Alison + Duane (1/9/10 at the Omni Mount Washington Resort) were such a nice couple. Kind and gentle towards each other, and their ceremony exudes that thanks to JP William Mellekas (by referral only, he’s located in Franconia, NH – contact me for info). He did such a great job and I enjoyed his genuine care and compassion, and ability to orchestrate such a personal and touching celebration. You can hear more of his sound bites throughout their highlight film.
Does your JP know you? Have you met them prior to the ceremony? Are they a friend of the family? Have you given much thought to the elements that best represent your beliefs in marriage, that you can add into the ceremony? Alison and Duane chose the blending of the sands ceremony, some people write their own vows, some have lots of poems, readings, or songs. Whatever it is you choose to do, make sure you feel comfortable with the person you choose to officiate your ceremony. You will be at ease walking down the isle knowing that everything is in good hands.
To see more stunning imagery from Duane + Alison’s wedding, have a peak at Elizabeth Bradford Photography. A great husband/wife team based in NH. All images in this post provided by Christine + Peter of Elizabeth Bradford.
It’s always exciting for me to see the first glimpse of a photographers work from a wedding we share. To see the details they capture, the way they frame things, it’s never the same, and such was the case with Elizabeth Bradford Photography. When Christine sent me a sneak peak I kept saying “wow, I’ve never noticed that aspect of the resort before” or “that was really great angle to frame them up.” Of course I can’t post all the images from their wedding here, but you can contact them to see their portfolio. I will be sharing more images from EB this week as I roll out vendor spotlights from Alison + Duane’s celebration (JP, Florist, Events). I had never met husband and wife team Christine and Peter before but ironically they were married a few miles from The Mount Washington Resort a few years prior! All images courtesy of Elizabeth Bradford Photography.
Alison and Duane were quick to watch their wedding film, which means I can be quick to post their highlight recap. This was a one song highlight recap from a modified package. They tied the knot January 9, 2010 at The Omni Mount Washington Resort, so I am really excited that a month later they have their proof DVD to view and are ready to have me roll out the final copies I mentioned in their preview post below that Alison’s dress was exceptionally special… it was designed and created by her cousin, France Begnoche, just outside Montreal!
Alison and Duane lucked out with a fresh blanket of snow for their winter wedding 1/9/10 at New Hampshire’s Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods. One of the most unique aspects about the day was that Alison’s dress was hand crafted by her relative from Montreal. I was curious to know the logistics of the dress fittings since Alison + Duane live in the Boston area. The story isn’t featured in the highlight, but it is on the couples edited DVD. Here is a one minute preview. More will be posted once they see it first
Katie + Eric were blanketed with good fortune and amazing weather for their picture perfect snow capped wedding day at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH. Stunning all around! Ladies must watch to see all of Katie’s details and to learn about their story… and see her dress in part 2! (Which does end abruptly, but her actual video continues on, this is just a snippet for web.) My new favorite quote from Eric’s sister, “Who doesn’t love Katie…” and it’s true, she was instantly a friend
You are really the sweetest person. I can’t thank you enough for the beautiful job you did on our wedding video. What an amazing thing to have to remember our wedding forever.
I can’t tell you the amount of people we have had tell us what a delight you were at the wedding and also that you blended in so well. Most people didn’t even know you were there. Thank you for doing such an amazing job!! To be honest, I never dreamt the video would be as amazing as it is. I knew it would be great, but this seriously surpassed that! You are a master at what you do! You really chose the right profession!
If you ever need me to give any referrals for future brides and couples, please let me know, I would love to let them know how wonderful you are. – Katie
Juli and John may be out to sea but their wedding spirit is strong here in the Mount Washington Valley. I was up at the Mount Washington Resort two weeks ago to meet a prospective client, and sitting out on the veranda we all agreed it felt like we were in the movie Titanic! The grand wrap around resembles the upper deck of a sailing vessel. You get that feeling that time will last forever. All your worries float up to the tops of the peaks, and no matter what happens with the weather, it’s bound to be beautiful. Such was the case on this remarkable day in May. So fitting for a nautical themed wedding. I had been thinking about the movie “The Perfect Storm”, and as luck would have it, the clouds and mist were lifting, fog rolling out of the valley, just in time for the bagpipes to sound, and Juli to take her final voyage around the Grand Hotel as she set sail for her new life together with John. I’m always so fascinated by peoples stories and Juli and John have no shortage of those – to follow along and learn where they charted their course, take a peak at their sailing blog here: http://www.sailblogs.com/member/luckyescape/ They are out to sea for the year!
