36 minute read
MAINE WEDDING FASHION
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PHOTOS BY KATE MICHAUD PHOTOGRAPHY
HAIR BY KIM DOLL
MAKEUP BY BRIANNA LANDRY
Bohemian ROMANCE
A RELAXED KIND OF ROMANCE SATURATED THIS FAIRYTALE PHOTOSHOOT AT KING’S HILL INN & BARN IN THE SOUTH PARIS WOODLANDS
Venue: King’s Hill Inn & Barn Photography: Kate Michaud Photography Boutiques: The Henry’s Bridal Boutique, Blush Bridal & Formal
Jewelry: Day’s Jewelers Floral Design: Moonset Farms Hair: Kim Doll, A Hair to Remember Makeup: Brianna Landry
Gown | Blush Bridal & Formal Jewelry | Keith Jack Dragonfly Cubic Zirconia Necklace in Sterling Silver
Gown &
Tuxedo | The Henry’s Bridal Boutique Jewelry | (Left & inset) Swarovski White Mesh Earrings, Crislu Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet in Sterling Silver, Diamond Wedding Set in Platinum, Men’s Diamond Wedding Band in Platinum
Gowns & Tuxedo | The Henry’s Bridal Boutique Jewelry | (Top) Crislu Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet in Sterling Silver, Maine Pink Tourmaline Necklace in 14kt Yellow Gold, Citizen Corso Men’s Watch with Blue Dial and Stainless Steel; (Far left) Swarovski Timeless All Around V Necklace, Diamond Wedding Set in Platinum, Crislu Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet in Sterling Silver; (Left) Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum, Multi-Strand Tassel Earring in Sterling Silver, MultiStrand Necklace in Sterling Silver
Gowns &
Tuxedo | The Henry’s Bridal Boutique Jewelry | (Top & inset) Swarovski Solitaire Crystal Necklace, Swarovski Crystal Tennis Bracelet, Diamond Dangle Earrings in 14kt Yellow Gold; (Right) Shaker Hoop Earrings in 14kt Yellow Gold; (Far right) Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace in 14kt Yellow Gold; (Opposite page) Swarovski Timeless All Around V Necklace, Diamond Wedding Set in Platinum, Crislu Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet in Sterling Silver
Gown | The Henry’s Bridal Boutique Jewelry | (Left) Swarovski Blue Tennis Bracelet, Swarovski Attract Pear Crystal Mini Hoop Earrings, Embrace Diamond Fashion Necklace in 14kt White Gold
[ OPPOSITE ]
Gowns | Blush Bridal & Formal
Tuxedo | The Henry’s Bridal Boutique Jewelry | (Top) Swarovski Crystal Symbolic Star Hoop Earrings & Swarovski Crystal Symbolic Bangle; Platinum Diamond Wedding Set (Right) Blue Topaz Butterfly Necklace in 14kt White Gold, Crislu Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver; (Far right & inset) Crislu Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver, Swarovski Blue Crystal Angelic Necklace, Swarovski Blue Tennis Bracelet, Swarovski Blue Crystal Angelic Bolo Bracelet
Gowns | Blush Bridal & Formal
Tuxedo | The Henry’s Bridal Boutique Jewelry | (Far right) Aquamarine Earrings in 14kt White Gold with Diamonds, Swarovski Crystal Angelic Necklace; (Bottom & inset) Keith Jack Blue Topaz Butterfly Earrings in Sterling Silver, Swarovski Crystal Twist Necklace; (Opposite page) Swarovski Blue Louison Earrings, Swarovski Blue Louison Bracelet, Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum
Gowns | Blush Bridal & Formal
Jewelry | (Top) Swarovski Green Crystal Angelic Bolo Bracelet, Swarovski Green Crystal Angelic Earrings; (Bottom) Swarovski Timeless Crystal Earrings
GUY STYLE
BRINGING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE INTO YOUR WEDDING ATTIRE
Customizing your wedding wardrobe can be a subtle way of bringing your own personal style into a traditional tuxedo type of affair. Here are a few ways to add some highlight notes to your wedding attire.
