Saturday, May 21st, 2016 was a remarkable day. Danielle and Scott had a small, intimate wedding ceremony overlooking the rocky seacoast along the Marginal Way walking trail in Ogunquit, Maine. The two were surrounded by twenty five of their closest family and friends. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Julie Draper, a wedding officiant from York, Maine. She officiated a lovely ceremony and the ocean waves were the only sound in the background as the couple exchanged vows.

Named by the Abenaki Native American Indian tribe as "beautiful place by the sea," Ogunquit's coast is a picturesque location graced with beautiful beaches and rocky coastline. It embodies the essence of Coastal Maine. It is no surprise why the couple chose this location, as they traveled all the way from Massachusetts to get married here. The couple had previously visited the Marginal Way, where Scott had proposed to Danielle and so their history and memories live here.

For those reading this that aren't familiar with the Marginal Way and its story, this now-paved mile and a half long footpath was given to Ogunquit village as a gift by Josiah Chase in 1923. The path begins at Perkin's Cove near the harbor and for decades was called "the margin" because of how it developed along the edge of the cliff. For more than 100 years, people have walked and admired this natural paradise. Though the trail is gentle, with easy bends and inclines, people often stop to admire the beauty of the landscape at one of the path's thirty strategically placed memorial benches. These benches each hold small plaques which are dedicated to people who have shown great appreciation for this beautiful location. More than 100,000 people walk the Marginal Way each year, enjoying a stroll along Maine's rocky coastline.

If you are eloping or having a small coastal Maine wedding ceremony, I would love to hear from you! These intimate gatherings are perfect for couples to share their commitment with one another. Photographing these events is an honor and I am happy to talk to you about what you have envisioned for your special day.

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Note: I originally wrote about this topic in my blog post about Wedding Trends in September of 2015.

I remember the first time I saw a "wedding hashtag" used during a 2015 wedding I photographed. I found myself wondering how trends of this nature would stand the test of time. After all, social media isn't what it was five years ago, and it likely won't be the same five years from now. Just like social media trends, wedding trends are ever-evolving. What's "in" this year might be considered outdated in a couple of years. So, which trends will stand the test of time? With my experience photographing more than a dozen weddings each year, I'm going to share the current wedding trends that may not always be "in" but will nevertheless remain timeless.

1. First Look

Nowadays, couples are seeing each other before the ceremony with a new tradition called a "first look." Typically, the bride and groom will get ready separately but will meet before the ceremony to share a private moment together. Many times this intimate moment is photographed. A great benefit of having a first look is that many of the formal wedding portraits can be taken before the ceremony. This allows the couple and their wedding party to spend more time enjoying the reception.

I don't see this trend becoming outdated any time soon. In fact, I see it becoming increasingly popular. I've never once heard of a couple who regretted having a first look and every couple that I have worked with was really glad they had that extra time to relax on the big day.

2. Signature Drink

Everyone seems to gather around the bar at weddings, so it's no wonder that modern couples are giving their guests a memorable experience by creating a signature drink to be served at their receptions. A signature drink is usually a unique alcoholic beverage because it takes a known drink and puts a twist on it. The twist can be in the ingredients, garnish, or both. The drink is typically given a name that has personal meaning to the couple. At one of the weddings I photographed, the couple combined their last names to create the name of their signature drink. The possibilities to get creative are endless and guests seem to really enjoy the personalized touch.

3. Love Letters

One of the lesser-known wedding trends I've seen is when the bride and groom each write a letter or love note to one another. The letters are usually sealed in an envelope, only to be opened just prior to the ceremony. I think it's a great time to sit and take a quiet moment to read the other person's thoughts. Often times, the moment just before the ceremony is the most nerve-racking time of the day and simply getting those last-minute words of affection can be the perfect thing to ease those nerves. It can even be fun to photograph these moments so that the bride and groom can look back on them together.

4. Photo Displays

Brides and grooms are personalizing their weddings now more than ever. I've seen framed photos hanging off ceremony chairs. I've also seen many wedding receptions where couples create photo collages, or display framed photos of themselves throughout their relationship. Tables dedicated to showing off these photo displays are becoming increasingly popular and I don't see this trend getting old anytime soon. It adds a personalized touch that wedding guests seem to really enjoy.

5. The Shoe Game

I'm seeing less garter and bouquet tosses and more fun, interactive games at wedding receptions. Particularly popular over the last few years is the Shoe Game — a game in which the bride and groom sit back to back, holding one shoe of their own and one shoe of their spouse's. An announcer will make a statement or question such as "who is the worst driver?" Then, the bride and groom each hold up the shoe of the person they think fits the statement given. It's a great game that gets everyone laughing! The shoe game is particularly popular during outdoor weddings, or weddings with rustic themes.

