Green Lake Intimate Wedding with Hannah and Ben

Hannah and Ben were married on a calm summer evening at Green Lake. Their ceremony took place on the dock overlooking the water, with the lake completely still by the time everyone gathered. Just their parents and closest friends and family were there — which set the tone for the entire day.

Green Lake sits just outside Ellsworth, Maine, down a long dirt road. Hannah’s family has vacationed here for as long as she can remember, returning summer after summer. The cabin has always been a place of gathering and slowing down, which made it feel natural for their wedding. Even though Hannah and Ben now live in Chicago, this lake has always been home in a different way. Ben’s family rented a cabin just down the road so everyone could stay close for the weekend.

Hannah got ready in a tiny cabin on the property, barefoot the entire time. She did her own hair and makeup, keeping everything simple and familiar. Her dress was a cotton dip-dye dress — unfussy, comfortable, and exactly right for the setting. There wasn’t a getting-ready schedule or a crowded room — just quiet, open windows, and time moving slowly. Outside, picnic tables were set with vintage linens and dishes, mismatched candles placed carefully but casually. Everything felt collected over years, not styled for a single day.

The dock ceremony was intimate and close. Family members stood nearby as Hannah and Ben exchanged vows with the lake stretching out behind them. A dog sat close by and watched the ceremony, completely still, like it understood what was happening. The water barely moved, and the light stayed soft as the evening unfolded. Nothing felt performative. It felt grounded and personal.

Dinner was simple and communal — pizza for everyone, homemade salsa made by Hannah’s brother, and long conversations between guests who had traveled from Chicago and Arizona to be there. As the night went on, people swam in the lake. Dan paddled out in a kayak to photograph guests and the couple in the water, giving the evening a quiet, wide perspective. At the end of the night, Hannah and Ben jumped into the lake together — an easy, perfect ending.