Seasons of Love

Brooke and Chris met through a mutual friend after attending two different high schools in Maine. “He wore a shirt of a rival football team from where I was going to college,” says Brooke. In an admittedly rough start, Brooke told Chris that he should “probably burn his shirt,” but it got his attention. Life soon pulled the pair in different directions, but they reconnected eight years later in Colorado. Brooke was visiting her college roommate in Denver, and Chris was living nearby in Colorado Springs. “We spent months talking back and forth while I was living in Georgia,” says Brooke. After a year of making long distance work, Brooke and Chris both moved back to Maine.

One Memorial Day weekend, the couple had just arrived home from a weekend at camp with family. Chris disappeared upstairs almost immediately, and Brooke assumed he was just unpacking for a while. When it was time for bed, the couple made their way upstairs. Chris walked into the room while it was dark and accidentally ran into the corner of his dresser. “I started laughing and wondering what was going on with him,” Brooke says. When she turned on the light, a ring box was sitting on the bedside table. She was absolutely shocked. Chris got on one knee. “I have absolutely no idea what he said,” Brooke says. “I stuck my hand out, and he said, ‘So, is that a yes?’”

When it came to the wedding day, August 31, 2019, Brooke and Chris wanted a relaxing day that they could share with the people that mean the most to them. They ditched the standard wedding traditions and spent most of the day together. Having the wedding at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley made the weekend extra special—almost everyone stayed on-site, so there was a ton of extra time for friends and family. It was especially rewarding to see everyone having fun and exploring the place the couple loves so much. 

The First Look

The couple shared their first look at the Outdoor Center. Brooke walked up behind Chris and whispered that she was in her PJs. The photographer immediately shouted that Brooke was actually in a T-Rex suit. “At every ‘big’ moment in our relationship, one of us has done something weird, silly, or embarrassing,” says Brooke. “That’s just our brand of love.” Afterward, they went to the clubhouse to share a drink and relax before the ceremony. 

“We spent so much time planning and getting ready for the day, it was nice to just be able to enjoy it all together.” 

Brooke + Chris

Resources

Accessories: Crystal Corridor

London Jae Apparel

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Cake: The Bankery

Catering: Sugarloaf

Centerpieces: Before Noon Paperie

Skowhegan Fleuriste + Formalwear

Day-of Coordinator + Planner: Kayla Thompson

Flowers: Skowhegan Fleuriste + Formalwear

Gown: Watters

Hair: Studio 88 Salon Brittany Johnson (207.846.1646)

Lighting: Maine Event Design + Decor

Makeup: Whitney Beal Beauty (207.812.6179)

Music: M+M Entertainment

Officiant: Dorothy “Dot” Riendeau (family friend)

Photography: Breezy Photography

Rings: Day’s Jewelers

Stationery: Zazzle

Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Venue: Sugarloaf

Wedding Signs: SweetNCCollective

The post This Mountainside Wedding at Sugarloaf Includes a Stunning First Look Backdrop appeared first on The Maine Mag.

It’s raining when I arrive, but I waste no time starting my exploration on the “quiet side” of the island. Located in Southwest Harbor, the Wendell Gilley Museum celebrates the life and work of the preeminent decorative bird carver. Half of the museum is a rotating exhibition of Gilley’s beautifully carved birds, while the rest is an interactive workshop that showcases carvings in progress.

Sawyer’s Specialties is the perfect neighborhood wine shop. It offers both a well-curated wine selection and a large selection of gourmet cheeses. The knowledgeable staff give me recommendations for the ideal spring wine.

I make a brief stop at the idyllic Somesville Museum and Gardens to stroll across the Thaddeus Shepley Somes Memorial Bridge. From the museum, the bridge spans a mill stream and heirloom garden to reach the Somesville Selectmen’s Building.

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The wedding ceremony and reception incorporated traditions from Pouria’s Persian heritage, including a dance where flower petals and fake money are thrown at the bride and groom. Rain meant the ceremony had to be under a tent on the patio of the Bar Harbor Club instead of on the lawn, but the couple liked the way the subtle sounds of raindrops made the ceremony feel more intimate, and at the reception, “it kept everyone on the dance floor all night, which is exactly what we wanted,” says Pouria.

