Sida & Andrew 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, 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.
