After 9 years, these two finally tied the knot and I had the absolute honor to photograph their day. Brittany is a my cousin. Growing up, we spent all the holidays together, all the summer days at grandma's pool and all the nights where we designed MySpace templates together. We've seen each other grow up, mature and had each had our fair share in relationship troubles...until she met Tom. Tom is one of the most respectful, down to earth, and kindest people I've ever met. From that moment on, I knew these two would be inseparable. I would have NEVER guessed that I'd be the one to photograph their entire relationship. When they got together back in high school and needed some prom photos, they called me. When I needed a couple's photo for my college portfolio, I called them. 2 years ago when Tom popped the question, Brittany wanted nobody else besides me to be their wedding photographer. Just like Brittany and I watched each other grow up, I saw this couple grow. From prom photos, to a random session a year or two later, to their lovebird session and today...their wedding. This is why I do this. To tell a story. To tell THEIR STORY.
Their day was nothing but fun. I'm not going to lie - Photographing a family member's wedding makes me even more stressed. You know everyone there, there's a ton of pressure on you to nail it even more than usual and you're worried about them judging you! Admit it. However, that being said I had a blast. Knowing everyone there made the day go by so smoothly, being able to be myself instead of being in "work mode" as Jenn calls it, made me less stressed and just being able to be a guest at their wedding too, and not just the hired help was especially nice. I had the best time during the reception. Let's just say there was a certain wedding party member with some awesome dance moves. He fell in love with the tray table at one point (photo below) and maybe even twerked a bit. I was in tears from laughing.
Before we head into their wedding...lets take it back 9 years...to their prom photos!
A special shoutout & thanks to everyone to made Brittany & Tom's wedding happen. Including all these folks:
Photography: Ryan DeVoll Photography
Venue: Holliston Historical Society
DJ: FPB Events
Florist: Bridgewater Florist
Hair: Sinful Styles
A spe
Ashley & Wale seem like amazing best friends of mine rather than clients. These two are some of the sweetest, kindest and most appreciative people I've ever met. As soon as I met them I couldn't wait to photograph them. From our cold wintery day just over a year ago when we had a blast in their neck of the woods - to just little over a month ago at their wedding where there was a ton of dancing, lots of amazing photos, and lots and lots of laughs. Heck, I even joined them on the dance floor to showcase my awesome two step at one point. That one got a lot of laughs.
Ashley & Wale, thank you for allowing me to photograph your story. I hope you both love these sneak peeks and I can't wait to show you the rest! Thank you so much, out of the bottom of my heart for not only allowing me to photograph this journey of yours, but to become a friend rather than just a wedding vendor.
With love,
Ryan
Special thanks to all the vendors who made this day for Wale & Ashley special:
Photography: Ryan DeVoll Photography
Venue: Crissey Farm
Florist: Garden Blossoms
DJ: Costa Production Group
Cake: Linda Pastries
Hair: Vow To Style
Makeup artist: Glamour Cosmetics
99% of my clients find me through social media, the Knot, or even through Google. However Elizabeth & Matt are with the other 1% of couples. Liz first saw my work when I photographed her friend Alyce back in 2014. Alyce & Josh's wedding is recognized with all of my couples. It's one of my favorites! Julianne (another bride of mine) also found me through Alyce & Josh's photos. Who would have thought that they would all know one another? Alyce knew Liz, who knew Julianne and BAM! We have our first wedding where all three of our clients are in one room. What a small world! With that being said, Elizabeth & Matt knew right away who was going to be there on their wedding day to photograph them. Once they met with me, I was ecstatic for their day.
Although it was a cold and rainy day, Liz & Matt braved through it all and were great sports. They even ditched the umbrellas at one point! I had an awesome time either way. Looking back at these photos I'm reminded of how much fun we had that night. These two seriously know how to throw a great party.
I hope you all enjoy these sneak peeks!
With love,
Ryan
Julianne, Alyce, Liz and I!
And last but definitely not least, my personal favorite, and one of the best rain wedding photos I've taken to date:
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