As the weather begins to cool down and usher out the last of the Summer heat, we thought it’d be a great time to introduce Kate and Max and their stunner of a wedding on Walnut Hill.
You can probably already tell that Kate and Max’s wedding was elegant, moody, rustic, and all things romantic.
Imagine this: Family and friends gathering for a sweet ceremony nestled between the trees; fresh and locally sourced food and drink; a reception beneath beams draped with greenery and hand-wrought chandeliers; and a first dance for the books.
Excited yet? We know we are!! So grab a local drink, get cozy, and let’s meet this incredible couple and all the vendors who helped make their day as beautiful as they are.
Wedding planner: A Family Affair Maine Florals: Broadturn Farm Rehearsal Dinner: Oxbow, Ri Ra Venue: The Barn on Walnut Hill, Maine Craft Distilling Lighting: Griffin & Griffin Catering: Shovel & Spoon, Dear Dairy Rentals & Decor: A Family Affair of Maine, One Stop Events, Borrowed Blu Transportation: Maine Limo, NorthEast Charter & Tour Co. Inc. Photographer: Wylde Photo Entertainment: East Coast Soul, Guitarist (Nick Renner), Vocalist (Annie Watt), Beauty: Sparrow Hair, Jessa Blades Bar and Beverage: Maine Mixologist, Hop + Vine
Kate and her girls got ready at the Farmhouse, a classic Maine-style home on the grounds of Walnut Hill.
After getting ready, Kate and Max met each other for an emotional first look.
We love when couples decide to do a first look. It’s such an intimate moment, and perfect for couples to have a second to themselves… before all the excitement ensues!
Did we mention portraits on the pickle ball court? (Yes, you read that right.)
Kate, Max, and their bridal party gathered at the pickle ball court on the grounds for photos. We are absolutely floored at how these turned out. Stunning AND fun!
Spoiler alert: The bride and groom might return to this very court at nighttime for some couple photos that are just as cool.
What was the best part of the planning process?
Starting with an idea and working with Paula and Jordan and our other vendors to flesh out the details and bring it to fruition. Seeing some of the first things we knew we wanted become a reality on our wedding day was so meaningful and gratifying.
Nestled in the forest grove, the sweet flower girls paved the way for the ceremony to begin.
Kate and Max delivered written vows to each other as they aimed to make their day as personal to them as possible. Their vows were notably one of the guest’s favorite part of the wedding day.
It was also important to Kate and Max to celebrate Maine and all the natural beauty and local fares it has to offer throughout their special day. We think this ceremony space spoke easily for itself. The scene was straight out of a storybook!
Wylde Photo captured the romance between these two flawlessly.
What do you feel your guest will remember the most about your wedding?
We consistently heard two things from our friends and family about our wedding: That they loved our vows and that they LOVED the food.
It was important for us to make the wedding feel very personal to who we are as individuals and as a couple, so we were happy to hear that came through. And it was also important for us to celebrate Maine and raise up local producers, food among them. Our caterer, Shovel & Spoon, grew all of the produce used at our wedding locally at their farm and sourced all other ingredients from the area, which we really valued. So we were thrilled to hear that the food really stood out to guests.
After the ceremony the newlyweds and guests headed over for cocktail hour.
Cocktail hour included a mobile bar by Hop + Vine, plenty of champagne, and lots of small touches.
The couple requested everything to be as local as possible; oysters, produce, locally brewed beer… even the flowers were locally grown.
When it came to florals, Kate and Max went with a combination of warm and muted tones to achieve a cohesively organic yet wild energy. Shout-out to Broadturn Farm for these gorgeous arrangements!
The Barn was beautifully decked out for the reception.
Wildflower arrangements filled the tables, greenery hung from the beams above, and warm lighting highlighted the innate beauty of the space. It was an absolutely stunning picture, to say the least.
What did you love the most about your venue?
Hard to choose! We felt we found the right people to work with, in Essie and Mike, first and foremost. We loved that they contributed a portion of profits to charitable organizations that align with our values.
Max first fell in love with the barn because of the smell – the old wood smelled like the lodge in Searsmont, ME where we grew up spending summers. Kate loved the beauty and serenity of the ceremony grove, and the beautiful grounds with such wonderful flowers.
Kate and Max shared their first dance to the song, “I Found a Meaning” by the Velvet Underground. It was performed by several of the couple’s close friends. This was a moment they’d been imagining for so long and it came to life in the most perfect way.
We know it is so hard to choose- but what was your favorite part of your wedding weekend? (If you can’t choose, feel free to tell us a few!)
We both agreed that our favorite moment of the weekend was our first dance. Four of our friends who are musicians performed a song that is very meaningful to us, “I Found a Reason”, by the Velvet Underground. Our friends performed it beautifully – it was another one of those things that we had been picturing for so long and to have that moment arrive was incredibly powerful. During our dance we both felt totally immersed in our love for each and it felt like the crowd around us just melted away.
After a locally sourced dinner by Shovel & Spoon and a host of heartfelt speeches, it was time for the newlyweds and their guests to hit the dance floor. East Coast Soul kept everyone jamming all night long!!
Any advice for couples on their wedding day or throughout the planning process?
Don’t beat yourself up for stressing about small things, then also accept that everything will not go perfectly. And those small things that may differ from how you envisioned them really won’t detract from the joy that you feel on the day.
Kate and Max, we can’t thank you enough for allowing us to be a part of your beautiful day. We wish you many more years of happiness and love to come!!
Love the rentals Kate and Max used? Check out our rental shop! If you’re ready to plan the party, event, or wedding of your dreams, contact us today.
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