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.

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.

Acadia National Park Elopement // Bridget & Jeremey

Bridget and Jeremey traveled to Maine to share their vows in the forest of Acadia National Park. They saw a deer, had a picnic on a quiet beach, and affirmed (like all adventurous, eloping couples do) that I have the best job ever. 

Looking forward to photographing many more elopements in Acadia, especially if it's anything like capturing these two!

Acadia National Park Elopement // Hannah & Kael

Hannah and Kael were blessed with a beautifully foggy, romantically rainy day in Acadia recently, and I was so fortunate to tag along and photograph it for them. The afternoon began with their ceremony at Sand Beach, and then we drove along the coast, hopping out here and there to take photos at spots that caught our eyes, and ending at the lovely Jordan Pond. 

There really is nothing so magical as an elopement in Acadia National Park! 

Acadia National Park Elopement // Ellie & Colin

If I could shoot elopements in Acadia National Park every weekend, I would. Couples deciding to get married in Acadia's wild landscape are definitely my kinda people, and these two are no exception!

Ellie and Colin fell in love during art school and now live in Detroit with their three pups. All five of them drove out to Maine to tie the knot and explore somewhere they'd never been. And I was lucky enough to tag along. 

Acadia National Park Elopement // Brianna & Troy

Brianna & Troy's elopement in Acadia National Park was one of the sweetest ceremonies I've witnessed. And their Wendell Berry reading had me in tears (I'm such a sucker for that poet/farmer/sage). 

If you're considering eloping and forgoing the craziness and expense of the average wedding celebration, their sweet Acadia adventure will convince you that simple, intimate, and close to nature is the way to go.