SHOES
Shoes make the man! Get creative with your footwear. Whether you choose matching high tops, bespoke dress shoes or velvet smoking slippers, your shoes can be a signature highlight of your wedding wardrobe.
JEWELRY
Jewelry isn’t just for the bride anymore! Get creative and think about cufflinks, tie bars, bracelets, necklaces, and even earrings. Jewelry is a great way to personalize your wedding attire with a bit of bling. Get creative and give jewelry to your groomsmen that they will wear at the wedding and use afterwards.
COLORS
A subtle nod to your wedding colors in your boutonniere, tie or pocket square, or even your suit itself can add a bit of flair to you and your groomsmen.
Tuxedos | The Henry’s Bridal Boutique Jewelry | (Left) Mens Wedding Band in 14kt Yellow Gold and Platinum, Citizen Corso Mens Watch with Blue Dial and Stainless Steel Bracelet; (Above) Mens Wedding Band in Platinum
MAINE WEDDINGS
Featured Photographers
Dory Diaz Photography, p. 88 Dory Diaz is a photographer specializing in weddings, lifestyle, and portrait photography. Originally from the Washington, DC, area, she has been based in Maine for the last ten years and travels all over the New England area.
Provencher Photography, p. 100 Natalia is passionate about love and life. It’s a dream come true for her to photograph love stories for the amazing couples who celebrate their love in every way.
Morgan Lynn Portraits, p. 94 Morgan Wiley is a lifestyle photographer who owns and operates Morgan Lynn Portraits, LLC in Houlton, Maine. Morgan strives to capture simplicity, joy, and personality for her clients and cherishes the opportunity to be a part of the many authentic, memorable moments in her clients’ lives. Morgan recently welcomed a son, Daxton, to the MLP team and is excited to take on motherhood.
Taylor Jan Photography, p. 106 Taylor Doyon is based in Southern Maine, but her bags are always packed and ready to go if your wedding needs her! Candid and fun photos are her favorite and she aims to capture the cute “I love you” moments between you and your spouse. “It’s all about emotion for me and I absolutely love what I do!”
SEASIDE Dreams
EMILY AND ILYA CELEBRATE AN INTIMATE WEDDING WEEKEND ON SOUTHPORT ISLAND
STORY BY ABIGAIL WORTHING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DORY DIAZ PHOTOGRAPHY
— Emily Degtev
When Emily and Ilya Degtev decided on a locale for their wedding weekend, traveling to Maine to be near the water was an easy decision.
“Maine is a very special place to me,” said Emily. “My dad grew up in Maine, and we have a house in Pine Point that we have been going to since I was a kid.”
Emily and Ilya met in their home state of Massachusetts. Emily is a native of Newton, and although Ilya was born in Russia, he grew up in Boston. For their first date, the couple had drinks at Saloon in Cambridge, Massachusetts. From the beginning, Emily knew that Ilya was “the one.”
“It was really all of the little things,” said Emily of her now-husband Ilya. “He is such a caring, supportive guy who always wants to make me happy.”
Throughout their courtship, Ilya and Emily found that they were always happy to be in each other’s company no matter what they were doing. The couple enjoyed exploring the area together and taking adventures to see new things. As Emily says, it didn’t matter to her if they were going for hikes, sitting on the couch, or just spending time with each other’s friends. She was always happy to simply be in the company of Ilya.
“I just knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him,” said Emily.
On the night Ilya proposed, he planned an evening filled with nostalgia for the two to enjoy before finally popping the question. It was the Friday before Emily’s birthday
when Ilya took her to one of her favorite restaurants in Beacon Hill to celebrate. 75 Chestnut was in the same neighborhood that the two had first lived together as a couple before moving to Cambridge. During dinner, Ilya surprised Emily with a trip to Miami for the weekend.
