Carla Ten Eyck

While I am working remotely from New Orleans for the month and enjoying the warm weather and brief respite from the New England chill… let’s take a moment to feel the sunlight on our faces here as it gently filters through the trees on Courtney and Bernard’s wedding day!

Getting mentally prepared for my 2024 wedding season and all of my sweet couples, who are all just so excited to get married this year! I am so ready to create some magic with you all!

How are all you wedding pros and couples feeling about your 2024 weddings?

venue: The Spa at Norwich Inn, Norwich CT

CT Wedding Photographer / Q***r Photographer / LGBTQ / CT Branding Photographer ***rphotographer

Color is my love language. I accept this! And now I want to give that gift to you all ✨🩷✨

Inclusion is also my love language. I see you, all of you, and you are always welcome at my table. ♥️🧡💛💚💙💜

Joy is my love language. There’s always room for a little surprise in my life, I accept this and welcome it at every turn. Hello, joy! 🍒🍓🥂

The Dream Team:
> Venue -
> Planning & Design -
> Photo -
> Video -

> Makeup -
> Hair - .upstyle
> Florals -
> Signage/Invitation -
> Linens -
> Rentals/Draping-
>
> Bar-
> Attire - &
> Models- Sara & Danielle /
🌈 ***r ***rphotographer

♥️💙💛Need new headshots or branding images to update your socials and REALLY want to give people a feel for who you are? 💛💙♥️

Do you LOVE COLOR and want to embrace that side even more?

Let’s talk! I really love digging into who my clients are and what kind of imagery shows different sides to their clients. I love digging into the story of who you are, who you want to attract and what your values are.

It can feel really overwhelming, yes. Schedule a zoom meeting with me and we can talk through it all, from your brand messaging to your values and come up with a concise shot list for your session! Link in bio! 💙💛♥️

CT branding photographer / colorful photographer / q***r photographer / inclusive photographer ***rphotographer

A brunch themed wedding, you say? With custom coffee mugs, a Bloody Mary bar and donuts? Yeeeeeeeeep.

And COLOR and whimsical decor and rain and mountain clouds and one of my besties getting married! It was one of my favorite experiences photographing someone I love so much, 10/10 stars!

Colorful wedding / whimsical wedding / brunch wedding / CT wedding photographer / inclusive photographer

***rphotographer

Valentine’s Day VIBES from back in the DAY! My great friend from college, Martin married Power Pam (as me and my kids lovingly call her) in NYC in 2012 and it was a classic and stunning wedding.

My favorite design piece were the ♥️’s and pops of red. Pam’s lipstick and ponytail? PERFECTION. A stop at Shake Shack? Yup. Meandering around the streets of New York City, looking for nooks to photograph in? Gimmie gimmie gimmie.

New York City Wedding / Valentine’s theme wedding / Connecticut wedding photographer / urban wedding vibes

Elope on the beach at sunset with me✨✨✨✨ also with your partner don’t forget them✨✨✨✨

I loved soaking up every last bit of sunshine as it set on the water after Caroline and Lauren’s elopement at Harkness Park.

I treasured that I was there with them both, not their Moms or their Dads or their family. (They had their families blessings for an elopement) But I still treasured it. HOW SPECIAL, for me, as your photographer, to be there with you for this!

BRB… gotta go treasure that more.

CT Elopement, CT Elopement Photographer, Harkness Wedding, beach elopement

Venue: ***rphotographer 🌈

Having a nostalgic moment for my bride and how absolutely glowy and dreamy and magical she is!

It’s cold right now and I just wanted to be transported back to this warm wedding day and all the love that surrounded each and every person.
Venue: paper:

Vineyard wedding, estate wedding, Connecticut wedding photographer, elegant wedding inspiration, Wolffer vineyard wedding

Yesterday was filled with magical beautiful crazy fun energy! Lauren and Nick are two of the most sweet, kind and easy going humans and I was absolutely DELIGHTED to be in their orbit for their wedding day.

They were up for braving the FREEZING weather for photos and I am so happy they did!!

I left feeling so incredibly full, inspired and grateful! Thank you doesn’t cover it for me but wow, THANK YOU both for the impeccable vibes ✨✨✨✨ venue: florals:

CT wedding photographer, winter wedding inspiration, Wadsworth mansion wedding, Mansion wedding venue

Make a wish ✨✨✨✨

This wedding wishing tree was an absolute show stealer at this stunning wedding designed by at

I was perched like a bat in a belfry way up high… reading the names of people who had been in my same space HUNDREDS of years before me.

I remember being in this space, breathing it all in, the beauty and sacredness of such an old abbey! It was built from 1069-1465!! That breaks my brain.

But there I was, perched and ready and present. Such a memory!

What an honor it was to photograph Dee and Bobby’s wedding at the very end of 2023, on a balmy December evening in Hartford.

