Amanda + Barry: A 19th-century wedding at Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is always an exceptional place for a New England wedding, with more than 17 acres of riverfront grounds and more boats and ships, gardens, weathered docks and pilings, stone walls and authentic New England architecture than you can imagine. It’s truly a photographer’s dream, and no two weddings there are the same.

I was extra delighted to be a part of this Mystic Seaport wedding, because the bride and groom were Mystic Seaport staff members, as I had been for more than ten years in a previous career. And the bride is an alumna of a small and amazing college program at Mystic Seaport, the Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program–and so am I. And, when I learned they would be having their reception in the charming shingled sailing center out on Lighthouse Point, I was filled with nostalgia, since I had first arrived at that building nearly 30 years before as a disheveled Girl Scout, dropped off for a week of sailing camp at Mystic Seaport.

But what I truly loved about this wedding was their partnership, their creative vision and the sense of fun they imparted into their reception–from the photo booth, to the special toasts with wine made in Barry’s family to the family genealogy on display and to the dancing under the stars on the docks, they created a wedding experience for their guests like no other. Take a look!

Most original boutonnieres of all time! Aren’t they gorgeous?

Getting ready in Mystic Seaport’s own Costume Shop, under the direction of their dear friend, Rebecca Donohue, the Museum’s Costume Manager and an expert in 19th-century culture and clothing.

Amanda and her maid of honor dressing in Mystic. Amanda was driven to the chapel at Mystic Seaport by horse-drawn carriage.

Her gown was custom designed and sewn for her by the experts in Mystic Seaport’s Costume Shop, from illustrations Amanda provided.

The maid of honor’s gown was designed and sewn by another dear friend–under a last-minute deadline!

The ceremony was held in the Museum’s Fishtown Chapel, built in 1889 and moved to Mystic Seaport in 1949.

Barry and his gentlemen.

The colors of the wedding party, on board the Charles W. Morgan.

Our couple, along Seaport Street at Mystic Seaport.

The horse and carriage that transported Barry and Amanda are from Allegra Farm, a livery providing an authentic 19th-century experience.

After dinner and toasts,  we decided to suprised Barry and Amanda by taking some photos from the water. The blurr of the moving boat is evident, but it was a great opportunity to capture the flavor of the evening from the water.

(Thank you, Krystal and Caleb!)Happy love, dear Amanda and Barry!

Huzzah!