Union Bluff Meeting House Wedding :: York, ME :: Diana + Jeff (Part IV)

Hello!

Want to play catch up?

Jeff & Diana got ready for their wedding at the Union Bluff Meeting House in York, ME, had a lovely first look and Diana found out they would be honeymooning in Bora Bora **here**
You can meet their wedding party **here**
Jeff and Diana had their wedding ceremony at St Christopher's Church in York, ME **here**
We took some lovely family and wedding party pictures at Nubble Light **here**

I figured you might like to see some of the photographs from Diana & Jeff's wedding reception at Union Bluff Meeting House. The Union Bluff Meeting House is such a great venue for a wedding venue in York, Maine. It's right on the ocean and the staff are wonderful.


Won't you come on in, find your escort card and enjoy a little scallop wrapped in bacon?


As their guests mingled, I took some pictures of a proud grandfather with his granddaughters:


The new Dr & Mrs Vachon were announced:


First dance:


These two were in their own little world on the dancefloor:


Joe gave such a wonderful toast about how he expected to have good teeth by visiting his dentist (Jeff's dad) but didn't expect to find his best friend. And then he spoke beautifully about how Diana is just perfect for Jeff:


Diana's father toasted and eyes started to fill up:


I love how during the blessing Diana and Jeff were both sneaking looks at each other:


Cake Cutting:


So many sweet moments as Jeff danced with his Mom:


Diana's dad showed off his moves as he led her around the dancefloor:


Dancefloor fun:


Diana & Jeff - what can I say? You were both so AMAZING to get to know and it was an honor to document your wedding day. I'm looking forward to designing a beautiful album for you. And even better that I'll get to see you both again at Catherine & Rob's wedding in October. Wishing you both a lifetime of love, laughter, health, happiness and wheel of fortune fun.

One last picture of the newlyweds on York Beach:

Are you getting married? You should totally call me (603 571 LEAH) or email me (leah@leahhaydock.com). If it's 2011 then you're out of luck :( I'm completely booked but if it's 2012 then quick! quick! there are still some dates left. Happy Tuesday!

Union Bluff and Nubble Light Wedding Photographer :: York, ME :: Diana + Jeff (Part III)

Quick recap:
- Jeff & Diana got ready for their wedding at the Union Bluff Meeting House in York, ME, had a lovely first look and Diana found out they would be honeymooning in Bora Bora **here**
- You can meet their wedding party **here**
- Jeff and Diana had their wedding ceremony at St Christopher's Church in York, ME **here**

You know I like to impart useful information about weddings with each blog post so here are my thoughts on choosing a location/time for family pictures.

The ideal location is quiet, nicely shaded (consistent light, not dappled through the trees), has a darker background so that your focus is drawn to the people and if we can shoot in late afternoon then it's just perfect.

So as a general rule if a couple tell me that they want to take pictures on/around NOON on a beach then I will strongly advise them against this for the following reasons:
1. The light is terribly strong and harsh at midday with NO shade. This means everyone will be squinting like crazy and have dark racoon shadows under their eyes unless we bring lighting equipment (which will likely blow away)
2. Family pictures are about the family! Not the beach. For family portraits you usually want to be able to see the people, the faces, the expressions. If the people are little tiny subjects in a wide beach shot this doesn't really work.
3. The beach can be crowded and you'll have people in the background.
4. Your family and friends may not want to get sand all over their shoes
5. It can be windy and hair will be flying everywhere.

Having said all of that I am now about to show you family pictures taken at Nubble Light on the rocky beach overlooking the ocean. And it was just after noon. BUT...
1. It was mostly overcast and cloudy
2. It was April so the tourists weren't fully out in force
3. Jeff and Diana were super cool and trusted my advice on locations. Much as they wanted pictures at Nubble Light if it had been crazy-sunny out then they would have been more than happy to head to the alternate location.
4. We were on rocks so no harm was done to shoes and it wasn't particularly windy
5. I've shot at Nubble Light before (click **here** and **here** to see a beautiful elopement from last year at the Maine Lighthouse) and I knew that if I shot down on the groups not only would everyone look great but I'd be able to use the darker rocks as my background.

