Lake Winnepesaukee Summer Camp Wedding: Anna and Brian

I literally had to take a good deep breath just now.

This wedding.

I’ve been avoiding writing this blogpost for a while because it’s just been too big, too heavy on my mind. How exactly am I supposed to sum up something that is both really happy and really sad? I’m going to give myself some grace on this one and just write how I feel and what I can and then just let you guys read it and not worry about actually trying to do it justice because I don’t think that’s really possible.

Anna and Brian were already married before this day. They had to rush a small wedding in the summer because both of their fathers were terminally ill with cancer. Knowing that they just wouldn’t know for sure if they would both be around for the big New Hampshire wedding, they went ahead and got married with both their Dad’s present. Fast forward to this day, both their dads were there for this one too so the celebration was whole and complete.

We met Anna and Brian in 2015 at Anna’s brother’s wedding to Nji. You gotta see their wedding too by the way. Such a good time. We love their family so we were so happy and honored to be invited back to photograph Anna’s wedding. This also meant that the fact that her father was sick hit a little harder with us because we knew their family.

The wedding was so much fun and was one of those days I was again reminded of how cool the weddings we photograph are. I mean look at the bridesmaids dresses you guys! I adored all Anna’s styling from head to toe. They were married in the outdoor chapel along the lake, with her brother Russell officiating. The way Brian looked at Anna throughout the day was so tender and we were digging it. After the ceremony we headed to the outdoor cocktail hour and then into the camp dining hall for dinner and toasts. Next we all headed over to the dance hall for a party to remember, complete with my favorite moment of the night when Anna’s sister Tizzy accidentally unplugged the DJ and sound system during the party. Amazing. (Love you Tizzy).

A mere two weeks after this special day, Anna, Tizzy, and Russell’s dad passed away. It broke my heart but I was also filled with gratitude that I was able to meet him and photograph such momentous events in their family with him present. His ashes are to be spread right in the outdoor chapel they were married in so the whole place will hold a rich meaning (as Anna told me). Thankfully Brian’s dad is doing ok at the moment so hopefully he will be there for Brian’s brothers wedding this summer!