The Fells

Wedding #2 of the season took myself and new assistant, Kathleen, across the state line to New Hampshire. We were there photographing the wedding of Becca and Dave. The ceremony took place at one of the coolest locations to date, The Fells. The Fells, named after the Scottish word for rocky upland pastures, has a long great history dating back to Abe Lincoln days. The charming old mansion was the backdrop, and the beautiful gardens created a picture perfect place to get hitched. After a pleasant ceremony and exchanging of vows the newly married couple, guests, and photographers relocated to the M.O.B. house for the reception.

Here are a few images from the day:

Getting Ready










The next photo is from my assistant Kathleen North. Check out her work HERE.

long views of Lake Sunapee

the gardens

Opening Day.

Wedding season officially opened May 31st with the wedding of Andrea and Jeremy. The Willburton Inn played host. It is a great old Vermont mansion located in Manchester, Vermont with fabulous views of the region. Although the start of the wedding was delayed just a bit by a guitarist who decided to pull a no-show...the DJ was early and hustled to set up a little mood music for the ceremony. After a wonderful ceremony, great speeches were made, a delicious dinner was served and dancing ensued.

Below are a few of my favorite images from opening day.

Lighthouses and perfect weather.

Been a while since my last post.  This collection of images are from Erin and Todd's wedding which was in Portland, ME.  The ceremony was held in early October at a location as far from a Vermont country setting as a wedding could be, along the water at Bug Light Park, South Portland, Maine.

Getting a little help at the Brides house.

The setting and weather couldn't be any more perfect.

After the ceremony, taking time for some formals.

The reception was in the Old Port and it was a blast.

No comment. 

Down by the riverside.

It was September 8th, and although a week past Labor Day, summer was still in full swing.  It was just another perfect steamy Vermont afternoon when Kori and I met up in Arlington, Vermont.  Arlington is a few miles south of Manchester, the outlet capital of Vermont. Christal and Josh were getting married at a campground owned by Josh's family and where Josh had spent his summers growing up.  The campground is very cool.  The Battenkill, one of Vermont's most famous trout rivers flows right through the grounds and provided the backdrop for the ceremony and reception.  Another great wedding...ceremony, reception, bonfire, it was all fun.  Below are a few of my favorites.

A very cool fact, the dress was designed and made by the Bride and her Mother.

Bride and Mom putting on the finishing touches.

Kori Batschelet image.  See Kori's work HERE.

The Bridal party arrived in a classic VW bus, again, very cool.

Formals down by the river.

The flowers were also done by the bride, who is a florist.

Sunset over the campground.

Up at the Mountain Top.

Saturday August 23rd was your typical steamy August afternoon here in Vermont.  My assistant Kori and I were up at the Mountain Top Inn and Resort in Chittenden for the wedding of Brooke and John. The Mountain Top Inn is one of the great locations in Vermont to get hitched. With the Chittenden Reservoir off in the distance and the surrounding mountains there is no shortage of great views.  The ceremony took place in a big field right above the Inn.





After the ceremony, family and close friends stayed back for the formal shots while others headed down the hill to the Inn for cocktails. This is where we all got a little lucky. With help from a very well organized shot list (thanks John), my assistant Kori, and a very cool and relaxed group of family and friends we managed to just finish the formal shots before the typical late day thunderstorm came rumbling through.



Again, we were a little blessed, and the passing boomer only lasted a few minutes. Unfortunately, the city of Rutland, wasn't so lucky. The mild storm which passed over the Mt. Top, wasn't so mild in Rutland. The winds blew down huge trees and knocked out power for miles around the city center...which included the Mt Top.



The candles came out.  I over heard "good news is you don't need power to pour cocktails!!". The well prepared staff of the Mt Top powered up the generator, the band arrived, the party moved over to the tent and the reception went off without a hitch.
father and daughter rockin out.

Fun on the farm.

It had been almost a year since Annie, Ryan and I sat down for a cup of coffee in Waitsfield, VT. In describing the location and the specifics of their wedding day the couple used words like; old country farm up against a mountain with amazing views, huge fields and winding brooks. Right then I knew I wanted to shoot this wedding. Lucky for me I got the job.

A winter had passed and spring was giving way to summer when I next saw Annie and Ryan at the site.  The wedding would be occurring in a few short months and we were there to shoot and engagement photo and scout the location.  The two showed me around the farm and we walked through the field to the site of the ceremony where family had been mowing the fields all spring in preparation for the big day. The location was everything I had thought and more, just beautiful.

Wedding day. August 21st. I was flying solo for the first part of this wedding. Kori, my assistant, was thirty minutes away in Orwell, VT shooting the groomsmen. As I arrived you could see Mothers and Brothers scurrying around putting the finishing touches on everything. Excitement was in the air! As I walked into the house, Annie was finishing up her hair and make-up and even had time for a sandwich.



The Bridesmaids helped Annie into her dress, the Groom and Groomsmen arrived, and the ball started to roll.

Kori Batschelet photo

The day went like clock work - the ceremony, formal shots, cocktail hour, right into dinner and dancing - all was perfect on this picturesque Vermont farm. Below are a few of my favorite images from the day, enjoy.