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A WEDDING AT ESSEX YACHT CLUB

Melissa and Jamie’s Essex Yacht Club wedding celebration couldn’t have been more perfect! The weather was divine, and the coastal views were spectacular. I visited Essex, Connecticut for the very first time the week prior when I photographed their Connecticut River Museum engagement session. It was then that I fell in love with this quintessential New England coastal town!

Melissa got ready for the day’s festivities at the house she and Jamie own together just around the corner from Essex Yacht Club. When Arturo and I arrived, we couldn’t help but gush a bit at how warm and welcoming their home is! The sweet smell of fresh cinnamon buns being baked in the kitchen by one of Melissa’s bridesmaids let us know this was going to be a good day!

After sharing the first kiss at the end of their wedding ceremony, Jamie and Melissa walked up the aisle with their pups, Trevor and Sis, cheered on by all of the guests in attendance. We headed to Essex Park across the street for some newlywed portraits before making our way to the yacht club. I loved that Melissa and Jamie were ready at a moment’s notice for some romantic portraits; they always fell into a groove in front of the camera, snuggling up with each and every minute.

The endless love that surrounded this wonderful couple could be felt throughout the evening! Beautiful speeches were given, toasting to Melissa, Jamie, and their future together. The newlyweds were celebrated all night long among their friends and family; guests danced and sang every chance they had!

THE LOVE STORY

Jamie and Melissa met when they worked together at a bank. Jamie was always hanging around Melissa’s desk chatting with her colleague, whom he was friends with. She would always joke with him by saying, "Don't you have any work to do?!" Later on, Jamie admitted the real reason he hung around was to see Melissa! Their relationship started out as a friendship; they would grab coffee together or go out with friends after work for drinks. Over the next few months Jamie and Melissa’s friendship turned into a romance, and they started dating. The pair rented a summer house together and ended up adopting a rescue lab whom they named Trevor. The rest is history!

Congratulations Melissa and Jamie! Wishing you endless adventures in the years ahead!

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What a beauty!

They’re MARRIED!!

How adorable are these sweet pups?!

Coastal locations are my favorite spots for capturing those epic “veil-in-the-wind” portraits!

Look at the detail on that wedding cake!

The boats and the Connecticut River made the most beautiful backdrop to Melissa and Jamie’s evening newlywed portraits!

I hope you enjoyed this summer tented wedding at Essex Yacht Club! Do you know Melissa and Jamie? Show the newlyweds some love by commenting below!

CREATIVE TEAM

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, Hawaii and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.

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