Emily & Coleman's Wedding at Mariner's Church in Portland's Old Port

Almost a year ago, Emily reached out to me about her wedding and we met over coffee shortly thereafter. Meeting felt like hanging out with an old friend. I loved hearing the story of how Coleman proposed in front of their dishwasher and of their plans for their wedding ceremony at Holy Cross where they first met. Fast forward almost a year and the big day was finally here this past Saturday. I met Coleman for the first time while he and his guys were partaking in the usual wedding day shenanigans (including Holy Donuts, I might add). They had me in stitches within moments of my arrival at his parent's house! Afterwards, I met Emily at her home to capture her last moments before slipping on her wedding gown from Andrea's Bridal. With the Portland Discovery trolley's arrival, they were quickly whisked off to Holy Cross for Emily to marry her best friend.

Danielle & Dustin's Fall Wedding at The Loon Lodge in Rangeley, Maine

Danielle & Dustin... if I were to get married today (versus ten years ago), I dare say that Alan & I would have a wedding much like theirs. Gorgeous burgundy lace bridesmaids dresses (which I conveniently matched with my own attire). Danielle's stunning, classic, long sleeved lace wedding dress complete with buttons on the cuffs. Her hair done in a lovely french twist (thank you Audrey!). Dustin getting ready with his guys upstairs with lots of laughter and antics. The sun streaming through the white puffy clouds and glistening across Rangeley Lake. The amazing staff from The Loon Lodge and florists from Sunrise View Farms busily prepared the lakeside green lawn for their ceremony.

Molly & Scott's Fall Wedding at Frontier in Brunswick, Maine

Oh. My. Goodness. It has been over a year since I have been looking forward to Molly & Scott's wedding. I knew through our email correspondence that these two love birds planning their wedding "from away" were perfect for me. Their vision of their wedding day and their story of meeting at City Year had me hook line and sinker. I met them in October of last year at Two Lights State Park for their engagement session and spent a few hours exploring the rocky coastline with them. It made me want to fast forward to this past weekend even faster! They are such an adorable, kind hearted couple!

Hillary & George's Kora Temple Wedding in Lewiston, Maine

Well over a year ago, Hillary reached out to me across the ether in the early stages of planning her Maine wedding with George from a land far away. As someone who works with a number of couples "from away" every year, crafting a relationship with these two love birds since then, despite not having met them, was second nature. It goes without saying that arriving at Hair Station to meet up with Hillary and her ladies felt like meeting up with an old friend.

Lindsey & Ryan's Little River Flower Farm Wedding in Buxton, Maine

The journey that led Lindsey & Ryan to Saturday, August 12th, may have been long, twisty, and sometimes uncertain. Yet I dare say that the trip was meant to be and well worth it for both of them. From when they first contacted me back in January, there was something about their story that resonated with me. Add in vision for a wedding ceremony held beneath the tall trees at the adorable Little River Flower Farm and I just knew that I had to capture their long awaited union.

Darci & Jim's Bailey Island Library Hall Wedding in Harpswell, Maine

Jim & Darci likely hold the record for how soon after their engagement they talked to me about photographing their wedding. But that's what happens when they are your dear friends! Jim and I work together at the same "9 to 5" job and we've bonded over the years with our shared history of private boarding school and years spent rowing. I knew that there was something special about Darci as soon as he started gushing to me about the new lady in his life. His huge smile, twinkly eyes, and rosy cheeks were a dead giveaway that this lady had him falling.

Liz & Paul's Bar Harbor Club Wedding in Bar Harbor, Maine

I am moment away from giving Liz & Paul their full gallery for their wedding, but I knew I just couldn't do so without posting their full sneak peek. What can I say? I get tunnel vision when editing so my couples can have their full collections as soon as possible!

Praise from Liz & Paul

★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

"Susie is so amazing, I could not have asked for a better photographer. Not only did she capture every moment but she was so professional, nice and friendly. In addition to be an excellent photographer she is an expert at weddings and helped with everything from tying my bustle to finding the perfect moment to escape for some sunset photos."

Emily & Dale's Colony Hotel Wedding in Kennebunkport, Maine

It's hard to believe that Emily & Dale's wedding was just a few weeks ago and I've already been working at designing their wedding album. Reliving their day while telling the story of their day made me realize that I had yet to hit "publish" on their official sneak peek blog post! Time flies when I'm focused on delivering their gallery to them!

Kelly & Kevin's Gorgeous Heritage Wedding Album

Kelly & Kevin were married almost two years ago at the quintessential Maine venue, The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine. As they await the arrival of the next generation, we got to work on creating their custom heritage wedding album with their favorite images from the day. I absolutely love this part of my relationship with couples as it gives me the chance to see what images that I captured for them are their favorite and mean the most to them. Narrowing down their choices to the ones that will be able to tell their wedding story for generations to come can certainly be challenging, but the end result is so worth it!

