I LOVE photographing Jewish weddings, and I LOVE the Boston Public Library – and so I had been looking forward to Lauren & Scott’s beautiful wedding day since the moment they booked me. It did not disappoint!

This lovely couple wanted to minimize portraits – and attention in general – on their wedding day, and really focus on family and celebration. Which is exactly how I love to work: concentrating my efforts on the documentary moments, and really capturing the spirit of the day. And, of course, the beauty: the incredible setting, and the delightful details.

I started my afternoon with some final getting ready photos with Lauren and her mom (I adore her mom’s reaction to seeing Lauren in her veil) then Scott joined Lauren in her suite before they headed over to the Boston Public Library for the wedding. Scott and Lauren requested that we did not set up their first look; they wanted a relaxed, natural moment, and I loved that I was still able to capture it for them. 

After some portraits around the Library, including in a brand new (to me) spot on the third floor, family joined us for the ketubah signing. This is always one of my favorite moments at a Jewish wedding: family coming together for the most important ceremony of the day. It always feels like such an honor to be a witness to this intimate gathering of the couple’s closest people, and it is often when the couple truly relaxes into the day.

The “public” ceremony was held in the majestic courtyard at Boston Public Library – truly the most magical of spaces. It was short and sweet with no readings, but I loved the smiles and laughter we were able to capture, especially as Lauren and Scott exited the ceremony. Cocktail hour was perfect – the weather held and guests mingled outside in the courtyard, feasting on an amazing raw bar as well as passed hors-d’oeuvres that included miniature lobster rolls!

At the end of cocktail hour, Scott and Lauren headed upstairs early, so that they could be in place in Bates Hall to greet their guests. I loved this. It felt really welcoming, and also gave me another chance to grab a few photos of the two of them alone, in the gorgeously decorated reception spaces. I also tend to find that couples are much more relaxed after the ceremony, and their smiles are bigger. 🙂

The reception was simple: good food, a couple of wonderful toasts by Lauren’s father and Scott’s brother and best man, then dancing in the Abbey Room. There were no special dances, but there was an absolutely fantastic hora right after dinner! Both sets of parents went up on chairs, as well as the couple, and it made for such fun photos.

Thank you to Lauren & Scott and your families for having me! A quick shout-out to our wonderful vendor team too: The Catered Affair who are always the loveliest (special thanks to Maddy & Amanda); Deb & Jen at S&H Events (I hope we can work together again soon!); Artistic Blossoms florist; Frost Lighting; band Splash!; Island Creek Oysters (raw bar); JT Cakes; Peak Event Services (rentals).