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August 2, 2020

Stephanie Cowley + Jason Blanchette

Stephanie and Jason met when Stephanie was still in college. “I remember being like, He looks like someone I’d want to marry someday.”

Stephanie and Jason simply had to include their dog Brooklyn in their wedding. “She’s the love of our life!”

Flowers added an elegant touch, designed by Minka Flowers.

“All I wanted was to be surrounded by our friends and family,” Stephanie says.

The couple was drawn to the beautiful, crisp, classic feel of the ViewPoint Hotel.

Stephanie, who planned her wedding herself, once thought she would be a wedding planner. She didn’t skip a detail, including these Mr. and Mrs. Koosies.

Dinner was an homage to the couple’s beloved Maine, catered by Fosters.

Stephanie had a custom demin jacket to stay warm in when temperatures cooled down.

The donuts provided a fun pop of color, catered by Holy Donut.

June 29, 2019 York, Maine Jason proposed to Stephanie in workout clothes. The couple was on vacation with their friends hiking through Acadia. Stopping to catch their breath at a spot where mussels, rocks, and ocean converged with the trail, Jason handed Stephanie a book. It was filled with pictures from moments together. On the last page it read, Steph, Here’s to the next chapter in our story. “When I looked up, he was down on one knee and all of our friends were taking pictures,” she says. In truth, Stephanie always had an idea they would marry. “One month…

May 2, 2020

Cailin Fitzpatrick + Tony Shipani

Cailin led Tony’s work orientation on his first day. The couple have been inseparable ever since.

Toni and Cailin got married at the Barn at Bradstreet Farm, one of the oldest working farms in the U.S.

“I wanted to keep it super simple, elegant, rustic,” Cailin says.

Cailin and Tony’s first dance was to “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison.

Tony designed Cailin’s engagement ring with the help of an independent jewelry maker in Michigan – his best friend’s cousin.

Roast beef crostini by the Wooden Spoon.

Tony proposed to Cailin in front of their favorite view of Boston at a local park.

The couple set up a selfie station for guests. “I loved the personal touch of including them with the signatures in our guestbook,” said Cailin.

September 28, 2019 Rowley, Massachusetts Tony Shipani planned to surprise Cailin Fitzpatrick while on vacation: He envisioned proposing to her with an engagement ring that he had designed. Things took a turn when the ring got lost in the mail. On a balmy summer day, Tony resorted to his back-up plan: bringing Cailin (and their dog Benny) to their favorite park. “I turned back twice because it was so hot,” says Cailin. “I wanted nothing to do with it.” Tony caught Cailin off guard when he sank to his knee and asked her to marry him. Cailin remembers the moment…

April 15, 2020

Best of Seacoast Weddings: Brianna Goncalves + Eric Lacroix

A photo with the grand Wentworth-by-the-Sea as a backdrop calls for a grand gesture.

One cu ink said “To my forever” and the other said “From your always.”

After an eighteen month engagement, it was actually happening.

All her life, Brianna envisioned a teal and gray wedding but cranberry and blue won the day.

The couple exchanged letters to read while they were each getting ready

Gold wooden letters with their initials rested against a wall of green hedge with flowers from the day.

Mini fruit tarts and other dessert items were added to the traditional wedding cake.

Brianna rocked the evening away, occasionally cooling down by the ice sculpture at the raw bar.

June 22, 2019 Rye, New Hampshire Brianna and Eric met in their freshman year at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Although she had “zero interest” in Eric at first, she finally agreed to a date—and within a month knew for sure he was “the one.” Knowing she was a huge planner, Eric proposed on a trip to the Bahamas in December 2017 with a June 2019 wedding in mind and immediately asked his bride-to-be: “Is a year and a half enough time to plan?” It was, but she started immediately. The couple admits that around six months prior to their date, they…

October 25, 2019

Lauren Bailey + Michael Pratt

Lauren’s floral headdress included roses and ranunculus.v

The wedding party rode in a trolley to the reception at Wentworth by the Sea Country Club.

