Nicole and Brian planned a winter wedding at The Red Barn at Outlook Farm that was both elegant and well thought out. Not a month after Nicole and Brian hired me did Nicole have all the details planned out including the timeline, transportation, and every other logistic that was necessary for a wedding day to run smoothly. Whoa.
I met up with Nicole in Portland while the ladies were in the midst of getting ready at the Courtyard Marriott at the waterfront in Portland. Soon after I arrived, everyone jumped into action and Nicole got her dress on in time to meet Brian downstairs for their First Look in the lobby.
Before she was ready to get her dress on I ran around and grabbed some simple detail shots of the flowers, invites, and her dress.
I loved that Nicole included her grandmother’s pearl necklace around her bouquet so that she had a little piece of her memory close to her for her ceremony.
The quickest part of any day, once logistics are figured out, is the actual First Look. It’s such a big part of the day and yet it only lasts a matter of a minute (or five) and it’s always one of my favorite parts of a wedding day.
As we headed out to grab the car to go up to a friend’s home on the Eastern Promenade, I saw this wallpapered section of the lobby and HAD to stop. It was such a cute little nook.
And even while waiting for the car was a must-stop and grab a casual shot of them together. <3 All the heart eyes.
When we arrived at the friend’s house, we had free reign and naturally went upstairs to the bedroom where there was a bunch of light and offered some fun angles and framing.
This staircase. No words needed. 🙂
I am a fan of utilizing a mirror or some form of a reflection when possible These two were game and so cute together.
Then we headed out into the cold foggy day to grab some images… what would have been the beautiful Casco Bay as their backdrop… but honestly, I love the fog in these.
When we were done we headed back to the hotel where the bridal party was finished getting ready and happily waiting so we could do a few portraits before hopping on the bus to head to South Berwick to the Red Barn at Outlook Farm for the ceremony and party to follow.
The Red Barn was decorated in simple, elegant details that complimented the celebrations of the season!
I am always excited to see The Dapper Gents at an event. Their musical talent blows me away. I have seen them at bars in Portland on a summer evening and they play all of the best music to get people dancing. When I learned later that same summer that they did weddings, too, I was so excited. I see Danny most often playing the cello at cocktail hours and in this case, they had Jacob on guitar and Danny on cello. <3
Nicole and Brian had a beautiful ceremony with some fun little notes from Adam, their officiant, and so much love.
I don’t know about you, but this part where the rings are exchanged almost always renders the most smiles from the couple. The fumbling, perhaps the wrong hand is offered (!), just plain nervousness, whatever the cause, it’s the cutest thing ever and I never tire of it.
After a hop, skip, and a jump, the ceremony was over, they came down the aisle and celebrated with their friends. While everyone gathered in the large foyer for cocktail hour, we grabbed the last few family portraits that we weren’t able to do earlier and then Nicole and Brian joined their guests.
Once cocktail hour was over, Nicole and Brian jumped right into the festivities and held their first dance and the parent dances. They had a lovely dance together that they had clearly practiced together over the months leading up to their bug day! Bravo!
Speeches were heartfelt and filled with cute stories about the bride and groom and the love that they had for their friends and family. After the speeches and while guests were eating dinner, they quickly cut the cake without a big announcement to the party and the catering whisked it off to cut it up into pieces so it was ready when their guests were finished with dinner.
Congratulations to Nicole + Brian on their wedding at The Red Barn at Outlook Farm and I wish you years of happiness together! xo
Photographer: Sarah Jane Photography
Venue: Red Barn at Outlook Farm
Getting Ready + First Look Location: Courtyard Marriott, Portland
Officiant: Family Member (Bride’s BIL and one of my former wedding clients! See his wedding here)
Band for ceremony: The Dapper Gents