Working as a professional wedding photographer is so much fun when you have clients like Dana and Chris and a wedding venue like the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. I had done an engagement session at the Stamford Nature Center before, so I knew this day was going to be great.
Bride Getting Ready
The first thing I noticed upon arriving to the couples home was the calendar entry for May 11th. It read “Let’s Get Married”…and that they did! It was a glorious spring day for this Stamford Museum and Nature Center wedding. The ladies got ready at the couple’s adorable home in Norwalk, CT. Even though I lived in Norwalk for 7 years, I had never been in their neighborhood before. It was just lovely! It’s always nice when getting ready can happen in a familiar location. Especially since their three cats are important members of the family, so they got to join in for part of the fun.
Groom Getting Ready
Meanwhile, the groom Chris was getting ready at his brothers house in Stamford, CT. My second photographer Erin captured him getting ready – real bowtie and all! Along with some fun moments of his nephew ring bearer having fun with the groomsmen. Then everyone headed over to their wedding venue Stamford Nature Center to get ready for the first look.
First Look at Stamford Nature Center
The wedding first look happened on the Wheels in the Woods trail at Stamford Museum and Nature Center. The groom walked out a ways on the wooden boardwalk, the bride followed, and then when she got close enough he turned around to see her for the first time. This couple is just so fun and playful. I was about to give them some direction for couple portraits, but then I remembered back to their engagement session. So I thought better and just told them to do their thing while we snapped away.
Mansion Wedding Ceremony
Later in the afternoon, the wedding ceremony took place inside the Henri Bendel Mansion at Stamford Nature Center. The ballroom has a beautiful vaulted ceiling with wood trusses and hanging fairy lights everywhere. A family friend presided over a funny and sweet ceremony that was personalized right down to the vows. The groom even promised to drink the flat, half empty, cans of selzer that the bride always leaves around the house. Now THATS love. They even did a surprise secret handshake to seal their union!
Stamford Museum and Nature Center Wedding Reception
Once they were pronounced husband and wife, all the guests walked down to the Otter Pond for the cocktail hour. The couple signed their marriage license before following. On our way down, we spotted this beautiful archway looking out over a beautiful spring vista, and of course had to take a photo. Then they danced their way down to the reception!
After that they danced their way into their reception and right through the first dance. Then it was time for speeches. I love the speeches because I usually get to learn a lot about the couple. Like how this couple lived paralell lives for several years, almost meeting several time before the universe finally brought them together. And their fun quirks, like how Dana likes to call people “humans” and Chris hates to drive.
Wedding Food Trucks
Earlier in the day I had a chance to see their save the date for the wedding which warned guests to come hungry. After a family style dinner, guests were treated to Tipsy Cones, Baonanas Banana Pudding, Donuts, and even late night pizza! It provided plenty of fuel for the crazy fun dance party that was raging even as I left for the evening.
Head on over to see more of my wedding portfolio here, or contact me to chat about your wedding!
