Engagement Session at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Dan dips Kristin below the evergreen arch at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

It all started when Dan, Kristin, and myself first met at Timber Kitchen and Bar to discuss hiring me as their wedding photographer. As we covered the details of their wedding, to be held at The Tarratine in Bangor Maine this summer, I grew more excited at the opportunity to work with these two outgoing and fun individuals on their big day. But before that, we had an engagement session to create.

As we discussed location options, Kristin mentioned her love of gardens, and how she would like to include one in her Wedding Photography Collection. At that moment we all knew where we had to go for their complimentary engagement session.

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are located in the quaint seaside town of Boothbay Harbor Maine; just a two hour drive from Bangor and a little over an hour from Portland Maine. Not only can you find these enchanting gardens in Boothbay, but also delicious eateries, unique gift shops, and a true coastal Maine vibe as one would expect to find. Though a little touristy, the town and surrounding area makes for a great day trip! If you use the AllTrails app, you can even find some easy tucked away trails, and beaches for a quiet moment in the sand.

Now let’s talk about our day at these gardens.

To start, I had not given Kristin or Dan any tips on what to wear as I usually would provide to my couples. They are a far better dressed bunch than myself, and I figured anything they chose was going to look perfect.

Well, I was delighted as Dan stepped out in his dapper white polo, but was absolutely stunned when I saw the dress Kristin wore. I don’t think a more perfect dress could have been chosen for this session. When you’re done here, check out the photos below to see why I mean what I said about Kristin’s dress paired with Dan’s polo and denim. Dan even got a hands-on tutorial on train tossing, in preparation for their wedding day!

Back to the gardens; right from the moment we walked through the front door of the Visitor Center and Gift Shop the staff was delightful. We were greeted with a wonderful energy and excitement for what we were there to do. Photographers are required to submit an application and purchase a day pass in addition to the tickets, so the staff was already expecting us that day. We were offered a map, and given some helpful tips on the best spots for shots. With map in hand, and smiles on our faces, we set out to adventure.

These botanical gardens are gorgeous by the way. The beds are planted in a very natural aesthetic, and the paths follow bends, dips, and turns, allowing for sweet romantic moments with your lover, or a quiet moment of solice for those needing a

break from the busy world. Around every corner is another cute area to sit and meditate on the beauty of nature, and take in the aromas and sounds that the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and its forests have to offer.

Another fun attraction found at these gardens is the Guardians of the Seeds; Giant wooden sculptures that tower over the garden-goers. They brought a whimsical and creative flair to an already beautiful journey. The craftsmanship was astounding, and Kristin, Dan and myself found ourselves regularly commenting on the artistry that went into these wooden giants.

After a trip to the docks, a quick jaunt to see a few more giants, and a stroll by the Gazebo, we settled on the botanical archway for one final dip before these lovebirds took a moment of peace by the pond to embrace the memories they made that day. As I was loading my gear into the truck they surprised me with my own t-shirt from the gift shop, featuring the bearded giant, as suiting as that is! I absolutely loved their kind gesture and it left me with a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

With so much fun in one day, I can’t recommend the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens enough. They even offer a winter event called Gardens A-Glow, where they decorate the gardens with vibrant lights for the holiday season.

For your next visit to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, don’t forget to bring your favorite photographer (me!) along with you to take your garden experience to the next level.

Check out a few more shots from our tour of the gardens in the gallery below. Until next time, happy adventuring!

Your Photographer,

Shaun