“I’m not a flower person,” Samantha shrugged, when someone asked why her groomsmen didn’t wear boutonnieres. I begged to differ, however, when I saw her beautifully-done DIY bouquet and those of her bridesmaids. In fact, Sam’s entire wedding was DIY by a team of family members who all seemed to conveniently have roles in the wedding business. Cousins who were professional hair and makeup artists, a cousin who is a Maggie Sottero representative, an uncle who creates amazing cakes, and Sam herself a former wedding planner at New Hampshire’s amazing Castle in the Clouds. In fact, the only roles they had to outsource to non-family were the DJ, photographer (me), and catering.
A fun fact about this wedding: Sam and Andy got engaged on May 9th, and their wedding was on June 28th. You do the math. THIS is how you assemble an amazing wedding in an impossibly short period of time. With finesse, humor, perspective, and even attention to detail.
Sam is the kind of bride who will hike a muddy quarter mile through the woods in 3-inch heels in order to have her First Look with Andy at the base of the beautiful waterfall at Castle in the Clouds. And think nothing of it. Hiking tourists in the woods that afternoon got quite a pleasant surprise!
Meanwhile, back up at the Castle, there was some magic going on. Not only did the rain stop, but the most amazing fog was rolling around that made for some seriously atmospheric photos….. so sultry and romantic! The beautiful pink roses were all in bloom and their petals had dropped in the most inviting and romantic way all down the stone staircase.
The reception followed in nearby Center Harbor at the Waukewan Golf Club, just as the rain started up again. Great timing!
Ceremony: Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, NH
Wedding Gown: Maggie Sottero
Bridal Styling: Ladylike Love www.ladylikelove.com
Hair: Lindsay Johnson of Envy Salon, Dracut, MA
Makeup: Kelly Jackson of Makeup by Kelly, Lowell MA
Reception: Barn at Waukewan Golf Club, Center Harbor, NH
Catering: Mame’s Restaurant, Moultonborough NH
Cake: Scott Parent (bride’s uncle)
DJ: Luke Lanigan of The Music Man DJ Service, Kennebunk, Maine