Posted by: ROB & KATHLEEN View More: WEDDINGS Mark Twain once said, “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” For Sarah and Michael, they found out much more in their travels together - they discovered just how much they love each other. From the beginning of their relationship they have traveled to countless destinations - Russia, China, Ireland, Spain, to name a very few - and as soon as they complete one trip they are itching to plan the next one. A very good sign for these newlyweds because, if you think about it, many of the challenging elements of travel are similar to those faced in a marriage. Trying to navigate through a different (and sometimes confusing) place, perfecting the fine art of compromise when deciding where to go and what to do, and learning how to deal with one another when lack of sleep or hunger makes you less than chipper. So since Sarah and Michael definitely know how to travel together, it was easy to see just how strong their marriage was going to be even just a few hours after they officially said, "I do." On the dance floor, for example, even if they weren't dancing together they were keeping an eye out for one another and sharing a smile from time to time. When they did dance together, you would see the connection between them and the joy they had in sharing yet another life changing moment together. On each table at their reception, they had the name of a place they had traveled to together, along with a picture of them in that location. The destinations where all very different but in each shot they both had the same look on their faces: big bright eyes and a broad smile, almost as if they were happily surprised that they had made it there. Not actually the case though. When Sarah and Michael set their minds to something, it gets done - they are focused and determined (both are lawyers, after all). The expression on their faces wasn't surprise, it was wonder. Wonder that not only where they seeing these places they had only read about before, they were seeing them together. There is something so uniquely magical about standing side-by-side with the person you love and actually realizing in the moment that you have just had a life-changing expereince. Walking along the Great Wall of China, looking over to the Cliffs of Mohr.... the very first day as husband and wife. It's pretty safe to say, for Sarah & Michael these were just the first of many more moments like that. * * * We started the morning with Sarah, her girls and her family at her childhood home in Massachusetts. While they were all having their hair and make up done by Jean from Hair Studio One, we spent some quality time with Sarah's accessories, including her beautiful Paloma Blanca gown. Shortly after we arrived, Elisabeth from Blush Floral Design stopped by with the deep pink bouquets. Sarah had incorporated some significant family heirlooms into her bouquet - having the stems of her flowers wrapped in lace from her two grandmother's wedding gowns and a locket surrounding them all. After the ceremony, held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield, Sarah & Michael hopped into a limo with their bridal party and headed over to Hartford City Hall. Since the weather ended up being unusually warm for March, we took advantage of the grounds outside of City Hall for a while before heading indoors with just Sarah & Michael. From there we went on to the final destination of the evening - the Riverview in Simsbury. With help from Erica of Ambiance [Chic] Weddings, Sarah and Michael carried their love of travel into many of the details of their day - from their map-centered table card area to the pictures of them in exotic locales - all topped off with their bright and cheery navy blue and deep pink color scheme. Their invitations, programs, and table cards were all custom made by Adrienne from Admire Design Check out all of their great details below - especially the custom football grooms cake by cake-genius Ana Parzych. Those of your familiar with our blog know that Kathleen writes the text for our wedding and engagement blog posts while Rob writes the text underneath the pictures. We’ve decided to mix this up a little bit, so from now on Kathleen will be writing the text for both. Hope you enjoy!

Clearly this hook outside the house was just waiting for a wedding dress. Why else would the sun have come out at that very moment to emphasize the lace work of Sarah's dress?

Sarah's simple and cute flats. It's all about style and comfort - one of those lessons Sarah probably learned on her many trips (and working in NYC).

Sarah had her bouquet wrapped with lace from both of grandmother's gowns and a locket with a tribute to her grandparents.

Rob blew me away with this one - a reflection shot using the stove in the kitchen. The stove! How did he see that? One of the many benefits of working together, getting to see how differently each of us see the same moment.

The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Springfield, Massachusetts.

When we got to the church we were immediately greeted by Michael and his guys.

The church had tons of windows (many of them stained glass) letting in some sweet, soft light.

Details like programs really set the tone for the day - it's your guests first introduction to your ceremony. Sarah & Michael had theirs match their day perfectly - simple & elegant with touches of their pink & navy blue color scheme, made by Adrienne from Admire Design

I was at the back of the church catching this angle of Sarah walking down the aisle with her father...

