Chantal and Brett's Brunswick, Maine Wedding
Chantal and Brett's Brunswick, Maine Wedding

In the summer of 2015, Chantal reached out to me from Saskatchewan, Canada looking for a wedding photographer for her and Brett's wedding. I was delighted to hear that they would be getting married in Brunswick, Maine at the bride's family's residence, which was a beautiful property surrounded by flowers with a private bridge, pond and views of Maquoit Bay.

On August 6th, 2016, I arrived at the Comfort Inn in Brunswick to photograph the bride and ladies getting ready for the wedding. Chantal told me that a piece of her grandmother's wedding dress, in the shape of a heart, was sewn onto the inside of her wedding dress. The silhouette could be seen when I hung the dress up in the window. It was such a beautiful and unique way to honor her grandmother. 

Chantal and Brett's wedding ceremony was beautiful -- the location, the decor, just everything was perfect. There was a reception tent in the back yard that was elegantly decorated in their wedding colors of blue and purple with teal accents. Chantal's parents prepared some of the most amazing food I'd ever had! I am truly honored to have been part of their special day.

FROM THE BRIDE:

How did you meet?

We met in Jamaica in March of 2011. We met at the pool bar, I was there on spring break with my friends and Brett was there on vacation with his friends. We hit it off from the moment we started talking and it felt like we had known each other for years. We did long distance for two years until I moved to Canada in 2013.

Please tell us about the proposal:

Our engagement took place in Boothbay Harbor, Maine on July 28th, 2014. We had a great night out to dinner and then we walked down the pier to where there was lighting and benches. It was just us two and very romantic. Brett got down on one knee and proposed; I didn't hesitate one bit and said yes!

Please describe your "perfect wedding" vision:

My perfect wedding vision was for it to be outside, with a perfect mix of the ocean and flowers. I knew right away that I wanted purple to be one of my main colors and the color that the bridesmaids would be wearing. I wanted my dress to have the focus point be on the back and be something different and unique. My ultimate goal for the wedding was for everyone to have a great time with lots of dancing and obviously, for me to finally marry my best friend. :)

What is the most memorable moment from your wedding day?

My most memorable moment from the wedding was getting to see Brett at the end of the aisle waiting for me. As soon as I saw him, my nerves were calmed and I couldn't wait to marry him.

What was your "first dance" song?

We danced our first dance to Adore You by Miley Cyrus.

What — if anything — did you DIY?

I DIYed the flower centerpieces and the notebook table numbers.

What's in your future? Do you have anything fun or special planned?

In our future, we are hoping to save up for our actual honeymoon to Italy. We love to travel and that's on our agenda for right now! Children will definitely be in the talks within the next two years.

 

WEDDING VENDORS:

Photography: Trina Dinnar Photography

Second Photographer: Angela DiPhilippo

DJ: Brian Poulin - Dionne Entertainment

Catering: Pop Shoppe Catering

Florist: Shaws Floral in Auburn, Maine

Hair/Make-up: Ollo Salon

Dress: Maggie Sottero

Shoes: I. Miller

Cake: Bear Brook Bakery

Officiant: Christopher Hopper

 

 

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough, Maine: Brittanie & Kurt's Wedding
The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough, Maine: Brittanie & Kurt's Wedding

On July 3rd, 2016, Brittanie and Kurt had a beautiful coastal Maine wedding. Their wedding ceremony took place on the sand of Pine Point Beach in Scarborough, Maine. Family and friends surrounded the couple as they exchanged vows.  Onlookers watched in admiration. It was an ideal "beach day" along the Maine coast. The couple and their wedding guests celebrated with a lovely wedding reception at The Landing at Pine Point. Catered by The Black Tie Company, chicken and Lobster were served for dinner. The night was filled with heartfelt words, beautiful dances, and of course, lots of fun. Just the two of them, Brittanie and Kurt shared their last dance on The Landing dance floor. The couple was sent off in style with a grand sparkler exit.

In Brittanie's words…

How did you two meet?

