If you want a classic wedding with elegant touches that will never go out of style, you don’t need to look any further, because this Maine wedding is as timeless as they come. But, that’s not to say it wasn’t full of fun! From the Maine-inspired cocktail hour treats to the dancing guests in lobster costumes, every bit of this wedding is absolutely perfect, thanks to the help of amazing vendors like Beautiful Days, Wiley Valentine and Sperry Tent. See all the pretty from Hello Love Photography in THE VAULT!
From The Bride… Derek and I met in a dive bar in New York City on a late Friday night. We connected almost instantly and traded numbers – and then went our separate ways. I woke up early the next morning and decided to call him right then to ask him out. We met for coffee and talked for hours. Later, we learned that our grandparents were friends for decades. A year and half later – he proposed in Central Park.
Although we live in New York, we knew we wanted to get married near my family home in Kennebunkport, Maine. I wanted our wedding to mimic the joyful and intimate barbecues my parents hosted for so many years in our backyard. We have giant families and knew we were going to have a big wedding – but it was important to us that we evoke that kind of intimacy for all 220 guests. Enter our incredible wedding planner Kate Martin.
Kate helped us choose Laudholm Farm as the venue, which provided the perfect backdrop for my vision of an elegant & elevated family dinner. We agreed to let the beauty of the Farm speak for itself – opting for a dove grey, green, and white color scheme – and lots of soft candlelight.
We wanted to pay a subtle homage to our beloved Maine beach – so we chose to take pictures at the water prior to the ceremony at the Farm. During cocktail hour, we served miniature Maine-inspired bites – mini lobster rolls, crab cakes, and clam chowder shooters.
It was also important to us that no detail be too precious – we wanted our guests to be the priority and to feel comfortable. We placed bottles of champagne at each table with tags reading “Pop and pass around!” Hearing so many champagne bottles popping at once was one of the coolest moments of the night. We served heaping platters of fried chicken, grilled farm vegetables, crispy potatoes, and cheddar biscuits in family style – a huge hit for our guests. Our incredible caterer even learned one of my grandmother’s famous recipes, and we created an emoji of my grandmother’s signature sunglasses on our menu board.
For dessert, we served Maine blueberry hand pies and overflowing bowls of homemade cookies. As a nod to New York – we ordered classic NYC paper coffee cups – the same ones we drank from on our first date.
Our band killed it – the floor was filled the entire night. At one point we had to ask them to take a break so that people would eat all the great food! The highlight of the night came as a total surprise to my husband and me. His family had secretly brought in tons of lobster costumes — and in the middle of the dance party — emerged on the dance floor in full costume. Seeing the dance floor completed covered in bright red dancing lobsters was something I will never forget.
Our photographer Casey somehow captured it all. She made us feel completely comfortable – and her photographs speak for themselves. She even caught the moment my bridesmaids played Beyonce’s song “Flawless” right before we walked down the aisle.
The whole day was a true fairy tale.
Photography: Hello Love Photography | Event Planning: Beautiful Days | Floral Design: Beautiful Days | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Invitations: Wiley Valentine | Bride's Shoes: Chanel | Jewelry: Lux Bond and Greene | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Natalie Deayala Collection | Catering: Aurora Provisions | Makeup: Tryst Studio | Hair: Lisa Lord from Sam Brocato Salon | Band: Legit | Groom's Attire: Paul Stuart | Groomsmen's Attire: Indochino | Transportation: Intown Trolley | Venue: Laudholm Farm at Rachel Carson Reserve | Bridesmaids' Hair: Spa At Rivers Edge | Guest Transportation: Ledgemere | Menu Sign: Sweet Carolina Collective | Photo Booth: The Snap Boxx | Rentals: Peterson Party Center | Rentals: Sperry Tents | Veil: Twigs & Honey