Sarah and Tom came to me by way of my dear friend, Sam at Samantha Warren Weddings.  I am so glad she was already booked that day because I got the opportunity to photograph Sarah and Tom’s extraordinarily personal and emotional wedding up in the Belgrade Lakes region.  The wedding was at Taconnet on Great Pond, a small island with cabins and a main lodge that comprise a truly unique family vacation spot. Sarah’s family owns two houses on the island, and she grew up spending her summers there. What can I say other than that I envy her! This place is magical.

I arrived early to get the lay of the land. OK, if I’m honest it was the “ferry” that had me concerned. At the small dock on the shore where you park your car is a doorbell. Ring it and someone on the island will come fetch you in the “cable ferry.”  Really? But sure enough, there at the dock was the doorbell. Thankfully there was a staff member already there, loading up a small motor boat with drinks for the party. All aboard — fingers crossed the gear stayed dry.

I found Sarah and Tom on the island. Both were feeling laid back and relaxed as they prepared for the ceremony. Sarah has four sisters, and when they arrived at the cabin it was interesting to see them all step in to help Sarah in so many different ways. Together with Sarah’s good friend, Lindsay, the sisters got Sarah ready for the beautiful outdoor ceremony under the tall trees along the shore.

The tone for the rest of the day was sort of set from the very beginning. Almost everyone was staying on Taconnet so there was very much an at home feeling the kept everyone mellow and convivial. Folks chatted over dinner at long tables and laughed (and cried) during the incredibly entertaining toasts. Ping pong tables saw a lot of action, as did the large hearths where everyone warmed their chilled hands. The party flowed easily from dining lodge to tent where the Tom Snow Band worked the crowd into quite a sweat despite the damp chill in the air. It was the kind of day where I completely forgot to worry about the dreaded boat ride back across to the parking lot in the dark.

Thanks to Sarah and Tom for putting their trust in me to photograph their wedding day. It was such a pleasure getting to know you both!

See some of the highlights from the day below. To see even more, take a look at the slideshow.

Many thanks to the great folks at Taconnet on Great Pond, especially Mary Beane and her super staff at Creative Catering. The talented Tom Snow Band kept the party going. Bride’s dress from Eco-Elegance in Portland. Hand knit bolero from Etsy.