What could bring us to photograph a Boston City Hall Wedding? It’s not our typical thing, so you know it had to have been something pretty special!
We met Meghan while working on a project together on Mount Desert Island in Maine. She and her boyfriend Ben were living on her home island for the summer. Meghan, an incredible web designer was building a site for a mutual friend. We were doing the photography.
The relationship quickly developed to our photographing Meghan for her own website. Which is where we met Ben. He gallantly followed us around holding Meghan’s purse, glasses, shoes. We may have threatened to bring him along on all our photo shoots.
A few weeks later we were meeting once again for a fun sailboat photo shoot. Acadia National Park, a Friendship Sloop, an epic sunset a hilarious captain and first mate. It was a night we’ll likely never forget! And also where the phrase “Dinghy shots” was born.
Since then we have visited Meghan, Ben and pup Allie in Portland. Seen them through two moves in and out of Massachusetts. Keith and Ben have been in an epic Waze battle to see who accumulates more travel miles. And Meghan has shared amazing clients with us!
While we don’t have the opportunity to see one another very often, it’s a wonderful natural friendship. We pick up right where we left off. Laugh over memories and create new inside jokes.
It’s been years anticipating an announcement from Meghan and Ben. And our being one of the first to hear about it was more than we could have hoped for.
In our hearts, they’ve been united since we have known them. A marriage certificate certainly doesn’t change anything. And in many ways, they felt the same. So it was no surprise that their Boston City Hall wedding did not involve a proposal. Or a multi card invitation. Or anything following a Pinterest outline.
They wanted to emphasize their love and togetherness with family. A Boston City Hall wedding with an after party fit them perfectly.
Having grown up on a small Maine island, Meghan is a fantastic mix of down to earth and chic. She can fit in seamlessly at a campground or a posh rooftop cocktail party. There’s no outfit she won’t rock, and no environment she can’t slide into.
Benjamin, is a man both adept at working with his hands, enjoying an upper shelf beverage, or sailing the Atlantic. Growing up with six brothers and a sister, he can hold his own. But also make you feel as though you’re one of a kind.
Waking up at 5am for a ride to Boston was an easy choice for us with these two. We met at the Boston Park Plaza hotel where Meghan & Ben got ready together. Redefining a “first look.” Then off to City Hall. The long wait there was an opportunity for the rest of the family to navigate taxi mishaps. And then we all crammed into the tiny marital room of Boston City Hall.
The justice of the peace turned out to be a frequent visitor to Meghan’s home town. And despite being inside a cement building, the room was filled with warmth. Having been our first Boston City Hall Ceremony, we were captivated by the adventure of it all. It’s a totally different process, and just like every other experience with these two, it was a blast! Word to the wise, bring cash for the marriage certificate!
We piled into a party limo for the ride to the Seaport. Making stops along the way for photos. And offloading some peanut snacks to someone on the street in an effort to avoid anaphylaxis.
Special thanks to the guard who took his time asking us if we had a permit before kicking us out. And now we know.
Meghan & Ben’s friends and extended family waited at the Boston Legal Harborside for a casual lunch celebration. Beating the heat of July, and taking in the harbor views. With plenty of yummy bites, and refreshing drinks with paper straws. (Because you know how zero plastic makes us happy!)
While they didn’t have a first dance, or a seated dinner, the day was every bit as filled with celebration. It’s a day they couldn’t have imagined doing without family, and were able to have everyone together.
And best of all? We got front row seats for it all. An amazingly humbling honor. The only thing missing was Allie. Likely sloppy kisses occurred later.
Are you an outdoorsy type planning a Boston City Hall wedding? Or another equally awesome wedding? We’d love to chat with you and learn more about your wedding plans. Here’s where you can contact us!!
BOSTON CITY HALL WEDDING DETAILS:
Legal Harborside, Boston MA – Reception
Boston Park Plaza – Hotel
Macy’s – Bridal Shop