The Artist’s Covered Bridge over the Sunday River.

Lots of laughter, lots of tears… our kind of people!

On The Sunday River…

The emotions started early, and everyone did an amazing job of keeping it together!  Amy and Chad really wanted beautiful photos, captured in an unobtrusive manner.  They wanted the day to be about their celebration and their stories… nothing contrived or manufactured.  We were happy to oblige!

Their beautiful rings, hers inscribed with “Always” and his inscribed with “Forever.”

Lots of small, thoughtful details… the wedding party all received embroidered handkerchiefs.

Exquisite Bouquets.

The ceremony begins!

Dad walking Amy down the isle.  I don’t think there was a dry eye there.

Chad wipes a tear as he sees Amy for the first time in her wedding dress.

We always shoot unobtrusively, but photographing in the covered bridge without a flash presented many very real challenges.  We arrived a few hours before the ceremony to obsessively meter the light, and make a great plan for how we would capture the emotion and detail… without being noticed.  In this shot, we’re shooting with a very large (400mm) lens from a nearby roadway through the side of the bridge and into the scene.  Working with the natural light (instead of against it) revealed beautiful highlights & details.  In this image, a tear falls on Chad’s cheek.

Amy putting Chad’s ring on his finger, again from a distance with a long lens.

The kiss and applause!

The emotion after the kiss.  Love that filtered, natural light!

They’ve been together NINE years!!!  They’re so happy!

Their first moments as husband and wife.

Even the most organized brides can have something go wrong!  Here, Amy’s “after-wedding” slippers were taken back to the reception site ahead of schedule… leaving her with only her stiletto heels to hike down to the river bed in.  Conveniently, my amazing second shooter (and wife, Malia) was there and offered up her black shoes for the walk, and then proceeded to keep photographing in bare feet.  Nice work sweetie!

How do you have a relaxing wedding at The Covered Bridge with a reception at Sunday River? Hire shuttle buses!  Here, Amy and Chad return to the reception alone in an empty bus.

Beautiful.  Real.  Natural.

Great location for a wedding.  Mountains in the background.

Amy’s dad has his dance with his daughter.  So emotional.

The father and mother of the groom… wonderful people on their Harley!

Amy and Chad hired us explicitly because they wanted their very real story of love and family to come through with emotion, quality and creativity while having fun.  Their families and friends mean the world to them, & they rented a house at Sunday River for the week prior to the wedding for everyone to relax and bond.  I think it worked!!!

It was a beautiful wedding.  Simple, genuine and so thoughtful.  Congratulations Amy and Chad!!!  We loved getting to know you and your families!  Thank you for the opportunity to support you all!

The complete set of wedding photos can be viewed by clicking on this link:  http://www.brianwedge.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=537

Location:  Artist’s Covered Bridge, Newry Maine (Sunday River Ski Resort)

Catering:  The Good Food Store (amazing, wholesome food.  Thanks Heather & Dave!)