There are venues I love photographing, and then there is Glen Magna Farms. If you’ve followed my work for any amount of time, you probably already know that Glen Magna is my favorite wedding venue. Every time I return, I find another little corner, another pocket of beautiful light, or another part of the gardens that makes me fall in love with it all over again.

Nestled in Danvers, Massachusetts, Glen Magna Farms is surrounded by lush greenery, mature trees, winding pathways, and gardens overflowing with flowers. For couples dreaming of a romantic garden wedding on the North Shore, it is pretty hard to beat. One of my favorite things about a Glen Magna Farms wedding is that the grounds provide so much natural beauty that you really don't need to add much. For couples working with a smaller floral budget, especially, the outdoor ceremony space is a dream. You're already surrounded by blooms, greenery, a beautiful fountain, and the historic estate itself. Mother Nature has basically handled the decorating for you.

And Alessandra and Jay's summer wedding took full advantage of everything that makes this venue so special.

From a Boston Sunrise Engagement Session to Their Wedding Day

I first met Alessandra and Jay earlier this summer for their engagement session in Boston. These two were absolute troopers and met me in the city at sunrise, when Boston was still nice and quiet and we had that gorgeous soft morning light. We bopped around the Copley area before eventually making our way to the Boston Public Garden.

Getting that time together before the wedding gave us a chance to get comfortable with one another, so when I arrived at Glen Magna Farms this weekend, it felt like we were picking right back up where we left off.

Except this time, they were about to get married.

Getting Ready

Alessandra and Jay both arrived at the estate for their finishing touches. Jay hung out with his guys as they put on their bow ties and tux jackets, sharing drinks and plenty of laughs while getting ready for the day ahead.

In the room next door, Alessandra relaxed with her ladies while I got to work photographing her details and creating some flat lays. Once everything was photographed, her bridesmaids waited together in anticipation while Alessandra's sister helped her into her wedding gown in the next room.

When Alessandra finally emerged, the room ERUPTED.

Her bridesmaids yelped with excitement, the tears immediately started flowing, and Alessandra stood there taking it all in. She said she felt like a princess, and she absolutely looked like one. Her gown was stunning, complete with a gorgeous, dramatic train, and the entire look fit her perfectly.

After the bridesmaid reveal, it was time for another emotional one.

Alessandra met her dad outside on the deck of the estate for a father-daughter first look. As soon as he saw his girl, the emotions started all over again. He was absolutely beaming with pride as he took in how beautiful she looked. It was such a sweet moment between the two of them before the excitement of the rest of the day began.

A First Look and Private Vows

Meanwhile, Jay was waiting anxiously on the back lawn, tucked into one of Glen Magna's shady green nooks.

Alessandra approached from behind and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around with the biggest grin when he finally got to see his bride. Alessandra was smiling from ear to ear too, taking in just how dapper Jay looked in his tux.

Since Alessandra's incredible train made a proper twirl a little difficult, Jay did the honors instead, giving her a little walk-around so she could get the full view. They took their time admiring one another, laughing, kissing, and soaking in the fact that their wedding day was finally here.

Then they shared their private vows.

I absolutely love when couples choose to do this. A private vow exchange gives you an intimate moment together before the ceremony and allows you to share longer, more personal promises that you might not necessarily want to say in front of every guest. In the middle of such a busy day, it creates this little pocket of time that belongs only to the two of you.

Afterward, their wedding party came running over, ready for some fun photos. We worked through wedding party portraits and formal family photos before sending everyone inside to cool off, relax, and calm those pre-ceremony nerves.

Before the ceremony, we also snuck into the library for a few portraits of Alessandra and Jay. The historic interiors at Glen Magna Farms are such a fun contrast to the lush outdoor gardens, and the library was the perfect place to show off some of Alessandra's high-end bridal style and details.

A Garden Ceremony

Then it was time to make it official.

The ceremony took place in the sunny garden behind the estate, surrounded by lush greens and flowers everywhere you looked. Bees buzzed through the blooms while butterflies and dragonflies fluttered around the gardens. It was one of those settings that feels alive all around you.

This is exactly why I love photographing outdoor wedding ceremonies at Glen Magna Farms. The garden doesn't need to be transformed into a wedding venue. It already feels like one.

Jay made his way down the pebble path, wrapping around the fountain in the center of the garden, followed by their wedding party. Then it was time for Alessandra.

And Jay was already proving himself to be a stellar husband. With the bright summer sun shining down, he stood in just the right spot so his face cast a little shade onto Alessandra's. Photographer approved husband behavior right there.

Their ceremony was bright, joyful, and filled with both love and laughter. A close friend and groomsman officiated, while other members of the wedding party shared readings.

Finally, Alessandra and Jay were pronounced Mr. and Mrs.

They sealed it with a big kiss and headed back down the aisle with pure excitement written all over their faces, stopping for another dip kiss on their way out. When they entered the tent afterward, Alessandra had the biggest smile on her face.

They were married!

Cocktail Hour on the Lawn

Before joining their guests, the newlyweds snuck inside to cool off and share a quiet moment alone together.

Outside, cocktail hour was in full swing. Drinks were flowing, bites were being passed, and guests filled the lawn sharing laughs and stories about the couple.

Their guest book was a beautiful portrait of Glen Magna Farms set inside a matte frame, allowing guests to leave their messages around the edges. They also created a remembrance table honoring loved ones who couldn't be there and displayed photos of themselves throughout their relationship, including some favorites from our Boston engagement session.