The bridesmaids' dresses were the perfect summer palette of soft greens and grays.

El’s Cards created the couple’s wedding program.

Michael and his groomsmen. Michael’s suit was from Macy’s; groomsmen’s suits by J. Crew.

Lauren’s bouquet was adorned with memory charms of family.

Each guest received a wooden laser-cut of their name as a favor.

he succulent-topped wedding cake was from Chococoa Baking Company, Newburyport, MA.

A golf cart was the perfect getaway vehicle.

The wedding party gathered for a group photo at Fuller Gardens.

Lauren and Michael sneak a kiss among the roses at Fuller Gardens in North Hampton, NH.

July 29, 2017 North Hampton, NH Family and tradition were interwoven throughout Lauren and Michael’s festive summer wedding. The couple met their freshman year at St. Joseph’s College in Maine, the same school where Lauren’s parents had met years before. Her parents and sister were all married at St. Theresa Church in Rye, New Hampshire, where Lauren and Michael ultimately decided to marry. “It’s an important place for my family,” Lauren says. “It’s beautiful.” Lauren was even able to use a family home to get ready before the wedding: her grandfather’s home down the street from the church. After the…

September 23, 2019

Hilary Szymujko + Andy Howe

ranunculus and a garden rose boutonniere — Andy’s boutonniere contained ranunculus and a garden rose.

close of of brides hair done by Bei Capelli — Hilary’s hair was by Bei Capelli.

signature wedding cocktail with lime — Toasting the couple with a custom cocktail.

peonies, ranunculus, Italian ruscus, and garden rose bouquet — Hilary and her flower girl carried lush bouquets of peonies, ranunculus, Italian ruscus, and garden roses.

maine lobster dinner for wedding — Festivities included a traditional lobster bake by Cabbage Island Clambakes.

cabbage island clambakes lobster dinner at wedding — Festivities included a traditional lobster bake by Cabbage Island Clambakes.

lobster mac and cheese wedding hors d'oeuvres — Lobster mac' n’ cheese hors d'oeuvres.

bride and groom portrait at newagen seaside inn — Hilary and her flower girl carried lush bouquets of peonies, ranunculus, Italian ruscus, and garden roses. Andy’s suit was custom-tailored in Hong Kong; his bowtie was from Lindman New York.

homemade layered wedding cake with flowers on top — Peonies, ranunculus and roses topped the elegant wedding cake, made by Hilary’s mother.

sewagen seaside inn boat docks with lobster boat in background — The couple had photos taken on the dock of the Newagen Seaside Inn.

sewagen seaside inn boat docks — The couple had photos taken on the dock of the Newagen Seaside Inn.

candlepin bowling at wedding — Letting it roll with candlepin bowling during the after party in Newagen Seaside Inn’s Pine Room.

bennie alice cruise to cabbage island leaving from boothbay — The couple boarded the Bennie Alice after their lobster dinner.

July 14th, 2018 Southport, Maine It was an international affair that brought Hilary and Andy together for their Seacoast wedding. “We met in London, then lived in Hong Kong for 3 ½ years, and then moved to New York,” says Hilary. “Since I’m originally from New Hampshire and he’s from Massachusetts, having our wedding in New England was like a homecoming for us.” Hilary estimates that more than a third of their 130 wedding guests were from London and Hong Kong. “We loved that it was like having a destination wedding, but in our own hometown. We wanted a venue…

December 7, 2018

Pepperell Cove: A Backyard Destination Wedding

pepperell cove wedding ceremony on the water

pepperell cove wedding venue dining room overlooking harbor

A Backyard Destination Wedding With the ebb and flow of the ocean at our doorsteps and the constant cacophony of crashing waves resounding in our every-day background, we are lucky to be able to call the Seacoast our home. Caught up in the daily bustle, we can sometimes grow numb to the beguiling views and natural magic that this place offers. With a gentle nudge, Seacoast Weddings Magazine reminds you that there are stunning views (accompanied by a smattering of venues that celebrate the scenery) nestled into our backyards and scattered along the rocky coastline. These special spaces are worthy…

