One of those moments.

I'm in awe of my job nearly every day, but there are some days, some moments, when I'm just completely dumbstruck but the awesomeness that I get to be privy to.

Like this.



As I'm editing Stephanie & Mike's wedding as fast as I can, this photo came up on my screen and I welled up with tears.

Mike is just about to kiss his bride, to be pronounced husband & wife, and he knows it. He's excited and proud and maybe still a touch nervous, but mostly excited and overjoyed. And while I was quite a bit away, he looked up and right into the camera and shared it with me.

It's an amazing feeling to experience that trust and comfort in one of life's larger moments. And I got to be there. Completely dumbfounding.

constantly humbled, ~melissakoren

April Showers bring...

May Flower Girls!

Ok, so these weddings were last weekend in April, but the abundance of cuteness in the flower girls was just too much to handle!

First Isabel stole the show in Kristan & John's wedding ...

and then Justine (aptly nicknamed 'Tini') twirled and danced her way all they way down the long isle at Kim & Bryan's wedding to capture her curious George prize at the end.


I can't wait to share more from these weddings with you! But first it's off to Stephanie & Mike's York, ME wedding at the Dockside! The rain has held off and it looks to be a perfect day!

~Melissa Koren

Kimberly & Jeff 02.14.2009

I've had this nagging feeling I've been forgetting something. All of a sudden, it dawned on me - I've posted so many things ABOUT Kim & Jeff's fabulous wedding and the great weekend we had there, I never posted their actual wedding!!

So with out further ado - -

The beautiful Kimberly, getting ready


Her dress was made of the most gorgeously detailed lace.


Her something Blue!


And speaking of blue - her mother's dress was such an amazing color.

I love this moment. The moment when everything becomes just a little more real.


The complete, perfect package!

Meanwhile, the guys were down in the bar .. calming their nerves ..

Jeff & Kimberly decided to see each other before the ceremony. This was the first time I'd done this "formally" - it was SO exciting - I love Jeff's face as he waits for his bride to be to knock on the door.

Here she comes.....

I'd say they approve!

Then off to the ceremony. The fireplace was such a great backdrop!

Everything about the Mountain View Grand is amazing.

And the view is most certainly Grand!

AYKM!?!? GORGEOUS!!

This is my favorite shot. In the stairwell to the wine cellar. I love everything about it. The feeling, the texture, the colors - amazing.


A toast to a job well done!


They had some very cute nieces & nephews! I just love babies in bowties!


Advice & congratulations from family.


Then on to the cupcakes! I love the 'don't you dare' finger.






Dance with dad

And with mom

And then they all let loose and danced into the night! Here you'll note the gentleman on the floor. The song was footloose, and he put his ALL into it! I love the reactions on every ones faces!


A job well done Kimberly & Jeff, it was a wonderful wedding!

~MelissaKoren

Sneak Peek:: Kimberly & Jeff 02.14.09

Did we ever have an AMAZING time with Kimberly & Jeff at their beautiful wedding on February 14th! I've got a million (give or take) images to go through but I thought I'd share a few that caught my eye before I dive in.

AYKM!?!?!?!? Kimberly - you are GORGEOUS! And good job picking a hotel that matched your flowers ;)

I love this detail shot - Kimberly's mother did all the wedding flowers, they were so perfect!

Kim & Jeff saw each other before the wedding, it was so anticipatory! I loved it!!

I won't lie, it was cold. And windy (we almost lost the veil but I would never let that happen!) But we had a great time using the beautiful mountains as a backdrop.

I can't wait to post some more from this wonderful wedding!

Winter Wonderland!

I know we're all a little fed up with cold, and winter, and snow, but the Mountain View Grand is SO beautiful, I found a new appreciation for it! You know, at least for a day or two ;)

I'm here for the wedding of the fabulous Kim & Jeff - as I arrived last night, the sun was starting to set. I dropped my luggage, grabbed the camera and ran outside.

They have a skating rink and nightly bonfires, sugar on snow & all the winter sports activities you can think of.

I love this, shot with my new 5D.

The breafast buffet this morning was DIVINE! I can't wait to eat again tomorrow. But first, I think I'll go out to the barn and visit the animals including some rare wooly sheep and then - it's wedding time!

Sue & Mary 12.06.08

Sue & Mary had their wedding on a lovely Saturday in December.  The church was gorgeous.

This picture makes me smile because I love how it represents their family and what's to come.

Their program in the stained glass window

Their twins walking down the isle.  These two are heart breakers and they were SO well behaved all day.

Sue and Mary being escorted down the isle.

Seriously beautiful church - and I love the advent wreath.

The sand ceremony.  Each of them had a color, the kids knew exactly which color was theirs and what to do with it. 

At the hotel - I love Christmastime weddings - there are so many fun decorations!

Reception time!

Sue and Mary are insane, and I mean that in the best way possible.  They have been together for many many years and have a tradition of having a holiday party every year and having all the family over and all the kids get to demolish a gingerbread house.  So instead of their party, they planned their wedding.  They made a gingerbread house for every table's centerpiece and a gingerbread man for every guest. 

The kids watching their mom's have their first dance.

Another family tradition was Irish Soda Bread - which the someone else in the family made for every table. 

This family is amazing.  As I said they've been together a long time.  (I want to say 26 years).  The world has come a long way on that time and to watch Sue & Mary wed, was an emotional event.  Her sister couldn't look at her during the speech because she was sure she would lose it.

The kissing can was great fun - all the couples names were in the can, and every time they clinked on a glass for Sue & Mary to kiss, the DJ would pull a couples name out of the can instead, that could would approach the dance floor and show of their best lip lock! It was so entertaining!

I mentioned they made the centerpieces.  But the real centerpiece of the reception was this gingerbread castle that says "Dreams do come true" and in the top turret there you see "Mom, Mama, R & A" representing their family. 

I also mentioned that the kids would demolish the gingerbread house - well, were they go!  Instead of cutting the cake, the kids (and adults) came up and dug in!

Mmm candy!

Then they danced the afternoon away!

Hmm, I wonder what song this could possibly be!? :)

Sue & her dad

A family dance. 

What an wonderful day - these women are strong and loving and it's obvious that everyone around them loves then and appreciates them for that fact.  Their twins are the apples of their eye and they're all so grateful for everything they've been blessed with.

Congratulations Sue, Mary & Kids!  Thank you for allowing me to witness your journey!