Spring Hops Company Garden Wedding | Chris and Emily | Spring 2023

bride and groom walking their dog at their spring hops company garden wedding

Chris and Emily’s spring Hops Company Garden wedding was a showcase of talents. From the vendors who were also guests to the musical talents of family members. And to top it all off there was a dog. The last time I was at the Hops Company in Derby CT, the mom was the baker so I think this place brings a family showcase environment.

I arrived at the cottage right outside of the venue to photograph the girls getting ready, while the second shooter shot getting ready photos of the guys in the lounge. When I saw the “She Found Her Lobster” sign in the bridal suite I knew I would get along with this group of girls really well. This also wouldn’t be the only tv reference of the day, but more on that later.

After getting Emily into her lace gown, we headed to the raised garden to do a first look. I knew that their dog Domino was going to be there, but Emily didn’t. Trying to work around that secret was tricky, but based on Emily’s emotional response to seeing her fur baby it was all worth it in the end. Oh, and the first look with the bride and groom was pretty sweet as well.

After these sweet moments, we moved into the formal portraits. Though “that’s what she said” was referenced during this portion of the day, it is not the tv reference I referred to earlier. I also used a word to help the ladies giggle for their group photos. If I shot your wedding you know what word I am referring to. We also recreated a photo that Emily took with her bridesmaid Angelica when they were little. Angelica had shown me the photo in the bridal suite, and it then became a goal to complete.

The ceremony was a family-focused one with their puzzle ceremony. At the front of the ceremony space was an incomplete puzzle of the two of them. Various members of their family gave a word that represented a piece to marriage. They also had an actual puzzle piece that was added to the puzzle as they said their word and gave the word some context. Following this beautiful portion of the ceremony, the officiant (also a family member) gave them a puzzle of the two of them as a gift.

After a relaxed cocktail hour, the party kicked off with the band (friends of the bride) introducing the newly married couple. There were four speeches with funny stories, including one where Emily displayed how she introduces herself to dogs she meets. Dinner, with a sprinkle of some sunset photos of Chris and Emily, was capped by parent dances and the cutting of the cake.

After the dance floor was opened the band went into full force. Throughout the rest of the reception, family members joined in by playing various instruments including the cowbell (insert Will Ferrell meme here). This was also when the tv reference came. The band played the theme song to Gilmore Girls as Emily danced with her mom Bernadette. The guests danced the night away, and even though I didn’t stay for the after-party I am sure it was a party to remember.