A Modern Nautical Wedding at Guilford Yacht Club
There is something so beautiful about a wedding set right on the water. The marina, the boats, the changing light, and all of those little nautical details create a setting that feels naturally elegant without needing to be overly formal.
This August 2023 wedding at Guilford Yacht Club in Connecticut was a perfect example.
The day was overcast, which gave us beautiful, soft light throughout the wedding. The setting had a modern nautical feel, while abundant florals brought color and romance to both the ceremony and reception. And then, once the sun went down the reception transformed completely.
A Wedding Surrounded by the Water
The Guilford Yacht Club provided such a beautiful backdrop for the day. With the marina surrounding the celebration, there was something interesting to photograph in every direction. I loved the combination of the clean, modern setting with the softness of all the floral arrangements. The flowers were incorporated throughout the ceremony and reception and added so much personality to the space.
One of my favorite parts of the reception, though, was the lighting. The reception space had an upper level overlooking the room, which gave me the opportunity to photograph the celebration from a completely different perspective. Looking down onto the dance floor, I could capture the bride and groom surrounded by their friends and family all enjoying the evening together.
It’s one of those photographs that tells a much bigger story than a close-up portrait can. You can see the couple, but you can also see the people who came to celebrate them. Chef’s kiss!
The Little Details That Became Part of the Story
The couple also incorporated some really fun personal touches into their reception. One of my favorites was their custom photo backdrop featuring their last name on a neon sign. They placed a Polaroid camera nearby and encouraged their guests to take photos of themselves in front of the backdrop. Those photographs eventually became their guest book.
I love when couples find ways to make their wedding details do more than simply decorate the room. This gave their guests something fun to participate in during the reception, and the resulting photographs became a collection of little memories from everyone who was there.
A Little Planning Can Make a Big Difference
One thing that happened before the wedding day that made my job much easier was something I had asked the bride to do ahead of time. I asked her to gather the small details she wanted photographed – things like jewelry, shoes, invitations, and other meaningful pieces – into one box and leave it in the getting-ready space for me. Because the box was already there, I was able to photograph those details before the bride even arrived.
That might seem like a small thing, but little bits of planning like this can make a surprisingly big difference in a wedding-day timeline. Instead of taking time away from the bride while she was getting ready, I could photograph her details beforehand and then focus my attention on her and the people around her once she arrived.
It’s one of my favorite ways to make sure the timeline works for the photographs rather than making the couple feel like they’re constantly stopping to take pictures.
Why I Love Working With a Second Photographer
For this wedding, I was joined by my friend and second photographer, Jun Valencia. One of the biggest advantages of having two photographers is that we can be in two places at once. While I was photographing the bride and the women getting ready, Jun was with the groom and the guys. That means we’re able to tell both sides of the story instead of one photographer having to choose where to be.
This can be especially helpful for couples who decide not to do a first look. When there isn’t a first look, the bride and groom generally seen the morning getting ready separately and don’t see each other until the ceremony. Having two photographers allow us to photograph both sides of the wedding day without sacrificing that time.
And it’s not just about getting more photographs. It’s about getting different photographs.
Two photographers can capture different angles, perspectives, reactions, and little moments happening at the same time. When you look through your finished gallery, you get a fuller picture of what your wedding day actually felt like – not just one photographer’s view of it. That was especially fun at this wedding, where the reception offered so many different perspectives to photograph from.
A Beautiful Night on the Water
From the soft, overcast beginning of the day to the energy of the reception that evening, this Guilford Yacht Club wedding was full of the kind of details I love photographing. The marina setting gave the day its modern nautical character. The florals brought in softness and color. The custom backdrop and Polaroid guest book gave guests something personal to participate in. And the reception lighting transformed the space once the celebration really got going.
But some of my favorite photographs were simply the ones that showed everyone together – the bride and groom surrounded by the people they love, celebrating on the dance floor with the marina just outside.
Those are the photographs that remind me why I love photographing weddings in the first place.
Planning a Connecticut Wedding?
If you’re planning a wedding at Guilford Yacht Club I’d love to hear about it. There’s something special about photographing weddings surrounded by the water, and feel personal, relaxed, and full of real moments. I love finding the little moments, details, and perspectives that make each celebration completely its own.
If you’re looking for a Guilford Yacht Club wedding photographer who will document your day naturally while giving you beautiful, intentional portraits, let’s connect and start talking about your plans.
Vendors
Venue: Guildford Yacht Club, Guilford, Connecticut
Photography: BellaFoto Studios
Second Photographer: Jun Valencia
DJ & Lighting: Jay Raven, Total Events Entertainment
