Alisha & Mike's Wedding!

4 days ago I was headed south on I95, driving through pouring rain en route to South Berwick for Alisha and Mike's Wedding Weekend. Once in Portsmouth, NH and all checked in at the hotel it was back across the Maine border to meet up with Alisha and Mike for their rehearsal at the historic Hamilton House. I was actually a bit ahead of schedule so Alisha invited me to stop at their home and hang out until everyone was ready. Upon arrival, I sat in THE most comfy bar stool I have ever sat in and Alisha poured me a tall, cold Sam Adams Summer Ale :) The weekend was off to a great start!! This being the first time we had ever met face to face, it was nice to have some extra time to sit and talk with Alisha and get to know one another a bit. It did not take long before I knew that Alisha and Mike were my kind of people and that they and all their friends and families would be a lot of fun. And they were! Everyone was sooooo nice and sooooo hospitable that I just felt very 'at home' being around everyone, which is always a welcome feeling when documenting a wedding :)

August arrived early on Saturday morning, with temps climbing into the 90's and the humidity was thick...stifling hot!! Not what you expect when you plan an early June Wedding in Maine. But the afternoon was tolerable as I spent it inside at Alisha & Mike's where it was much cooler shooting the girls getting ready.

Alisha doing her final touches:


The Gents (and kudos to them all for being dressed up and standing in the field as we waited for the occasional cloud to block out the searing sun so we could snap off a few):


Alisha being escorted by her Mom & Dad, making their way into the garden with the historic Hamilton House in the background:




Mike watching his beautiful bride on her way to join him:


Exchanging of rings:




If you have ever done an E-Session with me you know how much I love the "Almost Kiss". It is even better when I can capture it during the ceremony:


The Kiss:


Tender moments:






Married and taking their first stroll as Husband & Wife:


And now I just HAVE to post a handful of the Stunningly Beautiful Bride :)

Alisha could not have stopped to turn and look in a better spot than in this first one...that light is simply delicious!




Possibly my all-time favorite bridal portrait, done with a hint of antique finish:






Then it was off to The Spring Hill Lodge for a night of celebration! How fun! These amazing people partied it up until past midnight :)

"Together for the first time anywhere, Mr. & Mrs...."


Father/Daughter Dance:


BIG hug as they danced :)


Hang on...Chair Dance!!


I just knew Mike was going to have his head bounced off the ceiling (but thankfully it was avoided). They were lifting him SO high!!




And there was a Birthday Girl in the house :) Alisha's grandmother was celebrating her birthday and here she is dancing with her son (Alisha's Dad) :)


And I will end this post with a fun one of Mike playing 'a little guitar' for Alisha:


What a great weekend! The Garden Wedding was beautiful, the reception was tons of fun!! What a wonderful couple, great friends, fabulous families!! A big thank you to Alisha and Mike for allowing me the absolute pleasure of being a part of your most special weekend! I had such a great time! Thank you for everything! :) Here's to a long, healthy, loving, fun lifetime together! Cheers!!!