Samantha & Dalton's Hitching Post Wedding in Dayton, Maine

A chance encounter at a birthday party started Samantha & Dalton down the path of spending the rest of their life together. If the past ten months of getting to know them both better has taught me nothing else, it is that Dalton & Samantha are gifted at making each other so very happy no matter what life has thrown at them. I dare say that Samantha simply is not capable of smiling more than she does when Dalton is around. And the twinkle that comes to Dalton's eyes when he even talks about Samantha... sigh. Life goals, friends. Needless to say, you cannot help but be so very happy when you see the two of them together.

Emily & Joven's Destination Wedding at The Barn at Flanagan Farm

Many months ago, Emily and I met each other through video chat with her newborn son chiming in when he felt necessary while I thought about how long it had been since my daughter was his size. Bonding over the chaos of motherhood, we talked about her & Joven's plans for their destination wedding here in Maine during Maine's peak foliage. I was left in awe of their teamwork as they planned their wedding from the other side of the country (with help from Cassie of Doting & Details). Tackling wedding planning with a newborn at home? They did so with style and their wedding day itself was more perfect than I could ever say. Now, they might have wished for slightly warmer temperatures and a bit more bright fall colors on the trees, but at least it did not rain!

Emily & Coleman's Wedding at Mariner's Church in Portland's Old Port

Almost a year ago, Emily reached out to me about her wedding and we met over coffee shortly thereafter. Meeting felt like hanging out with an old friend. I loved hearing the story of how Coleman proposed in front of their dishwasher and of their plans for their wedding ceremony at Holy Cross where they first met. Fast forward almost a year and the big day was finally here this past Saturday. I met Coleman for the first time while he and his guys were partaking in the usual wedding day shenanigans (including Holy Donuts, I might add). They had me in stitches within moments of my arrival at his parent's house! Afterwards, I met Emily at her home to capture her last moments before slipping on her wedding gown from Andrea's Bridal. With the Portland Discovery trolley's arrival, they were quickly whisked off to Holy Cross for Emily to marry her best friend.

Danielle & Dustin's Fall Wedding at The Loon Lodge in Rangeley, Maine

Danielle & Dustin... if I were to get married today (versus ten years ago), I dare say that Alan & I would have a wedding much like theirs. Gorgeous burgundy lace bridesmaids dresses (which I conveniently matched with my own attire). Danielle's stunning, classic, long sleeved lace wedding dress complete with buttons on the cuffs. Her hair done in a lovely french twist (thank you Audrey!). Dustin getting ready with his guys upstairs with lots of laughter and antics. The sun streaming through the white puffy clouds and glistening across Rangeley Lake. The amazing staff from The Loon Lodge and florists from Sunrise View Farms busily prepared the lakeside green lawn for their ceremony.

Molly & Scott's Fall Wedding at Frontier in Brunswick, Maine

Oh. My. Goodness. It has been over a year since I have been looking forward to Molly & Scott's wedding. I knew through our email correspondence that these two love birds planning their wedding "from away" were perfect for me. Their vision of their wedding day and their story of meeting at City Year had me hook line and sinker. I met them in October of last year at Two Lights State Park for their engagement session and spent a few hours exploring the rocky coastline with them. It made me want to fast forward to this past weekend even faster! They are such an adorable, kind hearted couple!

Hillary & George's Kora Temple Wedding in Lewiston, Maine

Well over a year ago, Hillary reached out to me across the ether in the early stages of planning her Maine wedding with George from a land far away. As someone who works with a number of couples "from away" every year, crafting a relationship with these two love birds since then, despite not having met them, was second nature. It goes without saying that arriving at Hair Station to meet up with Hillary and her ladies felt like meeting up with an old friend.

Lindsey & Ryan's Little River Flower Farm Wedding in Buxton, Maine

The journey that led Lindsey & Ryan to Saturday, August 12th, may have been long, twisty, and sometimes uncertain. Yet I dare say that the trip was meant to be and well worth it for both of them. From when they first contacted me back in January, there was something about their story that resonated with me. Add in vision for a wedding ceremony held beneath the tall trees at the adorable Little River Flower Farm and I just knew that I had to capture their long awaited union.

