​Set on the coast of Maine, Rob & Anni's Biddeford Pool wedding was filled with personal touches.  It was particularly special to us as our founder, Sarah, has known Rob & Anni for many years through mutual friends. 
 
Anni works in design for a living and her sister, Elin Krouse, is a visual stylist for Anthropologie, so you had to expect that the entire affair was going to be a great time, and also truly beautiful. They surrounded themselves with friends and family, not just as their guests but also in the vendor team that they selected.
 
Anni and Rob’s wedding day story is presented below, with photos from the talented Gina Elizabeth Photography.

​The venue they selected was Hattie’s Sugar Shack in Maine.  Hattie's was previously a restaurant that the bride frequented as a child, set right on the marsh with Biddeford Pool Harbor in the background. The amazing part about this space is that it can truly be transformed into anything the client imagines, and Anni and Rob dreamed up something special.  They stayed at onsite accommodations for the week, so they were there to make sure all of the setup happened just the way it should.  The sailcloth tent was done by Marshall Tent Rental, who also provided the chair rentals.
 
Anni and her gals got ready onsite in the morning, with makeup done by Lindsey Baptista and hair styled by Goldie’s Arrow. Anni opted for loose waves – perfect for her beach wedding.  Her dress, as well as her sister and sister-in-law’s bridesmaid gowns, was from BHLDN, Anthropologie’s bridal division. In the Boston area, we have one in Chestnut Hill, and we always recommend checking it out for brides and their families who are dress shopping.

​​Anni met up with Rob for a first look on the marshes.  They took some family photos before the school bus full of their guests rolled up to the venue.  The beachfront access was right across the street from Hattie’s, about a 5 minute walk.  While Anni & Rob took a few more photos, we put out a dozen chairs on the beach and cleared a space for the ceremony to take place, nestled in the dunes.

We were watching the skies the whole time – the rain plan was going to be difficult to execute if we had to.  The bus riders told us that they had driven through a rain storm on the way over, but we watched as the dark clouds went directly around instead of over our space.  The vibe as guests took photos on the beach, listening to steel drums played by Mango Groove, was peaceful and excited and incredibly joyous. 
 
There was some maneuvering behind the scenes, as we drove the bride and bridesmaids across the street to the beach parking so that they could stay hidden.  We lined up the rest of those processing down the aisle, including the adorable 2-year old flower girl and ring bearer.  Just as Anni and her dad made their way over the dune and towards the wedding guests, two bright, beautiful rainbows came out.  The father and daughter made their way down the aisle to the sounds of the steel drum band and with their shoes kicked off, toes in the sand.

Their ceremony included personal vows and was officiated by Susan from “I Do” Personal Ceremonies of Maine.  It was short and sweet and so heartfelt, including a reading from the bride’s mother and a big kiss at the pronouncement of their marriage.  Anni & Rob walked back down the aisle hand in hand, and led the way for all of their guests to follow them to Hattie’s for cocktail hour.

​Guests feasted on food from Chill Catering and beverages served by Top Shelf Bartending. The steel drums relocated to provide more tunes during the mixing and mingling and as the sunset.  But the most amazing part was seeing the guests’ reactions to all of the setup work that had been done to transform the cocktail hour and the tent space.

Inspired by indigo dyes and muscle shells, the vision for the event was built around the idea that the floral arrangements would pop against natural beauty of the marsh and tones of indigo blue textiles. The bride and her friends dip dyed two hundred napkins for the event. The bride’s dad and brother built 17 tables and the bar by hand, which perfectly filled the sailcloth tent. All the flowers were from the bride’s godmother, Anastasia Casale, in Sag Harbor, NY. The dahlias were grown on Anastasia & her partner Keith's flower farm, Pierpont Blossom Farm.  The location was transformed into a curator’s dream, with help from the styling of East Olivia.  It was filled with dip dyed accents, dreamy arrangements, batik table linens, and gold dipped muscle shells. The gold flatware and rimmed plates were rented through Savvy Event Rental.
 
At the cocktail hour, there were little “vignettes” or styled scenes everywhere you looked: an adorable seating area, an escort chart so guests knew their table assignment, a welcome table with the guestbook on it. And so many dahlias. 

