It’s that time of year again!  I have had the privilege to give back a little to the community by giving away a free wedding every year since I’ve been in business. Along the way I have met some really extraordinary people with some really cool stories to tell, and photographed in some really cool venues that I otherwise would have missed out on (like a firehouse!).

So I’m excited to begin looking for the next extraordinary couple for my 2010 wedding photography giveaway. If you are getting married between February 1 and May 15, 2010, shoot me an email, and let’s talk. You could be the winner of a free photography package valued at $2750.

Last year’s contest was really successful, so I think we’ll try again.  I’m looking for your story. I want to hear about your life…your love, your losses, your ups and downs. I want to hear about your wedding, who you are marrying, what he/she means to you. I want to be invested in your life before I even meet you. In a nutshell, I am looking for someone who can’t really afford a wedding, but is not letting that stop them from making a lifelong commitment to his/her soulmate. The person with the story that moves me the most wins the package.

Here’s what the winner will get:
- Up to 6 continuous hours of photographic coverage by me.
- Up to 200 print-ready large-resolution digital images on disc.

To Qualify:
- The wedding must take place between February 1 and May 15, 2010 and is subject to my availability
- The wedding must take place within 60 miles of my home in Grafton, MA
- You must send me an email with your love story to info@jamisonwexler.com

You can read all about last year’s contest winners here: http://jamisonwexler.com/blog/jamisonwexler.com/blog/susan-mike-2009-free-wedding-photography-contest-winners-february-28-2009/

My first wedding of 2010 found me in charming Lancaster County PA, on a crisp, bright, almost warm, winter morning.

We began the day as Mona Lu and Kerry were getting ready in different wings of Petra Christian Fellowship in New Holland, PA.  Since they were getting ready so close to one another, I had the rare chance to pop back and forth between them and capture them each before the ceremony.  Pretty soon, however, the guests began to arrive, and it was time for Kerry and Mona Lu to hide out for a little while.  It wasn’t long, however, before it was time for the ceremony to begin.  Surrounded by an intimate gathering of their friends and family, Mona Lu and Kerry’s ceremony began with a band leading the congregation in a couple of songs.  After a short message by their minister, the couple ascended the steps to the stage and professed their lifelong commitment.

After they greeted their guests at the end of each row, we captured all of their family photos at the front of the church, with the purple lights of the stage providing a really cool background.  Then the three of us headed off to Pool Forge Park in nearby Narvon, PA.   With its old stone house, matching stone outbuildings, and covered bridge crossing a beautiful little creek, it provided a perfect backdrop for a romantic portrait session.

Then it was off to Shady Maple Banquet Center, where Mona Lu & Kerry’s guests were waiting to welcome them to dinner.  After introductions, everyone settled in to the delicious buffet.

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/monalukerry

It’s always a privilege when a couple selects me to photograph their wedding, but it’s doubly so when one of the folks getting married is also a professional wedding photographer!  In this case, the groom, Brian, is the co-owner of Reflections Photography in New York.  And what a perfect day for a wedding! It was sunny and clear without a cloud in the sky when I arrived at Danielle’s childhood home in Nashua NH.  After getting dressed, Danielle grabbed a quick bite to eat, then we headed out into the backyard for a few portraits.  Soon the bridesmaids arrived, followed by the limousine, and it was time to head to the church.

The New Apostolic Church in Nashua NH was standing room only when we arrived, as all of Danielle and Brian’s friends and family gathered to share in their marriage service.  And what an emotional service it was, with tears flowing freely.  At the end of the service we actually escaped into a little side room to sign the marriage certificate, then Danielle and Brian headed down the aisle as man and wife to greet all of their guests.

With all of the guests properly greeted, we all headed downtown for a few fun portraits.  The bridal party joined us for the first few, posing in front of an old warehouse, before capturing a few photos of the girls in front of the Sausage King.  Then the bridal party headed to the reception while Brian, Danielle, and I walked around downtown finding lots of cool little nooks and crannies for their romantic portrait session.

Before long, it was time to head to the Skymeadow Country Club in Nashua NH, where all of Danielle’s friends and family were waiting for their entrance.  That’s when the celebration really began with the dance floor staying alive the entire evening!  But that’s enough talking - you want to see pictures.  Please forgive my excess this wedding - it’s the last wedding of the season, so I got a little carried away!

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/daniellebrian

Due to a special request, I’ve been sitting on these photos for a couple of weeks, and I am so excited to finally get to share them!

Hilary and Joe’s wedding day was an elegant urban affair from start to finish.  We began the day as Hilary, her family, and her bridesmaids were getting ready in a suite upstairs at the Havard Club in Boston.  There the ladies were being pampered with massages, makeup and mimosas.  After being sufficiently pampered, they all dressed in some of the coolest bridesmaids dresses I have ever seen.  They all had the same dress, but it was designed to be worn in a million different ways.  So they all put their unique spin on it, and they were all beautiful!  Not to be outdone, however, Hilary’s gorgeous beaded gown with spaghetti straps was elegance personified.

