Atkinson is probably my favorite NH wedding venue (we actually had our post-wedding reception here back in 2007, essentially a wedding minus the ceremony):
- Nicolette and the whole wedding team are fabulous
- The ballroom is beautiful. Katy added uplighting for extra drama and ambience but even without uplighting it's a stunning room which makes for extra nice pictures!
- The grounds are stunning, all kinds of walkways and ponds (you can also have an outdoor ceremony here)
- The food is delicious and there are SO many great options (we skipped the wedding cake and went with an martini bar made of ice and ice cream sundae station)
- The golf is great too!
Atkinson Resort is literally 10 minutes from our home too so if you're planning your wedding there and you're looking for a wedding photographer, you totally need to call me!
Anyhoo, back to Katy & Sean who I just adore. They had a receiving line after their ceremony with lots of happy congratulations and hugs:
Receiving lines are great but you should allow AT LEAST 30 minutes for every 50 people (kiss, kiss, hug, you look great! thank you for coming! - it all takes time!). Katy & Sean had lots of time but sometimes couples underestimate the time needed!
Best NH wedding venue:
I know a lot of photographers don't show family pictures but I love family pictures! I do them quickly and painlessly and you still get totally mantel-worthy images. As you'll see in a few pictures from now, Atkinson has beautiful gardens but when we arrived it was like 100 degrees and crazy bright sun (which makes for hot uncomfortable families squinting in the light) so we found a nice shady spot:
I figured if Katy and Sean were kissing their eyes would be closed - bright sun not a problem now!
Sean and the guys:
Katy and the girls:
Katy and Sean wanted to find time to see the ballroom before everyone else came in and it's a great idea.
You've worked so hard on all of the little details that it's nice to have a moment alone to see everything come together:
And it seems only fair to be the first to take advantage of the candy bar:
I loved how incredibly colorful everything was. Bowler and Jones Fine Floral Designs were beyond lovely to work with and the flowers were beautiful:
Once the sun dipped a little, we headed back out to the beautiful gardens to do some couples pictures. Ideally I'd have an hour with each couple on their wedding day...more time = more pictures :)
I have no idea what's going on here, I think it might be a Sean & Katy thing :)
Time for the first dance, I struggled to pick just one favorite so here are 5 (and I could have happily shared 15 but figured you might want to see some other good stuff too!):
Awesome toasts from Katy's dad Steve, Maid of Honor Missy and Sean's brother and best man, Matt:
Mmmm cake from Jacques Fine European Pastries:
I might get details of the next part of the evening wrong as even I had to wipe my eyes. One of Katy's aunts presented her with a "Katy Doll" made by Katy's grandmother that she never got to meet (OK, I have a lump in my throat even writing this):
Parent dances:
And then the dancefloor was opened! All Star Entertainment kept it packed with all sorts of crazy games and dance-offs:
Dirty Dancing is probably one of my all-time favorite movies. With classic lines like "I carried a watermelon" and "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" how can you not love it? So when "I've had the time of my life" started to play I was all "Ooooh, I wonder if they'll do the lift?" and they did!!!
And Katy & Sean lived happily ever after....
If you're sad that the pictures are over don't be! Meghan Simone made a wonderful little film! Why not go get a coffee and watch it now? There are literally only 2 videographers that I recommend for their unobtrusiveness and professionalism and Meg is totally one of them!
Katy & Sean - you two are amazing. I am SO happy you chose me to be your wedding photographer, it's been so great getting to know you both! Wishing you limitless love, laughter and happiness and I want to come to your 50th anniversary party.
Say congratulations to Katy & Sean in the comment if you like! Or if you'd like your own wedding pictures email me at leah@leahhaydock.com Quick! Quick! 2012 dates are booking fast and I'm already over 50% booked up! And if you're on facebook you should totes head over to "like" my official photography page to see the latest...
Thank you Leah for the huge props and feature on your blog :) Katy and Sean are so so SO CUTE :) Your photos are off the charts! Honestly, they jump off the page. We had so much fun working with you :)
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