Maybe I’m feeling extra emotional because I keep binge watching Ted Lasso, maybe it’s because I’ve had multiple client meetings that have turned emotional, or maybe, no probably- it’s just who I am.

Your wedding, your photos, YOUR STORY MATTERS TO ME. Who you are MATTERS TO ME. Who you love MATTERS TO ME. Your family, your friends, you weird college friends, your besties, and kooky aunts all MATTER TO ME.

This isn’t ’just a job’ I do because I am good at it. I don’t keep doing it because I’ve been doing it so long or it’s easy. It’s literally the hardest and the easiest job I’ve ever done, each and every time. I can’t mess up! I can’t miss anything. I can’t tap out and take a break whenever I want. There’s so much riding on each wedding. So many hopes my clients have for their photographs.

And holy moly do I love doing what I do! Thank you Dee and Bobby for being a reminder of the love I have for creating and collaborating with my couples!

Venue: florals: getting ready location:

At NEEP, we take pride in using our platform to give back to the community.

Today we are collecting items to help 2 families in need in CT, and we would greatly appreciate your help!

There are FOUR ways you can help:

1- Buy from the Amazon wishlist linked in our bio
2- donate money to the families and we will get them gift cards for groceries, clothes and gifts to the Venmo linked
3- drop off anything at Gentle Bull Shop 45 Pratt Street Hartford Tue-Sat 10-6 / Sun 10-4
4- Like + Share this post!

We are collecting these items from an Amazon wishlist, which will be delivered to the familes just in time for Christmas day.
We believe that no act of kindness is ever too small, and we welcome any contribution that you can make.🌟 Whether it’s purchasing a gift card, a cozy blanket, or a toy, your generosity will go a long way in making a difference in someone’s life.💖

So, let’s come together and spread some love and positivity and show these families what our community is all about!🌸

Click on the link in our bio to access the wishlist and make your donation today!🛍️ Thanks in advance for your kindness and support.🤝

Looking to elope?

🌟Hartford City Hall is THE PLACE

🌟Want to stay somewhere close by and also absolutely gorgeous? The Goodwin Hotel, for the win!

🌟 Need a photographer who lives in Hartford and knows all the best nooks and crannies for the best photos? 👋 I’m your gal!

Jessica and David’s elopement last weekend was so personal and sweet and just perfect. Elopements at Hartford City Hall and The Goodwin Hotel in Hartford are the perfect pair, plus me, the third wheel on your perfect wedding wheelbarrow! makeup: / cake: / venue: gown:

I had a meeting with a potential client recently and asked her what she envisioned her final wedding photos looking and feeling like.

She said ‘it’s more about the vibe of the day and less about a record of who’s there’

I thought that was an interesting take on that question and it left me wondering… can’t we have both? Maybe it’s because I have a delightful balance of intimate elopements and larger weddings, but I do see how much my couples value who’s present at their wedding. They also really value the vibe!

Ibi and Ryan’s wedding was both: a super fun record of such a fun, high energy vibe with a ballroom FILLED with special people! The love and joy just jumps out of each image here, to me.

Venue: / florals: / hair: / makeup: / wedding gown:

The love of a parent is something we all need to thrive in life. It’s basic human nature. We need human touch, hugs, a safe space to be who we really are, and unconditional love.

My clients have such beautiful relationships with their parents. Their love is so tangible and open and honest and RAW, and my heart thanks them for it! Bekah and Rob’s parents were all so open and loving and affirming it made me weep. Yep. Also the planners and almost every guest wept, too. It was, and IS, that beautiful to see.

I am so happy for you all, not just for my beautiful couple Bekah and Rob, but for all of your families! So much love surrounds you all and I was honored to bear witness to it and soak it all up. Truly an honor. Congratulations to you all for raising such loving and kind children and for being such powerful role models for us all. ♥️
Venue: florals:

I get asked quite a bit, as a q***r photographer, for recommendations of other LGBTQ+ creatives when I get hired for jobs. Too often I was left with… not that many folks that I knew of to recommend. It made me sad and I tried a few times to post in different groups asking for people to DM me so I could keep their info at the ready for when I got asked. Surprisingly, not many people came forward.

Flash forward to this time last year, when I met Rachel from One Bell Designs and I was absolutely ELATED to be able to have a planner and designer that I could recommend in CT to my clients that was also gay. Then I had met a few other creatives at events and was talking with Rachel about doing some kind of LGBTQ shoot where we could feature all kinds of creatives, together.

Welcome to The Gay Agenda! That’s what we were lovingly calling this little suaree that I hosted in my backyard, with only 3 weeks of planning! We had such a wonderful time creating together and getting to know one another over this beautiful table crafted with such love and care and heart.

We are excited to get together in the future and welcome anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who is a creative / events industry adjacent person! Just to connect, create, and meet others. Stay tuned for more info and DM me if you are interested in participating or hosting something!

Community over competition, always!

