Engagement in Bar Harbor, Maine
Mikayla and Chris walking up the gangplank after getting engaged on The Margaret Todd; a four masted schooner sailing out of Bar Harbor, Maine.
Getting Engaged on Vacation
With so many unique ways to get engaged in Bar Harbor, Maine it’s no wonder that couples flock here during the summer months to pronounce their love for one another. The scenery is gorgeous, the trails are exciting and fun, and nostalgia abounds.
Mikayla’s engagement ring onboard The Margaret Todd.
This engagement was no different! When Chris first reached out to me seeking a photographer to capture his proposal to Mikayla, I knew this one would be special.
Our journey was taking us just off the coast of Bar Harbor and into Frenchmen Bay aboard the four-masted schooner, The Margaret Todd. If you know Bar Harbor, then you know this boat. You can’t miss those magnificent red sails cruising between the Porcupine Islands. Someday I want to try their sunset cruise, but for this trip we were out mid-afternoon.
Proposal on a Boat
Hanin and Brett enter the garden
Chris, Mikayla, and Mikayla's family had booked a cruise aboard The Margaret Todd as part of their vacation to Mount Desert Island. Little did the family know that this was going to be a full-blown celebration of these two love-birds! All I needed to do was sneak on-board without tipping off the soon-to-be Fiancé or the unknowing family. No easy task considering the space limitations and the chatty, curious nature of her family members and other passengers on the boat once they saw my camera set-up.
Downeast and Acadia Engagement Photographer
It was going to take some sleuth and skill to pull off this surprise proposal without giving myself away. We had limited ability to create space between us due to the ship configuration, and the fact we were dealing with a full passenger manifest. I was also traveling solo, which just looks kind of awkward on this couples-centric experience. This one was going to require me to fall back on those good ol’ acting skills, and just pretend to be a tourist. I was already dressed the part anyway!
As an engagement and surprise proposal photographer, you have to be ready to handle any circumstance that arises with speed and coy. It’s also important to blend in. I take this in mind when planning each and every proposal. One wrong move can give away the very special moment that you and your photographer have worked so hard to create together.
A great example of this blending tactic was during boarding of The Margaret Todd and the cruise into the harbor. I had arrived early so I could board ahead of everyone and chat with the captain about our plan. Unfortunately that plan fell through, and I quickly had to rethink my approach. I was not allowed to board until the same time as all other ticket holders, and was suddenly left standing at the end of the dock with no escape as Chris, Mikayla, and family approached. If I said a little panic set in, I’d be somewhat accurate. Chris and I had already run into each other earlier on the shore path which was a great way to meet beforehand, but I was worried that recently-made acquaintance was going to be our giveaway. How awkward it was to have him and Mikayla standing five feet from me. Admittedly my heart was racing. I knew I needed to remain ‘uninterested’ in them, and stay ‘intrigued’ by the surroundings just like the rest of the tourist folk waiting in line or I’d become a dead-giveaway. It felt a bit like I imagine being a spy or private detective would feel. I love my job!
Once boarded, I realized the only available seat where I could see them was going to be just feet from where they were sitting. This all worked in my favor though, as I was able to snag some super sweet little spy shots of them enjoying their cruise into the harbor together.
Scenic Tour in Bar Harbor, Maine
The Margaret Todd is a truly spectacular experience when visiting Bar Harbor. The views passengers get to see while riding on this 151 foot, four masted schooner include the cozy tourist town of Bar Harbor, the outlying islands, Acadia National Park and some of the Downeast region. The atmosphere during your sail is serene to put it simply. It’s also a quiet experience. The wisp of the wind in the sails, the familiar shout of the intrigued seagulls, and for me, a sense of HOME. Sailing in Frenchman Bay is like comfort-food for the soul; especially for islanders and islanders-at-heart.
The Schooner sets sail from the Downeast Windjammer docks at 1 Newport Drive in Bar Harbor. From there you have a pleasurable 1 1/2 hours of sailing. They even have light refreshments for sale for anyone who would like a beverage or a snack.
