Beachside Wedding at The Oceanview of Nahant, MA

Jun 13

It’s pretty safe to say that everyone dreams their wedding day will be flawless and unique, and I’m certain this was no different for Jamie and Ryan. These two North Shore natives held their summer wedding at The Oceanview of Nahant in Massachusetts. Their ceremony, reception, and photos were absolutely gorgeous and the event went off without a hitch, which brings up the question: how does one plan for a personalized celebration at a dedicated wedding venue?

The Oceanview of Nahant is an elegant venue steps from the beach which hosts weddings every weekend throughout the busy season. For some, this may sound like the recipe for a cookie-cutter wedding, but it turns out this site has great options for customization!

The Oceanview provides on-site catering, sound equipment, waitstaff, and clean-up services for its clients which seriously cuts down on the number of vendors they need to coordinate. There are beautiful suites in which the bride and groom can get ready for their ceremony without seeing one another — this also makes it easier to utilize a single photographer because there is no travel between sites. This particular location sits steps from the sand in Nahant with access to gorgeous photo spots as well! And it’s worth pointing out that this wedding enjoyed such scenery from the luxury of a space that was not covered in sand. Priceless.

The trick with planning a wedding as seamless and convenient as this, is to focus in on those moments that give a wedding its intimacy and character. Jamie and Ryan did this by setting aside time to go off on their own and take photos between the ceremony and the reception. This gave the two a chance to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and decompress before spending the evening with all their family and friends. To spice up the agenda and bring their personalities to the celebration, Jamie and Ryan also added a back to back “no look” moment, a competitive father-daughter dance-off, and a romantic sparkler last dance later on.

My opinion: don’t write off professional wedding venues for fear of uniformity. These sites can offer a great deal of convenient amenities and could take a lot of the stress out of planning your celebration. With Jamie and Ryan as our example, the trick is to make sure that you set aside those key moments to be with your partner, plan for the photos you’re hoping for, and show off your quirky side in the details!

Congratulations Jamie and Ryan on a beautiful day and here’s to many happy anniversaries to come!

Vendors:

Dress: Melissa Sweet by David’s Bridal

Groomsman: Indochino

Invitations & Flowers: Done by the bride and groom

Dessert: Crave Cafe in Beverly, MA

Videography: Chris Gogolos Media

Signage: Courtney Utz

Carl Heyerdahl

I am a wedding and portrait photographer based in Ithaca, NY, and working with people is what I love.

Photography is a big part of your wedding, and it is not something I take lightly. I am honored that you are interested in having me capture this part of your special day. My goal is to create something beautiful for you to look back on and remember the moments for years to come.

When looking for a photographer, it is important to find someone you feel will portray all the hard work you have put into your wedding celebration. I will work with you to merge our visions, creating something timeless and original. My approach is personal, but respectful which allows me to use my knowledge and experience, but also leaves room for small candid moments to develop naturally. After we complete the day, I will carefully select the best images and add the finishing touches to make sure they are perfect. I am experienced with all elements of getting your photos ready—including editing, retouching, and final processing— meaning I can have them ready sooner while still maintaining a personal touch.

Not just a face behind the lens, you might want to know a bit more about me. I grew up here in the northeast, specifically around coastal Maine and central Vermont. I love spending time outside and have been taking photos for most of my life. When I do manage to put down the camera, I enjoy mountain biking, drinking good coffee, and spending time with my family. I love getting up early, traveling, and maintaining a carefully curated window of plants.

http://carlheyerdahlphotography.com