Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // Danika & Rudy // Harpswell, Maine
Some weddings are filled with extravagant, over the top details and enormous guest lists, while others are all about heart and connection. Danika and Rudy’s wedding was the latter—an intimate, personal celebration at a private residence, with a backdrop of love, family, and some of the most breathtaking views.
The day started with Rudy and his family already hard at work. Rudy, his kids, and his father were outside, setting up tables under the warm morning sun. Meanwhile, inside, Rudy’s mother was carefully piecing together the floral arrangements.
Danika, meanwhile, was at the salon getting her hair and makeup done. When she returned, there was that moment where she paused to check out the progress of the setup.
Once upstairs, Danika began the final touches for the big day. Her mother helped her zip up her dress, carefully pulling on the sleeves, then adding the finishing touches with earrings and a necklace.
Rudy slipped into his suit, ready to see his bride. Their first look was next, and it was as sweet and genuine as I had expected. Rudy turned around, to see Danika in her dress for the first time. That moment was theirs—quiet, private, filled with emotion.
We quickly transitioned to the ceremony, held at the beautiful Cundy Harbor Library. The location was perfect—not only because it had breathtaking views of the ocean, but because of how peaceful it felt. The sun was shining just enough to warm the day without being too hot. Rudy’s mother, who had already been so hands-on with the flowers, also stepped into the role of officiant. She was the first to walk down the aisle, followed by Rudy and his kids. And then, of course, Danika. She walked down that aisle accompanied by her father.
The ceremony itself was beautiful. Rudy and Danika exchanged vows and rings, with Rudy’s mother guiding them through each step.
Once the formalities were done, we took a short detour to the beach for their formal photos. The lighting was perfect—just a peek of sunlight filtering through the trees, giving us that soft, golden hour glow. It wasn’t too bright or too dark, which made for the most dreamy shots of the couple against the backdrop of the ocean.
Then, it was back to the reception. The atmosphere shifted from calm and intimate to lively and fun. The couple was introduced to a round of applause, and the celebration began. The speeches were heartfelt, the food was delicious, and the dance floor quickly filled with the couple’s closest friends and family. Laughter, dancing, and joy filled the air as the sun set on this beautiful day.
By the end of the night, it was clear that Danika and Rudy’s wedding wasn’t just about the union of two people—it was about the coming together of families, of love, and of shared moments. As a photographer, it’s days like this that remind me why I love what I do.
