Maddie & Mike *
Camp Cody, Freedom, New Hampshire (Ceremony & Reception)
September 7th, 2024
I don't know how it happened but, for some reason, I've spent more time in New Hampshire this wedding season than at any point in my career. And, in my experience, when you're in the Granite State, there's just a certain vibe you can expect from a wedding.
New Hampshire weddings just feel more in touch with nature. Maybe it's the mountain air but I know when I'm in New Hampshire, I can expect lots of greenery, a ton of amazing backdrops and a couple that has no problem getting out and exploring and that's why I knew before second shooting Maddie and Mike's September wedding for Pretty Nerdy Photography, we were in for a good day.
Then I saw this bride and groom together for their first look ... and I knew it wasn't just going to be a good day, it was going to be a great day.
Maddie and Mike said "I do" at Camp Cody in Freedom, New Hampshire and it was a beautiful, sweet and absolutely touching day to see and shoot. And, yes, it was well worth the three-hour drive north.
* These photos were taken as part of my work as a second photographer for Pretty Nerdy Photography.
and are presented here strictly for portfolio/display purposes.
My time with Maddie and Mike started, as you'd expect, at groom prep. But unlike most groom preps I photograph as a second photographer, Mike's groom prep had no awkward introductions or feeling out period. Within the first minute and a half, it felt like I knew this groom forever and he and his guys were up for whatever ideas I have ... which, as you can imagine, I loved.
Mike and his groomsmen got ready in a yurt on the property that was just perfect for photos and whether it was grabbing detail shots, taking photos of the groom with his dog Ragnar or documenting Mike's mom putting on his boutonniere, I don't think I could have had more fun photographing this specific groom prep.
What I loved the most about working with Mike before the wedding ceremony was how cool and calm he was. I could tell by his demeanor that he really cared about this day being as perfect as it could for his bride-to-be and right from the first look, I understand this couple perfectly.
Maddie and Mike lit up when they finally saw each other for the first time in their wedding gear and I don't think they could have asked for a more beautiful first look.
Speaking of gorgeous, I've got to say, the scenic backdrops at Camp Cody were second to none.
Without even moving around the property, and sticking around where Maddie and Mike had their first look, I was able to capture a ton of beautiful formal photos of the soon-to-be newlyweds which, as the second photographer for this day, is a luxury I sometimes don't get at these weddings.
I'm glad I did here, though, because this couple was so cute and sweet together and I adored how these photos turned out.
Maddie and Mike chose to have their wedding ceremony on the beach at Camp Cody and while that provided us a stunning backdrop, well, it also just so happened to take place on what felt like the surface of the sun.
Not that this bride or groom minded, of course. I don't think they cared where they said "I do" as long as it ended with them officially pronounced as husband and wife.
Maddie and Mike's ceremony was a scorcher temperature wise but the views of the nearby White Mountains were second to none.
I also loved how sweet and casual this ceremony itself was as both the bride and groom pored out a lot of emotion and sentimentality in their vows and in the way they looked at one another and while it was sometimes hard to see through the sweat dripping into my eyes, I'm thrilled with how touching these photos looked of the moment this bride and groom tied the knot.
Following their wedding ceremony, Maddie and Mike made their way to some additional family formal photos and their cocktail hour. Me? Well, as the second photographer I really only had one task: Get detail shots.
And I loved Mike and Maddie's details.
I'd be lying, however, if I said I wasn't secretly counting down the minutes to the start of their reception and right from the moment these newlyweds walked in, it was apparent why: This was going to be a fun night.
Mike and Maddie opened their wedding reception with a super fun first dance where they swung each other around the dance floor.
I loved this moment for them for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was how cool the rustic vibe of their venue's ballroom area looked.
Maddie and Mike were definitely in a dancing mood at the beginning of the party portion of their wedding as they rolled right from a first dance into two parent dances and, honestly, I can't blame them. Why not knock a bunch of the formalities of the evening out of the way at the start of your reception so you can spend the rest of the night just relaxing and having a good time?
Of course, in this case, the formalities WERE the good time these two were having and I could tell both Maddie and Mike loved these special moments they got to share with their parents.
After an absolutely delicious dinner and a couple of sweet toasts/cake cutting, Maddie and Mike officially opened their dance floor and I got ready to capture as many party photos as I could in the last hour that I was booked for.
And how many was that? A lot. Because there was a ton of dancing to document and everyone made sure to savor ever second of this late summer/early fall party.
As my time came to an end with Maddie and Mike, and I began to pack my gear, I had to hustle back to the dance floor not once but twice because I just couldn't stop photographing the fun I was seeing.
I can think of no greater compliment for this bride and groom and this awesome New Hampshire wedding, honestly. It was just a great time and, I imagine, everything Maddie and Mike dreamed it could be and then some.
So thank you Maddie and Mike for including me as a small part of your journey down the aisle. I wish you all the best on this new chapter of your lives together. :)
-Paul J. Spetrini
