1. Real Weddings

Sida & Andrew: An Outdoor Wedding in Tenants Harbor, ME

Sida and Andrew made the most of the scene's natural beauty at their outdoor celebration in Maine. The Bride Sida Poling, 28 The Groom Andrew Hyde, 3

Sida and Andrew made the most of the scene's natural beauty at their outdoor celebration in Maine. The Bride Sida Poling, 28 The Groom Andrew Hyde, 30 The Date July 23 Sida and Andrew first met at a wedding in Florida, where Sida was living at the time. A childhood friend of Andrew's who'd relocated down south was marrying a family friend of Sida's. Andrew was seated with some of the grandmas and older ladies, and I noticed how sweet he was with them, Sida remembers. She asked the mother of the bride who he was, and next thing she knew the groom introduced them. Right away our connection was undeniable, Andrew remembers. Unfortunately, he adds, the night went so quickly that neither of us exchanged numbers. Andrew flew back to Maine the next morning, but he didn't forget about Sida and managed to track down her digits. Within weeks, she flew up to visit him in Maine. The chemistry they'd felt was still there, and a year and a half (and many airplane flights) later, Andrew moved down to Florida. Not too long after, Andrew proposed with a ring Sida had admired in a local jewelry store. Knowing how important the element of surprise was I choose to propose on a random night instead of a holiday or something, Andrew says. He popped the question while both were sitting on the sea wall at St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park. Afterward, we walked around the park absolutely giddy, like two kids, Sida remembers. Andrew and I wanted the wedding to be very personal and reflect our personalities and styles, Sida explains. We love the outdoors and so getting married in some stuffy hall was not for us. In Andrew's childhood home, a Maine farm, they found the perfect wedding location, and its charming ambiance was echoed in every element of the day. Having the wedding at a family house made it really personal and all of the natural beauty there made it even more incredible, the bride says. Even better, many of her family members, who'd never been to Maine, were able to make it a vacation. Says Sida, It was great to finally share with them all the lovely things that state has to offer.

The week before the wedding, Sida headed to the gardens to choose the flowers that would be used on the big day -- mostly a mix of delphinium, lilies, cosmos, daisies, and lady's mantle. The flowers added color all over the farm on Sida and Andrew's wedding day, from the small bouquets placed in sap buckets that lined the way to the ceremony site to the centerpieces, which overflowed from small silver tubs at the reception. Family friend Kathleen Starrs grew all of the wedding flowers in her gardens.
The wedding's casual, seaside ambiance was reflected in the wedding party's look. Sida chose an ivory, strapless tiered gown by BCBG for her walk down the aisle. Sida's bridesmaids wore strapless dresses featuring a blue and green floral print (matching the wedding colors), while the maid of honor (the bride's sister) wore blue.
One of the many high points of the tented reception was the wedding cake. Sida had seen a cake -- well, make that cupcakes -- in a bridal magazine that she had fallen in love with. After searching high and low for a square, tiered stand like the one she'd seen to no avail, Andrew managed to put his carpentry skills to use and with help from his dad created a perfect replica. An old friend of Andrew's, who is also a professional baker, created the cupcakes -- in lemon torte, white, and chocolate sour cream -- all with buttercream frosting topped off with white chocolate squares monogrammed with green Hs. The cute cakes were a hit with all of Sida and Andrew's guests, especially the kids.
Sida's green and lavender bouquet included spring-blooming peonies from family friend's garden.
The Escort Cards
The Invitations
The ceremony took place on the groom's family's farm. It began at 1:15 in the afternoon, at precisely high tide. Sida and Andrew worked with their officiant to design the ceremony and vows themselves, and though the bride says they were nervous at first it came together beautifully. The ceremony told the story of how the two met and came together, as well as highlighting contributions from family members. Andrew's father and one of his sisters each gave a reading, and the daughter of their florist sang the Beatles tune I Will.