Acadia Elopement Photographer // Ricarda & Bill

Ricarda & Bill emailed me about photography just two weeks before their proposed elopement in Acadia last September, but it worked out perfectly! Getting married in the middle of the week helps a little, but I think what made their day come together so well (by which I mean - we were able to find parking) was the overcast, foggy weather that drives most tourists away. I was available since they chose a Wednesday, and we were able to find parking at popular spots like Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and the Blue Hill Overlook easily. We also visited the Otter Cliff area at the end of Ocean Path and began their time with a “first look” atop Cadillac Mountain. We fit a lot into their four hours!

They had their hearts set on saying their vows on the Blue Hill Overlook with hopes of majestic views in the background, which didn’t pan out exactly as planned... Their elopement is a great example of how foggy it can be here in Acadia, but I think it was still beautiful in its own way. I actually prefer these conditions! Right after their ceremony, the fog broke just long enough to get a few photos with some scenery in the background. See if you can spot those images below. It’s a wildcard getting married in Acadia, always a true adventure!

I’ve done this dozens of times over the years, never in any “official” capacity (aka you won’t find info about this on my website), but they asked me to create a video of their day to share with their family and friends, so I did. Now in 2021, I do technically offer that option, as an add-on to photography, so feel free to email me if you’re interested in a fun little video.

Ricarda and Bill were so low-key, simple, fun and easy to work with. They did a couple things that I thought were neat - Ricarda wasn’t afraid to go barefoot part of the day, and Bill changed out of his military uniform partway through their time with me. Most couples book me for the last few hours of the day, so we can end our time at sunset. My time with Ricarda & Bill began at noon, which on a sunny day is a tough time to shoot because the light can be so harsh. Not on their day though! Fog can be a blessing sometimes for sure.

Enjoy looking through the story of these two easy-going loves. The fog lent such a dramatic and romantic touch to their day and is a great example of why couples shouldn’t fear the unpredictability of the weather. When you’re going to Acadia National Park for you elopement or wedding, your photography will be beautiful no matter what.

Acadia Elopement Photographer // Meghan & Marc

Meghan & Marc are a fun-loving couple from Boise, ID who were expecting their first child when they contacted me about photographing their intimate fall wedding in Acadia. Meghan had never been to Maine before! Their celebration was more of a tiny wedding than a true elopement, as they planned to bring their closest family members too. The fact that Marc’s parents live near the park helped them decide to travel to Acadia to get married there. With the help of Rachel Sisson’s incredible event planning, Lauren Crowley’s beautiful officiating, and a perfectly-timed sunset trip to the top of Cadillac Mountain, their intimate autumn wedding celebration really could not have been better.

These two describe themselves as very relaxed and easy-going, which typically translates for me as very easy to photograph! As a former theater major, Marc was relaxed in front of the camera. And Meghan (as cheesy as this sounds) was glowing and happy to show off her little baby bump.

They’d originally hoped to elope in Scotland because of ancestral ties there. When that didn’t work out due to covid, they celebrated their Scottish heritage by incorporating little details like the tartan plaid of his vest and a matching plaid bow in her hair. Meghan was wise to wear a long-sleeved dress and bring a warm fur along, because even warm sunny days in Maine can get chilly as the sun goes down. 

Meghan and Marc hired for me 4 hours of photography coverage, and our time began by meeting at the trailhead for Hunter’s Beach, just outside of the park on Cooksey Drive. After their few guests made their way down the 1/4 mile path to the beach, I met Marc and got him situated in the woods down the trail while we waited for Meghan to arrive for their “first look.” Their ceremony was sweet and emotional - filled with laughter and tears - and an awkwardly-placed grandpa who decided to watch from the opposite side of the beach. I tried to capture photos of Megan & Marc exchanging rings and vows without grandpa in the background, and we just shrugged and laughed it off. There’s always at least one thing that goes “wrong” at every wedding, and I honestly kind of welcome those quirks because they just add to and enrich a couple’s wedding story and memories.

