Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

With New Year’s Eve almost upon us, we can’t help but wonder how many revelers will “ring” in 2012 with a sparkly new bauble on their finger.

This season of mistletoe and midnight kisses brings out the romance more than any other time of year. December remains the most popular month to get engaged, hosting 16% of all proposals, according to TheKnot. That tops even February, with all of its “Will you be my Valentine?” wishes. In fact, our very own Jen Pepper said “Yes!” to her man on Christmas Eve last year amid twinkling holiday lights.

Many of 2011’s freshly betrothed couples won’t actually walk down the aisle until 2012, however. TheKnot reports that the average engagement lasts 14 months these days, and brides in the Northeast wait even longer, averaging 15.5 months. A girl needs time to plan, right?

As we recently heard in the news, a girl also needs the kindness of strangers. Katelyn Peckham of Massachusetts accidentally left her half-carat engagement ring on the Haverhill commuter train earlier this month, after taking it off to apply hand sanitizer. Only after she arrived at work did she realize the family heirloom was missing. Luckily, a pure-hearted conductor found the ring and returned it to a greatly relieved Katelyn. Phew.

It’s the kind of story we love to hear as we enter a new year full of hope and anticipation. With that small act of kindness still warming our hearts, we sign off for 2011. We hope you’ll all be back in 2012, and can’t wait to welcome the newest would-be brides and grooms out there. Wishing you all the best!

Is 2012 really almost here? It seems like just yesterday we were introducing you to Wild Orchid Baking Company and gushing over touching proposal stories. Turns out it’s been almost a year since then, which got us thinking about all we’ve shared with you in 2011.

We’ve compiled Love & Lobster’s top read posts of the year, and you’ll find everything from décor to fashion to one beautiful love story. A few of the most popular posts appeared just in the last month, a happy discovery that tells us more brides and grooms are visiting Love & Lobster each day. Welcome all!

L&L: Best of 2011

10. Asking for the parents’ blessing: Our friend Beppie Cerf offered a parent’s perspective on sitting down with a daughter’s suitor.

9. Suckers for seersucker: It’s not just for Southern gents anymore.

8. Wedding inspiration: Pomegranate: That ruby shade and sweet flavor – what’s not to love?

7. Wedding inspiration: Tights: You can rock ‘em on your wedding day, too.

6. Mason jar lanterns: Sure, they’re trendy, but we can’t help but love these.

5. Photo booth props: DIY sunglasses and bowties, anyone?

4. Vendor tour: French’s Point: This stunning venue on Penobscot Bay is one of our all-time favorites.

3. The love story of Chris and Meg: York Harbor + lobster + these two lovebirds = perfection.

2. Saving the wedding cake: Learn where this offbeat tradition originated.

1. Unconventional wedding officiants: The pros and cons of being wed by a loved one.

What was your favorite post of 2011? Tell us in the comments.

8.27.11 ~ Vera and George

Portland, Maine

George and I met when I was still in high school. I adored his sense of humor and his genuine kindness. Our love grew out of a friendship. He knew how to make me laugh; we just shared everything in common, even our love for comedians. When we first met I felt an instant connection but I never thought or even considered dating him- he was just someone I got along with. It wasn’t until later that I realized I couldn’t live without him. Our relationship was long distance- he lived in New Hampshire and I lived in Maine. We talked every day and whenever I’d have a day off or if it was the weekend he would drive up to see me. We would always go to the Old Port and walk around to look at the different shops, and just to hang out at our local coffee shop. We enjoyed walking together even when it was unbelievably cold outside.

As time went by our love grew stronger and on our one year anniversary he proposed on our trip to Boston. It was absolutely perfect. He serenaded me, there were fireworks and he asked me the one question that I’d been waiting to hear. Our wedding was August 27th, the entire week I dealt with the fear of Hurricane Irene. Every time I watched the news or turned on the radio a newscaster would say how horrible of a weekend we were going to have with rain, wind and one unhappy bride. This was something I chose not to believe I knew the weather would be absolutely perfect. Also the fact that I’ve been praying for good weather on my wedding day ever since I was five may have helped out a little bit.

