A Colorful Rustic Destination Wedding in Maine

Erica and Chris's Maine Wedding

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When planning their farm wedding in Maine, Erica and Chris broke from the traditional. For starters, it was Erica, a jewelry designer, who proposed to Chris, a music composer, one night after dinner in their Brooklyn apartment. Then there was the day itself: Instead of a set color palette, the décor focused more on seasonal flowers and foods. The bridesmaids? They wore white. And because the couple stressed over writing their own vows, they opted to say a simple "I do" instead. The day was filled with personal elements, from quilts hand made by the bride's grandmother to poetry readings from the couple's parents. After a dinner of fresh seafood, the DJ took over and the 70 partygoers took to the dance floor.

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The Bridal Bouquet

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Locally grown dahlias, freesia, garden roses, and ranunculus comprised Erica's cheery clutch.

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Bridesmaids in Vintage

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A lover of all things retro, Erica sourced circa-1910 dresses from antiques dealers for her gals.

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Flowers In Their Hair

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Katie Stoops Photography

Each bridesmaid wore a hair wreath, like this one made of grapevine, fir, lavender, scabiosa pods, and a garden rose. "I was inspired by Rossetti paintings, but they also had a 1960s free-love vibe," says Erica.

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The Fashions

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The groom, in a Freemans Sporting Club tux, planted one on his bride, who accessorized her Jenny Packham gown by pinning vintage rhinestone millinery trim into her hair.

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The Processional

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Katie Stoops Photography

The bride and her father walked down the aisle as a brass band played "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" from White Christmas. "Erica's family watched the movie every year, and her dad loves that song," says Chris, who chose all the music for the ceremony.

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The Aisle Marker

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Katie Stoops Photography

Erica and her bridesmaids constructed a long daisy chain (about 200 feet!) that lined the path down to the lake, where the couple wed. "I got the idea at my 10-year college reunion," says Erica, who attended Vassar. "It's long been a tradition at the school for students to carry a daisy chain at graduation."

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The Party

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Wine, local Allagash beer, and a fried-cheese buffet were on offer during cocktail hour. A friend of the couple donated some of the vintages as a gift to the newlyweds.

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The Scene

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Tents shielded revelers—who dined on salad and fresh oysters—from the setting sun, and globe lights provided illumination after dark.

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The Decor

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Katie Stoops Photography

Arrangements of fresh fruits, herbs, and locally grown flowers were scattered around the reception space.

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Fresh Details

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An apple anchored drink napkins added to the day's outdoorsy ambience.

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The Cake

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Katie Stoops Photography

Vanilla and lemon tiers were accented by miniature lady apples and other in-season fruit and flowers.

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The Favors

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Guests took home Paine's balsam-fir incense from Maine.

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Sources

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Katie Stoops Photography

Catering and Cake: Swan's Way

Flowers: Seasons Downeast Designs

Photography: Katie Stoops

Stationery: Beegee Tolpa

Music: The Patriot Brass Ensemble

Rentals: Party Fundamentals

Hair: Colleen Griffin of Aphrodite Salon

Makeup: Brenda Poole of Adore Rouge

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