Ngoc & James
Do you ever feel like you were meant to work with someone? I had this feeling from the moment I talked to Ngoc on the phone the first time. She posted in a local neighbors group seeking a photographer for her upcoming wedding and we connected through a mutual friend.
After chatting on the phone we met for coffee at Doro, sidenote best cookies around, with her fiance James and I fell head over heels (not weird right?) for them, the dynamic they shared with one another, and their laid back nature. They are as friendly as you could imagine, with this wonderful mix of humor and quick wit. They are constantly laughing, and the way that they look at one another, well, it is something for the books.
Ready for this? Ngoc worked in a local coffee shop and James became a regular customer as an excuse to see her and chat. Ngoc shared that at one point she joked with her co-workers that she was going to marry him (*sigh). Does it get cuter? Just a little. James proposed to Ngoc on a trip to New York City on the steps of the New York library and what was meant to be was set firmly into motion.
They were planning a February wedding beginning with a traditional Catholic ceremony at a local church then chose The Society Room in downtown Hartford for the reception. Honestly…they couldn’t have made a better choice. What a stunning location – it reminds you of this grand Titanic looking ballroom, with beautiful lighting and color, incredible architecture, topped off with this very polished James Bond type of feel.
Speaking of, as if they weren’t already cool enough, they opted for some pictures in downtown Hartford at the iconic arch followed by some on Pratt Street, complete with James donning a quick outfit change into his regal hunter green smokers jacket. Ngoc added a soft white feathery coat on top of her dress and the two looked completely dapper and adorable. They were total troopers as it was a chilly day and hung in there to get some beautiful shots
A year or so back Pratt Street opted to close to make it a pedestrian street only with outdoor seating for local shops and restaurants. It makes for a perfect backdrop where the cobblestone meets cute store fronts and just the right amount of light and shadow balance (a photographers dream!). The couple frequents a cigar shop on Pratt with some dedicated patrons who happened to be there when we walked in to get some pictures. A nicer crew you couldn’t find and we absolutely had to get a group shot of the entire group. I don’t know if I have smiled or laughed more at a wedding – including my own!
As a photographer I have done my share of weddings and yet I have never met a nicer extended friends and family group. Full disclosure, even though I am used to it, often times you still feel a bit awkward walking up to people enjoying cocktail hour and asking to take a quick photo. Every single person at the reception was overjoyed and eager to do so, and it left you with this warm, welcome feeling that made complete sense because it exudes from Ngoc and James as a couple and extended into the entire afternoon and evening.
Ngoc and James it is so evident how much you are loved by all and the myriad of
reasons why. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness together. Thank you for letting me
be a part of your special day. Your radiance in these pictures really is worth a
thousand words.