So come Saturday I woke up and anxiously peaked out the window. There was nothing out there besides blue skies and the sun shining down from above for me and for every other bride getting married in Maine! After getting ready with the girls we took the limo to Old Port where George and I would see each other for the first time on our wedding day. I thought the Old Port was the perfect touch because that’s where our love and relationship grew. The whole morning I was so anxious, nervous and awaited what this day would be like. It wasn’t until George turned around that all of the feelings of nervousness disappeared and pure happiness flooded across my face. The ceremony was touching and exactly what I pictured the moment to be like. After the ceremony the reception awaited us and there we got to eat and enjoy not just the touching speeches everybody had for us but all of my planning and decorating come together. The time we had for a quick photo shoot right after the reception was our moment to escape all of our guests and just to enjoy our first day as husband and wife. Then we grabbed our wedding party and headed off to Old Orchard beach for some fun. Old Orchard was the perfect way to end the day- there were a ton of people congratulating us and the lights from the carousel created a dreamy atmosphere.

Vendors:
Limo – Atlantic limousine
Reception Decor – Balloon Magic
Catering – Family and Friends
Photographer – Yuriy Manchik Photographers
Videographer – Aperina Studios

Clockwise from top center: Scott Lawrence, Amie Fedora Photography, Miller + Miller Wedding Photography, Shannon Ho Photography, Dorie Lynn, Clark + Walker Studio, Kristin Vining Photography

Bridal shows are probably the last thing on your mind during this hectic time of year, but 2012 is already filling up with wedding events you won’t want to miss.

January and February are primetime for bridal shows, as couples come up for air after the holiday season and dive headfirst into wedding planning. With many fellas choosing Christmas or New Year’s to get down on one knee, more than a few brides will be freshly engaged as we greet 2012.

Upcoming shows include:

January 7 and 8: Portland Bridal Show. More than 100 vendors; show up early to be one of the first 100 brides to receive a one-year subscription to Brides magazine and a free Real Maine Weddings magazine.

January 8: Boston Wedding Show. More than 85 area vendors. Event organizer Wedding Day Expositions has further dates planned in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

January 14 and 15: Bangor Bridal Show, with the same magazine giveaway as the Portland show.

January 22: Augusta Bridal Show. Magazine giveaway; enter to win a gift card from Heavenly Delights Bakery by playing their “cut the cake” game.

February 3: Madeleine’s Event Central by Moonlight show, South Portland, Maine.  Vendors will be set up at an Ethan Allen Design Center. Future dates scheduled in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

February 19: New England Bridal Expo, York Beach, Maine and Manchester, New Hampshire. Shows also planned in March and April for locations throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The holidays are a busy time of year, and between making a list, checking it twice and dealing with relatives both naughty and nice, it can be tough to squeeze in wedding planning.

But even if you’re taking a breather during the month of December, you can still make headway on the big day with minimal effort. The holidays usher in a season of sales and soirees, and both can play to your advantage.

After-Christmas sales

You may not think you’ll find much for your wedding amid all the discounted electronics and Christmas decorations, but great deals abound. Snag marked-down twinkle lights and candles to adorn your reception space, or food items to stuff into guest welcome bags. Look beyond the traditional red and green décor and sift for candlesticks, containers and vases in shades of white or metallics.

One warning: This isn’t the best time to create or add to a wedding registry. Inventory is chock full of seasonal items, even products with no obvious holiday theme, that stores are trying to clear out. Plus, much of retailers’ regular inventory has been removed to make room, so the usual items aren’t available. You don’t want to spend an afternoon with the scanning gun just to find out in January that many of your items are out of stock.

Bridesmaid’s dresses

While you’re shopping for a fun cocktail dress for that New Year’s Eve party, be on the lookout for bridesmaids’ dresses, too. You might find the perfect tea-length strapless gown for your maids while you scour the racks for that knockout little black dress.

Invite lists

If you haven’t already assembled names and addresses for your save-the-dates, Christmas cards make for a great jumpstart. Use your holiday card list as a starting point for your wedding invites, and take note of which addresses you’re missing. Gather the ones you need as you visit with loved ones at seasonal gatherings, and scan the envelopes of the cards you receive for missing return addresses.

Hair and makeup trial

Many brides schedule a trial of their hair and makeup styles for the big day, but few plan what they’ll do after they get all dolled up. Don’t waste that sophisticated updo on a grocery shopping run or trip to the car wash – schedule it ahead of a holiday party instead. You’ll not only look your smashing best, but you’ll also get a chance to test out how your look (and your lipstick) holds up through that midnight kiss.