What an absolute blast this wedding was! I was so happy to be a part of Katie and Paul’s wedding at York Harbor Inn. I photographed Katie’s brother’s wedding a few years ago, and it’s so great to continue the tradition and see all the family (and how it has grown!). Not to mention that Katie and Paul and their wedding party were so laid-back and fun.

I drove up the Maine coast to a beautiful sunny July day. While everyone was getting ready storm clouds rolled in, but thankfully went away just in time for the ceremony. Then an amazing dance party all night long - I love it when the couple and their wedding party seriously are out on the dance floor the whole time. It makes for a very entertaining evening for me and of course some amazing shots, too!

Venue: York Harbor Inn

Ceremony: Hartley Mason Reserve

I’ve asked Katie and Paul some questions about their love story and wedding day, and their answers are throughout in italics.

How did you meet your partner?

Paul and I have been together for 6 years (It will be 6 years in September). We met online using match.com

“Try it. Sign up for three months and if you don’t meet anyone, I will pay you.” Katie’s teaching mentor said to her in hope of having her sign up for Match.com. Katie was hesitant but decided to do it. Meanwhile Paul went back on Match after returning from a two week trip around Europe with his brother. While dating didn’t seem to be going great for either of them, Katie received the advice of “just log on and like a bunch of people’s stuff.” She stumbled across a profile of an objectively handsome guy holding a pretzel and a giant beer. Liking both soft pretzels and beer, she liked his photo. Paul, receiving the notification of a new like on his photo, messaged Katie. The conversation between the two was brief. They made plans to meet that Friday at a kitschy Bahama themed restaurant near Nashua, New Hampshire. Katie didn’t hear much from Paul that week and figured the date would be a bust. Paul confirmed the plans on Friday afternoon. On the drive to meet for dinner, Katie was making plans to hangout with one of her college friends after. “The date will be an hour/hour and a half tops,” she assured her friend. To Katie’s surprise, the date went well- so well that the waiter took their waters away at the three hour mark so she and Paul would finally leave. The rest is pretty much history. Four moves, three job changes, two masters degrees and five years later, here we are - engaged to be married. On to the next chapter, same main characters.

Keep scrolling for so many photos of Katie and Paul’s York Harbor Inn wedding below!

We both grew up vacationing in Maine. Paul would go to Wells and Katie would go to York. It has always been a place we can relax and be together so we wanted to find a venue in southern Maine. Getting married outside overlooking the ocean at the Hartley Mason Reserve was such a beautiful setting that we both agreed on the York Harbor Inn as our venue.

getting ready at bridal suite york harbor inn

I appreciate that you capture the small moments and it is really natural to be around you. You have a great sense for what these small moments of the day are and it just compliments the more traditional wedding photos. It was also really nice to have your optimism and go with the flow attitude when it was raining. You did not make a big deal out of it or add to our stress. You still found opportunities for us to shoot outside which was great to have you find the silver lining of a possibly challenging situation.

bridesmaids looking out the window at rain on wedding day

Our goals for the wedding were to enjoy the day. It was a difficult year with covid and we hadn't seen family and friends much, so we wanted to celebrate our love with our close family and friends. We both wanted to be present on the day and soak in every moment. Even though the rainstorm made it difficult (for me/Katie) it all worked out.

katie and her bridesmaids at york harbor inn wedding

york maine wedding photographer groom portraits

Even though Katie and Paul didn’t do a first look, we still were able to get a lot of the wedding party photos done before the ceremony. Just made sure no one was looking while we transitioned in and out of the Inn.

groomsmen wedding photos york harbor inn

hartley mason reserve wedding ceremony photos

bride coming down the aisle outdoor ceremony york maine

I felt like the morning was so long. Getting ready, waiting, the rain, getting dressed and then all of a sudden the ceremony was happening! It was so nice walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time was such an emotional experience. It is weird on your wedding day to spend so much time away from your fiance so it was so comforting to see each other. The rest of the night was a blast. It was time to just enjoy our company and celebrate together.

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We looked forward to the ceremony and seeing each other for the first time. We picked out every reading and our vows so we were looking forward to it.

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bride and groom celebrating after wedding ceremony at york harbor inn

friends congratulating and hugging wedding couple hartley mason reserve york maine

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first dance at katie and paul's wedding at york harbor inn

Katie’s bridesmaids’ reactions are the absolute best!

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Our dance was also an anticipated moment because we loved the song. I Am Yours by Andy Grammer was always a special song to us since the first time we heard it so it was nice to have that be our first song as a married couple.

toasts at wedding reception york harbor inn

And of course some golden hours photos on the beach!

What is one suggestion you would give to couples planning their wedding?

We loved having a smaller wedding and we kept it fairly simple (reusing bouquet flowers, minimal decorations) Also order prints (the quality is awesome) and don't be afraid to treat yourself to a photo album. We will cherish these prints forever.

Awww, I love hearing that so much!!

We looked at the pictures for hours when we first received them. We laughed until we cried and we cried at how beautiful they were. We did not share the link with loved ones until we looked through all of them. We just reminisced about the day. The bridesmaids were so excited to see them we hopped on zoom a day later and looked through all of them together.

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wedding reception lights uplighting photos

When I have the extra time at the reception, I love to do some ambient lighting photos of the dance floor. And DJ Sean had a great set up and everyone on the dance floor!