Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

Marie and Will’s wedding struck the perfect balance of traditional and modern, with a healthy dose of classic Maine character mixed in.

Guests gathered at St. Joseph’s Church in Portland, ME to witness Marie and Will’s vows. After the, “I do’s” the happy couple led partygoers to the nearby railroad, where everyone enjoyed private cocktail hour rides with a view of Casco Bay. The festivities continued at the Portland Company Complex, where white tablescapes, lush centerpieces and gleaming farm tables came together to create a chic vibe of rustic elegance.

Photography: emilie inc., Emilie and Lindsay

Ceremony: St. Joseph’s Church, Portland

Cocktail hour: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad

Venue: The Portland Company

Coordination & Catering: Kitchen Chicks Catering

Floral Design: Flora Fauna

Cake: Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott

Entertainment: DJ Jon

Beauty: Randi Preis

Lighting: The Event Light Pros

Transportation: VIP

Gown: Love Couture, Potomac, MD

Bridesmaids: J Crew

Groomsmen: Alton Lane, Richmond, VA

Mini-moon: Inn at Sunrise Point, Camden

Spring Smith Studios

*see more New England wedding photographers here!

Happy Memorial Day! We hope you are all enjoying the long weekend with your loved ones. We’d like to take a minute to honor and thank all of the service men and women who have served our country. [Photo: Dana & Brennan, Eric Foley Photography]

Eric McCallister Photography

*see more New England wedding photographers here!

Meadowmere Resort

Located in the heart of picturesque Ogunquit, ME, Meadowmere Resort is the perfect place for couples and guests to enjoy a wedding weekend.

The hotel has a longstanding history as a sought after accommodations spot for couples tying the knot on the coast of Southern Maine. While the venue itself doesn’t typically host weddings, they are located a short distance from many top-tier venues in the area. When you stay at the Meadowmere Resort, you’ll enjoy the very best standard of New England hospitality. Sumptuous rooms, an outdoor pool, and award-winning health club and spa are just a few of the many perks this hotel has to offer. The resort also offers intimate elopement packages for couples wishing to tie the knot in a small ceremony by the sea.

Planning a New England wedding? Selecting your gift registries can often be just as tricky as choosing your color palette or floral design. We’re here to help! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite unique gift registry ideas for couples seeking something beyond the typical department store registry.

Today, the wedding industry provides couples with a wide range of creative freedom when it comes to venues, design details, attire and more. In the past decade, we’ve seen gift registries follow suit, with more “unconventional” giving avenues joining the ranks of home goods listings. Here are some of our favorites that break the mold of the traditional standard of wedding gift etiquette:

Honeymoon Fund
Is your dream honeymoon destination halfway around the world? Websites like Honeyfund.com and Wanderable.com make it easy for friends and family to contribute monetary gifts towards a couple’s vacation in lieu of physical gifts. The website is free to register and simple for guests to use, allowing custom dollar amounts to be granted with well wishes.

Local Favorites
Another fun, unique way for guests to contribute to your first year of newly wedded bliss is to give gift cards. What do you like to do together in your home town? Create a list of restaurants, cinemas, cafes, bookstores, museums, sporting events, etc. that you love and share these as your “registry” for gift card giving.  

Charitable Donations
Many couples often wish to opt out of the gift giving tradition entirely. However, you may find guests still want to gift you something to commemorate the big day. In this case, charitable donations are a great idea! Select several charities that you support and share donation instructions with your guests. Instead of money spent on material gifts, guests can donate in honor of your celebration.

Future Investments
Extra funds are often something newly married couples need most, however explicitly asking for cash on your wedding website or invites can feel a bit awkward. Erase awkwardness from the equation and register on a site like Upon Our Star, where you can post about a project or goal for your married future. Whether it be a a new car, the down payment on a house, or funds for renovations, friends and family will love the idea of directly contributing to your life together.