1. Real Weddings

A Vibrant, Library-Themed Wedding at Migis Lodge in South Casco, Maine

With a destination affair in mind, returning to Maine (where they met) to celebrate their mid-May nuptials seemed like an obvious choice for Seattle-b

With a destination affair in mind, returning to Maine (where they met) to celebrate their mid-May nuptials seemed like an obvious choice for Seattle-based couple Michelle Starr (29 and a pediatrician) and Matt Aschaffenburg (30 and a program director for a nonprofit). With the help of Emily Starr Alfano of MStarr Event Design, the pair pulled off a rustic-chic affair with lots of personality at Migis Lodge in South Casco, Maine. Wanting the day to reflect the picturesque setting, as well as the story of how they met—in the library at their alma mater—a literary theme was woven throughout, paired with a palette of bright colors and woodland accents. From the library card menus to the wooden bookmark escort cards with elegant calligraphy and the ceremony readings taken from Michelle and Matt’s favorite childhood books, each portion of the day spoke to the couple’s early beginnings. Julie Song Ink set the tone for the weekend with custom-designed, hand-painted watercolor invitations featuring beautiful Maine scenes and added to the decor’s whimsical tone with playful fuchsia calligraphy and personalized signage. Petal Floral Design filled the charming lakeside Migis Lodge with an abundance of cheerful, seasonal blooms, including lilacs (Michelle's favorite), to infuse the space with color and energy. Panels of light, airy fabric, warm candlelight and vintage touches gave the evening a romantic, old-world feel. After an evening of delicious food, energetic music supplied by the band Search Party and lots of dancing, Michelle and Matt invited guests to join them on the beach for bonfires and s’mores. A tip from Michelle: “Try not to worry too much about the weather. We awoke to a downpour on the morning of the wedding and a forecast that predicted torrential rain all day. Somehow, the skies parted to golden wonderful sunshine and we were able to have our wedding at the edge of Sebago Lake just as we had imagined.”

Custom-Designed Watercolor Wedding Invitations
Planning a cross-country wedding presented many challenges for Michelle and Matt, making a planner and a designer a must. The pair enlisted the help of Emily Starr of MStarr Event Design and her talented team of wedding professionals to pull off the rustic-chic affair. “She brought on these amazing vendors and helped us design and execute a wedding that was filled with details that reflected us as a couple,” Michelle says. “She became like family during the long-distance planning process.”
Petal Floral Design illuminated the day with vibrant arrangements of seasonal blooms. Michelle’s bouquet overflowed with fresh, fragrant flowers like lilacs, garden roses, dahlias and peonies, with long stems of greenery added texture and depth to the mix. The bouquets had an untamed, romantic feel and were tied with lengths of colorful Frou Frou ribbons.
Pastel J.Crew Bridesmaid Dresses
Lilac and Peony Bridesmaid Bouquet
Rustic Birch Ceremony Chuppah
Vintage Wrought-Iron Ceremony Chairs
Pre-Ceremony Drinks
Hand-Painted Programs With Maine Scenery
With the help of MStarr Event Design, Michelle and Matt planned a cheerful, rustic affair filled with details that captured the essence of Maine’s natural beauty, while telling the story of their relationship. “Since we went to college in Maine and were officially introduced in the library, we wanted to find a way to seamlessly weave both together in an organic way,” Michelle says. Vintage books were scattered throughout, with hand-lettered wooden bookmark escort cards tucked into each, while the custom-designed stationery, created by Julie Song Ink, boasted whimsical watercolors of Maine’s picturesque scenery.
After deciding on a destination affair for their mid-May nuptials, it wasn’t long before they came across the Migis Lodge in South Casco, Maine. Nestled among 125 acres of pine forest stretching along 3,500 feet of Sebago Lake, the venue provided a quaint, natural setting for the couple’s wedding, plus plenty of amenities for their friends and family to enjoy all weekend. “We knew from the moment that we first visited Migis, the only venue we looked at, that it was the place for us,” Michelle says. “It served as a perfect summer camp backdrop and allowed everyone to come relax and enjoy a weekend away.”
The ceremony took place on the shores of Sebago Lake, the calm waters, surrounding pine forests and soft sunlight forming a striking backdrop for the occasion. The couple exchanged vows under a handcrafted birch chuppah, a nod to their Jewish heritage, and friends and family members read excerpts from Michelle and Matt’s favorite childhood books, including “The Velveteen Rabbit.” White wrought-iron cafe chairs added a vintage flair to the decor, while a rustic wooden board displaying the watercolor programs highlighted the natural setting. The band Search Party provided the sound track for the ceremony, playing renditions of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” and “In My Life,” as well as the Turtles’ “Happy Together” for the processional and recessional.
Post-Ceremony Boat Ride
Cocktail Hour Pashmina Favors
A cocktail hour on the lawn preceded the reception, with guests taking in the beautiful views and trying their hands at an assortment of lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga and more. As a nod to their wedding’s locale, as well as their Seattle, Washington, home, the pair served two signature cocktails, a dark ’n’ stormy and spiked blueberry lemonade, in addition to a selection of Maine craft beers.
As guests made their way into the lakeside Migis Lodge in South Casco, Maine, for the reception, they were greeted by a stunning display of vintage books and whimsical calligraphed wooden bookmarks, boasting guests’ names and seating assignments on each. The elegant, library-themed decor exuded old world charm and served as a nod to the place where Michelle and Matt met. Long wooden farm tables filled the charming lakeside lodge to give the evening and intimate feel, each topped with low-profile arrangements of brilliant pink and purple blooms, including lilacs, peonies, roses, dahlias and more. Textured table linens added an element of depth to the decor, while wooden, laser-cut table numbers, colored glasses and silver cutlery tied with velvet bows struck the perfect balance of rustic and vintage flair. Library card menus tied into the wedding’s playful library theme and panels of airy fabric and soft uplighting added an air of undeniable ambiance.
Rustic Migis Lodge Reception
Maine- and Seattle-Inspired Signature Cocktails
Custom Library Card Menus
Simple Escort Cards With Pink Calligraphy
Low-Profile Peony Centerpieces
French Country Chairs With Purple Flowers
Bright Peony, Lilac and Rose Centerpieces
Vintage Dictionary Guest Book
After a dinner of halibut and duck, guests were treated to a piece of wedding cake. Pastry chef Charity Church of the Migis Lodge drew inspiration from the wedding’s rustic vibe and whipped up a naked three-tier confection with light lemon cake and buttercream frosting. To tie into the rest of the decor, the cake was topped with a bunch of bright purple, pink and white dahlias, roses and peonies.
Michelle and Matt kicked off the evening’s festivities with their first dance to “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson, after which the band Search Party packed the dance floor with an arsenal of upbeat music. Michelle’s sister surprised everyone with a rap after giving her speech, and at the end of the night the newlyweds invited guests to join them for s’mores on the beach.
Personalized Linen Bags