Some weddings follow the rulebook. Others write their own. Daisy and Keith's celebration at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut was decidedly the latter- a day that honored their history while staying incredibly true to who they are. From Doc Martens to coral crowns, from seal photoshoots to shark silhouettes, this was a wedding that proved the most memorable moments happen when you lean into what feels best for you.
THE COUPLE
Daisy and Keith are the kind of couple who make you believe in genuine connection. Daisy works in marketing, Keith is a wrestler, and together they've built something that feels effortless and true. Keith is actually the brother of a groom I photographed several years ago - one of those full-circle moments that makes this work so meaningful. Getting to photograph siblings' weddings is a gift I don't take for granted. It's an honor to be welcomed back into a family's story, to document another chapter for people who've already trusted you with one of their most important days. Watching them interact throughout their wedding day was like observing two people who've found their home in each other - the quiet touches, the shared glances, the way they lean into one another without thinking. They're warm, they're present, and they're completely themselves. Two peas in a pod doesn't quite capture it, but it's close.
What struck me most was how comfortable they were in their own skin, both individually and together. There was no performance, no trying to be anything other than exactly who they are. That authenticity set the tone for the entire day, and it was a treat to witness and document.
THE VENUE
The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut isn't just a fun backdrop - it's where Daisy and Keith's story began. Their first date happened within these walls, surrounded by the same sea creatures that would later bear witness to their vows. There's something poetic about returning to the place where it all started, about bringing your community into a space that holds your earliest memories together.
The aquarium brought its own magic to the day. We had the extraordinary opportunity to photograph the couple with so many adorable and fantastical sea creatures - it was unlike any wedding I had ever had the privilege of photographing before!
The shark room offered another gift entirely. We took silhouette shots there, the couple's forms dark against the illuminated tank while sharks glided behind them. The couple became shadows, and the sharks became the stars. It was moody, dramatic, and entirely fitting for a wedding that didn’t follow a traditional script.
THE DETAILS
Daisy made choices that honored who she is, not who a bride is "supposed" to be. She wore Doc Martens under her dress - practical, comfortable, unmistakably her. She skipped makeup entirely, letting her natural beauty speak for itself. The result was someone who looked radiant precisely because she looked like herself.
Her crown, though - that was such a fun accessory. Designed to resemble strands of coral reef, it was delicate and sculptural, nodding to their aquatic venue.
The wedding party wore black and burgundy, sophisticated shades that photographed gorgeously. But the real color explosion came at the reception tables, each one dressed with bright, bold florals in a different hue. It was unexpected and joyful.
THE RECEPTION
The reception unfolded in the aquarium's event space, seals swimming in tanks behind the couple as they enjoyed their dinner. The contrast between the wedding party's dark, moody palette and the tables' vibrant florals created layers of visual interest.
Daisy and Keith moved through the evening with the same ease they'd shown all day. They danced, laughed, and enjoyed the exhibits. There was no stiffness - just two people deeply in love, surrounded by their people, in a place that meant something to them.
As the evening wore on and the aquarium lights dimmed further, the space took on an almost dreamlike quality. It's rare to photograph a wedding that feels this cohesive, this true to the couple at its center. Daisy and Keith didn't just have a beautiful wedding- they had their wedding, in every sense of the word.
Daisy and Keith, thank you for welcoming me back into your family's story and trusting me to document your day. Your wedding was a reminder of why I love this work - watching two people show up as exactly who they are, surrounded by the people that matter most and within a space that is meaningful. It was an honor to witness your celebration and to photograph these moments for you. Wishing you both a lifetime of that same warmth, joy, and authenticity you brought to every moment of your wedding day.
FROM THE COUPLE
“Erica, where do we begin? We knew from the start that we wanted you to photograph our wedding from the wonderful experience we had at two previous weddings. We are so lucky that you were available. You made the whole process seamless and joyful. The light you bring to every meeting, photo session, and email was like breathing in fresh air. In a day full of emotion, pressure and time-crunches, your infectious positivity reminded us that it was a day meant for fun and laughter. There are no amount of words that can explain how much it means to us that you and your second photographer were there on our big day. We hope that your friendship is as timeless as our wedding photos. ❤️”
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk WEDDING VENDORS
Photography: Sweet Alice Photography // Venue: The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk, CT // Gown: The Wedding Embassy // Suit: Signature Suits and Tuxes // Hair: Salon Michele // Bakery: A&M Sweets n Treats // DJ: DJ Domenic
Wedding Date: April 5, 2024
Looking for a Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk wedding photographer? Contact me so we can chat more about your big day!
