The rocky Maine coast meets delicate, vintage details in this next seaside stunner by Brea McDonald Photography. And let me tell you lovelies, this one’s got it all: preppy vibe, dreamy paper goods…and that VEIL-don’t even get me started on that veil! Throw in two adorable pups + a jaw-dropping ocean backdrop and I’m pretty sure you’ll be sticking around to peruse the rest of the wedding goodness in the gallery!
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From the Bride…Born and raised in Maine, I grew up spending summers on Mount Desert Island, the foggy weather, craggy rocks, and sweeping island views make it one of my favorite places on earth. I was thrilled when Bryce fell in love with the area on our first trip to Maine together eight years ago. Though we were living in Washington, DC when we got engaged, when it came time to pick a location for our wedding we knew immediately that we wanted to get married in Maine and specifically on Mount Desert. A wedding was the perfect excuse to gather all of our favorite people in one of our favorite places, even if it was a bit out of the way. We wanted our wedding to be a celebration of our love for each other and for our friends and family.
The decision of where to have the wedding ceremony and reception was easy–I had daydreamed of getting married at the Asticou Inn since I was a little girl. The historic charm of the inn–with its grey shingled exterior,deck and lawn with harbor views, and mural filled dining room–were brimming with possibilities. I tried to include as many thoughtful and personalized details in our wedding ceremony and events but given the natural beauty and charm of the Inn I tried to pick design elements that would complement and celebrate what Maine and the Asticou had to offer. Rather than try to transform the space into something it wasn’t we played up the decor the Asticou already had which included a gorgeous floral mural painted on the dining room wall and a bright coral bar room which matched our wedding colors perfectly.
We also wanted to include our friends and family as much as possible–my cousin Percy Bright of Jersey Ice Cream Co. and his amazing graphic designer friend Hillary Cribben designed our invitations and provided the templates for my DIY wedding signage and programs; my aunt Frida lent me her vintage Priscilla of Boston Veil; my other aunt Eleanor loaned me her diamond earrings; and family members hosted wonderful welcome lunch and farewell brunch for us. Family friend and local Maine artist Johanna Hoffman painted the beautiful signs that directed guests to the ceremony and to cocktail hour. While Carol Ford of Cranberry Island Kitchen provided the delicious clam shaped whoopie pies we served instead of a traditional wedding cake.
For the ceremony we chose to be married outdoors on the back lawn looking out onto the harbor. Getting married outside also allowed us to incorporate our two border terriers, Fenway and Wrigley, into the celebration where they stole the show as our ringbearers. Since the pups couldn’t be at the cocktail hour we named our signature cocktails–the Fenway Fizz and Wrigley’s Whippet Dreams–after them.
Knowing how cold Maine evenings can get we provided a basket of pashmina’s in our wedding colors (Navy, Papaya, and Grey) so our female guests could enjoy the night without freezing cold. Bryce made sure the guys were taken care of and had cigars on hand for those who wanted to partake. We also made sure there were plenty of flip flops available so people could kick off their shoes and dance the night away with us.
Wedding Photography: Brea McDonald Photography / Wedding Venue: Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor, Maine / Dress: Marisa from Madeline’s Daughter / Veil: Vintage Priscilla of Boston / Whoopie Pies: Cranberry Island Kitchens / Wedding Stationery: Hillary Cribben & Percival Bright (for more info hillarycribben@gmail.com) / Cocktail Napkins & Matchbooks: Foryourparty.com / Escort Cards: Paper Presentation / Calligraphy: Johanna Hoffman / Table Numbers & Programs: DIY / Ceremony Music: Noreen Silver & Anatole Wieck from Bangor, Maine / DJ: Dana Lavertu / Hair: Heidi Tucker, New Image Salon / Flowers: Sweet Pea Gardens / Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar Loungerie / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groomsmen’s Ties: Charles Trywhitt / Groomsmen’s Khakis: Castaway Clothing / Painted Signs: Johanna Hoffman, Maine Artist