Jess and Matt’s Portland Maine wedding took place on a bright September day. They came to me through friends I photographed two years ago. I love the last wedding and was immediately excited to work with these two!
Jess and Matt chose the Westin Harborview in downtown Portland for their ceremony and reception. We started with getting ready photos at the hotel; followed by time outside before a rooftop ceremony. I walked into such a good vibe in both of their rooms. Love it when that happens!
Once the dress was on, we scoped out the area around the hotel for a first look and some portraits. No need to stay there, though! We had the father of the groom graciously offer to drive Jess, Matt, and I around to different parts of Portland they had targeted the week before as must-haves for photos.
After portraits with Jess and Matt, we went back to the Westin to collect family and friends for bridal party portraits on a nearby sidewalk. Thank you, sunshine, for being amazing on this day! I love the pops of contrast on images captured on this simple sidewalk!
Jess and Matt wanted to attend their cocktail hour and have a relaxed reception, and doing all of the portraits before the ceremony is such a great way to accomplish that!
The ceremony took place on the top floor of the hotel, surrounded by huge floor-to-ceiling windows. The perfect view for a Portland Maine wedding!
I was a little nervous about getting creative images for the processional. The space was very tight and they were walking a very short aisle, after entering the room from the elevator area. I used a long lens and shot down a row of guests standing for these images. The light on the couple is perfect, and was strong enough to overpower the inside lights. The business of the room behind the bride and her brother faded to darkness. It’s really hard to get grand entrance images in tight busy space but I was so happy with this capture.
Finally, it was party time! Reception dinner and dancing in the main ballroom with the evening topped off by plates of whoopie pies and late-night grilled cheese! We snuck outside for a few nighttime portraits to capture the city as guests danced and ate.
Thank you, Jess and Matt, for inviting me to be a part of your Portland Maine wedding! I loved working with you!
