perfect and boy, it sure was…
Emily & Warren got married at the amazing Newport Vineyards which combined their love for wine, and Rhode Island all in one. It turned out to be one of the best weather days we could’ve asked for with cloudy skies and cooler temps. It was a little rainy at the beginning portion of the day but as soon as the ceremony time came, the showers had passed and it was beautiful.
These photos mean a lot to me. Not only because Emily & Warren are client’s of ours, but because they’re client turned friends. I had such a hard time choosing specific edits to give them and really perfecting the photographs down to every last detail. However, I think you’ll see that these two are madly in love, and are perfect for one another. I can’t wait to show you more…but for now, enjoy these sneak peeks!
With love,
Ryan
Special thanks to everyone who made Emily & Warren’s day possible:
Venue: Newport Vineyards
Photography: Ryan DeVoll Photography
Florist: Sayles Livingston Design
Hair & Makeup: PetalBlushBeauty
DJ: ELV8
If you’d like to receive an email when Emily & Warren’s full gallery goes live click here!
On a hot summer day, Christine & Jim tied the knot! After planning their coastal Rhode Island wedding from New York, the day was finally here. Christine had the absolute best team there to make sure everything went smoothly. Shayna from HolySmoke Films did a beautiful job filming the day, Lynda from Lynda Williams Beauty made sure all the ladies were in tip-top shape, The Boston Common Band rocked the house and the staff at OceanCliff in Newport were absolutely amazing. We're so excited for you to see a sneak peek into Christine & Jim's big day!
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What can I not say about Jessica & Nick? When Jess & Nick first contacted me, we immediately clicked on the phone and it felt like we’ve been best friends ever since. From their engagement shoot at Coppa, to multiple talks over the phone, and even an invitation to join them for their cake tasting (which oh em gee, it was amazing) I was so ecstatic to finally be able to photograph these two amazing people on a day where we celebrated them and their love.
I get close to my couples. But every year or so there’s always one couple that I tend to become bff’s with, the couple that not only hires me because I do great work, but because they know we’d make best friends. The couple that actually doesn’t mind getting together for dinner or drinks as a matter of fact, they’re excited too. They don’t just think I’m their photographer. They’re just as invested in me as I am with them. This year Nick & Jess was that couple.
I can go off for hours and tell you how their love story went but, I think the photos will speak for themselves. Instead I’d rather tell you what these two mean to me: I’ve never felt more cared for or loved by a couple. Jessica & Nick, you both are the most loving, selfless, and caring people I know. Throughout our whole process you loved hearing more about Jenn & I’s adventures than about your wedding. You sat with me and helped me plan out our engagement, you comforted me when I was worried to call Jenn’s mom, and you were there for us as soon as we got back from our trip, excited to hear about our adventures even though your wedding was a week away. You have cared more about me than any other couple has in all my years of photographing. You made me feel loved. You made me feel special, and you made me feel like your best friend. To be honest, I needed you more than you needed me. I cried when you were reading your vows to one another, during your first dance, and during your toasts. Your family and friends agree that you two are the most selfless people they know as well. You are always there for everyone around you and never questioning it. In this past year, I have seen it over and over again. So instead of you two thanking me for documenting your story, let me be the first to say thank YOU for allowing me to get to know such amazing, genuine, beautiful people. Thank YOU for allowing ME to capture and document this journey together. And thank you for always being there for me. Even if we’ve only known each other for a year now…I have a feeling we’re going to be best friends for a lifetime.
I seriously am honored for you all to meet this beautiful couple: Jessica & Nick.
2016 was one heck of a year for me. I took over 40,000 photos, photographed over 20 couples, and met some incredible people along the way. Thank you to all of my clients who made this year so much fun and exciting. You are what keeps me going. To be able to capture beautiful memories for you and your family to share for generations to come, is a true blessing. Thank you for choosing me to be your photographer and welcoming me into your special day with opening arms! Seriously - you rock.
