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Raja & Christina’s Welcome Dinner was a special night of celebration. Family and friends came from all far and wide to celebrate their joy and love on this summer eve. Lord Thompson Manor’s impeccable staff served the al fresco meal while the wedding party toasted the upcoming nuptials of the Bride & Groom. It’s always a pleasure to document this night of festive anticipation before the wedding day begins.

Every time we post a blog of Lord Thompson Manor, we fall in love all over again.  This truly is a magical place.  Jackie & Andrew (the owners) and Ted (your on-site personal attendant) are some of the most spectacular people we’ve ever met.   When Kat & Brian, who found LTM on our blog, reach out to say they had booked the Manor, we were ecstatic.  We knew it would be an epic collaboration.  Together, Kat & Brian are perfect for one another because he’s caring and easy going and she is passionate and enthusiastic.  Kat doesn’t shy from going over the top and Brian is quick to reel her in (sounds like they’ve been married for years already!!)  Between myself, Jackie, and Kat I’d say we took this one to a whole new level.

Have you seen the new back patio at the Manor? The use this space for rehearsal dinners (where everything is on-site) so you can relax, enjoy your evening, and your guests dont have to worry about traveling!

With bright purple and magenta flowers, those doors never looked so welcoming!

AH! THE DRESS.  I’m pretty sure it weighed more than her!

Hints of purple everywhere.

We were running just a tad behind with the morning hair & make-up, I was trying to move quickly so we could get her to the first look on time when Kat told me, “I’ve been waiting my entire life for these bridal solo shots, Brian can wait a few extra minutes”.  It was at that moment, for the first time, I had wished I was the one marrying her.  ?  #perfectbride

The handsome men!!

One of the most emotional first looks we’ve ever witnessed!

The veil, the dress, the light, I love it all!

A stunning bride!!

These two had us giggling the whole night- it was the first time they had met!! (Be sure to book The Harris Co. when you get engaged guys!! ?

The ceremony setting was out of a fairtale.

Yes, purple everything- even champagne!

Killer end of the night shot!

Thank you to Kat & Brian for making this one of the most memorable events of the season.  Kat- I’m so grateful for allowing me to take complete creative freedom and Brian- thanks for putting up with me all day ? I hope it was worth it!!

xoxo Makayla Jade

Brendan + Ryan were married this fall at Lord Thompson Manor, one of my very favorite places in Connecticut to work, of so many reasons. The way they treat everyone just makes me never feel like I am ‘working’ it feels more like a family all pulling together for our friends. Brendan + Ryan are also two of the most open and loving people, with such style and attention to detail it made my heart and eyes sing so loud! No detail was left out- and between these two lovelies and the staff at the Manor AND the ladies of Jubilee Events doing their thang?? It was a wedding for the books, baby!

The day was dramatic throughout only due to the weather that threatened rain up until literally moments before their ceremony was supposed to start, so inside we went for the ceremony! Hana Floral set up their over the top amazing florals inside and our officiant Mary Coburn did her thing. Her words are always so insightful and deep and I find myself getting really absorbed in what she says about each of my clients that she speaks on. It’s truly a beautiful part of the day, and one that sometimes can get overlooked for details or food or dancing. The ceremony and the act of getting married is what the entire day is truly all about. They chose each other to spend the entirety of their lives together, forever and to share that day with us all. It is such a beautiful part of the day, I truly love losing myself in all of the words and love. It gives me hope each and every time that I will find that for myself one day too! I love being inspired by the love my clients have for each other, can I just shout about what an amazing job I have?

