Institute of Contemporary Art Boston Wedding

Weddings

Institute of Contemporary a Boston Museum Wedding

It was important to Alyssa and Andrew to have a one-of-a-kind wedding at the Institute of Contemporary Art, also known as the ICA, in Boston, MA. This venue is unlike any other in the Boston area which offers a unique setup and exceptional experience.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Alyssa and Andrew during their engagement photos, as well as at their rehearsal dinner. They are one of those couples that share such a special connection — to each other, as well as with their family and close friends. In all of our preparation for the day, it was evident that spending time with their family and friends and the group’s experience was a priority.

Boston Public Garden Wedding Day Portraits

Alyssa got ready at the Four Seasons with her five bridesmaids, as well as her mom and Andrew’s mom. Andrew got ready at Envoy Hotel, with his groomsmen and all of the fathers. Andrew pre-arranged for a surprise note to be delivered not only to Alyssa but also to both of their mothers and each bridesmaid. There wasn’t a dry eye when the group opened their notes!

We captured some final bridal portraits of Alyssa in her suite before heading outside to the Public Garden for the first look! When Andrew saw Alyssa for the first time it was an emotional moment with some tears shed. You could feel and see the palpable connection between Alyssa and Andrew in that moment before we began portraits!

When it comes to portraits in the Public Garden, allocating plenty of time in the photo timeline is absolutely essential! Not only are we working to find the best lighting, but also avoiding people in the background as much as possible. We walked around the garden for a variety of backdrops and poses before meeting the wedding party for group photos. We took a trolley across the city and into Seaport for one last set of portraits before the ceremony! There were several logistics to account for in planning their city wedding portraits, but everything went so smoothly and everyone was ready to enjoy the evening together!

Modern Boston Museum Wedding Ceremony

Ceremonies at the Institute of Contemporary Art are set on the back steps of the museum, overlooking the harbor! Unlike other wedding venues, the ICA provides a few very unique vantage points. Andrew and Alyssa shared their vows, said their “I do’s”, and exited their ceremony on an absolute high. We went up to the gallery for a final set of portraits, overlooking the harbor and a looming sunset.

Another unique feature of this Boston museum wedding venue is the al fresco cocktail hour along the Boston Harborwalk. Andrew and Alyssa were able to spend this time mingling with all of their guests. The bistro lights strung across the patio provided the perfect natural ambiance to set in the evening’s festivities as the sunset in the distance. A toast from Alyssa’s stepfather marked the end of cocktail hour and invited guests into the museum to continue the celebrations.

Institute of Contemporary Art Wedding Reception

Alyssa and Andrew’s reception took place in the State Street Corporation Lobby. The florist, Flou(-er), and the team at The Catered Affair helped to design the space in a way that provided enough seating for guests but also encouraged mingling for their cocktail-style reception.

Alyssa and Andrew were cheered into the space by all of their guests and then shared their first dance. Everyone gathered around their closest friends and listened to speeches with thoughtful stories about Alyssa and Andrew. The band, The Sultans, kicked off the rest of the evening’s celebrations on the dance floor!

It was an absolute honor to spend the weekend with Alyssa and Andrew and capture their big day! It was refreshing to capture a day that felt truly authentic to them and their desired wedding day experience.