Summer Backyard Wedding at the Cape | Cape Cod, MA

Mary and Patrick were wed on the last weekend in June 2020. I was called in at the eleventh hour to photograph their wedding. Thanks to the chaos of the 2020 wedding season, their original wedding photographer was unable to photograph their wedding. I always encourage couples to ensure their photographer has a back-up for this very reason. Despite our best-laid plans, things can go awry, and you want to ensure that your photographer has a contingency plan in place.

Mary got ready in her childhood home in Bourne, MA. While heading to a hotel is usually advisable for many reasons, there’s a certain charm to getting ready in your childhood home that a hotel cannot replicate. Like the ones I found in Mary’s house, pictures of the bride or groom make an excellent backdrop for the day.

Patrick's brother Reverend Luke Suarez presided over their wedding at the St. Bonaparte Catholic Church in Plymouth, MA. I have to say when the priest marrying you is your older brother, there's just something so incredibly special and humbling about the celebration. In a sanctuary filled with family and their closest friends, Mary and Patrick became husband and wife. The church sanctum was bright and white, with plenty of windows that allowed natural light to stream in. It was also air-conditioned! #WINNING!

I made the couple’s formal photographs in the Church Garden and at Sagamore Beach, which was just down the road from Mary’s home. It was nice and quiet, although I will admit, I kept a watchful eye out for the town’s police because the beach is technically a private one for local residents only. If you have your eye on a special location, it’s always helpful to check and ensure that there are no restrictions or fees tied to the location. Most photographers (myself included) always check first so we don’t find ourselves being unceremoniously kicked out. Given the short notice I had for this wedding, I didn’t get a chanc’t get a chance to look into it. Thankfully everything worked out in the end 😁

My coverage of their day concluded back at Mary's home. Their reception was held under a lit tent in her parent's background, and it was simply perfect. I was honored to be a part of their day. I'm glad I was able to photograph their wedding day for them.