pictures of a perfect day

Getting ready photos. Magical makeup and hair extrordinaire, provided by my beautiful cousin, Tess Faulkner.

The Handsome Groom

Feeling the butterflies before the first look and ceremony!

One of Jack's dearest friends was able to Skype in all the way from Africa, where he is currently deployed.

The Groom prepares to see the Bride in her dress for the first look...

"We are SO FANCY!"

Jack reprises his role as Bee and Thistle Barman and pours some limoncello.

This is the very spot where we first met four years ago, almost to the day. This toast has special significance for us.

This arbor was built by Jack and Krista (okay, mostly Jack, but Krista helped!) and then decorated with dried hops.

Pastor Stephen Holloway is a friend who made our ceremony feel personal. We are so grateful he agreed to be our officiant, and traveled all the way from Maryland to do so!

Krista and Jack walk hand in hand together down the back lawn to the ceremony, accompanied by an instrumental version of the song 'Romeo and Juliet' by Dire Straights.

We wrote our own vows to recite to one another, which we took very seriously.

So naturally we ended it by singing a verse of 'Endless Love' to each other to lighten the mood - to the surprise and delight of our family.

Officially Husband and Wife

"Hi Shane!"

The day before the ceremony, we visited the farm up the street from our home and cut our own flowers. We created our own table arrangements, bouquet, and boutonniere for our big day.

Our vows sheet and ring box

Our farm flower bouquets also included a few blooms from a gorgeous arrangement we had been gifted by friends in Denmark. It was a nice way to feel like they were part of our wedding day.

We enjoyed a fabulous meal, expertly prepared by Chef Kris Rowe at The Bee and Thistle Inn.

We cut the cake!

Kristofer Rowe did an exceptional job creating this custom cake for us..

it was delicious...

...so delicious, Jack did not want to share.

Our secret first dance alone in the dining room after the family had departed for the night, to the song 'Rainbow' by Kacey Musgraves.

The next afternoon we had a small, casual, reception at the beautiful organic White Gate Farm in East Lyme, CT.

Our favorite flower girls! It was wonderful to be able to have an additional party the kids could be a part of. It wouldn't have been the same without our nieces and nephews!

There was a LOT of cheese at our wedding, and that was gouda for us. That's the only cheese pun I'm gonna make. I promise.

Our friend Tracie Potochnik honored us by performing a specially requested song - "Reflecting Light" by Sam Phillips - for the party. Tracie played this so beautifully and it meant the world to us

We gave away blocks of parmigiano reggiano as favors. Our sign says "yeah...we know our favors are cheesy". Thanks to Fromage in Old Saybrook for the amazing cheese platters as well as this aged gold.

The Bride in action. My cup has cider, NOT alcohol. This is a sober dance move if you can believe it.

Jack practicing to be featured in the next Avengers movie.

In case you're wondering the answer is yes - this water was freezing cold.

Our amazing photographer and best friend, Margaret Belanger doing her thing. She worked so hard all weekend capturing all these photos for us to share with you. We heart her BIG TIME.