1. Real Weddings

Stacy & Joe: A Pink Wedding in Cumberland Foreside, ME

A 104-degree June day didn't stop Stacy Mahan and Joe Martin from having the day of their dreams -- the couple and their 185 guests beat the heat by d

A 104-degree June day didn't stop Stacy Mahan and Joe Martin from having the day of their dreams -- the couple and their 185 guests beat the heat by dancing the night away under the stars. The Bride Stacy Anne Mahan, 27, physical therapist The Groom Joseph R. Martin Jr., 32, character animation student The Date June 25 Four years after they started dating, on the day before they left for a two-week European vacation, Stacy came home to an elaborately constructed scene. Rose petals peppered the stairs which led to candles, a statue of a dog, and Joe's laptop running a slideshow of photographs of the couple with their lovable canine, Murphy. A letter next to the arrangement instructed Stacy to turn the (statue) dog's collar to the left, where she discovered a beautiful ring.

The bride accessorized her gown with a bouquet of peonies in different shades of pink, wrapped in ivory ribbon. Her maids carried peonies, pink calla lilies, and pink orchids. At the ceremony, church aisles were decorated with cream hydrangea and pink peonies, while two potted braided fichus trees stood at the door accented by more peonies and hydrangea.
Invitations and save-the-dates were constructed from pink, brown and cream stationery. Magenta ribbons topped each save-the-date and chocolate ribbons adorned each invite. Programs were cut in the shape of a fan from pale pink card stock. Dianne McCarthy at Greetings was fabulous, says Stacy. She went above and beyond for me.
The First Dance
Stacy's mermaid-shape Monique Lhuillier gown featured intricate beading and a 12-foot sash, which was wrapped around several times, tied with a bow in the back, and secured with her grandmother's brooch. The bride's ensemble was finished with a white, elbow-length veil trimmed in satin, and peep-toed Cynthia Rowley shoes.
Each layer of the four-tier, fondant-covered circular cake was decorated in a different pattern of pink, brown, and cream frosting. The layers also featured different flavors: classic white cake with raspberry filling; chocolate cream cake with vanilla buttercream filling; classic butter cake with raspberry filling; and chocolate truffle cake.
The groom's parents hosted the reception, which was held under a large, white tent. Square tables of eight guests were decorated with square chocolate linens and pink runners draped on the table in a tic-tac-toe formation. For centerpieces, three square vases of differing heights were topped with pink peonies, calla lilies, chocolate cosmos, lemon grass, and white hydrangea.
The Favors