Blog— Weddings — Connecticut — 2019 —
Captain Daniel Paker Inne Wedding
Victoria & Pembroke
Captain Daniel Packer Inne, Mystic, Connecticut (Ceremony & Reception)
November 16th, 2019
Whenever I'm at a bridal expo or meeting with a client, I love hearing about their big, elaborate wedding plans.
But the ones that pique my interest the most are nontraditional, more intimate affairs.
Victoria and Pembroke are a great example why. I first met Victoria at a bridal expo about a year before she said "I do" and while most of the couples I met that day were planning large, rustic wedding days at places I've either photographed at before or at least heard of, Victoria's plan was for a "Viking wedding" in the woods of Connecticut.
Yeah. Talk about unique.
I think that's why I was so bummed when her plans changed and it seemed like I wouldn't shoot her day after all but, to my excitement, she reached back out six weeks before the big day to see if I was still available.
I was and I'm thankful for it as Victoria and Pembroke had a beautiful late fall wedding that was personal, private and so full of love and laughter.
Victoria and PT, as he's affectionately nicknamed, had a wedding unlike any I've shot this year. The couple made it clear when I talked with them that they were eschewing almost all of the formalities of a traditional wedding day and, as such, I'd only need to be with them for about three hours in total.
Not that I minded. I love short wedding days and the moment I walked into Victoria's home for the final portions of her bridal prep, I was super excited to document what I knew would still be an amazing afternoon she'd never forget.
Victoria was incredibly relaxed and stress free as she had her hair and makeup finished. In fact, it wasn't until her mom helped her zip up her wedding dress that I noticed anything resembling nerves on her part and even those came and were gone in a flash.
One of the things I loved the most about Victoria was how important it was for her to still give her parents the big moments of a wedding day they'd likely waited their entire life for.
The first was Victoria's big reveal for her dad. You could see on her face how much this moment meant and I was so glad I was there to capture it.
Because Victoria and PT weren't having a wedding reception (apart from a small dinner with family and friends), I was overjoyed when she let me in on a little secret: She planned to surprise her father and have a traditional father-daughter dance on her back porch.
It was one of the most beautiful father-daughter dances I've ever seen simply because I was one of only a handful of people there to witness it.
I adored this dance between Victoria and her father and could see the emotion on both of their faces. This meant the world to her dad and I know this is a moment he'll cherish for the rest of his life.
As we left Victoria's house and traveled to the Captain Daniel Packer Inne for her wedding ceremony, I still wasn't entirely sure what kind of ceremony to expect as I'd never shot a Viking wedding before.
What it turned out to be a super short celebration of Victoria and PT's love in an intimate and incredibly personal way.
Victoria and PT's ceremony only lasted six minutes from start to finish but was packed with tiny little moments that spoke volumes. My personal favorite was watching the bride and groom's eyes as they looked at one another during their hand-binding ceremony.
While this wedding might not have taken a lot of time, it was impactful and it was exactly what Victoria and PT had hoped for and so, so much more.
Following their wedding ceremony, Victoria and PT headed outside for their bride and groom formals. As is the case with any November wedding, I was incredibly worried about how willing these two would be to pose for photos in the cold but if Victoria and PT were anything but elated during our time together, I would have never known by how they acted.
These newlyweds were an absolute blast to work with and have such great chemistry that my posing instructions were minimal at best. I simply let them do the work and tried my hardest to capture their love in a way they'd cherish.
I especially loved the photos Victoria and PT took on the dock across the street from the Inne as they were determined to laugh as much as possible and genuinely enjoyed the sometimes romantic and sometimes silly poses I put them in.
It doesn't hurt that we were outside at the perfect time and caught a nice sunset either.
With bride and groom portraits out of the way, Victoria, PT and I made our way inside and knocked out some family and wedding party formals with their small guest list.
Following that part of their day, my time was almost up but not before I got to capture the one part of their reception that bordered on traditional: a really fun and silly cake cutting.
I'm a photographer who loves big wedding days and the plethora of opportunities you have to document amazing moments for a bride and groom but I really can't say enough about nontraditional nuptials like Victoria and PT had.
While I could have spent hours more with this couple capturing the way they interact and the silly fun they have, I walked out of the Captain Daniel Packer Inne completely confident we managed to document the wedding they always dreamed of and the one that best suit their relationship.
I loved Victoria and PT's day and had a blast in the limited time we had together and, honestly, I wouldn't trade that for the world. Sometimes, it's fun to photograph something different and they don't get much more different, or personal, than the day these two had.
So congratulations Victoria at PT on a wedding well done and best of luck on your new journey together as husband and wife.
-Paul J. Spetrini
Tags: Indoor Weddings, Captain Daniel Packer Inne, Mystic, Connecticut Weddings, Paul J. Spetrini Photography
Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:
Saints Rose & Clement,
Warwick Country Club
November 10th, 2019
St Mary's Catholic Church,
& Attleboro Elks Lodge
November 9th, 2019
Stonehurst Manor,
North Conway, New Hampshire
October 26th, 2019
The Vendor List
Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Hair: Melissa Gill at A Cut Above Hair Design in Waterford, Connecticut; Bride's Make-up: Merita at Glam by Merita; Flowers: Sola Flowers made from Balsa Wood from Southern Blooms Co.; Bride's Dress: Casablanca, from Melissa Ashley Brides in Westerly, Rhode Island; Groom's Suit: Men's Wearhouse; Ceremony & Reception Location: Captain Daniel Packer Inne, Mystic, Connecticut; Cake: Zest Fresh Pastry in Stonington, CT.