Alicia and Dan had such a beautiful intimate Squantum Association East Providence Rhode Island Wedding this past Friday! After a really windy engagement session, I was so THRILLED that we got near perfect weather on their wedding day! With great weather and a gorgeous venue we had some pretty amazing sunset romantic bride and groom portraits. The sunset painted the sky with the most beautiful ombre combination of pink and orange hues. I kept telling them “you guys this is absolutely amazing and just perfect!” These are some of my favorite bride and groom portraits for sure!
There were so many new things that I had the pleasure to witness and photograph besides a new favorite venue. Alicia and Dan had a bag piper playing as quests were being seated as well as a celebratory firing of the canon at the end of the ceremony!! Man was it loud but it was pretty cool to photograph! I loved how she chose to incorporate sunflowers in her wedding florals in honor of her mother and sister. She and Dan also requested that guests do a toast in honor of her mom and sister. Alicia wore her grandmothers pearls and her aunt’s earrings to complete her stunning bridal look. Each dinner table was given a name of place where they have traveled together! Which is such a great way to assign tables rather than just giving a table number! Even with all the fun, unique and honorary touches to the wedding day, my favorite has to be Alicia’s first look with her dad! It was so hard trying not to cry as Alicia walked towards her dad. Her dad just hugged her so tightly and he fought back his tears, unlike the rest of us!
Getting the opportunity to travel to Rhode Island for Alicia and Dan’s wedding was so amazing. It was the second time that I had the chance to see them and when it came time for us to say goodbye and hug (as I do with all my sweet couples), I couldn’t help but tear up. Ever since meeting them on the Outer Banks for their engagement session it was if we had known each other forever. And here we were saying goodbye again! It was heartbreaking because Alicia and Dan are most certainly one of those couples that have turned into friends. Thank goodness they have family on the Outer Banks! Because I would be so sad if we didn’t ever get to see each other again!
I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my dream of being a destination wedding photographer than with Alicia and Dan’s wedding! You’re going to fall in love with this sweet couple and their wedding day! Enjoy seeing a few of my favorites from the wedding! Help me in congratulating Alicia and Dan by leaving a little love for them at the end of the post!
As the holidays approach, people are inundated with goodies. You see the goodies at the grocery store and there are commercials galore showing decadent treats. When it comes to delicious homemade holiday treats, you can make these and become a ‘goody’ hero to your family and friends.
One of the easiest holiday treats to make is cookies. There are so many varieties to choose from. Sugar cookies are enjoyed by almost everyone. You can also dress them up by adding frosting or candies. Here’s a simple sugar cookie recipe:
Begin by mixing the dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a large bowl, beat the egg and then add the butter and sugar, beating until creamy. Add the vanilla followed by the dry ingredients in small amounts, and stir to ensure the mixture is incorporated.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out the shapes and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle the sugar (colored or not) on top of the cookies before baking them in a 375 degree oven. These will bake for about 8 minutes.
Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and gently press the candies into the cookies while they’re still warm. Allow them to cool and then arrange them on a plate or in a box if they’re to be given as a gift.
Have you priced granola lately? It can seem so expensive to enjoy wholesome granola, but it doesn’t have to be. This recipe will make 15 cups of granola – enough for you to enjoy and share with loved ones.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients, except the butter and honey, in a large bowl. In a saucepan, heat the butter and honey over medium heat. Pour this over the granola and toss to mix thoroughly. Spread the granola on a lined baking pan and bake until the oats look toasted and the sugar caramelizes. This will take 35-40 minutes. Stir occasionally. Allow the granola to cool and then store it in an airtight container.
Place the ingredients, except cinnamon sticks, in a bowl and mix them well. Place the mixture in an airtight container where it can be stored for about six months.
To enjoy the cocoa, put two tablespoons of the mix into 1/4 cup water and heat it over medium heat on the stove. When it has dissolved completely, add 3/4 cup of milk and a cinnamon stick. Whisk thoroughly and enjoy!
Delicious handmade holiday treats aren’t difficult to make. If you choose to make one or more of the above treats, don’t forget to share. Isn’t that what people look forward to most at the holidays?