BONDING IN BAR HARBOR 

LOCATION: Hailey’s family’s long connection to Maine includes childhood summers at Wohelo and Timanous camps
 on Sebago Lake and, more recently, visits to their home in Bar Harbor. Pouria’s first trip to Maine was for Christmas in 2008, when Hailey thought the two feet of snow might scare him away, “but he fell in love with it too,” she says. “We both immediately knew this was where we wanted to get married.”

ACCESSORIES: The earrings Hailey wore belonged to Pouria’s late maternal grandmother, who Hailey never had the chance to meet. Continuing the Maine theme, Pouria ordered sterling silver lobster cufflinks for him and his groomsmen to wear.

MUSIC: The couple originally planned to have a live band for the reception, but since they wanted to include Persian music— “which is impossible not to dance to,” says Pouria—they decided on a Persian DJ. DJ Taba, who travels worldwide for shows with the internet radio station Radio Javan, had everyone on their feet.

Accessories:
Lottie-Da Designs

BHLDN

Bridesmaids’ Dresses:
BHLDN

Cake:
Celebration Cakes by Janice Strout

Catering & Venue:
Bar Harbor Club

Centerpieces & Flowers:
Seasons Downeast Designs

Groom’s attire:
J. Crew
jcrew.com

Groomsmens’ attire:
The Black Tux

Day-of Coordinators:
Brigid Amendo, Landfall Designs

Emily Margiotti, Bar Harbor Club

Gifts:
Tiffany & Co.

Brooks Brothers

Bulova

Rubin Brothers Diamonds

Gown:
Lazaro
Bridals by Lori

Hair & Makeup:
Amy’s Salon & Spa

Joya beauty

Music:
DJ Taba

Photographer:
Emilie, Inc.

Planner:
Brigid Amendo, Landfall Designs

Rentals:
Wallace Events

Rings:
Royal Design of Buckhead

Stationery:
Foglio Press

Videography:
medianortheast.com

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Camden

Nestled on the shores of Penobscot Bay, the seaside town of Camden has many restaurants, hiking spots, museums, and much more for curious travelers to see. Filling up a day with exploring and sightseeing is simple: grab an ice-cream cone and walk across the historical Tannery Lane Footbridge, or stop into one of the numerous local specialty shops. Take sightseeing to a whole new level with coastal helicopter and plane tours, or get up close and personal with the ocean on a chartered sailing tour. Bursting with vacationers and natives come summer time, Camden’s bustling harbor is home to ships, yachts and windjammers, and Penobscot Bay is known around the world as a top boating destination. On the outskirts of town, get in touch with nature by exploring Camden Hills State Park. The park has a variety of hiking trails and summits that offer sweeping views of the bay. —Emma Simard

Bar Harbor

Located in Maine’s downeast region on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is a popular summer destination for tourists and Mainers alike. The cozy town is rich with New England charm that appeals to history buffs, families, and outdoorsy types. One of Bar Harbor’s most popular attractions is Acadia National Park, which had 3.5 million visitors last year. You can wake up early to catch the sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain, and after a day of hiking and kayaking, head into town for drinks and dinner overlooking the water. There are plenty of options for overnight accommodations in downtown Bar Harbor, as well as a number of campgrounds in and around Acadia. The seaside town is also known for its cute boutique shops and beautiful Shore Path. The walking trail snakes past the downtown and offers great ocean views. If the tide is low, walk the natural land bridge that leads to Bar Island. —Kate Gardner

Belgrade

The linked series of lakes and ponds that spill into each other through various dams, inlets, and outlets make up this treasure of the Kennebec Valley region. Famous for its legendary fishing opportunities and summer camps, Belgrade comes to life with visitors each summer. Activities are often centered around the bodies of water that make up this region: Great Pond, Long Pond, Messalonskee Lake, East Pond, North Pond, McGrath Pond, and Salmon Pond. This region is best explored by boat—whether you are fishing for trout, pike, and bass, or pulling up to the dock of one of the town’s great restaurants. The bustling hub at the heart of Belgrade is Day’s Store, where visitors can get everything they need, from fishing tackle to sandwiches. —Joel Kuschke