6. The Anniversary Dance

The anniversary dance is a special dance honoring married couples at wedding receptions. All married couples are called to the dance floor. The DJ announces that all couples who have been married less than a certain number of years must leave the dance floor. Years are continued to be called throughout the song until the couple who has been married the longest is the last couple dancing. Sometimes, the couple who has been married the longest is asked to give the newlyweds marriage advice.

No matter how many weddings I photograph, the anniversary dance is always one of my favorite modern traditions. It's amazing to see all of the couples who have been married twenty, forty or even sixty years!

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Times may be changing, but couples can make informed decisions about aspects of their weddings and how they will be seen five, ten or even fifty years from now. Regardless of how trendy or timeless the details of a wedding may be, a memorable, fun experience that everyone can enjoy is something that will always stand the test of time.

If you or someone you know is looking for a wedding photographer, visit our Maine wedding photography site to learn more!

Unlike other genre's of photography, like family or Senior portraits, wedding photography involves capturing moments that can never be recreated. It is for that reason that wedding photographers should ensure that they not only have the right gear to do the job, but that they also have backup gear. While some photography gear may be optional, there are many widely agreed upon items that wedding photographers should use to ensure the best results on this once in a lifetime occasion.

1. Two Cameras

Every wedding photographer should have a full frame camera and a back-up camera that is preferably full frame. Full frame cameras differ from crop sensor cameras in that they are notable sharper, render color better, and they actually capture more of any given scene. The term "crop sensor" means that the sensor of the camera crops out some of the image. These cameras tend to be entry-level and while they are okay for a backup camera, I highly recommend any photographer shooting weddings uses at least one full frame camera.

2. Fast Lenses that Cover Various Focal Lengths

Let's face it. There's not one lens that can do everything. From wide angle to telephoto to macro, lenses cover focal lengths in various ranges. Wedding photographers should have lenses that cover wide angle, such as 24mm or 35mm (or even wider). They should also be able to cover mid-range focal lengths, like 50mm. Another focal length that should be covered is the portrait focal length. I consider that range to be 70-200mm. Another type of lens to consider is a quality macro lens.

Aside from focal lengths, there's another thing to consider: fast lenses. What is a fast lens? A fast lens is one that can handle shooting in low-light conditions and is capable of shooting at a wide aperture, such as 2.8 or less. Prime lenses are a great example of fast lenses because many of them open up to 1.8, 1.4 or even 1.2. Prime lenses are excellent for low light situations, especially ones in which flash is not allowed (such as some churches). Not all zooms are created equal. Some zooms only open up to f/4, while the fastest zooms open up to f/2.8. While a zoom with a widest aperture of f/4 may perform well in optimal lighting conditions, wedding photographers will want to invest in fast zooms so that they are prepared for any lighting situation.

Wedding photographers should also be prepared by having back-up lenses. No piece of equipment will last forever and photographers need to be prepared in case of breakage or a malfunction during a wedding.

3. Multiple Flashes

I'm a big fan of using natural light whenever possible. However, there are certain times where flash is a must! A wedding photographer should not only have flashes but know how to use them. You never know when a lighting situation will be less than ideal and by having flashes ready to go, wedding photographers can create beautiful images in any lighting scenario.

4. Accessories

There are lots of accessories wedding photographers should have on hand but the most important accessories are memory cards and charged batteries. Not only do memory cards fill up, there is also a small chance that they can become corrupt. This is a wedding photographer's worst scenario. I highly recommend carrying several empty, formatted memory cards during a wedding.

As for batteries, wedding photographers should have at least one backup camera battery per camera. The batteries should be fully charged. Wedding photographers also need to carry lots of charged batteries for flashes and other accessories.

Of course there are many other accessories wedding photographers use at weddings including flash modifier, flash gels, light stands, tripods, etc. These types of accessories can vary, depending on the photographer's shooting style.

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What's in my bag?

·         (2)  Nikon D700 full frame cameras

·         Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 with VC

·         Nikon 85mm f/1.8

·         Nikon 50mm f/1.8

·         Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 with VC

·         Sigma 35mm f/1.4

·         (2) Nikon SB700 flashes

·         Flash triggers

·         (15+) Charged flash batteries

·         (6) Charged Camera Batteries

·         (5) 32GB Memory Cards (Empty and Formatted)

·         Flash Modifiers: gels, diffusers, etc.

My most used wedding photography gear.

Wedding Photographers: What's in your bag? Please share below!

