This French Riviera elopement has us convinced that all couples should consider getting back to nature for their wedding day. Lesley S. Photography took this real-life couple to the red stone area of this iconic destination and just let their natural sparks fly. The wedding planner behind Neela Blue set up the coziest ceremony spot on the banks with a rustic macrame and floral backdrop created by WallKnot and Tepee Sauvage and a simple antique rug. The true dreaminess came from the bride, who rocked a boho-casual vibe in a backless Marynea dress and felt hat, and the groom, who looked casual-cool in suspenders and brown suede shoes. It’s not hard to see that these two were made for each other, and they prove that simple, authentic wedding design allows a couple’s personalities to shine brighter than anything else on their wedding day!
If you’ve ever wondered whether having your wedding at home was right for you and your fiance, you need to see all the beauty Lindsay Hackney Photography captured in Chelsea and Cameron’s at-home wedding! The couple’s intimate ceremony took place at Bowdoin College Chapel, which reminded the couple of falling in love in England, and the rest of their celebration was located on the bride’s family farm. The soft mist, the towering trees, the open meadows, and the waterfront views gave every moment of this wedding an ethereal feel and the fact that the groom and mother-of-the-bride were in charge of planning the entire celebration made it truly unforgettable. We also love that Chelsea chose a sophisticated W too wedding gown and lace topper for the ceremony and then changed into a more casual (but equally gorgeous) BHLDN beaded dress for their post-ceremony photos and reception. Every detail of this wedding looked effortless and cozy in the loveliest way, which is one of the most compelling reasons for having your wedding at home!
One of our top priorities in the planning process was creating in our wedding weekend the kind of atmosphere for ourselves and our loved ones that we hope to cultivate in our marriage: warmth, welcomeness, a sense of belonging, beauty, tradition, and joy. We didn’t want to lose this vision in the details and stressors of trying to make things “perfect,” when, often times, what makes experiences so rich is not the vintage plate collection (though awesome) but conversations around it. We actively chose to prioritize relationships (including with each other) over detail-perfection, and I think that commitment helped create the experience for ourselves and our people that we had hoped for. If we could summarize our experience of our wedding day it would be delightful.
We made the very questionable decision of getting married a week after I (Chelsea) took the MA Bar Exam. About two weeks into bar studying, all the decisions we had pushed back while I finished up law school came due. We had the basics down: the locations of the ceremony and the reception we had decided that spring, and I had gone dress shopping with my mom. But all the fun details were left undecided! Very sadly, I handed over the entire planning process to my mom and Cameron. It was painful at the time, but this ended up being the best decision I made throughout the process. They were a dream team!
My mom and Cameron were each tasked with different parts of the wedding and they coordinated seamlessly. The plan of attack was for them to research the options, present me with the final decision, and when I had brain space to make it, execute my choice. Other times, I was too overwhelmed, and they got the hint and took the reins. It was like having a mix of loving but reality-checking staff. And while I struggled with frustration and disappointment with not being able to be as involved in the planning process as I wished and needing to compromise on certain extra details that I just couldn’t bear to ask them to get into, here is the magic: when the wedding week rolled around, I knew almost nothing about the weekend’s logistics. As my friends and family trickled into town for the celebrations, I was entirely free to be present with them!
I (Chelsea) grew up on an old Maine homestead near her father’s alma mater, Bowdoin College. We chose to marry in the College’s chapel, modeled after British university chapels because it reminded us of falling in love in England’s Peak District. And the fabulous aisle didn’t hurt! We held our cocktail hour in Chelsea‘s family horse barn and our reception under a tent in her family’s meadow, under towering pines and a soft mist. Each location held meaning and history for us. Welcoming our guests into such a beloved space, as we welcomed them into celebrating our love, added a depth of magic to our day and our photos that we couldn’t anticipate at the time we chose our venues, but continues to awe us.
Cameron is a foodie and I love coming along for the ride! We hoped to foster feelings of intimacy and conviviality among our guests, and we believe good food and wine is a big part of that equation. Through friends, we found a tremendous local chef who sources from local farms and takes on a few catering events each year. He is creative, detailed, and a joy to work with. We heard from so many guests that Chef Chris’s tasting menu was the most delicious wedding hors-d’oeuvres and meal they’ve ever eaten. We agree! And amazingly, he was able to make the entire meal gluten free so that I could eat everything.