Passengers help hoist the sails aboard The Margaret Todd.
I think my favorite part of the schooner experience itself was the passenger’s opportunity to raise the sails. It was so fun to watch full grown adults have their childhood-pirate-dreams come to life with every “ONE-TWO, ONE-TWO”. Occasionally the captain would come across the speaker to tell us some fun or interesting aspects of the surrounding landscape or about life aboard a schooner.
Depending on the day and time of your tour, you may have the chance to sail by a cruise ship and have an up-close experience with how big these vessels really are. Personally I had never been this close to one, with the exception of Eastport, Maine in 2020 when a cruise ship was required to dock there during the lockdowns. The kiddo and I took a ride up there to check it out for ourselves and it was something to see a massive cruise ship docked in that little fishing town.
There has been quite a debate in the area about the impact these cruise ships have on the surrounding ecosystems. They have helped immensely with bringing income to Bar Harbor and other island communities, but it is difficult turning a blind eye to their impact on the pristine waters, lands, and air that MDI is known for. If you want to know more on this issue, you can check out Friends of Frenchman Bay, an all-volunteer non-profit committed to protecting the ecosystem we all love and appreciate here in Downeast Maine.
Planning a Surprise Proposal
After sailing for some time and allowing everyone to settle in, it was time to get this proposal started! Chris and I had developed two plans for this during our secretive planning calls and emails. Plan A required the captain to make an announcement for Mikayla to please stand up. I was politely informed by the captain he could not do that on a public tour. Understandable, so onward to Plan B. This plan required me to ask Chris and Mikayla if I could take a selfie for them, but not until the time was right. All was going to plan, until it wasn’t.
As I stood up and began making my way toward the couple, Mikayla’s cousin, Jordan— pulled the family interference card and quickly took up position for taking the selfie that was meant to act as my signal to Chris. After a wicked awkward, but hilarious moment of friendly jesting with Jordan, and trying to discreetly give Chris the ‘GO’, Chris was finally down on his knee.
Now, I’m fairly certain Mikayla had that “Yes” already cocked and loaded before they even arrived in town because I have never seen a yes get shot out so fast before. I’m still not certain if Chris was even done asking the question! The entire boat cheered and celebrated this monumental moment in this couple’s life, and that made for one incredibly unique way to say “I want to love you forever”.
Champagne toast to celebrate the newly engaged couple
With champagne served, a newly engaged couple, a happy family, and an incoming sunset, we made our way back to shore.
Engagement Photos on the Bar Harbor Shore Path
Our feet firmly back on land, I joined Chris, Mikayla, and all of the family members for some family photos by the dock. After, I stole away with the newly engaged couple for a few minutes to wander the Shore Path together and take some wonderful golden hour shots. This little walk with them is where I captured one of my all-time favorite Ring Shots. I just can’t get over it!
We then made our way to Balance Rock for some fun and creative shots using the setting sun to continue telling their Bar Harbor love story. With a big, heart-felt goodbye they were off to dinner reservations with their family, and their journey as a newly engaged couple.
DESTINATION PROPOSAL
Bar Harbor is a magical coastal town and a great home-base for your coastal vacation, destination proposal, even your wedding! Check out one of my Bar Harbor weddings HERE. In addition, this area offers exciting mountain trails in and out of Acadia, unique off-the-beaten-path locations to explore, and delicious restaurants to dine at. Of course you can’t forget about my favorite apparel shop in town, Cool as a Moose! I have every recommendation you could need to make your downeast vacation memorable, which is all the more reason to consider planning your Downeast or Acadia National Park engagement with me, your Maine Engagement Photographer.
Until our next adventure!
Shaun Crockett - The Bearded Mainer Photography
Mikayla and Chris pose for photos at Balance Rock in Bar Harbor during golden hour
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Penobscot Bay Estate hosted some of Maine’s most talented and creative wedding vendors to create a stunning luxury wedding experience for a segment to be featured on World’s Greatest TV airing on the Bloomberg Channel.