Justine and Shannon’s Maine Wedding in Acadia National Park

This past October, Justine and Shannon came all the way from Florida to get married in Acadia National Park. October is a wonderful time of year to visit the park, because there are fewer park-goers and the trees are usually starting to change color. That said, October can be chilly, especially on the water (and especially if you’re from Florida). As luck would have it, we had an unseasonably warm fall this year. Although this meant less foliage, it also meant that Justine and Shannon had beautifully comfortable weather for their fall wedding. This was important, because we ended up traveling all throughout the park taking pictures that day!

Before we get into all that, however, we first need a little backstory. Justine and Shannon met three years ago while studying at Texas Tech University. Their first meeting (it wasn’t quite a date) lasted a whole five minutes. During this lengthy interchange, they talked about tattoos. That’s about all they could fit into five minutes. As fate would have it, however, they kept bumping into each other all throughout the day. I’m not sure if they were literally bumping into each other, or if they simply kept seeing one another. Either way, Justine finally asked Shannon out on a formal coffee date, and the rest, as they say, is history!

Okay, back to the wedding. For Justine and Shannon, the day started at the salon. But Matt and I met up with them at the West Street Hotel in Bar Harbor. That’s where they finished getting ready. It was such a blast watching these two beautiful ladies help each other with their dresses and makeup. They were both so sweet and affectionate, and you could tell they just couldn’t wait to get married.

Once everyone was ready, we all headed over to the park. For their ceremony, Justine and Shannon had chosen a quiet clearing just off the Jesup Path. Their family and friends had traveled from all over to share in the moment with them, and Justine’s brother even officiated the ceremony. There, surrounded by white birches and tall marsh grasses, Justine and Shannon exchanged vows and were married!

Following the ceremony, we took a bunch of pictures in and around the Jesup Path. The boardwalk there is so neat, and it makes for great photographs. Then we traveled to a couple spots along the Park Loop Road, including Little Hunter’s Beach and the cliffs just beyond Thunder Hole. All the while, Justine and Shannon were so cute together, and they did a great job not looking cold! I especially loved their sweaters, which helped keep them warm, and their boots, which helped them walk about the rugged terrain. Their outfits were functional and yet so stylish!

After pictures in the park, everyone gathered at Havana, a cuban restaurant in Bar Harbor. You might be thinking, Cuban food? In Maine? Where’s the lobster? But Havana is a fantastic restaurant that’s been rated among the best in the state! Check it out, next time you’re in town. At Havana, Justine and Shannon had a chance to visit with their guests and enjoy many great laughs. It was the perfect end to a perfect day!

Matt and I had an amazing time with Justine and Shannon, and we wish these wonderful ladies much happiness now and in the future. Below are a few of my favorite pictures from throughout their wedding. Enjoy!