Rachel and Nick’s Maine Wedding at the Ocean Gateway in Portland

Say hello to Rachel and Nick! They met through mutual friends while on a skiing trip to Sunday River and instantly fell in love. A few years later, while walking to Sunday brunch, Nick proposed at the same spot overlooking the Boston skyline where he and Rachel first commemorated moving into their Charlestown apartment together. After much laughter and tears, Rachel of course said yes! A few minutes later, to her surprise, she and Nick were joined by all of their parents for a celebratory brunch together.

In their spare time, Rachel and Nick like to ski, golf, go for walks, visit breweries, and give Rachel’s parents’ dog lots of love and scratches. Maine has had a special place in their hearts since they first met, and they enjoy visiting Portland. So, it was only natural that they decided to get married at the beautiful Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception followed by rip roaring party at the Ocean Gateway – one of our favorite wedding venues in Portland.

To kick off their day, Rachel and Nick got ready in separate rooms at the nearby Westin Portland Harborview. Both rooms were bustling with activity as the happy couple got ready for what was going to be a big day.

Even though rain was in the forecast, Rachel and Nick didn’t let that slow them down. They decided to chance it and ended up having clear weather for a first look over by the Ocean Gateway. From there, the amazing Fausto Pifferrer from Blue Elephant Catering organized an opportunity for Rachel and Nick to board the USCGC EAGLE, the U.S. Coast Guard’s flagship vessel that was docked next door. It was such a special surprise and a great photo opportunity!

The ceremony was lovely, with a very heartfelt and animated sermon by Father Cyprian. It was obvious he was just as excited for Rachel and Nick as all the rest of us. Before long, our happy couple sealed the deal with a kiss, and the Cathedral erupted in applause.

Rachel and Nick’s wonderful day was capped by a rockin’ reception. Blue Elephant Catering not only provided a fantastic meal, but they also made the Ocean Gateway look amazing. Silver Arrow Band put on a great show as always, and Rachel and Nick danced the night away with their family and friends.

We had such a great time photographing Rachel and Nick’s wedding. These two were a lot of fun, and we wish them much happiness now and forever. Scroll below to see some of our favorite pictures from throughout this special day!

wedding vendors

Photographer: Lexi & Matt Photography
Planner and Caterer: Blue Elephant
Ceremony Venue: Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
Reception Venue: Ocean Gateway
Videographer: Mobile Video and Photography
Florist: Stem & Vine
Hair and Makeup: Hair Etc.
Band: Silver Arrow Band
Rentals: Maine Events and A+ Party Rental
Bar: Spirits Catering
Trolley: Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours
Dress: New York Lace Couture
Suit: Indochino

A bridal dress hanging in the window of the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a gold band with white gold wedding ring and matching diamond engagement ring sitting on top of cream and pink flowers.
A closeup of a silver bracelet with bride's R and B initials sitting on a pink rock.
A closeup of a wedding flat lay which include wedding invitations, ring box, sea shells, and vow books.
A bride laughs as she pops the champagne at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride and bridesmaids toast the bride at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bridesmaid is reflected in a mirror as she gets ready at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride is helped by her mom and maid of honor to get ready for her wedding in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a mother's and sister's hands as they button up a bride's dress at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride smiles as her mother puts on her bracelet as she gets ready for her wedding in Portland, Maine.
A bride shows her bridesmaids her wedding dress at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride looks out the window as she poses for portraits at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride looks down and smiles as she poses for portraits at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride looks down as she poses for bridal portraits at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride looks out the window as she poses for bridal portraits at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A bride smiles as she poses for portraits at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a groom's cuff links with his wedding date and his and his bride's initials.
A groom puts in his cuff links as he get ready at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A groom adjusts his tie as he gets ready at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A groom puts on his tie clip as he gets ready at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A groom and groomsmen get ready at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a pink lobster necktie and tie clip with wedding date in Portland, Maine.
A close up of a photo printed on the inside of a pink lobster necktie of the bride and groom.
A bride and groom smile at each other during their first look near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride taps her groom on the shoulder during their first look near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride wipes a tear from her groom's eye during their first look near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom hold hands as they walking during their wedding portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom walk up the gangway on the way to their portraits on the USCGC EAGLE in Portland, Maine.
A newly married couple kiss during their portraits on the USCGC EAGLE in Portland, Maine.
A groom kisses his bride on the head during their portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom kiss during their wedding portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A newly married couple kiss during their portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride holding a cream bouquet looks down and smiles as she poses for bridal portraits in Portland, Maine.
A bride looks over her shoulder and smiles as she poses for portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride holding cream flowers looks down as she poses for bridal portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride looks off to the right as she poses for portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a bride holding a cream bridal bouquet in Portland, Maine.
A groom wearing a blue suit poses for portraits in a park in Portland, Maine.
A groom wearing a blue suit poses for portraits near the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and her dad walk down the aisle at her ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A groom watches his bride walk down the aisle at their ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A bride hugs her dad at her wedding ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A bride looks at her groom and smiles during their ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom sit as they listen to the priest's sermon at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A couple and their wedding guests listen to a priest's sermon at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a couple holding hands during their wedding ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A couple sit and hold hands as they listen to the priest's sermon at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A priest marries a bride and groom at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom kiss during their wedding ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A newly married couple walk down the aisle during their ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A newly married couple kiss while exiting their wedding ceremony at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom hold hands as they exit the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine after their wedding ceremony.
A cream and navy themed wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a couple's wedding sign at their reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a thank you note at a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a cream and navy table setting at a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a gold table number and white lantern at a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A closeup of a cream cake with a bride and groom cake topper at a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A newly married couple dance during their wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A groom spins his bride during their wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A groom picks up his bride during their first dance at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom kiss at the end of their first dance at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom hold hands as they smile at each other during their wedding portraits at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A groom spins his bride outside of their wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom smile as they rub noses during their wedding portraits at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A newly married couple look at each other and smile outside of their wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom kiss during their wedding portraits at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A married couple smile at each other with bokeh lights in the background during portraits at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom look at each other and smile during their wedding portraits at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A newly married couple smile and pose during their portraits at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A groom kisses his bride on the check outside of their wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride hugging a guest during her wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A man and a women laughs and dances during a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A man in a blue suit dancing during a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A bride and groom hold hands and dance during their wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A women surrounded by guests dances during a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
A man and two women are laughing and dancing during a wedding reception at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine.
Several guests outside of the Ocean Gateway in Portland, Maine during an evening wedding reception.

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