City Hall Wedding in New Haven, CT | Rose & Brian
A NEW HAVEN CITY HALL WEDDING & PORTRAITS AT YALE UNIVERSITY
From start to finish, Arturo and I loved everything about the intimate wedding Rose and Brian planned for themselves at New Haven City Hall. If you’ve followed our blog for a while, you know we fell in love with elopements and small wedding celebrations in 2020, so when Rose reached out to us this summer, I was ecstatic! Earlier this fall, we photographed Rose and Brian’s Chamard Vineyards engagement session, and what a dream these sweethearts are to work with. Only a few minutes into their engagement session, we knew their December wedding day was going to be a great one!
We began our morning with Brian and Rose at The Blake Hotel in Downtown New Haven as they each got ready for the festivities ahead. These two are so wonderfully laid back, which truly set the tone for their day. Brian and Rose also included their sweet pup, Izzy, in as much of the day as possible; everything from their first look, a few portraits, and even their tea ceremony!
That afternoon, we all made our way over to New Haven City Hall. Rose and Brian were surrounded by 10 of their closest family members as they said their I Do’s and became husband and wife! Joyful hugs were exchanged among everyone, and all the while the newlyweds had smiles that beamed from ear to ear. It truly was one of our favorite wedding ceremonies of the 2023 wedding season!
We finished our day with the new Mr. and Mrs. as the four of us walked around the Yale University campus for wedding photos in a few of my favorite spots. Arturo and I hadn’t photographed one of our couples at Yale in a while, and it was so wonderful to be back. Rose and Brian are sweet as can be, and it was such a treat to end our time with them by photographing the newlyweds in such an iconic location!
THE LOVE STORY
Brian and Rose met at a bar in lower Manhattan one October evening in their mid-twenties. He was fifth-wheeling it among his friend group that night, and she was there with her best friend. Just as he had ordered a whiskey ginger ale, Brian’s friends decided to leave the bar early. He happened to be standing next to Rose and asked to hang out for the rest of the evening. After chatting for a bit, they learned they already had something in common: they were both nurses!
The pair exchanged Snapchat accounts, which became the only way they communicated for the next year. Rose and Brian followed each other’s lives through quick, social media videos. Over those 12 months, Brian noticed that Rose enjoyed rock climbing, so he asked her to join the next time she went. They later met up at a climbing gym in Westchester, which turned out to be their first date where they each enjoyed the other’s company. Brian asked Rose on a second date, this time back in New York City. After a few more dates, he officially asked her to be his girlfriend.
The first year of their romance was filled with plenty of travel between where Brian lived in New York City and Rose’s home in Connecticut. Later on, when Brian began the nurse-anesthetist program at Columbia University, he selected a clinical placement in Connecticut. Rose and Brian took that opportunity to officially move in together, and three years later, they adopted Izzy!
Congratulations Rose & Brian! Wishing you many happy years ahead!
How sweet is this pup?!
From the first look to portraits, I loved how Rose and Brian included Izzy in everything!
Photographing the Tea Ceremony was one of my favorite parts of Rose and Brian’s wedding day. Beautiful notes were read and wonderful speeches were given!
They’re MARRIED!
I hope you enjoyed this winter wedding at New Haven City Hall! Do you know Rose and Brian? Show the newlyweds some love by commenting below!
CREATIVE TEAM
Ceremony Venue: New Haven City Hall | Photography: Shaina Lee Photography | Portrait Venue: Yale University | Officiant: Justice of the Peace Tiffany Blake | Floral Design: Loreta Daka Floral Boutique | Hair & Makeup: Vibes Hair Lounge & Whitney Walker Beauty: | Hotel: The Blake Hotel | Bride's Wedding Gown Designer: Lulus | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Groom's Attire: | Cake: Sweet Cupcasions | Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Lenox Jewelers, Rumanoffs Jewelers, & Michaels Jewelers
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.
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