There are few things as iconic in southern Maine during the summer as catching a Casco Bay ferry across the channel to Peaks Island. The warmth of the sun, the scent of the ocean, the sound of waves lapping against the coastline... Needless to say, it wasn't a difficult decision for Zoe and Cody to travel from Colorado and bring their families together for a postcard perfect wedding weekend this past September.
Aside from its natural beauty, Peaks Island also holds a place in Zoe's heart, as her family owns a summer home on its coast and she grew up spending her summers there. We were fortunate enough to visit a few months prior to the wedding in order to take a little peak (get it?) ourselves at the locations where things would be taking place. We even got to sneak a look at the flowers being grown in the garden that would be used for the wedding!
And while it's nice to have a home close by when you're getting married on an island, Zoe chose to let her parents worry about things other than playing hosts and instead opted to rent a home nearby to get ready in with her bridesmaids. With a sprawling yard and some beautifully lit rooms inside, we were able to capture some beautiful images during bridal prep!
Once in her dress and ready to head to the venue, Zoe opted for a quick reveal to her bridesmaids, who were waiting outside. Of course they were all over the moon to see how stunning the bride looked and became overwhelmed with emotion realizing that this moment was finally here.
Meanwhile, Cody got ready where all of their friends were staying for the weekend- the Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial Inn. A historic building right on the coast of the island, the inn provided plenty of wide open space inside and a wrap around porch outside to catch Cody and his groomsmen putting together their final touches.
Zoe and Cody made the decision to have a private first look and read their vows prior to the ceremony. We of course always recommend this to couples for multiple reasons- a chance to breathe before things really get going, a moment to express your love before standing together in front of a big crowd, and of course having more time to take photos together so they're not all crammed in after the ceremony!
A rock garden not far from the family home was chosen as the backdrop for their first look. With waves crashing on the shore and hardly a cloud in the sky, Zoe slowly made her way up to Cody and gave him a gentle tap on the shoulder. The several uninterrupted minutes that followed were candid and romantic, and we were so honored to be there capturing it all!
The venue for the wedding was the TEIA Club, a lovely two story hall surrounded by covered porches and nested right on the coastline. The bridal party arrived nearly an hour before the ceremony to relax and get hidden away before guests began to arrive in busses ferried over from Portland. While family and friends gathered outside, Zoe took a few moments to relax and soak in the day.
Despite one of the busses missing the ferry over, things were still able to get back on schedule for the start of the ceremony. Zoe's brother served as the officiant and was immediately able to make the crowd feel relaxed and welcome with a few jokes. As the bridal party made their way out from the club and across the lawn, Cody was feeling all of the emotions waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle and join him.
Of course Zoe looked stunning as she was walked arm in arm down the aisle by both her mother and father, wearing a gorgeous Evie Young dress and carrying a bouquet made of flowers picked directly from the family garden
Although a relatively short and simple ceremony, it was hard to escape how striking the scene was. It's hard to complain when you're watching a couple get married under a late summer sky on in island in Maine with a slight breeze blowing and boats bobbing around in the background. You can understand why these two brought everyone together to enjoy this whole vibe with them on their big day!
One unique twist to Zoe and Cody's ceremony is that they had family and friends come up to speak, and instead of doing traditional readings, they gave their well wishes to the couple. It was a really nice way for people to be able to express their love and support for the couple in a much more personal way than the norm.
As mentioned earlier, one of the great things about doing a first look is being able to take care of a bunch of photos before the ceremony so that they're not crammed in afterwards. Since Zoe and Cody got all of their bridal party and family photos done beforehand, they were able to actually join their guests and enjoy the cocktail hour!
Before guests were allowed into the reception space, Zoe and Cody took a few minutes to capture some shots of themselves around the hall, showing off all the little touches that had helped to transform the space. While we always make sure to capture details before tables become cluttered with guests and their personal belongings, it was a nice addition having the couple themselves in some of those images.
Once the guests were welcomed inside and seated, things got going right away with Zoe and Cody's first dance. The layout of the tables and the size of the dining hall provided adequate space to the couple to move around, which is something for others to consider when booking a venue. Oftentimes the bride and groom are confined to smaller space for their first dance and don't have much of an opportunity to show off their moves!
After the first dance, meals were served and enjoyed by all (including us!). Once things were finished and plates were cleared, family and friends gave their toasts to the newlyweds.
Knowing that the sun would be setting at this point in the evening, we had scheduled time to take Zoe and Cody outside for some couples portraits in the golden hour light. While it was a bit overcast and the sun wasn't quite glowing how we would have loved, we were still able to get some incredible images, including a few of our all time favorites from the drone!
With just enough time spent on their own to get some great shots and steal a few kisses, Zoe and Cody headed back inside to dance with their parents before the live band got the party really going!
The Larry Williams Band played live for several hours, starting off in a smaller form during the cocktail hour and then going all out well into the evening. The amount of planning it took to get the entire band and all of their equipment across on the ferry was quite a task, but Zoe and Cody's day would not have been the same without one of their favorite local acts there to celebrate with them. We honestly couldn't recommend live music more on your wedding day- the reception party never goes quite as hard as it does with live music!
With the evening winding down and only a few opportunities to catch a ferry across to Portland so we could get home for the night, we said our goodbyes and boarded one of the buses the couple had chartered to get their guests from the TEIA Club to the ferry dock. While the party carried on for a little while longer after we had left, those moments are probably best kept undocumented to protect the innocent that may have partied a little too hard!
Out-Of-This-World Vendor Team
Photography - Mars and the Moon Films
Planning + Catering - The Bread and Butter Co.
Venue - TEIA Club Peaks Island
Live Music - The Larry Williams Band
Hair- Hair by Gabriella Busa
Makeup- Diamonds and Curls
Dress- Evie Young Bridal
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