Weddingbee PRO

photographers: Emilie and J
venue: Spruce Point Inn Boothbay Harbor, ME
coordinator: Becky Beam
officiant: Rabbi Lev Baesh
florist: Judy Bourgeois Flora Fauna Designs
band: Tony Boffa Band
pie: Steve Watts Sweet Sensations
dress: Rivini
hair: Bonnie Jellison
invitations: William Arthur Papier Gourmet
honeymoon: Costa Rica

I met Sarah and Hawley a year and a half ago by way of emilie inc brides Karen and Kelsie, all of whom live locally. It’s very rare that my couples live in town, but very common that I befriend them all. So lucky us, J and I have grown quite close to Sarah and Hawley! We’ve had dinners out and dinners in, golf tee times and even toasted New Years together. So when their wedding day finally rolled around, we felt as much a part of the wedding as the guests and were overjoyed to capture their nuptials.

How they met, in Sarah’s words:
We met through a mutual friend while living in New York City. When we met, Hawley was in his last year of law school and had already accepted a job in Portland. We dated for about 5 months in New York and then did long distance for just over a year before I finally up and and moved to Maine. While I knew I wouldn’t stay in New York forever, I was not at the time planning on ending up back in Maine. It’s very ironic and fateful that I met a man in New York who would being me back to my home state and close to family again.

Sarah spent quite a bit of time in Boothbay Harbor growing up, so therefore it seemed the perfect venue to treat their mostly out-of-town guests. I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve photographed at Spruce Point Inn but it never ceases to amaze me how the weather plays such a major role in the overall feel of the day. On this day, it was something I had never seen before: thick fog and sunshine, all at once, but without even a glimpse of the beautiful ocean beyond the inn grounds.

Sarah got ready in Admiral’s Quarters, my favorite room for dressing at SPI.

Her something borrowed, held by her mom.

Elsewhere on the inn’s campus, Hawley was getting ready, pictured here speaking with coordinator Becky. Next door, his friend heads out for a pre-wedding jog.

Sarah’s mom and maid of honor adjust her train while she adjusts her father’s tie.

After signing their ketubah prior to the ceremony, their parents and bridal party each shared a private blessing that only the couple could hear while holding a bottle of wine. Then, they poured a bit of the wine into a glass, to be sipped by the couple during the ceremony. I think this was my favorite, most touching, part of the day. I wish all couples could take a few moments to do this, and collect their thoughts on what they are about to do.

See? Fog! Crazy, crazy fog with hot sticky sunshine. I’ve never seen it like this there before.

They were married under a friend’s chuppah who has embroidered the names of those who were also married under it.

Crazy about these lush green and white bouquets against the navy dresses. Perfectly preppy nautical color scheme.

A favorite image of the day, so carefree and happy!

Doesn’t this look like a cutout? Or a sexy romance novel cover?

Beautiful tall centerpieces graced the soaring ballroom, with grapes!

Guests signed antique skis instead of a guest book. They will hang in Sarah and Hawley’s house!

I have a worksheet I have couples complete before their wedding day to help me prepare, learn the players, the schedule, etc. This is the last question:
Q. What is the ideal image you hope to have hanging on your wall from your wedding day?
A. Wow, how do we answer this. A photo where anyone who looks at it, can immediately feel the enormous amount of love that I feel when Hawley looks at me!
There are so many images from the day that I feel capture the love I see in Sarah and Hawley, but this one nails it!

SO happy for you, Sarah and Hawley! We love you both and are so proud of you! Can’t wait for you to get home from Costa Rica and learn of all your adventures for when we venture there in December! xo