We checked our watches and realized that we still had a little bit of time before the reception was due to begin. So we all smiled at each other and Rene and I stole Erica and Daryl away for a private portrait session – just the two of them together. Finally alone! There was some amazingly beautiful light in the lofty bridal suite we were using and I pulled Daryl to the window to create a great portrait of him using that warm sunset glow. As we were chatting together, I couldn’t help but notice that he looked a little distracted. Almost as though he could see something at the corner of his eye and couldn’t look away. I finally glanced over my shoulder and there was Erica….tall, beautiful, no – stunning in her amazing gown with the beautiful afternoon sun pouring in through the window as Rene was posing her for her own portrait. Daryl and I both stopped talking and just stared at how beautiful Erica looked just standing there, completely oblivious to anything other than Rene’s directions to her. There – right in front of us – was the definition of breathtaking and I melted when I realized that Daryl could not stop staring at his wife. He was just so proud, so in love and so happy. THAT was such a great moment to witness and I’ll never forget that.
Erica and Daryl would make the perfect Hollywood power couple. They’re incredibly gorgeous, they’re confident and have magnetic personalities that makes everyone want to be near them. And still…they are the most down to earth, fun-loving, genuine couple you’ll ever meet. We had an incredible day long wedding with them and I’ve been working for days on a blog post that really describes how much fun we had with them. And as always these days, there are a lot of images coming up!
We began early while Erica was still getting ready. When I arrived the finishing touches were just being applied on everyone’s makeup by the talented Kim Fosher. Kim is an amazingly talented professional, a client of ours and also a great friend. She’s exactly the the person you love to have with you the morning of your wedding. Her personality is so calming and soothing and she makes you feel so beautiful!
So after I arrived, Erica was ready….for the dress. It was an amazing gown that required a lot of hands and it was worth every single effort:
At the very same time, Rene met Daryl and the boys to hang out before the wedding and get some great portraits of them together as well. They decided to meet at Belle Mer which is also where their reception was going to be and then make their way over to the ceremony together.
Meanwhile, back at the inn where the girls were getting ready, Erica’s dad was getting a peek at his little girl all dressed up for the very first time. What I love most about this moment is that Erica never knew it was happening until she saw this image after the wedding. I’m so happy I was there to document for Erica just how proud her dad was of his little girl:
Erica’s entire look and style was absolutely flawless – from her shoes, to her jewelry and one of my favorite details: her amazing head piece:
Now, I need to take a moment to give some extra special love to Erica’s dad. He’s an incredibly talented florist and even though he had all of his father of the bride duties to think about leading up to the wedding, he still wanted to make sure his daughter had the best. So he designed and arranged all of the bouquets, centerpieces and floral details for the entire wedding. (I’m pretty sure he must also moonlight as superman….)
As the girls made our way to the ceremony, Daryl and his brother patiently waited at the back of the church for the guests to be seated:
And another one of my favorite moments… After all of the bridesmaids made their way down the aisle, Erica and her dad had about one minute to themselves while they waited for the doors to open again for them. Right at that moment, Erica’s dad looked at his little girl and reached out to give her one last kiss before they walked down the aisle:
And just seconds later, Daryl got to see his bride for the first time. What I love most about this image is seeing the expression on the face of Daryl’s best friend, Damian, just there to his left. Daryl and Damian have been best friends since they were very little and I think you can really tell how nervous Daryl is feeling and just how proud Damian was at that very moment:
Daryl and Erica’s dad also have a fabulous relationship and I just loved this series of images when Erica and her dad arrived at the altar:
Erica and Daryl’s ceremony was held at St. Mary’s church in Bristol, RI and it was beautiful location for a wedding:
We’re only halfway through Erica and Daryl’s day so check back soon for part 2 where we’ll share all of the incredible portraits that we took of their wedding party and the private session that we had with Erica and Daryl by themselves. They were so special, they needed their own blog post!
But in the meantime, here’s a breakdown of the amazing vendors that Erica and Daryl used to make their day perfect:
Erica and girls’ prep and portraits location: Forty 1 North, Newport, RI
Make up artist: Kim Fosher
Daryl and guys’ portraits location: Belle Mer, Newport, RI
Ceremony location: St. Mary’s Church, Bristol, RI
Reception loccation: Belle Mer, Newport, RI
Florist: Erica’s dad!! A professional florist (and Clark Kent…we think).
Videographer: David Bettencourt
Cake (cupcakes!): Eat Wicked
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