Not only did my husband and I buy our first house together (and do all the work that entails) but I also had the honor of photographing dozens of weddings – sharing and capturing the joy of so many happy couples from New England to the Caribbean (Quidnessett Country Club, Ocean Cliff, Blissful Meadows, Whispering Pines, and Vieques, PR just to name a few).  And my very last shoot of the year was a Trash the Dress session - that took me and two sisters who got married this year from Federal Hill to the State House lawn – that is like none other you’ve ever seen!

With the turning of the last page of the 2011 calendar, clients visiting Bruce (Unique Video Productions) or Michele-Yvette Photography will now be meeting us in our new office space.  While it still needs some finishing touches, it has come together beautifully so far.

I’m looking forward to a month off to do some much needed catch-up work before kicking off another full year of wedding photography in 2012.  Congratulations if you’ve just gotten engaged!  To you and to those of you who follow my blog, I wish you all much happiness and success in the New Year! 

With that, please enjoy some of my favorite captured moments of 2011.  Thanks for visiting Michele-Yvette Photography.  And if you’re looking for pricing information, click on my email address above and please drop me a note or call!  Packages start at $1,500.  To read more comments, click on the Facebook icon to the right.  xxoo myp

Brides Getting Ready

Wedding Details - Dress, Shoes

***myp***

The Brides on their Wedding Days

 ***myp***

 

The Bridesmaids

***myp**

Wedding Ceremonies

 ***myp***

The Couples

Wedding Details - Rings, Cake

The Groomsmen

 ***CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE***

First Dances

The Wedding Reception

 ***myp***

michele-yvette photography weddings

 

***myp***

 

Sisters Trash The Dress (2)

 

Sisters Trash the Dress (3)

Sisters Trash the Dress (4)

***myp*** 

 

Sisters Trash the Dress (5)

 

 **AS ALWAYS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW**

  

Caribbean Sunset Bride

Those of you who follow me know my husband and I are lucky enough to travel to the tiny island of Vieques (also known as Isla Nena) a few times a year.  And this was a wedding I’ve been waiting for for a long time - held at our favorite home away from home at Casa LaLanchita.

Caribbean Wedding, Casa LaLanchita

Ben and Amanda are Buckeyes from the great state of Ohio.  They invited their family and closest friends for a fantastic Caribbean getaway weekend… the highlight, of course, was the two of them getting hitched.  [**CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE**]

Wedding Party, Vieques, PR

Doug McHoul officiated the ceremony atop Casa LaLanchita, the home and guest hotel he built for him and his wife, Marikay.  With a panoramic view of the Atlantic deep in the Caribbean, it’s truly paradise and a spectacular place to get married.

Getting Married at Casa LaLanchita

Following the ceremony, the sun was dropping fast.  So, Marikay and I whisked the newlyweds away to a tiny little beach a few miles down the road for an absolutely spectacular backdrop.  When I bumped Ben out of the shot to get a photo of Amanda alone on an outcropping into the ocean, Ben told me later, it was at that moment while he was watching his wife pose for the camera that he “had a moment.”  [**LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU THINK...LEAVE A COMMENT BY CLICKING THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST**]

Caribbean Wedding

Thank you for sharing that, Ben.  If I’m able to be a part of creating that moment, I’ve done my job better than I ever could have imagined.  Ben and Amanda, thanks for having me.  In the short time I got to know you, I found you to be a sweet, funny, and gracious couple!  Felicidades!  xxoo myp

You know good times are ahead when the wedding party crashes a kid’s birthday party at Goddard Park!  That’s right, following our formals, the shoes were kicked off and the jackets laid aside to burn off some energy on a giant slide.  It was irresistable!

Wedding Shoes, on and off

The day started at Nicole’s house, full house, full of her closest friends and family reveling in her big day. You could feel the excitement building as she was tied into that stunning mermaid wedding gown.  In no time it was time to hop onto the Newport Trolley.

 

Getting Ready for the Wedding

 

The Bride and Groom

 

Nicole and Jose put a lot of thought into their wedding details.   The orange and purple flowers and the purple vests and bridesmaids dresses absolutely popped against the early autumn backdrop.

Fall Wedding Formals

 

 And this bride and groom put as much thought into making sure their guests had as good a time as they would.  The Mariachi band entertained guests during cocktail hour at the Quonset O Club.  And it was great to see Marcia from Boston Cigar Factory.   Jose even got a free rolling lesson from the master!   And the World Premier Band kept that dance floor bumping and jumping all night long! 

