1. Real Weddings

Heather & Tom: A Classic Wedding in Freeport, ME

Sparks flew as soon as Heather and Tom met (sparks were also in the air as Tom proposed just after a fireworks display), and the couple soon began pla

Sparks flew as soon as Heather and Tom met (sparks were also in the air as Tom proposed just after a fireworks display), and the couple soon began planning an elegant wedding infused with New England style. The Bride Heather Steinke, 25, family medicine doctor The Groom Thomas Evans, 30, school psychologist and guidance counselor The Date May 20 When Heather and Tom were introduced through a mutual friend while visiting upstate New York, they lived at opposite ends of the East Coast -- she was in med school in Maine, and he lived in Florida. The two kept in touch, however, and soon were making weekend trips about once a month to see each other (“Nice mini vacations during medical school!” Heather says). The two returned to the New York town where they had met to spend the Fourth of July, and hiked a mountain for a great view of the fireworks. “He proposed on one knee after the fireworks ended, and it was so dark I couldn't see the ring,” Heather says. “We hiked back down with flashlights,” she says, “even though I was shining mine on my ring for most of the trip!”

Heather carried a simple nosegay of Panama roses, while her maid of honor carried a mixed bouquet of Panama and Latin Breeze roses. The bridesmaid bouquets were composed just of Latin Breeze roses.
“When I picked the bridesmaid dresses I had no idea what I wanted for colors, and so chose to go with platinum,” Heather says, “I decided that the wedding colors would be brought in with the flowers.” Heather’s six maids wore tea-length dresses by After Six.
Heather and Tom were married at The Old Meetinghouse on the Hill -- the same place Heather’s parents were married 30 years earlier. “The church has slip pews, hardwood floors, an ornate central chandelier, and a vaulted barrel ceiling,” Heather says.“Due to the simplistic beauty of the church, the decorations were minimal,” Heather says. In terms of decor, a unity candle decorated with fresh flowers was the centerpiece on the pulpit, and the couple placed candelabras with fresh flowers on each side of the altar.
The Reception Decor
Heather knew she’d found the perfect gown the moment she tried it on. She wore a strapless, ivory, A-line gown with a pearl-beaded bodice by Carilynn Collection. The gown featured a corset back with a champagne-colored fabric to line the train.
Tom wore a Panama rose boutonniere to match the bridal bouquet.
Heather and Tom chose to host their reception in Freeport in part because of its classic New England charm. “We wanted everything to be very ‘New England,’” Heather says, “so lobster was definitely one of the dinner choices!” (The couple also set the tone with welcome bags for out-of-towners that included homemade lobster-shaped sugar cookies with red frosting, bottles of Poland Spring water, and a map of the greater Portland area.) A silver, matte picture frame served as their guest book, while a slideshow of the couple as kids played as guests entered the reception room.
Each of the cake’s four tiers was a different flavor: bourbon chocolate truffle cake, classic buttercream with lemon filling, sour cream chocolate cake with cappuccino filling, and classic white cake with raspberry filling. The cake was adorned with pink sugar roses, and the couples’ initials on the bottom tier.
The centerpieces were composed of vibrant roses, gerbera daisies, and lilies arranged in pewter bowls. Small tea light candles scattered around each table added to the elegant ambience.