barn reception

September 18, 2017 Southern Maine, Weddings

William Allen Farm Wedding Maine: Ali and Brady

Ali and Brady live in Amsterdam in the Netherlands however they flow all the way back across the pond to have their wedding here in the great state of Maine. A high compliment to our home if I’ve ever seen it. Brady got ready in Portland, while Ali prepared for the day at the William Allen Farm , only having to walk a few short steps to get to the ceremony. When she came out in her gorgeous gown, with a dropped back detail, it’s safe to say everyone was wow-ed. This of course includes Mr. Brady himself, saying that it was “perfect” at their adorable and smile-filled first look.

After a ceremony, graced by ducklings, they headed up to the barn for a casual dinner and dances. We loved seeing how much fun everyone was having in the barn. It felt like a very laid-back casual yet fancy event, no real rules, just right.

Coordinator: Jill Bean Weddings | Venue: William Allen Farm | Florist: Blue Fern Designs

Hair and Makeup: Kimberly Savage | Dress: Michael and Giso | Catering: 111 Maine | Band: Clique

December 7, 2015 New Hampshire, Weddings

New Hampshire Lake Wedding: Marie and Mike

For years and years, Marie’s family vacationed to the beautiful Newfound Lake, in Hebron New Hampshire. It really was no question as to where she and her beau Mike would eventually get married. Overlooking her favorite place in the world, surrounded by family and friends, she and Mike said yes to forever. Dan and I found ourselves in one of the most welcoming, fun-loving, energetic group of guests we can remember. From walking into the Inn where the ladies were getting ready to set up in the dancing barn for the party to come, we were greeted with smiles and high energy. It was such a fun day to be a part of.

Some of my favorite memories and mishaps of the day, all gracefully handled:

Marie’s dress taking 45 minutes to get into due to a broken clasp! Marie was a champ and her ladies were rockstars, eventually sewing her into the dress. AND we were on time. Boom!

A delivery set-up car, having its battery die, while it was parked directly in the center of the ceremony area. It was fixed/towed/moved before any of us ladies could learn about it and the problem we solved! Boom times two!

A round of shots with the bridesmaids right before walking down the aisle.

The speeches were absolutely wonderful… a perfect mix of funny and tenderness. Well done everyone. Well done.

The dance party, complete with a flash mob dance by Marie’s family, a custom “shout” towel, made just so Marie could lie down on the floor and not get her dress dirty when we “get a little bit softer now,” and some really romantic husband and wife snuggling in the center of the dance floor.

All in all…. it was a joy.

Venue: Meadow Wind Bed and Breakfast | Coordinator: Blissful Beginnings

Florist: Renaissance Florals | Catering: Greenhouse Catering | Cake: Jacques Pastries

Hair: Hair that Moves | Makeup: Lauren Vancheri

Band: Timmy Maia Band | Videographer: Frame and Anchor

August 25, 2014 New Hampshire, Weddings

Theresa and JJ’s SURPRISE New Hampshire Camp Wedding

You hear about a surprise wedding once in a blue moon. I know that Julie Roberts had one. When Theresa emailed us about their idea for one we were ELATED! All their guests were invited to an engagement party, which was pretty believable since Theresa and JJ live in California and it would make sense for them to have a celebration with lots of folks when they were in town. Bingo! It was a little bit different of a structure for obvious reasons so the photos are in order of events for you.

We started at the cabins where they were getting ready. Their immediate family knew what was happening so they were hanging out with us in the prep area. Once everyone was ready, Theresa put on a white cocktail dress and we headed up to mingle with the engagement party guests at a cocktail hour. A little while into the event, Theresa and JJ said they had an announcement to make that went something like this: “We are so glad you all made it here to celebrate our engagement and we love you all so much. We have something to confess though… that today is not our engagement party but it’s OUR WEDDING DAY!” There were gasps and screams and lots of happy tears. Theresa ran into a nearby cabin to put on her wedding dress and everyone else was in charge of setting benches in place for the ceremony, taking place just 10 min after the announcement!

From that moment on, it was a wedding day for all the guests, with all the fun that goes along with it! A gorgeous reception planned by All the Fuss Events complete with tiny horse details to honor JJ’s late sister. We were SO happy to be a part of this one and it was all we dreamed it would be… and better. Enjoy this one you guys!

Venue: BlueWater Farm | Event: Coordinator: All the Fuss Events | Florist Cobblestone Design Company

Caterer: Blood’s Catering | Cake Artist: Bread and Chocolate | DJ: Aaron Denny

Gown: Casablanca Bridals | Hair: Not So Plain Jane’s | Makeup: Kriss Cosmetics

September 5, 2012 North Carolina, Weddings

Becky and Aaron’s Chapel Hill NC Wedding

Photographing our family is such a special thing for the two of us. We feel like we can share with them a gift that God has gifted us. It feels like what we should be doing you know?

Becky is Dan’s first cousin. She is a twin, has a brother who was Dan’s right-hand-man growing up, and an older sister who has a baby in the oven, due SOON! Aaron is from Korea, and his family flew over for the ceremony and lit everything up with their smiles and good nature. The wedding was as DIY as they come and we loved every.single.little.detail. I mean if these people weren’t family, we would STILL be crazy about this wedding. It was all things beautiful. In Korea, it is good luck for a couple to fold 1,000 paper cranes together before their wedding. These two did just that and decorated the whole place with them. The ceremony was surrounded by them and it created such a sweet atmosphere. I loved thinking about the two of them, hanging out together for hours and hours making them, planning their lives together. It’s almost too much cute.

Their love story is second to none. My favorite detail was this: ” I realized I truly loved Becky and wanted to marry her when she was visiting me in Australia. We were on a road trip to Albany and driving down a gravel road, I lost control of the car and was freaking out in my head. When the car finally came to a stop, Becky seemed so calm and kept asking if I was ok. When she was talking, a dust cloud (from all the dirt flying everywhere outside of the car) had come in through the vents and the sun was shining off of it, making her look like an angel. That was the moment I knew I never wanted to lose her.”

There… now you love them too.

Venue: The Barn at Valhalla | Planning: C and D Events | Dress: David’s Bridal | Most Everything Else: The Cox Family

October 31, 2011 Interior Maine, Weddings

Sarah and Brandon’s New Gloucester, Maine Wedding

We cannot adequatelyÂ express Â how beautiful Sarah and Brandon’s wedding was. If there is aÂ quintessential DIYÂ rustic Maine wedding, it’s this one. From the handmadeÂ pennants, (that will be made into a quilt), to the wildflowerÂ bouquets, to theÂ WhoopieÂ Pies… everything was adorable. The Merrill Farmhouse at Pineland Farms was the perfect setting for Sarah and Brandon’s wedding. These two live across the country on the west coast, but made it a point to haveÂ theirÂ wedding waaaay over here on the East Coast. The family and friends were tightly knit, and the speeches even brought tears from the best of them! We had such a good time with them, and wish these two encouragement along theirÂ runningÂ path, (they run every morning together). Congratulations!