Nick and Mary Shea have such an incredible love story, starting when they first met as teenagers in boarding school, they have conquered so many adventures together like graduating from UVA, biking cross country, and becoming puppy parents! They were so excited to take this next step in building an amazing life together and had dreams of an island destination wedding in Culebra, Puerto Rico! But two years later…after a rollercoaster engagement, and a few hurricanes, they rerouted their plans to Maryland. Last weekend they finally got their dream wedding along side friends and family in a destination a little closer to home! Their Eastern Shore wedding was the perfect mix of elegant details, hand crafted items, and sentimental family touches.  I am already hoping for a vow renewal in Culebra in a few year when the island is fully healed!

Over the past year I have done 5 photoshoots with Nick and Mary Shea, engagement pics, puppy photoshoots, bachelorette parities, bridal portraits…  lets just say they are seasoned pros in front of the camera! I have know Mary Shea and Nick for the last 3 years and was so fortunate to get to experience their wedding day as a photographer and a guest!  Mary Shea insisted that I enjoy the reception as a wedding guest, which I have to admit was very difficult for me with so many incredible details and touching moments constantly happening, she had to force me to put down my camera for a few dance breaks!! I loved every minute of this day and am so excited to share some of the highlights below!

A special shout out to my second shooter Emily Brianne Photography who helped capture the guys getting ready and all of the beautiful reception details while I was running around with the bridal party! This wedding was the most logistical day I have every been a part of, their rockstars planner Paige Evans, seamlessly directed traffic with 4 different locations, charter busses, a Vintage Rolls Royce, boat rides and some tropical force rain! The vendors for this event featured family friends, local businesses and an incredible team who made this day a dream! Mary Shea and Nick, I know that you wedding went by so fast, so I hope theses photos serve as a reminder of all of the love that was shared on this incredible day!

Mary Shea’s dress combined her something old, something new, something borrowed.. and her shoes served as her something blue! Her dress was hand crafted from her mothers wedding gown using the original framework and lace top that she combined with her own vintage style skirt to match! It was so special getting to see her give this dress a second life! 

After our quick boat ride to the reception space, we exited at MarySheas grandparents dock,  This was the bridal partys first time seeing the space all put together, and it was magical! Floor to ceiling florals, multiple food stations, rose petals in the pool, and all of their excited guests waiting to celebrate with them! After sneaking around the house, Mary Shea slipped into her second dress of the night. Her island Culebra dress made an appearance in time for all of the choreographed dances to follow.  To open the dance floor Nick and his Mom started their dance with a traditional waltz that transitioned into full party mode busting a few salsa moves to Despacito ft. Daddy yankee. This kicked off the rest of the evening where the dance floor never saw an empty crowd!