Wedding Details

 

But I think the highlight of the evening was the father-daughter dance.  What started out as a sweet ode to daddy’s little girl erupted into a wild choreographed montage through the years – we’re talking Thriller, Dirty Dancing, and oh, yeah, leg warmers and Flashdance!  Nobody puts Nicole in a corner!  She’s a maniac, maniac on the floor.  And I suspect dad was dancing like he never did before!  Check out a clip here.  My husband, Bruce, Unique Video Productions captured the jaw-dropping grooves.

 

WIld Father-Daughter Dance

 Nicole and Jose, what an amazing couple the two of you are.  Bruce and I wish you all the happiness in the world.  You have both married into wonderful families, your friends are amazing, and the care you took to make sure everyone had a great time on 10/1/11 is a testament to your own generosity, your big hearts, and your warm personalities.  Thank you.  xxoo Michele

michele-yvette photography

She Found the Dress!

I first met Aprille last October.  I decided to photograph her when she picked out her wedding dress in November.  She knew it was “the one” the moment she slipped into the gown.  You could just tell.

Once the snow, clouds and rain finally cleared out in April, I met Aprille and David down in Jamestown, Rhode Island at Beavertail Lighthouse and Park.  In true ‘guy’ fashion, David wondered what we were going to do for two hours for their engagement shoot.  But it didn’t take him long to light up in front of the camera. 

Engagement Session, Jamestown, RI

Then their love for each other shined as bright as the sun setting over the ocean and atop the rocky cliffs of Beavertail.  This park holds a special place in my heart – my husband and I had our first date there, and that’s where he asked me to marry him.  Bruce was also Aprille and David’s wedding videographer.

Finally, the wedding day arrives…

Wedding Day Details

I absolutely love photographing the brides and all her girls getting ready for the big day.  I can best describe it as a cocktail of orderly chaos, nervous excitement mixed with lots of giggles.  By the way, check out the amazing color themes Aprille picked out for her bridesmaids.  The mix of orange and yellow is exciting, and all the girls were decked out in amazing silver stiletto heels to finish off the look.

Wedding Day Preps

The hour long Filipino-Catholic wedding ceremony brought tears to everyone’s faces – the moms, of course, as well as the many, many godparents of the bride and groom. 

***Click on a Picture to See Large Version***

To the Church!

Then it was off to Roger Williams Park and Zoo.  Rhode Island has very many picturesque places.  Roger Williams Park has something for everyone and is probably one of the best maintained parks in the state.   That’s why it’s such a popular place for wedding photos. 

Bride and Groom

Bridal Party

TIP:  Here’s some advice to all you brides, grooms, groomsmen, and bridesmaids-to-be — be sure to eat in the morning or while you’re getting ready.  It’s a long day and you won’t be sitting down to dinner until the evening.  Even if there’s very little time for photos, most people are surprised at how exhausting it is to  pose and smile all day

The Shoes Say it All

About to Get Married

Krystal and Chris just couldn’t wait to get married.  Everything in their body language in the hours before their wedding ceremony pointed to the fact that they each knew they were about to marry their true love.  When you know you’ve found ‘the one’ – they got engaged less than a year after meeting – why wait long?!

Krystal’s eyes welled up as her sister and maid of honor, Keri put on the veil.  It was hard to choke back my own tears.  Going through both of their minds no doubt is how their roles will be reversed  in a few months when Keri gets married herself.

**Click on a photo to see enlargement**

Wedding Details

 And there was barely a dry eye in the church from everyone from the parents of the bride and groom, grandparents, extended family and friends erupted into applause as Krystal and Chris  were pronounced husband and wife.  The only way to follow that up is with an awesome party at the Quidnessett Country Club.  And Krystal and Chris, your entire wedding party rocks!  

Thank you so much for having me behind the camera (and my hubby Bruce behind the video camera) to document this fantastic  day.  You are an incredible couple with fantastic families, and we wish you all the best for a happy and bright future together!

Wedding Formals

Come see more at MYP’s Facebook Fan Page. Just click on the Facebook icon to the right.  Feel free to tag yourselves and share with each other.  I’d love to see you there. 

xxoo

MYP

Getting Ready, Vieques, PR

An and Jeff spent the week getting all the details ready for their big day that started at Whispering Pines, nestled in the hills of Vieques, Puerto Rico – the couple’s temporary home away from home.  An’s doll-like porcelain face was the perfect canvas for local makeup artist, Michelle to add a touch of wedding glow and glamour.  Maid of Honor, Minh, was on hand to take care of all the finishing touches.  And Denise’s floral arrangements (Vieques Gifts and Flowers) brought the whole look together with bouquets of amazing yellow calla lilies and white roses. 

