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.

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:

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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

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:

Our next stop was on Beacon Hill:

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:

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!