2017 L+K | Connecticut Wedding Photographer | Norwich, CT - jesslancephoto // Connecticut Wedding Photographer

Wedding Archives | 2017

“Jess is so sweet and patient and truly a breath of fresh air during the hectic-ness of a wedding day. She’s definitely someone you want by your side and after all that her pictures come out amazing. She’s the only vendor I chose from a bridal Expo and going off my gut instinct and I’m so thankful. Just a short convo with Jess will show she’s a genuine person that wants your day to be perfect.. and she’ll even offer her expert advice and be excited to share it with you. If you’re unsure about a photographer, give her a call and see for yourself.”

Liz stopped at my booth, at the 2017 Women’s Health Beauty & Bridal Expo at Mohegan Sun. We talked about her upcoming December wedding and her vision of all 192 of her guests in one photo! We brainstormed a plan to have everyone turn around at the end of the ceremony at St Peter & Paul in Norwich. The countdown began and ten months later on a brisk December morning I stopped at Liz’s parent’s house as she re-curled a piece of hair, put on her veil and helped Dad with his boutonniere. Her parent’s showed me their wedding photo, since Liz was wearing her mother’s dress. They gave her a kiss on the cheek before heading down the street to the church. When I arrived at St Peter & Paul Kris’ Grandma was peeking out the window at all of the friends and family that were making there way in. Kris, his brother Kyle and friend Chuck were at the front of church smiling and waving to everyone as they found their seats. Once everyone settled and the music began Kris smiled and looked towards the door as Liz’s sister Samantha and best friend Ali made their way down the aisle. When Liz and her father walked in, Kris let out a “WOW!” and threw his head back with a whistle. Through the ceremony the bridal party laughed and couldn’t help but smile as they exchanged looks. At the end of the ceremony I ran up to the balcony as everyone turned in ther pews to look up at me. Kris + Liz walked down the aisle, shared a dip and kiss, then flew out the door to the limo. We stopped to take portraits at a nearby waterfall and then met up with the bridal party and family to finish portraits. Their winter wonderland decorated reception included “snow-covered” trees, pine cones, holiday headbands and Fireball! After their entrance and first dance they broke into a short dance party and got all their guests up on the dance floor. After the toasts, blessing and parent dances the dance floor opened again, this time with the band Sugar . Almost every guest had squeezed onto the dance floor, where old friends and family were reconnecting. The garter “retrieval” and bouquet toss, were of course filled with laughter and well-timed dance moves. At the end of the night Liz went around grabbing friends for silly photos and the party was still rocking as I drove off!

“Kris met Liz while working together at Washington Trust. He first spotted her walking across the parking lot, and thought she was a vendor who was just visiting. Soon enough he found out Liz had been hired at the Bank and was manager of the mailroom. A few days later, Kris went on a stealth mission to the mailroom, and copped Liz’s phone number from the department contact list. He texted her to ask if she’d like to hang out, and she said no, not wanting to mix business with pleasure. Not one to be deterred, Kris waited a month or so and got to know Liz a little more. He texted her again and asked her out and this time she said YES! Kris and Liz went on their first date in the Summer of 2013. They headed to the Malted Barley and in true Birchell/Grayeck style, they closed the place. Not wanting the night to end, they shared some late-night eats at Wendy’s. Flash forward to November 5, 2016. It was a Saturday morning and Liz was finishing up some laundry. Kris came bounding out of the bedroom, slid across the floor on his knees, and proposed to Liz with a beautiful diamond ring. He then surprised her with a celebration that afternoon with their parents, grandparents, sisters & brothers … where else? The Malted Barley , where it all began.”