July 16, 2017
Arika + Bens Lakeside Wedding at The Bald Mountain Camps at Oquossoc
I won’t soon forget Arika and Ben’s wedding at the Bald Mountain Camps on Rangeley Lake, Maine. I had been looking forward to this wedding since relocating to San Diego, California.
High school sweethearts, Arika and Ben’s love story is one I absolutely swoon over. Arika was asked to attend a girls getaway weekend which started with a hike. About half way into the hike, she was encouraged to check out a beautiful overlook. There she found the love of her life, Ben, bent down on one knee asking her to marry him. Through several tears she of course said yes. Arika and Ben then spent the remainder of what she originally thought was a girls getaway weekend with her fiancé in Asheville, NC.
Arika and Ben define a fun-loving, adventurous, outdoorsy couple in love. These are qualities I love in couples I photograph. I wish for laughter and joy, adventure and of course, real and honest souls. Arika and Ben are down to earth, with big hearts for the people in their lives, and of course their fur baby Nala.
The girls got ready in a beautiful mountain house that Arika and Ben had rented for the weekend while the boys were entertained back at the bald mountain camps. Arika water colored the couples invitation suite of the quaint church that Arika and her sister had visited as kids with her grandmother while summering in Rangeley. Their wedding was held under a beautiful sail tent on the shores of Lake Oquossoc, filled with a simple organic touch paired with the twinkling of candle light. Just as the couple sat down for dinner, the sky became dark and the rain began to fall. Safe and dry inside of the tent, surrounded by all of their loved ones, Arika and Ben began their life together with kind words, dinner and dancing. After a short time, the rain stopped, revealing the sun peaking through the clouds, leading to a beautiful summer night.
Arika and Ben, the love you share and the friendship that you have is so evident it’s infectious, and a true inspiration for all around you. You both deserved the perfect day and it was an honor to be able to capture this for you. You are indeed a perfect match, thank you so much for being so incredible to work with. I hope this new adventure as husband and wife gets better each and every day. Cheers to decades of love and happiness.
xo Jessie
“We can’t speak highly enough of Jess! From the very beginning, Jess was responsive, flexible and laid back, yet professional. When my husband and I met her for the first time (two days prior to our wedding), I felt like I had known her for years. When discussing wedding details we had connected on the level of our love for our pets. Before wedding photography Jess mentioned she had photographed dogs/pets and if you know anything about me I LOVE MY PUP. Jess went out of her way to find someone to make Nala a flower crown for our wedding photos (She might have stolen the show!). I couldn’t have been more thrilled and appreciative of her doing this. This is just one of the many things we loved about Jess. She is extremely creative and has an eye for detail. We highly recommend Jess as a wedding photographer – she was definitely the perfect choice for us. ””
Vendor Love:
Reception Venue: Bald Mountain Camps
Ceremony Venue: Oquossoc Log Church
Florist: Sunrise View Farm
Cake: Lady Leprechaun
DJ: Chesapeake DJ Victoria
Make-up Artist: Personal Friend of the Brides
Hair Artist: Bridesmaid + Personal Friend
Bridesmaids Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Bridal Gown: BHLDN
Invitation Suite: Crafted & Watercolored by the Bride, Arika Lowther
Rentals: One Stop Event Rentals
