KATIE & ADAM’S ACADIA NATIONAL PARK HIKING ELOPEMENT
SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER / MAINE & BEYOND
Katie and Adam originally planned an epic two day wedding in Yosemite National Park, but COVID and wildfires had other plans and they changed course to an equally epic two day elopement in Maine, including Acadia National Park. These two changed course with such grace, and while they were disappointed that their original plans were foiled, they quickly became just as excited about an Acadia National Park wedding.
We were lucky, as I was scheduled to be the original photographer anyway and they live in Connecticut and I live in Rhode Island. Also most of their family lives in New England, so it was a no brainer to pick an alternate spot within driving distance of the area. After talking over a few new location options they decided- Why not choose where the mountains meet the ocean? We found Grace on the Lake, a COVID friendly spot on a lake where each of their family households could stay in their own cabin, plus they had access to the beautiful lake-front with boats and other great perks. The actual ceremony took place right down by the lake, and the reception celebration was held just up the hill at a lovely spot overlooking the lake.
Katie & Adam shared beautiful vows, Adam was adorably and unsuccessfully trying to hold back tears through the entire ceremony. It was incredible to see how much they love each other and how perfectly their day fell together in the end. It was laid back, relaxed, gorgeous, fun, and full of surprise. The happy couple surprised their families after dinner with the news that they are expecting!
The next day we met in Acadia National Park where we planned to do the “Beehive” trail, one of the “Iron Rung” trails in Acadia. So not only did Katie have to do a somewhat intense technical hike in a form-fitting wedding dress, she did it pregnant and in a wedding dress. She was so impressive through the whole thing, never missing a step and laughing and having so much fun the entire way. It was hot outside, so managing to climb the iron rungs without sweating off all of her makeup was a feat in itself.
As we topped out on the summit we noticed the marine layer was moving in over the ocean below. Clouds came and shallowed some of the landscape, but it was still sunny were we were. We planned to hike down to watch the sunset, and now I knew we might be socked in for the sunset. When we made it down we found a spot on the coast, but found ourselves in gorgeous misty fog. It was like we traveled through five different locations and seasons through their two day wedding. As the sun started to sink lower it burst through the fog and sent incredible color all across the atmosphere. A spectacular view that was perfectly fitting for their spectacular wedding days.
It is obvious that no matter what these two do together it will always be an adventure. I love the story of how they met. Here it is in Katie’s words “Adam and I both found ourselves on Bumble as many 30 somethings do. Adam down in Norwalk (the NY side of Connecticut) had set a 15-mile radius on his phone meaning we were never really in each other's "sphere". Adam's brother is really into ghost hunting and Adam finally agreed to go to one of his events - dinner and an overnight stay in a haunted building, now a restaurant. Ghost hunting was in Derby, Connecticut outside New Haven and in a radius of me in Guilford, Connecticut. We both swiped right and planned to meet. I write a travel blog and wanted to do some "research" on the best New Haven pizza joint so I suggested we meet at Modern Pizza for our first date. We hit it off over meatball and clam pizza and the rest - well it's history.”
