soi·ree also soi·rée (swä-r
)
)
n.
An evening party or reception.
[French soirée, from Old French seree, from seir, evening, from Latin s
r
, at a late hour, from srus, late.]
r, at a late hour, from srus, late.]
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This past April I turned the ripe old age of thirty (eek!),
so I’d like to think (or at least pretend) I have accumulated some memoire-worthy
history, having tread—sometimes stomped-- the beaten path of these years, these
three decades. I have held an assorted
variety of jobs for weeks or years, known a lot of storied, strong and radiant people,
lived in lots of distinctive little towns. And, if nothing else, I can honestly
say I have been to a lot of “events” in my life. An event, while a broad term, is often
exciting, and requires quite an amount of preparation and general ‘getting
readiness.’ There are all sorts of
things to consider with events—lighting, silverware, food, music, dress. I have
been to openings, weddings, cotillions, concerts, proms, galas, fundraisers,
hoedowns, dances, jamborees, raves, block parties and field parties. House warming parties, baby showers, need I
go on.... A wide range of soirees if I do
say so myself. And finding myself in the
field of photography opens even more doors to these luminous gatherings. So I feel kind of lucky.
Regardless of whether or not I may be a festival connoisseur of sorts,
I can always check in with that instinctive
radar we all have. Deep down we can all
feel how a get together is going…some call it atmosphere, a vibe,
instinct or ambiance. Taking the temperature of the room. Whatever you want to
label it, you can feel it when you’re there.
And without sounding too doting or adoring, I do believe Kevin and Liz’s
wedding was one of the most charming, homespun and bubbly events I have ever
had the pleasure of attending. While Elizabeth
is my cousin (our fathers are brothers) I have not had the opportunity to see
her, or her sister, often as of late. At
least not as much as I would have liked.
We’ve crossed paths a spattering of times since my mother passed away
and she and her sister lived all the way up in beautiful Vermont growing up and
I lived all the way down in central Virginia.
However, when the opportunity arose to photograph her wedding I don’t
think I could’ve said ‘yes, please’ fast enough! A chance to catch up with long lost family and breathe
in the beauty of New England. Did I have
to think more than a few moments…not so much…
My father, who resides in Scottsdale, flew in separately to Connecticut to meet me and we drove the rest of the way to Vermont, to the
wedding at the amazing Skinner Barn. The
edits on the photos have taken me longer than forever, but I wanted them to be
perfect and delicious and I wanted to do Elizabeth and Kevin justice to all the amazing
details and thought they put into that day.
A million origami cranes, oak tree seedlings at every table, food and
drink to die for, great live music, Green mountain scenery and atmosphere to
take your breath away. If the photos don’t
convey, this wedding was truly one of the down-homiest, beautiful and downright
fun “events” I have ever been to, working or not, family or not. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I
enjoyed my trip. The first couple are of the rehearsal the day before.
Oh, Liz and Cait, I'm sure Gram was smiling somewhere.
xoxo km
Oh, Liz and Cait, I'm sure Gram was smiling somewhere.
xoxo km
