Author: Heather

Jocelyne and Eric first met 10 years ago at the Alexander Carr park in Derry. At least, that is what one of them says! There was a lot of laughter about this when Jocelyne was telling me the story :-). While Eric waited for her, he told us he wasn’t even nervous, he just wanted to be married to her and has never had any doubts. You can see that in his response to her at the park – just total love for her. A big shout out to his friends as well, who went and shoveled out an area for us to take their photos.

After the guys left for the church, the girls went over to Beaver Lake so we could take a few more photos. They all were wearing these amazing fur boots, and looked so beautiful out on the ice. I gave them a good laugh as I went through the ice in a slush pile (not wearing fur boots) to get their photos. It was just that type of day – a lot of laughter and fun.

As you look through the photos, keep your eye out for Penguins! Not only was the cake an igloo, with bride and groom penguin toppers, but there were a few other references back to the “Save the Date” cards that pictured them in Penguin suits in the snow. I especially loved the penguin lapel pin on the groom!

A great wedding for a wonderful couple.  Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come.  XXOO – Becca & Mike.

A special thanks to the vendors that made their day a success:

We’ve known Kibar for years, he is a DJ for A Main Event, and we have worked with him at MANY weddings – He is amazing if anyone is looking 😉 …  it was at one of those weddings that he told us of his plan to propose to Beth.  Their first date was at the Palace Theatre – on New Year’s Eve, so when the big day came, he took Beth back to the Palace Theatre under the ruse of checking some sound equipment for them.   I was so excited because Kibar had asked me to secretly photograph them.   I felt all stealthy hiding behind the seats, waiting for the big moment!  Of course she said YES!

Fast-forward to the wedding, held on New Year’s Eve in honor of their first date.   Their reception was at the Radisson in Nashua (a venue I love for it’s Castle like appearance) – It was great to see him enjoy his own special day.

Beth is also really wonderful, and seeing her bond with her family only solidified how great she is 🙂  The moments between her and her mother and father were so heartfelt and touching.  There wasn’t a dry eye when her father saw her for the first time.   She loves to have fun, something you can see shine through in her photos.

I loved the “cloud” they danced on for their first dance – a special effect created by A Main Event.  It set the mood for the night, and the dance floor stayed active until we rang in the new year.

A great wedding for a wonderful couple.  We loved being part of it all.  Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come.  XXOO – Becca & Mike.

A special thanks to the vendors that made their day a success:

Caitlin and TJ were recently married in Poland, Maine.  After photographing hundreds  of weddings, we have to say that this one was the perfect, realized wedding.  From the initial idea to the final design, every detail was perfect.

The couple lives in Washington, DC but TJ’s parents’ property in Poland Maine is one of their favorite places to spend time.  So, when they got engaged, the location wasn’t even a question.   They decided to get married, outside, in a field on the property, and hold the reception in their old horse barn.   Given that this was an outdoor wedding in December, the couple provided a “warming station” with hot chocolate, coffee, a little something extra if you wanted ;-), blankets,  and hand knit (by Caitlin and TJ’s moms!) hats for all the guests.

The barn was transformed into a gorgeous, intimate,  venue.  Chandeliers were hung, and the family found, printed and hung photos of almost every guest that was in attendance.  They created gallery walls around the barn, using different frames to accent the photos.  This really transformed the space into something personal.  It was hard to believe that less than a year earlier, horses are living in that space!

Caitlin and TJ were going for a more relaxed, laid back atmosphere, so there was no formal dinner, just lots of yummy  passed appetizers and an amazing mashed potato bar … so amazing we made our own version for Christmas day.  Both Caitlin and TJ’s moms, along with the bridesmaids, baked all the pies and desserts.  Even the flowers and decorations came from items on the property and were made by the bridesmaids.  Every aspect of their day was so thoughtfully planned out and executed by all of their family and friends!

Their day was perfect, from start to finish, and the group rounded out the night dancing in the barn to music from the Evan Goodrow Band.  Evan is a good family friend of the brides and really helped to make the night special.

Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come! Much love, Becca & Mike xxoo.

I love how Caitlin looks! Love the sweater!!

Her bouquet was created with white roses and natural materials that were found on the property.

This was just one of the gallery walls, filled with photos of friends and family!  TJ’s mom also refinished the couch they are sitting on as an accent piece to put in the barn!

Check out all these amazing hand knit hats!

