Mid-Coast Maine | Maine Wedding Photographers Bethany and Dan

September 26, 2013 Mid-Coast Maine, Weddings

Mara and Will’s North Haven Island, Maine Wedding

Sometimes there are those weddings where you know from the moment you take the first image, its going to be epic. Mara and Will’s was one of them. On his own, Will demanded that everyone got ready outside on the porch for the best light. So he and his best man donned their tuxedos out in the open. Mara on the other hand was having her hair and makeup done at the Nebo Lodge, with her mother and maid of honor . When I saw the dress, I nearly fainted with excitement. It was calm and quiet and relaxed and honestly what every bride pictures her getting ready to be like. Her mom even cried a little bit and kept telling her how beautiful she looked and how much she loved her. It was so so sweet.

Right before the ceremony, Mara found out that her sister, who lives on Nantucket, flew in that morning… after having a baby 4 days prior.

The ceremony was held at a tiny catholic church on the island. One of their friends played quite possible the most amazing violin performance I have ever heard in my life, or ever will. Later I found out that this friend of theirs is Ryu Goto. Yeah. They kissed and walked back down the aisle to the front steps of the newly painted church and basked in the awesomeness that was their newly married life!

We took a few portraits at his parents property and then we all headed to the reception overlooking the Penobscot Bay. As the speeches of love and friendship continued from the evening before, we learned more and more how special these two are. Â They danced their first dance to another Ryu Goto song, and then they received a very unique gift. It was the only gift on the gift table, as per the couples request… but it was an unforgettable one. Two shot glasses were epoxyed to a canoe paddle, side by side. In order to sign this “guestbook of sorts” you had to take a shot of tequila from the shot paddle. It. was. a. huge. hit. AND since we sign every guestbook at every wedding, this was the first time ever we drank at a wedding. First and last… and I promised we were officially done working when we did so.

It’s weddings like this that I have to pinch myself when I realized that this is our job. Thanks Mara and Will and ALL your family and friends for making an unforgettable weekend for us.

Church: Our lady of Peace Catholic Church of North Haven Maine

Officiant: Father Robert Henry | Reception Venue: Private Property

Catering: Nebo Lodge | Tent Rental: Wallace Tent and Party Rentals

DJ: Eric of JTD Productions | Violinist: Ryu Goto

Make-up: Brenda from Adore Rouge | Hair: Colleen from Aphrodite Salon

Dress: Jenny Packham | Bride’s Shoes: Chanel

Rings: Anna Tucker of A & O Jewelry | Calligraphy: Everly Calligraphy

More from Mara and Will: Rehearsal Dinner

September 24, 2013 Mid-Coast Maine, Rehearsal Dinner

Mara and Will’s Rehearsal Dinner at the Nebo Lodge

Technically speaking, this post includes a little more than the rehearsal dinner. It really encompases all we saw on Friday when we arrived on North Haven Island, via the ferry. Mara and Will were waiting for us when we got there thankfully, since there is essentially no cell service on the island and we had no idea where we were going! We gave hugs and then Will said “We need you at the church right now!! We are painting the doors and we gotta have a shot of it!” Down to business right away eh? We followed them over to the church and lo and behold they were painting the doors to the church for the wedding the next day. How could we NOT photograph that? Afterwards, they swept us away to Will’s parent’s property, where we were to stay for the weekend. Most of the car ride, Dan and I were speechless at the scenery and the wonder that is North Haven. If you ever ever EVER get a chance to go, please do. We walked around and took a look at where the reception would take place and then Dan and I relaxed until the rehearsal dinner later on that evening.

All of their family and friends are close. Really close. We appreciated seeing just how much love their guests had for them. Once the dinner was served, toast began flowing and they didn’t stop all night! It was said more than once that Mara and Will’s love had inspired other to hold out for a love like that for themselves. What more could you ask?

Lastly, late that night after Dan and I had turned in for the night, we were in bed and heard a ruckus downstairs in the garage, (we were sleeping in the apartment above it). I was scared at first and sent Dan down to look. He ran back up and grabbed the camera and said he had to take photos. They were ripping into the alcohol boxes for the wedding the next day. Apparently Will and his crew wanted a little more before they themselves turned in for the night. I guess it was technically his already so why not right? They did save the top shelf goods for the following day but they were less a few bottles otherwise. Do you love these people yet? You should.

Venue and Catering: Amanda Hallowell of Nebo Lodge | Wills Bow Tie: Barnaby Jones

July 2, 2012 Mid-Coast Maine, Rehearsal Dinner

Julie and Chet’s One Day Anniversary Party in Sebasco ME

In keeping with their theme of being fun and bucking the system, Julie and Chet celebrated their One-Day Anniversary with a dinner, complete with a Texas theme, bandanas, toy guns, and a fiercely competitive game of “flip cup.” After Julie’s team dominated the entire evening, everyone headed over to the Game room at the Sebasco Harbor Resort and played Candle Pin Bowling and a host of other fun games. It was so fun to see everyone again the day after the wedding too.

June 28, 2012 Mid-Coast Maine, Weddings

Julie and Chet’s Sebasco Maine Wedding

When Julie and Chet contacted us about their wedding we were so excited about it. We could tell they were unique and fun and we are all about that. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, Dan and I were able to get to know them a little better and we were right. We loved them. Julie was such a cool girl. I wish I could think of a better word to describe her but honestly, “cool” fits her pretty well. Chet is the kind of person that you are fast friends with and who will be the friend you always want to be more like. This was shown over and over again for both of them through the speeches at their reception.

Julie and Chet are private couple. This trait created one of the most romantic and intimate moments that we have ever witnessed as wedding photographers. Julie and Chet opted to exchange vows with one another alone. On their wedding day, after their “first look,” they walked out onto a private cove and told one another their commitment. Dan and I stood far away with our cameras, honored to be the only witnesses of the event. After their private vow ceremony they had a more traditional ceremony later, complete with wedding vows about Law & Order and future puppies together.

The reception was Maine “to a T” with Maine brews and Lobster and family and friends enjoyed an evening celebrating Julie and Chet’s forever love.

Venue: Sebasco Harbor Resort | Florist: Emily Carter Floral Designs

Officiant: Bill Harris | Band: SPLASH

June 26, 2012 Mid-Coast Maine, Weddings

Amber and Mark’s Boothbay Harbor Maine Wedding

After a ridiculously beautiful Rehearsal Dinner, Amber and Mark’s wedding guests woke up to a forecast of rain and high winds. The couple had already moved to their “Plan C” since “Plan A” was outside on a deck and “Plan B” was under a tent, both of which would not work in that weather. You would expect Amber and Mark to be a bitÂ disappointed, which they were, however…. they were not showing it. We walked into rooms with happyÂ attendantsÂ and happy Amber and Mark. It was a testament to the fact that the wedding, for them, was not about anything other than marrying one another. In spite of the weather, there was a lot of opportunity to have fun with the photos too! Who would have thought that umbrellas were so photogenic? The Spruce Point Inn was in action with making “Plan C” lovely, and everyone was able to not only hear the couple say their vows in comfortable pretty chairs, but no one was getting rained on or blown out of their seats.

After the ceremony everyone went to the Pemaquid Room and signed this adventurous couples guestbook, which was a stack of postcards that they wanted everyone to write a note to them on. We loved the idea! The speeches were touching, the cake was delicious and by the end of the night, dancers young and old were fist-pumping on the dance floor.