Aria Wedding | Prospect, CT | Katelin & James
Katelin and James got married at Aria in Prospect, Connecticut on September 21st and as their wedding photographer, this day was an absolute dream from start to finish. The most beautiful off-the-shoulder gown, the sweetest personal touches everywhere you looked, a stunning fall ceremony inside Aria’s chapel, and two people who are so clearly head over heels for each other. Scroll on for a look at their incredible day!
Starting with the Details
The details for this wedding were so, so beautiful. Katelin and James’s invitation suite featured a gorgeous watercolor venue illustration inside the envelope liner, a hunter green ribbon, and wax seals tying everything together. Their personalized vow books were one of my favorite details. One read “To my husband, James” and the other “To my wife, Katelin” with the wedding date on each cover. So sweet.
Katelin’s engagement ring and bands were stunning displayed in a custom velvet ring box from The Mrs. Box. Her pearl-detailed heels were the perfect bridal shoe. And her bridal bouquet by Rosa’s Florist was a gorgeous all-white arrangement of roses, hydrangeas, and babies breath with greenery.
Getting Ready
Katelin and her bridesmaids started the morning in the most adorable matching silky pajama sets. The bridesmaids were in hunter green and Katelin was in white, and they looked SO cute together out in Aria’s gardens popping champagne. The champagne flute had a little hunter green bow on it to match. I love when every detail ties together like that. Katelin’s hair was done by Le Brunette Co. and her makeup was by Makeup by Katrina NYC. She looked absolutely flawless.
Letters, Gifts & Emotional Moments
Before their first look, Katelin and James exchanged handwritten cards and the emotions were just beautiful. Katelin also had special sentimental gifts prepared for her parents, which they loved, of course. Katelin’s gifted her mom the most beautiful embroidered clutch with this message inside. It read “To the one who’s cheered me on through every chapter, I’m forever grateful.” Such a personal, meaningful touch.
First Look
Katelin and James chose to do a first look before the ceremony and I am so glad they did. We set up in Heritage Hotel’s gorgeous gardens with the vineyard and rose garden in the background. James waited with his back turned while Katelin walked up behind him, and his reaction when he turned around was the sweetest. These two have the warmest connection and you can see it immediately. After their first look, Katelin and James shared their private vows. Those quiet, intimate moments before the big celebration are some of my favorites to photograph.
The Bridal Party
The bridesmaids looked stunning in their hunter green gowns by Dessy Group, and with the two adorable flower girls in white lace dresses, the whole group was just beautiful.
Family Portraits
Family is clearly so important to Katelin and James, and you could feel it throughout the entire day. We captured beautiful combinations with both sides of the family out by the vineyard. Every group was full of genuine smiles and you can just tell how much love surrounds these two.
The Ceremony
Katelin and James said “I do” inside Aria’s breathtaking chapel. The soaring white ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and beautiful natural light made the ceremony space feel like a dream. Entering the ceremony, guests picked up copies of The Newlywed Post, a custom wedding newspaper featuring Katelin and James’s photos and love story. I always love a creative and personal touch.
Bride & Groom Portraits
Katelin and James were the best to work with during portraits. So relaxed, so happy, and just completely enjoying every minute of being together. We explored Aria’s grounds after the ceremony and the whole time they were laughing and having fun. That energy always comes through in the photos and these two made it so easy.
About Weddings at Aria in Prospect, CT
Aria in Prospect, Connecticut is one of the most beautiful wedding venues I have had the pleasure of photographing. The grounds are absolutely stunning and the venue gives you so much variety for photos. A few of my favorite things about shooting at Aria:
- Stunning stone chapel with soaring white ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and an aisle that photographs beautifully
- Elegant ballroom reception space with a grand staircase, marble-style floors, and classic gold accents
- Beautifully landscaped grounds with gardens, a stone fountain, a white pergola, and vineyard views
- On-site bridal suite and groom’s quarters for getting ready in style
- All-in-one venue for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with seamless flow between spaces
- Gorgeous outdoor portrait locations including stone staircases, garden arches, Italian cypress trees, and rolling green lawns
- Located in Prospect, CT, just minutes from Waterbury and easily accessible from New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield County
Reception Details
The ballroom at Aria was set beautifully for the reception. White linens, gold charger plates, and tall gold centerpiece stands with arrangements of white roses, hydrangeas, and greenery by Rosa’s Florist filled the room. The grand staircase and crystal chandeliers made the whole space feel so elegant.
They also had the most beautiful “In Loving Memory” table set up with a gold-framed sign, white roses, and a candle to honor those who couldn’t be there. And nearby was their Legacy of Love wall. It was an incredible backdrop filled with photos of all the married couples in attendance. What an amazing way to honor the love stories that came before theirs.
Sunset Portraits
We snuck Katelin and James outside during the reception for golden hour portraits and the sky gave us the most beautiful pink and purple sunset over Aria’s grounds. Walking hand in hand through the grass with the rolling Connecticut hills behind them… just magic.
The Reception
James changed into a white dinner jacket for the reception (such a great move!) and the two of them made their grand entrance to kick off the party. The Met Players band kept the energy going all night.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Katelin and James went with a tiered cupcake display from Wildflour Confections. All of their favorite flavors stacked up high with a small cake topper on top. The way they smiled cutting into it together was the sweetest.
And then the dance floor absolutely opened up. Glow sticks came out, the band was on fire, and Katelin and James’s guests did not hold back. From James dipping Katelin during their first dance to the glow stick party that took over the rest of the night, this reception was a full-on celebration.
Katelin & James
Your wedding day was such a beautiful reflection of who you are. Thoughtful, generous, full of love, and so genuinely excited to celebrate with the people who matter most to you. From the private vows to the Legacy of Love wall, from James’s speech to Katelin’s bouquet dedication, every moment was so meaningful. Thank you for trusting me to capture your day. It was an absolute honor and I am so happy for you both!
If you’re planning a wedding at Aria or anywhere in Connecticut, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me here to chat about your big day!
VENDOR TEAM:
Photographer: Karina Mekel | @karinamekel
Videographer: MC Visuals Photo & Film | @mcvisualsphotofilm
Venue: Aria | @ariabanquets
Florist: Rosa’s Florist LLC | @rosasfloristllc
Hair: Le Brunette Co. | @lebrunetteco
Makeup: Makeup by Katrina NYC | @makeupbykatrinanyc
Tan: Bronzed and Boujee | @bronzedandboujeee
Bride’s Dress: A Little Something White Bridal | @alittlesomethingwhitebridal
Tuxedo: Modern Formals | @modernformals
Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy Group | @dessygroup
Cupcakes: Wildflour Confections | @wildflourconfections
Band: The Met Players | @metplayers
Audio Guest Book: MirrorMe CT | @mirrorme_ct
Ring Box: The Mrs. Box | @the_mrs_box
