1. Real Weddings

An Elegant New England Wedding at Hulls Cove Schoolhouse in Bar Harbor, Maine

Sarah Stearns (32 and a pharmacist) and Nathan Johnson’s (32 and a pharmacist) wedding was an understated, elegant affair with plenty of New England c

Sarah Stearns (32 and a pharmacist) and Nathan Johnson’s (32 and a pharmacist) wedding was an understated, elegant affair with plenty of New England charm. A Maine native, Sarah had always dreamed of tying the knot in her hometown of Mount Desert Island. “My family has been living on the island for generations and it was a huge part of my childhood,” Sarah says. “It’s now a place I love to visit every year. I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.” After Nathan popped the question during a hike in Acadia National Park, set against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean’s sparkling blue waters, the couple started their search for the ideal spot to bring together their families and friends. They settled on two locations for the day, exchanging vows on the expansive ocean-facing lawn of the Maine Seacoast Mission, followed by a fun-filled night of celebrating at Hulls Cove Schoolhouse. Shades of pale pink and ivory paired with arrangements of lush peonies and brightly lit candles to infuse the one-of-a-kind venue with subtle romantic undertones. “We hung white lights and lanterns throughout the schoolhouse reception hall to accent the tall windows and high ceilings,” Sarah says, “and several of my family members drew beautiful pictures on the chalkboards that lined the walls of the schoolhouse.” In true New England spirit, the couple surprised guests with a lobster bake dinner, complete with lobster, corn on the cob, mussels and potatoes, followed by a dessert of wedding cake and whoopie pies—a real Maine classic. “One of the best moments of the wedding was looking around at all our friends and family members eating lobster and laughing, thinking that this is just what we'd imagined,” Sarah says.

Nathan knew that Sarah’s annual family reunion in Mount Desert Island, Maine, would be the perfect place to pop the question. On the last day of the trip, the couple headed to Acadia National Park for a day of hiking. Upon reaching the summit, Nathan got down on one knee and asked Sarah to marry him. “We could see the Atlantic Ocean and small islands off the coast of Mount Desert Island,” Sarah says. “It was so beautiful!”
Sarah’s romantic lace Monique Lhuillier gown set the tone for the rest of the bridal party. Wanting a simple yet elegant look for her bridesmaids, she chose a short, strapless dress for each of the girls to wear in a soft, taupe hue. The girls completed the look with delicate gold necklaces and nude heels.
Pink and White Peony Bouquets
Timeless elegance was the guiding principle for Sarah and Nathan when choosing their wedding attire. Nathan donned a traditional black tuxedo by Vera Wang for the affair, swapping out the standard bow tie for a sleek silk tie. A white pocket square added an extra layer of polish to his look, while a single white rose on his lapel introduced a hint of freshness to the ensemble.
Monogrammed Tree Ceremony Programs
Maine Seacoast Mission Ceremony Processional
The couple gathered their closest family members and friends in Sarah’s childhood home of Bar Harbor, Maine, to celebrate their nuptials. The day started with an intimate ceremony downtown at the Maine Seacoast Mission, a historic mansion with an expansive lawn and breathtaking views of Frenchman’s Bay. “It was the perfect place to exchange vows,” Sarah says.
Maine Seacoast Mission Ceremony
With lobster on the menu, Sarah and Nathan provided each guest with a “how to eat your lobster” card—a must for the lobster novice, as well as out-of-town guests—oyster crackers and bibs. The bundles of lobster-themed goods were tied with twine and finished with handwritten place cards, which helped guests find their seats.
After exchanging vows in an intimate ceremony overlooking the water, the couple and their guests moved up the road to the historic Hulls Cove Schoolhouse in Bar Harbor, Maine, for a night of dinner and dancing. “The old restored building is a great dancehall and has beautiful wooden floors and high windows and ceilings, making it a very elegant but practical reception location,” Sarah says.
Sarah and Nathan’s reception was all about understated elegance with a subtle rustic twist. Looking to arrangements of pink peonies, brightly lit candles and lanterns, the couple transformed the Hulls Cove Schoolhouse into a cheerful, romantic scene. To highlight their venue, they had their family members draw pictures on the chalkboards that lined the walls of the schoolhouse.
In true Maine fashion, Sarah and Nathan had a full-blown lobster bake instead of traditional chicken and beef entrees for the reception. The Lobster Bake Company set up steamers under the tents just outside the reception hall, allowing guests a glimpse of the traditional New England feast to come. “The lobster bake company piled lobsters, corn on the cob, mussels and potatoes into the huge steamers and guests loved watching and taking pictures,” Sarah says.
Three-Tier Piped Wedding Cake
For dessert, Sarah and Nathan served a traditional wedding cake, as well as cake trays piled high with freshly baked whoopie pies. “The whoopie pies made for easy and quick treats that guests could grab and bring back to the dance floor,” Sarah says, “and they are a classic Maine dessert.”