Isn’t it funny how people are connected?  I love to trace weddings back to the origin of their contact with us.  Danielle and Cory were recently married at the Rivermill in Dover, and as I always do,  I looked back at our connection.  Last year we photographed Cory’s friend Kurt’s wedding and before that we had photographed Cory’s sister Becky’s wedding and Becky came to us through a referral by my best friend who is her financial advisor.    This just always proves to me that word of mouth is the best advertising there is 🙂

Danielle and Cory have been together since high school, officially starting to date on 12/12.  That date was important to them so they made it their anniversary – Cory proposed on a subsequent 12/12 and they were married on 12/12 of 2014! He proposed at a tree farm, so for their first look photos we went up to Tonry Tree Farm in North Hampton.  They were very accommodating, and let us use the grounds for photos. We had a bit of a nervous moment as we all hit rush hour traffic on the way from the farm to Rivermill. Thankfully, we made it to the wedding in plenty of time!

Right after the ceremony, it started lightly snowing  making for the most beautiful photos!  After some time together outside, they came back in, and everyone hit the dance floor.  Their friends and family had a great time, allowing us to capture some happy moments together as they danced and celebrated.

Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come. XXOO – Becca & Mike.

A special thanks to the vendors that made their day a success:

Isn’t she gorgeous?!?

I am in love with her dress!

Just as we were leaving the tree farm we started to get some great colors in the sky!

Could the snowfall be anymore perfect?

Sharon and Craig were married on Veteran’s day in an intimate celebration at the Omni Mount Washington Resort.  The weather was unseasonably warm, making for perfect photo opportunities throughout the area.  The Omni Mount Washington resort is so scenic with the mountains in the background.  We also traveled to a favorite local waterfall and a small chapel near the hotel where thy had wanted to have their wedding ceremony there but it was closed for the season. Instead, we captured a number of photos at the chapel and waterfall including some with Sharon and Craig in fur coats bought as their gifts to one another for the big day! The two just looked at each other and giggled all day.  On the carriage ride after the ceremony, Craig gave Sharon a special gift of another ring to match her wedding band saying she’d get something even better on their 10 year anniversary.

Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come. XXOO – Becca & Mike.

A special thanks to the vendors that made their day a success:

Their first look moment, captured outside of the Omni.

Sharon and Craig, outside the Omni, in fur coats!

Sharon and Craig were married by Craig’s father.

Jamie had always dreamed of getting married at the Mount Washington Hotel and Resort. So, when Tom proposed, it was a no-brainer.  Plans for an early November wedding began.  Weather can be unpredictable in the Mountains this time of year and you never know what the temperature is going to be.   It snowed the day before their wedding and Mount Washington was hidden behind the clouds,  but the day of the wedding, the skies cleared and the mountain was snow covered and gorgeous creating an amazing back drop for photos!

Jamie looked like a winter princess in her dress against that background.  All the colors of her flowers and the bridesmaids’ dresses just popped, with her bridesmaids’ flowers matching her dress, and her flowers matching the bridesmaids’ dresses.  The color coordination and details were amazing!

At many weddings we photograph, the bride and groom gets so caught up in the hustle bustle of meeting with family and friends that they overlook spending time together.  Tom and Jamie were so wonderful to photograph because they were always together throughout the day.  Even when we were taking planned photos, they would be so caught up in each other that everything else would just melt away.  That’s when the best moments happen, and we were thrilled to capture them  for Jamie and Tom to enjoy.

Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come. XXOO – Becca & Mike.

A special thanks to the vendors that made their day a success:

I love this series of Jamie heading to the ceremony with her mother following behind!

You can tell by watching Bonnie and Tommy that they are more than a couple, but also really good friends.   They have an adorable son, Dylan, who was just the cutest ring bearer you could ever see, and they just enjoy being together … which made our job pretty easy.  Not to mention that Bonnie is a bombshell.  (Tommy’s not so bad either)

They had their ceremony and reception at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset, Mass.  This was our first time working their and I love the amazing rustic barn atmosphere it has!  Definitely a “must consider” for those wanting a wedding with that special New England feel. Bonnie and Tommy used the space for their ceremony and reception, creating the perfect rustic wedding complete with sunflower bouquets and arrangements. Outside the Inn was also lovely with stone patios and wooded gardens. They had their first look right outside, and the grounds are so nice that there were so many photo opportunities right around the building!  We even still had some foliage left which was great!

After the first look and ceremony Bonnie and Tommy took to the dance floor with all their friends and family.  It was truly a great night for us to capture!

Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come. XXOO – Becca & Mike.

A special thanks to the vendors that made their day a success:

Capturing their first look outside the Inn.  Love Bonnie’s updo!

Check out her blue shoes!

We have worked with many of these bridesmaids before and were so happy to see them all again!

Bonnie’s parents renewed their vows at the start of the ceremony.

Isn’t it amazing when your work brings you together with a future spouse? We love stories like that. Juan is a barber by trade, and Amanda owns her own daycare center.  Years ago, Juan agreed to provide haircuts for some of the children at a local daycare center.  Amanda’s daughter attended that daycare center, allowing Amanda and Juan to meet.  Juan did some research, found Amanda’s number, and the rest was history. Fast forward to their wedding and they are surrounded by a large, happy, close family. (Soon to be +1 in a few months, as Amanda and Juan are expecting a little girl!)

