You’re hearing it here first: Maine is THE place to have the most amazing nautical wedding. And Maine Seasons Events does a fabulous job designing them. We’ve seen so many great fêtes from the company (like this peachy keen soiree or this organic and moody affair) and though they are all completely different, they are all completely fab. Like this Peaks Island wedding, captured by Andrew Davis Photography. Perfectly chic, perfectly nautical, perfectly brilliant. We just can’t get enough. Luckily, there is a full image gallery for us to keep dreaming away the day!
An island wedding in Maine is a feat to plan in itself, but when it happens on the same weekend that Hurricane Irene blows into town, well that is another story entirely!
Rachel and Jon chose to be married on Peaks Island, Maine and contacted Maine Seasons Events for design and planning for their island event. Many factors have to be considered for an island wedding, not only getting all guests onto and off the island, but transporting staff, food, beverages, ice, flowers, linens, rentals, and décor have to be planned for, factoring in ferry schedules, and land transportation on the island side.
Rachel and Jon live in Philadelphia, but adore the coast of Maine, where Rachel grew up. The two were married on Peaks Island at Trefethen Evergreen Improvement Association (TEIA). Originally built in 1912, TEIA is a lovely wooden boathouse with a large maple floor once considered to be “the best dance floor this side of Boston.” The couple wanted their wedding to be whimsical, rustic, fun, and chock full of Maine flavor. They also wanted the entire day to be a celebration of their incredible friends and families. Guests arrived by sea after taking a cruise through Casco Bay on “The Islander” ferry.
Maine Seasons Events created a design that reflected the natural feel of the coast of Maine, while being conscious about reusing or recycling as many of the design elements as possible. Lanterns, recycled glass votive holders and driftwood, mussel shells and rocks sensitively gathered over the winter after storms were worked into the table design, all atop custom made blue ticking fabric runners and sand colored linens. Nautical monkey fist knots were used as table number holders and hand cut place cards were pinned on authentic depth charts of the area. The bride designed the wedding stationery and each envelope was lined with a hand cut tide chart map in the color palette and tied with yellow and white twine. Her family gathered driftwood and shells for the tables and the bridesmaids got together before the wedding for an evening of wine and flower picking at organic Little River Flower Farm. The ceremony music was provided by the couples wonderfully talented cellist friend Nick Ogawa of Takenobu.
The food combined seasonal, sustainable Maine ingredients with Greek inspired flavors to honor Rachel’s Greek heritage. The caterer, 111 Maine, took the time to learn some of Rachel’s grandmother’s recipes to share with guests. After dinner, guests participated in Greek dances they had learned at the rehearsal dinner the night before with a Greek dancing instructor. The signature cocktails– “Dark & Stormies” for him, “The Honey Badger” for her– incorporated local Maine Green Bee soda, sweetened with Maine wildflower honey. A variety of Maine craft beers were also enjoyed by guests. For favors, guests left with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from Old World Gourmet Deli, Rachel’s favorite childhood treat.
Hurricane Irene held off just long enough for guests to enjoy the outdoor ceremony and evening reception overlooking the bay, and Irene’s gift was an incredible Maine sunset almost too vibrant to be real.
Photography: Andrew Davis Photography / Location: Trefelen Evergreen Improvement Association / Design and Planning: Maine Seasons Events / Flowers: Little River Flower Farm / Catering: 111 Maine Catering / Ceremony music: Nick Ogawa, Takenobu / Reception music: DJ Bob Wilson / Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhullier / Bridesmaids: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit: Ralph Lauren / Boat Transportation: Portland Discovery Land and Sea Tours / Ferry transportation: Casco Bay Lines / Car service: Maine Limousine / Hair styling: Voila Day Spa / Save the dates: Anela Selkowitz