Colby and Bailey met in high school eight years ago, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Like many couples, they initially began planning a big wedding. But when Bailey learned that her brother was going to be deployed, everything changed. They decided to move up their marriage and exchanged vows in April at a courthouse in Connecticut, attended by her brother and the people who mattered most. With the legal ceremony behind them, all the pressure disappeared. Instead of trying to recreate a traditional wedding, they chose to celebrate their marriage in a way that truly reflected who they are.

They invited their closest friends and family to a rustic Airbnb tucked among the trees in Brownfield, Maine, for a wedding celebration that felt more like a cozy summer evening with loved ones than a formal event. Without the stress of a ceremony or a packed guest list, the day had room to simply unfold. There was laughter, slow moments, and the freedom to truly enjoy every part of it. They got ready together that morning in the lodge, occasionally glancing out the windows as they watched the forecast. Rain had been threatening all day, but the sun continued to shine, and everything went off without a hitch. We took our time wandering the property for portraits, captured family photos without feeling rushed, and then they welcomed guests as they arrived.

Wood-fired pizza was served, lawn games were scattered across the yard, and the whole evening felt relaxed and effortless. Then, just as everyone was finishing dinner, the skies opened. Not just a passing shower … a true torrential downpour. There was barely enough warning for everyone to make a run for the tent, and even the leftover pizza wasn’t spared from the rain! Guests crowded together under the shelter, laughing as the storm poured around them. And somehow, despite the weather, it never felt like anything had gone wrong.

Colby and Bailey grabbed the microphone and shared a heartfelt thank-you with everyone who had come to celebrate. Music started playing, and before long, the dance floor was full. By that point, there may have been a small river running across it while their parents strategically placed towels to catch leaks from the tent. But no one seemed to care. Everyone kept dancing, eating, drinking, and catching up with friends and family as the rain became part of the story.

Eventually, the downpour softened to a drizzle, and guests began venturing back outside. Then, almost as if on cue, the clouds parted. Golden evening light streamed through the trees, creating the dreamiest glow across the property. Moments later, a rainbow appeared overhead. A few of their friends even turned a rain-soaked carpet into an impromptu slip-and-slide, proving once again that this group knew how to make the best of every moment. The evening ended the perfect way: gathered around a crackling campfire, roasting s’mores, sharing stories, and soaking in one last quiet moment together.

It was the kind of wedding that reminded everyone that the best celebrations aren’t about perfect weather or perfectly timed events. They’re about the people you’re surrounded by, the memories you make together, and finding joy in whatever the day brings. Thank you so much, Colby and Bailey, for trusting me to capture your special day! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Jakan!

Thank you to all the vendors who made this possible:

Venue – The Hive at Blue Spruce Lodge, Brownfield, Maine

Catering – Wicked Good Wood Fired Pizza, Milton, New Hampshire

Dress – Blue Violet Bridal, Westerly, Rhode Island

Photographer – Andrea Simmons Photography, Maine