The Knot Best of Weddings 2022 & Hall of Fame Awards
Just when Arturo and I thought 2020 was going to be the craziest wedding season we’d ever seen, 2021 blew that thought right out of the water! With 2020 weddings postponed to the following year, our already busy 2021 season became even more full. Nonetheless, our 2021 wedding season was filled with incredible couples, their beautiful families, and wonderful celebrations.
Last week, Arturo and I received the news that Shaina Lee Photography had been selected as a 2022 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings! This award is always an honor to receive because it comes from the glowing reviews of our past couples. Our win this year is extra special for Arturo and me because we've also been inducted into The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame!
Arturo and I have learned a thing or two over the past couple of years while navigating our business during the pandemic. We put even more workflows in place, became better at saying no to taking on clients who weren’t a good fit for us, and most importantly, set boundaries to separate work time from personal time (as entrepreneurs, this last one can be super difficult!). In 2021, we decided we’d be taking roughly 30% fewer weddings than we have in previous years so we can elevate our client experience to an even higher level.
Thank you to each of our couples who have chosen us to be their photographers and taken the time to leave a testimonial about their experiences with Arturo and me over the years. It’s because of you that we can continue doing what we love and serving future couples who we adore. We are endlessly grateful for you!
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, Hawaii and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.
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There’s something undeniably magical about a coastal Connecticut wedding in the heart of summer. The salty breeze drifting in from the Long Island Sound, sailboats gliding across the water, and golden evening light have a way of making every moment feel a little more romantic. Devon and Kevin's wedding was everything we love about shoreline celebrations: relaxed, joyful, and filled with meaningful moments that reflected exactly who they are!
There's a saying that rain on your wedding day is good luck, but even if you're not superstitious, there's something undeniably romantic about celebrating your love while the rain falls outside. It slows everything down, encourages everyone to be present, and reminds you that the best weddings aren't perfect because of the weather; they're perfect because of the people. Cara and John proved exactly that during their summer wedding celebration.
Winter weddings are undeniably magical, especially when they take place at a venue as timeless and romantic as Whitby Castle in Rye, New York. Jackie and Alex’s elegant January celebration was nothing short of breathtaking, even as it unfolded on the coldest day of winter we’ve had this season!
Set in the stunning beachfront town of Las Catalinas, Costa Rica, Sam and Miguel’s wedding celebration was filled with warmth, color, emotion, and meaning on every level. The laid-back coastal energy, paired with the thoughtful design of the town, created an atmosphere that felt romantic, relaxed, and incredibly intentional. It was the ideal setting for an intimate destination wedding focused on connection, family, and presence!
There is something incredibly special about photographing an intimate wedding, especially one that takes place at home in the early days of winter. December weddings have a charm all their own, and this sweet celebration captured that magic beautifully. Salina and Chris’s early winter wedding was the perfect reminder that weddings don’t need to be grand in size to be deeply meaningful.
Maggie and Tre’s October wedding at Great River Golf Club in Milford, Connecticut was the perfect blend of elegance, joy, and celebration. Every detail of their day reflected their warmth and love for one another, surrounded by the people who mean the most to them.
The Hudson Valley is always a beautiful place, no matter the season, but especially so in October: the crisp air, the golden light, and the way nature’s colors perfectly complement the season's romance. Rory and Ken’s fall wedding was a timeless celebration that embodied warmth, elegance, and heartfelt connection.
Fall weddings are always some of my favorites, and Claire and Mike’s day at The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate was pure magic. With the mansion’s elegant charm, vibrant foliage, and the sweetest couple, everything came together for an unforgettable celebration filled with love, laughter, and the most beautiful colors of the season!
There’s something magical about a summer wedding on Long Island, especially when it takes place at a historic estate like The Mansion at Glen Cove. Juliana and Nick’s July celebration was the perfect blend of elegance, emotion, and vibrant summer color. Their day unfolded like a timeless love story, from quiet, heartfelt moments to joyous celebration among friends and family!
There’s something undeniably magical about a rainy wedding day, especially when it’s set against the backdrop of a historic estate like Burr Mansion. Catie and Riley’s early June celebration was a perfect blend of timeless elegance, heartfelt moments, and joyful energy!
Annie and Mike’s June wedding was nothing short of enchanting! A romantic black-tie affair with a breathtaking castle backdrop, their day unfolded like a modern-day fairytale filled with love, joy, and timeless elegance.
Summer wedding celebrations on the Connecticut coast are always quintessentially New England: the warm light, the coastal breeze, and that effortless feeling that the day could stretch on forever. When you add a couple as fun, genuine, and completely in love as Becca and Matt, you get a wedding day that feels every bit as special as it looks.