Brittany + Maggie’s Mini Mass MoCA Wedding in North Adams, MA
Brittany and Maggie live right outside of Boston, just like me. However, they decided to have an intimate wedding a few hours west of the city at a museum in the Berkshires. Mass MoCA is meaningful to their story because it’s the place where they first told each other “I love you.”
The museum is in a former factory complex. It’s a sprawl of brick buildings; a maze of exhibits, strange tin walkways and beautiful checkerboard windows. The day was warm and overcast, with the heavy air of New England summer. Thankfully, the rain held off and the heat began to dissipate as evening fell.
Brittany and Maggie got ready together at The Porches, an inn close to the museum, made up of a pastel rainbow of Victorian row houses. In their room in the Pink House, they put on their finishing touches – sparkly heels and unique, but coordinated jewelry – while Brittany’s mom looked on. Maggie efficiently delegated last minute tasks from her cell phone without missing a beat. When everything was perfect, we headed over to the museum for portraits.
In preparation for their wedding portraits, Brittany and Maggie visited the museum in advance. They walked through each exhibit and read about all the different pieces. They carefully selected beautiful, meaningful artwork to be the backdrop of their portraits and memories. They also provided me with a handy visual guide, which I loved, of course.
Brittany and Maggie were sweet and natural in front of my camera. They weren’t nervous for the ceremony to come, despite some last minute changes in the week before the wedding. They felt like comfortable elegance; a soft, lovely beauty, contrasting with the rugged industrial space we moved through. And we covered a lot of ground – no easy feat in heels!
After the couple and family portraits, it was time to get married! Champagne was waiting for the guests when they arrived (though masks were required when not sipping). First, Brittany walked down the aisle with her mom and dad. Maggie followed with her dad and her brother.
The officiant was a very close friend of the couple. He met Brittany when they were young children and they have stayed close into adulthood. He also lived with Brittany and Maggie as their roommate, giving him the chance to know and care for both of them. This made him the perfect person to speak their love to the world. The couple exchanged the sweetest, most thoughtful vows, then exchanged rings that they forged themselves. (So cool, right?!)
After the ceremony, the marriage license was signed and the newlyweds headed out to the patio for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and mingling with their guests! Brittany put together a bunch of killer playlists for the day, and the cocktail hour list definitely had me dancing. She seems to have a not-so-secret talent for picking the perfect music!
This day was a complete pleasure and privilege to witness. Two sweet, beautiful brides surrounded by their closest family and friends, witnessing a love and commitment five years in the making. Although this was considered a “mini wedding” by the number of guests and the duration, it was full and complete in warmth, joy, and love.
Venue: Mass MoCA | Catering: Lickety Split at Mass MoCA | Flowers: Hybl Fannin Design | Hair: Angela Giso | Make up: The Clip Shop Salon & Day Spa | Engagement Rings: Laura Preshong + Melanie Casey | Wedding bands: Handmade at AG Ambroult Studio | Brittany’s dress: David’s Bridal | Maggie’s dress: Bridal Garden Studios | Invitations: Paperless Post
