Cambridge City Hall Wedding Photographer: Arista + Bryant

Mar 16, 2013 | Elopements, Weddings

fun portrait of bride wearing red and groom at boston public library
Arista and Bryant contacted me a few weeks ago about photographing their Cambridge City Hall wedding. They had decided to elope, and were looking for a photographer to document their day, and they were happy to work with me on finding a date that would work for us all. What a perfect gig! But even better was the story I discovered while working with this smart, feisty, and very fun couple. Bryant and Arista originally met 19 years ago, while they were spending the year studying abroad in the UK. They met through Arista’s room mate, who Bryant was dating briefly, and although they never dated, Bryant at least was interested right from the start.

A few years ago, these two were reconnected through the power of Facebook, however it wasn’t until last summer that they finally saw each other again in person. They were both in Washington DC – Bryant living there and Arista visiting for a few days – and they met up for dinner (as friends). Bryant knew immediately how he felt about Arista (still!) and when she mentioned that she wanted to get her nose pierced, he seized the opportunity to spend a little more time with her before she headed back to Boston. He found a piercing studio and accompanied her to her appointment. An intense long distance relationship quickly developed, and on Valentine’s Day Bryant proposed (more on that a little later). They currently live in Boston and Georgia, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this changes for them soon.

bride at chanel in saks boston for her wedding day makeup
I started my day at the Chanel counter at Saks where Arista was having her makeup applied. I wasn’t expecting to be allowed to take any photos but the Chanel staff was amazing; so welcoming and sweet. I highly recommend these guys if you’re looking for an alternative to a traveling makeup artist! And now some stuff for my fellow photo nerds. I picked up a Fujifilm X-Pro 1 this week and decided to test it out for wedding photos (along with my regular gear, of course). I was pleasantly surprised at how well it performed, and the files straight out of camera are gorgeous. The next two photos were taken with the X-Pro 1:

makeup at the chanel counter in saksbride having her makeup applied at chanel counter

Once Arista’s makeup was complete, we headed back to her apartment on Comm Ave where Bryant was getting ready. I love this next photo of her pinning his boutonniere … the way he looks at her is beautiful.

bride in red helping groom get ready with boutonniere

Gotta love a bride who buys TWO pairs of fabulous shoes! This is a Fujifilm X-Pro 1 wedding photo also:

two pairs of awesome red wedding shoessilhouette of bride and groom getting ready moment

Once ready, we walked to the T station and headed to Cambridge City Hall for the wedding! How happy do these guys look?

happy couple walking from the t to their cambridge city hall wedding ceremonyoutside of cambridge city hall

We totally lucked out on the weather that day – it was gorgeous out, crazy bright, and not too cool until later in the afternoon.

detail of couple walking to the t

The ceremony was crazy short, but packed full of emotion:

black and white photo of couple getting married at cambridge city hallbride in red at her cambridge city hall wedding

After the ceremony we had a little time for photos around City Hall.

detail of cambridge city hallcouple on staircase at city hall after eloping

After leaving City Hall, we went back to Arista’s place to celebrate with cake and champagne (I might have had a little cake – it was so yummy!) I really love how happy and excited they both are here:

sharing cake and laughing after the wedding

Then it was off to the ICA for some couples photos.

bride with red wedding dress at the ica in bostongroom reading a sonnett to his bride

Bryant proposed to Arista by writing her a sonnet. She keeps the beautifully calligraphed sonnet in a red box, and we brought it along for photos. Bryant was re-reading it to her here:

close up photo of couples hands and poemsweet moment between couple at ica in black and white

Our next stop was on Beacon Hill:

bride in red and groom laughing on acorn street in beacon hillcute couples photos on beacon hill and groom looking on smiling

Our final portrait stop was the magnificent Boston Public Library – one of my all-time favorite places for wedding photos. While we were in the reading room, Arista and Bryant found a book of tartans; we figured that Bryant’s family tartan, Wemyss, would be a great backdrop for a ring photo. And the photo nerds out there may like to know that the next two photos are from the Fuji X-Pro 1:

wedding rings on tartan in the libraryportraits of the bride and groom at boston public library

Thank you Bryant and Arista so much for sharing your intimate celebration with me. I hope that you’ve enjoyed these teaser photos, and that they help your families and friends to get a feel for your wedding day. If you’re looking to have a Cambridge City Hall wedding or elopement, you can find more info here. I would love to be your photographer!

8 Comments

  1. AJ your photographer…………um what can I say…………the teaser photos are SPECTACULAR!!! Did you tell her to just send the bill to good ole Sage? Lol! Can’t wait for the party whenever that may be. I also love your dress. It is PERFECT! Much love and God bless you both!

    Reply
  2. Their story is so sweet! And her red dress is gorgeous. Great photos, Kate! -Stephanie

    Reply
  3. Thank you so much Amy and Stephanie!

    Reply
  4. Jan Deering – Wichita, Kansas
    What a great and romantic and clever beginning to your marriage! I wish you much, much happiness. You MUST bring Bryant to Wichita asap – we want to meet him- and see you! Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures – your announcement and pix made my day!

    Reply
  5. Just stopped by to see how you are doing?

    As expected, your’e still producing jaw droppingly great photographs!!

    Rob

    Reply
  6. I love the photos and we are so happy for you both! Arista you looked stunning in red! There were so many photos of you both laughing and smiling that we could totally feel the joy…thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and yummy cake with us :)! We had a little celebration in honor of your wedding right here in KS and toasted some champagne to you both. We wish you many years of love and happiness!!

    Reply
  7. I don’t even know what to say…the news, the photos, the make-up, the dress, the sonnet, let’s not forget the shoes…all of it, including the bride and groom…just beautiful! The quintessential wedding story! I am so happy for you and your family. Best wishes for a long and happy life together.

    Reply
  8. Aside from the bride and the groom and their love, one of the things that you will quickly notice about these photographs is the gorgeous city hall! It’s huge and grand, and is an impeccable venue to accommodate weddings! Here in SF, we also have a beautiful city hall!

    Reply

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