In late fall 2016, Amy Mello from A Creative Focus Photography reached out to us and asked if we wanted to participate in an epic valentine’s day engagement giveaway for one lucky couple in the southeastern Connecticut area. Without an ounce of hesitation, we said yes, and began to set the wheels in motion. As we started to coordinate the list of participating vendors, and started brainstorming ideas, the excitement continued to build. Little did I know that all of that prep work and coordination would culminate in such an incredible day. On a frigid Sunday in February, we converged in Quaker Hill, CT on the gorgeous grounds of My Little Ladies Farm & Design Co; a quaint farm atop a hill in southeastern Connecticut, only accessible by a scenic back-road. Amy and Kyle Stoddard were incredible hosts, and their vision for the property quickly became apparent, as the framing for their new barn loomed 200 yards on the back-side of the property. This place had more character and charm than one could ask for.

As I arrived, Jen and Kaitlin from Blue Lane Events were setting up their beautiful design elements in the barn, and the newly arrived floral crown and arrangement from Hana Floral Design were on display. It was clear Yumiko and her team at Hana have an incredible eye for the details, as the floral design elements were truly next level. Seriously, check out the shots below, and tell me I’m wrong. Amy from A Creative Focus Photography arrived shortly after, and started snapping away, capturing details on the property that I hadn’t yet seen. Ivy from Ivy’s Simply Homemade, based in Waterford, CT arrived with an array of delicious treats to keep us, and our lucky winners running (those cannolis, seriously). I visited her unsuspecting shop in Waterford just prior to Christmas last year, so I had a hint of what sort of deliciousness I was in for. Honestly, it’s pretty obvious why she recently won small business of the year by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. Sabrina and Jeannette from Allure Traveling Beauty began setting up in the farmhouse adjacent to the red barn, and couldn’t have been more kind, and masterful at their work. It was at this moment, as the property became a buzz of activity, and a cold empty barn, turned into the setting for a fairly tale movie, that I knew we were in for something special.

Then our lucky winners Kristy and Louis arrived, and immediately greeted us with incredible hospitality and kindness. Kristy, a kind and warm-hearted bride-to-be; administrative assistant by day and rock-star Pinterest creative, non-football watching woman by night (I don’t hold that against her). Louis, a hard working family focused landscaping professional, couldn’t have been nicer and more deserving of the win. I had a great time getting to know these two, and capturing their love story for the world to see. All-in-all, it was a great day, filled with laughs, love, awesome eats and some truly gorgeous scenery.

This was our first Love Story film as New England Creative, and if this is where we’re starting, we can’t wait to see where things will end up. 2017 is going to be a great year.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY A CREATIVE FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY