Alison & Steven Engaged: Greystone Manor, Cape Neddick, Maine

Chicagoans Alison and Steven had never set foot in Maine when they decided to set their September 2010 wedding here. Both had fallen in love with the state's craggy coast the moment they saw the images I took of Emily and Liam's wedding at the Greystone Manor in Cape Neddick (just north of York) featured on WeddingBee.com. And, it just so happened that Steven was scheduled to hike the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, starting in Georgia in March of next year and ending atop Mount Katahdin in Maine ifive or so months later. What a better way to end such a walk (Steven has dubbed it "the hike of love") than with a wedding? Sight unseen, they hired me, rented out the stately Greystone Manor (a favorite wedding spot) and went to work planning their classic Maine coast wedding, complete with a lobster bake dinner.

Last weekend, they flew in for a few days to see the place for themselves for the first time, have a volley of vendor meetings, and enjoy an engagement session with me. What a better place to pose than the Greystone, the owner of which graciously allowed us to shoot there. Such fun we had exploring the grounds and though Alison and Steven admitted to me prior to the session that they dreaded being before the camera, I think these images speak to how relaxed they quickly became. I cannot wait for this wedding!

And Emily & Liam, I am relieved to report we saw not one flash of lighting, nor did we get hit by any hail!

We started down by the water. I think one of Greystone Manor's most awesome attributes is these private piece of rocky beach. Though Steven hails from Oklahoma and Alison from central Pennsylvania, they both looked at home here, with each other. This first image is perhaps a favorite from the shoot, because it captures the nerves that naturally come with the start of a session such as this, but at the same time, that excitement of being in such a beautiful place, with someone you so love, making your engagement official!















We then moved out of the sun and whipping wind up to Greystone's porch.


Alison had asked me about what to wear for the shoot, and I suggested she select clothing that was reflective of her personality, and that would fit into the setting. She couldn't have picked more perfectly, and I especially loved these playful green heels.


Who doesn't adore that moment, just before a kiss...


I love finding creative ways to get different looks in the same place. From the rocks by the water, to the stone of the estate. What a nice backdrop those walls made.


And, we ended the shoot in this little window nook. I love how intimate these images feel, even though the manor is so magnificent in size and stature, especially with only three of us on the entire property.