Anna is a New Hampshire based editorial and wedding photographer, creating intentional, moment-driven imagery throughout New England and beyond.

This was a New England destination wedding that had all the right touches: a dreamy atmosphere, intentional personal touches, and an incredibly connected couple tying it all together. It was one that reminds me of all the things I love about capturing people and the really important days of their lives, and how much I value the connection we build as we tell their story.

Ellen and Gerald live in NYC but have close ties to New England and wanted to celebrate their wedding in a place that wasn’t just beautiful, but aligned with their vision. They wanted to incorporate meaningful pieces of their history (photos of them through the years were displayed at each dinner table!) as well as aesthetics that were soft and romantic. Ellen was behind all the decor, her vision immaculately executed by Kelly Elizabeth Events.

They chose the Pierce House, a historic estate outside of Boston, a venue that blends history with the feel of nature, with sweeping lawns, weeping willows, and woodlands surrounding the mansion. Their ceremony, framed by the lush green surrounds of the estate, was officiated by a family member and capped with confetti and cheering guests ready to celebrate the evening away.

I loved my connection with Ellen and G from our very first in-person meeting, their NYC engagement session. We met up at sunrise, which is the only chance to get New York on its own, without the chaos. It was immediately clear that we were each other’s people, and we had the best time strolling around the Upper West Side, hitting their favorite spots, watching the city come to life, and ending the morning with NYC bagels and coffee (IYKYK). I was thrilled with how those photos turned out because of one main element: the way the two of them made each other feel and how it translated on camera. The closest, if somewhat cheesy, thing I can think of is that it felt like they were at home with each other. Seeing the way they took the other’s nerves away made me extremely excited about their wedding day, and it was as lovely as expected.

Ellen and Gerald chose to say their vows to each other in private, which is something we’ve seen more of lately and are fans of. The intimacy of the moment is that much more meaningful, and we do know how to blend into the background! Just before they saw each other for the first time, G was incredibly nervous because he’d forgotten his handwritten vows, something he knew was important to Ellen. Though we assured him she’d laugh it off as soon as she saw him, his nerves were another one of the sweet observations we made about their care for each other.

After Ellen and G exchanged vows, we took time for portraits around the property and though we appreciate a good challenge, the Pierce House is a location that makes our job easy; it’s just effortlessly beautiful, and if you keep your eyes open, there is always a way to capture that.

After cocktail hour, which had that pleasant late summer early evening pulse that makes a drink taste even better, dinner was kicked off under the tent with first dances prepared by G and his mom (a former dancer!) and Ellen and her dad. Their energy was infectious and the good vibes sailed right into hilarious and emotional toasts, dancing, an outdoor s’mores bar, and a delivery of late night snacks: branded big Macs! This blend of classy touches and late night comfort food was something that was a big hit with the dance crew that didn’t leave the floor until the very last song.