A Casual Backyard Wedding at a Private Residence in Bowdoinham, Maine

Erin Cooney (left) and Kelly Dalton hosted a casual DIY wedding in their friends’ coastal Maine backyard. The rustic New England–themed celebration boasted a preppy color palette of navy, gold and white with hints of light eucalyptus green. “We wanted our day to emanate love and have a true homey feeling, as we were getting married at our friends’ home,” the couple says. Even though they kept their dresses a secret from each other, the brides chose similar ensembles. “Erin even tried on Kelly’s wedding dress when dress shopping. We both wanted to look elegant but match our rustic, ” the couple says. Erin’s white racerback gown buttoned from the back of the neck to the lower back, and Kelly’s dress featured a wrapped high waist and low neckline. Both brides did their own hair and makeup—Erin wore her hair short with loose tousled curls, while Kelly chose a long wavy style—and carried colorful pink bouquets that matched their lipstick. The couple’s friends officiated the wedding before a tented reception with seasonal foliage, flowers from Kelly’s aunt’s garden and DIY details. The caterer set up ovens and grills next to the tent and whipped up locally caught lobster and shellfish, seasonally foraged veggies and spit-fired chicken. “They cooked everything on-site, creating a dinner theater our guests could watch as they sipped cocktails and mingled,” the couple says. “We wanted everyone to share a delicious meal and then hit the dance floor for the rest of the night.”

Our favorite #MakeTradition Moment: “After our ceremony, we stole a quiet moment in the tiny home to be with each other and gush about the wedding and our excitement,” the couple says. “We shared appetizers and champagne that our caterers laid out for us so we could nosh on the food we were so excited to share with our guests.”