You could not have dreamed of a more perfect, winter wonderland, wedding for Bryan and Amber. Up in the mountains surrounding Lake Placid, weather and visibility can never be certain, especially in early January. However, the morning of January 5, 2019, the snowstorms subsided and the clouds raised above the mountains giving our couple the perfect conditions to explore this picturesque region on their wedding day.

This emphasis about exploring on their wedding day is what excited us so much about this small, intimate wedding. The priority for Bryan and Amber was to make this day about the memories they can make together and enjoying a part of the state that is so special to them. After getting ready in their separate, rustic lodges right on the lake, it was time to do their first look very early on in the day. We set up Bryan right on the shore looking out at the beautiful mountains. Meanwhile, Amber descended the wooded staircase and with her thick, furry boots, shuffling through the fresh fallen snow. With my telephoto lens on, we focused on Bryans face as he turned around to see his wife for the first time! This is always one of our favorite moments to observe, and we just watched and waited and snapped away as they exchanged words for the first time on their wedding day.

Having done the first look so early in the day, we now had a few hours to drive around the mountains, hiking through fresh fallen snow to capture the best angles that the High Peaks region has to offer. The snow made everything so beautiful, but we loved the view where we could see layered mountains off in the distance across the snow covered golf course. We also headed towards White Face, and though we couldn’t access the top because of the snow, we still found a few great vantage points of it along our drive. Having the flexibility of a few hours for our portrait session gave us a lot of freedom in where we could explore and allowed us to be in no great hurry to make it back by a certain time.

After we exhausted many of the prime locations along route 86, and all of our outer extremities began to freeze, we headed back to Lake Placid Lodge to prepare for the ceremony. With a guest list of just under 20 people, everyone comfortably fit on the back porch of the Lodge, beneath the massive moose bust, and huddled around a few heaters, to watch Amber and Bryan commit their lives to each other. It was a very intimate, family focused celebration as Adam, Bryan’s brother, had the honor of conducting the ceremony.

Once the rings were exchanged and the vows sealed with a kiss, it was time for the family to gather in the rustic lodge to play some games and dance as the dinner was being prepared. Soon, the whole family was gathered around one large, well decorated table by the cozy fireplace to wine and dine. Toasts were given and stories were shared as laughter filled the room. Then it was time for the surprise of the evening as the ‘Owl Man’ was invited in and the cute little bird was passed around from arm to arm. The evening wound down around the fireplace outside as marshmallows were toasted and jokes were cracked.