Out in Westport, Massachusetts at the start of the early autumn season, Hannah and Ben held their beautiful coastal outdoor wedding. A wholesome and intimate celebration with thoughtful, tiny details that tied together the coastal wedding theme, this one-of-a-kind, charming celebration was one for the books!
Getting Ready + First Look
On the morning of the wedding, the girls all got ready in a close-by Airbnb, with hair and makeup styled by Bee Robinson and Kitty Dunbar to give everyone the perfect wedding day looks. Hannah’s mom and her sisters helped her get into her elegant off-the-shoulder dress from Alexandra’s Bridal Boutique, as well as a minimalist diamond necklace, drop earrings, and a dainty silver bracelet, with a flowing veil pinned at the back of her hair.
Once Hannah was “picture-perfect” for her backyard wedding, she met with her father in the outer room to have a special moment with him for a casual first look as a bride-to-be.
Her first look with her soon-to-be husband came shortly after as she stepped outside the Airbnb holding a beautiful bouquet of snow-white hydrangeas. Ben waited there for her right by the river in a soft grey Drinkwater’s Cambridge suit, sky blue tie, a white boutonnière to match her bouquet, and a huge smile on his face.
Pro Tip! First looks can feel natural and don’t have to be staged if you don’t want them to be. I recommend couples think about how they would want that moment to happen if I wasn’t present, and then go forward from there.
After they had their own special moment, Ben drove Hannah straight to the ceremony in his dad’s iconic vintage blue car!
Outside Wedding Ceremony
From the family and newlywed photos to the outside wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, the entirety of Hannah and Ben’s special day took place right in Ben’s parents’ backyard, which gave us lots of flexibility, freedom, and natural lighting. Even Hannah and Ben’s dog got to attend the wedding outside since it was a backyard wedding venue!
Right before the ceremony, we snapped group portraits on the dock, by the pool, around the reeds and coastal greenery, and captured several gorgeous photos of Hannah moving freely with the surrounding nature. We let the scenery speak for itself, and she shone with a beautiful natural glow in both color and black-and-white wedding photos.
The actual outdoor wedding ceremony took place out by the coastal reeds, and Hannah and Ben made their way down the aisle to officially tie the knot in front of a stunning display of hydrangeas before getting set up for their “receiving line” of guests as they made their way out and transitioned into cocktail hour.
Pro Tip! I talk more in-depth about the “receiving line” concept on my TikTok, as well as additional outside wedding photography tips and tricks. But essentially, newlyweds can say hello to all of their guests at once by doing a “receiving line” after exiting the ceremony before everyone heads to cocktail hour.
This is a tip I love to give couples because it’s a super easy way to say hello to all of their guests in a timely manner so they don’t feel pressured to go around during dinner and can instead just enjoy the rest of their night. (It’s also a great way for me to capture some candid shots!)
Oyster Shucking + Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour was held right by the pool, catered by Christian’s Catering with La France Hospitality, which came complete with charcuterie small bites like figs, cheese, and artichokes, along with lamb chops, lobster rolls, an open bar featuring aperol spritzes and Kentucky mules, and an on-theme oyster shucking station on ice.
Guests seemed to especially love the little details Hannah and Ben implemented for a more personal touch, like the cocktail napkins with a sweet poem Hannah’s dad wrote when she and Ben first got engaged.
Everyone chatted away, enjoyed the cocktail spreads, and danced along to the soulful piano music led by the talented Jacquelyn Legendre before heading into the reception.
Reception + Coastal Outdoor Wedding Details
The reception decor fully played into the coastal wedding aesthetic with simplistic wedding ideas down to the last tiny detail, featuring shell place cards, “white and wood” table styling, white florals and winding leaves, and even the guests’ Saratoga blue glass water bottles ended up becoming part of the decor.
Hannah and Ben made sure to treat their guests with a few take-home goodies, including elegant paper fans to stay cool as the dancing and partying heated things up, adorable matchbook party favors with a cute picture of Ben and Hannah’s iconic blue “getaway car,” and (of course!) another fully-stocked open bar to keep the party going.
Food was served, speeches were made, the frosted white chocolate cake was cut, and then the real party started! Guests went all out and dressed in blues, greens, oranges, and florals to fit the coastal wedding vibe, and the live band got everyone up and moving under the twinkling canopy.
Booking Photography for an Outdoor Wedding
Hannah and Ben’s outdoor wedding was a true gem to take part in. The pops of coastal charm, minimalist details, and laid-back outdoor setting by the river made the guests feel at ease and gave a fun and free-spirited energy that translated beautifully through the wedding photos.
If an outdoor wedding venue like this is your vibe and you’re looking for a local wedding photographer in Westport, greater New England, or a Boston wedding photographer to capture your special day, let’s chat! I’d love to tell your story.
Fill out my contact form to get started, and feel free to check out some of my other documentary, film-inspired wedding photography (like this vintage 90s rom-com inspired wedding) on my blog and portfolio.
