Blog— Weddings — Massachusetts— 2024 —
The Barn at Wight Farm Wedding Photos
Emily & Edward
The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
February 17th 2024
As much as I hate the cold and dreary days of winter, I have to admit: It might be the most underrated season in terms of beauty in New England. There's just something magical about fresh snow on the ground and a slight chill in the air.
That's why, as much as it pains me to say, I may actually be warming up to the idea of shooting weddings year round and opening my books for winter couples. Well, as long as they're as awesome as Emily and Edward were back in February anyway.
I'm not sure that's entirely possible though as Emily and Edward were a couple so fun and with a love so sweet and pure that I knew from the literal moment I met them at a bridal expo in 2023 that I needed to shoot their big day. And I'm glad I did because it was one of the most fun I shot in 2024. How can I possibly know that just two months and two weddings into the year? Well, it's easy when you see the photos.
I knew immediately from walking into Emily's bridal suite at Comfort Inn & Suites in Sturbridge exactly what kind of day we were going to have. Not only did the bride forgo professional hair and makeup styling, choosing instead to do it herself with her bridesmaids, but the whole vibe of prep was chill and relaxed. And a LOT of fun.
Within moments of my arrival, folks were dancing around and joking and the atmosphere felt more like we were getting ready for a big party than a traditional wedding. Honestly, I think that's why I loved this day so much.
One of the nice things of shooting Emily's bridal prep in the Comfort Inn Suites hotel was that Edward was getting ready just a few doors down and that meant I could go back and forth and capture the final moments of both their preparations. I love when this happens as it lets me know how both the bride and groom are feeling before their wedding ceremony and, in Edward's case, he was certainly a bit more nervous than Emily but still in great spirits.
I especially loved convincing him to have some fun with his groomsmen and lay across their laps for a group photos and once the boys starting tossing back a few shots, I could almost feel any nerves Eddie had about the day ahead go right away.
On the girls side, meanwhile, I don't think things got "real" for Emily until she travelled from the hotel to the wedding venue but once we got her to the Barn at Wight Farm, I could sense a little bit of a change in tone for the day. Suddenly, things felt a bit more real and emotional.
To her credit, though, Emily never wavered in her determination to keep smiling and having a great time and as the minutes to her first look with Eddie ticked away, I saw another emotion starting to bubble to the surface: Excitement.
Emily and Edward chose to have a first look and take care of formal photos before their 5 p.m. ceremony and, as anyone who has followed my wedding photography career knows, I can't recommend that enough for winter brides and grooms.
Honestly, it's the only way to go and to ensure you can take outdoor photos and on this day, the timing couldn't have been better as Emily and Edward's first look took place with some nice, soft clouds above and beauty light that really highlighted the winter beauty of the grounds, which were the only thing cold about this warm reaction both had to each other.
What a sweet moment and a wonderful way to start their day together.
Following their first look, Emily and Edward braved the elements and did ALL of their wedding party and family formal photos outside ... despite occasionally shivering.
I've got to give them credit. This was not easy as it definitely FELT like February outside but that never stopped this bride or groom from doing whatever I asked and even though we didn't have a TON of time with the bride and groom before we wanted to tuck them away before their ceremony, I love everything we got in our time together, especially the photo that ends this blog.
Because, honestly, I don't think I could ever shoot a wedding at the Barn at Wight Farm and NOT get the classic barn pose.
With their formal photos in the books, it was time for Emily and Eddie to get married and that meant a return trip to one of the hardest places I've ever shot as the ceremony space in the Barn at Wight Farm is notoriously difficult to light. Thankfully, having been there before I wasn't worried.
My main goal for Emily and Edward's ceremony was to capture the spirit of their ceremony and I could tell by the way they looked at each other that that spirit would radiate from the photos without much effort from me.
Emily and Eddie had a short but extremely sweet ceremony and even though it only lasted nine minutes, you could tell it was a lifetime in the making and a moment they'd never forget.
Following their ceremony, Emily and Edward moved over to their reception and spent most of cocktail hour chatting with their guests and savoring every second of the celebration. I, meanwhile, was focused on grabbing the details of their day (which were great) and making sure I was ready for a reception that I had a feeling would be nonstop fun.
I was right.
From the moment Emily and Edward were introduced, it was clear this night was going to be a party. The two even came in in grand fashion, having their wedding party holding swords for them to walk under as an homage to the fencing club were the bride and groom met and fell in love.
Emily and Edward kicked off their reception with a sweet first dance to one of my all time favorite first dance songs — 'Amazed' by Lonestar — and it only got better from there.
I loved this first dance, especially because the barn setting is really one I've connected with lighting wise in recent years. I just love the rustic aesthetic and the way barn receptions feel more personal and intimate and Emily and Eddie's reception is a great example of why this popular trend is one I encourage all brides and grooms to consider.
Emily and Edward had a fairly low key reception in terms of signature moments. Sure, there were the traditional toasts and cake cutting but, by and large, everything was casual and felt really relaxed.
After dinner, the pair had their traditional parent dances and both Edward's dance with his mother and Emily's dance with her father were adorable. I loved seeing Eddie casually decide to play air guitar toward the end of his dance with his mother, and especially loved her reaction to it, and Emily's dance with her father was full of laughs, smiles and tears that made it clear how special a moment it was to both the bride and her dad.
As Emily and her dad ended their father-daughter dance, it was time to open up the dance floor and start the party. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from this crowd. I really thought this night could go either way in terms of the dance floor but, thanks to Eddie and Emily being right in the middle of the dance floor from the very first song on, things started off perfectly and only built from there.
What was especially impressive about Emily and Edward's reception was the sudden bursts of a full dance floor followed by a bit of a break as folks went to get drinks/catch their breath. Every time this happened, it seemed like there was a one or two song pause in the action and then things got even wilder.
It made for a really fun night to watch, and an even more fun one to shoot. And no matter how packed the dance floor got, the bride and groom at the center of this celebration were never far apart.
For two days after Emily and Edward's wedding, I was mentally and physically exhausted and spent most of the time in bed or on the couch watching television. I can think of no better to describe how fun their wedding was to capture. It really was an action packed, and more importantly love packed, day full of joy and that says so much about this bride, this groom and their relationship.
I know it's a bit early in the season to say I may have shot the best wedding of 2024 but I'll say this: Emily and Edward set the bar pretty high and I can't wait to see some of my couples this year try to clear it. Regardless, I can't think of any better couple for a wedding this fun and wish Emily and Edward all the best on this new and exciting chapter of their lives together because, honestly, for a first night as husband and wife they absolutely crushed it.
Congrats Emily and Edward and best of luck!
-Paul J. Spetrini
Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:
The Vendor List:
Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Dress: Penny Jane Bridal; Groom's Suit: Fairlawn Fine Stitchery; Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts; Cake: Francesco's Italian Bakery.