Cross country moves, months apart in deployment and a chance to document and celebrate each detail of their wedding preparation lead to photographing this Rochester bridal shower. Abby’s day with family and friends at RocBrainery was beautiful. I always feel honored to be a part of wedding stories in documenting and telling them. When a bride invites Mary Dougherty Photography to document more than just the wedding day, it’s especially true. I arrive at the wedding with a relationship and familiarity to people and being a trusted guide.

Take a look at a few of the image from the Rochester bridal shower I photographed last month and tell me – do you wish you had yours documented?

love that bubbly bar! everyone enjoys a little customized champagne

Abby and James were reunited the morning of the shower!!! He was deployed for 8 months and it was so fun to see them celebrating with family and friends.

Advice from the bride

Every detail was planned and the design was beautiful! Rochester Brainery was a great space to host since it was light, airy and easy to customize. As Abby put it :

I really wanted somewhere unique- and that was the Rochester Brainery. I loved the simple beauty of the Green room with its white walls adorned with succulents and cacti. The staff are extremely helpful and responsive and let you make the event “your own.” For the rest of the planning, it really was a group effort by every one of my bridesmaids including my sister (MOH) and mother. I had bridesmaids come from NYC, Illinois, and Boston to be there on my special day.

I know it’s not common to have the bridal shower photographed, but it was a great way to meet you and also document the hard work that everyone put into it. The wedding is an expression of the love between the bride and groom, but to me the shower represents the love and support from your family and friends. How can you not capture these beautiful moments??