College of the Atlantic Bar Harbor Maine Wedding

Their College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor Maine wedding was one that they fought hard to hold onto during the pandemic. We started off being very glad that they’d planned a few years in advance so when spring of 2020 brought shut down after shut down, they were hopeful that by 2021 things would be better – especially with half of their guests traveling to Maine from abroad, including themselves.

There was a bevy of ups and downs including last-minute changes in the date from July to October, vaccination excitement, plans of borders opening up for their Irish family and friends, to the letdown that it wouldn’t be until after their wedding that the out-of-country guests would be allowed to enter the United States. So with some heaviness in their hearts, they decided to go ahead with their second date and continue to be wed with a late fall Maine wedding and plan to have as much celebration as they could fit into the day.

While all of Eoin’s family would be missing due to the lockdown, Marisa’s happily came forward to support and show love to their new son-in-law all day long including each walking one of them down the aisle. And as a surprise that brought laughter and tears to everyone, his family and friends sent their love via a montage of pre-recorded toasts. Everyone made sure to let them know that whether they were near or far, there were many people so incredibly excited for the newlyweds. Between all of the bumps, and through the chill in the air for the couple who originally planned a July wedding, they still were one of the happiest people I’ve photographed which you’ll see in every image.

Such smiles and joy and jokes from these two! They simply enjoyed every moment and spent almost every moment of the day together which was one of my favorite ways they made the day fit them and who they are as a couple.

The quiet and calm where the two of them helped pick out the wedding details (which earrings to wear or which tie worked best) and toasted with drinks in the waterfront room at The Balance Rock Inn in Bar Harbor Maine – being together was something they felt made the most sense and it was so much fun to be a part of. Their comfort with one another, their jokes, and their way of wanting to be completely normal on a day that is usually filled with last minutes and stress was a joy to be a part of. My husband and I also opted to get ready together on our day and I’ve always felt it made the most sense for us to do and I felt it set the tone for our intimate day which I believe it also did the same for them.

College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor is a place that holds lots of memories for Marisa because she grew up on the island and her parents worked at COA so she has lots of stories about the sentimental location. Their small wedding was held on the porch overlooking the water and then the reception was inside where the tables were lined with friends and family who spent hours toasting and talking with a little dancing thrown in there too.

And with the two of them currently living in Ireland, they had no qualms with the overcast skies and it only made them hold each other closer as we walked the chilly rocky shores of Bar Harbor and took in the sites from way up high on the docks overlooking the water.

Oh! And I loved loved LOVED Marisa’s wedding attire! It was so perfect for her and the vibe of the day – plus she looked like a total badass when she threw on her leather coat. And her giant cat earrings? She has some serious style.

Eoin and Marisa, I know your day was certainly planned to look different but I hope it was full of as much joy as I and your guests felt from your celebration. You two are wonderful people (and wonderful cat parents) and I look forward to the day I get to meet up with you in Ireland and get the grand tour of the place you call home. I wish you two all the best!

Quick massive thank you to Brean and Joe who referred the couple to me after I photographed their Portland Maine wedding a few years ago! It’s extra special to be referred from past clients and super exciting to get to see them at weddings many years later!

Getting Ready: Balance Rock Inn
Ceremony + Reception: College of the Atlantic
Maine Wedding Photographer: I AM SARAH V Photography
Officiant: Slaney Jordan
DJ: Dana Lavertu
Bride’s attire: Sezane
Groom’s attire: Louis Copeland and Sons
Desserts: Affectionate Confections
Catering: Bar Harbor Catering