The afternoon started at the Silver Fountain Inn in Dover.  A beautiful inn that was perfect for all the pre-wedding action.  I arrived to the incomparable Joanne McDonough of Joya Beauty putting the finishing touches on her perfect canvas– Michelle.

I popped upstairs for a few shots of the guys getting ready too. This sweet little boy was a little nervous about his role, but he did wonderfully!

AYKM!?  Absolutely STUNNING!!

With everyone ready, it was time for the first look.  It was like a fun sliding puzzle getting Tim downstairs and hidden so Michelle could sneak upstairs and we could get Tim in place.  She came down the stairs and up behind him — he’s so excited and she left him speechless!

We got some great wedding party shots taken care of before it was off to the ceremony!

Michelle arrived at St. Mary Church in Dover in swanky style it added perfectly to the vintage feel of her look!

Married and off to the getaway car!

The car brought them right over to The Oaks in Somersworth, NH just in time for a few sunset ‘just married’ photos before the reception that was full of so many great details, fireworks, sparklers & just good old fashioned fun and celebration!

High Fives for a job well done!

 And a grand exit!  Off they go: Mr & Mrs!

You might notice the videographer in the last shot,  Andrew at  Pixel Perfection was a BLAST to work with.  To be honest, sometimes videographers get in the way and don’t try and work with the photographer but Andrew was great from start to finish.  You can See their highlight video here and I would absolutely give him a call if you’re wondering about video coverage of your event too.

Thank you Michelle & Tim for having such a fantastic event and letting me be a part of it!

Chevelle & Brodie are sweet as pie.  After their engagement session in Prescott Park last summer, I was sure that their wedding was going to be so.much.fun — and was it ever!

I arrived at Chevelle’s parents house to find this splendid setup — and all those hangers? Chevelle MADE them.  I think she should probably open her own shop on etsy; or at least open a MKP Prop shop for me!  Love them.

 I love the getting ready shots.  Everyone doing their own thing, all dolled up, usually in t-shirts and all working toward the common goal of getting the bride married!

This was the first time (but not the last time) I saw this new way of making sure your dress stays lined up — having your seamstress add velcro to your undergarments.  Just make sure it’s done well or it can backfire, but this was the crowning touch on making Chevelle’s dress fit like a glove!

 Mum helping her daughters with their final touches — included de-lipsticking the teeth!

 And dad… ready to fight a duel?  Watch out Brodie!

 I got to ride in the limo with the girls which is always SO much fun.  The subtle champagne & peach color scheme was so beautiful.

 When we arrived the girls hung out in the limo and I went in to check on Brodie.  He and his brother were holed up at the back of the church; trying to keep entertained.

 Then, it was time to get married!

 It was a wonderful ceremony full of light & love & foreverness.

 And FINALLY!  Married!

 There was such an timeless old-fashioned feel to their wedding.  It was all I could do to not post process the whole thing in black and white because I loved the story so much.   Thank goodness for digital though — best of both worlds! The gorgeous colors and the magical black and white!

 Remember what I just said about that ..timeless, old fashioned feeling?  Chevelle was going for that too, which is exactly why she booked the stretch hummer limo.  NOT!  There was a snafu with the limo company and this was all they had to send along for the day.  While she was a tiny bit put-off at first, we certainly laughed and made the best of it and had fun. We HAD to take a photo with it!!

 The grounds at The Oaks are gorgeous!

Then it was inside to start the party!  A delicate first dance.

 Adoring toasts by Chevelle’s sister and Brodie’s brother.

 priceless children full of personality and hilarity.

 And a surprise XBOX360 cake for Brodie!

 If you’d asked me to place a wager before hand I would have bet that there would be at least a little bit of cake flying about during cake cutting, but they were very delicate with each other.  (I’m pretty sure I heard Chevelle threaten to pummel him should he be anything less than gentle!)

 It’s readily evident that Chevelle & Brodie have amazing relationships with their families — who have amazing relationships with each other.  It was an honor to witness.

 love.is.sweet! and so are my favorite candies. pink starburst. YUM!

 I love how grownups charge the candy station more than the kids do!

This bunch were wild dancers.  I love.love.love when the bride and groom tear up the dance floor all night and these two had many a guest by their side!

 Brodie’s dad and brother had a show down.  It was a good fight.