“It was a shock because it is very hard to surprise me,” said Emily. “Of course, I thought that was the big gift and the exciting moment for the night.”
Little did Emily know, there was another big surprise in store for her that evening. After dinner, the two took a stroll to see the old apartment they had shared.
“I thought that it was a little odd,” said Emily fondly of the memory. “But also extremely romantic.”
On the stroll, the couple held hands, enjoying the evening and reminiscing. Ilya then pulled Emily over to a spot outside their former apartment that he knew was Emily’s favorite place in Boston. It was there that Ilya got down on one knee.
“I honestly don’t remember anything he said at all because I was so excited,” said Emily of the proposal. “Knowing him, it was very sweet.”
For their wedding, the couple chose a classic
Maine wedding venue, Newagen Seaside Inn. Located in Southport, Newagen is nestled right on the coast with a stunning view of the ocean and most sides of the property. Emily and Ilya were especially fond of the venue because they could host all their guests on the property.
“It was just a fun, private weekend for our friends and family to spend time together,” said Emily.
The couple decided they didn’t want to stick to a “theme” for their big day. The most important thing, they agreed, was to have a fun weekend for their family, surrounded by love.
“Knowing people would be coming to Maine for the first time, we wanted our
THEIR PALETTE
PANTONE® 19-3921 Black Iris PANTONE® 13-3405 Lilac Snow
PANTONE® 13-4103 Illusion Blue PANTONE® 14-3903 Lilac Marble
MAINE VENDORS
Venue/Caterer: Newgen Seaside Inn, Southport Florist: Pretty Flowers, Brunswick Hair and makeup: Bei Capelli, Scarborough Cake: Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott, Westbrook Photographer: Dory Diaz Photography
friends and family to be able to experience some of the things we love about Maine as well,” said Emily of her wedding weekend.
Maine has had a special place in Emily’s heart since childhood, but throughout their relationship, Maine became a special place with Ilya as well. Early in their relationship, Emily brought Ilya on a trip to Maine to give him a tour of all of her favorite places and have him experience the place she loved so dearly.
“I showed him all of the local spots, like the Old Orchard Beach bars and arcades, the bingo halls, and where we could get the best lobster snacks,” said Emily. “Once we started to plan, we knew that we wanted to get married in Maine.”
When it came to planning the wedding, Emily counted on Ilya and her parents to help bring the wedding to fruition. The couple wanted to ensure that their guests had an experience that they would remember for a lifetime, so they took great care to add touches that would create a unique event.
To welcome their guests into town, Emily and Ilya arranged for their guests to enjoy a harbor cruise so that everyone could enjoy the views their chosen locale afforded. On the first evening of the wedding weekend, there
was a welcome dinner for their guests, during which Ilya’s family shared some of the traditions of their Russian heritage. The guests and happy couple spent their evening around the fire pit, laughing and eating s'mores to finish out the evening.
On the morning of the wedding, the bride, her mother, and the bridal party got ready together, eventually helping her into her gown she purchased at Kleinfeld’s, a joyful beginning to what would be a happy day. At the Newagen Seaside Inn, Emily and Ilya exchanged their vows on the property overlooking the scenic coastline.
“My happy place is definitely by the water,” said Emily.
In a poignant touch, Emily’s brother David officiated the ceremony. Emily notes that having her brother announce them as husband and wife and kissing her new husband was one of her favorite moments of the day.
To surprise their guests, Emily and Ilya arranged for a local farmer to bring two alpacas to visit with the guests during cocktail hour, a treat that caused much laughter amongst the guests and resulted in unique and fun photos.
The reception took place on the lawn, overlooking the grounds of the Newagen Seaside Inn. For dinner at the reception, the couple wanted to keep with the theme of allowing their guests to have an authentic “Maine” experience and chose to treat their guests to a lobster bake.
“The lobster bake was delicious,” said Emily of their dinner. “We wanted to give our guests a real Maine experience and keep things more casual, so that was the perfect dinner for us.”
