By Jessika Brooks
Whether you live in Maine or out of state, it’s not hard to show your guests why you chose to be married here. Why not build into your special event an amazing mini-vacation for your guests. Think about creating a multi-day celebration with an itinerary full of fun activities…but don’t forget to build in some rest and relaxation time, too.
Maine summers are usually spectacular with warm days and cool nights and there’s so much to do, see and enjoy. All across the state, there are wonderful restaurants, unique shopping destinations, spas for relaxing, great golf courses, and opportunities to hike, bike, and sail. With that in mind, I’ve created a sample itinerary based on the many summer weddings we’ve hosted here at French’s Point. We have other seasonal itinerary recommendations on our website.
Our experience is that most weddings occur in the mid afternoon to allow the wedding party time for a group activity or time to get ready, make the most of available daylight for photography, and leave the rest of evening to celebrate. The below itinerary is full of ideas so enjoy…
Day One — Arrival, Rehearsals, and Beach Get Togethers
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Guests arrive and check into accommodations to find a Maine-made product welcome gift basket awaiting them. Wedding party schooner ride.
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Ceremony rehearsal for wedding party.
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Summer-themed cocktails with oyster bar on the terrace.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Rehearsal Dinner — Lobster Bake over a roaring fire with custom cloth lobster-bake bibs, beach blankets, Adirondack chairs and tables and a wooden dory filled with Maine microbrews with music provided by Belfast Bay Fiddlers.
8 to 9 p.m. — Beach bonfire featuring hot toddies, reminiscing, and roasting marshmallows for s ‘mores.
Day Two — Wedding Day
7 a.m. to 8 a.m. — Enjoy a hearty Maine breakfast of eggs benedict and wild Maine blueberry toppings for Belgian waffles. Enjoy the antioxidants! This is an important meal to remember, as many a wedding party member and bride have felt lightheaded or fainted for the simple reason that they skipped breakfast.
8 a.m. to 12 p.m. — Coordinated group activity, like golf and whale watching, with a fabulously prepared picnic or box lunch for everyone — think lobster rolls. Or a carriage trail ride at Acadia National Park with a stop at the famed Jordan Pond House Restaurant for delicious popovers and lunch.
Noon to 2 p.m. — Rest, relax, and shower.
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. — Wedding vendors arrive to being preparation.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Bridal party arrives at venue for hair and make-up. Photographer and videographer arrive to take getting ready pictures. Our brides often take advantage of our private deck connected to our waterfront bridal suite to host private bridal luncheons or light fare and champagne.
3:30 p.m. — Guests begin arriving and are greeted by lavender iced tea, pink lemonade, or French’s Point punch before being seated.
4:30 p.m. — Wedding party follows a bagpiper down the aisle to exchange vows on the terrace, the lawn, or in our outside gazebo on the tip of the point surrounded by water. Congratulations to the officially married couple!
5 p.m. — Cocktail hour on the terrace and sprawling lawns with the soft music of a string quartet.
6 p.m. — Announcement of the newly married couple into the dinner reception. We recommend dinner either in our classic dining room or a waterfront tent.
6:30 p.m. — Time for toasts. Raise a glass while the best man and others in the wedding party share their speeches to honor the couple.
7:30 p.m. — Cake cutting along with a cupcake pyramid or whoopie pie bar followed by the couple’s first dance and then open dancing. Maine has some great local music so for a different approach try a blue grass, steel drum or brass band or go for the more traditional wedding music and DJ.
8 p.m. to later — Celebrate! Mingle with guests, dance, and laugh because it’s a party. Have fun and enjoy it for all it's worth.
10 p.m. — Fireworks finale and a sparkler send-off of bride and groom with guests departing to their accommodations.
Day Three — Relax and Wind Down
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. — High-tea themed farewell brunch with flavored iced teas, bellinis, mimosas, Bloody Marys, delightfully tasty tea sandwiches, and lawn games such as croquet, badminton, and bocce.
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Jessika Brooks is an event planner and the owner of French’s Point located in Stockton Springs, Maine.
Photos clockwise from top: David Murray Weddings, Michelle Turner Photography, Stacey Kane Photographer, Michelle Turner Photography.