As guests transitioned into the tent for the start of the reception, the sun was setting in the most brilliant red/orange/yellow colors and Anni & Rob took a few more photos with friends and family, including one with their friend from Revel Revel, who designed the beautiful and unique invitation suite.

DJ Collin Spillane spun some music and introduced the bridal party, who all came in dancing, and that truly set the mood for the night.  Anni & Rob shared a first dance, and then dinner was served, but guests could not be kept off the dance floor!  Rob and Anni cut a small cake, which came from a friend of theirs, who also made some amazing Maine whoopie pies.  The rest of the dessert table was filled with Rice Krispie treats in all flavors from Lady Krispie.  

​After dinner, we sat everyone down so that we could have a few toasts, including the bride’s father, the groom’s brother/best man, and the bride’s sister/maid of honor.  Finally, Anni & Rob said a few words and made it clear that this was about to be a big dance party. Anni danced with her father and then Rob with his mom, and then once the guests joined them on the dance floor, there was no stopping the party until well after midnight.

​The bride shared with us that she wanted her wedding to be the best party and most beautiful event their guests have ever attended.  Anni and Rob, you achieved that, and then some! Congrats to you two! 

Every single couple we work with has a special and unique wedding, but Jake & Helen’s was especially close to our hearts.  Our founder Sarah grew up in the same community as Jake, and their mothers were business partners at one point. Sarah’s parents actually attended Helen & Jake’s beautiful wedding, which took place at Jake’s parents’ home in Westport, Mass.

All of the beautiful details of the day are shared below in photos from Olivia Gird Photography.

In addition to Jake’s parents’ home, the couple used the house door on the dead end street to have more space to spread out. Helen got ready there and had her hair done by Allison Barbera and makeup by Sherri Caissie. The ladies were styled to perfection while the gentleman got dressed, and then they all met up for a “first look” photo outdoors.  The bridal party and parents looked on as Jake and Helen saw each other for the first time on their wedding day; it was so romantic!

After some group photos, it was time to head inside for the traditional Ketubah signing. The Ketubah was designed and printed by Jennifer Raichman. Officiant Rabbi Jaffe led the short remarks and the couple and their witnesses signed the Jewish marriage document.  While this was happening, all of the guests were gathering outside at dusk, ready for the ceremony to start. The Jewish chuppah at the altar was hand built by Jake and his mother and under it was a ceremonial bottle of wine and cups to drink from. 

The officiant and the couple's grandparents made their way down the aisle first, followed by the groom with his parents and the bridesmaids, and then the bride herself with one parent on each arm.  The ceremony was thoughtful and so personal, since the officiant has known Jake since he was a boy.  After a kiss and a big MAZEL TOV! the couple headed straight to the house for a private moment together as husband and wife.  All of the guests and family members headed to cocktail hour in the yard area.

Snacks were ready to go from the caterer, Smoke & Pickles, and drinks from bartending service Garnish & Drink.  Guests didn’t have to go far for the portable restroom trailers, provided by Elegant Restrooms.

Guests could grab their favors as they mingled at cocktail hour. The couple put together small jars of honey with the escort tags attached. The sign said “Find your honey – then find your seat.” So cute!
 
Finally it was reception time, under the huge tent provided by Chase Canopy.  Guests were seated at tables/chairs through the rental company, Rentals Unlimited.  The flowers and centerpieces were from florist Eva's Garden – they looked awesome!

And DJ Keith from Each Production took center stage, getting guests excited for the reception about to start. Each set of parents and the whole bridal party was introduced into the tent before it was finally Jake & Helen’s turn.  They shared a first dance to the classic Otis Redding song “That’s How Strong My Love Is” followed by a rousing Hora that got everyone onto their feet while the caterer set up the buffet for dinner.

Before dinner was served, a sweet parent dance was shared, with Jake dancing with his mom while Helen was joined by her dad. Then, Jake’s parents made a toast to welcome all of the guests and Jake's grandfather said the traditional blessing over the wine and bread.  After dinner, we heard a few more toasts from the Maid of Honor, the Best Man, and Helen’s mother. Each one was sweet and personal and brought the crowd to laughter and tears.   Dessert was perfect for the early fall evening: apple crisp! Guests crowded the dance floor after Helen tossed her bouquet and then the whole party danced the night away.

​Congratulations Helen & Jake! You two are just perfect together and it was so much fun to see the wedding come together from conception through execution.  You did it!