I love elopements in Jackson, NH in the winter. I had the pleasure of witnessing Carolyn + Steven’s wedding at Jackson Falls with Kim The JP presiding. We lucked out with warm temps, and a raging Wildcat River. This is very uncommon for this time of year, but I was excited because we could do outside photos and not worry too much about the cold. If you are planning a private ceremony or elopement, email me for more photo gallery links and sample elopement film clips. Also check out the Jackson Chamber of Commerce website for links to romantic Inn’s, B+Bs and to find out about local lodging package specials.
I don’t know how the decade could get any better then the last 48 hours where I covered four events (three “on snow”) and then randomly ran into past clients Stephanie + Tomek on their one year anniversary in Jackson. Lets define “on snow” as anything snow related.
12/31/09: Kimberly + Riley’s elopement at the Lodge at Jackson.
1/1/10: Lauren + Matt’s engagement took place at Nestlenook Farm last February, so in preparation for their wedding this May at Whitney’s Inn, in Jackson, we took some fun photos “on snow” back in the chapel where Matt proposed. Nestlenook offers romantic sleigh-rides, great for popping the question, ice skating, and hot chocolate! Then met Kimberly + Riley for their day after shoot on snow and while at Nestlenook I ran into 12/31/08 clients Stephanie + Tomek! So fun to see people making it back to enjoy the area. That afternoon I scooted up to the White Mountain Hotel to document Paul, Pam, and kids joining as a family, and somewhere in there I stopped by the NEW White Mountain Cupcakery! Details on that soon!
1/2/10: Second shooting for Concept Spring Studio at Sunday River! HELLO WINTER COUPLES WHO LIKE TO SKI: Where are you??? I had a B-L-A-S-T! I love non-traditional events, and this slope side celebration was nothing short of exhilarating. I hope to do another post with more details on the whole “ski wedding” concept, after Spring receives the images. I just love when it snows on cue for events! It adds so much romance to the whole winter wedding, elopement, engagement, friendship, hot chocolate thing. Agree? If so, call me and lets talk about your on snow event Meg (Photos in order of event, across, then down. Note the “Just Married” signs pinned to the back of the skiing Bride + Groom)
I love winter period. I also love winter elopements in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and particularity Jackson, NH. Last week I met up with Sue + Rick, who chose The Snowflake Inn to bond their commitment in front of their parents and three sons. For the rest of the winter, I’m running an elopement/private ceremony/engagement surprise special. If you are in town and want a professional photo or video session, email me for details. If you are just coming up for an anniversary and want a commemorative photo by your favorite bridge, the falls, or out ice skating at Nestlenook (yes! Open for winter activities, despite closing all lodging down!) call me on your way up! Call me the morning of, like Sue + Rick above did… just don’t let your memories in Jackson fade because you didn’t have a good quality photo (or video) of your time here I look forward to hearing from you.
Tis the season – Fall through the New Year is always a great time to sneak away in New England, to the White Mountains of New Hampshire to get married or renew vows. The colors are AMAZING! What a palate to choose from! If you are a bride reading this planning a bigger wedding for next fall, just look at the leaves for inspirational colors! Click on the images below to see full size colors. Deep reds, oranges, purples, greens of all shades, I need my old fashioned Prang Crayon box to list them all! If considering an elopement, even if you don’t need my elopement photo and video services, I urge you to please look into local service providers on my vendor page here, especially JP’s to conduct the ceremony. I will also be more then happy to passs out names of other photographers in the area who do small bookings, so never hesitate to email and ask questions. A huge thank you and congratulations to Brian + Staci, who wed on Sunday 10/11 with JP Norman Head of Badger Realty. The leaves are falling fast, but the snow will soon follow. Have a look at Jackson, NH’s chamber website for great specials and places to stay for a romantic early winter celebration. Talk to you soon Meg
Click on image to see full size.
Jackson, NH and the Snowflake Inn are well known for romantic getaways, surprise proposals, anniversary dinners and of course marriages. While I filmed a full sized wedding on August 1st (Kim and Shawn, below post) at The Wentworth, it’s always nice to pop back into the village on a mid-week day (or weekend if available) to capture private ceremonies. I do offer photo and video packages for elopements or private ceremonies by the hour. I only shoot video for larger weddings and have a wonderful list of photographers here to compliment those group sizes. Congratulations to S+B featured here, 8/8/09. Photo taken in the field behind the Snowflake Inn.
