February 12, 2022

Leah and Jamie’s Wedding at Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford Maine

As I made the two-hour drive to Leah and Jamie’s wedding at Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford, Maine, I kept an eye on the rising temperature because the sun was out in full force. They had planned an outdoor wedding at noon for the Friday before Labor Day, and it was going to be a hot one. Luckily, when I arrived in Oxford, a slight breeze in the air made the temperature feel much more pleasant. Pair that with Oxbow’s delicious ice-cold beer served under a brand-new shady pergola, and it was the perfect way for them to enjoy a beautiful afternoon with their guests.

While we’ve photographed at Oxbow’s location in Portland a few times before, this was my first time at the beer garden. I fell in love with the space. The ceremony site was centered perfectly between the spacious pergola (the perfect home for guests to camp out and enjoy pizza and beer) and a set of adorable A-frames lined the far side of the grounds. There was plenty of room for guests to spread out and wander, whether they wanted to play a game of bean bag toss (or cornhole, depending on where you’re from) or take a stroll past the line of antique snowmobiles to the field that lay beyond. It’s a relaxed and comfortable space, and I loved being able to float around from group to group to document the celebration.

I arrived before Leah and Jamie, so I was excited to see who would appear first. Jamie rolled in soon after, Dunkin in hand, and made the rounds, hugging family and friends who had already arrived. The patio filled up with everyone anticipating Leah’s arrival. She certainly didn’t disappoint as she crossed the parking lot in an original wedding dress designed by Gilda’s Bridal Collection, pulled for Leah three weeks before the wedding. It was unique and stunning and perfectly made for Leah.

While I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Leah and Jamie, it was certainly impactful. Both approached me multiple times during the day to thank me for being part of it. They valued every person who traveled there to be with them so much.
I’m excited to share the photos, but I have to mention one more moment that stuck out to me. After the vows, ring exchange, and first kiss, Jamie and Leah looked around and smiled at all of their guests; then, Jamie pulled Leah in and planted another kiss on her temple. It was such a small moment, but it said a lot.

On to the photos!