Vieques Wedding - Flowers & Finishing Touches

Vieques Wedding - Details

Vieques Wedding - Ceremony

 An and Jeff had never been to Vieques, Puerto Rico before.  But they fell in love with  “Isla Nena” and wanted to have their photographs done away from the beaches and instead around the town of Isabel II in celebration of the culture and bright colors this rustic island has to offer.  They were overwhelmed at the numbers of people who stopped to wish them congratulations as they went by!

Vieques Wedding - Formals There is more to come of An and Jeff’s Island Wedding. Click on the Facebook icon to get to Michele-Yvette Photography’s Fan page and watch for updates coming soon! And feel free to leave a comment at the end of this blog. I'd love to hear from you! Vieques Wedding - Urban Formals

Congratulations, An and Jeff.  And thank you for inviting me to photograph your Vieques Wedding.  You are one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever had the pleasure and joy to work with! 

xxoo … michele

As Featured in Bride’s Choice Magazine 2011

The New Year.  What does it mean to you?  If you’re visiting micheleyvettephotography.com, it may mean a new engagement and a wedding to plan.  Congratulations!  You’re in for the time of your life!

As I’ve been finally getting up to speed on getting the new website up and running, blogging, and adding a new Facebook Fan Page, looking to the New Year is getting even more exciting.  It is definitely shaping up to be a fantastic 2011.  And I hope the same holds true for you.

My husband (my favorite videographer to work with, Bruce at Unique Video Productions) and I will soon be moving into our new home featuring our new office space to hold meetings and show off our work.  Details on an open house to come.

This week, I got an advance copy of Bride’s Choice Magazine RI MA 2011.  And it features many wedding photos I’ve taken over the last few years.  As a former TV writer, thousands of people have heard the words I’ve written for TV news anchors in Rhode Island and San Diego.  But I can’t tell you how much more thrilling it is to see the work you’ve done put to print!  The magazine also features an article I wrote on How To Choose a Wedding Videographer as well as a great article on how to pick out the right wedding ring.  After all, New Year’s is one of the most popular times of year to pop the question!

Bride’s Choice 2011 will be out in January and will be around all year long.  Please see our ad on Page 65.  Bruce and I often work together as a husband and wife team, so we decided to team up on our advertisement as well this year.

I hope the New Year finds your champagne glass filled with love happiness.  And have a fantastic and safe holiday season.

Cheers!

xxoo myp

As Featured in Bride's Choice Magazine 2011

The conversation went something like this.  Hey, Kristie and Mike, you know that black and white photograph of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square?  That’s all I had to say.  Kristie:  I’m obsessed with that picture!  Me: Did you know today is the 65th anniversary of that photo?  Us: giggle giggle giggle.  Let’s do it!

The ceremony was held on the deck of the Quidnessett Country Club in East Greenwich, RI.  Kristie was a vision in white.  Mike full of tears as she walked down the aisle.  It was an emotional ceremony sprinkled with tears of laughter and joy.  To be expected when Rev. Victoria Burdick is the one performing the service.  I know, because she married my husband and I.  And fittingly, she included a blessing for all the men and women serving this country in the armed services.

The Ceremony

Kristie is the first of three daughters to get married.  So, as you can imagine, Dad had a hard time choking back his tears.  But these two love birds were so overcome with emotion, the tears flowed madly as they were about to be pronounced husband and wife not only by their officiant, but by all of their guests.

The Formals

 And I absolutely had to include these next photos.  This was probably the most insane, funny, jaw dropping garter and bouquet part of the wedding.  I mean, this guest turned it into an event!

The reception was a smash hit.  But no rest for the weary.  Just a day later, Mike and Kristie were off to Virginia where he’s now stationed.  Be well and be safe.  And thanks for letting me be a part of your day.  If you like what you see, leave a comment or click on the Share button to email it to your friends or add it to your Facebook page.  You’ll find Michele-Yvette Photography’s fan page there, too!

For Rhode Islanders, it’s just another day in the park… Roger Williams Park.  

If you like what you see, scroll down and leave a reply.  You can also find MYP on Facebook.  Have a fantastic day and a wonderful holiday season!