Here's some of my favorite moments for 2016, enjoy!
I got to photograph Ashley & Patrick in -14 degree weather and pop a bottle of champign to celebreate us not dying of frostbite. Yup.
We suddenly now offer free dog walking services at your wedding.
I got to capture all your dance moves. Even those you didn't want anyone to see...
We captured all your reactions when you first saw one another...
And even managed to photobomb quite a bit...
We watched you read a lot of hand written letters...
And saw you open up gifts like a kid on Christmas...
It rained a lot, but that didn't stop us...
Because we had those beautiful summer days too...
We made you and your wedding party laugh...
While we also saw a lot of tears...
We photographed our first elopement and honestly loved it...
And we photographed our first Jewish wedding and loved it...
You all finally got to meet Jenn...
And we had many selfies together...
Overall we had a blast, and can't thank you enough. You're the reason why we keep this up because without you it would be tough.
Cheers to 2017!
I have a confession to make...At almost every wedding, I cry a little bit. But the story I'm about to tell you, may have you crying before the end of it. I try as a photographer to be in the moment 100% of the time. That means I'm experiencing the same happiness, sadness, sometimes stressfulness of my couples. With Annie & Chris, this was no different.
On a cold, rainy September day, Annie & Chris woke up ready for their beautiful Newport wedding planned. However, when they woke up to rain, as most of you could imagine, it wasn't what they expected. They still embraced the day with happiness & joy like they've always done in their relationship and with life. Much like their wedding day Annie & Chris had everything planned out for their life up until April of this past year when Annie found out she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. As unexpected as that was, they pushed forward with planning their big day and all the adventures ahead. Annie had surgery in May and started chemotherapy in June. Smack dab in the middle of all this, was their wedding in September. When I reached out to Annie & Chris to plan our final get together before their big day, she told me she had "something very important to tell me" I couldn't have even imagined that she would say "I have breast cancer".
Photography is more important than we know it. Sometimes people think all I do is "take pictures" however, it's so much deeper. I got a little teary eyed when Annie & Chris sat down with me for their meeting. I couldn't help but remember my papa, who passed away from cancer just a few years ago. I couldn't help but wish that I had more photographs with him, and of him. For all I knew, Annie & Chris's wedding pictures could be their only professional photos they would have of one another. It's a huge responsibility as it is, however, with the circumstances, it was even bigger. I remember getting in the car with Jenn on the way to Newport that day and I looked over and said "This is the most important wedding we have this year."
As you can imagine, their day went off without a hitch! Sure, it rained, it poured. But that didn't stop us. We embraced each and every minute of it. Exploring Newport in the rain is quite the adventure.
My favorite part of the whole day was when Annie's sister, Rachel gave her speech. Beyond being hilarious, her speech would go down for the best Maid of Honor speech I've ever heard. Towards the end, Rachel said something along the lines of: "Now, everyone here has been inspired by Annie and her amazing positivity, strength and courage but rather than pass the mic around and tell her, why don't we show her?" and everyone threw up signs of funny phases about breast cancer, inspirational quotes from Annie, or just messages to her. I broke down in tears. I apologize to Rachel, Annie, and their family in advance. The photos are a tad blurry because I was shaking and so overwhelmed with emotion. I'm a big baby. I knew it was coming and I still cried!
To Annie & Chris, thank you. Thank you for allowing me out of all people to photograph your big day. I know when choosing a photographer you look at prices, photos, websites, whats included, and that sometimes influences your choice, but besides all that - You guys choose me. You allowed me to capture your story, your next chapter in a beautiful, documentary style way. You became friends of mine rather than clients, and your photos, and your story became some of my favorite of all time.
Thank you to Annie's doctor Valerie Fein-Zachary, who without her and her amazing team, Annie & Chris could have had a much tougher road than expected.
You'll be happy to know that Annie is fully 100% out of chemotherapy and is on the road to recovery. I hope this brightens up her day as much as she's brightened up my life.
