Canterbury, New Hampshire Wedding Photographer : Mel + Matt

You may remember these two beautiful people from our engagement shoot in Boston, MA where we hiked around Holden Arboretum finding the best hills, light and scenery to photograph them in, but what you may not know is just how wonderful they are. I tend to think it shines through in every picture that is taken, but maybe you aren’t able to feel their warmth, their love, their generosity, and the way they make anyone feel like they are at home. Their hugs squeeze you to the soul and their kind words never let you forget that you are cared for – and man, I am so lucky to have experienced that with them!

The two of them were married at the home of Mel’s aunt in Canterbury, New Hampshire inside of the historical Shaker Village. It’s a classic farmhouse with wide pine floors where every room gives sweet reminders of love with books and bits of history lining the walls. I personally love getting the chance to photograph the start of a wedding day in a family home because it just sets the stage for the day by filling it with immense amounts of love and good energy – and with this home being full of people of smiling faces from every space of the couple’s life, I couldn’t get enough of it.

Mel + Matt’s story is one of love from pretty much day one of meeting each other in college. They are both as smart as they are beautiful and as strong as they are loving. And you can tell from the moment they laid eyes on one another at the first look, to the spins and laughter on the dance floor – that there is nothing quite like this love!

And holy crap, speaking of the dance floor, this was a party to end parties! The DJs knew exactly what to play at every point in the evening with mellow Lauryn Hill while guests mingled at cocktail hour, classic salsa before dinner where the dance floor could rival clubs in Miami, to getting the night into full swing with classic 90’s hip hop where dance offs and giant circles of jumping feet took up every square inch of the dance floor. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! Oscar commented to me that it was all of the music I would play at my own party if given the chance, and I couldn’t agree more. BEST. MUSIC. EVER. I was so tempted to stay at the end of the night just to enjoy the music and atmosphere of the crowd – it was that good!

Mel + Matt, you two are beautiful people with a group of family and friends who I admire and had a blast hanging out with. I am so honored to know the both of you and can’t wait to meet up with you two in the future and get another one of those soul warming hugs! I wish you all the best!

Ceremony + Reception: private home
DJ: J. Antonio
Canterbury New Hampshire Wedding Photographers: I AM SARAH V Photography (Oscar as my second shooter)
Wedding Coordinator: Bridget Brunet
Flowers: grown by Mel’s Aunt Hillary and arranged by Mel’s Aunt Kim
Cake: Hillary Nelson
Officiant: LaShawn Springer
Hair + Makeup: Kraft Salon
Dress: Nicole Miller
Catering: Celebrations Catering
Tents: Exeter Tents & Events

Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
Mel’s Aunt Mimi is one amazing woman, I would welcome her into my own family in a heartbeat!
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
Look at how happy Mel’s grandmother is to see her in her wedding dress!
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
A quick touch-up from the lovely Maid of Honor before a first look.
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
The “fix yo self” pose :)
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
They opened the wedding with a celebration of the Supreme Court law saying same-sex couples now have the constitutional right to marry in all of the United States – yes!!
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
I LOVE IT! Look at their ecstatic faces!!
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
One last practice before the big reveal (and they did not disappoint)
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
We won’t get into what the best man said to elicit these reactions…
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
But the DJ did jokingly try to wrap him up after he said it hahaha!
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
Daaaamn, Mel!! Love her friend’s reaction in the background, he was as impressed as me!

Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
And then a dance off started!Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography
But this guy has moves too! :)

Canterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V PhotographyCanterbury New Hampshire Shaker Village Rustic Farm Wedding Photo / I AM SARAH V Photography

New Hampshire and Maine wedding photographer, I AM SARAH V Photography, photographs events for wildly in love couples seeking a NH + Maine wedding photographer with a photojournalism + fine art approach. You can see more of my work online at www.iamsarahv.com or on Facebook. I photograph in many locations including Canterbury, New Hampshire. If you’d like to contact me directly, please email me at hello@iamsarahv.com

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  1. Louise says:

    Beautiful pictures of an amazing day!

  2. Andy Camacho says:

    Hi Sarah, just to remind you of who i am, I was one of the DJs (primary) that headed the music at Melanie & Matt’s wedding/reception. Where my partner J. Antonio served mostly as emcee for the occasion. (although he did DJ and rocked the house with his Hip-Hop set) That’s just a matter fact note. Lol. But I’m writing b’cuz, first i wanna say, Thank you so very much for your kind words in referencing the music that we played that night, in your blog. We as DJs couldn’t be happier and appreciative with compliments like the one you gave in your blog. So again thank you very much for that compliment. Second, Kudos to you. The photos are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! (BTW: between you & I, I wish you would have been the photographer at my wedding 2 years ago yesterday). Shhh. Lol) That’s how beautiful your pictures are. Third, Should you ever need DJs for an occasion/event, we would be honored and grateful should you recommend us. We are just a phone call away. Hopefully we can work together again in the future. And finally, you took a picture of my partner and I that night that looked absolutely awesome. Is there anyway that we can attain that picture? Once again, thank you very much for your compliment, and your fotos are just STUNNING!!! I can be reached at 201-696-8171 or at acamachojr@optonline.net

  3. Hillary Nelson says:

    Wonderful pictures, Sarah!! And you were such a pleasure to have around that hectic day – you have a great sense of humor, know how to blend into the background, and are superb at getting people to relax. I will recommend you highly to everyone I know!

  4. Lois says:

    Awesome pics – captured their special day!

  5. Sheryl Sinclair says:

    Beautiful photos! Beautiful day!

  6. Ben Brewer says:

    Sarah you really did a tremendous job with these pictures! Incredible day.

  7. Harold Flores says:

    This looks so awesome! These pictures perfectly capture that beautiful and special day!