Heartfelt Rustic Barn Wedding in Aroostook County, ME

This wedding hit me in the feels on many levels. My childhood was spent running through those potato fields to the very church their ceremony was held in. My summers were spent writing my name on the walls of the cabins at the campground where they first met and had their First Look. I spent 9 years of my life in Aroostook County, Maine and spent so much time around Katie’s family when we were young – and she was just a few years old when my family moved away. Her mother actually reached out to me long before Katie & Andrew were even engaged when I was going through a particularly hard time in my life to encourage me – out of nowhere. It had been almost two decades since my family moved away from “the county” but that didn’t matter.

There’s something about the county that sticks with you,
and there’s also something about county people and their hearts for others.

As I mentioned above, Katie & Andrew met while working at Camp Nomacca, and the love they have grown is seriously something beautiful to behold. After an incredible First Look around the campground where they first met, the ceremony took place at State Road Church in Mapleton, Maine. It was so surreal and strange and beautiful photographing a wedding in the church I grew up in so long ago – but gosh, was it the most lovely thing watching Katie’s father walk her down the aisle, seeing Andrew’s face as they exchanged their vows, watching the looks on their families’ faces as they left hand in hand as husband and wife… Gah, it was fantastic!

The reception space was held across the Aroostook County River in the Old Bugbee Homestead which, as it turns out, had some connections to Katie’s family – some of her relatives back in the day helped to build it, and nowadays her brothers help work the potato fields that surround the property. If you didn’t know, Aroostook County is potato country. The rolling hills are covered in fields for farming and it’s a huge part of life up there.

Most of the reception setup and decor was created by the bride & groom and their family members including the desserts made by a close friend. Every parent dance was hugely emotional, and the speeches were hilarious and heartfelt.

But the cherry on top, y’all, was when Andrew grabbed his guitar
and sang a song he had been writing since he first met Katie
and he finished it to play it for her at their wedding. ❤️

Katie had no idea that Andrew planned to do this and she was blown away – as was everyone else at the wedding. This was the perfect showcase of how much they truly adore one another. The rest of the reception was full of crazy dances, laughs and connecting with so many of their favorite people.

Katie & Andrew – thanks for traveling to the middle of nowhere in New Hampshire for your engagement photos with me, and then for bringing me back up north for your Presque Isle wedding. I loved spending all this time with you two and can’t wait to see all the amazing things ahead – including the arrival of your little one!

And Lisa – thank you for paying attention to things sometimes no one pays attention to, for reaching out, for being encouraging, and for supporting me in what I do and love by encouraging your daughter to bring me along for her wedding day. Fairly certain this all wouldn’t have happened without you.

VENDORS

Ceremony: State Road Church // Reception: Old Bugbee Homestead // Wedding Dress: Stella York from Blush Bridal // Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Blush Bridal // Bride’s Shoes: Calvin Klein // Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie // Hair & Makeup Artist: Salon 207 // Florist: Amy’s Flowers // Rings: Kay Jewelers // Catering: Country Farms Market // Photography: Hilary Colleen Photography