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The coastal wedding of my dreams. This luxury venue nestled atop the cliffs of Southern Maine offers panoramic ocean views for a jaw dropping ceremony and reception. The Cliff House resort is a luxury venue like no other. 

With Hannah’s background in event planning and Jason’s goofiness in their relationship, I just knew this wedding day was going to be the perfect balance of elegant and fun. The details of this day were classic and tasteful. They weren’t lacking, but they weren’t over the top. The impeccable scenery that the coast of Maine offers truly doesn’t need much to compliment it. Hannah did the perfect job dreaming this up and Salty & Sweet Events brought the vision to life so flawlessly. 

Wedding at the Cliff House Resort

While Hannah and her besties got ready in the Cliff House bridal suite, I created flatlays of her details on the balcony overlooking the water. As she eagerly awaited her first look, she began putting all of those details on – the jewelry, the shoes, the unique scent she chose for this day. Her tight red curls fell so perfectly against the lace details of her minimally elegant gown and then it was time for the big reveal with her soon-to-be husband. 

I positioned Jason facing the water while he anxiously awaited his soon-to–be bride coming down the steep steps onto the rigid cliffs. This was where they’d see each other for the first time – privately, in their attire, all done up and ready for the big day. The excitement of seeing each other quickly relieved their anxiousness. After they shared a few moments alone, checking out each other’s outfits and saying hello, we dove right into portraits. We began with a few of the soon-to-be newlyweds against the Bald Head Cliff as the waves crashed in front of them. 

Wedding First Looks

Pro tip: Doing a “first look” with your significant other allows you to see each other and take the edge off before your ceremony. Not only do you get to share some quality time together, it’s also the perfect way to begin some portraits with you, your families, and wedding party – which then allows more time after the ceremony for portraits or joining your guests at cocktail hour like Hannah and Jason did!

As Hannah’s dad walked her down the aisle, she had the view of her future husband and his son, her family members eyes filled with tears, and the beautiful blue ocean directly behind them. Her brother married them and they exchanged vows filled with sentiment and laughter. Once they were pronounced husband and wife, the lighting was perfect to finish up the remaining family portraits and the just married portraits of the two of them before they joined their guests at cocktail hour! 

As they entered The Atlantic Ballroom, they saw their reception space dreams come to life. All of the details meticulously arranged, the one of a kind lights hanging above the dance floor, and the glass-sided wall overlooking the resort offered picturesque views of the cotton candy colored skies as the sun crept further and further down. 

Ditch the Traditions

I’m a big supporter of cutting out any wedding day traditions that don’t feel like you. Hannah and Jason weren’t afraid to do that. They did have excellent welcome speeches and toasts before dinner, and then they danced the night away with a live band and their closest people. 

In between all of these moments, I truly felt like I was hanging out with friends that I’d known forever, yet we’d only met one other time at their engagement session. Hannah treated me like one of the besties and Jason wasn’t afraid to hold back on witty jokes. We shared lots of laughs and some of our inside jokes, while creating lasting memories and photographs. 

This trendy, yet timeless day was truly one for the books. I found my dream clients, my dream venue, and lifelong friends. This just goes to show that you can have a classic, elegant day and still have so much fun! You just have to see for yourself.

Vendors

• Photographer: Emily Brianne Photography
• Planner: Salty & Sweet Events
• Venue: Cliff House Maine
• Flowers: Flower Kiosk
• Dress: Hinterland Bride
• Ring: Brilliant Earth
• Band: Dan Walker Band
• Desserts: The Sandpiper Cake Shop
• Groom’s Custom Suit: Indochino
• Stationery: Minted
• Hair and Makeup: LE Glam Team
• Rentals: Peak Event Services

Celebrating 60 years on vacation in Bar Harbor. For Beth’s 60th birthday she wanted her gift to be a session with all of the family together during their vacation to Maine. Since they were all staying at the Bar Harbor Inn downtown, we did their extended family session around the property. The Bar Harbor Inn has so many beautiful spots to capture portraits, especially with the Shore Path wrapping around the front of the property.

Tips for Family Sessions

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. The point of taking photos is being together and preserving memories. What counts is the closeness and bond you share. Perfection is not the goal!
2. Coordinate outfits. Matching is out, and coordinating is in! Find colors that complement each other and stick with a common theme.
3. Make the most of your session. If you have extended family in town (like this group), make the most of your photos and get as many combinations as possible.

As the kids get older, it’s always a challenge to get everyone together in the same place, coordinating, and on the same page. But since they were all together for her big birthday vacation, we made it happen! Check out the fun we had documenting three generations of love in this fun extended family session.

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful family photo session in Bar Harbor, Maine. I know it was a favorite of mine!

Looking for a family photographer? I’d love to capture this special season or momentous occasion in your life. See my recent family sessions on the blog. Contact me at the link below!

A family session that feels like you. One that shows your family dynamics – the love, the silly, the unbreakable bonds. 

Every year on family vacation, the Fox family has photos done in the cool, new place that they are visiting. While they were here camping in Acadia, doing lots of hiking and outdoor activities, they decided to throw in their annual family photos. This year was a bit different for them though… 

Mom didn’t feel like battling with the kids to wear nice dress clothes that didn’t really feel like them. So instead, she very tastefully coordinated everyone in clothes that truly felt like them.

I couldn’t believe how much I loved this idea and the outcome. I’d just met these strangers, but I knew that their L.L. Beans jackets and hiking boots truly felt like them. They were comfortable in what they were wearing and it really solidified the Maine, camping, adventure vibes of their trip. 

Moral of the story, you don’t have to always follow a style guide – that’s really just there for suggestions and guidance. You should wear what makes you feel good and reflects this chapter that you’re living.

Related Post: Tips for Planning Your Family Vacation Session