Olivia & Nolan’s Wedding at Aroostock Lakeside Inn in Orland, Maine

Olivia and Nolan’s wedding at Aroostook Lakeside Inn was one of those days that makes you wonder if Mother Nature secretly likes weddings. Sunshine? Check. Comfortable temperatures? Check. A lake full of people cooling off while everyone got ready? Also check. It was the kind of relaxed summer wedding day that felt more like a family vacation than a hectic timeline.

Before we get to the wedding, let’s rewind to where it all started.

Olivia and Nolan first met in college while playing on their ESports team. They started as friends while Olivia was in another relationship, and Nolan quietly waited in the wings (apparently not-so-quietly, because everyone except Olivia seemed to know he liked her). Once life took them in the same direction, their friendship turned into something much bigger, and the rest really is history.

The proposal? Equal parts sweet and completely on brand.

During a family Christmas vacation in Tennessee, Olivia had covid and felt absolutely miserable. Nolan had accidentally spoiled the surprise ahead of time because, in Olivia’s words, “he can’t keep secrets”. After days of waiting, they headed out for a walk and Olivia finally told him to just get on with it because the anticipation was stressing her out. He proposed with her grandmother’s diamond, making the moment even more meaningful despite the less-than-ideal timing. Honestly, sometimes the best stories aren’t perfectly polished, they’re perfectly them.

Wedding morning at Aroostook Lakeside Inn was incredibly laid back. While family enjoyed the lake, Olivia spent the morning surrounded by her sisters. One sister styled her hair and makeup while her other sisters stood beside her as bridesmaids. The room was full of laughter, conversations, and zero unnecessary chaos.

One person who deserves a standing ovation was the maid of honor. She was everywhere, greeting vendors as they arrived, checking on details, and making sure everything happened exactly the way Olivia envisioned it. Every photographer loves a maid of honor like that. They’re basically the unofficial wedding day MVP.

Once everyone was dressed, Olivia slipped into her gown for the finishing touches before sharing a beautiful first look with her dad. It was one of those quiet moments that reminds you weddings aren’t just about two people getting married, they’re about every relationship that helped get them there.

Rather than doing a first look with Nolan, they saved that moment for the ceremony. You could see the anticipation building as guests found their seats, and Nolan definitely looked like he was counting every second until Olivia walked down the aisle.

When she finally appeared, it was worth the wait.

Their ceremony was heartfelt from beginning to end, but the vows were the true highlight. They spoke with so much honesty and emotion.. Those are always my favorite ceremonies, the ones where it feels like everyone disappears and it’s just the two of them talking to each other.

After officially becoming husband and wife, we explored the beautiful grounds around Aroostook Lakeside Inn for portraits. With the lake, towering trees, and gorgeous summer light, the property made the perfect backdrop for romantic portraits before the weather decided to change its mind. We managed to sneak outside just before a storm rolled in, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

Back inside, the celebration continued with incredibly sweet first dances before the venue surprised the couple with a gigantic whoopie pie. Because this is Maine, and honestly, that’s way better than a tiny slice of cake.

The speeches had everyone laughing, especially when they started weaving in plenty of Star Wars references. If you’re going to give wedding toasts, throwing in a few lightsabers and Jedi jokes is apparently a solid strategy.

Once the dance floor opened, everyone was ready to celebrate. Friends and family packed the floor while the energy stayed high all evening. It was the perfect ending to a day that somehow felt relaxed, emotional, and wildly fun all at once.

As night fell, Olivia and Nolan wrapped up their wedding with a sparkler exit surrounded by the people they love most. It was the perfect finish to a day filled with heartfelt moments, family, laughter, and just enough perfectly timed weather to keep things interesting.

Congratulations again, Olivia and Nolan! Thank you for trusting me to document such an incredible day. Your wedding at Aroostook Lakeside Inn was one I’ll remember for a long time, and I hope every time you look through these photos, you’re transported right back to this perfect summer day by the lake.