High up on most local wedding photographers’ bucket lists is the wish to photograph a Mystic Aquarium wedding in Mystic, CT. First of all, this aquarium is beautiful, and it’s a blast to go to as a patron or member. But what is cooler than having penguins at your cocktail hour, and then walking down to have your portrait taken in front of the beluga whales? Thanks to Nick and Dawn, I got to check this amazing venue out as their wedding photographer on September 9th, 2016.
Ceremony Venue: Waterford Beach Park, Waterford, CT
Reception Venue: Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT
Florist: Verdant Floral, Stonington CT
DJ: Spin Enterprise
Caterer: Ocean Blue Catering Co
The day started off when Dawn frantically called me because her hotel had lost her reservation for her getting ready room, and she had no idea what to do. I decided to book a room in another hotel that she could use if she chose to. Dawn is such a sweet person and the thought of her being stressed over a hotel’s mistake just about gutted me! Luckily after some back and forth, the original hotel got their act together and was able to accommodate Dawn and her bridesmaids, but I am glad we had a back up plan if we needed one!
A view of the trouble-maker hotel room that was eventually sorted out (and the hotel staff apologized to Dawn, too!)
Meanwhile, my second shooter for the day, Cc from Made in Stills Photography, was with the groom and his groomsmen as they finished getting ready. Then headed over to the ceremony site to set up.
I always tell my wedding clients that something WILL go wrong for them on their wedding day. It is virtually impossible to plan such a big event with so many moving parts and have every little thing go smoothly. After the hotel debacle, though, I laughed with Dawn about it and said, “Well at least that’s out of the way! The rest of the day will go really well now!” And I was right. The ceremony at Waterford Beach Park in Waterford, CT was picture-perfect, with bright blue skies, white sand and all of Dawn and Nick’s loved ones surrounding them as they said their I do’s. At the end of the ceremony, they even had everyone toss a shell into the water and make a wish for the happy couple.
We stayed at Waterford Beach Park for formals, then made our way to the Aquarium to take some more photographs with the whales and other animals, then start the reception.
The belugas making kissy faces behind the bride and groom was one of my favourite parts about this Mystic Aquarium wedding. It was so, so cute.
This Mystic Aquarium wedding was surely one to remember, for both myself and the guests! Congratulations Dawn and Nick!