The two of us met at a two stepping dance bar in Manhattan, Kansas. I was in my first year of veterinary school and Kurt had just finished basic training and I believe it was his second night in Manhattan. He was stationed at Fort Riley. We danced all night and I ended up asking him to help me build a dog fence the next day which I had been planning to do. We exchanged phone numbers that night. The next morning he texted me asking if I still needed help with the fence! I was hesitant but accepted his invitation to help. He showed up and we spent all day building a fence, running back and forth to the store to get everything I had forgotten to buy ahead of time. From that day forward we hung out almost every day. At first, Kurt didn't want to start a relationship because he was going to be deploying to Afghanistan in a few months but we grew closer and closer and in April  before he deployed, he asked me to wait for him until he got back. I agreed and we have been together ever since!

When and where did your engagement take place? Please describe the proposal.

Kurt had planned long ahead of time to propose during my white coat ceremony in front of my entire family which took place at the end of my third year of vet school. The morning of the ceremony, Kurt took my father to breakfast to ask for my hand in marriage, which my father agreed to without hesitation. After the ceremony that day, Kurt suggested we go to the Kansas State Gardens to take pictures with the family. We were taking pictures of just Kurt and I when Kurt turned to me and said, "The real reason I brought you here today was because, well you are the best Bub a guy could ever ask for..." and proceeded to choke up then get down on one knee and asked me to marry him in front of my entire family and a few friends. I said yes of course and we went on to celebrate!

What was your "perfect wedding" vision?

When we started to plan the wedding I knew I wanted 3 things: sunflowers, lobster and the beach.  We knew we wanted it to be in Maine because most of my family is from there and I told Kurt if we were going to settle in Wisconsin, I wanted to get married in Maine. The sunflowers were important because we met in Kansas which is the sunflower state. Our original plan was to rent a beach house with a big back yard on the beach and have the wedding and reception all in one spot, simple but fun. We planned nearly the entire wedding from Texas and soon realized it would be difficult to have to plan every single detail from afar and since weather in Maine is unpredictable, we decided to choose a venue that would provide a rain back-up. The date wasn't very flexible as I finished my internship the Sunday before the wedding and was starting my next one the week after. We didn't want to wait too long because we have some older members of our family that we really wanted to be present! The wedding became much more elaborate than we ever expected but it was just as spectacular and fun as anything we imagined.

What is your most memorable moment from your wedding?

We have a few best moments. We LOVED the ceremony and all we have heard from guests is how beautiful it was! The best part of the ceremony was reading our own vows to each other.  At the reception, our first dance was a lot of fun but even more so was celebrating the 70th anniversary of my great grandparents with an anniversary dance. Kurt enjoyed our last dance together. My dad's poem and brother's speech blew me away and were awarded the most tears! If I had to guess the guests' most memorable moment, I would have to say it was probably when Kurt tripped, stepped on my dress, and caused me to face plant during the sparkler send off!!

What song did you do your first dance to?

Michael Buble - Everything. Everyone thought we had practiced but little did they know we had not danced together in over a year!

What — if anything — did you DIY?

My dad purchased a lobster trap and I bought wooden buoys from Etsy, which we spray painted white for the table assignments. The table numbers were wine bottles painted silver with numbers painted on them. The wedding cake was made by my mother, the shells were edible and the flowers were real! (This was my favorite). My father and stepmother made little cards for the tables that showed how to eat a lobster and they were placed on every table setting. I spent a lot of time on Etsy. We ordered fun personalized wedding programs along with other decorative things like the cake topper. Last but not least, our vows were created by each other, specifically for each other.  

What's in your future? Do you have anything fun or special planned?

We just moved from Houston, TX to Christiansburg, VA and are happy to be back in a smaller town. I will be completing an oncology internship then moving on to a residency for the next four years and Kurt will be starting nursing school.  We have hopes of going to Alaska for our honeymoon, a glacier cruise and guided hunt, but it may not happen for a few years. We hope to eventually settle up north and start a family!

