A Romantic, Rustic Wedding at the Barn at Flanagan Farm in Buxton, Maine

Colleen Sweeney (30 and a yoga teacher and health coach) and Russell Selander (28 and a chef) met in Boston, Massachusetts, and think of New England as home despite moving frequently while growing up. So when it came to choosing a location to host their September wedding, the Northeast region was a given. After visiting Maine and falling in love with the area, it became clear that it would be the perfect place to celebrate with family and friends. “We wanted New England foliage to be the backdrop for our wedding and picked an area and time of year that would do just that,” Colleen says. With a rustic-chic theme in mind, the couple set their sights on the Barn at Flanagan Farm in Buxton, Maine. A short drive from the bustling seaside city of Portland, the venue was tucked away in a quaint wooded area, providing a peaceful, intimate location to tie the knot. The ceremony took place outdoors in a clearing near the barn, with the couple exchanging vows before tall trees dotted with colorful red, orange and yellow leaves. The reception was a fusion of elegant and rustic styles, panels of sheer white fabric, whimsical fairy lights and arrangements of romantic garden roses, dahlias and hydrangeas transforming the post and beam barn into an elegant backdrop for the evening’s festivities. Since Russell is a chef, the menu was given extra attention, and caterer Chi Chi Chef seriously delivered with a delicious progression of fresh, seasonal eats. Local band Wellfleet got guests in the mood to celebrate during cocktail hour and dinner with their mix of original songs and popular blues, folk and pop hits, before handing the spotlight over to DJ Mark Sawyer, who kept the dance floor packed. A tipfrom Colleen: “Enjoy the engagement. It's still a phase in your relationship, so don't focus so much on the wedding that you miss that special time. You can't control everything, so for things you can't control, don't let them control you. Appreciate your guests and let them know how happy you are that they're celebrating your wedding day with you.”