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A TPC RIVER HIGHLANDS WEDDING

There were so many things Arturo and I loved about this lovely fall wedding day at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut! Janel and Phil are two of the most genuine, caring, and beautiful people you’ll ever meet, and they were surrounded by nothing but love and joy on their wedding day! I last photographed these guys at their Eolia Mansion engagement session in Waterford, Connecticut this past April. After spending just a few minutes with them that day, I knew their wedding was going to be amazing! Janel and Phil were referred to us by my sweet friend, Keeley, who you may recognize as a bridesmaid in some of the photos below! Keeley and I have worked together before, and it was so wonderful to have her there with us on such a spectacular day for one of her best friends.

After getting ready for the day ahead, we all made our way over to TPC River Highlands where Phil and Janel would share their first look. It was a chilly November day, but luckily the sun was shining! After a windy ride on a golf cart onto the course, Arturo and I stepped back as the bride and groom had their first look. There were plenty of smiles (and a few happy tears!) before we moved onto photographing some additional portraits before the ceremony.

Arturo and I love, love, LOVE wedding ceremonies that are personalized to reflect our couples. Phil and Janel’s was just that! They each wrote their own heartfelt vows, with smiles beaming across their faces as they read them to each other. After the newlyweds shared their first kiss, Janel and Phil practically jumped for joy with their arms extended high into the air as family and friends cheered them on!

The ceremony ended just before sunset, so by this time it was about 25° outside. I’m so thankful that Phil and Janel were up for just a couple more minutes of standing in the chilly fall air so we could capture that pure joy and excitement they were both feeling. When time permits on a wedding day, Arturo and I love to sneak our couples away (even if it’s just 2-3 minutes!) after their ceremony to photograph that newlywed bliss that they’re each experiencing!

Phil and Janel have some killer dance moves! I don’t think we’ve ever seen newlyweds dance with the enthusiasm and excitement as these two did during their introduction to the reception! Janel and Phil shared the most elegant first dance, which was followed by a sweet and sentimental father-daughter dance. After dinner, the dance floor was PACKED all night long as guests celebrated the bride and groom!

THE LOVE STORY

Janel and Phil met at the gym where she was a member and he worked as a personal trainer. Though Phil caught Janel’s attention right away, she waited a few years to make her move! She thought he was a good looking guy, clearly a hard-worker, friendly, and very polite. Phil, on the other hand, showed absolutely no interest whatsoever in Janel. The two would exchange some small talk at the gym, and occasionally saw each other outside the gym in downtown New Haven when they were out with friends.

Janel had worked with a trainer throughout college to stay in shape for track, and being a few years post-graduation, she wanted to start personal training again. She asked around about Phil and coincidentally one of her best friends, Keeley, had actually trained with him a few times! When Janel asked Keeley what she thought of Phil she said, "I could barely move for weeks, but man he really knows what he's doing." Janel thought to herself, “This is the guy I HAVE to train with!” Additionally, she still thought he was cute and was curious to see where it could go!

Janel made her move and ended up booking a few personal training sessions with Phil. About 30 minutes into their first session, it came to the point where Janel couldn't hide the fact that she was on the verge of passing out! Phil told Janel that her blood sugar was probably dropping and ran to get her a sugary drink. Though their first training session was cut short, Phil checked in on Janel throughout the day. After a few months of training together, she gave him an ultimatum. She told him that he had the choice to either take her out on a date or that this would be it for the two of them. A week later, Phil and Janel had their first date at Moxie in Madison, Connecticut!

Congratulations Janel and Phil! Arturo and I are honored to have captured such a joyful day for the two of you! Wishing you many years ahead filled with love, laughter, and plenty of dancing!

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Janel was a beautiful bride!

Phil was quite a dapper groom!

Phil and Janel shared the sweetest first look on the golf course!

Look at that lovely autumn glow!!

Phil and Janel’s wedding party was such a great group of people!

The way Janel’s mom reacted to seeing her daughter walk down the aisle was just the sweetest!

Have you ever seen two newlyweds more excited just after their first kiss?!

It may have been 25° when we were taking Janel and Phil’s newlywed portraits, but you’d never know by looking at those smiles!

Phil and Janel shared one of the most beautifully romantic first dances we’ve ever seen!

I hope you enjoyed this fall wedding at TPC River Highlands! Do you know Janel and Phil? Show the newlyweds some love by commenting below!

CREATIVE TEAM

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, Hawaii and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.

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