The couple was grateful to have had a weekend filled with laughter and joy, surrounded by those they loved the most. Both Emily and Ilya look back fondly at a day filled with their favorite things about Maine.
“Maine has always reminded me of spending time with family and the fun trips I’ve taken there with friends,” said Emily. “We truly had a fun and loving weekend.”
IN EMILY'S WORDS
I’m so glad that... I married the most wonderful husband and was able to share such a special weekend with some of our closest friends and family. One of my favorite moments was... Do I have to choose? Honestly, every minute felt like my favorite moment for different reasons. Of course, having my brother say we were married and kissing Ilya as my husband for the first time was so special. Everything from getting ready with my mom and best friend; getting stuck in thorn bushes with my maid of honor as we walked to the first look; walking down the aisle with my dad; laughing hysterically with our alpaca guests; our first dance; and dancing the night away under the stars — I just didn’t want it to end. I wish... we had been able to have all of our friends and relatives with us but I know we were lucky to celebrate regardless. I also just wish we could do it all over again! I really liked... EVERYTHING! It was nice how intimate it ended up being, and I loved seeing my parents have so much fun and dancing the night away with us! My advice to other couples is... try to enjoy every moment and all of the little things, including going off and having a moment alone together. Do the best you can to not think about any of your original plans as soon as you get to your wedding weekend so you can just enjoy it all no matter what happens.
A WEDDING IN THE Woods
JERITH AND JASON STAGE A BOHEMIAN WEDDING ON ANCESTRAL LAND IN AROOSTOOK COUNTY
STORY BY SUSAN GRIEVE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY
Jerith Bailey and Jason Groom knew each other for quite a while before they officially met — they had mutual friends where they lived in Chicago. They bonded one night during dinner with the group, and the sparks began to fly. Their initial conversation started as they bonded over their mutual small-town backgrounds: Jerith is originally from Patten and Silver Ridge, ME, and Jason from Penn Yan, NY.
“Jason and I were in similar social circles for a while, just casual acquaintances. One night we were out to dinner with a large group of friends, and we found ourselves engaged in a passionate discussion about how we both loved living in the city but missed the rural, small-town areas where we grew up. It was loud at the restaurant, so we snuck away to our own table to continue talking. The next weekend he made his move to see if I was interested!”
After getting to know each other, Jerith and Jason developed a friendship that quickly turned into something more profound. Jerith realized at a pivotal time in her life that Jason was quickly becoming her soulmate. “I knew Jason was “the one” early in our relationship. I was going through a hard time in life, and I felt at rock bottom. I was upset one night, trying to figure out how to handle a big life problem
my best.”— Jerith Bailey
on my own, when he approached me and said, ‘I see you suffering right now. I know this is hard. I know you can do it. I’m here to help if you need me.’ At that moment, I knew that he would always have my back. He is the man who provides for me when I am at my lowest, so we can thrive when I am at my best.”
As the years went by, Jerith and Jason settled into their happy life together. His proposal was anything but traditional. It wasn’t a proposal at all! “Jason and I had been living together for about two years, and we were on an annual camping trip. One night around a campfire with our friends — he just leaned over and casually said, ‘You are going to be my wife one day.’ I will admit that I raised an eyebrow, but he was right, so I didn’t contradict him. I did, however, make him wait. I never verbally agreed and instead just planned a wedding I knew he would love and invited him to it!”
Jerith and Jason’s love of their smalltown roots influenced their wedding plans, which led them to Maine — back to Jerith’s hometown of Silver Ridge. Jerith, her mother, and grandmother all grew up planning in the same woods in northeastern Maine. They planned their wedding ceremony and reception in these same woods and orchards that have been in Jerith’s family for generations.