While everyone enjoyed cocktail hour, I snuck into the reception tent to photograph all of their details before guests made their way inside.

Alessandra and Jay eventually joined the party, and we squeezed in a few more fun group photos with friends before everyone took their seats for the reception.

Mr. & Mrs. Pourbaix Make Their Debut

Once the guests were seated, it was time to get the party started.

The groomsmen came dancing into the tent, followed by the bridesmaids, and then it was finally time to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Pourbaix!

Alessandra and Jay came bursting into the tent and went straight into their first dance as husband and wife.

Then came the speeches.

Alessandra's dad kicked things off with a welcome speech that somehow managed to be both hilarious and incredibly touching. He decided to Italianize Jay's French last name, officially welcoming "Giacomo Pourbaix-o" into the family.

The best man followed, sharing what it was like to know Alessandra and Jay before there even was an Alessandra and Jay. He knew them back when they were simply friends and talked about how happy he was when he eventually learned the two had started dating.

Last up was Alessandra's sister and maid of honor, who shared childhood memories and finally gave everyone the story behind Alessandra's nickname, "Billy." Apparently, before this glamorous bride in the stunning gown and Louboutin heels existed, there was a girl happily running around in basketball shorts and a white tank top. She was definitely not always the girly girl standing before everyone that day.

Her sister also shared something much more emotional: that their late mother had been with them throughout every moment of the day, shining down on Alessandra as she celebrated this next chapter of her life.

Golden Hour Wedding Portraits

As the sun started dropping, you know I couldn't leave Alessandra and Jay sitting in that reception tent.

We snuck away for another round of couples portraits, and Glen Magna Farms gave us the perfect summer evening light.

Of course, we had to use the back lawn with the historic estate behind them. Then we headed right back into the gardens where they had exchanged their vows earlier in the day. The harsh afternoon sun had transformed into warm golden light, giving us a completely different look in the exact same space.

This is another reason Glen Magna Farms is such a dream for wedding photography. There is so much variety without ever needing to leave the property. Between the gardens, greenery, fountain, historic mansion, library, pathways, and sprawling lawns, there are endless options for wedding portraits throughout the entire day.

After dinner, Alessandra and Jay cut their wedding cake and shared dances with their parents.

Then the dance floor opened.

And when I say this wedding turned into a PARTY, I mean it.

One Seriously Packed Dance Floor

We had a full 90 minutes of dance floor coverage, and that floor was packed the entire time.

My kind of wedding.

The band was incredible, with so many amazing voices and ridiculously talented musicians keeping everyone moving. Alessandra and Jay weren't watching the party from the sidelines either. The bride and groom were right in the middle of the dance floor all night long.

Well... almost all night.

But before Alessandra slipped away for her outfit change, the story from her sister's speech came full circle in the BEST possible way.

Remember "Billy?"

In the middle of the packed dance floor, Alessandra's sister and cousin suddenly appeared dressed as none other than Billy herself: blue gym shorts and white wifebeater tank tops.

Alessandra absolutely LOST IT.

The three of them took over the middle of the dance floor, dancing together and laughing so hard they cried. After hearing the story earlier in the evening about the very-not-girly little girl Alessandra used to be, seeing Billy make an unexpected appearance at the reception was hilarious. It was one of those completely personal, completely ridiculous, and completely perfect wedding moments that you couldn't plan if you tried.

And the timing couldn't have been better, because shortly after Billy's big comeback, Alessandra disappeared to transform from Billy's complete opposite into her second bridal look of the night.

She traded her big, beautiful wedding gown for a sleek mini dress, but those high-heeled Louboutin pumps weren't going anywhere.

She and Jay burst back onto the dance floor and picked up right where they left off.

And then came a surprise that even the bride and groom didn't know about…. Dancing Cannoli

La Dolce Vita made their entrance onto the dance floor with cannoli stands strapped onto them, complete with flashing lights, dancing right along with the crowd. It was such a hilarious, unexpected, and perfectly fitting touch for this partially Italian wedding.

Once the cannolis were eaten, everyone went right back to dancing.

The final song of the night was a wedding classic: "Shout."

They got a little bit softer now.

They got a little bit louder now.

And before the song was over, Alessandra and Jay were hoisted onto the groomsmen's shoulders in the middle of the packed dance floor, surrounded by all of their favorite people.

I can't think of a more perfect way to end this one.

Congratulations, Alessandra & Jay!

Alessandra and Jay, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your wedding day. From wandering around a quiet Boston at sunrise for your engagement photos to watching you get lifted into the air at the end of one absolutely wild dance floor, it has been so much fun getting to know you both and documenting this chapter of your story.

Your wedding was beautiful, emotional, hilarious, stylish, and one hell of a party. I hope every time you look through these photographs, they bring you right back to how all of it felt.

And, as always, a huge thank you to the incredible team at Glen Magna Farms for creating such a beautiful experience for their couples and for always being such a joy to work alongside. There is a reason this continues to be my favorite North Shore wedding venue.

Finally, thank you to every single vendor who helped bring Alessandra and Jay's Glen Magna Farms wedding to life. Wedding days like this are truly a team effort, and I am so grateful to work alongside so many talented people.

Vendor team listed below.

Venue: Glen Magna Farms | Catering: Vinwood Catering | Band: The SweetBeats | Florals: Flower Moxie | Hair: Ariana Falcione