There is never a better feeling than having old friends reach out after so many years of college have passed, asking if you'll capture their special day. Dora and Armando's day was a fairly tale wedding. Her long beautiful gown and his genuine smile of love was a wonderful experience to be a part of. I have to say though their beautiful daughter stole the show with her bright little personality and flare for fashion sense. 

This was my first traditional Mexican Wedding. The Ceremony was held in Nashua New Hampshire in a beautiful church. Watching a traditional Mexican boda is a bit like studying the history of the country over the past seven centuries. Rituals, customs & traditions combined from the Spanish, Aztec, Native American, & Anglo-American cultures are found throughout the wedding. What I was most exciting about was seeing the  “Lazo”, which is a sort of tied rope which can be made from something as simple as a ribbon. It was placed around Dora and Armand during the ceremony  to symbolically join the bride and groom . It is placed around the necks of the couple – in a figure 8- after they have exchanged their vows to represent their linked future together; the joining of two lives. It’s also called a “UNITY LACE”. This was done by close family members they called god-parents.

I have to say the most touching parts of the ceremony, outside of course their first kiss was the “ofrenda.” An offering made from the bride to the Virgin of Guadalupe at the church when in a Catholic ceremony. Both Dora an Armando knelt and prayed to leave thanks and a flower bouquet at the virgin’s icon altar at the very end of the ceremony before the procession out of the church. 

The wedding reception was held in Worcester, Ma at Mechanics Hall. The long red velvet carpet covered stairs serve as an amazing choice of backdrops for both the couple and the wedding party. It also opened up a great opportunity for family members to hang in the background and take some images of their own. I always allow for family members to do that so long as they keep their flashes off and don't distract the couple from looking away. It also gives family members far and wide an opportunity to jump in with the couple for special photos. I'm excited to see this couples relationship blossom through the years and wish them many wonderful years of happiness with their bright little girl.