Alec and Jess reached out to us a few months before their wedding looking for a documentary wedding photographer at their venue Hammond Castle in Gloucester, MA. They were very impressed by our documentary style and candid photos. We really got a chance to get to know them on our initial phone call where we talked about graphic design and film photography. Jess is a graphic designer and told us she loved the colors in our photos. Alec and Jess also had a really cool engagement session with us which we will blog about soon.
One of the things we do early on when we onboard our clients is to send them our Getting to Know You Questionnaire which really helps us to get to know them and vibe with them better.
Here’s Jess and Alec’s responses to the Getting To Know You Questionnaire for their Hammond Castle Wedding
How did you two meet?
We met on Hinge during COVID when we were both living with our parents who live a 6 min car ride away from each other. On our first date (Oct 2020) we kicked a soccer ball around at my elementary school. Because of COVID, our next dates were mostly outdoors (hiking etc) and cooking in our family’s homes. Sometimes we would run towards each other in the mornings, meeting halfway for a quick hangout.
Your proposal story:
The day of the proposal, Alec and I spent the morning visiting our first date spots. He proposed at a big field at the end of one of our hikes by the Charles River.
Tell us a little bit about your vision for the wedding. What are you most excited about for your Hammond Castle Wedding Photos?
Our vision for the wedding is for it to be warm and inviting, fun and sincere. We’re excited about brining our families and friends together.
Which pictures are you most looking forward to seeing? (couples photos, photos of you and guests dancing, the ceremony…etc.)
We both love the green house looking space with the pool. Definitely want some photos there. We don’t mind posed pictures but really are excited about the candid shots. People’s reactions/emotions, dancing, hugging, being silly, etc…
What are your honeymoon plans?
We don’t have any yet! Might do a small trip to the Catskills for now and do a proper honeymoon at a later time
Why did you choose us to photograph your wedding?
We both really gravitated towards the color, composition and candidness in your photography. I love the dark/light contrast and the slight grain/film feel really excites me. The first image of the bride sitting by the window is stunning.
A few Pros and Cons to note about Hammond Castle Wedding Photos
Hammond Castle has a magical, medieval vibe that’s perfect for couples who want a fairytale setting. The architecture is full of intricate details and historic charm, which gives the whole place a sense of elegance and grandeur. Plus, the location is unbeatable—sitting right on a rocky edge with stunning ocean views, it’s a photographer’s dream. The castle’s smaller, cozier spaces also make it ideal for intimate weddings where you want to keep things personal and focused on your closest friends and family. Its rich history adds even more character, making your day feel unique and memorable.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. The space isn’t huge, so if you’re planning a larger wedding, you’ll need to make sure it can handle your guest list. The castle’s age also means accessibility can be an issue, with stairs and uneven terrain that might be challenging for some guests. Another factor is that the venue doesn’t include much beyond the space itself—you’ll need to bring in catering, tents, a dance floor (if holding dancing outside– otherwise, the venue does offer space indoors for a dance floor), and more, so having a wedding planner or day of coordinator would definitely help.
What We Loved About Their Hammond Castle Wedding Photos
Jess and Alec had requested minimal staged photos and more emphasis on documentary style photography. We had the first look by the big arches towards the front of the castle and then walked around the building for photos as their families watched. They really wanted to be a part of the cocktail hour to hang out with all for their friends and family. Our goal for the day was keeping things real and letting the moments flow naturally.
What Jess and Alec Loved About Working With Us
From Jess:
“These are BEAUTIFUL!!! wOoOow. You captured so many moments! even me trying to carry the card stands out while you were all eating lol! The candid photos are incredible. True heros. Thank you SO MUCH!!! Chris and Anna did an incredible job of capturing our wedding. In addition to the photos being beautiful beyond our wildest dreams and exactly what we wanted, working with them was so easy!! They were incredibly involved but also felt like flies on the wall allowing us to soak in every second. They went above and beyond in their services and sent us sneak peaks a day after our wedding!! 10/10. Wish they could capture every day for us”
From Alec:
“These are AMAZING! Thank you so much. It felt like ya’ll were our actual day-of coordinators yesterday at our wedding. You really took charge and brought the night together. The Polaroid style photos you gave me at the end, Chris – incredible. Shared them with jess today and she lost it all over again.”
Hammond Castle Coordinator: Deb Nypaver. Phone: (978) 283-2080 Email: info@hammondcastle.org
Want to check out our photos from a backyard wedding in Salem next? It’s shot on digital and Film! CLICK HERE
