Kayla and Avery walking under the maple tree

Kayla + Avery

Kayla and Avery on 35mm film

Smith Farm Gardens · East Haddam, Connecticut · 35mm film

Alongside the digital coverage of Kayla and Avery’s day at Smith Farm Gardens, I carried a 35mm camera and shot five rolls of film: the farmhouse in the morning, the portraits under the maple, the ceremony by the stone wall, dinner under the tent and the dance floor at night. Nothing here was retouched. These are the frames as they came back from Milford Photo, the lab in Milford, Connecticut that develops and scans my film, with the grain, the soft colour and the small imperfections that are the reason I shoot film in the first place.

Fifty-six frames from five rolls · The full story of the day, photographed digitally, is here

The farmhouse at Smith Farm Gardens under the old maple, on 35mm film
The invitation suite, rings and a sprig of flowers laid out before the day
Avery's bow tie, watch and boutonniere laid out in the farmhouse

Morning

Kayla with her family in the farmhouse living room before the ceremony
Kayla at the farmhouse window in her gown
Kayla with her bouquet under the maple tree
Kayla with her veil and bouquet by the stone wall
Avery in his black tuxedo with a white boutonniere
Kayla seated by the window in her lace gown
The train of Kayla's gown across the farmhouse floor
Kayla holding her white bouquet on the lawn
Kayla standing by the stone wall at Smith Farm Gardens
Avery on the steps of the farmhouse
The farmhouse at Smith Farm Gardens

Portraits

Kayla and Avery together by the stone wall
Kayla and Avery, a portrait on the lawn
Kayla and Avery walking across the lawn
Avery kissing Kayla on the lawn
Kayla and Avery embracing on the lawn
Kayla and Avery close together under the trees
Kayla and Avery at the farmhouse gate

Ceremony

White ceremony chairs with blue ribbons and flowers before the guests arrive
The bridal party walking across the lawn to the ceremony
White flowers and a blue ribbon on the ceremony chairs
The welcome sign for Avery and Kayla at the ceremony
The string musicians playing at the ceremony
Guests seated for the ceremony in front of the farmhouse
Kayla walking down the aisle
Kayla and Avery lying in the grass after the ceremony
Kayla and Avery, a portrait after the ceremony
Kayla and Avery exchanging vows by the stone wall
Guests greeting Kayla and Avery after the ceremony
Avery resting on the lace of Kayla's gown in the grass

The Tent

Guests walking from the ceremony to the tent
The white sailcloth tent in the meadow at Smith Farm Gardens
Inside the tent, with the live tree at its centre
The tables set under the tent before dinner
White flowers and drinks at the bar
Kayla and Avery at their sweetheart table
The sweetheart table under the tent
Kayla and Avery kissing at their sweetheart table
The tent entrance with white flowers and the seating sign
Lanterns hanging in the tree inside the tent
Kayla and Avery's first dance
Guests at dinner under the tent
A place setting at dinner

The Party

Kayla and Avery in the farmhouse doorway at night
Kayla and Avery dancing
Bridesmaids on the dance floor
Guests dancing under the string lights
Kayla cheering in the farmhouse doorway at night
Guests dancing at the reception
The dance floor under the tent
The dance floor late in the evening
Kayla dancing with her guests

With thanks to

Planning and design: Bonnie Sica

Venue: Smith Farm Gardens

Catering: Aqua Turf Club

Florals: Best Moments Factory

Gowns: Galia Lahav and Rosie Etienne Bridal

Groom’s tuxedo: Melluzzo’s, Southington

Hair: Simply Gorgeous by Erin · Makeup: Jessie Lynn Makeup

Film: Justin R Film

Film developed and scanned by Milford Photo, Milford, Connecticut

Photography, on 35mm film: Shukhrat Kamalov

Film for
your wedding day.

I shoot film for a small number of weddings each year, alongside the full digital coverage. If you would like frames like these from your own day, tell me the date and the place.