I was introduced to Arielle and Kavi through one of Kavi’s longtime friends, Maine wedding photographer and fellow ShootStyle member Andree Kehn. Andree couldn’t shoot their wedding as she was going to be enjoying the evening as a guest. Well she did manage to shoot some (nothing in version of the album of course) but then put her camera away and partied. See if you can spot her in the album!

Arielle and Kavi are the kind of people that you crave as friends. They’re hip and funny, love great food and have an innate sense of style. All of those qualities were abundantly apparent on their wedding day. They’re also incredibly generous. At a recent wedding show they agreed to hang out in my booth and show off their album. Even better, after the show they introduced me to some of Portland’s incredible dining options. I can’t wait to go back!

So a great many thanks to Arielle and Kavi (and Andree)! Now let me present their Blue Ribbon scoring wedding album:

The wedding itself was held on the grounds of the Beech Hill Farm and Bison Ranch in North Waterford, which is run by Erin’s mother and stepfather. In the farm house, Erin’s sister applied her makeup and all of Erin’s bridesmaids helped when it came time to step into the dress.

The ceremony was held on a gently sloping field surrounded by trees with mountains in the distance. Erin’s father walked her down the aisle and her mother performed the wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony we wandered around the farm to take a few portraits and then joined the guests in the reception tent below the garden.

The day turned into a gorgeous summer evening and their celebration continued into the night.

Congratulations again, Erin and Ed!

Helping Tim and Jake get ready was Olive, the energetic Pit Bull they rescued.

Surrounded by family and friends, they walked down the aisle and up to top of the the grand stairway  for the ceremony.

Tim’s mother Candace has a decor business and together with Stephanie Pilk from Flora Home created an amazing space for the reception.

Tim and Jake led off the dancing and were joined by their mothers. Soon everyone was on the dance floor.

Congratulations again, Tim and Jake!

Another reason this wedding feels special to me is that my good friend Maine wedding photographer Andree Kehn actually has been friends with Kavi since high school. Andree was a guest at the wedding but she also lifted her camera to grab shots of the wedding day. These first two portraits are ones that Andree shot near the couple’s house that morning.

I met up with the Arielle and Kavi at the restaurant and we took a few quick portraits before the guests arrived.

The Renaissance flair of Arielle’s dress and shoes highlighted her deep connection with Italy.

Grace Restaurant in Portland is a converted church and an incredibly unique space. Every nook in the restaurant is adorned with stained glass, and elegant woodwork.

Branches were a major visual theme a the wedding. The processional was led and ended with people carrying branches and Arielle and Kavi were married in front of a forked birch tree. Even the floral arrangements incorporated the branch theme.

It was cocktails before the ceremony as the both levels of the restaurant filled with the couple’s friends and family .

Kavi’s brothers musically heralded Arielle and Kavi’s entrance, and the ceremony began.

When you have a lot of different religious traditions in your family history, you can pick and choose elements from any of them for your wedding. Hello Hora!

Arielle and Kavi love living in Portland because of all the great food, and so it’s no surprise that food was a big part of their night. There was chef’s station where a seemingly infinite variety of pasta dishes were made. Almost every other dish was made fresh in Grace’s open kitchen throughout the entire night and passed hors d’œuvre style.

And the dessert cupcakes by Two Fat Cats Bakery were an unqualified hit wit the guests.

After the evening’s rituals were over, DJ Dave Ragsdale got people moving.

Congratulations again, Arielle & Kavi!

Sometimes locations in rural New England towns can be hard to find, but I had no problem spotting exactly where Mandy and Tom’s was being held.

I arrived just as Mandy and her helpers were getting ready.

Captain kept a close eye on everything, especially lunch.

Mandy wore a beautiful sand colored wedding gown.

Tom and the men looked sharp in chocolate brown suit coats over tan pants. Their boutonnières each featured a different fishing lure. Cool!

Mandy’s bridesmaids were fabulous in black cocktail dresses and the Jr. bridesmaids and flower girl complemented the adults in mocha dresses with chocolate sashes and super-fun flower flip-flops.

It was a simple ceremony by the lake under a gorgeous arch of vines, flowers and crystals. The ring bearer carried Mandy and Tom’s rings on a bamboo fishing pole.

After the ceremony Tom ferried us across the lake for some fun portraits.

The best man and Mandy’s mom gave a couple of heartfelt speeches,  then dinner was served at the longest table I’ve ever seen at a wedding.

The cake was delicious as the fellow below will attest. Sadly, I don’t think Captain got his share.

When darkness fell, Tom built a blazing campfire to ward off the evening’s chill.

Later in the evening, when a lot of the guests had drifted to the campfire Tom and Mandy shared a dance together in front of the house.

Congratulations again Mandy and Tom!

Below is my winning image from the First Dance Category. I just love when I’m in the right place to capture moments like this one:

And here is my winning image from the Venue or Location Category. Nothing like a dramatic sky to spice up a photo:

Congratulations as well to all the other winners as well. I’m honored to be recognized alongside your incredible images.

Andree moved in close enough to see the weathering of the old buoys and threw the couple out of focus in the background:

I shot the couple through a bush with a plastic lens, framing the them against the wall.

I think that having the same couple, the same setting, the same light, and two shots taken within seconds of each other, really illustrates how two photographers will visualize the same subject differently.

Vive la différence!

Here is the album design Andree presented to the couple, that showcases both our images equally!