Jim & Kristy
Date of Engagement: Thanksgiving Day, 2012
Date of Wedding: August 24, 2013
Photos by Michelle Heath Photography
The couple met when Jim interviewed Kristy for a job on a presidential campaign.
Says Kristy when asked who coordinated the wedding, “I planned the wedding; once I nailed down the location (Rockywold Deephaven in Holderness, NH) the vision came together pretty quickly, within a few months.”
Wedding colors: Aqua blue and gold
With a guest list of about 75 friends and family and two bridesmaids (Kristy’s sister and a best friend) and her brother-in-law and her stepson serving as groomsmen, it was indeed a family-friendly wedding.
Like so many weddings these days, the event had a rustic classic theme; the couple put their special touches on that theme in the setting of campy-fun Rockywold.
“I’m originally from South Carolina and 15 years ago I worked for the summer at Rockywold Deephaven Camps (RDC) located on Squam Lake. I fell in love with New Hampshire and the beauty of the Squam area. I’ve stayed in New Hampshire ever since. My husband’s family has roots in Ashland, the town located next to RDC. He grew up spending summers near Squam Lake. The area is so special to both of us; we often take the kids and the dog hiking or swimming in the area and find any excuse we can to go there.”
The entire wedding took place at Rockywold, Kristy explains. “We were married in Deephaven, next to the Longhouse and the reception was held at the Playhouse.”
The military has a strong presence in Kristy’s life, “My dad is a Marine who served for 23 years. His military service has shaped who I am today. We also incorporated Filipino traditions with a scarf being placed over the two of us and an infinity rope.”
The wedding was full of personal touches that reflect the couple. Says Kristy, “It was important that we involve my stepchildren, so they helped us choose the band and all sorts of decorations and touches. Jim’s son, Harry, was a groomsmen and his daughter, Carmina, was the flower girl.
“We really wanted to have an intimate experience for our guests. Even though my grandmother from North Carolina couldn’t join us, we borrowed her vintage mason jars to use as centerpieces. Since my husband and I are both political, he also had a ‘yard sign’ made for us that all our guests signed. We also used a local musician we met by happenstance at the Ashland Common Man to sing our songs (Ho Hey, modified by the Lumineers as I walked down the aisle & Everlong by Foo Fighters while we exited). We also had local beer at the reception brewed by a former co-worker from RDC.”
Kristy has some valuable wedding-planning advice for other brides. “Once you nail down your vision, stop looking at Pinterest! (However, Pinterest is a must for wedding inspiration and I absolutely love Etsy for all the unique and vintage items you can find such as jewelry, accessories and unique gifts.) But it gets to be overwhelming and you should trust the vision that you love. If possible, have a day-of-wedding coordinator to tie together all the loose ends that you will inevitably forget.” (The couple had a coordinator for the day of the wedding – she’s the State Senator representing the area.)
Wedding Vendors:
Hair salon: Lakes Region Hair Care
Officiant: Bruce Southerland, a pastor at the couple’s local church, Manchester Christian Church
Cake baker: Rather than have a traditional cake and dessert, the couple gathered favorite desserts and asked friends and family to bake the desserts. Kristy’s grandmother’s coconut cake is one of her favorites, so a dear friend made the cake, using Kristy’s grandmother’s recipe.
Florist: Freshwater Farms, Atkinson, NH
Gown: Country Bridals, Jaffrey, NH
Maids gowns: The bridesmaids wore aqua-colored gowns.
Wedding menu: The meal was served family style and had salad, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and grilled summer vegetables provided by Mame’s of Meredith.
Photographer: Michelle Heath Photography
DJ/Band: King Chrome
Invitations? Says Kristy, “Our invitations perfectly captured our wedding theme and were found on Etsy.”
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