Elopements in New Hampshire are exciting! Why? Because there is so much to do, and so many great venues, and vendors to choose from. I’m always jazzed to get that email or call from a prospective couple looking to make plans to privately tie the knot. They may be choosing the White Mountains because it’s a place they have always been coming, or they are just looking for something nice, affordable, and easy to get to. Whatever the reason our local Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Chamber websites are a huge help listing both Inn’s, B+B’s, and restaurants. 80% of the time it’s just the couple and maybe two or four close friends and family, so you want to make sure you celebrate in style and find a dining establishment that will fit your needs and personality. After you comb over some of our local resources, don’t hesitate to email or call me for recommendations. As a true native, I’ve dined most everywhere in town, and can recommend places to stay based on your style, taste, and budget. What amenities are important to you? If you have never been here, and tell me you are thinking of staying at “x” but would love mountain views, I could recommend “y” because they have better views and easy access to “a,b,c” things you may like to do. It can’t hurt to ask a local
One such venue is The Snowvillage Inn. Located in overly quaint Snowville, NH, truly an enchanting 18 room country inn with sweeping views of the Presidential Mountain Range. I was lucky enough to photo and video Carlie + Rob’s private elopement on June 6, and I was just back at The Snowvillage Inn for the wedding of Dawn+Shawn on June 20 (100+ pp). Stay tuned for video of the Snowvillage grounds in late July.
JP: Victoria Murphy, from the Brookhirst Farm Bed & Breakfast officiated the ceremony for Carlie + Rob, and Dawn + Shawn opened the famous “Little White Church” in Eaton with Kate Soule presiding. Ruthie’s in Conway did flowers for both.
Don’t let the size of your celebration prevent you from picking up the phone to find out what kinds of options you have on your “elopement” day. Here in the Mount Washington Valley a handful of photographers (including myself) will do smaller bookings. I offer photo and video services by the hour and if you want to combine photo and video you can save.
Elopements are gaining in popularity due to the economic crunch we are experiencing, in fact last year KimTheJP.com preformed 33 elopements (or small intimate ceremonies less then 20pp) in addition to larger ones.
The fun part about considering an elopement is that no location is ruled out. If you are catering to 150 guests, not all of them may want to venture to Diana’s Bath, Crystal Cascade, or the Summit of Wildcat Mountain. When is just the two of you, the sky is the limit.
Kim (the JP) also works for the AMC, so she’s always helping clients find a fun and unique location to fit their mood. Not interested in hiking in your dress, not to worry, Jackson is home to many fine Bed and Breakfasts, quaint Inn’s and Spas – lots to discover just by checking out the chamber website here. Some Jackson favorites may pop out: Whitney’s Inn Snowflake Inn Wildcat Tavern Carter Notch Inn Inn at Ellis River Inn at Thorn Hill Christmas Farm Inn Eagle Mountain House Stay tuned to learn how those who may have been on the guest list can still check in to see the ceremony just hours after it happens!
For Valentines Day I couldn’t ask for better Testimonials from past clients. One came as a HUGE surprise as I had not heard from them since their elopement day 7/24/08! Thank you Devry + Dane for making my week
I also want to let people know that for the summer and fall months I am not booking elopements in advance for Saturdays as those are currently reserved for full wedding video bookings. Most elopements take place on Sundays, or Mid week so it’s not an issue, but I have received a handful of requests for Saturday elopements this summer. My apologizes in advance
Happy Valentines Day! One of the things I pride myself on is making sure the couple has f-u-n when they hire me for an elopement photo and video shoot. I always gauge the couples personality, and if the tone is more “private and romantic” I can cater a softer side to that and offer up information and ideas on how to enjoy a relaxing getaway elopement night here in Jackson.
If I feel the couple is up for an adventure (weather depending) I’ll take them around town to some fun spots and show/tell them about things they can enjoy while they are here, or when they come back to celebrate an anniversary some year. When you hire me to capture your elopement or private ceremony, know that if you have a limited knowledge of the area, you will leave feeling like a local
Thanks to Stephanie and Tomek for a wonderful thank you note – we had SNOW much fun running around Jackson on New Years! I think my toes just thawed out! LOL! (Photo & Video Package, 12/31/08)
When people contact me for an elopement/private ceremony they often times have their B&B or Inn picked out and the location of where they want to say their vows…. but who is conducting the ceremony? If you are looking for a Justice of the Peace (JP) it’s easy to click on over to my friend Kim Steward’s site perfectly named www.KimTheJP.com. There you can find sample ceremonies, photos of unique locations to tie the knot, and more! Kim makes it easy for couples planning from afar, because she is extremely savy on the web getting back to people via email, and making things a snap. I think couples like Kim’s calm nature and respect for the importance of the union in which she is able to witness. She will fill you in on what you need to do to get your marriage license and where to go. Witnesses and blood tests are not needed in NH.
