Erin & Jay, Gone to the Dogs: Waterboro, Maine

Who: Erin & Jay
What: A sweet and simple Waterboro wedding for 100
Where: Ceremony and celebration at a private residence- the groom's father's farm, known at the Gould Farm, in Waterboro.
When: Saturday, September 13, 2008
How: Hair styling at Salon la Luna in Gorham; linens/placesettings/tent, etc. from South Portland's One Stop Party Shoppe; fabulous flowers from Marcia Davis; custom-created necklaces for the bridal party by the bride's sister of Laura Lewis Designs; on site catering (yum, yum, yum!) from At Your Service Caterers of Saco, DJing from one of my favorites- the always entertaining Brian Phoenix and favors in the form of a donation to the ever-worthy American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the ASPCA) .

Why: They met, of all places, on MySpace. Brought together by their shared affection for the simple things in life and a little dog (with big attitude) named Bago (short for Sebago), they quickly fell in love. And when you see them together (which you will in just a second here), you know why. So at ease, so content they are in each other's company, that you can't imagine them anywhere else and you don't want to be anywhere else, because it is such a pleasure to witness two people so at peace and in love. Just as they are, their wedding was wholesome, held beside fields of wild flowers at a rural Waterboro farm. The moment I saw Erin's eyes and smile widen at the sound of Jay's Aston Martin rumbling up the drive, I knew it would be a most delightful day. And it was.


When I arrived, this was immediately what I found: Erin and Bethany (one of my favorite brides whose wedding I photographed last month) sitting on the floor, steaming out some little wrinkles in the dress, which was hanging from the ceiling fan.


A bridesmaid fills out a last minute wedding wish for the bride and groom.


Something about this image struck me the second I saw it. Erin and her girls got ready in the in-law apartment where Jay's step-grandparents live in the back of the family farm. As the girls were busting around doing hair and makeup, Jay's step grandmother asked if she could borrow back her bedroom to take a brief afternoon nap. I peeked in through the cracked door and saw her legs and the dress and it just seemed to me as a very funny scene.


When she woke up, Jay's step-grandmother was surprised to learn that Erin and Jay's beloved Bago was actually going to be in the wedding!


I love this image of Erin and Bago nestling each other.


Instead of having a traditional wedding cake, Erin and Jay opted for whoopie pies, which were baked by Jay's mom and were oh-so-good. Of course, having all those trays of whoopies pies was a little tempting for Erin, who sneaks a peak here.


The bathroom was transformed into a makeup studio.


After Erin got her dress on, she turned to me and nervously asked "Do I look ok?" I didn't even know how to respond, because she just looked so beautiful.


The guys got ready in the barn. Here they come across the lawn - all wearing sunglasses of course- to the ceremony.


Erin was walked down the aisle not just by her dad, but by Bago too. Though he's quite an outgoing dog, Bago was a bit bashful.


Jay's reaction.


A neat ceremony setup, with the entire wedding party (16 total! not including flower girls and ring bearers) lined up on the small backyard deck forming an aisle at which Erin and Jay were at the back.


Erin was so nervous about saying her vows, but she held Jay in her eyes the whole time, and did marvelously.


A rather regal Bago waiting patiently during the formals.


The flowers were spectacular, a perfect pinkish peach that happened to match the color of the shirt I was wearing to a tee. Several guests complimented me on my foresight.


Erin still couldn't take her eyes off Jay, and I doubt she ever will. They are just too sweet together!


The secret to a lasting marriage: being able to make each other laugh! I am not sure what Jay was whispering here, but Erin's reaction was a great capture and telling of their ease and playfulness together.


Old barns provide just the best backdrops.


I love how tender these two were together and the way Erin's veil naturally falls on her face here.


Lately, I've been experimenting with shooting through things, especially grass and leaves, as I think it adds a nice texture to the image, and really makes the people pop.


Erin wanted some shots of her and Jay in this backyard hammock before we raced into the reception. Sounded easy enough, but the formal constraints of wedding attire combined with a sudden presence of pesky mosquitoes made it rather awkward. So, I just stepped back, let everything/body fall into place and shot at the moment the two began connecting with each other, and not worrying about flipping the hammock upsidedown.


The images in those few split seconds ended up being my favorite of the day.


Much like the day, dogs ruled at the reception too. Each table was named after a breed of dog owned by family or friends of the couple. A nice personal touch and don't you love those paper lanterns in the background?


The tent at night.


A funny (whoopie pie) cake topper.


The dance floor action was out of this world from the first song to the last.




I had so much fun catching up with Bethany and Brian, whose wedding I shot in early August, and hearing about their relaxing Aruba honeymoon. Their signature album was just ordered last week, and I don't know who is more eager to see it: me or them!


When the sunglasses come out, you know there is no turning back.


Jay took the call to get "low, low, low, low, low" rather seriously!


The last dance (with Bethany and Brian holding each other in the back).

Congratulations, Erin and Jay. It was such a joy to spend the day with you both. Your affection for each other and for Bago and for your friends and family was apparent in every single moment, from the chaotic ones (nine girls and one little dog getting ready in a tiny in-law apartment while the caterers blasted the ovens) to the calm and tender ones with just the two of you back behind the barn. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together, and know you are well on your way to that.