When it comes to planning the end of your wedding reception, you have to find that perfect balance of getting all your guests out of the venue on time without killing the party vibe. This will be your final memorable moment and also a definitive cue for your guests to leave, so you want to make it count! We’ve seen a lot of great ways to end your reception over the years, but these are our all-time favorite ideas. Some are traditional, some involve surprises, and some are totally unique — and all of them are sure to be unforgettable! Just remember that, as you’re planning your wedding timeline, you should leave at least one hour from the time you leave to the time your contract is up to give your crew plenty of time to get the venue back in order.
The grand exit is one of the most classic ways to end your reception, and for good reason. After everyone has danced their hearts out, all your guests line up outside to create a pathway for you and your new spouse to walk (or run) through as you say your final goodbye. Most couples supply sparklers for guests to light up the pathway, but you could also use glow sticks if your grand exit will be at night. We’ve even seen couples double up on glowsticks and bubbles so they get a hint of light along with an adorable photo op. If you’re having a day-time reception, you don’t have to limit yourself to props that light up. You could also use confetti, glitter, paper airplanes, or flower petals. Whatever you choose, this will be one of the most joyful moments of the entire day and the perfect way for all your guests to shower you with love one final time before you start your new life together.
For logistics purposes, ask your wedding coordinator to line everyone up, distribute the props, and collect used sparklers or extra items after you’ve left. If you don’t have a coordinator (but we highly recommend you do!), ask your bridesmaids or trusted family members to handle this part so you can truly make a grand exit. You can also add a sign at the reception at a high-traffic area, such as the guest book table, letting guests know what time your grand exit will take place.
If you want to take your reception end to the next level, a fireworks display is the way to go! And keeping it a surprise will make it feel even more romantic and special. This is a great way to get everyone outside and gives you the perfect opportunity to say goodbye and head immediately to your getaway car. Keep in mind, there are extra safety precautions to consider for using fireworks. Before you do anything else, check with your venue to confirm they allow fireworks on their property. As it gets closer to the wedding day, keep an eye on the weather and check for any burn bans that might prohibit you. If you get the green light, make sure your photographer knows the plan and simply enjoy that magical final moment of your day!
If the idea of a formal exit doesn’t appeal to you, end your night with all your guests on the dance floor instead! Pick a song that matches the tone you want your guests to remember. Some couples opt for a slow dance to end the night on a sweet and sentimental note while others choose to end on a party high with an upbeat crowd favorite. You can’t go wrong either way! When the DJ invites everyone onto the dance floor for the last song, ask her/him to also announce that there will be no formal exit so that guests know to stay on or near the dance floor to say goodbye.
If you’re one of those couples with a unique talent — or who just love the spotlight — is there a better way to end your reception than with a special performance? We don’t think so! Grab the mic and sing your heart out to your favorite song or perform a choreographed dance your guests will never forget. This is guaranteed to be the show-stopping moment of the night and the most unique way to end the party on a high note. If possible, keep it a surprise and give a short toast before you begin so you can say a blanket thank you to all of your guests. And make sure your videographer is there to capture your moment and the pure excitement in your guests’ reaction!
With all that dancing and drinking, your guests are bound to be hungry by the end of the night — even after a full dinner! So curb those late-night munchies with a special snack delivery before the party ends. Think pizza delivery, cookies and milk and/or coffee, or a station with mini sliders. You could even hire your favorite food truck to park at the venue to provide guests with more diverse options! This is one of those extra special treats that will take your wedding above and beyond, and something your guests will truly appreciate — especially if they’re planning to continue the party after the reception. To limit the amount of food left over at the end of the night, provide small to-go boxes so guests can take either enjoy the snacks at the reception or on the ride home.
There’s no reason the party has to end with your reception! In fact, a lot of modern couples think the reception just isn’t enough time to talk to all their guests, which is why after-parties have become such a trend in wedding planning. Even couples that don’t want to join in the after-party offer this as a suggestion to those party animal guests who won’t be ready to call it quits. On your wedding website, let everyone know where the after-party will be — your favorite bar is always a good option, but you could also coordinate with a generous family member or friend to have it at their home. This will allow guests who are ready for bed to leave, give the party animals a place to go so the clean-up process can start, and allow you and your spouse some time to breathe and relax. Just remember, it’s completely okay if you decide you’d rather start your honeymoon early or just get some well-deserved sleep!
We would also like to remind you that the only way not to end your reception is with you and your spouse helping to clean up! Even if you technically hosted the wedding yourselves, this is the exception to the rule that the hosts should be the last ones at the party. Once you say your goodbyes, it’s time to start the honeymoon and let your crew take care of getting the venue back in order.
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