Ryan & Jillian
United Methodist Church (Ceremony) and The Inn at Mystic (Reception) in Mystic, Connecticut
August 1st, 2015*
Pound for pound, it's hard to imagine a place more beautiful than New England. In the winter, snow blankets the region and leaves a beautiful, quiet and peaceful reminder of nature's beauty everywhere you look. In the spring and fall, the colors of the trees and leaves are breathtaking and reason enough for tourists to visit. And then you have the summer. And, really, is there any place with better views?
That's why I was excited to photograph Ryan and Jillian's August wedding in Mystic, Connecticut. I've driven by Mystic for years, usually on my way to either the Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun casinos, but I was never lucky enough to spend a day in an area well known for having incredible sights and sounds regardless of the time of year.
That changed with this wedding and, boy, am I glad it did. Talk about an amazing place to spend a few hours. Wow.
For Ryan and Jillian's big day, my coverage began where it would end ... the Inn at Mystic. An incredible hotel/mansion, the Inn was a wonderful backdrop for a hot summer wedding and with a group of fun and rowdy gentlemen like this — who all looked daper in their custom bow ties by the way — who could ask for more?
But that was just the start (and later the end) of the day. For the most important part of this experience, we would visit a tiny church a few blocks away from the Inn and First United Methodist Church lived up to all the hopes you could have in a small-town wedding. Small but majestic on the inside, this venue was a character all its own on this day and, luckily, Ryan and Jillian embraced their day in a big way with some original and unique nautical-themed decorations and details.
I especially loved their program which doubled as a hand-operated fan complete with a handle. While it's a simple concept, on this 90+ degree day, it was a nice touch and a special way to show those in attendance that the bride and groom cared about their comfort.
Ryan and Jillian's ceremony was crafted perfectly for them as a couple. Brief but full of little touches, it was easy to get a feeling for these two as a couple, and who they are as people, by seeing the love they poured into their big moment and the humor and smiles nearly everyone in attendance had throughout the entire proceeding.
By the time Ryan and Jillian shared their first kiss, it was clear both bride and groom were having the most special day of their lives and anxiously awaiting the big party that awaited.
Oh, remember when I said they were at a mansion? Yeah. About that ...
Talk about incredible.
Seriously. With a view like that, it's no wonder Mystic has the reputation it does. It was hard to walk into this venue without feeling special and Ryan and Jillian made sure their wedding details lived up to the gorgeous site their reception was housed in.
Oh, did I mention Ryan and Jillian are huge New England Patriots fans? Yeah. I knew I liked these guys for a reason.
But the custom-made 'Terrible Towels' weren't the only football-themed touch ...
Now that's an entrance fit for two champions.
As with most couples, Ryan and Jillian's first dance was a sweet moment between the two of them set to a nice song ... In this case 'Budapest' by George Ezra (The lyrics of which were inscribed on their wedding cake, which I thought was another nice touch.)
The parent dances that followed and toasts afterward were also great to watch. There was a lot of love in this room and it showed.
Ryan and Jillian even got their own special Patriots jerseys to commemorate their big day. I have a sneaking feeling these shirts will hold a special meaning for them regardless of how the Patriots do.
And that's that.
Ryan and Jillian's wedding was a great way for me to kickstart the second half of my 2015 wedding calendar.
A beautiful backdrop, a fun couple that just happens to root for my favorite sports team and a ton of special details. Just what I love to see at a wedding. Just what I love to photograph at a wedding.
Who could ask for more?
-PJS
* These photos were taken as part of my work for George Street Photography and are presented here strictly for portfolio/display purposes.