After the ceremony, a beautifully catered meal (prepared by Sweet Pea’s) and lovely table setting (by Rachel and Floret) was waiting for them. By the time we hiked back out of the woods from their ceremony spot at Hunter’s Beach, we hoped to stop in one more location for a few more photos. Cadillac Mountain was a bit out of our way, but we decided it would be worth the drive even if we’d have just 5 minutes up there to check out the sunset. We made it just in time! It almost killed me to leave before the sky got even more lovely and colorful, but I am not the kind of photographer who makes a couple’s day about the photos, above all else. We were on a schedule, and dinner was waiting! We were lucky to get a few gorgeous photos and enjoy the magical views before heading back to their cozy family gathering at an Airbnb in Seal Harbor. 

As a photographer, I’m excited about the trend toward more intimate, simple weddings in Maine like this one - where couples still get to enjoy the company of loved ones and delicious food, but on a much more manageable (and affordable) scale. I hope their photos can be inspiration to other couples planning to have a tiny wedding or elopement in Acadia or elsewhere in Maine!

Maine Elopement Photographer // Lena & Kevin in Acadia

One of the questions I get asked the most by couples planning a wedding in Acadia (or an elopement anywhere in Maine) is the inevitable, “What will we do if it rains?” Most folks planning one of these adventurous weddings are already prepared for and open to whatever the day brings. I rarely, but occasionally, photograph a couple who is devastated by anything but the sunniest weather. Lena and Kevin fit into the former camp - they were totally up for anything, which was fortunate since their day was on the wetter side. 

I honestly prefer working in overcast, foggy conditions. Most photographers I know do too. Overcast lighting is soft and dreamy; the fog adds an air of romance to the scene; and best of all - damp weather scares lots of tourists away. If you’re planning to elope in Acadia National Park, count yourself lucky if some rain is in the forecast on your day! I can work in any sort of weather. And a bit of rain is worth the ease of finding parking and accessing the prime spots, in my opinion. Rainy day photos always look good, whereas the lighting on a bright, sunny day can be much more difficult to work with.

That is exactly what happened for Lena & Kevin’s elopement in Acadia last fall. We met on a Tuesday (just a couple days before my previous sunny blog post - what a difference) and the park was unusually quiet. It was wonderful! 

Like so many couples in 2020, Lena & Kevin had to forgo their original wedding dreams. They were planning to wed in Europe and were determined to still get married no matter what. Since they got engaged in Acadia the year before, they decided that was the best alternative. Theirs was a tiny little wedding with just the two of them, their officiant Adam, and his friend as a witness. I am always happy to serve as a witness, but Maine requires two to sign a marriage license, fyi.

These two were such a dream to photograph - so relaxed and happy, totally prepared wearing sneakers under their clothes for the ceremony, totally open to braving the mists and rain. It actually didn’t start raining until the very end of our 2 hours together, and that is often how a rainy day will play out. It’s rare for it to just pour all day long. I have yet to experience those conditions for a wedding in Acadia. Most often it just sprinkles off and on, and with a couple clear umbrellas on hand (which I always have in my car), that’s not too big a hurdle. 

My approach to this elopement was a bit different than usual. Since they booked me for only 2 hours, we decided not to do much driving between different locations. That really only worked out because the rain kept the crowds away, and we found parking for all 3 of our cars (myself, L+K, and the officiant) in the tiny parking lot of the Gorham Mountain Trail. Normally it’s hard to get anywhere near that area. Most of these photos were taken along the coast near that lot.

Because of the slight time constraint and looming threat of rain, and due to their own preferences and request for direction, I posed them more than I normally would with other couples. My preference always leans as natural as possible, but I do what I need to do given the conditions and am happy to work with whatever a couple wants. I think their photos came out beautifully! 

After the Gorham area we headed to one of my old favorite spots, parking in the lot just after Otter Cliffs Road. I’ve shot here a bunch, and many of my photos here are similar, but it is interesting to note the difference that weather and time of day makes in the quality of the images! No doubt the clouds and fog are my favorite.

