Harvard Club of Boston weddings hold a special place in my heart, maybe because my first ever Harvard Club wedding was in the middle of a snow storm, helping out a good friend, and working with one of my favorite Boston wedding planners, Nicole Simeral.

I was thrilled to be back on a perfect summer day with this lovely doctor-lawyer couple who have been an absolute delight to get to know during our pre-wedding Zoom meetings. Travis and Emily are the perfect example of opposites attracting. He’s a southern gentleman, with a wonderful Kentucky accent, quiet and thoughtful. She’s an ebullient, no-nonsense Bostonian, with a huge heart she wears on her sleeve. Together they are warm, funny, caring, joyful, and a lot of fun to photograph.

We started with the briefest of getting ready sessions, and some time to photograph the details, then it was out into the sunshine on Commonwealth Avenue for their first look. They brought along their personal vows and read them aloud to each other for the first time, under the shade of the oak trees lining Comm Ave. What a beautiful moment! I would definitely love for this to become a new wedding trend.

We had planned to retreat inside for group photos, but it was so lovely out we stayed right where we were and had family and wedding party join us. Thank you to the lovely planner, Lauren Hajjar, and her team for making this so easy.

As we made our way back to the Harvard Club for a classic staircase portrait, we stopped in a few photogenic spots along the way. Comm Ave is filled with such beautiful architecture, I had to take advantage!

The ceremony took place at the intimate Gordon Chapel at Old South Church. It is one of the few downtown churches that is very photographer-friendly – although the light is always a challenge in there! The ceremony was short and sweet, with a dramatic entrance and a fun dip as Emily and Travis recessed.

Cocktail hour was held in my favorite wedding and events room at the Harvard Club, the Massachusetts Room. It has beautiful window light and the best checkerboard floors! Then, it was down the grand staircase to Harvard Hall for dinner and dancing.

For the first dance, Emily and Travis had their guests form a circle around the dance floor. I captured part of the first dance from in amongst the guests, then ran up to the balcony for the very end of the dance. I really love that you can use this birds-eye perspective at Harvard Club weddings.

Something extra special about this wedding was Travis’ choice of best man: his father Bud! He gave a wonderful toast, with a very funny beginning: “usually the best man talks about when he first met the groom …” followed by something about the day Travis was born. His father also gifted Travis an arrowhead that had been gifted to him by his father on his wedding day.

After dinner and toasts, there was a sweet cake-cutting, parent daces, then a very fun dance floor. Band Kahootz were awesome as usual. I stayed for the first 30 minutes or so of dancing and loved what I was able to capture during that time.

Thank you Travis and Emily for trusting me to document your wedding at the Harvard Club of Boston; I adore you both! I hope you enjoy these highlights.