October 26, 2018

Vacationland Venture: A True Maine Wedding

bride and groom on maine farm — Photo by Move Mountains Co.

wild flowers in hair for wedding — Photo by Move Mountains Co.

maine wedding ideas — Photo by Move Mountains Co.

tent wedding in woods of maine — Photo by Nina Gallant

maine farm weddings — Photo by Move Mountains Co.

farm wedding venue and barn in maine — Photo by Move Mountains Co.

There is a beautiful plurality to the state of Maine that has attracted travelers for decades, commemorated in the state’s nickname “Vacationland.” On the one hand, there are hundreds of miles of farmland giving birth to potatoes, blueberries and corn. Elsewhere, there are luscious forests that harbor swaying birch trees and fragrant pine trees, intersected by burbling rivers and streams. Travel farther east and there are exquisite coast lines marked with fishermen’s boats, jagged cliff lines, and cawing gulls. Maine’s beauty and multifaceted landscapes always seem to leave travelers enthralled, allowing them to slow down the fast pace of the…

February 22, 2018

Hitched Heroes: Heather Allen + Bernard Hudgens

{2017 Seacoast Hitched Heroes} Every year, a lucky military couple is selected to be Seacoast Hitched Heroes. Wedding vendors donate their services as a thank you for the military couple’s services. Heather and Bernard, winner of the 2017 Seacoast Hitched Heroes wedding, met at a military ball in Manchester, NH. They had an instant connection. “The commonality in our lives was undeniable,” Heather says. “We both have two children, we both love the outdoors and the ocean, we love country music… the list goes on and on. I felt like I found my other half.” Bernard, a sergeant in New…

September 28, 2017

Rainy Day Elements

No ones wishes to actually need their rain plan, but it’s important to have one and it’s even more important for you to like it. I always tell our clients to have a plan b and sometimes a plan c and to love them as much as your fair weather plan. These plans of course usually occur when you’re hosting an outdoor wedding. This series of blog posts is going to help you create your rain plans, making sure you think of all the elements involved and what your options are in order to execute the plan if the rain…

September 7, 2017

Claire Tinsley and Eric Firnhaber

Claire and Eric share a private picnic after their ceremony, on the rocks overlooking the ocean.

A woodcut topographic mapo of Southport and Boothbay Harbor was on the table where the guests picked up their table numbers.

The couple enjoys a picnic lunch for two packed by Claire's aunt.

Artwork with the couple's initials spelled out in mussel and periwinkle shells adds a personalized touch to the head table.

the happy couple poses for a closeup — The happy couple.

Eric's hat is by British haberdasher Christys' Hats, christy's hats. — Eric's hat is by British haberdasher Christys' Hats, christys-hats.com.

Bouquet with roses, hydrangeas and ferns displaying a beautiful range of pinks — Claire's bouquet included roses, hydrangeas and ferns.

Blueberries in a glass of champagne for a toast — Blueberries are a fun addition to a champagne toast.

Desserts include a mouth-watering assortment of cookies.

Claire's niece, Eleanor Mateosian, was a flower girl.

Giant marquee letters spelling out "Dance" let guests know it's time to party.

Dancing under the tent on the grounds of the Newagen Inn.

August 27th, 2016 Southport, ME Claire and Eric met playing recreational ultimate frisbee in Washington, DC. Ironically, says Claire, when she told the league organizer that she wasn’t good at the sport, he told her, “It’s all about heart, not skills.” And that’s what piqued Eric’s interest in her when he met Claire after their first game together. The couple got engaged on a bluff overlooking Half Moon Bay in California, near where Eric grew up. Claire knew immediately that their wedding ceremony would be in Maine. Her family, all from Texas, spent many happy summers in Tenants Harbor;…