Madeline and Cale are both teachers. And you know that they’re the fun teachers, the ones you’ll still remember into middle age, because you laughed a lot, while somehow still learning everything. But it’s also clear that if students, Madeline would have been the class sass and Cale would have been rolling his eyes at her to mask his huge crush on the smart, gorgeous girl a few rows over.
I first met them the day they were moving into their first house together, where we did the sweetest engagement session. At that point, it was all full boxes, empty rooms, big dreams of what lay ahead.
Flash forward a couple of years later — after they did an intimate North Shore wedding ceremony — they celebrated their first year of marriage with a big party and revisiting of their vows. I joined them and their wonderful network of friends and family for a beautiful day at Red Barn Farm, just outside of Northfield.
Madeline and her friends were already hanging out when I got there, dancing, eating candy, curling their hair, doing each others’ makeup, face-timing with friends who couldn’t be there — a real “chilling out with BFFs before the prom” vibe. Cale’s friends all showed up ready for band practice, as they were the musical entertainment. Everyone was pitching in to get flowers ready and tables set. The whole scene reflected the relaxed, welcoming, DIY nature of Cale and Madeline.
For the ceremony, they reflected on their lessons from the first year of marriage and the ways they gained new appreciation for each other. They were showered with birdseed, then hugged every person who came, including a significant number of the kindergarten class Madeline had taught a few years prior. Madeline disappeared, then re-emerged in the chicest dancing dress and white boots that she won in a bet with Cale.
The elementary school girls lit up the dance floor, the band had all the grandmas dancing. We slipped away for some golden hour gems, with Madeline waving to and hugging folks the whole time we were making our escape, and Cale beaming after her. I know the next decades will bring a lot more lessons and soooo much fun and laughter for these two. Cheer, Madeline and Cale, and thanks for letting me be part of this day!