 But I think Brodie’s brother gets the props for his mad skills.

 After what I can only describe as a fairy tale perfect event, the new Mr & Mrs Bazo headed off to their honeymoon a waft  in iridescent bubble beauty!

 My thanks to you both for having me be privy to your special day.  And many thanks for your kind words on WeddingWire!

Melissa is the best photographer EVER!!!! Not only is she talented, which can be seen through her BEAUTIFUL photographs, but she has such a great personality! She rode in the limo with us, danced with us, and still managed to take pictures at the same time! She was incredibly helpful with everything, including helping with my bustle and taking my veils out of my hair! I just can’t believe how great she is! 

She makes formals go by quickly and smoothly, and she made sure we got all of our must-have photos as well! I just can’t say enough good things about Melissa. She is the nicest and most talented photographer out there!!!! I am so glad we used her for our wedding!

Happy (almost) 5 month anniversary!!

“Melissa was a life savor for my now husband Chris and I. Two weeks before our wedding we found out that our photographer we had booked could no longer shoot us. I was in a panic. I was telling my hairdresser about the situation we were in, she recommended Melissa to us. She was wonderful, I called her about 10 days before the wedding, and she meet with me right away. She was super sweet and really listened to what Chris and I had wanted and to what was important to us for our big day. She was in contact with us and kept us up to date on our photo’s. When we got our photo’s I was speechless. I watched the slideshow’s not once but twice and cried everytime. Our pictures were BEAUTIFUL!!! She captured moments I don’t remember happening. I love love love our wedding photo’s. Chris and I can not thank Melissa enough for giving us wonderful photo’s of our special day. I would recommend Melissa Koren Photography to any bride and groom that is looking for a photographer for their big day!!!”

That’s right — can you imagine?  You have all your ducks in a row, you’re ready to get married, and wham — your photographer just up and backs out.  I was SO SO SO happy when Tiff called me.  We were in the middle of packing & buying our house and it was a busy September.  I remember returning her voicemail and saying I can definitely help you out—but only if it’s the 13th.  And it was!  My thanks to her hairdresser Amy, was one half of the fabulous Amy & Greg who were married at The Margate in June 2008. 

Ok, enough story! More pictures! I arrived at Amy’s salon just as the finishing touches were being applied.

The youngest flower girl was not quite sure what to make of me or my camera — she warmed up to me by the end though

Tiff & her sisters getting everything in order and ready to go.

She crept down the stairs to see her Daddy who was waiting there BEAMING from ear to ear. I totally cried. They are such a sweet and loving family.

Then it was into her dad’s truck to go to the Church.  Little did her dad know that Tiff had a trick up her sleeve. P.S. Isn’t she too cute? She totally reminded me of Drew Barrymore — a great giggle & infectious smile and just happy and lovely.

Tiffany told her dad she forgot something and had him swing back — where he found out she had hired this GORGEOUS car as a surprise for him to take them to the church. 

Being so last minute, this was the first chance I had to meet Chris.  I gave him a quick hello and a reassuring smile and watched him watch his bride walk down the aisle.

Married!!

This car was h.o.t. hot — my dad was part of the “Cadillac Club” when I was a kid so classic cars are sort of part of my upbringing.  I don’t know the details but I can sure appreciate their awe-someness!  And I couldn’t resist a little fish-eye fun — it looks like a mini-mobile!

Then we headed to  The Oaks  in Somersworth, NH.  I was speechless — it was so beautiful!  We had a great time doing the newlywedded photos!

Tiffany got Chris the watch as a wedding gift — and I love LOVE LOVE the brushed silver cuff links.  Class acts these two!

Thank you wind for getting in my shot

Pink!  I have to say these were the most fun & colorful centerpieces I’ve seen.  I love the candy & the vividness of it!

These two document everything! He even had the video camera set up when he asked Tiff to marry him — I so cried when I saw it!!

Yay! Time for cake!

Such a proud daddy!!

And then it was time to get down! Get Funky!

I love the background in this photo — body language can be a riot!

hmm… I wonder who’ll get the garter..

Tiff & Chris — I’m so so sorry you had to go through the stress of not knowing who your wedding photographer was going to be, but I’m glad that Amy mentioned me and that I was able to step in!  I had a blast!!  Thank you a million times over!

~MelissaKoren

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