Boston Portrait & Wedding Photographer | Jarige Photography

I was so excited when Julie & Kyle contacted me about photographing their wedding on the Wendameen Schooner yacht…The plan was simple:  Meet on the docks in Portland, board the sailboat, get married on the boat while sailing away to the fabulously, beautiful and private Cow Island with their friends and family in tow, party it up on the island, and then sail back home to Portland.

 

Not having shot a wedding on a boat (this was a first for me!), I did run through some disaster-type scenarios in my head (potential for sea-sickness, cameras and gear getting splashed or rained on if it was a stormy day – or worse, falling over the side of the boat…you get the idea!)  But as Jefferson said: with great risk comes great reward, and fortunately for Julie & Kyle (and all of us), we were rewarded with a beautiful, sunny, warm and breezy day, just perfect for a sail…and more importantly, just the right setting in which to celebrate these two wonderful people and the fact that they found each other <3

 

I met up with Julie first at the Portland Harbor Hotel where she was getting ready with Mom and friends:

 

Fresh flowers weren’t allowed on the schooner, so Julie found this adorable paper pinwheel bouquet on Etsy!  She was also able to use the same pinwheel for Kyle’s boutonniere…:)

 

 

The lovely bride:

 

I told Julie she reminded me of someone famous…it wasn’t until later that day I realized who her celebrity doppelganger was…any guesses?  Imagine the bouquet is a microphone….:)

 

Down in the harbor, Kyle waited patiently for his bride to be revealed…..

 

Seeing each other for the first time:

 

Dad brought along a photo of Julie & Kyle’s dog Penny with the caption “I do too!”  So sweet, I’m sure Sophie (my little fur child) would have approved:

 

 

Then it was time to board the boat and set sail:
The bride and groom boarded in processional style, while Julie’s uncle played guitar….

 

On the boat, there were decorative tackle boxes, buoys and  fish hooks with love and words of wisdom…

 

Did you figure out yet which celebrity singer Julie resembles?  … You Oughta Know…  (that was a pretty big hint, by the way…)

 

Once the sails were up and we were out to sea , the Captain gathered everyone for the ceremony:

 

 

 

And then they were married!!!

 

We did some photos of the newlyweds around the boat, doing our best to ride the waves and maneuver around people, masts and rope, while staying onboard!  It was pretty fun 🙂

 

I love the shot of bride and groom steering the boat 🙂

 

We also did some family photos while we could grab some shade on the other side of the boat…

 

 

Then it was time to eat, drink and be merry, as we arrived on lovely Cow Island!

 

There were so many pretty spots on Cow island…I could have easily spent the day taking photos.  Here are some more bride and groom pics from the island:

 

 

The reception kicked off with a yummy lobster bake, fresh corn on the cob, blueberry cobbler, and whoopie pies!

 

 

Kyle and Julie both made beautiful toasts to each other and thanked their guests:

 

Then they shared their first dance as husband and wife:

 

And danced with their parents:

 

 

After dinner it was time to break out the hula hoops and shake those hips!

 

 

Our island stay was short, but sweet….On the way back, they had me take a water taxi alongside the schooner for the first 20 minutes, so I was able to get some photos of everyone on the boat from the water!

 
In this first shot, you can see everyone on the boat, including the bride and groom in the front 🙂

 

We couldn’t resist doing the Titanic shot….

 

What an incredibly lovely, thoughtful, fun and playful wedding (and it kind of felt like a mini-vacation for me :))  Kyle & Julie (or should I say, Alanis?)  – thank you so much for including me in your big day!  I wish you SO much love and happiness together….. <3