Jessica & John's Alice in Wonderland Wedding at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach, Maine

My journey with Jessica & John began a few years ago as I photographed John's sister's wedding. What struck me then, and still does today, is how much they can make each other smile and laugh. Their mutual love of sarcasm seems to bind them closer together, too. It goes without saying that I was more than a little excited in July of last summer when Jessica reached out to me as they were starting their own wedding planning. After I finished literally jumping for joy at the prospect of spending the day with John's family again, Jessica told me of their plans for an "Alice in Wonderland" themed wedding at the always gorgeous Dunegrass Weddings at the Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach.

Jordan & Colin's Ocean Gateway Wedding in Portland, Maine

Full disclosure. I delivered Jordan & Colin's full gallery to them weeks ago at this point from their November 12th wedding have not yet posted their full sneak peek. I hope you'll forgive me, but I was focusing on having the images wrapped up well before the holidays. ;-)

I have been emailing back and forth with Jordan since she first contacted me back in August of 2015. So, when we first got together in person in October, it was certainly like meeting up with an old friend to catch up. Easy to get along with would be an understatement!

Katie & Andy's Rainy Wedding at Kingsley Pines in Raymond, Maine

When Katie & Andy first contacted me about their wedding back in February, I don't think any of us had a very rainy fall day in mind for their festivities at Kingsley Pines. Yet, eight months later, that's what we woke up to last Saturday with the forecast stating just that. As much as we certainly needed the rain, we were all hoping it would have been delayed just a day. Obviously mother nature had other plans and I was very, very happy that I keep a stash of golf umbrellas in my car all year just for days like theirs.

Jacinta & Jim's Union Bluff Meeting House Wedding in York, Maine

They say that good things come to those who wait. Sometimes the journey during the waiting is hard and uncertain. Sometimes it's sunshine and rainbows. For Jacinta & Jim, their wedding day was a testament to their relationship being built upon a foundation that will last them for a long time to come. It was not always an easy road based on my conversations with them as well as the toasts given by their friends & family at their wedding. Yet, as the saying goes, good things really do come to those who wait. And oh my goodness are Jacinta & Jim deserving of all the good that their union is bringing to them.

Amber & Bryant's Rustic Maine Wedding at Broadturn Farm in Scarborough

As often happens this time of year, this "sneak peek" isn't much of a sneak any more as Amber & Bryant received their complete gallery weeks ago when they were on their honeymoon! Yet here I am. Thinking back on their glorious wedding at Broadturn Farm in Scarborough, Maine. To be honest, I have been hoping to have the opportunity to capture a wedding there, so it is no understatement that I was looking forward to their day ever since Amber first contacted me.

Nicole & Derek's Apple Orchard Wedding & Spire 29 Reception in Gorham, Maine

Nicole & Derek's wedding this past weekend was honestly one that I have been looking forward to for a VERY long time. When Nicole first contacted me, she laid out her vision for their day with their ceremony in Randall's Orchard, an apple orchard nearby, and then their reception at the historic Spire 29 on the Square in Gorham. She had me at fall wedding in an orchard. Could you think of a better time of year?!? Apples still glistening on the branches, the sun reaching the dreamy point in the sky this time of year, and then partying at a renovated church turned event venue? *sigh* My fingers were crossed that I would be lucky enough to tell their story and was jumping for joy when they told me I was their pick.

Autumn & Zach's Rye Beach Estate Wedding

For some couples, wedding planning can be a lengthy process. For Autumn & Zach, that wasn't the case! When Autumn's dear mom called me a few months ago to excitedly share that Autumn & Zach were getting married. I first met Autumn and her family three years ago when her sister, Jacqueline, married Joshua. Even since then, I have been looking forward to the day that I would be able to work with all of them again. Needless to say, I just could not say no when I was asked to capture Autumn & Zach's wedding, too!

WeddingSusie SimmonsSeptember 12, 2016Rye Beach, New Hampshire, The Beach Club, BHLDN, Men's WearhouseComment

Angie & Jake's Rustic Maine Wedding at Coolidge Family Farm

Just over a year ago now, I sat down in a local hole in the wall donut shop with Angie as she and Jake were solidifying their wedding plans already a while in the making. Time flew by quickly and soon I was sitting in my car excitedly tapping on my steering wheel hoping that I would have the honor to capture their wedding day.

The year since then was gone in the blink of an eye and Alan and I soon arrived at the Coolidge Family Farm for their wedding day. With a bit of humidity lingering in the air, we were all happy that the heat of the summer seemingly had decided to tone it down for the day. As Angie & her ladies assembled the last of their details in the top floor of the main house, Jake and his guys arrived to finish their own preparations. The tears first started to flow as Angie had her first look with her Dad and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't misty eyed, too. This day had been coming for a long time and emotions were high.

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