Ogunquit

With three miles of sandy beaches, numerous oceanfront dining and lodging options, and no shortage of gift shops, Ogunquit is the quintessential Maine beachside resort town. A mile-long footpath, Marginal Way, starts near the center of town and follows the coastline south to Perkins Cove, offering dramatic views of the waves crashing against rocks. The town also has a strong arts scene, anchored by two cultural institutions: the Ogunquit Playhouse and the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. The towns stays lively into the night at the Front Porch, a restaurant and lounge with an iconic piano bar, and Mainstreet, a gay nightclub with two dance floors and two outdoor decks. —Paul Koenig

Brunswick

Situated between the Androscoggin River and Casco Bay, Brunswick has an eclectic mixture of hotels, restaurants, and local and national businesses. Its year-round community, entrepreneurs, and college students have helped to shape the town into what it is today. During the summer, the village green hosts farmers’ markets, live music, and a handful of food trucks and trailers that have become a staple. Brunswick is the one-stop destination for travelers who are seeking a food-based experience, without compromising on a quiet, coastal escape. Maine Street is lined with historic buildings that are filled with local boutiques and restaurants serving food from all around the world. From high-end restaurants to a diner on the side of a busy road, the hardest decision is just choosing where to eat. There are several museums within the town limits, as well as a handful of art galleries that showcase a variety of local artists. Of the many hiking trails around Brunswick, the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path is right in town and extends for 2.6 miles, abutting the Androscoggin River for a majority of the trail. Visitors seeking more time in nature can explore one of Brunswick’s many wooded parks. —Emma Simard

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Afternoon

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“It was an epiphany,” says the chef. “We have only 20 weeks each year that the restaurant is open. I needed to find the sweet spot where everyone was happy, including me, during that time.” It’s a bold move to mess with a winning formula, but the changes Yarborough has brought to the menu are just enough to feed his creative hunger and keep his loyal customers happy.

There are dishes at Mache Bistro that have been on the menu from the first day the Yarboroughs became owners of the place eight years ago. If the French Lobster Roll on grilled flatbread with Brie and caramelized onions were to disappear, there might be an uprising. Diners feel the same way about the duck leg confit, a French classic. You’ll still find both on the menu alongside other favorites, but now the chef has added a whole new category of small plates. “This is how we like to eat,” Yarborough tells me, “exploring different flavors.”

Yarborough has taken a more global approach, playing with flavor and texture, including several components on each plate. The beautifully presented salmon tartare is a lovely example of one of the new small plates. The fish is lightly mixed with crème fraiche and chives and wrapped in a thin slice of pickled cucumber and topped with microgreens. It’s a fresh mix of tastes, balancing fat from the fish and lightness from the vegetables. Other small plates include pan-roasted shrimp and chorizo, inspired by Spanish tapas and a spice-rubbed, grilled quail.

He attended culinary school in Charleston, but found the emphasis on classic French food to be too structured and restrictive. “I get bored easily,” he says, “and culinary school was too much the same thing over and over.” He talks happily about the inspiration he received from a Thai cook he worked with at an upscale restaurant in South Carolina. “This guy taught me about hot, sour, sweet and salty flavors. I don’t use Asian ingredients, but I use the philosophy I learned from him to play with those elements often,” Yarborough explains. You can taste it in the tender, slow-roasted pork ribs, which is also a new menu item. A dry rub containing za’atar, a complex North African spice, is balanced deliciously with a sweet and savory port cherry barbecue sauce. “You never know where you’ll find a moment of inspiration,” says Yarborough. He and chef-de-cuisine Charlie Merritt have been cooking together for years, and will often work out dishes, each adding something to make the whole better. Yarborough credits Merritt with much of their success.

