The Estate Wedding: Davia + Brandon | Britt Hill Photo

The Estate Wedding: Davia + Brandon | Britt Hill Photo

If I had to think of a recent celebration that stood out to me, I would think of Davia and Brandon’s wedding at the Estate in New Haven, Connecticut. The venue is just cool and gorgeous, with its Gothic revival architecture and sprawling grassy property. The weather that day was a well-timed mix of sunshine during outdoor portraits, downpours during their cozy, indoor cocktail hour and cloudy skies for the start of their tented reception. But it was Davia + Brandon who made the day stand out.

These two had clear intentions, expressed expectations for what they value and the integrity and self-awareness in one’s values to know how they wanted to spend their wedding. And that was in service to not only themselves, but to their guests and the respective people who worked alongside them all day.

Attitude is everything.

Weddings can feel as chaotic, distracting or stressful as you let them. Or you can stay present, trust in things working out and focus on the love that is surrounding you – the emotions that are evoked when you gather to celebrate love. Davia + Brandon did that.

“What does that look like?”

It looks like giving yourself time in the beginning of the day to get ready at a pace that is comfortable to you. It looks like not triple checking how you look, but sneaking peaks through the cracked church doors to excitedly watch your guests show up. It looks like taking the time after ceremony to hug people, kiss them, let them embrace you and take time without focusing on the next step. It looks like visiting every table to kiss and hug one another and catch up like it’s a backyard party and not a formal event. It is choosing to take a lot of time and space. It’s staying present. And I was honored to be able to document as the moments actually unfolded.

These are some documentary wedding photos from their September wedding. Davia + Brandon honestly trusted in their vendors to do the thing they were hired for. To be given that freedom and trust yielded some honest documentary wedding photos that I’m excited to share with you.

I hope you enjoy.