Julia & Colin's Summer Solstice Wedding at the Overbrook House in Buzzards Bay, MA

No matter how many weddings we photograph, no matter how many times we gear up and drive to a place with the sole mission of documenting whatever happens in front of our cameras, it’s still surreal to arrive in person and feel the wedding we’ve been looking at on our calendar for so long. Julia and Colin’s wedding at the Overbrook House was one such wedding that, no matter how well we prepared ourselves for it, we couldn’t quite imagine its atmosphere, its energy, its soul. Falling on the day after the first official day of summer, this wedding succeeded in channeling that celestial shift by means of an outdoor ceremony under towering pine trees that cast just enough shade over the space to offer relief from the baking sun, a cocktail hour beneath an ancient maple tree followed by a meandering walk through the forest to get to dinner, and a reception beneath a clear top tent, backed up against a pine forest whose floor was flush with the greenest of ferns. The overall vibe was lush and leaned into the bounty of nature that marks this specific time of year and all of it culminating at the mouth of the Cape felt truly magical.

Julia and Colin first met as bartenders in Seattle, WA (Colin’s home state) where they lived before moving back to the east coast and settling in NYC. Originally from Rhode Island, Julia’s vision for her own wedding back on this side of the country felt nearly inevitable, like a return to her roots, something we loved the idea of when she first reached out. Julia’s also a photographer - her Olympus OM-2n given to her by Colin’s mother made an appearance - which made documenting her wedding day feel like a true collaboration, a fact we’re incredibly grateful for. The flow of the day was casual and free form. Julia, Colin, and all of their (many) siblings got ready in the beautiful main building on site while guests arrived and waited for the ceremony to start. Colin’s cool green seersucker suit and Julia’s sheer silken dress popped against the floral backdrop as they spoke their vows to one another and laughed and cried recounting stories from past to present.

What followed felt like the most beautiful cocktail party we’ve ever been to. As guests made their way through the woods to the tented reception space, Julia and Colin and their adorable pup Maggie continued the process of saying hello to everyone in attendance, catching up with each and every person and getting quality time with all of them. Toasts from best friends and siblings started out hilarious off the rip and ended incredibly sweet, heartfelt, and drew tears from family and friends seated at long, romantic dinner tables. Our time walking around the property with them closer to sunset reminded us of the natural beauty that the Cape has, something we try our hardest to experience each year for our own wedding anniversary, and it was lovely to explore it with two people who appreciated it at least as much as we do. As strawberry cake and stroopwafels were served while the last bit of blue light fell on the party, friends switched over the speakers from inside the tent to inside the little reception hall turned dance floor, and the mood once again shifted. Julia disappeared ever so briefly, returning in a sequined dress to turn up just as the lights turned out, and as we wrapped up for the night we left them in near pitch darkness aside from the bumbling, twinkly, barely visible light from fireflies in the forest, dancing and laughing together in air just beginning to lose its sting from the summer sun.

Venue: The Overbrook House
Coordination: Blush and Coral - Abby Prescott
Catering: Keane’s Fireside Catering
Florals: Wholesale, arranged by Julia’s sister-in-law Therese
Desserts: Home-made by Julia’s mom
Invitations: DIY
Dress: Lola Varma
Menswear: Todd Snyder
Rings: Family heirlooms
Rentals: American Tent
Film/Processing: Kodak Portra 400 / Kerry’s Warwick Photo