* Lake Winnipesaukee wedding of Amanda and John at the Bald Peak Colony Club

photographers: Emilie and Denise, emilie inc. photography 
day-of coordinator and design: Kate Parker Weddings
ceremony: Melvin Village Community Church, Melvin Village, NH
officiant: Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, Framingham, MA
reception: Bald Peak Colony Club, Melvin Village, NH
florist: Kate Parker Flowers
band: Kahootz
hair: Invidia Salon and Spa
transportation: Wolfeboro Trolley Company
gown: Pronovias at L'elite, Boston
paper: Jen Pepper, emilie ink
photo booth: Maine Snapshot Studio
honeymoon: Italy

Amanda wrote me TWO YEARS before she was engaged asking about wedding photography.

Alas, the proposal finally came and after another year of planning, it was time to finally capture Amanda and sweetie John as they were officially hitched! Throughout those many calendar flips leading up to the big day, there were countless emails exchanged about how plans were coming together (with lots of excited !!!!), text messages, a sweet engagement session, some baby snuggles with little Will and an official meeting of her family. By the time the wedding day arrived, it felt like I was looking at a dear friend through the lens of my camera. Love that.

After they saw their wedding images, John turned to Amanda and said, "Thank you for finding Emilie." I concur. Thank you so much for finding me, Amanda!!

How they met, in Amanda's words: 
John and I have spent just about every summer of our lives on Lake Winnipesaukee. I spent my time at my family’s house swimming, boating and water skiing; while John spent his time hiking up, over and around New England’s peaks with the trip crew at Camp Tecumseh. Camp Tecumseh was conveniently located across the street from JoJo’s Country Store where I worked as a cashier. Nearly every summer we were less than 5 miles apart, but never crossed paths. That all changed the summer of 2007. I had just graduated from Bentley and took the summer off to relax at the lake before starting work. John had been away from the lake for 5 years but had returned to spend the summer working at camp. We finally met on the evening of July 16th at the locally famous Bad Moose Cafe. John was there with some friends working on their beer cards, and I went with a girlfriend who was interested in one of John’s friends. We hit it off instantly and were inseparable for the rest of the summer. Last July we celebrated our three year anniversary and spent the weekend in Portsmouth NH, where we had taken a day trip our first summer dating. John scheduled a private tour of the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, John proposed once we got to the top, and I said yes!

The family's darling pooch Roxy. Everyone's eyes were on the weather... rainy to start the day, but it finally cleared up! The beautiful surprise gift from John. John immediately put his gift from Amanda to use! Amanda worked with our designer to create her wedding invitation suite including programs and menus. This moment gives me chills. A spontaneous gesture in the church basement before walking down the aisle. Dad Ed is such a love. Making their way up the old, narrow aisle. Wedding party cocktails scattered about behind me while formal picture taking was going on. A clear view of the lake from the country club. Hooray! Creative place cards... post cards with each guest's name, table and entree selection on the back. Blues and greens really popped against the landscape. A new place setting favorite: green goblets! The mountain and lake themed wedding invitation by us, which you've spotted as table cards, too. Their beautiful rings on their custom birch tree envelope liner. Love when friends take the microphone. Darling s'mores favors. Grandpa sitting at the dance floor's edge, singing Bon Jovi. Anything better? I shed a little tear. Cookies and milk were served late night. Fun to see a glass milk bottle among the empty glasses as the night winds down. While photographing Amanda and John during their last song on the packed dance floor, I panned to my right and spotted this proud glance from dad. I melted. Something I have a good long while until I experience myself, but, wow, did I feel the emotion of the thoughts that must have been racing through his mind at that moment as a parent.