CT Wedding Photography - Saint Clement's Castle - Luxury High End Photographer in Connecticut

Ally and Ryan Just celebrated lucky number 13, and it still feels as vibrant as the day it all unfolded browsing these Sassy Mouth Wedding Photos.

The morning began with soft, natural light pouring into the getting ready space—always one of my favorite parts of any wedding day. The light blue dresses were elegant and fresh, perfectly paired with red, white, and blue bouquets that somehow felt patriotic and romantic. The groomsmen wore deep green and blue plaid kilts with black jackets, and I’ll tell you this—give guys a kilt, and they will absolutely have the time of their lives.

Tucked quietly into the room was a newborn baby, cradled in the arms of the maid of honor. I didn’t miss the chance—of course we did newborn portraits. That’s the magic of photographing real life as it happens.

We moved to First Church in Middletown, Connecticut for the ceremony—a beautiful structure with two side aisles instead of a center. I remember very clearly sliding into a pew mid-aisle to catch the angle I wanted, and it was absolutely the right call. You don’t get a second shot at the first kiss, and I wasn’t about to miss it.

From there, Saint Clements Castle in Portland, CT —an iconic venue. We made our way down into the Sunken Garden for formals. The symmetry, the stonework, the soft canopy of green. The groomsmen couldn’t help themselves (there are mooning photos that remain in the vault, thank you very much), but they were having the time of their lives, and it was contagious. The entire wedding party felt like an ensemble cast in a film where love and color and joy were the lead characters.

Ally smiles from deep within—her joy starts in the chest and radiates outward. Ryan had his loving groom face on all day—beaming, hugging everyone, completely present.

The bubbles worked. Anyone who knows weddings knows how rare that is. Usually they’re forgotten about or no one gives direction, but I noticed how sweet everyone looked using them during the receiving line and made a call—rallied everyone, got them in place, and said “BLOW.” The result? Pure magic.

As always, TJ was quietly doing what he does best—capturing the whole scene from the perfect stalker angle with his zoom lens. He’s my secret weapon. I lead and direct. He hangs back and frames it differently. Together, we see everything. And he works harder than anyone.

That day, I was shooting with the Canon 85mm 1.8—rented for the season—and I used it a lot. It’s dreamy when it works for the setting, and some of my favorite images from this wedding came from that lens.

Six hours. Over 1,000 delivered images.

Not a second missed.

And still, I remember the cocktail hour. At St. Clements, the food is next-level—passed hors d’oeuvres, carving station, and a room full of glow. I always try to sneak into the reception room before it opens to guests to photograph the space untouched. If I can get the venue to hold the doors a few minutes for me, I do. That time matters. Because my couples deserve to go enjoy their wedding.

From start to finish, this day felt like a storybook. Ally and Ryan peeking down from the bridal suite into cocktail hour below? I have the photo. They looked like royalty in a castle.

This is the kind of storytelling wedding photography is meant for. It’s never just about the couple. It’s about the people they choose to surround themselves with, the tiny unexpected moments, the light in the room, the sounds, the textures, the energy. It’s about preserving it all.

And now, with everything I’ve studied—mastering light, refining my artistry, expanding my vision—I cannot wait to bring that depth and intention into every future Sassy Mouth Wedding.

Visit https://bit.ly/3SGbs4t for more information.

Xo,

Marisa Balletti-Lavoie

Queen of Sass 

Master Photographer, Master Artist, Craftsman Educator