Kirsten & Brandon’s Intimate Spring Wedding at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston

Some weddings stay with you because of how beautiful they were. Others stay with you because of how deeply personal they felt. Kirsten and Brandon’s wedding was both.

Their intimate spring ceremony at Boston’s Arnold Arboretum was filled with thoughtful traditions, family and friends who traveled from across the country, blooming gardens, lots of laughter, and two very important furry members of their family.

Their wedding wasn’t about making everything perfectly traditional. It was about creating a day that felt completely like them.

From Coworkers to Falling in Love

Kirsten and Brandon first met in 2018 while working together at an advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their romance really began unfolding in December 2019 thanks to an office Secret Santa exchange.

Kirsten had written “surprise me” on her wishlist. After accidentally pulling her own name from the hat, she quietly wished that whoever picked her name next was somehow meant to have it.

That person turned out to be Brandon.

Knowing how much Kirsten loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Brandon created three beautiful papercraft artworks inspired by scenes from the movie and framed them for her. Apparently, handmade art was a pretty good way to Kirsten’s heart.

Their relationship continued to grow, and eventually they made a huge move across the country so Kirsten could pursue her master’s degree in Massachusetts. Starting a new chapter together far from home only strengthened their partnership.

Along the way, their little family grew too, with their beloved cat, Lestat, and dog, Mr. Darcy.

A Rainy Proposal in Salem

On September 21, 2024, Brandon proposed on a rainy autumn evening in Salem, Massachusetts. He chose a quiet neighborhood park, and there was no crowd gathered around to witness the big moment. According to Kirsten, there was just one squirrel watching from the trees.

I love that little detail so much. It was simple, private, and completely theirs.

Finding Their Wedding Spot at the Arnold Arboretum

When Kirsten and Brandon were planning their ceremony, I had the opportunity to walk around the Arnold Arboretum with them and explore some possible locations. Eventually, we came across a quiet spot with a beautiful archway surrounded by nature, and they fell in love with it.

By the time their May wedding arrived, everything around us had come alive with spring. The trees were green, flowers were blooming, and the Arboretum gave us such a beautiful natural setting for their intimate celebration.

What made it even more meaningful was having their favorite people there. Because Kirsten and Brandon had built their new life in Massachusetts away from many of their loved ones, having family and friends travel across the country to celebrate with them meant so much.

Kirsten even shared one funny little cultural adjustment: while she and Brandon were happily enjoying one of the first beautiful spring days in New England, some of their Arizona loved ones were bundled up in coats in the 65-degree weather.

A Ceremony That Felt Completely Like Them

Their ceremony was personal from beginning to end.

Kirsten’s younger brother, Noah, officiated, bringing warmth, meaning, and a little personal humor to the ceremony. One of the most meaningful details was their handfasting ritual, an ancient tradition in which the couple’s hands are bound together with cords to symbolize their commitment and the joining of their lives.

Both of their mothers came forward to present the ceremonial cords, making the ritual not only about Kirsten and Brandon joining their lives, but also about two families becoming one.

It was such a beautiful part of their ceremony to photograph. Kirsten also shared with me what she remembers feeling before seeing Brandon that day. She had been nervous all morning and kept telling her friends that she just needed to make it down the aisle, see Brandon, and breathe.

Then the opening notes of Etta James’s At Last began to play. As she walked toward him and finally saw Brandon waiting for her, she said all of that anxiety disappeared and was replaced by a feeling of peace.

She describes Brandon as her steady anchor, the person who naturally grounds and balances her. And in that moment, simply seeing him made everything feel okay.

A Little Wedding-Day Reality

Of course, outdoor weddings sometimes come with surprises.

Kirsten later told me that the heavy rain from the day before and drizzle that morning had left the ceremony area quite muddy.

While walking down the aisle, she slipped a little and, hearing everyone laugh, playfully blurted out: “Shut up!” Her beautiful dress may have collected a little mud along the way, but now it's one of those funny wedding-day memories they can laugh about forever.

Sometimes those little imperfect moments become some of the best stories.

Lestat & Mr. Darcy Join the Celebration

There were also two very important family members who had to be included in the day: Lestat and Mr. Darcy. Their cat and dog are much more than pets to Kirsten and Brandon. They have been part of the home and family these two have built together, including being by their side through their big cross-country move.

Thanks to their wonderful friends, who helped bring Lestat and Mr. Darcy to the Arboretum, they were able to join the celebration for a little while. And yes, photographing a bride and groom with both a dog and a cat was every bit as entertaining as you might imagine.

We made sure to take some family portraits of all four of them together, and one of my favorite little moments was watching Lestat and Mr. Darcy touch noses.

Knowing how much these two animals mean to Kirsten and Brandon makes those photographs even sweeter. Years from now, they’ll be able to look back and see their entire little family together on their wedding day.

