Kelsey & Sean’s Seaside Wedding at The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine
Kelsey and Sean’s wedding day took place at the historic Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine—a venue that perfectly embodies coastal New England charm. Every corner of this hotel feels like a step back in time, each room bursting with its own vibrant palette and vintage personality. The ceremony was held on the hotel’s back lawn, overlooking the endless Atlantic Ocean. It was one of those rare, unseasonably warm October days that feel like a gift, with the sun glimmering over the waves and a light salty breeze dancing through the air. From an intimate oceanside ceremony to cocktail hour on the wraparound deck and a lively reception in the ballroom, this day was a perfect blend of timeless elegance and joyful celebration.
Getting Ready
The morning began in a beautifully feminine bridal suite—a space straight out of a storybook, adorned with vintage floral wallpaper and bathed in soft, natural light. The girls laughed and sipped champagne as the room buzzed with the happy chaos of wedding morning prep. The suite’s enormous bay window became the perfect setting for Kelsey’s bridal portraits as she sat gracefully, putting on her final touches before the excitement of first looks began.
Kelsey’s details were thoughtfully curated and perfectly reflected the day’s coastal elegance. The invitations featured soft blue and sage tones with delicate seaside accents. Her white heels, adorned with pearls, were playful yet classic—an ideal reflection of her personality. And perhaps one of my favorite personal touches of the day: Kelsey had a custom perfume made, complete with her new last name on the bottle. Her bridesmaids’ first look took place just outside the suite in a pink hallway that looked like something out of a Wes Anderson film—bright, joyful, and filled with emotion. Their reactions were priceless! Moments later, Kelsey shared a tender first look with her father in the same hallway, his eyes filled with both pride and love as he saw his daughter as a bride for the first time.
First Look & Private Vows
Kelsey and Sean’s first look took place on the back steps of The Colony Hotel, where the ocean breeze carried both excitement and emotion through the air. The moment Sean turned around, the joy on his face said it all—pure love and admiration. After a few moments to take each other in, they shared private vows in the quiet corner of the hotel grounds. I always love when couples choose to do this; it allows them to truly be present with one another, to laugh, cry, and speak freely without the formality or nerves of standing before an audience. Their vows were deeply personal and heartfelt, a reflection of their bond and the life they’ve built together.
Afterward, we gathered the bridal party and families for portraits. The energy was high, and everyone was in full celebration mode. One of my favorite moments was when Sean’s grandmother—his beloved “Gram”—joined in for a photo surrounded by all the groomsmen. It was such a powerful image of love and legacy. Sean sadly lost his mother, and it was so clear throughout the day that his grandmother has been that steady, guiding presence in his life.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on the back lawn of the hotel, with the Atlantic stretching endlessly behind the altar. A live violinist played softly as guests took their seats, setting a romantic, coastal tone. Sean was escorted down the aisle by his sweet Gram—an incredibly touching moment that had nearly everyone misty-eyed. Kelsey, glowing with happiness, followed soon after on her father’s arm. Their ceremony, officiated by a close friend, was intimate and heartfelt. Short and sweet, yet brimming with meaning—it felt so perfectly them.
As they exchanged rings, the sea breeze picked up just enough to make Kelsey’s veil dance in the sunlight. When they were finally pronounced husband and wife, the crowd erupted in applause that carried across the ocean air. It was one of those moments that just felt right—pure joy and love in every direction.
Cocktail Hour
Guests made their way to the wraparound back deck for cocktail hour, where the view of the ocean stole the show. The Colony’s coastal charm provided the perfect backdrop as everyone mingled with signature drinks in hand and enjoyed delicious appetizers. The fashion among guests was just as vibrant as the setting—bold colors, fun prints, and a few seaside-inspired touches that added to the festive atmosphere.
Toward the end of cocktail hour, we gathered everyone together for one of my favorite shots of the day—a giant group photo of all the guests. There’s something so special about seeing everyone who came together to celebrate the couple in one frame—it’s like capturing the heartbeat of the day in a single photo.
Reception
The ballroom was buzzing with excitement as the newlyweds and their bridal party made their grand entrance. In a fun twist, Kelsey and Sean invited all of their guests onto the dance floor right away to kick off the night before sharing their own first dance as husband and wife. It was such a unique and joyful way to set the tone for the evening! Their first dance that followed was pure magic—full of emotion, smiles, and that quiet feeling of knowing you’ve found your forever.
The speeches that followed were equally heartfelt and entertaining. Kelsey’s father spoke lovingly about watching his daughter grow into the woman she is today, while the maid of honor and best man had everyone laughing and tearing up in equal measure. One of the most memorable moments of the night came from the best man’s hilarious “game” during his speech—asking everyone to raise their hands, then progressively disqualifying people until only the dog-loving single ladies remained… and then, with perfect comedic timing, he introduced himself. The entire room erupted in laughter!
As the sun began to set, we snuck Kelsey and Sean away for golden hour portraits on the back lawn. The light was absolutely magical, and something extraordinary happened—no matter where my second shooter stood, a bright orb of light hovered near Sean in several photos. It felt like a gentle reminder that his mother was there, shining her love and presence over him all day long.
After sunset photos, the evening continued with parent dances, cake cutting, and a packed dance floor that stayed full all night long. This crowd knew how to celebrate, and it was an absolute blast to photograph every moment of it.
thank you
Kelsey and Sean’s wedding at The Colony Hotel was one of those days that just felt meant to be—from the warm October weather to the joyful laughter and touching family moments. It was such an honor to capture this day for them, and I couldn’t be happier for the new Mr. & Mrs. Leonard as they begin this next chapter together.
A huge thank you as well to the incredible vendor team who helped make this day possible—your talent and attention to detail brought everything together so seamlessly. Vendor credits can be found below!
Venue: The Colony Hotel | Makeup: @maekalahmakeup | Hair: @hairbynicolettevezga | Gown: Marianne’s Bridal Outlet | Menswear: Men’s Warehouse | Florals: @fawnmeadowflowers | Content Creator: @tideandtoastsocials | DJ: @djmikeespo
