Nicole & Kurt
The Publick House Historic Inn, Sturbridge, Massachusetts (Ceremony & Reception)
November 16th, 2018
I've shot a lot of weddings in the last few years but some how, some way, I've largely managed to avoid snow. Given that this region is covered in it for at least a quarter of the year, it was inevitable that I would EVENTUALLY find myself photographing a snowy wedding and Nicole and Kurt were the perfect couple to have in front of my camera when I did.
Nicole and Kurt were married back in November at the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge, one of my favorite late fall venues in New England and we couldn't have asked for a better day for them. For the week leading up to their big day, it was clear we'd be facing snow but the white stuff came and went the day before they said "I do" and dumped just enough on us to give their photos just a little something extra.
Not that they needed it. This wedding and this couple were awesome.
My coverage of Nicole and Kurt's wedding day began right as the sun peeked through the clouds at the start of Nicole's bridal prep session. Nicole chose to get ready right at the Publick House and I'm glad she did as it gave me the chance to photograph her various stages of preparation while simultaneously checking in on the groom every once in a while to shoots his as well as he was only a room away.
The result? A beautiful start to a wedding day that would yield a ton of great storybook moments.
I really loved getting to see Kurt and his groomsmen interact as he got ready to see his bride for a first look and formal photos before their ceremony and took note at how relaxed he looked in the final moments before we left.
In fact, Kurt himself said he thought he'd be more nervous but I think his guys kept him loose and ready and the nice sunlight sneaking in after a day and a half of rain and slush helped set the tone that this would be a beautiful day.
As for Nicole, her bridal prep was a breeze. While she was certainly anxious, she very clearly got more and more excited the closer we got to her and Kurt's first look.
And what a first look it was.
Nicole and Kurt's first look was one of my favorite of the year. I absolutely adored the way they looked at each other when he turned around and the snow on the ground made Nicole's dress look even more incredible than it did when she first put it on.
Following their first look, Nicole and Kurt powered through a ton of family and wedding party formals before giving me just enough time to take care of their bride and groom portraits before it got too cold outside to keep going.
Because of the weather, we chose not to move very far and stayed at the barn where they had their first look but, honestly, when you've got as good a location as this was, why would you want to move in the first place?
I'll be honest. I couldn't wait for Nicole and Kurt's wedding ceremony and it's not just because we got to go back inside. I adore this couple's love story -- they met each other when she was a waitress at a seafood restaurant and flirted with each other for a year before dating -- and their ceremony was super personal and intimate inside the reception ballroom of the Publick House.
I loved watching the way in which Nicole and Kurt chose to become husband and wife. The Publick House ballroom, which is where they would later have their reception, was the perfect choice for this pair and their ceremony was short, sweet and super personal.
I especially loved watching the way this ballroom was quickly transformed into a reception hall as Nicole and Kurt enjoyed their cocktail hour with friends and family in the gigantic lobby outside. And this bride and groom did a wonderful job maximizing how the room looked with some truly great decor to match the setting.
Nicole and Kurt wasted no time in hitting the ground running for their reception. Or, should I say, hitting the ground dancing as the pair had an incredibly well rehearsed routine for their first dance to "Mango Tree" by Zac Brown Band.
I thought this was one of the best first dances I've seen this year and clearly showed just how much effort these two put into having the best reception possible.
Following their first dance, Nicole and Kurt had a ton of big moments throughout their reception. First up were a pair of great speeches by their maid of honor and best man. Next, a surprise slideshow for the bride and groom courtesy of two of Nicole's bridesmaids. It was definitely a hit and caught Nicole and Kurt both off guard.
Following a slight break in the action for dinner, Nicole and Kurt moved right into a quick cake cutting and three lovely parent dances and Nicole chose to dance with both her father and step father and Kurt had a moment with his mom.
While most wedding receptions with this many moving parts might feel like they're dragging on, Nicole and Kurt did a wonderful job keeping the night's energy moving for their friends and family members and by the time the DJ opened the dance floor, it was clear this would be a night to remember.
I didn't get to spend a ton of time with Nicole and Kurt during the party portion of their wedding reception but, man, the time I did spend with them was a whole lot of fun.
By the time I got ready to leave the Publick House for Nicole and Kurt's wedding, i couldn't help but laugh at just how much fun we had on this day overall and how my initial worries about the cold and snowy weather were so overblown.
Nicole and Kurt were troopers and totally open to any ideas I had and I think it paid off in a big way. More importantly, I could tell just by looking at them that they were both totally in the moment and loving every second of one of the most important days of their lives.
If that's not the best way to kick off a marriage, I don't know what is. So congratulations Nicole and Kurt on a wonderful beginning to this next chapter of your life. And I hope this is just the start of the two of you making amazing memories together.
-PJS
Tags: The Publick House Historic Inn, Massachusetts Weddings, Indoor Weddings,
Sturbridge, Paul J. Spetrini Photography
The Vendor List
Photographer: Paul J. Spetrini, Paul J. Spetrini Photography; Bride's Hair: Becky Ahlborg; Bride's Make-up: Camille Soumphonphakdy; Bride's Dress: Party Dress Express; Groom's Suit: Men's Warehouse; Florist: Les Isle Rose; Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Publick House Historic Inn, Sturbridge, Massachusetts; Officiant: Donna D'Andrea; DJ: Gazelle Productions Limited; Cake: The Publick House Historic Inn, Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
Check out more of my most recent wedding blogs:
Cara & Brandon
First Baptist Church, Hope Valley, RI &
North Beach Clubhouse, Narragansett, RI.
Date: November 11th, 2018
Rich & Makayla
Zukas Hilltop Barn,
Spencer, Massachusetts.
Date: October 28th, 2018
Sarah & Anthony
St. Augustine Church (Ceremony),
The Omni Hotel (Reception), Providence, RI.
Date: October 20th, 2018
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