Our 2 hours ended just as we were heading to Jordan Pond for a quick photo, and it was then it started to rain on us. We’d left umbrellas in the car, and they were feeling quite done by that point, so we didn’t make it all the way to the pond. But I have to say, for booking only 2 hours of coverage, we sure made the most of our time and got lots of dreamy photos! This is one of my favorite Acadia weddings of 2020 - the dark, romantic vibes on the rugged, mysterious coastline are what I’m here for. 

Maine Elopement Photographer // Elura & Chris in Acadia

October will forever be the best time to get married (or, dare I say, do anything?) in New England, and Acadia National Park elopements in autumn are truly hard to top. Elura & Christopher drove up from MA with some of their closest family & friends to get married last October, and they could not have had a more beautifully sunny & pleasant fall day. I’m happy to share the beauty with other humans until it gets in the way of my precious couples’ experience! The one glitch on Elura & Chris’ day was that too many people seemed to have the same idea that weekend - heading up to Acadia to enjoy the foliage and gorgeous weather, resulting in us getting stuck in a traffic jam at Jordan Pond for a while. We never were able to park there and get the photos they’d wanted - yikes! I admit I was a bit panicked at that point, although not totally surprised, and thankfully the rest of the park did not disappoint.

By the end of every wedding season, I seem to develop a love/hate relationship with Acadia. In 2020 people were so anxious to get outside that it’s no wonder the park was the busiest I’d ever seen it even in October. I get it and totally support people enjoying Acadia, but this wedding was a good reminder to stick to the lesser-known spots on weekends!

Elura & Chris were so fun and low-key and truly excited to be getting married that day that they rolled with the stress of crowds and parking disasters, and we still had a wonderful time together. I was still recovering from that stress (lol) when I sent their sneak peek photos the next day, and they responded with praise about how much fun they’d had and how easy the whole photography process was.

These two decided to brave the crowds and have a tiny wedding in Acadia because of the park’s unbeatable natural beauty. And I do admit that despite the setbacks, it was totally worth it overall. I mean, look at the joy exuding from these photos. Look at that perfectly sunny sky and the views we enjoyed on Cadillac! It was a magical day. They had an amazing time and were just beaming with joy throughout our 4 hours together. Their goal had been to document as much of the Acadia scenery in their wedding photos as possible, and I think we did a good job, despite not being able to visit one of their requested spots.

We met around noon at Sieur de Monts (there were tons of people there too!), then went to my secret spot at the Blue Hill Overlook on Cadillac Mountain (nobody in our way over there!), and ended at a spot I like on the Ocean Path near Otter Cliff. There we met up with their guests and ended our time together with their sweet, simple ceremony, officiated by Chris’ brother and surrounded by their closest family and friends. 

These sunshiney, perfectly pleasant days in Acadia are a bit rare in my photo work, but this one was perfectly suited to Elura & Chris’ sunny personalities and ability to soak up the beauty of their wedding day. I am forever grateful for couples like this who compel me to keep on keeping on when, by October every year, I am inevitably ready to never shoot in Acadia again. But each couple, like each October, is always so fresh and unique and full of potential. And well, here I am again, drawn back into the always intriguing, incomparably beautiful, and sometimes infuriating wonder that is my life as a Maine (which usually means Acadia) wedding and elopement photographer. I really cannot complain.

Enjoy these highlights from Elura & Chris’ day!

Wild, wonderful bouquet by Floret.

Maine Elopement Photographer // Mercedes & Pete in Acadia National Park

Photographing elopements in Maine usually brings me to this state’s most popular destination - Acadia National Park. Even though I often visit the same locations with many different couples, each adventurous celebration is uniquely special. Mercedes and Pete’s intimate sunset wedding with their son and a few family members was no exception. 

