A Romantic Shining Tides Wedding in Mattapoisett, MA
There are some couples whose love is immediately visible. You don't have to ask them to smile, hold hands, or look at each other a certain way. They simply exist together, and somehow the room feels a little warmer because of it.
That was Marta and Devan.
From the moment I met them, it was impossible not to notice how deeply they cared for one another. Their love is gentle, joyful, and effortless. It's the kind of love that doesn't need to be loud to be felt by everyone around them.
And maybe that's why it feels so fitting that their story began with a proposal in the beautiful streets of Florence, Italy, a place already overflowing with romance. But for their engagement session and wedding day, they chose another place that holds a special piece of their hearts: the charming coastal town of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts.
Big day
Their wedding morning began at TownePlace Suites by Marriott, surrounded by the people who know and love them most.
One of my favorite parts of every wedding day is how peaceful the morning can feel before everything begins. The dress waiting by the window, the invitation suite that tells the first chapter of the day, the rings that will soon carry new meaning, and all of the little details carefully chosen over months of planning. They may seem small on their own, but together they become part of the story they'll remember for years to come.
Like many wedding mornings, things didn't unfold exactly as planned. Hair and makeup ran a little behind schedule, which meant we had to adapt throughout the morning. But if there was ever a reminder that a wedding day isn't about a perfect timeline, this was it.
What stood out wasn't the delay.
It was the people.
Before everyone was dressed, the room was already filled with laughter, excitement, hugs, and happy tears. Marta's bridesmaids were nothing short of incredible. They kept the atmosphere light, joyful, and reassuring, making sure she never felt overwhelmed by the schedule. Watching friends care for one another so naturally is one of my favorite parts of documenting weddings, and this group embodied that beautifully.
Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen because life doesn't go exactly as planned.
Gracious moments with Mom
While getting ready to slipping into her dress, Marta shared one of the sweetest moments of the morning with her mom. While the bridesmaids quietly stepped into another room to get ready themselves, the space became wonderfully calm. It gave mother and daughter a few uninterrupted minutes together—helping with the dress, sharing smiles, and simply taking in the significance of the day. Those quiet moments are often the ones that become some of my favorites.
Then it was time for the girls to join her.
Devan's moment to shine
While Marta was soaking in the quiet moments with her mom and celebrating alongside her bridesmaids, Devan's morning had a very different kind of energy.
The guys gathered with "coffee" in hand, plenty of laughter, and just enough determination to work through the remnants of the previous night's celebrations. There were jokes flying across the room, gifts being exchanged, stories that probably shouldn't be repeated, and the kind of effortless teasing that only happens between lifelong friends.
It was loud, relaxed, and exactly what you'd expect from a room full of groomsmen who genuinely enjoy being together.
Between the laughter were the quieter moments too. Buttoning jackets, straightening ties, helping each other with cufflinks, and taking a moment to appreciate that one of their best friends was about to marry the love of his life.
Different from the girls, but just as meaningful in its own way.
Dad's first look
One of the most emotional moment of the morning was Marta's first look with her dad.
Well... almost.
With only a few minutes to spare, I slipped downstairs to get him into position while Marta waited patiently around the corner near the elevator. Simple enough... or so I thought.
Instead of staying put, Dad was convinced he needed to head upstairs. Before I could stop him, the elevator doors opened... and there he was, just one glance away from seeing his little girl before it was time.
Cue me sprinting into action.
I somehow managed to cover his eyes just in time, gently turned him around, and escorted him back to the right spot, all while trying not to laugh. It was one of those perfectly imperfect wedding moments that no one plans but somehow becomes part of the story.
And then... the real first look happened.
The smiles quickly turned into tears.
Standing before him was no longer the little girl he had spent a lifetime protecting, but a beautiful bride ready to begin the next chapter of her life. You could see every emotion written across his face—pride, gratitude, love, and just a little disbelief that his daughter was becoming Mrs. Puopolo...Or, Mrs. Pops.
