February 18, 2022

Chris and Tessa’s Sutton Island Maine Wedding

Bar Harbor, Acadia, and MDI Weddings and Elopements

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.