Once the ladies were ready, we headed downstairs, where Joe was waiting to see his bride-to-be for the first time.   After an emotional meeting at the bottom of the grand staircase, we took some time to take their family photos, and walked around a bit with Hilary and Joe for some portraits of the two of them.  When we returned, the family was gathered with the Rabbi for the signing of the Ketubah.   Almost before the ink was dry, it was time for the candlelit ceremony in the elegant, old world styled Harvard Club ballroom.  In a small break from tradition, Hilary and Joe both crushed a “glass” at the end of the ceremony to the applause and cheers of all assembled.

The “I Do’s” being said, we snuck out for a few nighttime portraits on Comm Ave, and the alley behind the Harvard Club, then we were back inside to join the guests for the cocktail hour.  And that’s when the celebration kicked into high gear, with the cocktail hour quickly melting into the reception with laughter and dancing well into the night.

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/hilaryjoe

Ceremony/Reception: Harvard Club
Wedding Coordinators: Pink Orchid Weddings
Makeup: Kimberly Fosher
Flowers: The Tangled Web
Band: Flipside

And a special thanks to my good friend Earl Christie for helping me out.

Gloucester is a sleepy little seaside town… At least is was before Candace and Greg brought the party into town!

We began the day at the Peabody Marriott where Candace and her girlfriends were rocking the suite and preparing for the big day.  After a few shots of the dress, shoes, and other details, Candace slipped into the other room to put it all on.  Then we headed downstairs to the awesome little courtyard the the Marriott had set up next to the bar.  It set the perfect backdrop for Candace and her bridesmaids to let loose their inner supermodels!

After a quck stop at the bar for a couple more photos, we all headed over to Stage Fort Park, where the frigid ocean breeze didn’t stop Candace and Greg from enjoyimg a moment alone as they saw each other for the first time.  We even got the bridal party in on the fun, and they were all great actresses as not a one of them looked cold in the photos.  Candace and Greg weren’t done, however, and we spent a few more minutes walking around the park, even wandering into a neighbor’s yard, where a display of birdhouses provided in interesting backdrop for the photos.

Boy were the cars warm as we headed back to Gloucester.  One quick detour put us in front of the famous Gloucester fisherman’s memorial statue for a couple of photos, then back on the bus and to St Ann’s Parish in Gloucester.  The low lighting in St Ann’s created a romantic atmosphere as Candace and Greg said “I do”, and exited to the waiting Rolls to take them to the reception at the Cruiseport.

We arrived at the Criuseport in plenty of time to capture all of the family photos, before Candace and Greg joined their guests in the cocktail hour.  Then it was toasts, food, drink and fun, pausing only for a few moments when we took a quick break outside for a few photos at the Gorden’s fish factory across the street.

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/candacegreg

 And a special thanks to Johnny Arguedas for helping me out with Candace and Greg’s wedding!

Dana and Steve’s reception gives me the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the typical candid moments that I capture throughout a reception.  By the time their Friday evening event started, they had already been married for four weeks - enjoying an intimate ceremony on a beach in Maui!  Since the ceremony was just for the two of them, they decided to have their celebration at The Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton MA with all of their friends and family, and asked me along to capture the fun.

We started out a few minutes before the cocktail hour taking some family portraits.  Soon the party started with all the guests arriving to offer their congratulations.  As the night progressed, Dana and Steve greeted their guests setting the stage for the delicious dinner.  After a couple of toasts, the cut the cake, and proceeded on the dance floor for their first dance.  Halfway through their family joined in and the festivities really began, with friends and family dancing into the evening.

Sunday dawned crisp and sunny, with the golden sunlight displaying the color of the changing autumn leaves to their fullest…just the kind of day that every bride dreams about for their wedding!

Beth and Greg’s beautiful wedding day began at the Sheraton Braintree, where Beth and her bridesmaids and her Moms were having their hair and makeup perfected (and trying to grab a quick bite of lunch)  in a corner suite of the castle styled hotel.   In between the laughter and dancing and eating, they all managed to get into their beautiful dresses, shoes and jewelry, and we all headed off to Houghton’s Pond in Milton MA.

When we arrived at Houghton’s Pond, Greg and his groomsman were already waiting, eagerly anticipating the first moment when he would see his bride-to-be in all of her wedding finery.  As he waited at the bottom of a set of steps with his back to her, Beth made her way to him, calling his name as she approached.  With their family and wedding party watching from a distance, they shared an emotional moment together.  Then we took photos of everyone, wandering around the park and taking advantage of the awesome locations it offered.

