Lexi & Matt Photography | Lauren and Bryce's Wedding at the New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket, Maine

Lauren and Bryce’s Maine Wedding at the
New England Outdoor Center (NEOC)

18 Nov 2023, Posted by Lexi in Wedding Photography

What do you do when you plan an outdoor wedding weekend getaway for your family and friends, only to be hit with a hurricane? Rain on your wedding day is one thing, but to have driving rain and high powered winds all day long is something entirely different. Well, if you’re Lauren and Bryce, you make the most of it and enjoy what you have. And if you’re Lauren and Bryce’s family and friends, you rally around them and help to make their day a special one. Although Hurricane Lee was an unpleasant and uncivilized wedding crasher, Lauren and Bryce never once stopped being positive, never once stopped smiling. They were the definition of grace under pressure, and we appreciate them so very much.

Lauren and Bryce met nearly eleven years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts via mutual friends. Their first date was at River Gods, a since-closed pub and eatery known for its live DJ sets. Lauren could hardly hear what Bryce was saying, but she liked his vibe. So, this led to subsequent dates and a relationship that soon was strong enough to survive long distances and, ultimately, hurricanes.

Bryce proposed to Lauren with his grandmother’s ring while the two of them were paddle-boarding on Georges Pond in Franklin, Maine. Lauren grew up visiting Franklin most summers, and Bryce is originally from Maine. So, they both knew they wanted to get married in Maine, it was only a question of where.

After a while, Lauren and Bryce settled on the idea of a weekend camp getaway, but they didn’t want to make their guests rough it. That’s when they discovered the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) in Millinocket. Soon to be rebranded as Ktaadn Resorts, NEOC is a world-renowned outdoor adventure resort with close proximity to Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin. Its facilities include restaurants, an event center, and lodging that ranges from tenting to upscale, fully furnished cabins. This was our first time photographing at NEOC since the grand opening of the Ktaadn Resorts Event Center, and we were excited to check out the new space.

Lauren got ready at Bobcat Cabin, while Bryce got ready at Snowy Owl. Both cabins were bustling with activity and excitement, as the soon-to-be-newlyweds prepared for the big moment. Once they were both looking their best, Bryce dodged the rain drops and met Lauren at Bobcat for a first look. You’d never have known from their expressions that they were dealing with the stress of bad weather. In that moment, all that mattered was each other, and all the rest could wait.

Of course, the weather meant that the ceremony had to take place inside. On a traditionally rainy day, the ceremony could have happened on the Event Center’s sweeping covered patio. But the wind was too strong, and so the reception was modified to make way for a wedding. The ceremony was lovingly officiated by a close friend, and, after readings by family, Lauren and Bryce said the vows and officially became husband and wife.

The rest of the day was filled with food, dancing, and good company. Lauren and Bryce braved the weather on multiple occasions to get a few outdoor pictures, and we were impressed they were up for the challenge. It was so cold, wet, and windy, but they made the best of it! They were such good sports.

Below are some of our favorite pictures from throughout Lauren and Bryce’s wedding. It was a pleasure working with this amazing and resilient couple, and we wish them the absolute best going forward. Until next time!