I Do: Chrystal & Ben in Bangor

Who: Chrystal & Ben
What: A romantic rendezvous in a riverside park, then an afternoon ceremony beneath a garden gazebo followed by an evening of dinner and slow dancing.
Where: Pre-wedding portraits in the lovely Cascade Park and wedding at Bangor's Spectacular Events Center
When: Saturday, June 7, 2008
How: The bride's hair was done beautifully by her mother, flowers and cake were done by a family friend and DJing was from Eric Lunt of Fairfield.
Why: When Ben opened the Inn door and saw Chrystal anxiously waiting before him, wrapped in white and sparkling in the afternoon sun, he began beaming. Seven hours later, as their reception came to a conclusion with a final turn around the dance floor, he still hadn't stopped smiling. I imagine he won't for some time, and neither will Chrystal.

I could tell you how adorable and tender these two are together, how there mere mention of one another evokes an endearing grin or how at peace and joy they look in each other's arms. But any explanation wouldn't do the connection between these two justice, and so I'll just share some select images from their Saturday ceremony and celebration and invite you back to my blog soon for a viewing of their slideshow.

I had to laugh when I saw this interactive magnet on the fridge in the kitchen of the house where Chrystal and Ben live together with their pup Maggie, and where she got ready on her wedding day.
Getting her makeup done. Chrystal had promised me I'd love the purple in their kitchen and she was right. Very Samantha Warren Weddings! And would you believe she baked those muffins in the background on the morning of her wedding day. Wonder bride!
6.07.08 sure was a lucky date, seen here on the tag of Chrystal's stunning strapless dress.
The couple opted for a "first look", which I love (and which is becoming more and more popular). Us girls went to the Inn where Ben got ready with the guys and that's where Ben started smiling. Here, the couple catches up in a scene that looks straight from the seaside. Would you believe that in actuality, we were in central Maine and the Bangor Mall was just across the street? It was so picturesque and peaceful there.
The plan was to go to a nearby park for pre-wedding pictures, but when I spotted a field flush with lupines behind the hotel, I knew we had to have a short session there. Stun-Ning!
The light in the park was fantastic. It was golden delicious like the kind you find in late fall. There are so many breathtaking images of the two from the park, so you'll have to check back in the coming weeks for the wedding slideshow so you can see the rest.
It's a fact... I am a sucker for the seersucker suit, especially when it's on a dapper five-year-old! I think a good summer seersucker suit could be for men what the little black dress is for us.
The ceremony was held in a small gazebo behind the event's center, overlooking a lush marsh, and a gentle breeze kept guests cool in the hot afternoon sun.
The first dance...the eye contact between these two could actually be responsible for global warming. It was hot!
I loved the intricate lacing on the back of Chrystal's dress. It took a few minutes to tie, but it adds such beautiful texture and a nice splash of champagne color.
What a fun cake. At once whimsical and elegant, it not only looked but tasted yummy.
The final dance...I told you Ben never ceased smiling.
And, another angle on the last dance of the day. Simple, yet stirring.

Chrystal and Ben... it was a true delight (and an honor) to spend this day with you. Have a fantastic honeymoon in St. Lucia, knowing your wedding day looked and felt as lovely as you two are together.