Kristen & Matt’s Wedding | West Hartford, Connecticut

He stood in the reception hall surrounded by his friends and family and spoke of his new wife, his new marriage. He referenced wedding planning, often a notoriously stressful experience. But he smiled his passionate smile and declared, If wedding planning is a glimpse into the kind of marriage we’ll have, I’m going to love it.

Matt and Kristen met in college at Duke, where they lived in the same dorm and were both involved in the same Christian organization. They were friends, but they didn’t quite start dating then. Matt was moving across the country for grad school at Stanford, so they agreed to put it off. Of course, they then found themselves 3,000 miles apart and decided to start dating anyway.

True to Matt’s words, all of the little details and elaborate excel spreadsheets that they labored over came together in a wonderful celebration of friends, family, and love. Kristen and Matt are simply adorable in their open affection for one another. They have been united in their love for each other and their love for God, and they will doubtlessly grow together in both.

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I absolutely love Kristen’s engagement ring: sapphire, diamonds, and gold, passed down from Matt’s grandmother. And I love the band they had custom designed by Topper Fine Jewelers to pair with it too.
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I began my day with the very good looking group of men getting ready at the hotel.
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Such piercing blue eyes!
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Then I photographed Kristen at her childhood home in West Hartford.
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Gorgeous.
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The ceremony was held at the very New England-style Covenant Congregational Church of West Hartford.
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The programs were printed by Cricket Press with all the ribbons hand tied by Kristen and her helpers.
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Kristen is absolutely glowing, walking down the aisle with her dad
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Matt and Kristen sat down in the front pew for a special part of the ceremony as their friend perform a liturgical dance.
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Beautiful detailing on their cake by Creative Cakes by Donna.
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Kristen’s grandmother was inspired by one of my photos from their engagement shoot and painted the beautiful painting of them on the left.
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I love the soft flow of movement in her dress. They really had a beautiful first dance.km_0881_bw West Hartford Connecticut Wedding | Kristen & Matt | km_0885_bw

Kristen’s sister Laura delivered a funny, moving, and emotional toast.
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Newlyweds Addison and Julie– I have to give Julie a huge shoutout, because she helped to coordinate everyone for all of the different group formals. I wish I could bring her with me to every wedding!
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Vendors:
Church: Covenant Congregational Church, West Hartford, Connecticut
Reception Venue: Birch Meadow Banquet Facility, Bloomfield Connecticut
Florist: Sharon Elizabeth’s
Cake: Creative Cakes by Donna
Jeweler: Topper Fine Jewelers
Programs: Cricket Press
Salon: Acure Eco Salon
DJ: Dave Giani
Photographer: Anna Wu Photography