Like many brides-to-be, you've probably envisioned your wedding day or at least thought about it at some point in your life. Then it happens. You get engaged! You are likely filled with excitement and are overjoyed with words of congratulations from family and friends. Soon after people get word of the news, they start asking you when you'll be tying the knot. Suddenly, you realize you haven't thought about it. That's when it hits you. You have so much to do. Planning a wedding can seem overwhelming at first but with these tips, you'll soon be on your way to planning the wedding of your dreams!

1. Make the Announcement!

Let your family and friends know. They'll likely be just as excited as you are! Your parents and close family might want to find out from you before seeing the news on social media, but of course, every family dynamic is different. Relax and enjoy the moment for a little while. You may even want to celebrate the special occasion with a night out with friends or a weekend get-away with your new fiancé.

2. Pick a Date

You may already have an idea of when you want to get married, or maybe you have no idea at all. Most engagements last from 6 to 18 months. The first thing you'll want to consider is the season. Depending on where you live or where you plan to get married, season can be a big deciding factor when choosing your wedding date. Consider the weather during different times of the year, especially if any portion of your wedding is going to be outdoors. You'll also want to consider your schedules, as well as the schedules of close family and friends. Like many couples, you'll likely want to leave for your Honeymoon shortly after getting married so consider work and other obligations when choosing your wedding date. If you are on a budget, consider getting married off-season, or on a day other than Saturday. Often times wedding vendors will have reduced rates during these times. Once you've decided on a date, consider having an engagement session so you'll have some great images for your save-the dates. It's a great idea to start looking for a photographer early for this reason.

3. Consider Budget

Now is the time to draft up a wedding budget. Consider your personal monetary contribution, as well as contributions from family members. Once you have an estimate of the total budget, start breaking that number down into different categories. Since the reception takes up the largest portion of a wedding budget, you'll want to create a guest list to get an idea of how many people you plan to invite. That way, you'll be able to choose a venue that can accommodate the number of guests you'll have and you'll have a starting point for your caterer. It's also a good time to choose your wedding party. Below are percentages that the average wedding budget breaks down into:

Reception (Venue fees, catering, rentals, cake): 48%

Photography (Photography coverage, photographic prints, wedding albums, etc.): 12%

Apparel/Beauty (dress, tux rentals, accessories, shoes, jewelry, hair, make-up): 10%

Music (Band, DJ or other entertainment): 8%

Flowers (Bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, ceremony décor, table centerpieces): 8%

Ceremony (Officiant, marriage license, other fees): 3%

Rings (Wedding bands): 3%

Gifts (Gifts for your wedding party and parents): 3%

Stationary (Save-the-dates, invitations, postage, guestbook, thank you cards): 3%

Transportation (Limo, guest shuttle, etc.): 2%

4. Research, Interview and Book Your Wedding Vendors

It's no surprise that the best wedding professionals book up quickly, often more than a year in advance! The first thing you should do is start visiting wedding venues and locations. Once you have a location secured, you'll want to book your wedding photographer soon after. For tips, visit our blog posts: Tips on How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer and Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer  

In conclusion, wedding planning can seems stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Tackle one task at a time and you'll soon have planned the wedding of your dreams!

Are you or someone you know getting married in New England? Check out our wedding gallery and get in touch with us today!

Chelsea and Christopher met in college through mutual friends — she went to Husson and he went to Maine Maritime Academy. The couple had their first date at Sunday River and enjoy many activities together, which include skiing, riding dirtbikes, snowmobiling and just enjoying the outdoors together. They also have two dogs.

Christopher proposed in May of 2015. He had just fixed his old truck and said he wanted to take a ride to the top of Streaked Mountain, which is a place they go often, as it has trails and a lovely view. It was the perfect place for a proposal and of course, Chelsea said yes! The couple plans to be married on June 25th, 2016 at the Farm on Worhley Pond in Peru, Maine.

Saturday, February 13th (the day of the engagement session) was one of the coldest days of the year. With temperatures barely reaching the tens, the wind chill made it even colder. A few weeks prior, Chelsea and Christopher had planned their engagement session at the Ice Castles with me. We decided to proceed with the session, despite the frigid weather and I'm really glad we did!

The Ice Castles in Lincoln, New Hampshire is made up of over 10,000 icicles. The Ice Castles are created by "growing" more than 5000 icicles each day that are then harvested and sculpted together. The new icicles are then drenched with freezing water, which fuses them to the formation. The process is repeated once or twice a day until large tunnels, archways and pathways are created. Development is continued throughout the winter and evolves into an ice masterpiece that is made up of a blend of an artistic eye and nature.

Thanks again, Chelsea and Christopher for braving such a cold day with me and being up for an adventure!

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