Did you know that the current popularity of the white wedding dress is due in part to the power of photography? True! In 1840, Queen Victoria wore a white gown at her wedding to incorporate some lace she owned. Her wedding photograph was widely published and brides have been emulating her color choice ever since. Prior to the Victorian era, a bride might wear any color except black (the color of mourning) or red (which suggested ill-repute). Serendipitously, there’s a recent post on historical and current wedding dress colors at a blog I follow, COLORlovers.

Many thanks to the modern and fashionable Renaissance Providence Hotel for letting us run around their marbled halls. Last year, my wife and I did a staycation at the Renaissance and we fell in love with its funky rooms, friendly staff and Temple Downtown, the chic restaurant and lounge located downstairs.

The amazing and colorful dresses you see below are the creation on Framingham dress designer Julia Anne Ebel, of Celtic Dragon Dress Designs. We asked her to create dresses inspired by a winter color palette, and wow, did she deliver! Stay tuned for Julia’s new couture wedding dress site which is coming soon.

The models’ dramatic makeup was provided by makeup artist, Jenny DiMucci, who I’ve worked with on an earlier ShootStyle outing.

And huge thank you to Brittany and Kate, our gorgeous models.  I’m always on the geeky side of the lens, but I’ve got to imagine it’s hard to have a half dozen photographers simultaneously vying for your attention, yet Brittany and Kate handled the day with poise and aplomb!

Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot:

Sarah had her hair and makeup in the beautiful light of one of the elegant mezzanine rooms that the Boston Harbor Hotel has available.

Meanwhile, Meghan and her friends hung out in her hotel room and prepared for the wedding in their own way.

Having gotten ready with others, they then privately shared a first meeting. Meghan waited downstairs for Sarah to arrive. Sarah walked the length of the wharf, coming up behind Meghan. When Meghan turned they saw each other for the first time they fell into each other’s arms.

I love shooting with my good friends and this day I was working alongside the fabulous Rhode Island Wedding Photographer Stacey Doyle. This amazing portrait of the couple is just one of the magnificent images Stacey captured.

Then it was off to the ceremony.

The ceremony was a touching and beautiful affair that took place in the round under a gorgeous cascade of flowers and crystals created by Winston Flowers. Sarah and Meghan read vows they had each written, exchanged rings, and were married.

While the guests left to enjoy cocktails, the room was transformed though the talent of  the BHH staff,  Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design, and  Winston Flowers all coordinated through their amazing their event consultant, Michele Mottola.

From the first dance until the end of the evening, the reception was an energetic party.

And if folks wanted to relax they could go outside and enjoy s’mores by the fire pits.

Congratulations Sarah & Meghan!