Alexa & Adam
I think what's always attracted me to wedding photography is this idea that you're seeing something extraordinary for two people take place in front of you that will never happen again but also never be forgotten.
Because of this, I often myself drawn to weddings that I know are tailor-made for the people getting married. These are the types of weddings that are extensions of the bride and groom and their love for another but, also, so uniquely crafted that you know even in the moment you'll never see something quite like this again.
Alexa and Adam's wedding at the Borsari Gallery in Dennis, Massachusetts may well be one of the best examples of this concept I have ever seen. My first wedding in an art gallery, this late May celebration of their love story was exactly like everything on the walls around us: It was colorful. It was creative. And it was timeless.
It was the kind of day you dream of as a wedding photographer — the kind of wedding that sticks with you just as long as it does the couple — and I don't think I, or the bride and groom whose love story anchored the afternoon, will soon forget it.
My coverage of Alexa and Adam's wedding day began a bit more abruptly than I'm used to as the bride and groom chose to forgo any traditional prep photos whatsoever and have me start right before their ceremony began.
As the day developed, I understood why: They cared more about capturing the moments they had with their friends and family than focusing on things like getting ready and that caring tone would be a theme throughout the afternoon.
That's also how we ended up inside in the first place for this ceremony, despite it being an absolutely beautiful — but crazy windy — day. Alexa and Adam didn't want to risk any of their guests getting injured from falling tree branches and chose, instead, to play it safe and have their ceremony indoors. This made their celebration feel cozy and intimate ... which is exactly what they wanted.
Alexa and Adam's wedding ceremony lasted just eight minutes but it was eight minutes they will never forget. The pair were married in the lower basement level of Borsari Gallery, which had a nice stone wall and low ceiling to make the room feel anything but a traditional space for a bride and groom to say "I do."
I think that's what appealed to Alexa and Adam as this couple went out of their way to make their special day uniquely theirs but without making it wild or flashy. In addition to having a family relative officiate the wedding, the two chose to hold hands throughout their ceremony and I'm not sure their eyes ever left one another.This was a special moment for a special couple and they were locked in all the way until they walked down the aisle together as husband and wife.
Following their ceremony, Alexa and Adam made their way outside for family and wedding party formals and, in a rare sight this season, the sun was out.
I know. I was shocked as well.
I don't think Alexa and Adam could have picked a better day to get married and their family and wedding party photos were an absolute breeze, mostly because the bride and groom wanted to get these photos finished as quickly as possible so their guests could enjoy cocktail hour and I can't say I blame them.
Breezing through Alexa and Adam's family photos also allowed us to have a lot more time than I was expecting for the newlyweds' bride and groom portraits and thank goodness it did because I honestly think this was my favorite session so far in 2025.
Alexa and Adam lucked out with amazing sunshine and beautiful grounds at Borsari Gallery and we took full advantage of it. We started in the same location as we did their family and wedding party formals but you'd never know it as a slight turn here or a different angle there made everything look different and exceptional. To say I was thrilled is an understatement.
I'm always a little worried when I'm limited to one location for bride and groom formals but that wasn't a problem here as Borsari Gallery's backyard vibes were exquisite. Even just a small walk to the right of where we spent all afternoon up to that point felt like we were on a different location entirely and helped us keep Alexa and Adam's photos fresh even as we reached the midway point of our time together.
All told, I ended up with over 40 minutes to work with Alexa and Adam on their bride and groom portraits and we made the most of all of them.
Even the last location we went to was just a two minute walk closer to the building.
Hey, Borsari Gallery, can you please host more weddings? This was so much fun and I couldn't have asked for better vibes for Alexa and Adam's couple's portraits.
Following Alexa and Adam's bride and groom portraits, the pair made their way to their cocktail hour while I headed inside to capture the details and decor they put together for their reception. Given the vibe of the day, I didn't expect to see much from Alexa and Adam's details as they struck me as a pretty low key couple but I was pleasantly surprised as I walked into Borsari Gallery as they spent a lot of time perfectly decorating this unique space.
Speaking of the space, I was stunned at how cool everything in this room looked. I guess I never thought about what it would look like to photograph a wedding in an art gallery but the wood paneling of Borsari Gallery accented with bright and colorful pieces of art really made for a special setting for a reception and set the tone nicely for the night.
Alexa and Adam had a very clear and simple plan for their reception: They just wanted to relax and spend time with their friends and family. It was no surprise to me, then, that the pair decided to opt out of most of the traditional elements of a wedding reception.
In fact, apart from having traditional introductions, the pair didn't do too much in terms of formalities. They had a slew of super sweet and touching toasts but, other than that, the only real formality on the schedule was a cake cutting after dinner.
Following their cake cutting, I knew I had two hours of coverage left for Alexa and Adam's wedding day and I was convinced I was going to spend the entire time walking around trying to look busy.
As the dance floor opened and remained empty initially, the newlyweds seemed content to just walk table to table catching up with friends and family members and, as much as I never mind that for a bride and groom, it doesn't leave a lot of interesting things for me to photograph as a photographer.
Then a funny thing happened. Alexa and Adam's DJ experimented in finding music the crowd in attendance wanted to hear, settled on playing absolute bangers from the 60s-90s and, suddenly, we were in the midst a lively and super fun party.
I was absolutely shocked. So much so that I found myself walking over to my assistant Amanda multiple times and saying "What is happening?"
I love when a banger dance floor catches me off guard and this one certainly did. For the next two hours, I was running around trying to keep up with Alexa and Adam's crew and the vibes in this room were just an absolute delight.
It was clear to me for the rest of the night that the friends and family members Alexa and Adam invited to their special day were there for a good time and that's exactly what they created.
My favorite part of Alexa and Adam's wedding reception was the fact that the newlyweds were never far apart from one another. This was especially true anytime either of them found their way onto the dance floor.
Alexa and Adam may not have had a first dance but they certainly had many dances together and as the night slowly wound down, it was clear to me that this was a reception perfect for this bride and groom and exactly what they wanted. More importantly, it was a reception I knew no one in attendance would soon forget.
Following the last song of Alexa and Adam's wedding reception, I made the unscripted decision to make an announcement to everyone left that we would do a giant group photo to cap the night off and I'm so glad I did. On an evening full of love and joy like this, it was important for me to make sure I had a photo reminder of what really mattered the day Alexa and Adam said "I do."
And, as I drove home that night, I felt my soul full of appreciation that I was able to witness it all and play a small part in making this wedding as special as it was.
So thank you Alexa and Adam for one of my favorite days of 2025 so far. I hope your wedding was everything you dreamed it would be and more and I wish you all the best as you begin this new chapter of your love story together.
-Paul J. Spetrini
Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:
Chris & Nicole
The Barn at Wight Farm,
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
May 3rd, 2025
The Vendor List:
Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Dress: Modern Vintage Bridal; Ceremony & Reception: Borsari Gallery, Dennis, Massachusetts; DJ: Scott Arrington of Murray Hill Talent Weddings.