Fall in New England is pretty hard to beat, especially when you're celebrating a wedding at the stunning Glen Magna Farms in Danvers, Massachusetts. Saretta and Jacob truly had the most perfect autumn day to say "I do," with sunshine, gorgeous temperatures, lush gardens, and just the right amount of fall color peeking through the trees.
Glen Magna Farms is easily one of my favorite wedding venues on the North Shore. Between the historic estate, sprawling lawns, romantic gardens, and endless greenery, it's a photographer's dream. Even as the seasons begin to change, the gardens remain beautifully lush, with pops of orange and red foliage adding a little autumn magic to the scenery.
But as beautiful as the setting was, Saretta and Jacob were absolutely the stars of the show. These two are genuinely the sweetest people, and the love they share is so evident in every little interaction. From their emotional private vows to the way they looked at one another throughout the day, it was such a beautiful celebration to witness and an absolute joy to capture.
Getting Ready at the Estate
One of my favorite things about wedding mornings is the contrast between the guys and the girls getting ready. It's always entertaining to see how differently everyone approaches the excitement of the day!
Upstairs at Glen Magna Farms, Jake and his guys were getting wedding-ready with music pumping, beers flowing, and plenty of laughs. The energy was high, everyone was having a great time, and the guys were making sure Jake was ready to marry his girl.
Meanwhile, Saretta and her ladies were enjoying a slightly quieter morning. Champagne toasts, music playing in the background, and all the little finishing touches that come together before the big moment.
One feature I absolutely love about the bridal suite at Glen Magna Farms is that it's actually two adjoining rooms. This makes it perfect for a little bridesmaid reveal!
While Saretta slipped into her gorgeous wedding gown with the finishing touches coming together in one room, her bridesmaids gathered in the other, eagerly awaiting their first glimpse of the bride.
When Saretta finally walked through the doorway, fully dressed and looking absolutely stunning, her girls got to see the complete bridal look for the very first time. The smiles, excitement, and reactions were priceless! I love these moments because they're such a fun way to kick off the emotions of the day before we even head outside.
First Looks and Emotional Private Vows
Before Saretta saw her soon-to-be husband, she had three very important men waiting to see her first.
Her father and two brothers stood outside the estate with their backs turned, patiently waiting for the big reveal. After a little countdown, they turned around to see their girl looking absolutely breathtaking in her wedding gown.
There were big smiles, lots of hugs, and plenty of laughs. Such a sweet moment for Saretta to share with the three guys who have loved her long before Jake came into the picture.
And now, it was Jake's turn!
We headed out to the beautiful lawn at Glen Magna Farms, surrounded by the lush greenery that makes this venue so special. Jake waited patiently for Saretta to make her way toward him, and when he finally turned around, his reaction was everything.
I will never get tired of photographing first looks. There's something so special about watching two people see one another for the first time on their wedding day. Jake looked incredibly handsome in his classic black tuxedo, and Saretta was absolutely glowing in her gown. These two couldn't have looked more perfect together.
After taking a moment to soak it all in, they shared their private vows.
And oh, the emotions!
The tears were flowing on both sides, mixed with laughter, hugs, kisses, and so much love. I absolutely adore when couples choose to exchange private vows. It gives them a chance to share their feelings without an audience, creating a moment that's entirely their own. Watching Saretta and Jacob laugh through tears and hold one another close was such a beautiful reminder of what this whole day was about.
Once we had all recovered from the emotions, we wandered around the grounds for some romantic couples portraits. With the beautiful fall light, lush gardens, and a couple who couldn't stop smiling at each other, we had no shortage of gorgeous opportunities.
Then it was time to bring in their favorite people!
Wedding Party and Family Portraits Among the Fall Foliage
Can we talk about this wedding's color palette for a minute? Because it was absolutely PERFECT for fall.
Saretta's bridesmaids wore the most beautiful shade somewhere between a deep red wine and a rich plum. It was such a gorgeous choice for an autumn wedding, especially against the greenery of Glen Magna Farms. With pops of orange and red foliage beginning to appear in the trees behind us, the entire scene came together beautifully.
I also loved the contrast between the bouquets. Saretta carried an elegant, all-white bouquet, while her bridesmaids held colorful arrangements featuring warm fall tones. Those pops of autumn color looked incredible against their dresses and added just the right amount of seasonal flair.
The guys kept things classic and timeless in black tuxedos, looking incredibly handsome alongside the rich tones of the bridesmaids' dresses.
And then there were the littlest members of the wedding party.
Our adorable flower girl wore the sweetest little dress, complete with its own tiny train and a beautiful flower crown. I mean, COME ON. Does it get any cuter?
Apparently, yes. Because our ring bearer showed up in the tiniest little tuxedo.
I don't know what it is about little boys in tuxedos, but I absolutely cannot handle it. My cuteness aggression goes through the roof every single time. There's just something about a tiny gentleman dressed like he's heading to the fanciest event of his life that completely melts me.
Between the beautiful wedding party, the adorable little ones, and all the family members who came together to celebrate, we captured so many wonderful portraits before the ceremony.
The grounds of Glen Magna Farms provided the perfect backdrop, with the gardens still showing off their lush summer greenery while the surrounding trees reminded us that fall had officially arrived.
