Chris and Tessa’s Sutton Island Maine Wedding

Chris and Tessa’s Sutton Island and Bar Harbor, Maine wedding was a bit of an MDI adventure. We started the day in Northeast Harbor, waiting to meet Tessa’s brother-in-law, Mike, who would be our escort. Then, we caught the mail boat that visits the Cranberry Isles. Sutton Island is the smallest of the Cranberry Isles, so we had to make a special request to the captain to include it in the day’s stops. That’s how tiny the island is! Tessa’s family has a home there that’s been in the family for generations. Everyone chooses a week on the calendar to spend there every year. Tessa’s parents love the island so much that they bought another home within walking distance of the main house so that they could spend even more time there. It created the perfect setup for everyone to spread out as they got ready for the wedding.

We knew that Sutton Island required a bit of hiking as there are no vehicles allowed on the island. However, Joel and I love hiking, so we were up for the challenge! We got off the boat and set out behind Mike on a trail that led through a beach, fields, and the woods. It was so beautiful in every direction. Mike dropped me off with Tessa at the main house, and Joel continued the journey to Chris’s house. Both homes were quintessential Maine seaside cottages. I loved them.

After putting on her mother’s wedding dress, Tessa and I made the trek over to the other house for her first look with Chris. There’s something so peaceful about walking on a beautiful, quiet island with just the bride. The temperature was perfect, and we could chat and enjoy our surroundings. Tessa told me about the different properties and pointed out the little building that housed their dogs. As I looked up, I noticed the window was open, and one of the dogs was halfway out. The timing was hilariously perfect! We made a pitstop so that Tessa could close the window and avoid another attempted escape, then carried on to the first look.

After the first look and portraits, it was time for another boat ride, headed for our final destination: Bar Harbor. Instead of having a bouquet made in advance, Chris and Tessa had two buckets of loose flowers set at the end of the aisle during the ceremony. Their wedding party selected flowers, and then Chris and Tessa worked together to assemble them. It made the bouquet even more special.

Their reception was one of the most unique we’ve ever photographed. Chris is a member of multiple barbershop quartets, so each treated guests to performances throughout the night. Tessa surprised everyone by joining in at one point as well. They included cards with a song to teach guests on each table, and the entire room joined in before heading out onto the dance floor.

Here are some favorites from their wedding day.

groom kissing bride's forehead at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Groomsman hikes across Sutton Island, Maine to get ready for the wedding

sail boat passing Sutton Island, Maine

Bride getting her hair done for Sutton Island Maine wedding

Bride smiling in mirror at the camera as she gets ready for her Sutton Island Maine wedding.

Groom and groomsmen standing on the deck of a cottage on Sutton Island in Maine

Bride's father laughing with the groom on Sutton Island

Groom and groomsmen hanging out before Sutton Island Maine wedding

Bride's mother smiling at her before Sutton Island Maine wedding

Bride walking under trees on the way to her first look on Sutton Island in Maine

Dog hanging out cottage window on Sutton Island in Maine

Groom and groomsmen clinking glasses after a toast on Sutton Island

View of groomsmen through window

Groomsmen seeing bride in her wedding dress before Sutton Island, Maine wedding

bride and groom's first look on Sutton Island, Maine

bride and groom smile at each other during first look at MDI wedding

Bride and groom walking together on Sutton Island, Maine

Barefoot bride on Sutton Island, Maine

Bride and groom kissing outside Sutton Island cottage

Bride and groom walking by apple trees on Sutton Island, Maine

Portrait of bride and groom on Sutton Island

Groom pushing bride on swing during Sutton Island, Maine wedding

Groom pushes bride on swing at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

dog and family waiting for boat to arrive

bridesmaids taking a selfie on Sutton Island

Bride walking on dock during Sutton Island, Maine wedding

dog walking to board boat on Sutton Island

bride posing on dock during Sutton Island MDI wedding

groom walking down dock to board boat to Bar Harbor wedding

boat to Bar Harbor wedding

dog on boat to Bar Harbor wedding

wedding guests during boat ride to Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Bride and groom kissing in boat at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Bride walking up dock for her Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

flower girl wearing sunglasses

Bride and groom leading everyone in to their Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

wedding party carrying flowers to bride and groom

Bride and groom assembling bouquet

Bride smiling at groom during vows

Happy bride and groom after being pronounced husband and wife at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Bride and groom sitting in adirondack chairs at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Black and white photo of bride and groom laughing at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Bride and groom cuddling on Bar Harbor beach

Bride and groom laughing and walking on rocky beach at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Bride's bouquet at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

Bride laughing really hard with groom at Atlantic Oceanside wedding in Bar Harbor

Bride laughing with groom

portrait of bride and groom kissing at Bar Harbor wedding

Bride and groom smiling together at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

bride and groom during their first dance at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

groom singing with a barbershop quartet at his wedding in Bar Harbor

bride and groom facetiming with grandmother at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine wedding

bride and groom singing with barbershop quartet at their wedding in Bar Harbor

bridesmaid and groomsmen dancing at wedding in Bar Harbor

bride dancing with her niece at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine Wedding

dance floor at Bar Harbor wedding

bridesmaid jumping as she dances at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine Wedding

wedding guests dancing at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine Wedding

Bride dancing with flower girl at Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine Wedding

Sutton Island and Bar Harbor Maine Wedding Vendors:

Getting Ready Locations: Private Residences

Ceremony & Reception: Atlantic Oceanside

Photographers: Hailey & Joel Crabtree

Officiant: Good friend of the Couple

DJ: Justin Bousquet

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