Darci & Jim's Bailey Island Library Hall Wedding in Harpswell, Maine

Jim & Darci likely hold the record for how soon after their engagement they talked to me about photographing their wedding. But that's what happens when they are your dear friends! Jim and I work together at the same "9 to 5" job and we've bonded over the years with our shared history of private boarding school and years spent rowing. I knew that there was something special about Darci as soon as he started gushing to me about the new lady in his life. His huge smile, twinkly eyes, and rosy cheeks were a dead giveaway that this lady had him falling.

"J" Family Portraits at Fortunes Rocks Beach in Biddeford, Maine

My relationship with Michelle & Jory goes back almost three years at this point since they first contacted me to photograph their wedding at the Maple Hill Farm Inn in Hallowell. Since their first message, I've been lucky to photograph their engagement portraits, wedding, maternity portraits and, now, their family. Seeing them each time is like spending time with old friends at this point.

Liz & Paul's Bar Harbor Club Wedding in Bar Harbor, Maine

I am moment away from giving Liz & Paul their full gallery for their wedding, but I knew I just couldn't do so without posting their full sneak peek. What can I say? I get tunnel vision when editing so my couples can have their full collections as soon as possible!

Praise from Liz & Paul

★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

"Susie is so amazing, I could not have asked for a better photographer. Not only did she capture every moment but she was so professional, nice and friendly. In addition to be an excellent photographer she is an expert at weddings and helped with everything from tying my bustle to finding the perfect moment to escape for some sunset photos."

Praise from Emily & Dale

★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

"Susie and her husband were absolutely incredible. Not only did they take beautiful pictures, but they did everything from pinning flowers to finding our wedding planner and more. They had us laughing constantly and, by the end of the night, they felt like family. We would highly recommend them for any and all events!!

ReviewsSusie SimmonsJuly 17, 2017Colony HotelThe Colony Hotel, Kennebunkport Maine, KennebunkportComment

Emily & Dale's Colony Hotel Wedding in Kennebunkport, Maine

It's hard to believe that Emily & Dale's wedding was just a few weeks ago and I've already been working at designing their wedding album. Reliving their day while telling the story of their day made me realize that I had yet to hit "publish" on their official sneak peek blog post! Time flies when I'm focused on delivering their gallery to them!

Kelly & Kevin's Gorgeous Heritage Wedding Album

Kelly & Kevin were married almost two years ago at the quintessential Maine venue, The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine. As they await the arrival of the next generation, we got to work on creating their custom heritage wedding album with their favorite images from the day. I absolutely love this part of my relationship with couples as it gives me the chance to see what images that I captured for them are their favorite and mean the most to them. Narrowing down their choices to the ones that will be able to tell their wedding story for generations to come can certainly be challenging, but the end result is so worth it!

Jessica & John's Alice in Wonderland Wedding at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach, Maine

My journey with Jessica & John began a few years ago as I photographed John's sister's wedding. What struck me then, and still does today, is how much they can make each other smile and laugh. Their mutual love of sarcasm seems to bind them closer together, too. It goes without saying that I was more than a little excited in July of last summer when Jessica reached out to me as they were starting their own wedding planning. After I finished literally jumping for joy at the prospect of spending the day with John's family again, Jessica told me of their plans for an "Alice in Wonderland" themed wedding at the always gorgeous Dunegrass Weddings at the Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach.

Praise from Sara & Colin

★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

"Susie photographed our wedding two years ago and I don't think I will ever get tired of looking back at the photos."

Ten Days New: Welcoming Baby X into the World

When you can trace your first photos of a couple back eight years to the very beginning of their relationship, you know it's going to be a special session for me. I am a sucker for nostalgia, of course. So it goes without saying that the first thing I did this evening in preparation for writing this post was to dig through my archives to find a photo of Chris & Jen from way, way back at John & Jenessa's wedding on Peaks Island in 2009. The very first one I found was nothing to write home about. And then I found this jem of the two of them, newly dating each other, attending his cousin's wedding. It is hard to think about the journey that they have taken over the years that led them to last weekend with their ten day old baby in their arms and, once again, in front of my camera.

Newborn, PortraitsSusie SimmonsApril 13, 2017newborn portraits, Maine newborn portraits, newborn lifestyle sessionComment

(Almost) Ten Years Worn Bling

PersonalSusie SimmonsMarch 18, 2017ring shot, wedding ringsComment

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