Golden Light at Harvard Fruitlands Museum

Melissa and Motoy began their October wedding day tucked into an Airbnb with handwritten vows and mothers fastening necklaces, before stepping into the vaulted beauty of St. Cecilia Church in Boston. By evening we were at Harvard Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts, the hills washed gold, glasses raised beneath a glowing tent.

I have photographed at Harvard Fruitlands before, but this was the first time I noticed an entire field of milkweed going to seed (in that exact moment of rupture and release, seeds floating everywhere like a dramatic announcement of fall). I asked Melissa and Motoy if they would trust me and shift our portrait plans to climb the hill, and they said yes without hesitation.

The soft white fibers catching the light reminded me of Melissa’s elegant bridal look, so I tucked a few seeds into my camera bag for ring photos later on to tie the whole story together. Sometimes the day offers you a vibe so clear it feels almost arranged, and all you can do is notice it, gather a handful, and let it float.