Angela and Matt love the outdoors, nature, and fly fishing, so it seemed most appropriate that they chose Pittsburg, NH as the location for their August 27th, 2016 north country wedding. They both hail from NH, but call Utah home right now.

For those of you who might not be familiar with Pittsburg, NH, you need to go! It was a four hour ride up on a Friday afternoon in late August for me from Andover, MA (I chose to go up a day prior to the wedding day, just in case!), but you pass through some of NH’s most majestic and captivating areas. Once you get through the notch up in Franconia, you are about halfway there. Open farmland, stunning views of The White Mountains, numerous warnings about avoiding moose collisions, and the sobering realization that once past Colebrook, your cell phone is useless, are all par for the course.

It wasn’t until I finally arrived at The Inn at Bear Tree that I was able to snag some wifi and regain some texting, thus re-joining civilization again, albeit in this limited technical capacity. Not a bad thing, mind you! Pittsburg has the remarkable ability of leveling a hefty dose of relaxation on you in short order, allowing you to take notice of the surrounding beauty, eerie silence, the dim glows and wafting scents of family campfires, and tranquility that northern wilderness towns like this offer.

The weather could not have been any better marked by warm days with just the right amount of cloud cover, and cool evenings, great for sleeping. The nights are extraordinarily dark in Pittsburg, with the occasional haunting call of loons out on the First Connecticut Lake running as background music.

Angela and Matt’s friends and family all made the trek north (many coming in from out of state) to see the couple, who’ve known one another since 6th grade, become husband and wife.

The girls all got ready at the big cabin at The Glen at Bear Tree, while the guys did the same at a nearby cabin at Metallak Shores Resort.

The ceremony took place on a large green rolling lawn right on the shores of the First Connecticut Lake. The view was incredible and served as the perfect nature-inspired backdrop. Angela’s older brother Andrew served as the officiant, mixing just the right amount of good-natured humor and love for the couple, evoking laughs and tears among many of those looking on.

The reception was held in a huge white tent, with the folks from Bear Tree providing a delicious dinner, followed by dancing with music provided by DJ Tim Bruneau of Main Event Entertainment. At the end of Angela’s dance with her dad, the two broke out harmonicas providing a much unexpected duet. A first for me for sure.

I wish Angela and Matt all the best and am grateful that they allowed me to capture their special day! Cheers!

Mike