Arnold Arboretum Elopement and a rad black wedding dress! Boston, MA | Alison & John

Alison and John were the first elopement I ever shot back in 2015! They really set the tone for my business for years to come and I always look back on this wedding with total heart eyes. Rock and Roll Bride published it in both their magazine AND online!

Alison and I have been friends since college and lived together in Allston during one of the best summers of my life. I’ve always loved her style, kindness and STUNNING blue eyes and am so grateful to know her. I was honored when she asked me to document her big day and could not wait to see what she was going to wear. Alison was a PERFECT 1940’s pin up bride in her Fame and Partners Dress and proved a black wedding dress can be elegant and bridal! Also, WEDDING DRESS CAPES ARE ALWAYS A YES! She got ready with her sisters and best friend over mimosas and flowers bought from Trader Joe’s that morning! They put the whole day together in 3 months! They originally wanted to elope completely privately, but after thinking about it realized they wanted to be with family. It was easy to keep everything simple!

Alison and John opted to do a first look before the ceremony. October in New England is always the dreamiest and we had John wait in a magical grove of prime autumn Trees in Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum. The Arboretum is huge and lush, making it the perfect place for an intimate wedding. They do cap their events at 40 people, but don’t charge any kind of fees (although I would recommend donating!). It also offers romantic hidden garden vibes while still having walk ways making it accessible for less mobile family members! They worked with officiant John Mayo to put together a ceremony that was personal and reflected what was important to them. Family swarmed them with hugs and congrats as they were declared husband and wife and then left to get settled into their dinner reception.

This was just such a perfect day and I love getting to look back and relive it five years later. I’m so grateful to all the people who have trusted me through the years. Alison and John were some of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters my first years and I could not be more grateful for them!