Garden Wedding at Zukas Hilltop Barn

A Genuinely Sweet Couple

Melissa and Bryan are one of the most genuinely sweet couples I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.  Every interaction with them was easy, and fun.  They spent about two years planning their big day, and since we had so much time to plan, we ended up spending several days with them leading up to their big day getting to know each other.  In our hometown of Westerly, there is a fantastically fun pinball bar, (called Flipside) and when Melissa and Bryan came down to visit our studio we stopped by for a pint and a few games- it was a blast!  Staying connected with Melissa and Bryan was easy, and we agreed to meet again the following summer to schedule their engagement session.

 

A Change in Plans

We met at Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth, CT for part of their engagement session, and popped by Charmard Vineyard in Clinton for a second location with more variety.  But out of nowhere, we were met with a thunderstorm and torrential downpour.  What would you do in that situation? We took shelter in the tasting room, and enjoyed several bottles of wine, of course!  A couple months later, we scheduled a redo at a different winery on the CT Wine Trail.  Sharpe Hill Vineyards in Pomfret is one of my favorite vineyards because of the big beautiful red barn, delicious eatery on the patio, and hillside views overlooking the vines.  Plus, it tied right in with the vibe of their wedding.

Stunning Wedding Views

Melissa and Bryan chose Zukas Hilltop Barn in Spencer, MA.  I love it!  This amazing venue has so much to offer.  There is an entire house on the property for a bridal suite (with an attached day spa).  The lovely ceremony area has a large gazebo, decorated with seasonal flowers.  As you walk from the ceremony to the cocktail hour area, you will see rolling hills in the background where wedding guests frequently snap selfies.  The large outdoor spaces have plenty of gardens and various scenery for formal photos.  As a photographer, I am always happy to see so many options for picture taking.  The reception tent has bistro lighting and a black and white dance floor with plenty of room for larger events.  All in all Melissa and Bryan couldn’t have found a more fitting location.  Here are some of my favorite images from their wedding: