Erica & Dan's Contemporary Wedding at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA

When Erica and Dan got in touch last year and described the vision they had for their wedding at a contemporary art museum in western Massachusetts we were intrigued, to say the least. From the earliest stages of planning it was clear that these two were aiming to create a specific atmosphere within the walls of MASS MoCA that wowed their guests, honored their families, and paid tribute to their punk rock relationship. When we first met them in Providence for engagement photos, they both showed up in all black; a minor detail at the time that, as we learned more about their plans, hinted at a larger theme. In the days leading up to the wedding, we were informed of the all-black dress code for the wedding of just over 150 people, and that’s where it clicked that Erica and Dan’s vision leaned heavily into the contemporary art pieces featured at the museum, maybe even mirrored them.

When we arrived in North Adams the day before the wedding for their welcome party, we met them at the brewery on site for a drink and some photos of folks acclimating to the space. There’s a specific atmosphere or ‘vibe’ to the town, partially because of its geographic location at the foot of Mount Greylock and other surrounding peaks, but it’s also just something we’ve felt throughout our time working and exploring in the Berkshires: the place makes you feel small. The museum does a good job of that as well, with it’s maze-like and cavernous rooms filled with installations that puzzle, interact with, and maybe even unsettle as they are viewed. Planning the wedding the week before the first day of fall played a role, too, since Erica and Dan crafted a day with the ceremony just before sunset, which fit the aesthetic but also added to the suspense.

After seeing one another for the first time during their ceremony and being pronounced officially married, we had the opportunity to run outside with them as the sun dipped below the ridgelines surrounding North Adams. Erica and Dan are two of the most energetic and enthusiastic people we’ve photographed, and when combined with that ridiculous late summer blue-hour light, we had so much fun making use of every last bit of it we could with them. The rest of the night was spent moving from space to space, each room serving its own specific function from cocktail hour to dinner to dancing, providing guests with their own miniature tour of the museum while carrying the momentum of the evening. Dancing under a massive disco ball to everything from Sum41 to Snoop Dogg closed a night which felt as stylized as it was frenetic, and we couldn’t have imagined it any different.

Venue: MASS MoCA
Coordination: Mirth Events Co.
Catering/Desserts: Mezze Catering
Florals: Glass Onion Floral Design
Hair/Makeup: Upstyle
Dress: Alexandra’s Boutique
Menswear: JT Ghamo / Men’s Wearhouse
Music: DJs of Boston / Bobak
Signage: Wall to Wall Ink
Film/Processing: Kodak Portra 400 / Kerry’s Warwick Photo