North Conway 08.08.2008

When I was 7, I had a friend forced upon me. My grandmother & her mother worked together and were great friends. We wee girls were the same age, we had similar interests in reading, piano & singing, and wasn't it just the cutest thing that her name was Alissa - oh the similarities. Including the fact that neither of us wanted to admit that we liked each other - no one wants their friends chosen for them! We hated each other when we were together and missed each other when we were apart.

Through the years we sussed it out and through thick or thin, we're there for each other. Round about middle school my grandparents and I started to vacation with Lis and her family in North Conway at their time share, some of the best memories of that time in my life were hanging around the NC being Lis^2. I hadn't been back since the summer after Freshman year in high school though (14 years ago!)

It just so happened she had an extra bed & I didn't have a wedding the weekend she was going up this year - the stars aligned in our favor and on 08.08.08 we were back in the NC again!

Despite forecasted rain, rain & more rain, we actually had quite a bit of sun! And I got to play with my new Shootsac!

Espresso - the nectar of the gods. SO TRUE.

Mostly I used my point and shoot, this was after all my weekend "off", but I couldn't resist breaking out the big guns and taking a few minutes to photograph her nieces & their best friends who'd already started the great tradition of family/friend vacations.

Miss Emily - 3 years old, Lis' niece. Firecracker, Ginger, and all around individual unique spirit.

The other miss Emily - 3 years old and so so reserved. Shy, demure, lovely and sweet.

Lillian - 7, The other Miss Emily's older sister. Her mannerisms & personality remind me SO much of me when I was a little girl - right down to the french braids and whispy's.

And then there is Killian - 7, Lis' other niece. If I had even 1/100th of this girls energy I would be more caught up on my blogs & housework!

I'm going to have to find a picture of Lis & I when we were this age - but as far as the story goes, it's a little surreal. Melissa, Alissa - Lillian, Killian - age 7 BFF's!

I had such a great time on my mini-vacation, we hope to make it a more regular thing now that we're grownups and can drive ourselves around :)

Rachel's Bridal Shower 07.19.2008

Rachel is graced with amazing friends and family - when I first met with her and her mom, her mom asked if I would take pictures at the shower also, and I was happy to. Little did I know what a gorgeous affair it would turn out to be! Every detail was stunning, including the favors. Her sister, a bartender in Vegas::Baby:: made a bar menu using photos of Rachel & Michael (some from their engagement shoot) and special drinks like "Love Potion #9". They were an absolute hit and everyone raved about the books & the drinks!

I got a bit out of control with my fascination with the Martini glasses - I've always always loved these in the stores and to see them all lined up like this, well, I got a little carried away!

Kim (Rachel's mum) has the most amazing garden - I couldn't help but snap some flower shots! The sky was intense also - and the air thick with humidity - which ultimately lent itself to a heck of a thunderstorm, but we were all safe and dry in the tent!

The food spread was AMAZING. Kim told me it was part of my job to eat, so I made sure to load up a plate (ok, twice) and enjoy!

Two of Rachel's bridesmaids are pregnant! All of them are Gorgeous.

Present time! (And also when the rain started to come down)

Great food, Great desserts, Great drinks, Great times! Then all the girls went out to the mini house that was built for Rachel when she was a little girl for a group shot :)

"Melissa your photos are amazing, I can't tell you how pleased we are!! I have given out your website to all the other teachers and everyone is raving about your work. I will be calling you soon to finalize an order. Thank you so much!!" ~ Kim

Rachel & Kim - thank you for opening your home to me and including me in such wonderful festivities! I can't wait for the wedding in September!

Kim sent me a note in the mail too - "Your work has allowed the family to have memories that will never fade.  Thank you, Kim" 

I'm certain it doesn't get much better than that. 

Rachel also wanted a few shots done for her memories - of the Wentworth where they got engaged, and where we did the engagement shoot - and also of the Colony where the reception will be. She also loved the idea of having their names written in the sand on the coast, so I gathered up my things and headed off on an adventure.