You inspire me Annie & Chris. For that, I am forever grateful.
Annie's amazing doctor
Annie & Chris's full gallery will be available shortly. For now, let's give a special thanks to all the vendors from their big day who worked hard to make it possible!
Photography: Ryan DeVoll Photography
Venue: The Bohlin Newport
Band: Clockwork Boston
Florist: Blooming Blossoms
Boy do I have a treat for you all today. Back at the beginning of this year, my goal was to photograph my couple's in a more candid, storytelling way. Not every wedding presents itself like this, but every so often you get to photograph everything as it happens and you just sit back and smile through the camera.
May I present to you: Whitney & Tyler
Whitney is a actually an amazing blogger & graphic designer. When I got the call from LA, I honestly thought it was some advertising company trying to sell me something. I had no idea that this couple from LA wanted me to be their wedding photographer. When I found out that Whitney was a blogger, I had this cool idea for her to guest blog on my site. After all, who better to tell her story. I hope you all enjoy this special sneak peek of Whitney & Tyler's big day at Newport Vineyards. These images are definitely some of my favorite thus far. I can't wait for you to see them. But first, take it away Whitney!
Hello everyone!
My name is Whitney Eshleman, a graphic designer and blogger based in Los Angeles, California. I went to art school at Suffolk University in Boston and lived there for a few years before moving to Los Angeles in 2007. I created my lifestyle blog, hoopLA, on a whim after a layoff in 2010 and it just took off. Since then I have been designing and writing and hoopLA has me all over California, and now expanding across the US.
I've lived in LA for nine years, and anyone who has been here for some time knows dating in Los Angeles isn't easy. It's the land of the online dating. I was lucky enough to have a herniated disc injury and needed surgery because I met my now husband, Tyler. Tyler was my physical therapist after my surgery and it was love at first sight. From the moment we saw each other, we were together. I am originally from Glastonbury, CT and Tyler is from Binghamton, NY so we both have the east coast mentality. Plus, we both went to school in Boston and are huge Red Sox fans.
Tyler now works for a company where he visits four high end hotels in Los Angeles and the City of Santa Monica, and teaches ergonomics to their employees. I am a freelance graphic designer, so our flexible schedules allow us to have "adventures" (as we call them) and hike, bike, camp, and travel as much as we can. We want to experience as much as life has to offer.
When it came to wedding planning, I was planning 3,000 miles away from where we were getting married. My mom helped me plan everything after we were engaged. We wanted something rustic, yet elegant and Newport Vineyards was the perfect venue. Tyler and I are huge winos, so when we heard it was a vineyard, we were sold. I visited 3 months later to seal the deal and Tyler and I fly out the May before so he could see it too. In terms of finding our DJ, caterer, Ryan, hair/makeup, and flowers, I had to just trust my gut. My mom found a few through word of mouth recommendations and I found some on theknot.com and did a little research on my own. In May we met with everyone and felt confident in our choices and they all turned out to be rock stars. One word of advice for your wedding is to find a photographer who you enjoy being around because they are with you all day. I not only enjoyed Ryan and his team, but I loved them. On a day where emotions are running high, they knew exactly how to take control and pose us. They can really read people and made sure Tyler and I were happy, comfortable, fed, and liquored up. Ryan is a joy to work with and he always has a smile on his face. More than anything I loved that he checked in with Tyler and I right up to the day and he was always accessible. I am in absolute love with what I've seen so far and hope you love them too!
Follow along with my more recent adventures on my blog! I hope to see you there!
XOXO,
Whitney
Whitney & Tyler's full gallery will be available soon.
For now, let's give a special thank you to all of those who worked hard on their special day:
Photographer: Ryan DeVoll Photography
Venue: Newport Vineyards
DJ: DJ Valentina
Hair & Makeup: Lynda Williams Beauty
Florist: Flowerthyme