It was a beautiful reminder that while a wedding celebrates the beginning of a marriage, it also honors a lifetime of love that brought the bride to this very moment.
After a few hugs (and a few happy tears), it was time to head to St. Anthony's Church, where the next chapter of their day—and their lives—was waiting.
Before God
Their ceremony at St. Anthony's Church was filled with intention and heart.
One part of Father’s homily has stayed with me ever since.
He spoke about love through service. About how marriage isn't built only on grand adventures or milestone moments, but through the simple, everyday acts of choosing one another again and again. Sharing ordinary moments. Serving each other with joy. Finding beauty in the quiet routines that slowly build a lifetime together.
He also reminded Marta that while she has faithfully spent so much of her life serving Jesus, this day was one where she could simply receive—to be fully present, surrounded by love, and enjoy the gift of the moment.
It was thoughtful, heartfelt, and a beautiful foundation for the beginning of their marriage.
Cocktail hour and Portraits
During cocktail hour, we spent time capturing family portraits before moving on to the bridal party.
One thing I loved about this group was how dependable they were. Whether it was helping keep the day on schedule, sharing a few laughs, or simply being present, they were there for Marta and Devan every step of the way.
Sometimes friendship isn't about being the loudest in the room, it's about showing up. And this group did exactly that.
The celebration continued at the beautiful Shining Tides, where everything came together perfectly.
The reception was beautifully decorated by Always in Bloom, creating a space that felt elegant while still warm and inviting. Morin's Catering not only served an incredible meal but also helped coordinate the day seamlessly, making everything feel effortless for everyone involved.
The evening was brought to life by Unique Sounds Entertainment, with the incredible addition of live saxophone by Ricky Lipinski, while Don Landgren kept guests smiling with his wonderful caricatures.
Every vendor played a part in creating an unforgettable celebration, and together they made the entire evening feel truly special.
Portraits and Sunset.
Now... we have to talk about sunset.
Our original plan was to create portraits on the dock.
There was only one tiny problem.
The tide had other plans.
By the time we walked over, the water had completely surrounded the dock. Reaching it would have required Marta and Devan to wade through water high enough to soak them halfway up. As tempting as that adventure may have been, we all agreed that staying dry sounded like the better option.
So instead of fighting the circumstances, we embraced them.
We created beautiful portraits with the dock in the background, and honestly, I wouldn't change a thing. Sometimes the unexpected becomes the part of the story you'll laugh about for years.
And just when we thought the moment couldn't get any sweeter, the amazing planning team appeared carrying Devan's favorite dessert—the famous ice cream sandwich.
There was only one reasonable thing to do.
Celebrate with it.
The photos of them toasting with ice cream sandwiches might just be some of my favorite images from the entire day because they're so... them. Playful. Genuine. Full of joy.
Dance floor
As the sun disappeared, the dance floor came alive.
And when I say everyone danced...
I mean everyone.
Including me... at least a little. (I can't resist a good dance floor.)
The energy never slowed down. Friends, family, grandparents, everyone celebrated with everything they had. There was laughter, singing, dancing, and the kind of happiness you can only create when you're surrounded by the people who love you most.
It was one of those receptions where nobody wanted the night to end.
The thank you note.
Marta and Devan, thank you for allowing me to witness and document such a beautiful chapter of your story.
Your wedding was a wonderful reminder that perfection isn't what makes a day unforgettable. Timelines shift. The tide comes in. Plans change.
But none of those things matter when two people choose to focus on what truly matters.
You embraced every unexpected moment with grace, laughter, and unwavering love for one another. You celebrated with your favorite people, created memories that will last a lifetime, and never lost sight of the reason everyone had gathered together.
Congratulations to you both. It was truly an honor to be part of your wedding day and to tell a small piece of your story. I hope these photographs always bring you back to how this day felt—not just how it looked.
Here's to a lifetime of serving one another, finding joy in the ordinary, laughing through the unexpected, and building a marriage every bit as beautiful as the day it began.
With all my gratitude, congratulations, Marta and Devan. 🤍
