Blog— Weddings — Massachusetts — 2022 —
The Barn at Wight Farm Wedding Photos
Bryan & Polly
The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts (Ceremony & Reception)
October 2nd, 2022
I don't think it's a secret for me to say my biggest strength as a wedding photographer is capturing candid dance floor photos. It's the part of the day I gravitate toward the most because, in many ways, it feels like the most authentic representation of who a bride and groom actually are.
Once the dance floor opens, there's no more need for anxiety or nerves. The big moments of the day have passed and couples can relax and celebrate their major life milestone with the people they love the most.
This is a big reason why I loved Bryan and Polly's big day so much. For a couple who I didn't really know prior to their October wedding day at the Barn at Wight Farm in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, I sure learned a lot about them once their dance floor opened up at their wedding.
And what did I learn? They're fun. Lots of fun. And so, too, was their party that I don't think I'll soon forget.
My time with Bryan and Polly started a lot more relaxed than I'm use to as the bride-to-be arrived to the Barn at Wight Farm with her hair and makeup finished and wasn't particularly interested in taking a lot of photos prior to the first look with her husband to be.
I never mind when this happens as I only want to give a couple what they want and, in this specific occasion, it worked out to my benefit because I could grab a few getting ready photos of Bryan and his guys before Polly put her dress on.
And, when Polly DID put the dress on, I could see the familiar look of bridal nerves hit her face as the reality of the day crept up on her. I always love when that happens. It shows just how much a wedding day means to a couple and I knew, right away, that this day meant a lot to both Bryan and Polly.
The first big event of Bryan and Polly's wedding day was their first look and I can't think of a better way these two could have started their festivities.
I knew right from the moment that Bryan turned around that the love between him and Polly was pure and wholesome and they were so excited to see each other, I think they forgot I was even there.
I loved this first look so much and especially loved the way it seemed to set both of them at ease as I let them have a few minutes to themselves before we started their formal photos.
Bryan and Polly's family and wedding party photos lasted around 25 minutes and I'm so thankful we were able to breeze right through them because, for an early October day, this particular afternoon was substantially colder than I think any of us anticipated it being.
To their credit, though, this bride and groom never rushed me when we got down to their couple portraits and I'm so thankful because it gave us a ton of time to be creative and a bit silly with their photos.
With formal photos out of the way and the sun starting to set, it was almost easy to forget that the main part of Bryan and Polly's wedding day — you know, the actual wedding — had yet to take place.
Thankfully, we didn't have to wait too long following bride and groom portraits for these two to walk down the aisle and once they did, I could tell by the look on their faces that this was a moment they'd never forget.
Bryan and Polly's ceremony was short and sweet but also incredibly personal and intimate. And they couldn't have chosen a better room to say "I do" in for such a beautiful and inviting moment than the indoor barn at this venue.
Without a doubt my favorite part of their ceremony was watching the way they made each other crack up laughing and then, seconds later, said something incredibly loving and caring. It kept the mood light and fun, even when things got a bit emotional.
The Barn at Wight Farm is one of those venues I like more and more the more often I get to shoot there and Bryan and Polly's wedding shows why ... particularly in the decor that they chose to use as the pair kept the rustic vibe of the barn alive with simple and understated table decorations, seating charts and floral arrangements.
Where the barn shines the most, however, is as a space for big moments during a wedding reception, as seen in particular during Bryan and Polly's first dance, which was set to “Towers” by Bon Iver.
I loved Bryan and Polly's first dance, so much so that I chose one of the photos as the ideal first dance photo in my latest portfolio update (See the top of this blog.) Bryan and Polly started their reception off on an amazing note with a well choreographed first dance and things just kept getting better and better from there.
What I really loved about Bryan and Polly's reception was how laid back everything was. Sure, the couple had a pair of toasts by the best man and maid of honor but each felt more like a conversation and a note of thanks and appreciation more than big to-do in front of a room full of friends and family members.
And the couple even held a casual cake cutting during their dinner without calling any special attention to it.
In keeping with the general theme of the night, Bryan and Polly even found a way to make their parent dance something different as the pair shared a combined dance with mother and father, respectively, before opening the dance floor for all their friends and family members.
To say the dance floor opening up changed the mood and feeling of Bryan and Polly's wedding reception would be an understatement. I try not to make assumptions about whether or not a couple will have a massive party once the music kicks in but if you had asked me moments before Bryan and Polly's dance floor opened up how many people I thought would dance, I would have said maybe 25 percent.
But I was wrong. Wow was I wrong. Bryan and Polly's wedding reception was one of the wildest and most fun I shot in 2022 and it was NONSTOP from the first song until I left a little over an hour later.
Seriously. This was one party that never let up. And just when I thought I saw it all, suddenly there were guests putting other guests on their shoulders and a jam-packed dance floor moving in unison to Cotton Eyed Joe.
This was one night I couldn't stop smiling.
It's amazing how much a great wedding reception can make even the most tried of wedding photographers completely amped up and excited to capture every moment. By the time my time with Bryan and Polly came to an end, I had completely forgotten about the fact that I'd photographed my fourth triple (or more) wedding weekend in five weeks.
No, any part of me that was tired or worn down was on a pure rush of adrenaline as their reception was the exact jolt of fun I needed to remember why I love weddings so very, very much.
So thank you Bryan and Polly for a memorable wedding day I am still smiling about months later and I wish you the best on this exciting chapter together as husband and wife.
-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 Hair: Jenn Keefe of Jenn Keefe of Hairspray Salon, Westborough, Massachusetts; Bride's Makeup: Suzanne Hewett; Bride's Dress: Thistlerose Bridal, Mansfield, Massachusetts; Groom's Suit: Jos. A. Bank; Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Barn at Wight Farm, Sturbridge, Massachusetts; DJ: Champagne Toast Entertainment; Cake: Bridget Kraus.