It was the best of both seasons, all wrapped up in one gorgeous New England wedding day.
A Romantic Garden Ceremony at Glen Magna Farms
If you've ever visited Glen Magna Farms, you know just how breathtaking the garden ceremony space is. Between the colorful flowers, lush greenery, beautiful fountain, and historic charm, it really doesn't need much to make it feel like something out of a fairytale.
As guests gathered in the garden, a live harpist provided the most beautiful music, setting the tone for what would be an incredibly heartfelt ceremony.
One of the sweetest details of the day was that Jake's father had the honor of officiating the wedding. I always love when couples incorporate family members into their ceremony, and having his dad standing up there with them made the moment that much more meaningful.
The wedding party made their way down the aisle, followed by our adorable little flower girl and ring bearer. Seriously, these two were just too cute! Jake stood at the front of the garden, eagerly awaiting the moment he'd see his bride walking toward him.
And then came Saretta.
As she made her way down the aisle, the emotions were written all over everyone's faces. There were happy tears, beaming smiles, and so much love surrounding these two. With the gorgeous gardens in full bloom and the gentle sound of the fountain in the background, it was the most romantic setting for Saretta and Jacob to officially become husband and wife.
Cocktail Hour and Golden Hour Portraits
With the ceremony complete, it was time to celebrate!
Guests made their way to cocktail hour, where colorful drinks, a delicious raw bar, and plenty of passed appetizers kept everyone happy. There's just something about an outdoor cocktail hour at Glen Magna Farms on a beautiful fall day that feels absolutely perfect.
Saretta and Jake had a chance to mingle with their guests, share some hugs, and soak in all the excitement of officially being married.
But you know I wasn't going to let that gorgeous fall light go to waste!
We snuck the newlyweds away for another round of couples portraits, wandering across the sprawling lawns, into the romantic gardens, and around some of my favorite little corners of the property.
One of the things I love most about Glen Magna Farms is the variety of backdrops all within a short walk. From the manicured gardens and historic architecture to the beautiful open lawns and colorful foliage, there are endless opportunities for portraits.
And with Saretta and Jake? It was effortless. These two were so happy just being together, and that genuine love made every photo that much sweeter.
A Reception Full of Love, Laughter, and Espresso Martinis
As the evening continued, guests gathered for the reception, and the energy was already building.
A live band kicked things off, welcoming everyone into the celebration and setting the stage for an incredible night.
Saretta and Jacob went right into their first dance, and let me tell you, these two came prepared! There were twirls, lifts, dips, and plenty of smiles as they danced together as husband and wife. It was such a fun, romantic performance, and the perfect way to kick off the reception.
Following their first dance, it was time for speeches.
Saretta's father took the microphone first, sharing some hilarious stories from her childhood and reflecting on how seamlessly Jake had become part of their family. I always love hearing these stories because they give us a little glimpse into the people our couples were before their paths crossed.
The Best Man and Maid of Honor followed with their own heartfelt words, bringing plenty more laughter and emotion to the room.
Before the parent dances, Saretta and Jake made their way over to cut their wedding cake. And because these two clearly know how to celebrate, they followed it up with an espresso martini toast!
Honestly, I fully support this choice.
Then came two more beautiful moments on the dance floor. Jake shared a dance with his mother, followed by Saretta and her father. After all the excitement and laughter of the evening, it was lovely to see these quieter, sentimental moments shared between parents and their children.
A Packed Dance Floor and One Incredible Party
Once the formalities were finished, the band turned up the energy, and the dance floor filled up FAST.
And when I say everyone was dancing, I mean EVERYONE.
From the tiniest flower girl to the eldest grandparents, guests of every generation were out there having the absolute best time. I love seeing a dance floor where nobody is worried about looking silly, everyone is just there to celebrate, and the energy is completely contagious.
The heels came off, the bare feet came out, and the dancing continued all night long.
There was no shortage of laughter, wild dance moves, and guests singing along to their favorite songs. The band kept the party going, and the crowd gave that energy right back.
These are the receptions I absolutely love photographing. When the dance floor is packed from beginning to end, you never know what hilarious, spontaneous, or downright amazing moment you're going to capture next.
And Saretta and Jake's guests certainly did not disappoint!
A Perfect Fall Wedding at Glen Magna Farms
I truly couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate Saretta and Jacob.
From the emotional first looks and private vows to their romantic garden ceremony and incredibly fun reception, every part of this wedding was filled with love.
And while Glen Magna Farms was showing off with its gorgeous gardens, beautiful fall foliage, and picture-perfect autumn weather, what made this wedding so special was the people.
Saretta and Jacob are two of the sweetest souls, and it was so clear throughout the day just how loved they are by their family and friends. The way they look at one another, the laughter they share, and the emotions that poured out during their private vows were such beautiful reminders of why I love what I do.
Saretta and Jake, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your wedding day. It was an absolute joy getting to know you both and celebrating alongside your favorite people. I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and plenty more dancing together!
Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Intorcio!
VENDORS: Venue: Glen Magna Farms | Catering: Vinwood Caterers | Video: Anchor & Pine Films | Florals: Pepper & Fern Floral Design | Band: Mischief Mile | Harpist: Shelley Otic Harp | Hair: Kate Benson Beauty | Makeup: Julianna Araujo MUA
