Sara & Gary: Wedding

They had originally planned on marrying in the Fall, but life is ever changing and full of surprises and they had to move the wedding up several months to mid-May. I began communicating with Sara at the end of February, first via e-mail and then over the phone. Due to the fact that they live in Los Angeles we were not able to meet in person until about a week before the wedding, once Sara arrived back in her home state of Maine. I met with both Sara and her mom at a cafe in Portland's Oldport and instantly felt 'at-home' with them and knew this was going to be a great wedding to be a part of. Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking, to completely change all of the logistics in a short amount of time and move a wedding up 4 or 5 months and have it go off without a hitch is simply amazing...and a testament to the great families and friends that fill Sara and Gary's lives.

So let's start with a few of the beautiful bride in preparation:




where would we be without friends...


something blue...




The gorgeous bouquet from Studio Flora ...


meanwhile across town...


Best Man John with the helping hand...


while shooting the guys getting ready I have seen every type of sport being watched on tv as they prepare for the big moment. Gary and John were watching poker which, as an avid poker player myself, I thought was pretty cool and a first for me :) Gary keeping an eye on the game as he buttons-up...


looking sharp and ready to wed...


Sara and Gary chose to Marry at the 'Cousin's Island Chapel' in Yarmouth, the most charming & quaint little chapel that I have ever covered a wedding at. I LOVED it! I was allowed to position myself anywhere I wanted which was such a luxury to me as many churches have restrictions and rules for this sort of thing ;) We decided to have me up front on the alter as Sara walked down the aisle which allowed for such a unique perspective.


99 out of 100 weddings will not see this moment from this angle as it is usually shot from the back. Isn't the Chapel great?!?! And what a moment, dad giving his daughter away and one last kiss before she is married...


The kiss...


And I do mean THE KISS! As I was shooting 'The Kiss' from the back of the chapel, the limo driver was watching from the door and said to me, "I've seen a lot of kisses at weddings...now THAT was a kiss!". I couldn't agree more :) It was long, easily the longest kiss I have ever witnessed at a wedding which I think is GREAT!! Wonderful moment shared.


Married!


Immediately following the ceremony we jumped in the limo and drove to a little secluded beach area for some alone time so they could soak in the moment, one another, and get some great images.


*(Gary is a horror movie screenwriter which encouraged me to be a little more 'free' and 'artistic' with my post-processing so I played with some darker tones and different shadings than I usually get to, which was a lot of fun)






A portrait of the beautiful Bride...


and the dashing Groom...


And this one just because it is so cute. After all, he came all the way from Los Angeles to be in the wedding too :)


Then it was off to The Royal River to celebrate.

First dance...


Sara's new left hand...


Gary's new left hand...


Being toasted dockside...


and the cake was finger licking good...


It was a VERY nice event. Sara and Gary were great, such a wonderful couple who are very deeply in love. Great families, great friends. It was a privilege to be a part of such a special occasion. Sara and Gary, thank you so much. I wish you all the best in your new life as husband and wife and with all of the new adventures that the future holds for you.

I don't usually end a wedding post with a picture of the brides mom, but I am going to today. This beautiful lady is Sara's mom. She was so sweet to me and took such good care of me that I just wanted to say a special thank you to her. She even had a flower for me (from the florist) to pin on my shirt for the wedding. I felt so special :). Thank you Rosie, you made me feel like one of the family and I truly appreciated it.