“When I was planning the wedding, I toyed with a lot of different ideas — eloping on our own to Iceland, renting out the brewery Jason works at for a big shindig, you name it, I thought of it. But in the end, the opportunity to get married presented itself. A bunch of our friends, our chosen family really, got together to travel to Maine for a two-week trip. I decided to do it then, and I didn’t tell anyone in advance. When folks arrived for the vacation, I handed them an invitation for the wedding, two days away, and asked them to come.” The couple decided not to have a specific theme for their wedding and instead chose to make decisions that made them the happiest. “Our location was so gorgeous that we didn’t need a specific decor theme, but overall, I made decisions that prioritized being happy,” Jerith remembers.
“If something felt stressful, I cut it from the day. Whenever I had a choice, I made the one that would allow us to focus on how much
MAINE VENDORS
Photographer: Morgan Lynn Portraits Caterer: Jerith, with Ellis Family Market from Patten, Maine Florist: Georgia Bragdon McNally, Patten Drug Store Florals
PANTONE® 19-1652 Rhubarb PANTONE® 12-0106 Meadow Mist THEIR
PALETTE
PANTONE® 17-1755 Paradise Pink PANTONE® 13-0905 Birch
IN JERITH’S WORDS
I’m so glad that... I was able to relax and have a stress-free day where I could focus on the man I love and the people who support us. One of my favorite moments was... listening to Jason’s vows. They were incredibly thoughtful and touching, especially the part where he told me that he would “defend me from illiterate hacks.” I didn’t realize... how lovely it would feel to be married. We had lived together for a while before tying the knot, and I didn’t think things would change. But now, there is lightness, a sense of belonging that I didn’t feel before. I wish... that I’d eaten more cake. Seriously. It was so delicious. I really liked... how much nature we were able to incorporate into our ceremony. It felt very centering, and like God and love were present in the details. My advice to other couples is... to make decisions for themselves, without worrying about anyone else. It is a day to focus on your love together and the unique components of your relationship.
we loved each other. So maybe the theme was stress-free!”
As their planning progressed, Jerith’s family pitched in and helped the couple integrate important memories into the day.
“My aunt and cousins, who all live in Maine, helped me plan everything from afar. They produced it all that day so that I could have a quiet, stress-free day. It was such an incredible gift! All of the decor for our wedding was sourced from my grandmother’s house that sits on the property. We brought out antique tables, artwork, teacups for the wine, and dishes from her china set. My aunt and cousins decorated the space for us with flowers from their gardens and even set up a small altar with pictures of my late mother and candles so that we could feel her with us. She loved Jason!”
Additional meaningful touches included whimsical things like Jason’s favorite birds printed on his socks, tie, and pocket square, and Jerith’s special Cartier love bracelet to which Jason holds the screwdriver. Jerith also realized her dream of a velvet wedding dress — in a beautiful rich red that matched the colors of the forest and fields.
Ultimately, they kept things stress-free and simple and let the location and atmosphere itself set the tone for the day. “Because we were married during the pandemic, we kept our reception small and held it in the same location. We didn’t have a traditional reception with dinner and dancing but instead hosted those who could attend for a very casual picnic outside in the apple orchard. The whole affair lasted only two hours, and it was perfect. We took our pictures in a lane behind the house filled with pine trees and old cars that I grew up playing on as a kid. And I went barefoot just like I did as a child.”
Jerith and Jason’s wedding day finally arrived. Jerith remembers it being peaceful and full of special memories. “Our day was so stress-free it was glorious. In the morning, I went for a swim in the frigid water in Island Falls with some girlfriends and then ate a lovely breakfast our best man prepared for us. We went into town to pick up my flowers, drove to my grandmother’s house, and got ready separately. I did my hair and makeup by myself, in the same room I’d used to get ready as a child for many years. I liked that, and it felt like tons of my female ancestors were with me.” “When it was time for the ceremony, things went off so easily, with nothing but joy! I was thankful to be able to savor the moment and listen with an open and carefree heart to our officiant’s words and Jason’s vows to care for me”. I asked my grandmother to walk me down the aisle. She had a big smile on her face, and I’ll never forget it.” Then walked down the aisle to their favorite song, “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell, performed by their friends Addison and Clara.
