Leslie & David, Royal Rangeley: Rangeley, Maine

Who: Leslie and David
What: A classic lakeside wedding tucked deep in the western Maine mountains for 125
Where: Ceremony and celebration at the rustic yet refined Loon Lodge, a retreat on the shores of Rangeley Lake.
When: Saturday, August 23, 2008
How: Breathtaking dress from Madeleine's Daughter in Portsmouth, NH; tent and chairs from Wallace Tent; tent transformation thanks to stunning floral arrangements from Rangeley's Sunrise View Farms (who it must be noted are dear family friends, who also did the flowers for our wedding three years ago); simple three-tiered cake from the boys at the Bankery in Skowhegan; officiated by Rangeley's Rob Welch (another dear family friend); entertainment and general rocking and awesomeness from the Boston-based Mirage Band (I photographed the musical marriage of the band's trumpeter last summer in Cushing; and last but certainly not least, impeccable planning down to the tiniest yet still distinctive detail from Amber Small of the Sweetest Thing Weddings.

Why: It could have been any other UMaine fraternity party, but when David looked across the dingy basement and saw a carefree coed laughing, he knew this night was going to be life-changing. As these stories sometimes go, the girl didn't initially have the same head-over-heels reaction, but that soon changed. "I knew from the moment I saw her it would be worth the effort," David told me at the rehearsal dinner of convincing Leslie to get to know him. And of course, he was right. Two years ago, high atop a mountain on a tiny island in Greece, as the sun set into the sea, David asked Leslie to be his wife, and of course, she said yes! Last Saturday, on the shores of the lake where David spent his childhood summers, the two were married in one of the most spectacular weddings I've witnessed.

For both personal and professional reasons, the privilege to document Leslie and David's day was especially meaningful to me. First the place, Rangeley, is a special one to me. It's where I first met Kyle, and where we fell in love, and the Loon Lodge, where the day's events were held is actually where we first introduced our families to each other in celebration of our engagement. Second, many of the vendors happened to also be important figures in my own life, like the florists, Priscella and Brian, who are dear friends who not only attended our wedding, but did the floral arrangements for us as well, and are parents (mother and stepfather) of our best friend and best man, Jon; the band, who I worked with last summer when I photographed the trumpet player's wedding; Amber, the wedding planner has become a dear friend since I first met her when I was just beginning my photography career several summers ago; and even the officiant, a longtime family friend. And third, the people: Leslie and David were delights to work with and their affection for each other and their hospitality to both vendors and guests made everyone feel like part of the family!

As a result, I was so happy that their wedding day was all they dreamed it would be. From the weather, which was easily the best Saturday all summer, to the sunsets, everything was spectacular, showcasing Rangeley in its finest, most delicious light. Congratulations to you both. May this magical day on the lake be just one of many more you'll enjoy together!!!


I was excited to photograph the rehearsal dinner. This is the first summer I've offered rehearsal dinner coverage, and many past clients had told me they wished they had me there to document their rehearsal festivities, which is why I began offering coverage of that kind. Here, the groom greets guests at the dinner, which was held at his family's lakeside camp.


Leslie and David take time to enjoy the setting sun.


The sunsets on both the night of the rehearsal and then of the wedding were jaw dropping. This image of David, quietly looking out across the lake where so many of his best memories were born, and where new ones were being created is among my favorites from the weekend. I know how important this place is to him, and to situate him so peacefully within it is a shot I know he'll treasure for years to come.


A final few moments of the cocktail hour.


Mmmm... dinner!


Another favorite: guests enjoying a sunset meal.


The wedding day arrives. When you drive down the dirt road to the lakeside lodge, and see this tranquil sign tucked in the trees, a sense of calm overcomes.


The bride's mom, getting her hair done.


Before the bridal party began getting ready, Leslie and her girls headed down the lake, where she asked me to get a shot of these custom sweats!


Also on the dock was the bride's cousin and his girlfriend, who were enjoying their visit from NYC by playing a little lakeside Scrabble.


The dress!


And the shoes!!! Quite the story with these... Leslie had seen them on a bride's profile on the Knot and instantly fell in love. But where to find them? Luckily, Amber, the wedding planner extraordinaire, was up to the challenge. She called the Cali wedding photographer who contacted his bride who shared her sources- the shoes came from one place and the silk gardenias from another. And all was well!


Makeup time.


I love this moment when the bride sees herself in her veil for the first time on the wedding day.


With everything getting ready in such a small space, it got a bit overwhelming. So Leslie and her mom and I headed upstairs to the lodge's bar (which was closed for the day) to enjoy some quiet moments before the ceremony. Then about 10 minutes before go-time, things went back in motion. Here, the veil is carefully readjusted for it's big reveal.


A champagne toast.


David awaits (a bit nervously, it must be said.)


And here she comes! Wow!!!


Look at how happy they are. And notice the beautifully draped chuppah, a nod to David's Judaism.

A beautiful bride.


The ceremony from the back.


And from the front.


The ring exchange. Yes, that is David's right hand, something that was rectified after the recessional.


The bride and groom departed (and then returned) on a gorgeous old wooden Chris-Craft, driven by groomsman George.


For some reason, this is one of my favorites.


Leslie and David both admittedly hate having their photograph taken and so my hands-off style of photographing couples was a good fit. A few quick captures on the dock.






Check out that view from the tent.


The tables all set for dinner.


A close-up of the centerpieces, with the table number cards featuring the region's beautiful birches drawn by the bride's aunt.


Dinner time!!!


And, a final shot of Leslie and David, who I found quietly catching up after dinner while enjoying the day's signature cocktail: Maine Lemonade (let me see if I can get this right- muddled mint, lemonade, vodka, and wild blueberries- yum!)