Soon it was time to head over to the Milton Hoosic Club for the reception.  The Hoosic Club is a turn of the century property, with a lovely “back yard” area that was set up for the wedding.  Making the back yard area even more lovely, was the amazing decorations all made by Beth’s mom.  Everywhere you looked were elegant personal touches from the floral arrangements atop the archways at the front and rear of the aisle to the aisle lined with floral wrapped candelabras inter-spaced with birdhouses.  And her craftiness extended to the centerpieces, and the sign out front, and the bridal bouquet - which was the most beautiful I have ever seen in the time I’ve been photographing weddings.  Down this beautiful aisle, Beth’s dad escorted her to Greg, and they became husband and wife.

Then it was time for the party to start.  Since Beth and Greg had done their photos beforehand, they joined their guests for the cocktail hour, then headed inside for the fantastic meal, and the super dance party hosted by DJ Shine.

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/bethgreg

The second part of my double header weekend, found me in my neighboring town of Worcester, MA, on a rainy Saturday afternoon for Linda and Ryan’s wedding.

I met Linda and her girls at a friends house, where the finishing touches were being put on her hair and makeup.  We weren’t there long, before we headed to her parent’s house to finish the preparations.  With the rain outside, we had to get a little creative with the bridal portraits inside, and Linda was adventurous enough to climb up and perch precariously on a headboard next to a cool old crucifix.

With the adventures in indoor portraits done, we were ready to head out to St Catherine of Sweden Church.  In an emotional ceremony full of happy tears, Linda and Ryan made their lifelong commitment…and the rain stopped!  No umbrellas were needed as they walked out of the church and had a toast in front of the Limousine.

Once they were toasted and safely in the limo, we all headed over to The Chocksett Inn for the reception.  Once at the Chocksett, Linda and Ryan braved the puddles and wet grass to capture a few outdoor photos before we headed inside.  After a few family photos in front of the fireplace, the band began to play and the party really started!

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/lindaryan

Ceremony: St Catherine of Sweden
Reception: Chocksett Inn
Cake: Crown Bakery
Video: Royal Video
Entertainment: Pandemonium (and they freaking rocked!)

The first half of my double header wedding weekend found me in Wareham, MA for Mia and Jasen’s wedding.  Though they now reside in New Jersey, Mia grew up in Wareham, and they traveled back to her hometown for their wedding.

I met Mia at her family home in West Wareham, where her Mom was working on her hair.  Soon her sisters arrived, and Mia herself became the hairdresser, helping her sisters with their hair.  Before long everyone was styled and dressed and ready for photos.  We began with Mia in front of a really cool wall made from wooden tiles that her parents built when they first moved in.  Then it was out to the back yard for a few family photos before heading off to St Patrick’s Church in Wareham.

Mia and Jasen were all smiles as Mia was escorted by both her parents down the aisle.  The ceremony was beautiful, and with a jump over a broom, the newly married couple walked down the aisle, out the doors, and down the street for a walk around downtown Wareham.  Our first stop was the old library, which offered a really cool backdrop for photos.  Then we headed down to an old train station where a mural caught our eye as a great spot for a wedding party shot.

After that, there was nothing left to do but head to the Hawthorne Country Club in North Dartmouth, where an evening of dancing and food and fun awaited us!

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/miajasen

Ceremony: St Patrick’s
Reception: Hawthorne Country Club
Flowers: Garden of Egan
Cake: Creative Endeavors
Entertainment: Murray Hill Talent - DJ Brian Delac

So what do you do if it rains on your wedding day?  If you’re Kristine and Jaret, you spread your own sunshine through your smiles and love and happiness…then you throw the biggest party of your life!

We started out at Kristine’s house where a steady stream of bridesmaids made their way in, filling the house with activity.   When Kristine arrived, they were ready for her, forming a bridal assembly line with various pieces of her attire.  It worked like a charm, and quick as a flash, Kristine was ready for her wedding!  Just before jumping into the awaiting Rolls Royce, we used the great natural light in her home to capture a few bridal portraits of Kristine.

Then it was around the corner to Saint Michael Parish where the pews in the large church were filled with Kristine and Jaret’s family and friends waiting to celebrate their wedding mass.  Not long into the ceremony, I discovered that I wasn’t the only one working the wedding as a photographer, when the priest brought out his camera and took a few shots.  Now that’s a full service church!  The photography didn’t keep him from performing a beautiful ceremony, though, and soon Kristine and Jaret were walking down the aisle together as man and wife.

While the newly married duo greeted their guests on the way out of the church, I headed over to the Tewksbury Country Club to take photos of the setup, and scout out some indoor locations for the photos.  When they arrived, we took a few minutes to pose with the Rolls, then headed into the beautiful ballroom for family photos.  Then it was time for the party, with the music of Night Rhythm setting the tone for a perfect evening.  By the end of the night, the rain had stopped, so we snuck out for a few romantic portraits on the bridge and among the sleeping golf carts!

Click here to see a few more: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/kristinejaret

Ceremony: St Michael Parish
Reception: Tewksbury Country Club
Hair: Trend Setters Salon
Flowers: Ford Florist
Cake: Montoya’s Bakery
Entertainment: Night Rhythm