Dress: Wedding Atelier – La Sposa Dress
Entertainment Ceremony/Cocktail: Mila Filatova and Aniko Geladze
Bagpipes: Nathan Wahlgren – Touch of Scotland
Entertainment Reception: Four N Debt (Tim Dion)
Florist: Mount Washington Hotel – Kelly Brown
Hair: Pam Seguin
JP: Norman Head
Video: Meg and Kelly
The First Sneak Peak at Juli and John’s Wedding! This is the wedding video open.
Ellie and Hannu were the picture perfect couple for my first official Jewell Terrace Ceremony at the Mount Washington Resort. Hannu’s family is from Finland, and some people were unable to make the trip, so I did edit the ceremony so his family could see it soon after the event. This was just a modified package with coverage starting as guests arrive ending as guests mingle down for cocktail hour. The video clip below is just the final recap of the actual ceremony video. If you are getting married locally, that is something I can provide if I’m not already booked. Similar to my elopement packages, the pricing is by the hour for JUST the ceremony. Email me for the full ceremony video link and more details.
Don’t you love the flowers? Call Carrie at The Dutch Bloemen Winkel to consult about your celebration today. To see wedding photos from this stunning celebration email photographer Anne Skidmore, and visit her site. Ellie, Carrie, and mom, were styled by Debony Salon, both hair and makeup – radiant! The JP was Kim Steward and she has a wonderful site for planning your ceremony, here!
If you are looking for something totally unique to do with your wedding party and guests, two words… Canopy Tour! Yes, even in the winter! It’s not always cold during the day! ‘08 Couple Jess and Dave did it last winter and raved about it, so I had to test her out myself. It’s so much fun (see accompanying clip below), and I can just imagine how incredible the views are with the leaves off the trees – a totally different experience in the winter! A bonding experience for your wedding party, and if some of your attendants are from different chapters in your life – it gives everyone a chance to know each other.
Unique idea #2 could take place at any NH ski resort that will accommodate. March ‘09 couple Leah and Erik hosted a fun ski race at Black Mountain (reception at Whitney’s Inn) for their guests complete with vintage ski attire. You can award prizes in goofy categories, and for those non-skiers, offer complimentary “winter warmers” with a splash of schnapps! Winter isn’t a time to show off your tan or great new hair style, so you might as well throw a hat on and have fun
Unique idea #3 take um Tubing! Cranmore Mountain has an over the top belly rolling fun zone with multiple lanes. If you get here a few days before the ceremony, go with some friends, it’s a memory you won’t forget. Cranmore is also fully set up to host weddings year round! Consider it as an affordable alternative to some of the larger all inclusive venues. Local Inns, B+B’s, hotels are within walking or a short drive. *Cranmore now offering winter-like tubing in the summer!
The sky is the limit no matter what the season. Just ask me and I can provide you with ideas – this was just scratching the surface! I’m native to the area, so ask me about any activity, vendor, etc, and I can give you an honest report.
So without further ado! Winter Specials! I love winter, and love filming people doing fun activities, so for any winter wedding package you can choose either one hour of activity coverage or one hour of rehearsal dinner coverage – free! We can do a fun video of you and your friends skiing, sledding, you name it! OR if you want to take me on the Canopy Tour with you – I will cover that as well! (usually 3.5 hrs, but you have to pay for me to go). It will be edited down to a highlight video and included on your final DVD’s. Don’t wait, two February Weekends already taken!
