Hello, dear readers!
We at AFA hope you are doing well this Monday morning as it is a busy time for all. Kids are returning to school (if they haven’t already) and if you’re anything like us, you are already preparing for the upcoming excitement of the holiday season and all of the coordination that comes along with it. It’s never too early!
I’d like to invite you to take a breather from the madness we all know and love so well, and instead grab a cup of coffee (or mimosa…), pay a quick visit to Samoset Resort, and meet: Sydney and Drew!
Samoset Resort was always meant to be the place where these two would be married- long before they’d even met!
“I am from Maine and grew up going on daddy-daughter weekends at the Samoset with my dad and sister, Abby.” Sydney said. “It has always remained a special place to us and I have fond and cherished memories from weekends spent by the sea, walking out to the lighthouse, and unwinding in what feels like a slice of Maine heaven.”
Later, when Sydney and Drew met, it all just seemed to fall into place on the highest level. Sydney recalled,
“I met my now husband, Drew, at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. It only felt right we find a venue in Midcoast Maine, near to where our story started.
And right they were! Samoset Resort turned out to be the most perfect venue for these lovebirds.
But even the venue was still just one piece of their beautiful day. Aside from the most important piece (the love between Sydney and Drew, of course!), meet the vendors who brought all the rest of the puzzle pieces together in the best way:
Wedding planner: A Family Affair Maine Florals: Bad Rabbit Venue/Catering/Accommodation: Samoset Resort Rehearsal Dinner: Primo Cake: Laugh Loud Smile Big Bakery Transportation: Luce Transportation Stationary: Little Ivy Paper Goods, Hemlock Ridge Designs Lighting: Griffin & Griffin Rentals & Decor: A Family Affair of Maine, Wallace Events, Nuage Photographer: Courtney Elizabeth Photography Entertainment: Plush Beauty: Jennifer Nieman, Arianna Cosmetology, Skin by Skyler
Samoset Resort Welcomes You!
Sydney and Drew’s wedding weekend began with a welcome party, rehearsal, and dinner. This was a wonderful time for guests to settle in, get to know one-another, and offer any last minute well-wishes to the bride and groom to be!
What was the best part of the planning process?
I think the best part of the planning process was piece by piece pulling together a collective vibe of how we hoped our wedding would feel. With each vendor, and our planners at AFA, we were able to string a look and feel and environment that was really unique to us! We also REALLY trusted each vendor and I think the best part was still being surprised and blown away by how it all came together and turned out!
Knowing all of the planning would come together to give us the most special weekend possible made the process the most rewarding.
The next morning, it was time to get ready for the big day. Sydney and her girls had a blast in their matching comfies, drinking champagne by the water, and getting dolled up to the MAX.
What did you love the most about your venue?
It was really important to us, as much as it was feasible, to have all our friends in family in one place throughout the entire weekend! We wanted it to feel like we were truly having one giant sleepover with our most favorite people. The Samoset Resort was that and more.
Before having photos taken with her girls, Sydney had a sweet first look with her dad.
Drew and the guys were having some fun of their own as they got ready, too!
It’s Time!
The wedding was held in October 2024. It was a stunning- and emotional- day for all. Tears were shed as Sydney made her way to Drew who waited for her at the altar. They didn’t stop either when the couple read their written vows to each other before their closest family and friends.
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!)
This is SO hard! I really think our ceremony set the mood for the rest of the wedding day. Sharing our incredibly personal and private vows in front of our 180 guests felt so intimate and yet we felt like we were giving every guest a true look into what our love and relationship is like. I was so proud of us both for the intention and meaning we put into our vows. We laughed, we cried (sobbed actually) and we basked in the glow of magic off the Maine coast behind us. Our officiant, my cousin and bridesmaid Sarah, did the most incredible job describing our love and leading us through the ceremony. She was so vibrant and sure-footed and brought so much life and love into our ceremony.
After the sweetest ceremony, guests wiped away their happy tears and headed over for cocktail hour. Nothing like some fresh oysters and a drink (or two) after a host of such emotional and love-filled moments!
“Listening through the almost 20 minutes of messages when we got the audio file back melted our hearts and brought tears to our eyes.”
A unique touch Sydney and Drew opted for came in the form of an audio guestbook, where guests could come up to a classic-style phone and leave a message for the happy couple. We could not have loved this idea more!
Another favorite part of your wedding weekend?
I feel like the energy we created carried effervescently into our reception. The tent was SO romantic with the hanging flowers and string lights and it felt like we were al fresco dining under an October sky. The speeches were absolutely incredible and carried on with the same sentiment of vulnerability and pure love overflowing.
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves: Sydney and Drew’s tent was absolutely to die for. Bursting with ivory, coastal greens and blush corals, the reception space reflected the couple’s soft yet sophisticated coastal theme perfectly.
Speaking of, shout out to Bad Rabbit for their timeless, elegant, and romantic florals. Very fitting for both the couple and Samoset!
What do you feel your guest will remember the most about your wedding?
I think they will remember the incredible love and energy that carried throughout the tent. I feel like everyone took a piece of our vows or the speeches and saw a piece of it in their own love with their partner, or parents or kids.
After the sun set, the rest of the night was only beginning. Speeches were given…
Dinner was served…
…and the dance floor was OPEN!
“Our dance-floor could not be beat! Not one person was sitting and our band, Plush, crushed it as always. To end the night with Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’ while everyone blew bubbles from bubble guns all around us couldn’t have felt more fairy tale if it tried!”
Any advice for couples on their wedding day or throughout the planning process?
1) First and foremost remember why they are doing all of this planning and work! It is to be married and join your lives together. Planning will have some stressors no matter what but it’s important to pause in those moments and remember the reason behind all the time, money and effort!
And 2) I would say to trust and communicate with your vendors and planners. Communication is always key and everyone works so hard to give you your best day. The more you can speak up, even if you want changes or don’t feel right about something, the more you will get your dream day and everyone leaves the happiest they can be! On your wedding day, and it’s truly so cliche, but enjoy EVERY MOMENT. I’ve never had a day go by so quickly and so dream-like in my entire life. Once you get to the actual day, you cannot plan or predict everything that will happen. It could rain (it poured the morning on our wedding) but truly try to stay in the moment, because you could end up getting sunshine and rainbows later on (we did!) Pinch yourself every now in then to remember where you are and be where your feet are – it goes by in a blink
Sydney and Drew, your day was an effortless reflection of you both as individuals, your love for each other, and the love your family and friends have for you (and vice versa!).
It was so wonderful getting to know you both and helping you create the wedding of your dreams. We wish you all the happiness for years to come!
Love the rentals Sydney and Drew 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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