Afterward, the small group gathered on picnic blankets to relax and enjoy the food prepared by Jerith and Jason. “I’m well known in our group of friends for my charcuterie boards, so I catered the wedding myself, and made an elaborate spread, and included all of my man’s favorites. I served it on a cutting board that I made Jason for Christmas a few years prior.” As a special treat for Jerith, Jason made the wedding cake himself. “Jason made our wedding cake, a pavlova, from scratch the evening before. It is my favorite dessert, and I’ve never successfully been able to make one, so he learned how to do it for me as a sign that we will always help each other.”
Not to be outdone, Jerith surprised Jason with six bottles of wine from his favorite winery in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
Despite the challenges posed by 2020, Jerith and Jason’s wedding was exactly how they envisioned it, and they wouldn’t have had it any other way.
MAINE’S MOUNTAINMagic
BEN AND RYAN’S MIDCOAST
WEDDING ON MOUNT BATTIE
STORY BY ABIGAIL WORTHING PHOTOGRAPHY BY PROVENCHER PHOTOGRAPHY
When Ryan Reynolds traveled to Freeport to do a little shopping for Mother’s Day, he had no idea he would also meet the love of his life in Benjamin Dunbar, a classic case of being in the right place at the right time.
After a run-in, while perusing the outlets, their meet-cute in the village ended with lunch. The two kept in touch after, and for almost the first full year of their relationship, their romance was long distance.
“It wasn’t long into the relationship that I started to think that he was the one,” said Ben. “When I realized how many times I had driven over 3 hours to see him in the first few months, I knew something was up.”
For Ryan, the feeling was mutual.
“I knew I couldn’t go wrong hitching my wagon to his star,” says Ryan.
Since then, the couple has learned from each other and grown together, and both say that they have adopted traits they admire from the other.
“I was always drawn to how driven Ben was. He had goals, short term, and long term, some modest and some lofty. I liked that he was a
— Benjamin Dunbar
man with a plan,” said Ryan. “I’d like to think this quality of his has rubbed off on me.”
For Ben, he appreciated that Ryan made him laugh right away and always pushed him out of his comfort zone in a way that always felt right.
“Together, we have grown and become better versions of ourselves,” said Ben.
While on vacation together in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, Ben had planned to set the stage for popping the question. Under the guise of “not wanting to fumble with a self-timer or take a selfie,” Ben had previously arranged for a photographer to capture the big moment in front of some of the most beautiful sites the park has to offer; Peyto Lake, the Canadian Rockies, and Victoria Glacier. Right at sunset, Ben proposed, and the photos of the big moment are some of the couple’s favorites.
When thinking about where they’d like to get married, Ben and Ryan wanted to stay true to their love of being outside and hiking. For the ceremony, they chose to exchange
THEIR PALETTE
PANTONE® 18-4032 Deep Water PANTONE® 19-5232 Rain Forest
MAINE VENDORS
Planner: Audrey Knowlton (reception layout), 16 Bay View, Camden Venue/Caterer: 16 Bay View, Camden Engagement Ring/Wedding Rings: Ellsworth Jewelers, Ellsworth Wedding cake: Janice Strout, Celebration Cakes, Hulls Cove Reception Music: Collin Spillane, Lucky Penny DJ, Portland Transportation: Northeast Charter & Tour (they were incredible to work with and were very understanding when we had to cut the guest list and cancel the reservation.) Photographer: Natalia Provencher Photography, Windham
vows on the summit of Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park, which is accessible by road, with a reception that followed at 16 Bay View in downtown Camden.
Hosting their wedding in Camden was the natural choice for the couple who would visit the seaside town multiple times a year. Both had grown up near the ocean, so choosing a locale close to the water was a must. With Ben having grown up in Southwest Harbor and Ryan in Kennebunkport, Camden was a relative midpoint between their two hometowns, which was convenient for both families.
“We wanted to be near the ocean for the big moment,” said Ryan. “Exchanging vows on the mountaintop was the perfect location.”