A Quiet Moment as Newlyweds

When I asked Kirsten and Brandon about their favorite part of the wedding day, their answer wasn't one of the big ceremonial moments. It was the time they had together afterward while we took their couple portraits.

After all the anticipation and excitement of the ceremony, portrait time gave them a little space to simply be together and realize:

We’re married.

Brandon especially remembered having that uninterrupted time to take everything in and admire his new wife. I loved hearing that because it was one of my favorite parts of the day to photograph too.

We wandered through the Arboretum among the spring blooms, made some beautiful portraits, and also gave them space to simply laugh and enjoy being newly married. At one point, they sat right down in the grass with Kirsten’s gorgeous dress spread around them. Her dress got a little dirty. They didn't care.

And honestly, those are some of my favorite photographs.

Champagne, Laughter & Being Present

Of course, we also needed a little newlywed champagne celebration. The plan was a classic champagne spray photo. The reality involved Kirsten struggling to get the cork to cooperate, which naturally turned into laughter.

And that is exactly why I love moments like this.

I can give my couples a little direction or an idea, but then I love allowing whatever happens next to happen naturally. Sometimes the in-between moments, when nobody is trying to make the “perfect photograph,” become the photographs that feel the most alive.

From the Arboretum to Estragon

After our time at the Arnold Arboretum, the celebration continued at Estragon Tapas Bar in Boston’s South End, where Kirsten and Brandon gathered with their closest family and friends for an intimate dinner reception.

The atmosphere was warm, cozy, colorful, and full of personality. There were toasts, speeches, hugs, laughter, dinner around the tables, and of course, cake. It felt especially fitting for Kirsten and Brandon, who love exploring together. At home, they enjoy discovering new restaurants, seeing live performances, and finding cozy cocktail lounges.

Travel has also become an important part of their relationship, so after their wedding, they celebrated their new marriage with their biggest adventure yet: an unforgettable two-week honeymoon through Italy.

Heart Balances Mind

When I asked Kirsten and Brandon to describe their relationship in three words, their answer was:

“Heart balances mind.”

I think that may be my favorite thing they shared with me. Kirsten describes herself as the heart of their relationship. She brings energy, passion, curiosity, and adventure, encouraging Brandon to step outside his comfort zone and experience things he might not have sought out himself.

Brandon is the mind and Kirsten’s steady anchor. He reminds her of the beauty in slowing down and appreciating the quiet moments at home and the little family they have created together.

Their story wasn't about two people needing someone else to complete them. They had already built their own identities, dreams, and lives. Their relationship became a conscious choice to grow alongside one another and learn how to balance each other through moves, changes, adventures, and ordinary days at home.

Kirsten expands Brandon’s world, and Brandon gives Kirsten somewhere peaceful to land.

Kind Words From Kirsten

After their wedding, Kirsten left me one of those reviews that truly stays with you:

“Mim was such a special part of our special day! When you choose someone to photograph a special occasion, you aren't just picking someone based on their talent; you are picking someone to be with you every step of the way. Not only did Mim do a phenomenal job of taking photos that will last us a lifetime, but she also brought an incredible energy to our day.”

She also mentioned something that made me especially happy: our walk around the Arboretum before the wedding to find the right ceremony location.

She wrote:

“Mim actually met with us ahead of time to walk around our venue and help scope out photograph locations, and she even helped us pick the most photogenic spot for our ceremony.”

And she ended her review with:

“Thanks again Mim for all of your incredible work, we will truly never forget you!”

Those words mean so much to me.

Of course, I want my couples to have beautiful photographs that will last a lifetime. But a wedding photographer is also beside you during some of the most emotional, exciting, funny, and sometimes chaotic hours of your day.

I want my couples to feel comfortable enough around me to laugh, get emotional, sit in the grass in their wedding clothes, spray champagne everywhere, bring their cat and dog along, and simply be themselves.

Kirsten and Brandon, thank you for trusting me to document such an important chapter of your story and for sharing so much of your story with me afterward.

From a Secret Santa surprise in Arizona to a rainy proposal in Salem, a spring ceremony at the Arnold Arboretum, meaningful family traditions, champagne that didn't want to open, and a special visit from Lestat and Mr. Darcy, your day was filled with so many little pieces that could only belong to the two of you.

Your wedding was beautiful, but more importantly, it felt like Kirsten and Brandon.

Planning Your Own Story?

If you're looking for a Boston & New England photographer to document your wedding, elopement, engagement, or growing family, I'd love to hear your story. Whether you're planning an intimate Boston elopement, a New England wedding, or simply want to preserve this season of your family's life, I'm here to photograph the big moments—and all the little ones in between.

Get in touch to inquire about availability and book your session. I'd love to hear what you're dreaming up.