And that's the lecture over ;) so you can make lovely wedding images at the beach at noon but you need a number of stars to align...and here's the proof:

Whilst Diana's dress was being bustled, I took some pictures of the guys:

The guys also had studier shoes than the girls so I thought I'd make them run around a bit to keep warm ;)


And of course if I'm showing you Jeff and the groomsmen you'll want to see Diana and the bridesmaids. We took these pictures earlier in the day at the Union Bluff meeting house. I am loving the nude color shoes:


And one more:


And back to Nubble Lighthouse for some family wedding pictures. Here's the newlyweds with Jeff's parents Rick & Yvette:


And some more, adding in Jeff's sister Catherine and her soon to be husband Rob:


And here's the newlyweds with Diana's dad Al and Kathy:


I love love love this picture of Al with Diana and her sister Andrea:


And of course if we're at the location of the most photographer lighthouse in Maine I thought it only appropriate to include it in some of the pictures:


Calm:


If I were to name my wedding photographs this one would be called "Close-up on Happy"


And therefore this one might be named "Far away on happy"


Time to head back to the Union Bluff Meeting House for cocktail hour:


With one more stop by York Beach where the sun had come out to play:


Guess what's next....yes! wedding reception photos at Union Bluff Hotel and Meeting House...the first dance! the toasts! the electric slide! the twilight pictures of Jeff & Diana on the beach! You don't want to miss it! OK Leah, that's enough with the !!! key.

If you'd like to read more about shot lists and family pictures you can check out this post **here**

You can also call me at 603 571 LEAH or email me at leah@leahhaydock.com if you'd like to chat about your own wedding plans. 2012 is already starting to book up....

Union Bluff Meeting House Wedding :: York, ME :: Diana + Jeff (Part II)

Hmm, not sure what happened to last week and my blogging-every-day plans. My parents-in-law are visiting so it's all be a bit crazy in the Haydock house :) I think last time we met I shared some pictures of Diana & Jeff's incredibly good-looking friends and family of the bridal party. Well, now it's time for their wedding at St Christopher's Catholic Church in York, ME.

Diana and her father arrived in style in a 1956 Rolls Royce Bentley. FYI I found the guys at Grace Limousine driving the Rolls and the party bus to be absolutely great. Super friendly and chilled about making a few stops for pictures:


Jeff waited at the altar with his best man Joe:


Diana walked down the aisle on the arm of her father and Jeff looked very happy to see her:


The emotion was starting to get to Al:


Father Cahill gave a beautiful service and talked about how he wished that this day was the day that Diana and Jeff would love each other the least...


Happy almost-newlyweds:


Rings were exchanged:


And by the power vested in me by the state of my blog, I now pronounce you husband and wife and you may kiss your bride:


I love the recessional. It's a chance to look around, see all of your friends and family clapping and smiling at you. I always advise couple to take as much time as they can to walk back down the aisle - everyone will wait for you ;)


Shoes don't lie:


Diana and Jeff rode in the Bentley but they hopped onto the party bus to check it out. Good times indeed:


And coming up tomorrow we'll have some BEAUTIFUL wedding pictures at Nubble Light, here's a sneak peak. This image makes me giggle:


Hope you're having a lovely weekend! How excited are you about the pictures tomorrow?

Union Bluff Meeting House Wedding :: York, ME :: Diana + Jeff (Part Ib)

I have a confession to make. When it comes to my blog I'm a complete comment whore. I know from google analytics that I have around 1500 readers each week but sometimes I feel like I'm just talking/writing to myself :( so when a post gets lots of comments that makes for a happy Leah :)

Yesterday's post showing you the getting ready and first look pictures of Diana & Jeff's wedding got lots of lovely comments here and on facebook so you know what that means?

More comments = Bonus pictures.

Yes - the ceremony and pictures at Nubble Light are still coming on Wednesday but for your viewing pleasure I thought I'd introduce the wedding party! After the first look and honeymoon announcement we took some pictures of Diana with her bridesmaids and Jeff with his groomsmen. We then had approximately 4 minutes until the party bus departed for the church so I figured 4 minutes was plenty time to attempt 18 headshots....

The guys gave me their best GQ expressions:


And Tyra would have been proud of the ladies:


And here they are altogether:


How excited are you for the ceremony tomorrow?