When planning their wedding, the couple didn’t have a central theme for the day and knew that they wanted to keep the décor and everything else simple.
“We wanted the nature of the location to speak for itself,” said Ben.
Highlighting natural elements was a crucial factor in the reception as well, and Ben and Ryan chose to incorporate live plants into the decor. The colors of the suits the couple decided to wear for the day were mirrored in colors chosen for the reception.
In keeping with their theme of simplicity, the couple elected not to have a large wedding party, choosing instead to focus entirely on their union. Ben and Ryan felt this kept the focus on joining their lives and not on the minutiae of trying to keep a wedding party on task.
In joining the ranks of couples in 2020, overcoming the hurdles thrown their way due to the pandemic, Ben and Ryan first rescheduled what was supposed to be a May wedding to October and created two guest lists for their family and friends. The first guest list was for the outdoor ceremony, where a larger group of (masked) guests were able to join to watch the couple exchange vows at the mountain’s summit. The second, more intimate guest list was for the indoor reception.
“It was difficult to pick and choose, but our guests were very understanding of the restrictions in place at the time,” said Ben.
The couple had prepaid the State Park fees, so guests were encouraged to drive up and enjoy the view while they waited for the ceremony to start. The couple considered themselves lucky to have the opportunity to bend tradition, and each walked their mothers down the aisle. During the ceremony, Ryan and Ben exchanged vows they had written for each other.
“I went first, followed by Ben,” said Ryan. “It was incredible to hear how similar some of the moments in our vows were, even though we hadn’t previewed them with each other. It was emotional and exciting and more than we could have expected.”
Following the ceremony, the couple had a receiving line at the top of Mount Battie for the guests who would not be joining them down at the reception.
In another break from tradition, the couple elected to only take a few photos on the day of in Camden Harbor, and returned to the site of their nuptials the following day back in their wedding finery to take portraits.
“This was one of our favorite things because we not only got to take our time and explore the mountain a bit more, but we also got to choose the optimal time of day for lighting without having to worry about scheduling issues.”
After photos at the harbor, the couple entered their reception. While the couple did have help from their loved ones and Audrey Knowlton from 16 Bay View, the couple prided themselves on doing most of the planning work themselves, from the floral arrangements to the boutonnieres worn during the ceremony.
“Ben is very hands-on when it comes to any kind of project, and chances are he wouldn’t have been happy with the results if he hadn’t done it himself,” said Ryan affectionately. “We knew what we wanted, and we knew what we needed to do to make it happen.”
Ben and Ryan have both had an affinity for doing things their way, and the food they chose for their wedding was no exception.
“We chose to do breakfast for dinner,” said Ryan. “It’s our favorite meal, and while it surprised a lot of guests, we think they really enjoyed it!”
The couple had their first dance immediately following their entrance into the reception, and each danced with their mothers following dinner before opening up the dance floor to their guests. The dancing continued into the night until, as the couple said, “the dancing wore them all out,” and the day came to a blissful close.
IN BEN & RYAN’S WORDS
I’m so glad that... no one contracted Covid-19 as a result of our wedding. One of my favorite moments was... our entrance into the reception hall and feeling relief from having completed the ceremony and getting to enjoy everyone’s company. I didn’t realize... how quickly time would pass once we began getting ready. I wish... I had remembered all my clothing (Ryan). I really liked... how everyone really was there for us and did what they could to make us feel special for the day. My advice to other couples is... relax. Do not take the day too seriously. Remember, the wedding will not start without you. It’s supposed to be fun. If you aren’t having fun, chances are your guests aren’t either. Something will go wrong, roll with it and laugh about it later.
MeELOPE
MARIAH AND ISAIAH KEEP IT SIMPLE IN THEIR PERFECT MAINE ELOPEMENT
STORY BY SUSAN GRIEVE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAYLOR JAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Mariah and Isaiah met through a mutual friend who thought they would be a good match. They both thought otherwise.
