Alissa + Derek — Cohasset Harbor Resort Wedding Photographer

Every single day “they” say it’s going to rain, and every single day, it’s muggy as all get out and the sun is shining. Don’t “they” know it’s wedding season? Alissa and Derek come from Southern California where when the sun is shining, it stays shining, and an outdoor wedding is no cause for stress or Plan B or umbrellas.

They got married, however, in Massachusetts. Nothing is certain here except mosquitoes and photographers who stare warily at the sky and obsessively check the radar on their phones.

Fortunately, Alissa is one of those brides for whom rain is no big thing and who would have happily stood underneath a deluge so long as she could do it with Derek. I am totally crushed out on these two and will likely be stalking them from time to time just because I love photographing them so much. Their Seaport Engagement Shoot was so much fun, and I had been looking forward to their wedding for such a long time. Despite the schizophrenic skies, the day did not disappoint one bit.

Both the bride and groom got ready at the Cohasset Harbor Resort which has gone through a gorgeous renovation in the last few years and is now one of the prettiest places in town. The girls had a fantastic view of the harbor while they got ready, and my girl Jess came along to help get some shots of the boys while they hung out down the hallway. Alissa and Derek wanted to do a First Look (yay!), so we brought them outside to the dock which runs alongside the hotel, and they spent a few precious moments in privacy, seeing each other for the first time that day. (I use the word “privacy” loosely, as at least 10 cars drove by and honked their congratulations!). The rest of the wedding party joined shortly afterwards and since the skies were on our side, we were able to get all of the family photos done without resorting to my giant cache of umbrellas.

We did need to dodge a few sprinkles during bride and groom portraits at Sandy Cove, but Alissa and Derek were too busy being gorgeous and awesome and in love for it to matter much. When we got back to the hotel, the event coordinator was trying to determine if they should move the outdoor ceremony inside as there was definitely thunder and lightning in the distance, but Alissa said no — she had chosen this place to get married on the water, and she wasn’t going to be deterred by rain. And she was right! The short and very sweet ceremony went off without a hitch and ended about eight minutes before the sky opened up and it poured.

By that time, however, it didn’t matter at all. Alissa and Derek’s families and friends are SO MUCH FUN and it was a joy to spend the rest of the night dancing and laughing and celebrating all of their happiness. This is another of my oversharing blog posts, but believe me, it’s worth it. These two are amazing.

Alissa and Derek, I am SO glad that I know you and can call you my friends, and I wish you joy and happiness and California sunlight all throughout your lives. xoxoxoxox

Hair // Kris Pavao
Flowers // Kennedy Country  Gardens
Wedding Dress // Cohasset Harbor Resort
Cake // Konditor Meister
DJ // South Shore Entertainment