These two traveled from New Jersey to elope in Acadia for a number of reasons. Besides the obvious draw of Maine’s rugged beauty, Mercedes and Pete came here (as so many couples do) because the park holds personal significance for them too. It was in Acadia that they first discovered they were pregnant, and it was here they also took their first family vacation. In Mercedes’ words, “It just made sense to start the next chapter of our lives there!”

When Mercedes first reached out to me about their Acadia elopement photography, she wrote, “I’m very particular about the style of photography that is going to capture our special day, and yours fits perfectly!” This woman has phenomenal style and class, and I was totally flattered and excited to document her family’s love story. 

Self-described as “very unconventional”, this couple met in a bar and became quickly inseparable. They are the definition of opposites attract. She’s a vegetarian who loves yoga and waking up early. He’s a meat-eating night owl. She’s an introverted homebody (with a dreamy Instagram to prove it); he’s an outgoing social butterfly. He’s 17 years older than her; she doesn’t care. In their words, this is how they make it work:

“Instead of focusing on our differences in a negative way, we embrace our uniqueness & really take the time to nurture the things we have in common. We may be very unconventional, but we’re crazy about each other & the love we have is very real, especially the love we share for our son!”

This adventure happened way back in 2019, right before the autumn equinox. I met them where they were getting ready at the Bar Harbor Inn. Then we drove to Cadillac Mountain to a spot they had chosen for their ceremony, facing the setting sun on the west side of the summit, and far from the crowds. One of my favorite moments of the day was when they exchanged rings and then gave their 3-year-old son Reagan his very own ring as well. I have definitely been known to shed tears behind my camera because the sweetness is too much, and that moment brought no exception. 

One of my other little favorites? Mercedes’ yellow flats. Because flats, y’all, are as fancy as we can get out here in the wilds of Maine while still looking like a bohemian goddess. Her handmade shawl was precious too. As a knitting/fiber arts/vintage clothing-obsessed photographer, I always appreciate these details. 

After the ceremony we went to one of my favorite locations: the very end of Ocean Path near the Otter Cliffs. It’s usually relatively quiet there, and it’s the perfect mix of woods and water and epic coastal views. They booked me for 3 hours, and that was just enough time to fit this all in.

I love hearing from couples with unique stories like this. Are you planning a tiny wedding in Maine? Want to elope in Acadia and looking for a photographer? Let’s connect!

As always, I sent over a few sneak peeks for them by the next day because most of their family didn’t know they were eloping in Maine. They used some of these photos to share their exciting news. Enjoy this sneak peek of Mercedes and Pete’s Acadia elopement photos!

Acadia Elopement Photography // Vanessa & Matthew

Elopements in Maine don’t get much more special or epic than this. Vanessa and Matthew, two absolutely darling soul mates who describe themselves as a bit “extra”, hired me for the entire day to document everything from their early morning in an Airbnb to their first look & vows in the woods at Bass Harbor Lighthouse, lunch in Bar Harbor, more exploring throughout Acadia National Park, and finally watching the sun set from Cadillac Mountain. This may be my longest blog post ever, but it’s totally worth it to scroll all the way through for a glimpse at how incredible their elopement was!

Acadia National Park Wedding // Styled Shoot

This styled elopement shoot at Acadia National Park was created by wedding planner & designer Carianne Gunn, and I was happy to help her vision come to life. Huge thanks to all the vendors who participated, and especially to our models Ashlee and Slade who froze their butts off for us on this cold, rainy day!

Planning & Design - Events by Carianne

Stationary - Little Ivy Paper Goods

Linens - BBJ Linen

Hair - Abode Beauty Bar

Makeup - Aura Lash & Beauty

Flowers - Bad Rabbit Flowers

Jewelry - E. Scott Originals

Dress - Lyra Vega Bridal

Cake - Bear Brook Bakery

Models - Ashlee & Slade

Rocky coast bride rainy day Acadia National Park wedding

Acadia National Park Elopement // Heather & Jackson

Each year since moving to Maine, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph more elopements in Acadia National Park than the last. I am so excited that in 2019 the majority of my work will be in Acadia! Last weekend kicked of this wedding season with the most amazing couple who traveled up from Kentucky to get married on Otter Cliffs, with stunning views of Maine’s rocky coastline. We were even lucky enough to catch a sunset on Cadillac Mountain! Heather and Jackson’s Acadia adventure set the bar really high for a year full of dreamy, romantic adventures with the sweetest couples. I am endlessly grateful I get to tag along and document moments like these.