...while Rob was in front capturing Michael's reaction as he saw Sarah for the first time that day. If there was a picture in the dictionary for the word "elated," it would have to be this shot of Michael.

Some quiet moments during the ceremony.

Their church was really beautiful!

Sarah and Michael exchanging vows and rings.

Their first kiss! And Sarah is smiling! How sweet are these two?

During a ceremony with a full mass, we have a little extra time to explore the church a bit. Sarah & Michael's church had quite a few unique little nooks offering a different perspective of the ceremony - like this one, from up in the choir loft.

And an angle from the back of the church...

becomes even more interesting when we took a few steps back and shot through the glass doors at the end of the aisle.

Sarah & Michael walked out to plenty of cheers and applause.

Their first quiet moment after the ceremony - making each other laugh, as usual.

Sarah & Michael were married on the first day of Spring - and it was definitely was! The practically 70 degree weather gave us the perfect opportunity to get some shots of the bridal party outside of Hartford City Hall.

The bridal party bringing out the inner models! We usually share this with groups on wedding days, but here is a tidbit of advice from us: the secret to modeling? It may be a bit obvious, but it's all about confidence. When you know you look good it totally shines through in the picture. Don't be afraid to look right at the camera with that completely confident look on your face (the one you probably practice at home when no one is looking). We won't think you're being conceited - we'll be excited cause we'll be getting an awesome shot!!

See what I'm talking about?!

Some of the navy blue and deep pink details.

Sarah's bouquet had such a great mix of deep pink flowers, the anenomes really stood out - creating a whimsical and cheery touch to the mix.

Sarah looked absolutely stunning. While I'd like to say we're completely responsible for this huge smile on her face - Michael was standing right next to us making her smile and laugh almost the whole time.

We grabbed a few shots of Sarah & Michael outside City Hall before heading inside. Michael totally missed his calling to be a GQ cover model - he actually really loved having his picture taken.

It probably didn't hurt that picture time also sometimes equaled kiss Sarah time. Michael knows what's up.

We always include timeless shots, appropriate for Mom & Dad's mantel. We think it's really important to have the shots that your grandkids will be able to look at and clearly see both of your faces and know exactly what you looked like on your wedding day. Wedding photos are heirlooms, that's why we incorporate these shots along with our artistic shots - all the while making sure they are all timeless images.

We have been to City Hall a few times this year already, but this time had a completely different feel since it was the first time we had been there during the afternoon. The light was incredible.

City Hall is all about the grand staircases...

and the intricate ceilings.

Sarah totally earned some great-wife brownie points with her surprise Groom's cake - a tribute to Michael's favorite football team, Florida State. Michael was shocked, he totally didn't see it coming.

Sarah and Michael had their guests pick up their table cards from a map with each table representing a different place they had traveled to together.

Some more details! The top left is a table with the wedding pictures from both sides of the family (we personally love checking these out). The bottom right is a picture of their version of a sign-up book: a bottle of champagne signed by all of their guests which they'll open on their first anniversary. (What a great idea!)

Sarah & Michael danced their first dance to John Denver's "Annie's Song." This is Rob's shot.

And my shot of the same moment.

The Best Man (Michael's brother) and Maid of Honor (Sarah's best friend) both gave heartfelt toasts. Michael's brother said that he had never seen his brother happier than when he was with Sarah - that she just understood him. Sarah's friend (and former roommate) confessed that when she first met Michael she wished she could find a guy like that for herself, he is almost too good to be true.

Sarah & Michael were touched by their words.

As soon as the DJ opened the dance floor it was PACKED. And it stayed that way all night long. This was definitely one lively party filled with some crazy dance moves!

Sarah danced with her father...

and Michael danced with his mother.

Then they had TWO cakes to cut and eat. Total bonus!

Since St. Patrick's Day was just a few days before their wedding, Sarah & Michael brought in some festive green props for the photo booth, which was a HUGE hit. Guests alternated between the photo booth and the dance floor for most of the night. Sarah & Michael - thank you so much for inviting us to share in your day. We loved getting to know you both and can't wait to catch up with you soon. Big thanks also to our good friend Meagan for shooting with us.