Katie & David's October Wedding at the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, MA

We first got to meet up with Katie and David in late August to meet them formally, photograph them around their neighborhood in Northampton, MA and have the privilege of seeing their newly purchased home - a beautiful old corner property complete with a veggie garden. Since that evening spent exploring the dimly lit streets of Northampton we had been counting down the days until we got to see them again at the quirky Race Brook Lodge in the Berkshires. A space that is nearly impossible to envision before setting foot on the property, the lodge almost feels like a summer camp with its countless outbuildings and outdoor spaces, one leading you to the next in what feels like a scavenger hunt to see all it has to offer. The place itself and its peculiarity is, as Katie told us, the reason they wanted to get married there and it wasn’t hard for us to see why. A greenhouse full of antiques provided a focal point for portraits and the various outdoor ‘rooms’ allowed guests to sprawl out and relax in a variety of ways. The property exemplifies the balance between chaos and order, between perfection and imperfection, and feels like an constant experience of discovery. The resulting wedding celebration felt so lived in, so comfortable with its own mission of unification, so purpose built and effortless all at the same time.

The early fall weather showed up brilliantly for these two with a slight chill in the air that, combined with the subdued light filtering through the trees, made for a very comfortable afternoon for their wedding ceremony. Their vows were spoken under a chuppah that sat at the base of an enormous tree, lending its ancient presence to an already beautiful ceremony. Weaving along the babbling brook on site, guests made their way from the ceremony site to the backside of the timber framed barn for cocktails and fireside chats. The barn itself became a hub of warmth and welcoming that drew everyone in with its many windows, glowing with the light from the giant paper lanterns hanging from the rafters. The evening was marked by toasts that brought tears and laughter, incredibly cool sounds from the bluegrass outfit Mama’s Marmalade, and an absolutely wild hora that lifted Katie and David towards the exposed timber. So many things came together to make the evening as much fun as it was, and we couldn’t have been happier for these two. It was a quintessential fall evening in the Berkshires, one we adored photographing and won’t soon forget.

Venue/Catering: Race Brook Lodge
Coordination: Bethany O’Neil - Something Pretty Events
Florals: Marisa Filippone - Forest Flowers
Dress: BHLDN, Ludlow Gown
Menswear: 9 Tailors Boston
Band: Mama’s Marmalade
Pies: Florence Pie Bar
Rings: Ananda Khalsa
Tent: Classical Tents