The 2011 wedding season has flown by and I want to thank all of my wonderful couples for allowing me, and Jess, to share in your Big Day.

Thank you to:

Adam and Sarah Canales, Houlton

William and Cindy Jewell, Bangor/Brewer

Jim and Lisa Jecker, Castine

Kevin and Katie Mania, Houlton

Erin and Greg Knerr, Lucerne-in-Maine

Jenny and Mitch Munson, Bar Harbor

Erika and Mark "Strate" Richardson, Bangor

Sasha and Jeremy Miller, Lucerne-in-Maine

Reg and Eileen Arnold, Lucerne-in-Maine

May all of you be blessed with the Happily Ever After that you deserve!

As I write this blog post (October 30), it's snowing. Yep. Snowing. So what better way to cure the snow blues than to reflect back on some summer weddings!

This summer has been a hot one. Every wedding I have witnessed this summer has been on a wicked hot day. But no worries, the joy I've witnessed makes the heat worth it! I'm sure my couples would agree.

On August 13, I was honored to share in Erin and Greg's Big Day at the Lucerne Inn. I met Erin and Greg about a year prior as they were researching the Inn for their wedding. The stars must have aligned, because prior to our initial consultation (on a day I was shooting at the Inn!) she had researched the Opus Trio. My husband, Bill, is one of the members of the Trio. We had a lovely chat and very soon after, Erin and Greg booked my services for their wedding.

She's probably one of my most detail-oriented brides (and I LOVE it) and so I knew we'd be a good fit. I always make sure to care for my couples by helping them with recommendations for vendors I know and trust. It's ultimately up to them to decide, but I'm happy to help in any way I can. On my recommendation (and her thorough research), they booked the Opus Trio for ceremony music, Barry Lord for MC/DJ at their reception, and Chapel Hill Floral for flowers. All these vendors (plus the Lucerne Inn) are among my favorites!

So on a gorgeous, sunny, August day they said "I Do" with family and friends surrounding them. Her dress was GORGEOUS, the flowers PERFECT, and the reception was totally a blast. And did I mention that they put a lot of thought into this wedding. In addition to a sand ceremony they did something I've never seen before: A wine and love letter ceremony. More about this in another blog post!

Here are some highlights from the Big Day!

August 6, 2011 | Houlton, Maine

This summer has been full of unique weddings. While the tradition of the wedding remains the same, the way weddings are being designed are, well, fabulous.

On August 6, I had the honor this summer of photographing the marriage of Kevin and Katie. Kevin was my husband’s best man at our wedding 9 years ago and has found the lady of his dreams in Katie. Not only are they great friends, but a JOY to photograph. As a matter of fact, the whole happy bunch of guests, family, and friends were a joy. Even the horse that drew the carriage was a joy.

Katie and Kevin opted to do a beautiful do-it-yourself wedding full of small touches and lots of love. The theme: a garden wedding. And what a garden it was. Katie’s aunt and uncle have probably one of the prettiest gardens in Maine and a lot of thought (and elbow grease) went into their nuptials. Katie has dreamed of getting married "in the garden" since she was a little girl. And everything cooperated to make the Big Day glorious!

From a bridal bouquet made from cut flowers (from her aunt's garden and presented by child attendants), to a custom designed logo (made by the groom who is a band teacher and drummer), to handsomely designed invitations (printed locally), the wedding was truly unique. No cookie cutters at this wedding! I love seeing what all of my couples do for their wedding details and Kevin and Katie didn't disappoint. Carrying the garden theme through to the reception, Kevin and Katie asked for words of advice on how to "grow" a perfect marriage complete with a mini-lawn.

I’m thrilled to have shared their Big Day and to have been honored to share their "happily ever after".