The chef is thoughtful about the ethics of food and is committed to sustainability; he purchases meat and produce with those practices in mind. Yarborough and his family took a brief detour back home to South Carolina before purchasing Mache, but he really missed the connections he had with growers in Maine. “We couldn’t wait to get back. You don’t realize what you have until you leave it,” says Marie.

Three years ago, the Yarboroughs moved Mache Bistro across town, just a short walk from the very center of Bar Harbor. The space is bigger and now includes a 16-seat deck and small front patio, perfect for relaxing with a drink before dinner. Copper-top tables, chic lighting and striped upholstery are set against a neutral backdrop. A tiny bar area is cozy and allows you to keep an eye on what’s coming out of the kitchen. Wine is an important part of the Mache experience, with a concise list that mirrors the global menu.

If you haven’t been to Mache, it’s time for a visit. Even if you dined there last year, you’ll find some exciting changes. Kyle Yarborough is working hard, and successfully, to keep creativity and terrific food on the menu.

Mache Bistro | 321 Main St. | Bar Harbor | 207.288.0447 | machebistro.com

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01 David’s KPT | Kennebunkport 

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It was hard to pull myself away from the comfortable chair on the wrap-around porch of the Manor House Inn, where I was staying, but I had been looking forward to the evening for weeks. It was just a short walk from the inn to FIORE Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars in downtown Bar Harbor, where a pre-dinner reception was taking place. Pine State Trading, an event sponsor, was pouring wines from Gallo and a glass of La Marca prosecco was just the thing to start the evening, along with bites of Parmesan drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar. Part of the fun of the Chef’s Table is that you don’t know which restaurant of those participating will be your host. A place card picked up at FIORE reveals our dinner destination, and photographer Heidi Kirn and I are excited when we draw Havana.

Havana has been a Bar Harbor favorite for the past 18 years. Brazilian, Mexican and Caribbean influences find their way into highly flavorful, innovative dishes cooked by chef Josh Crotty. Owner Michael Boland brings a personal, hospitable touch and a sure hand with the extensive wine list. There were ten of us who would be dining at Havana and we made our way down Main Street to the restaurant. Seated to my right was Jim Ash and his business partner Liane Wood, both restaurant consultants, gourmands, and super friendly dinner party companions. Ash is a board member of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce and a big supporter of his adopted town. To my left, Lynne Williams, another resident of Bar Harbor, introduced herself as the state’s foremost cannabis attorney, serving as the general counsel for Legalize Maine. Across the table sat Sharon Joyce, owner of Bar Harbor’s Ambrosia Cooking School, and at the end of the table, a father and son duo, on a road trip from New Jersey, were celebrating the young man’s recent graduation from college. Varied company such as this makes for fascinating and lively conversation.

Boland welcomed us with a rosé cava, and when Williams mentioned that she had recently returned from Havana, Cuba, he joked, “From what I understand, our food is much better.” I haven’t been to Cuba but I can say with all certainty that Havana of Bar Harbor put on an exceptional five-course dinner for the Chef’s Table guests. We began with a bright green cucumber and jicama gazpacho, with a swirl of blueberry vinegar and olive oil and garnished with a scattering of fried jicama. It was as delicious as it was beautiful, subtly spiced and silky smooth. Arctic char followed served atop creamy parsnip and buttermilk purée with radishes and ramp leaf powder. Next came a well-seared steak, with a savory black cardamom red-eye gravy, pickled wild ramps and saffron potato foam, followed by a plate of three Maine cheeses, with carbonated grapes and spicy chili and sesame seed salsa. I have a weakness for dessert, and the decadent chocolate and orange torte with white chocolate ganache and crushed tarragon sugar was worth every single calorie.

We bid each other good night, but for some the evening continued at the bar. It was a wonderful time, with new friends and truly fine food just as a dinner party should be.

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This boutique hotel on upper Exchange Street in downtown Portland gathered all of its interior inspiration from the building’s history as the former headquarters for the Portland Press Herald. Inside find art installations inspired by newsrooms and decor such as writing desks and vintage typewriters that remind us of the art of print in a digital age. The Penthouse Suite has exclusive rooftop lounge access. The stairway leads guests up to the roof, where you can see almost 360-degree views of the Old Port, Casco Bay, Back Cove, and Munjoy Hill.