And just a note - there are a ton of photos of just Heather here, partly because I had extra time with her while Jackson hiked back to meet the officiant, and partly because, well, women in pretty dresses are just more fun to photograph! Her dress was from BHLDN, jewelry from all sorts of special people and grandmas, and bouquet from Queen Anne’s Flower Shop in Bar Harbor.

Migis Lodge Wedding // Kathleen & Bogie

Kathleen and Bogie’s celebration at Migis Lodge is a great example a perfectly imperfect wedding day. It rained. The sun came out, but then it was freezing during their ceremony. Then they realized during the ceremony that their handwritten vows were far away in their cabin across the camp. But with their beautiful senses of humor and abundance of joy, everything turned out wonderfully. It certainly helped that Migis is a gorgeous summer camp venue, and the moss and pines and autumn leaves lent such a luscious, cozy vibe to their day. October weddings in Maine are the way to go!

Acadia National Park Elopement // Nastassja & Patrick

Nastassja and Patrick were such a fun and lighthearted couple to document for their elopement in Acadia National Park, and it definitely shows in these images. They seemed to be overflowing with happiness on this day last fall!

We explored Sand Beach together first, found a quiet spot down the Gorham Mountain Trail for their ceremony, and then ended on Cadillac Mountain just as a storm was brewing.

I love when couples bring along or wear special handmade details, and Nastassja knit their matching green cape and bowtie!

Acadia National Park Elopement // Britney & Evan

If you’ve been following my work for a while, you know I have a very soft spot for brides in green dresses and the partners who recognize the special magic in these women. It is no surprise then that Britney and Evan’s elopement is one my favorites ever. Because I’m the kind of wildish person who will notice a single strand of coyote hair clinging to moss as I walk through the wood, or see the glint of a broken damselfly wing as it flickers on the leaves, I feel an instant connection with folks who care about the details and feel the spirit in certain carefully crafted objects.

Britney and Evan are two shy, darling souls who met in art school, fell in love, and decided to travel from Ohio to Acadia National Park to get married in a tiny ceremony with just their closest family. They chose an intimate spot to say their vows away from the crowds of tourists, and then we explored the park some more, going slowly, noticing the small things (a cute snake! an inchworm! tiny mushrooms!) and enjoying each other’s company.

As artists they were extra thoughtful about the details of their day. Links to those special items are at the bottom of this post.

I really couldn’t have imagined a more perfect, sweet, intimate, nature-filled October elopement than this.

Flowers - Chickadee Hill

Britney’s Ring - Kate Cardner

Evan’s Ring - Nate Casavir

Britney’s Headpiece - Amy Boulle, Tryst Studios

Porcupine Quill Necklace - Kelli Fisher, Lynne and Lucille

Leather Ring Pouch - Baquette

Vow book - handmade by Britney

Acadia National Park Wedding // Jamie & Steve

It’s not often I get to photograph a gorgeously sunny day in Acadia National Park, and most of the time I prefer not to - overcast days are easier to shoot! Jamie & Steve’s wedding was an incredible exception though. They got married at midday in the bright, warm sun, and it was so perfectly fitting for their warm, sunny personalities, their bright smiles, and the fun they had together exploring the park. While many of my elopements exude a darker, misty romance, this day was all smiles and sunshine. It was an honor to witness Jamie and Steve get married in Acadia surrounded by their closest family and friends.

Stunning florals by Chickadee Hill.

Ceremony was at Little Hunter’s Beach. We also visited the Cadillac Mountain summit and Blue Hill Overlook and the Jesup Path.