“I wasn’t interested in a relationship or Isaiah. He was a college football player, and I (falsely) prejudged. Isaiah was weary, too, because he focused on football and school, not girls. We both don’t know how we went from that to seriously dating within months.”
From the start of this deepening relationship, Mariah remembers that she and Isiah faced challenges from the very beginning that strengthened their bond.
“We have faced an obscene number of trials and tribulations right from the start. But one HUGE triumph had the potential to be a make-or-break situation. This happened just five months into our relationship. Most people would just have moved on. But, instead, we decided to stick with each other and figure out how to solve the issue together.” Isaiah remembers that “It made our lives incredibly difficult as we were figuring out how to deal with this obstacle. Finally, we realized that we were working as a team.”
Isaiah knew it was forever at that moment, but it took Mariah a little longer to realize.
Looking back, Mariah realizes that this significant event was a catalyst and became the couple’s mantra: Through thick and thin.
“We took the advice of many happy elderly couples, and it turns out that working through issues, even the most challenging ones, will eventually strengthen your love and bond.”
Isaiah planned the proposal for sunrise on a cold March morning at the beach in Salisbury, Massachusetts. He set up hot cocoa and blankets on the jetty. He had been holding on to the ring in December and
THEIR PALETTE
PANTONE® 15-3919 Serenity PANTONE® 18-4214 Stormy Weather
MAINE VENDORS
Photographer: Taylor Jan Photography, Saco Wedding Lunch: Fisherman’s Catch, Wells Wedding Cake: Hannaford Bakery, Wells
didn’t want to wait any longer. Mariah was under the impression that it was just a romantic date — something she and Isaiah often did. As they drove to the beach, Isaiah asked Mariah if she was ready for marriage yet. Mariah remembers that “we talked about the future often so that this was also not an unusual or random question.” Mariah wanted to wait a minimum of 5 years, and it had only been 21/2 and she told Isaiah she was not ready.
“We went on with the date, and Isaiah asked anyway! He was so nervous that he was shaking and almost dropped the ring in the jetty. I said yes! It was a very long engagement. Compromise!”
When the time was right, Mariah and Isaiah decided to elope. They chose to come to Maine, to the Town Hall in Wells. Isaiah remembers, “We decided it was now or never, so we chose to elope! The pandemic had many restrictions on travel, etc. and Mariah called town and city halls up and down the coast from southern New Hampshire to
IN MARIAH & ISAIAH’S WORDS:
I’m so glad that... it was a perfect day! We finally got married as best friends. One of my favorite moments was... it’s tough to choose. Mariah says lobster rolls. Isaiah loved taking photos. I didn’t realize... how calm we would be on the day! I wish... for forever and a day. I really liked... our photographer. Taylor is 100/10! My advice to other couples is... work through issues. Fight for each other. You are a unit.
northern Maine to see where would allow it. Once we created that list, we researched the actual locations to see which would fit the aesthetic. We narrowed that list even further and took a day trip to see these places in person. Wells, Maine, is a beautiful town. The Town Hall has beautiful pillars and gardens outside. Beside the building are these enchanting architectural boulders and trees. Wells also offered an eclectic array of scenery that was perfect for photos! Plus, Ogunquit was next door for a mini-moon!”
Mariah and Isaiah’s wedding day arrived with little fanfare, but their excitement was running high! They decided to keep some of the traditional wedding day formalities.
“The night before, we got a 2-bedroom cottage so we could sleep separately and get ready separately,” Mariah explains. “We still wanted to have a genuine first look! We held the ceremony outside Town Hall under the pillars and took photos in the garden and the enchanted forest. Afterwards, we found an adorable restaurant, Fisherman’s Catch, and “toasted” our marriage with classic Maine lobster rolls in a wedding dress and wedding garb!”
In an act symbolic of the adjustments made while planning a pandemic wedding, Mariah and Isaiah cut their cake on the hood of their car on the side of the road. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.
