Catherine & Oliver: Franconia Inn Wedding

With weddings every weekend, some engagement and family sessions thrown in between, and an almost 4-month old at home has added up to a little bit of blog neglect. But, I am excited to dust things off with Catherine and Oliver's wedding from June.

Being from the seacoast, but a mountain boy at heart, I love traveling up into the notches. So, I was very excited this Saturday to be headed up to the Franconia Inn for Catherine and Oliver's celebration.


Upon arrival, we met up with Catherine getting ready...


Catherine was wearing a beautiful yellow and gold saree for the wedding. If you have not seen it, it's quite a production putting on a saree...


I loved this family jewelry box that Catherine dug into to finish off her dress. She came out with a half dozen gold accent bangle bracelets...


A couple of quick portraits -- can't get enough of the rich colors in the sarees! -- and it was off to the church...


We first met up with Oliver at the church, and here he is making his way to the front of the church with his parents. Think he looks excited?


Catherine was excited too. She wore this grin all day long!


The officiant for the ceremony was a long-time family friend who has married other members of the family. It was very cool because there was obviously a familiar connection, and the ceremony was filled with "insider" references, but delivered so as not to leave folks feeling left out.


The bridesmaids, er, men, uh, attendants? Who cares; everyone was smiling...


I was accompanied for the day by my good friend David who captured this great glance from Oliver's sister...


An exchange of vows, and a kiss...


Followed by a fantastic German tradition -- a wood sawing ceremony. I was not familiar with this, and have not Google'd it, but as Oliver put it, it was to be the first challenge that the newly married couple tackled together -- lumberjack style! Catherine was into it...


Ceremony complete, it was back to the Inn for some family portraits, including this one of both families...


Did I mention that I loved the colors? Dressed worn my Catherine and the "cousins"...


All wrapped up, we had a little time to spare before the reception, so we went off looking for some blooming lupines. We found a lovely field perfect for some portraits of the newlyweds...



This is one of my favorites from the day...


We headed back to The Franconia Inn with a little time to kill before the cocktail hour and reception. We took advantage of this luxury of extra time to photograph details of the reception and the Inn...


The Franconia Inn is a wonderful venue, which comes fully equipped for a New England inn wedding, plus the added feature of horses! These beautiful animals were grazing right next to the tent, which I thought was very cool...


Inside the tent, the details, just like everything else this day, were wonderfully colorful. The centerpieces, and all flowers, were done by Emily Herzig Floral Studio...


All of the tables were themed with places familiar to Catherine and Oliver, including Old School Hardware near where they live, which happened also to make a fun frame for the wedding rings...


Once everyone settled into the tent, there were a handful of really fun toasts. I love the toasts, especially when done really well, as all of these were. Here's Catherine's father...


And Catherine's reaction...


Another fun and heartfelt toast by Catherine's brother...


As well as one from Oliver's sister...


Which warranted a fist pump, of course!


Following toasts was the meal. As I often do, I snuck the couple out for a few more portraits during that magic twilight moment when the sky is a rich blue...


Then it was time to party under the big top, kicked of by Catherine and Oliver's first dance...


And then party time...


Catherine's father tears it up with Oliver's mother...




A final portrait to end things with...


Thank you Catherine and Oliver for having me to document you special day. Your day was unique in so many ways, and so much fun. Thank you also to David for once again accompanying me and for your excellent images.