Part 2 of 3: I filmed two weddings in February at the Mount Washington Resort just two weeks apart, both with different start times. Emily + Wes (2/7/09) chose the ultimate hour for that week, 5pm. When she walked around the veranda of the hotel into the center doors of the Conservatory the deep blue sky painted such a mystical winter backdrop. It was beyond ideal (see sample Conservatory video). They went for a sleigh ride after the ceremony and then did photos outside under the hotel entrance and on the front veranda (inside formals were done too). In contrast, Kristina + Rahm (2/21/09) opted for a 4pm start time. Most of their guests (as you can learn from the Highlight Clip in the previous post) went skiing, dog sledding, and still had time to get ready – remember with high speed quads, what used to be a full day of skiing, can be accomplished in a half day no sweat. They wanted to be able to take photos outside with the sweeping mountain vistas, so they still had a good half hour of daylight/twilight before night set in.
Both ways work great, it just depends on your preference, what the hotel can accommodate, and what look and feel you are going for. Emily + Wes love candles and the romance of winter. They had a lot of ambient light and candle light surround them for the ceremony. Kristina and Rahm were in the conservatory during a time where the natural light from outside poured in so it really lit up the room in a different way. Why is this important to know? The sun goes down a bit early because it ends up behind the mountains a lot faster then if you were down South, and can mean an additional loss daylight. Have a look at the Conservatory Sample, to see the difference and figure out what time works best for you
Check back for Part 3 and announcements on winter specials!
Mt. Washington Hotel Conservatory - Ceremony Sample
Part 1 of 3: It that time of the year where all winter couples are starting to solidify vendors for their snow time celebrations. Just in the last week I’ve had 4 calls on January and February weddings, so I thought a formal post would be in order. Winter in the White Mountains is visually spectacular. Snow covered peaks, sleigh-rides, skiing, and of course cozy fireplaces to sip warm hot toddies! What is great about the Mount Washington Resort is that it’s truly a one stop destination wedding experience for you and your guests. Flights into Manchester or Boston allow for easy travel up Rt 93 (cross over on Rt 3 and a few miles down on Rt 302). Once in scenic Bretton Woods, NH your lodging options include the Hotel, the Bretton Arms Inn, The Lodge, and The Townhomes. Depending on your group size, or if you are making your way to the wedding to also reunite with old friends, the different options cater to that. There are on site dining options from Fabyan’s Station, on slope affair at the “Taco Quad”, Lucy Crawfords Food Court, and the Slopeside Restaurant & Pub, or the hotel dining rooms, and Bretton Arms dining room. The best thing is… once you arrive in Bretton Woods, you don’t have to start your car until you are ready to leave. They have shuttle buses on property to take you to and from the hotel and inn, over to the Nordic Center and Ski Area! Did I mention the limitless options for Apres fun? Drinks in “The Cave”, hot-chocolate and Baileys by the grand fireplace, marvel at the views from the conservatory and get lounge service for light snacks and drinks! Don’t forget to invite me!
A few things to recommend for your guests: No equipment needed, rentals available for everything!
Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing on property is world class.
Alpine Skiing at Bretton Woods with terrain for all abilities.
Dog Sledding! When in your life will you get the opportunity to do this?
Snowmobile Tours! So much fun, and most people don’t get a chance to cover that many miles while in town. A great way to see a wide variety of vantage points and scenery.
Sleigh rides with Champagne Toast – for guests, or for you at your wedding (like in the clip below). Weather depending I believe they run all day long.
The brand new Canopy Tour, which opened last year, is a HUGE hit and so much fun in the winter according to ‘08 Mt. Washington Resort couple Jess & Dave. Check out the video clip I made flying through the trees last week on the tour! (separate post on this coming soon).
Stay tuned for more tips and video clips on winter weddings- Why timing is everything in the winter! Part 2 on Wednesday!
Sleigh Rides allow time for your guests to mingle into Cocktail Hour – but for you to have a private moment together after the ceremony.
This past Saturday I was at the Mount Washington Resort to film the wedding of Juli + John. During dinner, the light was just perfect, so I was scooting around getting some scenic shots of the new Presidential Wing to use in the final video. It was my first time shooting in the new wing, as it just opened a few months ago. While I was exploring I couldn’t help but get a few shots of the rooms! The decor and design are perfect for the setting. The windows frame the breathtaking Presidential Mountain Range, the colors very in tune with the nature around. Being a native of the area and hating to see so much “change”, I was skeptical of what they were doing with such a large addition. I can honestly say you can’t quite see the addition from the road so it hasn’t altered the view from Rt 302 any, and when you get down into it, really, it’s stunning! It flows seamlessly from the original hotel. Juli + John had their wedding in the Conservatory, but you can also get married in the new Jewell roof top terrace. Kudos to the designers and owners for preserving the integrity of such a landmark property. I can’t wait to edit the wedding!
