Christie and John’s Willowdale Estate Massachusetts Wedding

I had been looking forward to this wedding since Christie and John’s joyful (and freezing) engagement session at Mount Pollux, Massachusetts. Honestly, I’ve looked forward to any chance I get to spend with this amazing duo.

Christie and John’s beautiful Willowdale Estate winter wedding was as emotionally rich and layered as the luxurious surroundings. The estate is gorgeous, with gleaming wood, walls of windows, and flowers everywhere–but more importantly it offered Christie and John’s family and friends the opportunity to be a part of the preparations leading up to the ceremony. When I arrived, there was a happy hustle and bustle throughout the house, and both bride and groom were surrounded by their closest people.

After a short ceremony in one of the estate’s beautiful window-lined rooms, I took the couple outside for golden hour photos. It was so cold my hands nearly froze after a few minutes–but the resulting images are some of my all-time favorites. These two embodied a kind of long-gone Hollywood glamour that I don’t often see, and the snowy surroundings and early-evening light were a perfect backdrop.

One of the things I loved about this wedding was how not precious it was. While the surroundings were undeniably elegant and the wedding party could not have been more glamorous, Christie, John, and family cursed and cracked inappropriate jokes and laughed the entire time. This is a couple whose love is the real deal, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. Smiles were quick, hugs happened everywhere I turned, and the love between in-laws seemed to be as strong as the love between parents and children.

By the end of a wedding, I always have a very clear sense about why the main pair are the way they are. This was no exception. After spending the day with Christie and John’s families, their individual and mutual awesomeness made perfect sense. Whether soft-spoken or hilarious and outgoing, all the family members and friends I met were extremely kind, welcoming, and made me feel right at home among them. These two are very special, and they’re a part of an amazing community. I know wherever life brings them, they will tackle it with a crude joke, a smile, and rolled-up sleeves.

Thank you, John and Christie, for allowing me to be a part of this beautiful wedding.