Host & Photographer
Planning & Concept
Floral Design
Baked goods

Credit beauty for photos of us

Thanks for coming!
   🌈 ***rcreators

Love won yesterday, in the biggest and most important way. Claudette and Chris got married! Uniting their families and friends on the most crisp and clear autumn day in New England.

I had the absolute BEST time being present with them as the leaves floated from the trees and the sun warmed our faces.

Claudette and Chris, I wish you so many years of happiness and love together!! I adore you both so much and can’t wait for more fun times together ♥️🧡💛 getting ready location: venue:

What a GIFT yesterday was 🧡🍁💛 absolutely FULL of sunshine, laughter, Vans, the craziest dancing and most amazing people. Thank you Tony and Kate for such a spectacular time!
Venue: , Thompson CT /

I have a love affair going with photographing details at an event. This year I have gotten to have a front row seat to all of the thought that goes into an event design thanks to my NEEP partner Sarah Brehant!
Hearing of her ideas and dreams and plans and then watching them come to life at our events is nothing short of magical.

It got me reminiscing about past events I have been fortunate enough to attend and photograph. The Engage Luxury Wedding summit is one of those spaces. I have attended 19 of their events, since 2012! Cabo was such a treat for me and I was just feeling nostalgic for it so wanted to re-share some of the colorful decor from the welcome party and the gala and some moments in between. Texture, color, motion, so many of my senses were just lit up!

Host Hotel: + | Creative Director + Event Planning + Event Design + Floral Design + Furniture & Decor: | Music + Entertainment + Stage Design & Multimedia | Art Direction + Event Branding + Es**rt Cards + Menus | Fireworks: Cabo Fireworks Company | LED screens + Lighting, + Audio + Backline: .produccion.cabo | Staging & Dance Floor: | Lighting and Audio for Cocktail & After-Party: Encore Event Technologies | Linens & Napkins: | Chargers: Photo:

Talk about setting the bar HIGH for a birthday party!! Happy 60th Deb 💜🩵💜🩵💜🩵 what a way to celebrate!!

Venue: / Event Designer: / Catering: / Lighting + DJ: / Floral Design: / Video: / Band: / Rentals: / Fire Pits: / Espresso: / Acoustic:

Saturday’s wedding was so incredibly full: of love, of so much laughter and emotion, I left feeling so full, my head and heart just spinning around and around.

The biggest congratulations to you all, Ibi and Ryan and your family and friends for such an incredible start to your life together!!
Venue: / florals: / hair: / beauty: / wedding gown:

SO.MUCH.LOVE.
Kathryn and Hanna rocked their wedding like two of the biggest baddies in all the land!

There was so much squealing going on in the greenhouses, so many belly laughs and so many tears all day. It was the PERFECT wedding and I left feeling so happy and fulfilled. Biggest congratulations and love and hugs to you both, Hanna and Kathryn!!

Venue: Roger Williams Botanical Center, Providence Rhode Island
Catering:
Live Painter:
🌈

Fall minis are NOT just for people with kids! 🧡💛❤️ you can do some special photos for yourself or your partner! Bring your pup!

Guljian made the time to document her college age son, her partner and herself during her mini session and I am LOVING this!

There are a few spots left for my mini session on Sunday October 22 from 3:00-5:00 at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford CT. Link to book is in the bio 🍁❤️🧡💛

🧡✨🍁FALL MINI SESSIONS ARE HERE 🍁🧡✨
Sunday October 22,2023 from 3:00-5:00 only
Elizabeth Park, West Hartford CT
Book via the link in bio, spots are already going FAST! 🧡🧡

🩷🩵🧡COLOR🧡🩵🩷 makes my heart play a symphony that morphs into yacht rock then 80’s hits and lands on me doing karaoke with my bestie!

Who’s with me?

Venue:
Dj:
Cake:
Wedding gown: essence of Australia /
Wedding party dresses:
Wedding party suits:
Hoi’s suit:

What an absolute DREAM last night was!

Despite all the rain we have had we got the most gorgeous afternoon and evening for our first NEEP event at Smith Farm Garden! The New England Event Professionals group was started by me and my friend Sarah of Sarah Brehant Events, over a shared cob of corn and some spicy margs and non stop conversation about life and our industry.

A few short months later- our first event was here! SOLD OUT- and filled with like minded business owners who were craving connection.

I left last night in a haze of so many things… feeling inspired, connected and seen! But above all else I felt so freaking GRATEFUL for everyone who showed up and worked so hard to put this event on! I was honestly floored at the generosity of our sponsors and team members, with promises already for our next event on November 15!

Get ready to dance and connect with us! And don’t wait long to get your ticket, I am sure we will be selling out!
Big thank you to all of our generous sponsors and partners:
Venue 
Planning & Design
Coordination: 
Bar
Lighting
Caterers
DJ
Linen
Signage
Photographers
Florist  
Video
Rentals  
Speaker
Favors .bakery
Marquee letters
SPONSORS: