Peek: Renee & Colin's Mt. Washington Hotel Wedding

Just a few images from Renee and Colin's Mt. Washington Hotel wedding last night. The news media was invoking fear of certain Armageddon due to Hurricane Irene, but we were treated to a beautifully cool and fairly clear evening. A perfect day for a wedding! Congratulations Renee and Colin, and look for more images in a bit.


The gorgeous flowers were by Sara Severance of The Mt. Washington Hotel.

Peek: Caitlin & Aaron's Mt. Washington Hotel Wedding

Congratulations, Caitlin & Aaron! Yesterday was a scorcher, but still an unbelievably cool day. We were treated to gorgeous clear views during the ceremony and an amazing sunset in the evening. Here are just a couple of images. More to come...



Thanks Lindsay for joining me for the day!

Daizha & Tim: Mt. Washington Hotel Wedding

This past Fall I was excited to receive a referral from my friend Jim Shimberg for a July 2011 wedding. Daizha and Tim were climbing friend of Jim's, and I do love climbers' weddings. But unfortunately I already had a wedding scheduled for their date. I was able to in turn refer them to my friend Jennifer at Aphrodite Wedding Photography who had photographed one of their friend's weddings. So, although I was unavailable, I was very excited everything was working out for thm.

Fast forward several months and I hear from Tim that he was facing deployment and would likely be away for their July wedding, and was I available to photograph for them in three weeks? Now, there are not a whole lot of February weddings in New Hampshire, so I was free and once again excited for the opportunity to work with them!

Daizha and Tim's wedding took place pretty much in the heart of a White Mountain winter in early February at the Mt. Washington Hotel. Despite being pulled together rather quickly, had you not known you'd never have guessed. From beginning to end the day flowed smoothly, the details came together flawlessly, and everyone looked fabulous. As I arrived at the hotel, I was treated to a truly stunning view of the summit of Mt. Washington...


To begin, I met up with Daizha at the salon...


As things wrapped up at the salon I took the opportunity to capture a few details. Here's a few close-ups...


As well as her bouquet -- another beautiful creation by Sara Severance the hotel florist -- and her dress...


I love this next image taken as Daizha's mom, sister and close family friend helped her into her dress...


Many hands make light work, I think is how the saying goes...


A few rooms down the hall Tim was getting ready with his best man...


I love the Air Force dress blues and the detail of Tim's uniform...


A ring will only add to the bling already on Tim's chest! And a quick portrait before heading off to meet Daizha...


A quick portrait of Daizha along with a capture as she makes her way downstairs to meet Tim...


It's always fun when couples do a first look and see each other beforehand. Not only does it allow for a great moment, but often the couple allows time for portraits too, as was the case here. Tim met Daizha at the bottom of the stairs in the main lobby, and then we bundled up and headed outside...


I love this next series of portraits taken on the back terrace. Snowflakes had begun falling, but the light was still very good and Daizha was a trooper regarding the cold...



One of the images that they really wanted was a wide shot with the hotel in the background. To do that we needed to head down the drive a bit to get some distance between us and the hotel. The cross country ski trail made for a great location because we were able to get out into the field but not post-hole up to our thighs in the deep snow. Unfortunately, though, by the time we got down there is was a full-on blizzard out. Still, Daizha was a trooper...


A fun image as they retreat from the storm...


Back at the hotel, a few final preps and it was time for the main event. I captured Daizha making her way to the service with her parents and sister...


Tim's expression says it all as he sees Daizha walking down the isle with her father. A grin holding back a huge smile...


Because the wedding was pulled together in just three weeks, they chose to keep it very small. Just the family and closest friends were in attendance; I believe 18 people total...


A couple of ceremony details...


Her sister performs a reading, and Daizha responds with a fantastic expression...


As with the rest of the day, they were all smiles during the exchange of rings...


Pretty much all ceremonies end with a kiss. I love that they ended with a high five!


Following the ceremony we snuck away for some night portraits. The grand stair case has been seen already in this post, but it is such a hallmark to the Mt. Washington we needed some portraits there. We then ventured back outside where it was still a blizzard out. The expansive back porch made a great location...


I had in my head an image that I really wanted to try. It's snowed at many weddings that I have photographed, but never an all out blizzard with accumulations in inches per hour. I wanted to shoot something that really captured that storm on their big day. So, with not a whole lot of convincing, I was able to get them out in the snow yet again. Personally, I am quite happy with the series of images, with the one on the right being one of my favorites from the day...


Back inside the reception was ready to kick off with toasts and embarrassing stories...


And of course, the stories were taken quite well. All smiles yet again...



Following dinner there was a first dance and then parent dances...


I think Daizha's in love...


I always like father-daughter dances...


But sometimes the mother-son dance is the real emotional one, as was the case here...


Formalities out of the way, it was time to party. Despite being a small reception, they still got down with the best of them...



I'll end with a portrait of the happy couple...


Thank you Daizha and Tim for inviting me to your intimate celebration, and for being so welcoming, so laid back and such fun to spend the afternoon and evening with!

Kicking off 2011...

This past Saturday night I kicked off my 2011 wedding season at the Mt. Washington Hotel. Not only was I excited to be at such a great winter venue -- complete with blizzard -- but I was psyched to be photographing Daizha and Tim's intimate wedding.

Here's how I would describe Daizha and Tim: welcoming, funny, gorgeous, patient and rugged. "Rugged" you say? Well, both Tim and Daizha are climbers, but not just rock climbers, ice climbers. For some that's enough said. For everyone else, well, Daizha trekked out in six inches of fresh snow, during whiteout conditions, in a strapless gown and in open toe heels to get "the" shot. Rugged. Thank you both for just being awesome!

A full post will be forthcoming, but here are two images from that wintery expedition.

Lindsay & Jason: A Mount Washington Hotel Wedding

Photographing a lot of weddings each year means I get to go to a lot of parties. This particular party at the Mount Washington Hotel ranked very high on my "absolutely rocked the house" list. Great people, great venue and a great band joined together to make a super memorable evening. So, it is with great pleasure that I present Lindsay and Jason's wedding.

I am not originally from New England, so I can say this without a hometown bias... There is no place in the East more beautiful than the White Mountains in the Fall. Colors explode everywhere, and this made a gorgeous backdrop for the day...


If you are not familiar with it, the Mount Washington Hotel is one of the few truly grand hotels in the region. Nestled at the foot of Mount Washington, approaching the hotel really is breathtaking. Upon arrival, I met up with Lindsay while getting her hair done at the Salon...


In the end, even her hairdresser needed a photo...


Then it was upstairs with the ladies for make-up and dresses...


As they prepped, I gathered up several of Lindsay's things for some detail images. Her simple, yet elegant gown and by far the snazziest shoes I'd seen all year were all must have images. Her dress and her Manolo Blahniks...


For something borrowed and something blue, Lindsay had this handkerchief made from pieces of her grandmother's wedding dress...


A few more adjustments...


... and gorgeous! We paused for a few portraits, and then it was time to head to the ceremony.


The grand staircase at the Mount Washington is a staple location when shooting there. Here I caught all of the ladies heading downstairs, as well as Lindsay's father waiting for her.


A tender moment...


While I was clicking away with the ladies, David was doing the same with Jason and the guys. Here is a great shot of Jason getting a final tie straightening from his father...


Then they headed outside for some fresh air and portraits. I love the colors David captured in this one on the right...


As well as the Fall colors in this image of Jason with his father and brother...


With everyone all set, it was showtime. You don't get too many backdrops as spectacular as that found behind the south veranda at the Mount Washington. That's Crawford Notch in the background, which incidentally is also home to some of the region's best ice climbing, for those that wanted to know :-)


Both Jason and Lindsay were nervous prior to the ceremony, but Jason loosened right up...


This wedding was just littered with colorful accents everywhere you looked, including this detail of the groomsmen...


... and the bridesmaids....


I do.


It's official...


Following the ceremony we gathered for family and group portraits. Unfortunately it was cold. The ladies especially were troopers, and we were rewarded for it. Although Mt. Washington was mostly hidden in the clouds, this is still a spectacular setting...


The setting sun peaked under the clouds just enough to reward us with beautiful pink alpenglow for Lindsay and Jason's portraits.


Yes, I am THAT entertaining during the portrait session. Or maybe it was Jason. I don't remember. I am sure it was me...


The newlyweds retreated to their cocktail hour and I snuck into the grand ballroom to document the details. I was floored by the flowers right off. Sara Severance, the Mount Washington Hotel Floral Director, outdid herself. Not only were the bouquets, etc. beautiful, but each table was exploding with colors...


Instead of a centerpiece for each table, Lindsay opted to break apart the centerpieces and create hundreds of smaller arrangements, which were placed in milk bottles and vases. It really was breathtaking. Well done Sara!


Then there were introductions, first dance, dinner, cake cutting, parent dances...





And then it was time to party...


Did I mention that the band rocked? I always love a live band. Hands down, for me they are the most entertaining during a reception. And party band Unity was awesome. From Top 40 to hip hop to rock, they killed it!


But it wasn't just me, I think Lindsay was enjoying it too...


I know that her mother, father and guests were...



Here is a final image snagged on the dance floor...


Thank you Lindsay and Jason for throwing such a great party, and for inviting me to share in it with you. It really was a memorable night. And thanks David for once again joining me and continuing to "kill it."