They met in the second grade. Jennifer and John knew each other when they were kids in Alabama. When they were still young, John and his family moved to Pennsylvania. Years later they found each other again in Boston. On the most beautiful Saturday in May, they were married in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Jennifer is from Alabama, and bridal portraits are an important part of Southern weddings. She asked if we could do some bridal photos at the Sheraton Commander, which is the hotel where she was getting ready.
John was also getting ready at the Sheraton Commander. I headed to his room to take some photos of him with his family. Jennifer and John got ready separately, and didn’t see each other until she walked down the aisle at the ceremony.
The wedding ceremony was held at MIT, where John went to school. The MIT Chapel is one of my absolute favorite places to photograph. Designed in the 1950′s by Eero Saarinen, it’s a wonderful example of mid-20th Century modern architecture. The light on the altar is amazing. I’m actually photographing three weddings at the chapel this year.
Jennifer’s Maid of Honor designed the ceremony programs, shown below. I think she did a great job! There were several cards hinged together. The program included a poem — “i carry your heart with me” — by e.e. cummings, who was also from Cambridge.
After the ceremony we headed over to Killian Court at John’s alma mater, MIT, for some portraits. It’s nice to take some time with the bride and groom, away from all of the people and bustle of the day. I tell people “this is the one time of the day where you can be alone with each other. ” Well, alone except that I’m there snapping pictures! Although I photograph many MIT weddings, this was the first wedding day where we photographed at Killian Court.
In Harvard Square, friends and strangers cheered as Jennifer and John joined their reception at Upstairs On The Square. I love walking around public places with brides and grooms! Everybody loves seeing a bride and groom. So many people smiling and congratulating them. It just makes people happy.
Upstairs On The Square has this gigantic mirror in the main room downstairs. Oh look there I am in the mirror, photographing…
This may be the first-ever wedding toast recited from an iPad! And I happen to know that this was the 3G model, which was released that day. Got to love Cambridge and all its technology-loving peeps.
I love this photo below, of Jennifer and her dad. This was taken right after he made his toast. It kind of got me teary eyed when I was editing the photos!