Brendan + Ryan, thank you so so much for trusting us with your day, for opening up and allowing me to see you both for who you are! You are beautiful people, inside and out! XOXOXO

my creative partners for the day!

second photographer: Joel Callaway

officiant: Mary Coburn

venue: Lord Thompson Manor, Thompson CT

design + planning: Diana Chouinard of Jubilee Events, Cheshire CT

suit: Tom Ford

cuff links: Alexander McQueen

shoes: Christian Louboutin

floral: Hana Floral, Noank CT

paper: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design

entertainment: Kerry Beach + Elan Artists, NYC

cake: On the Rise Bakery, MA

Photo below by Joel Callaway

This summer has been a whirlwind of beautiful weddings and I’ve had such a great time being there to capture it all.  I’ve met so many wonderful families and been there to witness truly intimate and special moments.  I can’t wait to share some of them with you.  I first met Lauren and Brian in Boston for their fall engagement session.  We had a great time strolling around the city and did a TON of walking.  Only at the end of the evening did Brian mention that he’d run a marathon two days prior to our session!  After just a few hours it was easy to see their wedding day would be a fun one!  Not to mention, I’d be seeing many of the same folks again for Lauren’s twin sister’s wedding (taking place in just a few weeks).  Here’s a few from the engagement session that I loved:

The ceremony and reception was held at the Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, CT.  It was a beautiful and sunny summer day.  I hope you enjoy some of my favorite moments.  The girls got ready in the Cottage house not far from the Thompson Manor.

I was joined by my friend Vincent Schaefer for the day.  He started out with the guys and got some great shots of them as they got ready:

Brian waiting to see Lauren for the first time:

Their family and friends watching from the manor:

After spending some time getting the formal shots out of the way, Lauren and Brian escaped to the manor while the guests arrived for the ceremony.  Here Lauren makes her way back downstairs to get married for real!

It’s a stunning spot for a ceremony:

Just after the ceremony, guests are directed to look back towards the manor where the speeches are delivered:

After the toasts we had a few moments before dinner to take some portraits:

Some favorites from the reception:

Just a few days after the birth of my 2nd son, Cole, I packed up my gear and headed out in the morning, so excited for Taylor and Darren’s wedding at the Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, CT.  As is often the case in mid-September, the weather was perfect and I was very eager to explore the property and capture this beautiful day.  Taylor was glowing from the outset and her friends and family were so sweet and supportive.  I started out with the girls at the Inn and Salon where they were getting their hair and makeup done.  As you can see, it was a beautiful spot to start the day!

Taylor’s mom was so cute as they got her dressed:

We had a few moments to capture some shots of her bridesmaids before we headed out to see Darren for the first time.

I was joined by Kate Duval, who spend the morning with the guys as they got ready at the Manor.

We arranged a first look at the same spot where they’d be married in a few hours.  How cute are these two?

The couple’s friends and family watching from the windows in the manor.

We had just a few moments with the couple before we needed to start taking the family formals.

Love this one!

The joint-best men practicing for later:

After the formals, the bridal party stashed away for a bit as the guests began to filter in.  The guys had this amazing pad downstairs, complete with a bar, poker, billiard and Star Wars playing on the big screen.

Once the guests were seated, Taylor waited patiently for her moment.

A beautiful setting for the ceremony:

Not a bad place to be married:

One of my favorites from the day.  As a photographer, it’s such a treat to be able to be a fly on the wall and tell the story from different angles.

I’ve got to give Kate some kudos for this great shot behind the couple.  You can just make me out in the lower left, but this shot rocked!

One of the unique aspects of the Lord Thompson manor is that you can have your guests stay around the ceremony location to hear toasts from a high vantage.  As a photographer, it made my job so easy!

After the toasts, I crawled my way out on the the roof of the building (ok – not really that dangerous as it was a flat roof)!  I asked the guests to make a collective toast to the couple and got this great shot!

The crew at the manor did a spectacular job of setting the reception up.  Stunning inside!

As the lights faded the couple had a private toast at an outdoor table created just for them:

Taylor and Darren ate their dinner in front of a roaring fire inside the manor:

After dinner everyone was geared up for a great party:

Taylor and Darren, I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to be a part of your day!  Thanks so much for including me!  Special thanks to Kate Duval for her help as well.