The wedding ceremony seemed almost magical.  The flower girls carried lit candles down the aisle, and the wedding began right as the sun was setting.  The gazebo where they were married was strung with small, twinkle lights, seeming to illuminate the whole event by candlelight.  It was romantic and beautiful!

Have we mentioned how much we love working at The Granite Rose? This local business provides an amazing level of service to all their guests. We always feel like we’re with family whenever we work there! DJ Dave Nadeau from A Main Event is also one of our favorites. When we see this vendor on the list, we know everyone is going to have a great time at the reception!

The first look photos were taken at the Robert Frost Farm.

Their wedding day had the most amazing foliage.

A quick stop at Taylor Mill for more photos, then on to The Granite Rose.

The wedding ceremony took place as the sun was setting.  The flower girls carried candles down the aisle.

Mike and I wish you every happiness, both now and in the years to come. XXOO – Becca & Mike.

A special thanks to the vendors that made their day a success:

“Mike is always a gentleman. He puts me first and always makes sure that I am content. I love how happy he makes me. It’s the little things that make me fall in love with him more and more each day. I love to make him smile and laugh. He has a beautiful smile that makes me melt! I also love the way he looks at me. He is an amazing father to his daughter.” – Stephanie

“I love how caring Stephanie is. I love how she has become an amazing mother figure for my daughter Ava. I love how clumsy and silly she can be. Some days she can’t get out of her own way… it always makes us laugh. I love how easy it is for her to be herself around me. She’s beautiful and the best thing in my life. She makes me a better person.” – Mike

Stephanie and Mike have such an inspiring love story.  Their meeting, courtship, engagement and marriage is something that is breathtaking, not only because of the obvious love between them , but because of the unspoken love demonstrated for each other as they walk a hard path.  They met in 2009 while Stephanie was working at a local restaurant where Mike’s business cleaned the windows. Stephanie’s method of flirting was to throw pickles at the windows after Mike had finished cleaning them. The playful antics worked and Mike soon asked her out. They realized they were in love after attending a friend’s wedding together. Something about watching their friends exchange vows put into perspective the feelings they had for each other.

From there, they began building a life together that included Friday nights snuggling in front of great TV shows, Sunday drives to look for local open houses and late night ice cream dates. In 2013, at their favorite vacation spot on Martha’s Vineyard, Mike popped the question. They spent the next 14 months planning their dream ocean-side wedding.

On Sept 2, 2014, just one month before the wedding,  Stephanie took Mike to the hospital for severe stomach pain. They never imagined they would be rushed to a Boston hospital in the middle of the night. They waited on tests, scans, and biopsy results for two weeks until they got Mike’s diagnosis. On September 12, 2014 Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer and it had spread to his stomach.  Their world was turned upside down.

“I finally understood what true love meant…love meant that you care for another person’s happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be.” ― Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” -William Shakespeare

With all the chaos and Mike’s declining health, the wedding was uncertain, but they decided to move forward so they would have something happy to focus there attention on.  It was truly amazing to watch everyone pull together to give them the wedding of their dreams.  The staff at Union Bluff even dried the grass to make sure they could still have their ceremony outside in front of the ocean.

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.” -Buddha

Usually the word “newlyweds” makes you think of a honeymoon to a tropical island, purchasing a new home, or having a baby. That was no different for Stephanie and Mike, but they have put aside those plans as they work to fight this disease known as the “silent killer”.  Their honeymoon in Antigua was replaced with hospital visits, chemo treatments and recovering. They readily admit that they feel robbed of his life and robbed of their future. However, they hold each other a lot, they cry, and Stephanie tries to get Mike to smile at any chance she gets. Their amazing friends and family are also by their sides, supporting them through this journey.

Stephanie and Mike are doing their best, living each day in the moment and praying for a miracle. They have a fight ahead of them, but they will fight it together.

Mike has a beautiful 7-year-old daughter.

“Love is patient and kind…Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance…Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” -1st Corinthians

They are two of the strongest people I have ever met and I was honored to document their day.  Please join me in continuing to pray for Mike’s healing and spreading the word to raise awareness about this horrible disease!  There is no cure and yearly the National Cancer Institute spends less than 2% of it’s budget on Pancreatic Cancer Research.  November is National Pancreatic Cancer month, wear purple to show your support and visit the PanCan website (http://www.pancan.org/) for more information on how you can help.

A special thanks to the vendors that helped make this day so special:

This is a different kind of post for us. A full blog post will follow later this week. I thank Stephanie and Mike for their openness and bravery. My prayers are with you as you fight this fight. Please join me in supporting them and creating awareness for Pancreatic Cancer!

www.youcaring.com/mikesfight

www.pancan.org