Taking A Private Moment to Capture the Moment

Martha’s Vineyard is a magical place to have a wedding. And for many Vineyard brides this sense of
connectedness and romance evolves from the deep
significance it holds for many: Perhaps they were
engaged here, they grew up spending summers here,
or as is often the case they started coming here while
dating and fell in love, with one another and the Island.

A Moment Apart
Those choosing the Island as the backdrop for their wedding already have an enormous advantage in the Island’s innate beauty. Nonetheless, one should make the most of all photographic opportunities. A meaningful and lovely way to do this is one I often recommend to my clients: Take a breather from the whirlwind of activity. After the ceremony is over and the family portraits have been taken, ‘elope’ to the nearest spot that has romantic significance for you and your new spouse.

Initially, you may be reluctant to leave your party, of leaving family and friends. To relieve some of this anxiety, I suggest asking your photographer if s/he can take half of the portraits before the ceremony (bride and groom separately with families and attendants) and ask a friend or relative to help gather those same people after the ceremony for the larger portraits so as to get those done as quickly as possible. 

Once this is accomplished, you can feel free to ‘run away’ for fifteen minutes of fun and much-coveted down-time giving yourselves the time and space to have your photographer create the images that will be among your favorites for the rest of your lives. Or you might choose to bring your wedding party along to create a different backdrop for the wedding party photos, leaving the parents and grandparents to join the festivities immediately.

Creating Lasting Memories
After nine years of photographing weddings, all of the couples tell me that one of their favorite memories of their wedding day was the time they had, just the two of them (and me) on the dunes, or by water’s edge, or down a garden path.  I tell them that they can practice saying “You are my husband, You are my wife” as we drive to the location of their choosing.   Each time, my comment is met by an incredulous laugh as they look at one another and say those exact words.  As a photographer, I love those times, too.  It’s a chance for the couple to be free to be themselves, to relax and be playful, and to have special time to be alone together.  They can take a breath before going back to the party and becoming the center of attention for the rest of the day. So I would suggest that you take advantage of the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard, because you are choosing to have your wedding here for special reasons, and your love is just as special as this place.

 Nicole Friedler has been photographing on Martha’s Vineyard since 1998, and thinks that she has the best job in the world.

Nicole Friedler Photography

Sense of Spirit, Sense of Humor, Sense of Style

www.friedlerphotography.com
508.696.0836