GIVEAWAY! 5 Tips to Hosting an Adventure Wedding + Free Munkpacks!

Earlier this fall Munkpack asked me to write an article for their blog.  After much deliberation I decided to write a piece called "5 Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Adventure Wedding" - you'll have to head over to their site to read the whole article but I just wanted to include an excerpt here about why selecting the right photographer is tip #4. 

"The single most asked question I’ve heard this summer is, “if you like shooting for outdoor brands so much, how can you stand shooting weddings!?”  My response to this is twofold. First, I am lucky enough to have awesome clients who love being outside and are usually up for just about any photo opportunity I suggest; even if it means hiking up a mountainside or over some slippery rocks.  I’m still in my element – I’m just shooting humans in love who are in pretty clothes as opposed to backpacks, jackets and Munk Packs. Second, I approach each wedding day with the same mentality that I do a commercial shoot – enjoy it as much as if I were outside enjoying the day on my own terms.  I shoot with a mix of photojournalist documentary style and often prompt couples to do or say something to each other in order to create some of the fun candid moments everyone loves. My advice to you if you are planning an adventurous wedding, is to hire a photographer who has experience in shooting all of the elements, isn’t afraid of snakes or spiders, has great balance and a phenomenal sense of adventure."

I'm running a giveaway with Munkpack over on instagram! You must be following both @gpowersfilm and @munkpack and must comment on the photo telling us where you would take your munkpacks! The prize for the winner would be two pouches of each flavor! Contest is not endorsed by instagram and ends Monday October 24th.

Alex + Seth || Islesboro Maine Wedding

When we boarded the Islesboro ferry Saturday morning the fog was so thick we could barely see past the end of the boat, but by the time we made it to the property where Alex and Seth were getting married the sun was shining brightly through the clouds.  Knowing that this was my last wedding of the season had me feeling the same way I do when I round a corner with 100 meters left in a 5k ski or running race – adrenaline pumping, I was excited to finish off the wedding season with a hell of a kick.  When we rolled in I was immediately swept up in the organized chaos that was a DIY wedding – friends and family were busy setting up tables and chairs, locals were already hard at work boiling water for the lobsters Seth brought home from work and the largest chicken roaster I’ve ever seen was being greased up.  Two dogs scampered about, finishing touches were put on the cake and an island gardener appeared with the florals.  Alex showed off her dress she made herself and the Swedish Hasbeens she found for $6 at a thrift store.  The band Sugarbush was warming up and kids were assembling the photo booth.  After a lovely ceremony overlooking the ocean, the couple went for a drive around the island before dancing to a song sung by a college friend.  The day wrapped up with cake and lots of hugs before guests had to head off to the ferry.  Alex and Seth, to say I didn’t tear up during your ceremony or I didn’t like the food at all would be the biggest lie I told this year – thank you for having me and I hope you love the photos! XO

Photographer: Gretchen Powers Dress: Handmade by Alex (Bride) Band: Sugarbush Venue: Family Property on Islesboro Catering: Family and Friends Rings: Heirloom Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens Sweater: LLBean Cake: Baked by a friend Favors: Honey Sticks

On A Lark || Field Guide Hotel Stowe, VT

Kaleigh and I arrived at the Lark Hotel's Field Guide Hotel in Stowe, VT after shooting a wedding at Mad River Glen on a gorgeous Vermont fall day.  We were kindly welcomed and given the key to the Lark Suite in the tallest tower in the castle (it did require some hiking to get to it).  Upon entering the suite our jaws went slack at the gorgeous interior decorations and Kaleigh jumped up and down like a kid for the cookies that had been left for us.  Quick to take in all of the amenities the hotel had to offer, we dropped our things and ran for a dip in the pool, hot tub and soaked our tired bodies in the bathtub with Lather Eucalyptus Bath Salts.  We determined that there is no such thing as too much soaking of tired bodies. 

We made up a cocktail for the weekend that, after frantic brainstorming we named “The Leaf Peeper in Flannel”.  A mix of bourbon, blood orange bitters, cardamom clove syrup and a splash of soda.  Refreshing yet quietly alluding to the autumn season knocking loudly at the door.  

After exploring a bit of the area, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at The Bench accompanied by the tastiest beer – Edward from Hill Farmstead Brewery - we'll definitely have to check this one out next time we are back in Vermont.

BREAKFAST IN BED!

Our first morning waking up at the Field Guide, Kaleigh leapt out of bed faster than I have ever seen her move before 9 a.m. to retrieve the breakfast basket that waited for us at the door.  Having let the staff know at check in that I can’t eat wheat I was delighted to find a number of gluten free items had been included.  We devoured the OJ, raisin scone, GF peanut butter oat bar, hardboiled eggs with herbs and washed it down with tea and coffee.

After breakfast we packed up some snacks and headed out for a short, mellow hike up to the Stowe Pinnacle via the Pinnacle Meadows Trail – roughly 2.5 miles round trip the hike was enough to work up a sweat and still have plenty of energy for afternoon adventuring.

COFFEE AND TEA BREAK!

After a short coffee, tea and knitting break, we drove up the road a few miles to check out the brand new von Trapp Brewery Bier Hall that had only opened a few days previously and almost inhaled a flight of beers, a garden salad and bratwurst and cheese platter (I packed rice crackers) and purchased some of the Oktoberfest to bring back to Maine.

We continued a bit further up the road to the Trapp Family Lodge where I spent many days skiing as a kid and high school ski racer and we went for a walk and ran about singing “The Hills Are Alive” at the top of our lungs.

We took a little catnap/cocktail break back at the room, knitting and watching Tastemade on the apple TV before heading downstairs to enjoy a bite to eat at Picnic Social, the hotel’s own restaurant.  We split a cheeseburger, curried delicata squash and smashed fingerling potatoes (one of Kaleigh’s favorite things to make at home).  I lost at cornhole – terribly (nothing new) and we hit the hay early.

After another breakfast in bed, we enjoyed a yummy cup of Vermont Coffee Company coffee in the lobby before heading home.  We were able to sneak in a quick visit to the Gold Brook Covered Bridge before hopping back on 89 south and heading for Maine.

Look 1: Shirt: L.L.Bean Signature Jacket: L.L.Bean (make sure to size down) Jeans: L.L.Bean Signature Boots: L.L. Bean (Order a full size down and do it now!) Necklace: Watts in Maine Watch: North Twenty Two Hat: Stetson(found it at RENY's) 

Look 2: Shirt: L.L.Bean Sweater: Dale of Norway Corduroys: prAna Clogs: Troentorp Watch: North Twenty Two

Look 3: Shirt: L.L.Bean Signature Sweater: Dale of Norway Jeans: prAna Clogs: Troentorp Watch: North Twenty Two Necklace: Watts in Maine

Thank you to Lark Hotels and the Field Guide Hotel for putting us up for two nights, and to L.L.Bean, prAna, Watts of Maine, North Twenty Two, and Troentorp Clogs for the fun fall attire! 

Also - if you want to snag yourself a cozy fall kit from We Are Knitters for 15% off use the code GPOWERSWAK at check out. : )