Brittany and PJ’s Portland Ocean Gateway wedding was on August 11th, 2018. They held their Catholic Mass ceremony at St. Joseph’s in Portland with a very European feel to the grounds of the church. The weather was in our favor after the forecast had shown rain all day. We had about ten minutes of rain showers at the start of their portraits, but the rain gods listened to our plea and cleared the skies! This Ocean Gateway wedding has a special place in my heart because it was right in my hometown. I can’t wait to share this coastal Portland wedding with everyone.
I am so happy that Brittany and PJ found each other. They really do complement one another. All day I saw the depth of their friendship shine through. They are a gentle and understanding couple who put the focus on what really matters in life: friends, family and love. Brittany is kind and caring, cautious of how others are feeling, while PJ is the same towards the need of Brittany. Casual and fun are their personalities, just like how their wedding day felt. I am so thankful that I get to work with couples who are so warm and inviting.
When Brittany told me she was having an Ocean Gateway wedding my heart leaped. This venue is one of the best kept secrets of Portland, Maine. The views are spectacular with the cascading glass windows overlooking the harbor. It’s a blank canvas of potential waiting to be adorned. Ocean Gateway is situated in downtown Portland on the water and is home to all the cruise lines coming in and out of port. They decorated the reception space with Dodge the Florist’s blooms in whites, blues and pinks. The tables had simple centerpieces while the ceilings were covered in beautiful string lights.
The portrait photos were my favorite part of the day. We headed over to the East End with the harbor as our backdrop. Brittany and PJ were so natural and comfortable in front of the camera. These are sometimes the only moments my couples have along during their wedding day, so I try to make the experience as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. Brittany and PJ were easy and even had fun popping a bottle of champagne while we were shooting! Their engagement session was also done on Portland’s East End, about a five minute walk from where we were shooting their wedding photos, so it was already a special place for them. Everything came together perfectly and their portraits are some of my favorites!
See another Ocean Gateway wedding I captured from two years ago HERE.
Bride’s Shoes – Jewel Badgley Mischka
Hair & Makeup – Jessica Candage
Bride’s Dress – Andrea’s Bridal (Allure)
Ring – Days Jeweler
Bridesmaid’s Dresses – Andrea’s Bridal
Groom’s Suite & Shoes – Men’s Warehouse
Ceremony Music/DJ – Kevin Duran
Florist – Dodge the Florist
Cake – European Bakery
Catering – Blue Elephant
Rentals – A Plus Rentals
Decor – Maine Event Decor
