Cornish Maine Wedding Photographer // Natalie & Joey // Portland Masonic

Every year I take on a last minute wedding and every single time it turns out to be my favorite of the year. This wedding was no exception. Joey and Natalie contacted me just a month prior to their wedding, having lost their previous photographer. I was excited to pick them up. Their vision and venue fit right inline with my shooting and photography style, so it just made perfect sense.

Joey and Natalie met in Savannah, Georgia. Natalie actually had hired Joey to work for her and their relationship took off from there. They have since moved to Maine. Joey proposed to Natalie on their boat on Sebago Lake a couple of years ago and the planning began.

Joey & Natalie were amazing at dealing with the me during the planning stages. Remember, I typically have at least a year to work with couples, but I only had a month with these guys so I had to bug them a little more frequently than most couples. Luckily for me, they had an amazing planner that they had been working with which helped fill in some of the blanks for me. We did a photography timeline and family formal list and were ready in no time for their wedding!

The morning of the wedding, I arrived at Portland Masonic to find Blue Elephant’s planning team hard at work putting everything together. The tables were all decorated with antiques from Natalie and Joey’s personal collection. Antique candelabras donned every table. Each table had its own theme and everything looked absolutely amazing. I had mentioned before that their vision and venue fit with my style of shooting. The venue is a huge historical space with exposed brick and beautiful woodwork. It’s definitely a vibe. It’s also a little bit on the darker side. So combine that with Natalie and Joey’s black on black color scheme, it was right up my alley.

I took the short walk from the venue to the hotel where the couple was getting ready. Joey was in his room with his “Best Woman” and her husband as they got ready. I did all of the detail shots there of the cuff links, shoes, invites, watch and of course, the rings. Joey got dressed and put on his bowtie. Before, I knew it, it was time to meet the girls and get in the limo to go back to the venue. I met them down at their room and we went out to the car. There in the car, was some champagne and glasses. They did a quick toast during the 5 minute drive.

Then back at Portland Masonic, it was time for Natalie to get her dress on. She had hung it the night before in the room where she would be getting dressed. Her dress had the most gorgeous corset back. Her mom and best friend both worked diligently to lace up Natalie while the rest of her wedding party fanned her off (it was a tad warm in the room!) Last step was to put her jewelry and pink cowboy boots on. Then she was ready for the first look!

This first look was different from any other that I had done. Joey and Natalie decided to first read letters to each other while standing side by side, but separated by being in different antique elevators. The lighting wasn’t the greatest inside the elevator (just like any other elevator!), so I set up some lighting knowing that this was an important moment for both of them. They both got into position. Joey on the first floor and Natalie to take her elevator down from the second floor. She took her elevator down to the first floor and they both read their letters. It was amazing to watch their expressions while they read the letters. Then it was time for Joey to see his soon to be wife. He stepped out and was just blown away with how stunning Natalie looked.

Next, Natalie and Joey had hired a Polaroid photographer to go some of their formals in front of Portland City Hall. I gave their other photographer space and prepped the wedding party for what was going to happen next with the wedding party pictures.

We strolled out to Portland City Hall and started the wedding party pictures after the other photographer was done. We did some fun ones and, of course, some more serious ones. Then I finished up by doing individual portraits of Natalie and Joey and then some together. It was so perfectly warm. I have never seen such amazing weather for a late October wedding!

Next it was up to the rooftop of Portland Masonic with just Natalie and Joey for their formals. I had never been up there so I was super excited for it! The golden hour light was perfect. I had the couple pose and have fun as I snapped away. It was an awesome setting for their formals!

We went back to the second floor to hide Natalie and Joey because their guests had started to arrive for their ceremony. The ceremony was set to take place in the front hall of the Portland Masonic. The chairs packed the sides of the hall just leaving enough room for the couple and their wedding party to make their way down the aisle. The guests came in and found their seats and waited for the festivities to begin.

Just like that the music started and the family started to make their way to the rabbi. Joey and Natalie had a short but very sweet ceremony. At the end, they kissed and Joey stomped on the glass in Jewish tradition to signify that sometimes tragic events can lead to a joyous occasion. They were married!

The party had begun! Natalie and Joey were introduced and they immediately went into their first dance. They laughed as they danced. After a few toasts the dance floor was opened. Everyone let losoe as the band played.

At the end of the evening there was a sparkler exit planned! All of the guests line up on the steps of Portland City Hall and lit their sparklers. It was truly an amazing night. I was really honored to be a part of Natalie and Joey’s wedding!