Rachel ended up ordering 4 of the beach shots as matted 12x18's they looked SO AMAZING all matted and ready for shipping - I hope they look as good framed in their new house!

"Hi Melissa, I received the pictures today they are beautiful!!!!" ~Rachel

Kim & Tony 07.13.2008

Kim works with one of my dear dear friends Dori at her salon. When Kim got engaged Dori immediately gave her my card - and do I ever thank her! An absolutely stunning bride, amazing dress, heartfelt & handcrafted details - and a BEAUTIFUL venue at Alpine Ridge in Hollis, NH.

I found a spot through the trees where I was able to see Kim & Tony straight on - they look so pleased and calm. A perfect match!

Alpine Ridge has what they call their "Picture Bridge" and boy is it ever! Over the lake that's loaded with frogs that kept surprising me as I was working around (and ok, IN, the water to get the right angles)

Their cake was amazing - the colors were soft and complementary and I love the compactness of her bouquet. I also love the shot I grabbed of the two of them taking a picture of themselves at the head table - so cute!

So many friends and family and ADORABLE children were there to help them celebrate their spectacular day.

And boy could these folks dance! For the last song of the night the DJ gathered everyone in a large circle and gave each of the participants a shot to 'do their thing' culminating in a tender moment with the bride & groom before they headed off to start the next chapter in their lives!

Congratulations Kim & Tony! Thank you for having me as a part of your wonderful wedding!

Kate & Marcus 07.12.2008

Kate & Marcus have the most brilliant smiles and kindest hearts ever. So in love the two of them are! We had a beautiful time at their engagement shoot last October and I was so excited when they showed me the Thank You Cards, Save the Date magnet & then the wedding favor stickers they made with their photos from that shoot! The other thing I was surprised to see was how they'd lost so much weight! I heard a guest say that together they'd lost 80lbs before the wedding - that just put the amount of gorgeous the two of them are OTT!

I arrived at Kate's mom's house just as hair and makeup were leaving - her girls were a great help in getting her ready to go!

The ceremony was at St. Pius in Manchester - a beautiful church!

Kate's dad has kind eyes - Kate also, and here they're brimmed with tears as she looks at Marcus.

Their reception was held at the GORGEOUS Manchester Country Club - we snuck out for a few more formals at sunset.

I loved all of their details, especially the wedding photos of their parents!

The roses for Kate, Marcus & the church are called "Big Fun" - by the end of the night Marcus' had opened larger and more perfectly than any rose I'd ever seen before!

The DJ was great - if you wanted the Bride & Groom to kiss you had to get all of your table standing, clink your glasses, and then serenade the couple with a song that included the word 'love' - 99.9% of the time the DJ would play that song right after till the next table was ready to go. The crowd loved it - it was so much fun to watch!

Kate & Marcus - thank you so much for making me a part of your lives! It was honor to be at such a beautiful event!

Melissa, they look AWESOME!!! We're so happy with how they came out. Thanks again! I LOVE THEM!!!

Kate & Marcus

What amazing pictures! Melissa did such a great job, and it was so much fun!!!!!
Hope all is well with everyone... Take care, Jen (a bridesmaid) & Hammy (a groomsman) !!

Thank you!

I just received the nicest compliment from a guest at a wedding I did back in April. She ordered this print along with a few others, and upon confirmation of her order, she emailed me this:

You did an awesome job with Kristin's wedding and I love being able to order pictures from it! I think that is a great idea. I don’t even recall seeing you there! Which I see as a great accomplishment b/c the last wedding I went to they had two photogs and a videographer and you would have thought the paparazzi was out! I thought it stole some thunder away from the bride and groom. But you did a great job of staying behind the scenes. I mean the one family picture of us outside (with the two girls); I don’t even recall you being behind the woman who took a picture for us!

Both venues were nice, but you made them look AMAZING in the pictures. They even don’t look like the same church and ski lodge to me! Great job again! Enjoy the weekend. Amy

Thank you again Amy for the kind words, it really is a great compliment to me to know that I dind't detract from Kristin & Pat's BEAUTIFUL wedding!