02 The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel | Kennebunkport

The Admiral’s Suite at the Boathouse Waterfront Hotel has a view down the Kennebunk River. Sit on the deck off the second-story room and watch boats as they come in to dock or head out to sea. This is a colorful summertime scene, and in the frost-covered winter months, the seascape is calming. All of the 25 rooms and suites are nautically inspired and outfitted with modern amenities. Take advantage of the “stay enhancements,” which can include fresh baked cookies from David’s KPT and farm- fresh milk or prosecco and chocolates upon arrival.

03 Bluenose Inn | Bar Harbor

The Bluenose Inn was built on a hill, so fourth-floor balconies clear the tips of pine trees, and guests are left with fresh ocean air and sweeping vistas of Frenchman Bay. The Porcupine Islands are lush and evergreen and the Schoodic Peninsula is visible in the distance. Cruise ships pull into port and at low tide Bar Island’s sandbar stretches to meet the busy downtown Bar Harbor. Room packages can include Acadia National Park tours, schooner cruises, and dinner at the hotel’s Looking Glass Restaurant—water view also included.

04 Blair Hill Inn and Restaurant | Greenville

The Blair Hill Inn and Restaurant is located on the east side of Moosehead Lake. In the evenings the sun sets over the lake behind the mountains and paints the sky in oranges and pinks. The scene often empties the inn’s dining room—a popular local spot that fills up most nights. Set on a hillside and raised on a 20-foot-high fieldstone, the inn’s views are above the tree line. Those on the top floor look out to seaplanes flying at the same level high above the lake.

05 Spruce Point Inn | Boothbay

Green islands, blue waters, and lots of boats in between—that’s the scenery from Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay. Spruce Point juts into Linekin Bay and the inn is positioned just right to have both sunsets and sunrises visible to guests. Particularly sought after are the oceanfront cottages that have fireplaces, kitchen facilities, porches, and, of course, views of boats on moorings in the harbor and of Burnt Island Lighthouse in the distance.

06 Inn at Sunrise Point | Lincolnville

Guests have been known to cancel prior engagements to hang out for a little while longer in the Adirondack chairs that dot the Inn at Sunrise Point’s lawn, which has views of Penobscot Bay . The Lane Cottage is as close to the scene as one can get. The private abode is set on a 25-foot bluff and from every room guests can watch the tide washing in and out over the rocky shoreline. Also on the property are elaborate gardens with roses, peonies, poppies, clematis, lupines, and more.

07 Migis Lodge | South Casco

The dock at Migis Lodge offers a panoramic scene of the White Mountains, lake islands, and still, clear water. The lodge offers 35 private cottages equipped with fireplaces, quilts, and fresh flowers and when the sun goes down on clear nights, the still lake water reflects the colors of the sunset. The private cottages are connected through 125 acres of pine needle-covered paths where trees maintain privacy. While there are numerous views from each cottage, Sunset, Spruce, and Stone’s Throw have 180 degrees’ worth of Sebago Lake.

08 Asticou Inn | Northeast Harbor

On a hill overlooking the green-blue waters of Northeast Harbor is the Asticou Inn. The waterview rooms face south and look out to the Cranberry Isles off Mount Desert Island’s shores. While the harbor fills with sailboats and yachts in the warmer months, the protected inlet is a working waterfront for local fishermen year-round. In the early evenings from the windows of the second-, third-, and fourth-floor rooms, guests watch the hushed scene of boats and moorings in golden light.

09 Tides Beach Club | Kennebunkport

At this beachy inn, the Jonathan Adler- furnished suites are highly coveted with private balconies and gorgeous undisturbed Atlantic views (not a lot of boat traffic here). This inn is a six-mile drive from the busier Dock Square and across a low-traffic, 12-foot road is Goose Rocks Beach. Out to sea, the only obstruction is Timber Island, which is accessible via sand bar at low tide.

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