Masha & Joe - Queens County Farm Wedding - Lauren Allmond Photography

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get to document the marriage celebration of Masha (Maria) & Joe at the Queens County Farm. It was a perfect August day full of all of their closest family and friends.

I’ve known Maria for quite some time as we attended Purchase College together, but we always traveled in different circles of friends. But I have always admired Maria’s artworks – etchings and paintings and most recently ceramics. So when she asked me if I would be interested in photographing her wedding, I nearly hit the floor. I never excelled in art school. I was terrible at anything that required the use of my hands to draw, and most (if not all) of my work was unoriginal and boring. Even my photography in school was okay at best. I don’t think I started producing good work until more recently, years after leaving school. So having Maria ask me to photograph her wedding meant a lot to me.

One of the most beautiful things about Maria & Joe’s wedding, aside from all of the wonderful handmade pieces, is how everyone came together to put this wedding together. All of their friends and family were helping set up, hang paper stars, arrange centerpieces. There was something so simple and lovely about everyone’s willingness to come together and support these two in transforming this space.

Maria & Joe, I wish you much love and luck and all of the happiness in the world. xo.

The day didn’t go exactly as planned, which is pretty much the nature of any wedding I’ve ever been to, but even though the day was running late we got to sneak away for 10 minutes to take some portraits..

When we got back, Maria & Joe were ready to say their vows. Even though they had been married at the courthouse a few days before, they took this time to share (with all their closest people) the love that they have for each other. It’s always during personal vows that I have to stop myself and remember to document everything. I’m so busy listening and smiling with all the other guests that I almost forget myself!