Of course if Kim is already booked on your day you can take a look at the other JP’s I have listed on my “vendor” page.
I’ve decided to be our local “Jackson Elopement Specialist” I just love LOVE to photograph or film them! A lot of people ask me, “What do you do for an elopement? Who is there?”
A: Usually it’s just me, the JP and the couple, witnesses are not needed in NH. Once the JP leaves it’s just the three of us. It’s so important you feel comfortable with the person you choose to take photos of your private ceremony. Usually most bookings are for an hour – with the ceremony lasting less then 15 minutes and then we head out around Jackson to capture some fun candids at the local landmarks. On a few occasions this year the couples had not really “experienced” Jackson, so I always offer the nickel tour and places to do photos – it works out great and the couples are psyched to have seen another part of quaint Jackson they may not have know was there On one occasion we met the day after to take some casual shots around town.
Meg is amazing!! She helped with a good portion of our planning, and was receptive to all our ideas. She has a great eye for photos that we will enjoy for the rest of our lives. I can’t say enough about how great she was. We HIGHLY recommend her!!! (Scott + Sonja, Elopement, 7/1/08)
Everyone we’ve shown pictures to thinks you are a phenominal photographer. I will definitely recommend you to everyone I know. Thanks again for everything – you’re the best. Lindsey (12/16/08 Elopement)
Photo and video services available by the hour for elopements/private ceremonies. Look for my ad in the new Weddings and Party Planner – to hit news stands Valentines Day!
For those looking for a last minute holiday deal – as I’ve had listed on the Jackson, NH Chamber website, my December Elopement Special is on! I will honor it through the New Years week too
11/2/08 – a beautiful day in Jackson, perfect for the union of Dawn and Richard. I love to photograph elopements because they are so intimate and laid back – never a huge rush to stick to a time schedule because its typically just the couple, the JP and I. Kim the JP performed the ceremony, which was perfectally fitting for Dawn + Richard. Kim has a great website, so if you are planning a wedding and don’t know where to start with ideas for a ceremony, KimTheJP.com is the place to start.
The pictures came out BEAUTIFULLY!! You have magical talents as a photographer. I never looked so good!! We cannot thank you enough!!
Warmest wishes.
Dawn R.
I got the text message… the word is out I’m so excited that Sonja + Scott allowed me to share in their day (and their cake) as it was just the two of them…. both in the Military, they had never been to Jackson The staff at the Inn at Ellis River helped with details, and provided a wonderful sanctuary on the river for them to enjoy.
The ceremony was at Jackson Falls and they went to dinner at the Thompson House Eatery that night. We met the next day for photos and I felt so bad because Scott had an outfit all planned out and apparently there was a leaky Starbucks coffee cover that made a mess of his new button down shirt… so after the photo session they were heading back into town to purchase another Thank you both so much and I hope your plans for a spring celebration brings back fond memories when you see the video and photos of your time here in Jackson, NH.
**NOTE: I can do combo packages with video and photo and offer flat hourly rates for elopements.
I LOVE my job! I got to spend Tuesday and Wednesday with _____ + _____ as they wed in a private ceremony *just the two of them, the JP and I* at Jackson Falls. I am itching to post photos, but possibly in a few weeks when family and friends have been notified. If anyone is considering an elopement in Jackson please give a jingle! I feel so honored to have been a part of this landmark day for them. It’s so wild and spontaneous, yet romantic, private and special, that they let us (local Jacksonites) into their life for these few days to help make their experience a good one (they had never even been to Jackson, or NH!!). I hope we did a good job
They stayed at the Inn at Ellis River, and the staff helped with everything from picking up the Cake (yes, they had one, and even offered us all a piece! My favorite from Riverstones, Strawberry Grand Marnier!) to putting the dress on (since you would normally be alone). Thank you so much _____ + _____ and enjoy driving up Mt. Washington on your way home
Looking for photos or video for just an hour? Give me a call – if I’m not booked, I would love to capture your intimate time together so you can share with close family and friends in the future.
Meg (Photos in order of event, across, then down. Note the “Just Married” signs pinned to the back of the skiing Bride + Groom)
