09/14/2026
I first met Mike when he reached out to plan a secret proposal for his then-girlfriend, Bri. But he had one very specific request: he didn’t want an engagement session afterward. In fact, he didn’t even want Bri to know I had been there. He had plans for those photos at a later date.
So, on a beautiful summer day, I sat in Boston Common with a book in my lap and my camera tucked beside me, waiting for Mike and Bri to arrive. When I spotted them approaching in the distance, I put my book down, grabbed my long lens, and crept a little closer.
Mike asked the question, Bri said YES, strangers congratulated them, and I quietly watched through my camera with a big smile on my face as they walked away to celebrate their engagement, Bri completely unaware that the whole thing had been photographed.
When Mike reached out to me again for their wedding, I was ecstatic. And yesterday, I finally got to see his long game play out!
The rain poured down in buckets, but absolutely nothing could dampen Mike and Bri’s mood. Sage and I started the day at the hotel with them while they got ready. When Bri moved into another room to put on her dress, a black book was waiting for her on the bed.
Her bridesmaids gathered around as she opened it and read a note from Mike wishing her a happy wedding day and telling her about what she about to be viewing in the book. Then, she turned the pages and saw photographs from the day he proposed.
The photographs she had no idea existed.
With tears in her eyes, she looked through photos from that beautiful summer afternoon. I excitedly confirmed that YES, I had been there, and the look of absolute shock on her face was priceless. Mike’s long-planned surprise had officially paid off.
We headed to their venue and, after their first look and wedding party portraits, Sage noticed the rain had stopped! We grabbed Mike and Bri and ran outside, giving us about ten beautiful minutes with the two of them before their ceremony.
Since they had privately shared their vows during their first look, their ceremony was short, sweet, and focused on making it official. Cocktail hour followed with delicious hors d'oeuvres and even a magician before Mike and Bri were officially announced into their reception and shared their first dance.
Heartwarming speeches, dinner, parent dances, and a packed dance floor rounded out an incredible day.
Mike and Bri, thank you SO much for trusting me with not just your wedding day, but this entire story from the very beginning. Keeping that secret all this time was worth it. It was such an honor to photograph you and your families and finally watch Mike’s master plan come together.
Leave some love below for the newlyweds, and until next time... xo Katlyn
Vendor Team:
Photography: Katlyn Reilly Photography
Second Photographer: Sage Orville Photography
Venue: Jones River Trading Post
DJ: Andy McGillivray
Florist: JN. Blooms (.blooms)
Hair: Beth McCusker, ()
Make Up: Maria Pierce, The Wedding Hour
Wedding Cake: Le Sucre Bake Shop
Catering: Plymouth Bay Catering at the Jones River Trading Co
Dress: TWICE AS NICE CONSIGNMENT SHOP
Groom: Brooks Brothers
Bridesmaids: Revelry
Rings: Laura Preshong Ethical Fine Jewelry
Magician: Mike Harrington Magic
Transportation: Five Star Bus