Boothbay, Maine Coastal Botanical Garden Wedding Photographer / Anna + Jefferson

Dear Anna + Jefferson,

Where do I even begin with you two? Do I talk about our first phone call when you inquired about hiring me for your wedding and how when I got off the phone with a giant smile on my face? Do I reminisce on the evening we spent strolling the streets of Portland, Maine together photographing your boundless love where I learned just how perfect you guys are for one another?

Maybe I could talk about the emails we exchanged that sometimes were just about your life in general and your plans for the future beyond the date of your wedding. I could say how with each one I drew closer and closer into your relationship.

But I think there’s something more pressing at hand to discuss….that damn beautiful wedding at Boothbay’s Coastal Maine Botanical Garden the two of you held. Because man oh man, what a day!

Your friends and family rallied in close, their hearts warmed as you exchanged wedding gifts from across the Inn via your lovely niece, Zipporah, and they wiped your tears as you said I do to your perfect match. The people before you who watched your garden wedding unfold were some of the sweetest and kindest people and they ventured from as far away as Bulgaria to celebrate alongside you.

Then each person you carefully hired worked like mad to make this dream come true. Fausto at Blue Elephant Catering moved effortlessly behind the scenes making your vision come to life, Christabel at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens smiled the entire time she whizzed us through the gardens with water on hand to keep the heat at bay, and Jeff at Event Lighting Concepts not only lit the reception with such style but also played an insane roster of music that kept the dance floor moving. The florist, makeup artist, baker…everyone!

Anna, your desire to find the beauty and humor in life is amazing and I love that you’re unafraid to be yourself, because the person you are is incredible. Your confidence is beautiful and your way of treating everyone you encounter with grace is something I admire. And I can’t tell you how many times I felt like you were inside my head and saying the things I was thinking! The Blair Witch comment you made when we were in the forest and there were little piles of sticks scattered around? I still laugh at how this was exactly what I was thinking in that moment!

Jefferson, you’re one of the kindest men on the planet. You welcome in everyone with gentle care, a warm smile, and have the ability to connect with people in the most genuine of ways. Your intelligence, your care for the world, and your desire to leave this place better than you found makes you the kind of leader this world needs and someone I look up to. Oh, and your ability to follow 100 page Power Point presentations that your wife lovingly creates? IMPECCABLE!

I am so honored to be a part of this world you two have spinning around you and I look forward to hearing all about your insanely bright future. Thank you for bringing me along on your journey; I wish you all the best!

Sincerely,
Sarah V

Anna gifted Jefferson with one hell of a cool watch!

And then Jefferson returned the favor with some gorgeous sparkly earrings.

The first look down by the waterfall in the Rhododendron Garden – a quiet place off the beaten path to share a tearful moment together.

Anna + Jefferson set aside three different spaces of time throughout the day for us to wander the gardens and get pictures of just the two of them – how awesome is that?!

And a first look also meant all the family formals and bridal party pictures were done before the ceremony!

After the ceremony, we meandered through the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses for more laughs and photos amongst the flowers.

Dang girl. Daaaaang!

I loved their choice of Odessa’s “I will Be There” for their first dance – such a great song! Their smiling faces and Anna being overwhelmed with the love from her guests had me tearing up!

A Rakija toast for Anna’s Bulgarian heritage!

And then we snuck outside one last time to wander to the Children’s Garden for some sunset photos before partying for the rest of the night!

Ceremony + Reception: Boothbay’s Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Boothbay Maine Wedding Photographers: I AM SARAH V Photography (Oscar was my second)
DJ + Lighting: Jeff at Event Lighting Concepts
Catering + Wedding Coordinator: Blue Elephant Catering
Suits: Custom-made from Patrick & Co
Florist: Snell Family Farm
Cake: Landry’s Confections
Hair + Makeup: Ariel Johnson Makeup
Dress: BHLDN

Maine + New Hampshire wedding photographer, I AM SARAH V Photography, photographs events for wildly in love couples seeking a NH + Maine wedding photographer with a photojournalism + fine art approach. You can see more of my work online at www.iamsarahv.com or on Facebook. I photograph many locations including being a Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Maine wedding photographer. If you’d like to contact me directly, please email me at hello@iamsarahv.com