*Landscaping still in progress
Kristina & Rahm love techno, which made editing this piece hard to stay put! Netwon from Peak Entertainment Inc (PeakDJ.com) spun the ball room with high energy requests from the bride and grooms list and the guests went wild! If this doesn’t get you out of your computer seat dancing (by 1 min 44 sec), you don’t have the volume up loud enough! Thanks to DJ Newt, Kristina and Rahm had everyone on the dance floor… and the best part is – this is JUST the intro section of the dance party! Right after dinner! Wait for Part 2! Wedding February 21, 2009 at The Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH
Now here’s a view most couples don’t get to see!! As your videographer I feel it’s appropriate to point out how COOL of a place you may be getting married! The Mount Washington Resort is one of my all time favorites. When I can sneak out between editing weddings, I can be found enjoying the Mount Washington Valley. Here we are skiing in Ammonoosuc Ravine, visible from the hotel as pictured below. The dot is where this top photo was taken from. The ski out was incredible!
Ski season kicked off this week with over a foot of natural snow at Bretton Woods and The Mount Washington Resort. I just wrapped up the Dietz wedding video and it’s amazing to think this spectacular celebration took place in May 2008, and there was still snow on the Mt’s then… makes you wonder where the time goes! Jill and Ryan had one of the nicest groups of friends and family, just sincere down to earth people. I was so impressed with the bond between all the bridesmaids, as Jill’s mom summed it up, “they are all like peas from the same pod“… this was the ending to their wedding video. May 2008.
They start off polite but pack a punch at the end! Modern Manners, a Cape Cod based cover band now in their 10th year together, put on a fabulous performance at the Mount Washington Resort for Cheryn + Mike’s 8/16/08 wedding. From a vendor to vendor standpoint, I felt they were extremely professional, really savvy about gauging the crowd dynamics (age ranges and music types) and from what you will see in the clip, they did a great job of keeping the guests out of their seats!
What a DAY! What a day! I had the ride of my life, thanks to friend and pilot Ned Sullivan. We went on a mission to photograph two estates for Badger Realty in North Conway, and while we were up…of course a few scenics! I will include our flight over Conway Lake, then OVER the Cold River Vodka potato fields in Maine, Evans Notch, and of course the notable Mount Washington Resort. It doesn’t get much better then this! Thank you Ned, thank you Badger Realty!
Jess and Dave were married at the Mount Washington Resort on 6/28/08. Here is a sneak peak at their wedding video open. I think the songs they chose combined with the footage made this a very powerful open, listen to Jess’ sound bites in the beginning
This was the end of Jess and Dave’s wedding video. They chose “Come What May” as their highlight song, which had me reaching for the tissues! The expressions on Dave’s face, Dave’s mom’s expression as she walks down the isle, Jess dad’s comments at the end of the video – it all gave me goose bumps! A perfect summary of such a beautiful couple!
Ryan and Amanda had me a bit choked up before the ceremony. If you watch below, you’ll see why. I know when the big day is here there are so many little things to remember… like to write your vows but I feel lucky to have caught Amanda reciting them.
Meg,
I’m crying in my office right now…It’s weird, you are in such a daze on your wedding day. I do remember you coming into the bridal suite for a few minutes, but I had no idea that you were filming me during those moments (especially the emotional ones!). I’m glad I didn’t, I don’t look self-conscious or anything-all thanks to your unobtrusive style!
June 21, 2008: Amanda and Ryan had a picture perfect summer wedding weekend at the Mount Washington Hotel, in Bretton Woods, NH. The weather was ideal both Friday night for their Rehearsal Dinner Clambake at The Rocks and for their ceremony on the South Verandah. So many great details and moments from the wedding! I will start to post video clips now, so to kick it off – a funny line that the Best Man had during his speech… stay tuned for more…
I mentioned in their preview post below that Alison’s dress was exceptionally special… it was designed and created by her cousin, France Begnoche, just outside Montreal!
