A Lakeside Cabin Wedding with Notable Deer Guests
Lovers of nature, we have a treat for you. Today’s lakeside cabin wedding are all things cozy, woodsy and rustically chic. Emily and Luke traded in the crystals for antlers, and we’re pretty thrilled with the laidback berry-toned result. So say sayonara to the stuffiness and chill… E+L’s wedding is all about the laughter.
Leave it to Jamie Mercurio to give us an autumn soiree we’ll be talking about for all time. Her photojournalistic style make sure no clever candids went amiss, which was especially handy when the surprise woodland guests wandered over!
b merry events crafted a wedding atmosphere that told Emily and Luke’s story in such an aesthetically beautiful way. From the wood chip escort cards to the antler chandeliers, every detail was decided with care.
This illustrated sketch invitation suite from Little Ivy Papergoods is total woodsy wedding vibes!
Flora Fauna brings life + color to the earth tones of the woods with berry-toned blooms and statement feathers too!
The teaser video from Media Northeast teletransports us into their wedding day:
Emily’s bridal gown from Essense of Australia is winning us over, one lace embroidered detail at a time.
From the photographer, Jamie Mercurio Photography: In northern Maine, on the shores of Moosehead Lake, the largest mountain lake in the Eastern United States, is the historic Tomhegan Wilderness Cabins. This is where Emily + Luke were married in a romantically intimate and magical woodland affair. Although Emily + Luke met and now live in California, Emily was born and raised in New Hampshire. She always knew she wanted to be married at her family’s 110-year-old log cabin, called “Birch”, in Maine. Emily’s vision for her wedding day was to treat her guests to an elegant affair in the heart of the Maine woods. Inspiration was drawn from one of Emily’s favorite movies, Out of Africa .
Emily shares, “In one scene, Meryl Streep dances with Robert Redford in the middle of the African savanna. There are candelabras lit, music is playing from a phonograph and she’s wearing a beautiful gown. The elegance and romance of that moment stood in sharp contrast to the wildness of the African savanna behind them. I wanted to achieve that same feeling at this special place in Maine.”
As a couple who thrives on adventure in the natural world – be it camping, snowboarding, scuba diving or surfing – Emily + Luke feel a close connection to the Maine wilderness. As a conservation biologist, the environment is near and dear to Emily’s heart, her work on converting offshore oil platforms into artificial reefs was recently recognized by Forbes, naming Emily on their annual Top 30 Under 30 list for her work in the offshore energy sector in 2018.
The two were married in front of the family cabin beneath a birch arbor built by Emily’s father. The groomsmen donned classic black tuxedos and the bridesmaids in elegant long gowns carried gorgeous jewel-toned bouquets peppered with ptarmigan feathers. Guests were interspersed on benches among the trees and the aisle was lined with sap buckets filled with ferns. The skies were dramatically gray and the wind kicked up to enhance the cozy atmosphere and make a stunning backdrop for photos. Under the lakeside tent guests were treated to a family style meal at candle-lit tables beneath a massive antler chandelier. Notable local guests (and photo-bombers!) at the event included several members of Tomhegan’s protected deer herd. The “Tomhegan Herd” as they’re called, began when the owners of Tomhegan Wilderness Camps adopted an orphan baby deer more than a hundred years ago. Generations later an entire family of deer continue to call this State Game Sanctuary home.
These bridesmaid babes are rocking the natural wavy hair looks fashioned by Ariel Johnson Make-Up.
Holy cow this bar belongs near every hearth! With rentals from Heartwood Essentials, their entire reception is a dream.
Emily + Luke incorporated Maine and the landscape in very detail of their celebration – boutonnieres made of fly fishing lures, deer skulls on the tables, Maine whoopie pies for dessert – even the custom bar was created of stacked campfire wood! And almost every vendor included was a local “Mainer”. The couple did however pay homage to their southern California home, by weaving in a margarita bar and fish tacos (with spicy salsa of course).
When asked about her favorite memory of the day, Emily said, “Walking down the aisle with my dad to the arbor he had built in front my family’s cabin was something out of a beautiful dream. Years ago, my cousin had carved a sign that read “Rainbows End Here” and gave it to my parents to hang in the cabin. For our wedding, they mounted it to the top of our wedding arbor. My dad and I walked down the aisle to Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow – and seeing my husband at the end of the aisle under that sign, really made me feel as though our love had come full circle at this special place I have known all my life – where rainbows end.”
More mountain wedding eye candy this way!
Wedding Vendors:
Photography: Jamie Mercurio Photography
Videography: Media Northeast
Event Planning and Design: b merry events
Floral Design: Flora Fauna
Fly Boutonnieres: Evan Emmot
Venue: Tomhegan Wilderness Cabins
Lavender Farm: Riverside Lavender Farm
Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia
Bridal Boutique: Andrea’s Bridal
Hair and Makeup Artist: Ariel Johnson Make-Up
Jewelry: BHLDN
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Bridesmaid Jewelry: Eden Hand Arts
Groom’s Shirt & Shoes: Brooks Brothers
Groom’s Tuxedo: Calvin Klein
Groomsmen Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Wedding Bands: Bella Jolla Jewelry
Officiant: Mary Carey Foley
Entertainment: DJs Brian & Dominic
Lighting: Griffin & Griffin
Rentals: Heartwood Essentials
Tent: One Stop Event Rentals
Restrooms: Foss Enterprises
Catering, Beverages and Cake: 111 Maine
Invitation Suite & Programs: Little Ivy Papergoods
Guest Gift Bags: Maine Mountain Soap & Candle Company
Transportation: Country Coach Charters