Whitney & Travis: A Kittery Point Wedding

I am very excited to share Whitney and Travis' wedding day. Prior to that, I had the great pleasure of spending a morning with them a few weeks prior to their wedding during our engagement photo shoot (more to come on that in a later post), and from that day knew that their wedding was going to be a blast. It did not disappoint! Whitney and Travis are also kindred spirits -- namely climbers -- and they spent their honeymoon backpacking up north. Needless to say, I love these two!

Their wedding took place at Fort Foster at Kittery Point, Maine, which is also where they spend a lot of their time with their dog. For me, it is was a gorgeous location for a wedding off the beaten path. Views of the Atlantic with sail boats gliding along formed the backdrop for the secluded ceremony. The details were also just right. A lemonade and ice water station kept the guests refreshed, and the flowers were lovely additions to the natural beauty of the area. The arrangements, in fact, were all made by Travis' mother. Whitney's wonderful bouquet is below on the right...


Below Whitney makes her way to the ceremony to meet Travis. How about that view!


And a couple from the ceremony...


It truly was a picture perfect setting...


Whitney and Travis' pup was their ring bearer. After performing her duties she sat to watch the rest of the ceremony from the front row. She had a great seat for the first kiss as husband and wife too...


And the joyful, hand-in-hand recession, which is always a favorite moment during the wedding day for me...


During the relatively short ceremony (maybe 15 minutes) archival artist and family member Michael Arthur drew the amazing piece below. I like to believe my photographs create vivid memories for couples, but this is such a cool and unique piece for them to have. I LOVE it!


Following the ceremony we moved to the shore for family and wedding portraits. My second shooter David captured this great image of Travis and Whitney below. This place is so important to them, and I love how this captures not only the Kittery Point coast but also the intimate connection between these two great people...


And a few more portraits...




This next shot was taken looking through the alter table from their ceremony. Kind of cliche, but I still love it!


Once done, it was back to Portsmouth, one of my favorite places anywhere, and to the Moffatt Ladd House for their reception. The home, built in the 1760s, is a treasure that is often overlooked in town. Though beautiful on the outside, it is the lush gardens and serene setting within the walls that are truly a treasure. Before venturing to the garden reception we grabbed a few portraits in the foyer of the mansion...



As Whitney and Travis mingled with guests I grabbed a few details images. Again, all of the arrangements were made by Travis's mother, and she did an amazing job!



The cocktail hour took place in the gardens and the carriage house. The excellent Pressure's On bluegrass band delighted the guests and were a refreshing change for me after so many (excellent!) rock and pop bands this year...



Following introductions Whitney and Travis shared their first dance...


But it was the father-daughter dance that stole the show. There had not been plans for parent dances, at least as far as the band and I knew, so when Whitney's father met her on the dance floor following her and Travis' dance it was a surprise. No problem. Except the bad rolled into a rippin' bluegrass tune. Now, Whitney is a long-time dancer so this did not dissuade her, but her dad was caught a little off guard. He recovered and they danced a spirited jig. It was awesome!


Keeping to the theme of cool and different, in lieu of a traditional cake cutting there was a pie cutting. All kinds, and boy did they look good!


A few thank-yous from the bride and groom following toasts and it was time to party!


And cut loose they all did...


It was fun seeing Whitney dancing with her sister, who also has a dance background. Those two can cut a rug, and with a kickin' bluegrass band playing, well, they put on a show...



And a great moment captured late in the evening...


Before calling it a night I stole Whitney and Travis away for a few night portraits. This one below in the gardens behind the Mansion with the reception tent in the side yard...


Thank you Whitney and Travis for having me photograph your wedding. I wish you both the best in the years to come, and look forward to seeing you on the cliffs!