Emily and John's wedding took place over two days in Boston, with each day having its own feel. On day one we started at home with just the two of them, then headed into downtown for an intimate city ceremony in Post Office Square followed by dinner at Mistral. The next day, they gathered a big group of friends and family at Equal Measure in Kenmore Square for cocktails, dinner, and more celebrating.
I loved the way they made the wedding their own by giving themselves two completely different days to spend with the people they love.
DAY ONE
A Ceremony at Post Office Square
Emily and John chose Post Office Square for their legal wedding ceremony, right in the heart of downtown Boston and just a short walk from their condo. The park is tucked among the surrounding office buildings, with mature trees, landscaped gardens, and paths winding through the green space. It's a welcome pocket of calm in the middle of the city, even with downtown moving all around it.
With only their closest family there, the ceremony felt personal and relaxed. People passed through the square on their way to work and across downtown, while Emily and John shared this important moment with the people closest to them. I love that they chose a place woven into their everyday life in the heart of downtown.
After the ceremony, we stayed in the square for family portraits before heading to the South End for dinner at Mistral.
THE VENUE
Dinner at Mistral in Boston’s South End: The Room Sets the Mood
After their ceremony at Post Office Square, Emily and John headed to Mistral in Boston’s South End for an intimate dinner with their family. Known for its French-inspired cuisine and elegant atmosphere, Mistral is a beautiful option for couples who want to celebrate their wedding over a memorable meal in an incredibly romantic space.
The restaurant’s private dining room makes a striking setting for a gathering like this, with soaring ceilings, long curtains, and a refined interior. It offered Emily and John a place to bring their closest family together, settle in for dinner around a long table, and enjoy the first evening of their wedding celebration.
For couples planning a smaller Boston wedding, a private dinner at a restaurant like Mistral can be a wonderful way to make the meal itself the main event.
THE PHOTOS
All that Magic Candlelight
I was so excited to photograph Emily and John at Mistral. The light in the space was golden with candles, and the entire room had this gorgeous, earthy palette of warm taupes, browns, and off-whites. Tan pottery lined the walls, adding texture and depth to the space, while Emily’s white dress stood out beautifully against all those warm neutrals. The colors, the light, and the textures came together in a way that made me want to photograph every corner of the room.
It was such a beautiful setting for their intimate wedding dinner, and one I was excited to explore with my camera.
DAY TWO
THE VENUE
Equal Measure in Kenmore Square: Cocktail Bar Perfection, Plus They Make a Mean Negroni
Equal Measure is cocktail bar perfection. Deep, warm woods, heavy red and orange velvet curtains and sofas, a checkerboard floor, and an epic bar give the space a rich, dramatic character. Every corner feels considered, with layers of color, texture, and pattern that make the whole place incredibly photogenic. It's the kind of space where you could spend an entire afternoon making portraits and still find another backdrop around the corner.
For couples looking for a Boston wedding venue with the atmosphere of a great cocktail bar rather than a traditional event space, Equal Measure has personality in every direction.
THE PHOTOS
One of my favorite parts of the day was having time to photograph Emily and John around Equal Measure before the party began. They had set aside time specifically for portraits, which meant we could explore the space and have fun with it rather than squeeze everything in between cocktails and dinner.
The deep woods, red and orange velvet, checkerboard floor, and dramatic bar gave us so many different backdrops to work with. Every corner offered a new composition, and the bar was the perfect setting for portraits that felt stylish, playful, and completely at home in the space.
I loved that Emily and John made room for photography to be part of the celebration. We had time to create images together, enjoy the space, and have fun. Not every wedding is about carving time to create a portrait shoot but when the space is as stunning as this, and the couple is interested I’m always excited to work together to make some incredible wedding portraits.
If you’re New Here, Hi I’m Alyssa
I'm Boston area wedding photographer who's spent more than a decade photographing people doing what people do best: laughing, crying, celebrating, dancing badly, and occasionally doing things that definitely weren't on the wedding timeline.
I love the beautiful stuff, the weird stuff, the big emotions, and all the little moments in between. My approach is all about capturing what your wedding actually felt like, not just what it looked like.
And while I love a good candid moment, I'm not pretending to be invisible. I'll get to know you, help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and make the whole photography thing feel fun and easy.
Because your wedding isn't a photoshoot. It's a celebration, and I'm just lucky enough to be there with a camera.
Venues: Mistral & Equal Measure | Florals: Winston Flowers | John’s Suit: Joseph’s Of Portalnd | Emily’s Looks: 9 Tailors & Glo Bridal & Party Vintage | Jewelry: VerstoloPlanning a wedding at Mistral or Equal Measure?
Have an affinity for gorgeous restaurants and bars and want to make sure your wedding photos do the space justice?