CT Tented Wedding in Lordship

Coco and Joe’s tented CT wedding in Lordship CT this weekend was one of the most joyful, emotional and amazing weddings, like, ever. I met Courtney in 2009 when her older sister Liz married her now husband Greg, and hired me as their photographer. During that initial meeting Liz and I laughed, we cried and were bonded from that moment on as friends for life. I am beyond happy to call Liz one of my closest friends, and in the process have absorbed the Stafford family and their partners as my own as well.

I was able to capture some really powerful moments of their family with their Dad, Jeff, before he died. A few years later, their sweet brother Chris married Tyler and I was happily their photographer. In between the weddings we had babies and maternity sessions, family portraits and Coco + Joe’s actually proposal on the beach in Old Lyme last summer. I feel like an extension of their family, and this made the entire wedding day even more meaningful for me, as I saw many repeat family members from previous weddings here. I got to see the siblings all flit about together, the way that families do, familiar, with great care and love, and even more laughter. Coco’s niece and nephew, Frankie + Iggy added an even sweeter element to the whole day than I could have ever even imagined was possible, and I took SO many pictures of the cuteness overload. How could I not?

You can see Frankie below getting her lips done by the amazing Catie Bane, during the girls’ prep. To say Frankie loves having her photo taken is the understatement of the year, and is in sharp contrast to her brother, Iggy, who usually scowls at me, as per usual. He’s my troublesome truck and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Frankie was just the perfect compliment to the sweet Coco, and I am not sure who was more fun to watch blossom in front of my camera all day! At legit every turn Coco wold explode into the most radiant smile and just erupt with laughter. Spending time with Coco is like standing in a warm patch of sunlight, and on their overcast and rainy day, she was glorious to be around.

Do I need to even elaborate on that smile? She felt like my little sister and I moved through the day with my heart just brimming with love and emotion and all of the feelings all day long.

My second photographer Nikki caught this great moment of Liz helping Coco into the church, where she would be walking down the aisle alone. My heart was so tender for her, and her family.

Then you can add little Iggy, our Troublesome Truck to the mix and he just brings the laughter with that scowl!

Add Joe to the mix of love I already have for this amazing family and it’s like, do I even have any more room in my heart for this amazing man? Trust me, I do! He is the sweetest, most kind and special person. He fits in like he was just made to be a part of this family, with Coco, laughing at ever turn. And crying, as he saw his bride walk down the aisle to him.

My buddy  Liz, so full of love and emotion for her little sister. This made my heart ache to see, but I am so glad I caught this pure, raw emotion of love, loss and support. She is like the epitome of a Mama Bear for her family, and I love her so much for it.

CocoJoe are married! They head out into the rain with not one little care in the world, ready to just have fun for the rest of the day!

Despite rain not being anywhere else in the forecast until literally that morning… we made it work and I stood in the rain and kept my people protected and happy. Know this: I am not scared of any amount of rain, and honestly feel like it makes the wedding more memorable and fun. Rain is moody, and beautiful and I will make it work!

If the bride doesn’t care about rain, then neither does anyone else on the day! Coco was the epitome of laid back and relaxed and just made things happen despite the rain!

So… we just went with it and hit the beach up for a quick portrait sesh!

And just like I mentioned before, here she is with that million watt smile, lighting up the world! We laughed so much together, and I am so thrilled with everything we created on that rainy beach!

Like. SERIOUSLY.

Their first dance song under their tented CT wedding is one of my all time favorites, ‘Into the Mystic’ by Van Morrison. It’s a classic and always makes my heart ache with love.

My Kranky, getting all the feels for her little sister during her first dance.

The lighting under a tented wedding is just so perfect!

So many hugs and love and family traditions.

During their CT tented wedding I looked around and was like … hold up! I have a ton of past couples here, we have to take a pic and my girl Nikki made sure it happened. This is what trust and love look like. Ashley, Liz + Greg, Chris + Tyler and now Coco and Joe. Thank you all so much for trusting me with your weddings, your families, your proposals, your pregnancies. I am honored to be a part of all of your families and can’t wait to be there for even more events over the years! XO

The dance floor during this tented wedding has outtakes that should be an album all its own from this wedding. There was so much. ALL of the moves, and sing alongs, and rap alongs and like, robot dance moves. Totally epic and amazing and I am so happy that I was there for it all. Coco and Joe, congratulations on your tented wedding, on finding one another and starting your life together! XOXO

 

Creative Partners for the day:

Venue: The Bluffs at Margherita Lawn, Lordship CT / Gown: Augusta Jones via The White Dress by the Shore, Clinton CT / Hair + Makeup: Catie Bane, Guilford CT / Church: Our Lady of Peace Church, Stratford CT / Bridesmaids dresses: Weddington Way / Flowers: Jordan’s Florists / DJ: Ben from Jock in the Box Entertainment / Invitations: Minted / Catering: Szabo’s Seafood Truck / Tent + Rentals: Mitchco Party Rentals, Stratford CT / Photography: Carla Ten Eyck

 

To see more CT Tented Weddings by Carla Ten Eyck, click the links below:

Bridget + Lauren’s Tented Wedding at Jonathan Edwards Winery, Stonington CT

Tammy + Jason’s Joyful Rainy Wedding in the Finger Lakes, NY

Liz + Maya’s Red Maple Vineyard Wedding

Tented Backyard Beach Wedding in Old Saybrook, CT

Hope + Owen’s Tented Wedding at the Inn at Woodstock, Woodstock CT

Kevin + Katie’s Backyard Tented Wedding in Glastonbury, CT