We are truly blessed to have had such an amazing wedding. We cannot think of anything we would have changed and we are looking forward to what are marriage has to bring. We cannot thank everyone who took part in our big day enough for making it so special!

Wedding Vendors

Photography: Trina Dinnar Photography

Wedding Planner: Madeline Littlefield, Black Tie Company

Venue: The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough, Maine

DJ: DJ Ross with Double Platinum Celebrations

Catering: The Black Tie Company

Florist: Reg Cary at Downeast Flowers

Second Photographer: Tracey Mason

Hair/Make-up: Debbie Spencer

Videographer: Heirloom Pictures by Marcella Hoekstra

Dress: David’s Bridal

Cake: Theresa Partridge (bride's mother), cupcakes by the Black Tie Company

Officiant: Mark Wyman, maid of honor’s father

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
The Farm at Worthley Pond Peru Maine Wedding: Chelsea and Chris
The Farm at Worthley Pond Peru Maine Wedding: Chelsea and Chris

Saturday, June 25th could not have been a more perfect day for a wedding. Last time I had seen Chelsea and Chris was in the sub-zero temperatures of their ice castles engagement session. When I arrived at The Farm at Worthley Pond to photograph the couple's wedding, Chelsea and the girls were getting ready. The barn was set up for their ceremony and a reception tent was ready in the back yard. The farm is set on a large property with stunning lake views.

Chelsea and Chris had a lovely ceremony inside the beautifully decorated barn. After they were announced into their reception, the couple had a first dance and dances with their parents. The evening was followed with cake cutting, and a garter and bouquet toss. At sunset, we took some photos by the lake and the couple drove off on a dirt bike back to the reception. The rest of the night was filled with dancing and fun. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and I'm so very honored to have been able to capture these wonderful memories of Chelsea and Chris' special day.

 

From the bride:

What was your perfect wedding vision?

Our "perfect wedding" vision was just that we would get to see all our family & friends & celebrate with them. We liked the venue we picked because it allowed us to have an entire weekend instead of just one day.

What is your most memorable moment from your wedding?

It's hard to say what the most memorable moment from the wedding was, because there were too many... I liked walking out of the ceremony as husband & wife, doing our first dance, and the speeches, and of course the dirt bike wheelie (even though I was really scared!).

What song did you do your first dance to? 

Our first dance was to "Head Over Boots" by Jon Pardi.

What — if anything — did you DIY?

A lot of things were DIY... the arbor was actually made by Chris & his dad on Thursday before the wedding, and the dance floor had been made by me, Chris, & my parents. My dad built the bar out of pallets. My maid of honor's father made the birch rounds that were on the table, and her mother made the doilies. I did the seating plan/favors (succulents) - replanted them in the buckets. So we had a lot of help from family & friends throughout the process. 

What's in your future? Do you have anything fun or special planned?

We went on our honeymoon in Jamaica! 

 

Vendors:

Officiant: Mary Ellen Andrews

Venue: The Farm at Worthley Pond (Peru, Maine)

Photography: Trina Dinnar Photography

DJ: Dan LeClair (Dionne Entertainment)

Catering: Wayne Mitton of Country Catering (Litchfield, ME)

Florist: Pooh Corner Farm (Bethel, ME)

Hair: Charlsie Monbleau

Dress: White by Vera Wang

Cake: Laurie Lake (family friend)

Second Photographer:

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Maine Wedding Photographer: A Reflection of 2016
Maine Wedding Photographer: A Reflection of 2016

I went into 2016 with a big goal: to book between 10 and 15 weddings. Today, I'm happy to announce that I hit the high end of my goal and will shoot at least 15 weddings this season! I am beyond thrilled and blessed to be doing what I love every day. Specializing in weddings was one of the best business decisions I ever made, as it allows me to perfect my technique in a specific area and devote my time to focus in the wedding genre of photography.

