Jessi and Bradley’s Wedding in Camden and Rockport, Maine

Jessi and Bradley met in high school. They were friends at first, but it didn’t take long before they started dating. As Jessi tells it, “Our first date was one for the books. He picked me up at the airport when I came home from a summer in Maine, and then we immediately hopped on a flight to North Carolina where we went to pick up a truck he had bought online. What I didn’t know was the kind of truck and its condition. It was a 1978 Dodge Warlock with no air conditioner, muffler, or promising mechanical work of any kind. The trip was supposed to take 4 days, but it took 10 as we broke down along the way. We laughed and had a blast the entire time, and I wouldn’t trade that for a second.”

Jessi describes Bradley as a master planner, and he put his planning skills to work when he proposed. He created a three-page timeline for the 15 minute proposal, which also included a surprise appearance by Jessi’s mom – who was supposed to be out of the state traveling. In fact, Jessi was so surprised by her mom that she temporarily forgot Bradley was down on one knee, asking her to marry him!

Jessi’s engagement ring is extremely special. It has three stones. The two side stones come from their grandmothers, and the center stone Bradley purchased to represent their new life together. The setting was designed by Bradley, and the sideview of the setting is shaped like the Golden Gate Bridge, because Jessi is originally from San Francisco.

When choosing a location for their wedding, there was no question it would be in the Camden/Rockport area. The area is extremely special to Jessi. When she was little, she would spend three months every summer visiting her grandparents in Maine. Starting in the 4th grade, Jessi’s parents even moved to the area for a few years. Although they all eventually moved to Texas, Maine continued to be a special place for Jessi. Over the years, Bradley also grew to love the state.

Jessi and Bradley were originally supposed to have their Maine wedding in 2020. However, Covid-19 put a wrinkle in those plans. So, last year they officially got married in a small Texas ceremony, and this year they renewed their vows (in a traditional marriage-style ceremony) and threw a big party with all of their family and friends.

They had a beautiful day for their wedding (despite a tornado warning later in the afternoon). Jessi got ready downstairs at her parents’ house in Rockport, and Bradley got ready upstairs. After a sweet first look, we took family and wedding party pictures on the lawn. Then, before we knew it, we were off to the Camden Amphitheatre for the ceremony. Wayne, a special friend of Bradley’s family, officiated both this ceremony and the original wedding in Texas, and he did such a nice job weaving the two events together. When everything was said and done, the happy couple and their guests exited in a New Orleans-style second line parade, with brass instruments and all.

The rest of the evening was filled with all sorts of fun and excitement. There were cocktails and toasts followed by great food, great company, and lots of dancing. Honey Train kept the party going well into the evening, and it was so nice to see people enjoying themselves after the challenges of the past year and a half. We had such a great time spending the day with Jessi and Bradley, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness together. Below are some of our favorite photographs from throughout their wedding. Take a look!