Micah and Shelby were so lovely to spend the day photographing, and their wedding on Thompson Island (also referred to as Cathleen Stone Island) was full of the kinds of details I get super excited about: antique linens and Brimfield Flea finds, art made by a friend, an incredible band, and a setting right in the middle of Boston Harbor. The couple put so much thought into making the day feel like them. I photographed much of the day on film, with my second shooter Brynne Quinlan, and wow oh wow was it a gorgeous day!
THE VENUE
Let’s hop on a ferry and take to the harbor!
Getting married on an island feels like a little escape from the usual wedding-day routine, even when you're just a short distance from the city. I love a ferry ride. I love the journey. I love seeing the city get smaller as we make our way out to sea.
Thompson Island is an phenominal venue for anyone who wants a city backdrop, a little bit of elevated summer camp feel, and a lot of New England romance. The island has a smattering of old buildings and houses to get ready in which gives that home away from home to the start of the day. The island is also pretty spectacular for its range. It has surprising number of options for wedding portraits. Want the Boston skyline as your backdrop? Done. A field of lush grass and greenery? Yup. A quiet beach? Absolutely. An epic weeping willow? Of course. We were able to get a lot of photo variety as we were chauffeured around the island on golf cart. It’s also pretty magical hopping into the back of a golf cart, leaving the venue behind, and watching the island go by as we hunted for perfect scenery.
Then there was the ceremony on the lawn with some of the best views of the city. Shelby and Micah were framed by big trees, expansive harbor, and an unbeatable Boston skyline. The two mentioned to me when they were looking for venues they wanted city views and nothing beats a city view from the water. When they visited Thompson Island they were sold. And I understand completely why. The setting is unbeatable.
Coktail hour was spent playing lawn games and the reception that followed was held in an L shaped pavilion, overlooking the lawn, with the same striking Boston backdrop. The pavilion screams New England from the shingles to the wood, to the exposed beams and open design. It’s incredibly magical inside. Shelby and Micah created all the decor mainly from Brimfield Flea market finds, which only added to the New England charm.There was a hand-sewn banner made by Shelby and an art vending machine made by a friend. Every detail felt considered without feeling overly precious. It was vintage, fun, cozy, and still completely wedding-gorgeous.
tHE PHOTOS
This island has everything: Boston views, rolling greens, lobster dinner, gorgeous guests and so much more
One of my favorite parts of photographing Shelby and Micah’s wedding on Thompson Island was getting to explore the island during portraits. The venue liaison had suggestions for spots around the property, and we worked together to choose the ones that made the most sense. I had locations I wanted to make sure we hit, but I also wanted to hear what mattered to Shelby and Micah. They chose Thompson Island for those Boston skyline views, so we made plenty of time for portraits with the city in the background. I always try to be mindful of what couples want, be it more time to take photos in certain locations or time to take a breather and a pause from pictures.
The ceremony was beautifully framed by the trees and skyline, and the rest of the day was full of those fun, joyous little candid moments I love photographing. Inside the pavilion, the light was sparkly and warm, and it was absolutely magical on film. A little bit of New England island romance.
I shot a mix of film and digital throughout the day, and I loved seeing how the images came together into a gallery that captured not just what everything looked like, but what it felt like to be there. The portraits, the in-between moments, the fun, the feeling of the whole day. That’s what I want Shelby and Micah to remember when they looked back at their photos.
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.
venue Cathleen Stone Island | band East Coast Soul | dress Arbella Bridal | suit 9 tailors | second shooter Brynne Quinlan | micah’s ring Lovin'Hawaii | art machine @tinyprintmachine | cake @chololole | florals and decorations by the couple Planning a wedding on Thompson Island?
Getting married on another iconic New England island? Taking a ferry ride in order to say I do? I want to be there to capture it!