Not only will I be photographing 15 weddings this year, but I'll also be working under some of the best wedding photographers in Maine as a second shooter. Second shooting is a job I absolutely love because it allows me to take a very creative approach to capturing the day. My goal is to create images that tell a story from a completely different perspective of the lead photographer. As much as I love being a lead photographer, I think it's important that I challenge myself beyond the "safe" shots and that's exactly what I do when I'm second shooting.

Photographing weddings takes me all over the Seacoast. Not only do I travel throughout Maine, but I also travel to New Hampshire and Massachusetts to photograph weddings. I love traveling New England. There are so many amazing sites to see and beautiful wedding locations. It truly is one of the best places on Earth to get married. Not only do I enjoy traveling, but I love meeting couples who are in love. It is an amazing time in your life to decide to commit to one another and dedicate one day to bring about all of your closest friends and family to celebrate with you. I also feel honored. These future brides and grooms have entrusted me to photograph one of the most important days of their entire lives. That is truly something that cannot even be described in words. It surely means so much to me.

Below is photo I took last month while working for Kim Chapman. This elegant wedding took place at Grace Restaurant in Portland, Maine.

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography
Governor's Inn Rochester New Hampshire Wedding: Amanda and Ryan
Governor's Inn Rochester New Hampshire Wedding: Amanda and Ryan

More than a year ago, I found a group on Facebook of all descendants of my great-grandparents. Many of these relatives I had never met. Nevertheless, many of them were friendly and introduced themselves to me online. One of those people was Connie, Amanda's mother. She told me that Amanda was to be married on May 28th, 2016 and that she had seen my photography and recommended I reach out to Amanda, who was looking for a wedding photographer.

I'm so glad to have had the opportunity not only to capture Amanda and Ryan's special day, but I also got to meet some of the relatives that had been long lost in our family.

I arrived to the Governor's Inn and photographed the girls getting ready. Alicia Sites, the Maid of Honor did Amanda's hair and make-up. The couple had a beautiful ceremony out at the gazebo that was tucked into a spot in the woods at the Inn. It couldn't have been more perfect.

After doing all of the portraits, Amanda and Ryan got announced in to their wedding reception. There were several toasts made which were followed by dancing and dinner. After dinner, the couple did the cake cutting as well as a garter and bouquet toss. Friends and family enjoyed the open dance floor and Amanda and Ryan even had a special song performed by Devin Schafer, who had also been their wedding officiant.

At the end of the evening, everyone lit sparklers outside. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day and I couldn't be more happy for Amanda and Ryan. Congratulations!

Here's a short interview I did with Amanda:

• How did you two meet?

Work. I was Ryan's boss briefly. He asked me to go to a concert with him because "his friend bailed" (we had the same musical taste).

• When did you get engaged? Please describe the proposal.

February of 2015. In our kitchen, the second I came home from work. He had champagne and roses on the counter. I didn't see it coming. I was so sick, tired. Definitely wasn't how I wanted to be/look like when it came haha but he couldn't wait. He is awful at keeping secrets/saving gifts.

• What was your “perfect wedding” vision?

Romantic/pretty with a hint of rock and roll. Exactly how it turned out!

• What is your most memorable moment from your wedding?

Having all of our family from near and far/all our great friends with us. Our friends are just like family to us. Having everyone together was amazing. Everyone had a great time.

• What song did you do your first dance to?

City and Colour "Northern Wind"

• What – if anything – did you DIY?

All decor/center pieces. All the planning. I wanted it just so, so I planned every little detail myself.

• What's in your future? Do you have anything fun or special planned?

Hopefully start a family in the near future.

 

Amanda and Ryan's Wedding Vendors:

Officiant: Devin Schafer

Photography: Trina Dinnar Photography

Florist: Studley's Flower Shop

Catering: Governor's Inn

DJ: Ron Reid from Sounds Spectrum DJs

Live Music: Devin Schafer

Cake: Jacques Fine European Pastries

Hair/Makeup: Alicia Sites

Videographer: Devin Schafer and Tim Jones

Dress /Shoes: David's Bridal

Trina DinnarTrina Dinnar Photography