Set in the gorgeous White Mountains of New Hampshire, Rachel and Derek’s wedding was a perfect blend of elegance and natural beauty. Hosted at Owl’s Nest Resort, the rolling hills, manicured greenways, and towering pines provided a picturesque setting for their first look and family portraits. However, the most breathtaking location was the spot they chose for their ceremony. Nestled in the heart of the range, they exchanged personal vows and rings with the expansive mountains and sky as their backdrop. The simultaneously serene and majestic landscape added a timeless quality to their ceremony, creating a truly unforgettable experience for them and their guests.
The First Look
There’s a special kind of magic in the air on a wedding day, and Rachel and Derek’s celebration was evidence of this. The excitement and anticipation were palpable as they got ready, each eagerly looking forward to the moment they’d see one another. Before the couple had their first look, Rachel shared an emotional and heartfelt moment with her father. It was Father’s Day, making the occasion even more touching. As Rachel’s dad waited on the stairs, his eyes welled with tears. Unable to contain his excitement at the thought of seeing his youngest daughter in her wedding dress, he took a pause to collect himself before making his way down the stairs. The look on his face when he finally saw her was a beautiful mix of pride, joy, and love—a moment that perfectly captured the profound bond between father and daughter.
The Details
Rachel and Derek’s wedding was not only visually stunning but also deeply personal, filled with meaningful details that honored their heritage and loved ones. In a touching tribute to her beloved Yaya and a family dog, Rachel carried a bouquet with a locket-sized photo of them both, gifted to her just before the ceremony by Derek. This small detail was a beautiful way to keep them close during the day’s celebrations. The couple also embraced Rachel’s Greek heritage with two special traditions. Each guest’s place setting had a small sachet of almonds, known as “boubounieres,” symbolizing life’s ups and downs and the hope that sweetness will prevail over bitterness. After dinner, the reception was kicked off with traditional Greek dances, with guests invited onto the dance floor to join in the joyous celebration. These personal touches made their wedding day uniquely theirs and deeply resonated with their guests.
How They Met
During toasts, friends and family spoke of the love Derek and Rachel have for children, told a sweet story about how they’d met, which was, coincidentally at a wedding where Derek was the videographer. He’d noticed a beautiful girl in a yellow dress who, everyone joked, was more prominent in the video than the couple getting married, and shared how thoughtful and intentional they are in everything they do.
Portraits at Sunset
As the day turned to evening, the festivities continued with a dreamy sunset portrait session, where we got to play in golden, glowy light. This quiet time away from the crowd allowed Rachel and Derek to relax and enjoy the moment together, free from the day’s earlier stresses and anxieties. It’s these moments—when the couple is finally able to breathe and simply be with each other—that often produce the most magical photos. The sense of calm and contentment I see in them is one of the moments I’m eager to witness all day.
The importance of having a moment with your photographer after all the formalities of the day can’t be overstated. It’s during this time, and I see it in every single wedding I photograph, that the couple is most relaxed and present. This is when we find some of the most genuine and intimate moments. It’s a time when all the nerves have settled, and the couple can fully embrace the celebration.
Greek Dancing
By the time we returned with Rachel and Derek, the evening had transitioned into a blowout dance party, led by the incredible band Soul of Boston. They brought the house down with a lively mix of hits, keeping absolutely everyone on the dance floor. In a fun moment, they even handed the mic over to Rachel and Derek, allowing them to join in on a song, adding an unforgettable touch to the night.
As the summer sun officially dipped, the energy remained high, with guests dancing and celebrating long into the night. It had been a great day: a beautiful blend of personal touches, gorgeous wedding details, heartfelt moments, and an infectiously happy celebration, all set against the stunning backdrop of New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Creative Partners:
Venue: Owl’s Nest Resort
Dress: Pronovias
Hair: Beauty Collective
Florist: Cobblestone Florist
Photography: Anna Solo Photography
Videography: Jonny Havens
Invitations: Minted
Entertainment: Soul of Boston
String Trio: Occasional Brass Strings
Cake: Jacques Pastries