Lara Swanson Photo » Nontraditional, Offbeat and Alternative Photographer

Thanks to the amazing videographers at Playa Weddings, there’s footage of our underwater photo shoot in Mexico! Enjoy :)

Here’s the photo I showed them on the screen:

My first courthouse wedding: a same-sex wedding in New Haven CT. Not to mention these two are two of my favorite people and closest friends.

Kelly and Natalie are many things – dear friends, co-founders, amazing artists. They are also legally married. I’m planning on posting much more, but as I sit in the train station in New Haven (with free wifi!), I wanted to post my three favorite photos from the day.

I saved the best for last – all of the gorgeous details that Stephanie and Bobby spent so much time and effort on for their wedding. They had a red and aqua color scheme, which was absolutely perfect. We got little hints at it from our pre-wedding invitations and the luggage tags that they sent us, but it was in full force as soon as we got on the bus. They handed us some literature:

The who’s who guide was the BEST idea I’ve ever seen – it gave us the ability to get to know the other 20 guests at the wedding that we’d be spending the next few days with. I was immediately able to recognize other family members and they immediately knew I was the photographer, too :)

In our hotel gift bags were also a myriad of items that we’d use on our trip, from gum to a travel Scrabble game. If you’ll remember from their engagement photos, Scrabble has been a big part of their engagement, and they incorporated that beautifully into their wedding! You’ll see more in a minute…

The bridesmaid bouquets:

Ceremony details:

The YUMMY reception appetizer:

I mean, look at this gorgeous food. Some of the best wedding food we’d ever eaten.

As you can see, the table “cards” were actually Scrabble tiles with our names on them! Brad and I saved ours – he officially won the “whose name scores the most points” game with “Bradford” :)

And last but not least, their cake toppers, made by Paul Pape:

Bobby and Stephanie are excellent sports. They were up for anything. ANYTHING.

I’m super proud of showing the videographer all of these spots he’d never seen before on the resort.

That’s right – light graffiti wedding portraits. This is just one of many.

Dan, the best man, asked if he could push them into the pool before the reception. I told him definitely, I’d give him the signal – so I pretended to take some portraits of Steph and Bobby next to the pool and waved Dan on. Kablam.

Of course, we had planned to hop in the pool at some point during the night. I came prepared with a swimsuit under my dress. I had an EWA-Marine underwater housing for my camera ready to go, but needed to take some test shots before they ducked underwater. These test shots turned into some of my favorite shots from the entire day.

Money shots.

Thanks, Bobby and Steph, for being totally down with everything I suggested. Brad and I had a blast!

Bobby’s father brings these glasses to every (EVERY) wedding that he attends.

Stoked, we were.

Enter Veronica, Bobby’s niece. This was one of the highlights for the wedding for Brad and me: Veronica had never seen a Polaroid before. The idea that there was an instant print that she could hold and watch develop was new and incredible. It blew my mind. She asked to take a photo with Bobby like he and Steph did.

Ladies, enjoying some drinks!

Time for maid of honor and best man speeches:

I’ve known the best man for almost as long as I’ve known Bobby. And now we’re all married. Unbelievable.

Love love love this shot, taken in pitch blackness.

Bobby and Stephanie had the adorable idea to play each couple’s first dance song during the reception. When it came on the couple got up to dance. It was absolutely lovely.

After Bobby, Stephanie and I jumped in the pool (more photos of that tomorrow!), others followed suit.

Popper send-off!

I’m just going to jump right in here – this is on a beach in Dreams Tulum. We were graced with the presence of an extra film crew taping for a Lifetime show on weddings as well as a few bikini-clad babes!

Speaking of babes, check out the gorgeous bridesmaids!

Big parent smiles:

Sand ceremony, complete with bikini in the background:

Check out this awesome color scheme:

Stephanie’s brother read scripture:

Pastor Mike had a message:

The “temporary” new rings:

Brad got up inside a building nearby to grab this shot!

Stephanie specifically wanted the marks in the sand from the train of her dress and her father’s footsteps:

Pronounced!