I love how Michael and Emma’s wedding at the Dartmouth Skiway came together! It all just seemed meant to be. And Kristen from Blackwater Events did an amazing job pulling it all together. The weather even cooperated with a beautiful clear day with a bright blue winter sky. I was especially excited about the fact that Emma and Michael wanted to do some ski lift photos (not moving!), as well as some photos at the bottom of the mountain, surrounded by snow. It only took a few minutes, right before we lost all the light, but definitely so worth it!

Then to top it off having an incredible band - Boston Premier Band - for all the guests to dance the night away… A great winter wedding experience, and so fun to photograph!

I’ve asked the couple some questions about their story and wedding day, and their answers are throughout in italics.

How did you meet your partner and/or get engaged?

Our story began towards the end of summer of 2020. Michael was living in North Providence, working remotely due to the pandemic, and Emma had recently moved back from Ireland into her parents house in Smithfield, the next town over. After matching on Hinge, Michael convinced Emma to go on a date with an offer she couldn't refuse- ice cream and the opportunity to meet his new puppy! On September 15th, 2020 they met up at Cool Licks Creamery and hit it off. The two began hanging out regularly- having movie nights, picnicking at local parks, cooking dinner together, and visiting Vermont to go skiing.

The years flew by with trips together with their friends and family: Colorado, Utah, Canada, and California for yearly ski trips; Peru to hike Machu Picchu; camping in Acadia, and around the country for family and friends’ weddings.

Almost two years ago we started a monthly date night tradition called alphabet dates, switching off planning surprise dates based on the letter of the alphabet- A kicked it off with axe-throwing and avocados (guacamole). The most memorable alphabet date is when we got engaged during our trip to Japan in February 2024- R for ring at Rusutsu Mountain!

Keep going for all the fun photos from this Dartmouth Skiway wedding!

getting ready for wedding at norwich inn in suite

emma gets help from her bridesmaids as she gets into her wedding dress

wedding dress in foreground as bride gets necklace put on

black and white photo of groom and groomsmen getting ready in crowded room

groom laughs getting ready with his friends and father

groom and groomsmen do a toast before the wedding ceremony

first look on porch at the norwich inn vermont

emotional moments during wedding first look

bride and groom pose with their adorable dog before their winter wedding

Remember the puppy from the story of how they met and had their first date? :)

wedding photos in front of norwich inn vermont

michael and emma february wedding in norwich vermont

groomsmen pose in front of large snow bank for this winter new england wedding

b&w groomsmen photo hanging out and talking

large wedding party at winter wedding outside, women in burgundy dresses with grey wraps, pink white and purple flowers

bridesmaids in front of evergreen tree winter wedding in vermont

bridesmaids and bride talking and laughing

winter wedding photos of bride and groom in norwich vermont

What is one suggestion you have for other couples who are planning their weddings?

Our best advice is to pick vendors whose personalities you really get along well with, and that you trust. Then don't worry about it anymore and move on to the next to-do list item! Choosing great vendors means they will take care of the wedding and all of the details on the day so you can truly sit back and enjoy. Wedding planning can be so stressful but it's important to practice how to be present and calm, and enjoy the special time.

interior wedding photos at norwich inn in front of fireplace

bride and groom on porch at norwich inn february wedding

We loved your calm and friendly nature! We felt like we were in great hands as you gave suggestions on poses, solved problems, and we loved that you were always present but never intrusive.

beautiful winter wedding bouquet with pink purple and white flowers and blue touches

photos of emma and michael in front of the norwich inn vermont

bride and groom walk down the street from the norwich inn to the church for their ceremony, emma looks over her shoulder laughing

Right as we were done with photos, we all needed to get to the ceremony - the church was just right down the street, so Emma and Michael walked - I don’t know what they were laughing about, but I love this shot of them walking away to the church.

bride and her dad walk down the aisle in norwich church

close ups of bride and groom during wedding ceremony

details during wedding ceremony, baby and stained glass window

bride and groom laugh looking out at their guests during their wedding ceremony

We were a little jittery at first during the ceremony but soon felt all of the positive emotions and love. Our pastor, Jonathan, did an incredible job of leading the ceremony. We loved the little special touches we planned like taking a picture of us with everyone in the church in the background, the readings by our godparents, saying personalized vows, and planning a flower petal toss after the ceremony.

exchange of vows at the norwich church vermont

The ceremony itself was incredibly special and I (Emma) was surprised with the overwhelming emotion I felt, especially when I could hear people sniffing and crying in the audience during the vows, knowing they were feeling the emotion along with us.

ring exchange and walk down the aisle at this winter wedding in a classic new england church

michael and emma come down the aisle smiling and do a dip halfway down after the ceremony

yay! emma and michael are married cheering coming down the aisle recessional

classic white new england church against the backdrop of a clear blue winter sky

We happened upon Norwich Congregational Church because it was right next to the inn we chose to stay in. This classic New England white church with an organ, tall windows, and a balcony was the perfect spot for our ceremony.

bride and groom come out of the church to all the guests throwing flower petals

guests cheer and throw flower petals as the bride and groom do a dip and kiss outside the church

Right after the ceremony we were absolutely ecstatic! Driving to the Skiway just the two of us after the ceremony was one of our favorite moments of the day.

gorgeous wedding couple on a ski mountain in new hampshire

winter wedding photos at darmouth skiway in new hampshire

wedding photos on ski lift at this winter wedding in the mountains of new hampshire

bride and groom surrounded by snow on a ski mountain in new hampshire

Right from the first preview (the day after the wedding!) we absolutely loved the photos. The bright, colorful pictures are so beautiful and capture every special moment of the day. We love the variety of outdoor snowy pictures (especially the ski lift ones!), and the candid dancing pictures of our family.

interior and exterior photos of wedding details at dartmouth skiway

We knew we wanted a winter "ski weekend" wedding to celebrate our love of skiing together, and to have a very unique celebration for our guests. It was difficult to find a venue that was open in the winter and would fit our high guest count. We toured a few barns but felt like they weren't cozy enough. Most ski lodges don't host winter weddings but Dartmouth Skiway took a chance on us and said they could host it- the first time they had ever done a winter wedding! The first time we saw the Skiway we knew it was perfect. The tall ceilings with exposed wooden beams, giant fireplace, huge new bar, and views of the mountain fit our vision perfectly.

couple laughing and getting ready to start their first dance on dance floor

bride and groom surrounded by guests during their first dance and cafe lights and disco balls above them

a dip and a hug end bride and groom first dance

The party was incredible and we honestly had the best night of our lives. It sounds cliche, but we really felt like guests at our own wedding. We danced all night and everyone loved the band. The first dance was filled with emotion (and more jitters!) and we loved that we planned it before dinner so we could get everyone moving on the dance floor for a few songs before eating.

emma and michael laughing on the dance floor

wide angle photo of guests raising their glasses during wedding toast with the bride and groom in the center

We had never been to a winter wedding and wanted it to have snowy, cozy winter vibes, hot drinks, lots of candles, and a fireplace. We mostly cared about throwing an incredible party for everyone, and making sure our guests were comfortable. This meant food and music were top of our priority list, as well as lots of little touches like a camera scavenger hunt, handmade favors, a photobooth, and a shotski to make it a unique and memorable experience.