Thanks to all who attended our first annual Four Season Wedding Show this past Saturday. The day could not have been more beautiful, the skies were clear and sunny and the ocean water was a deep winter blue. Our fabulous partnered vendors put on an incredible display of tablescapes, cakes and desserts, wedding gowns, invitations, calligraphy, spa services, Maine Made Favors and Gifts, transportation, and entertainment for every season.
The event began with guests entering Spring and receiving French’s Point Totes, magazines for inspiration from Real Maine Weddings Magazine. They were given fresh gardenias for their hair and they sampled delicious cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres.
Couples were then serenaded by Opus Trio playing classical music, Brian Nadeau Music Services playing a great variety of cocktail, dinner and dance music and the very fun Atlantic Clarion Steel Drum Band. There was a dancing performance by Have 2 Dance, followed by lessons.
On the upper level in our bridal suite, brides were offered demo event hair design by Lisa Nichols Salon, make-up trials From This Day Forward and shellac and resin nail demos by Angela Austin Hair Studio.
At the show, many of our favorite Maine Made gift companies hosted tables. Sea Bags set up a fun table of their recycled sailcloth bags that changed season every hour. Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. provided a sample of the hot new trend of a self-serve popcorn bar which had flavored popcorn for every season such as eggnog and maple syrup, perfect for any winter or fall wedding. The popcorn bar has replaced the recent trend of the self-serve candy bar at wedding events, and clients of French’s Point loves this offering because of Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. Maine roots! The Good Kettle provided samples of their delicious marmalades which are a unique alternative to the frequent offering of blueberry jam as a wedding favor or welcome basket offering. Dean’s Sweets was there with his scrumptious handmade truffles… French’s Point favorites are Lemon Apricot Chevre, Sea Salt Carmel, Ginger and the hands-down favorite of Bacon Butter Crunch!
Talented designer Sandi McKeen Couture was here with customized bridal boleros and jackets for each season… perfect for our Maine setting as nights can be cool, even in summer. Papier Gourmet provided a sampling of their vast offerings for customized stationery. Anna Kessler Calligraphy was here to provide samples of her beautiful work.
Long-time French’s Point friend Michelle Tuner Photography was here sharing her portfolios with guests and snapping away photos of the day’s details. Roger and Jen of Eager Eye Photography had a beautiful display of their work to share with visitors. Brian of Hindsight Wedding Films was here to discuss his stunning work and also shot footage of the event.
Our bar manager, Charlotte and our bar tendering wizards crafted a tasty selection of drinks that followed the flow of the seasons throughout the afternoon. The top two favorite drinks served were her Mango Mojito and our famous signature cocktail the Bluebini, our blueberry martini. We also offered tasty hors-d’oeuvres selections for each season. The show favorites were Chilled Strawberry Soup Shooters offered in Spring, the feta and watermelon skewers with the mint drizzle offered in Summer and the cranberry bread triangles topped with Boursin and roast turkey for Fall.
Guests were able to view transportation options from Country Coach Charters up close as they had their antique car, stretch limo and shuttle bus on site. Our dear friend Captain Kenneth Barnes was here to discuss his Justice of the Peace Ceremonial Bagpipes services.
Guests were offered private tours of French’s Point accommodations at the eleven-bedroom Saltwater Farm at French’s Point which sleeps 30-37 guests for weddings and other events taking place at French’s Point. The estate now offers a new croquet lawn, badminton court, horseshoe pits, and two cobblestone waterfront terraces. It also has a private beach and access to the trails through the 100-acre wood at French’s Point. Two of our accommodations partners were in attendance: The Inn at Oceans Edge in Lincolnville and Comfort Inn in Belfast. Some of our “destination guests” from out of the area made a weekend getaway of the trip to the show and enjoyed a discounted room rate for the weekend at the Comfort Inn Belfast.
Guests were invited outside to the heated terrace to experience Winter with s’mores fireside and sleigh rides provided by Waikerie Livery Service It was a beautiful day for a ride along the water’s edge!
Our couples and guests were able to taste four luscious seasonal displays of cakes and treats by the fabulous Jessica Parrott from Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott. The amazing Judy Bourgeois of Flora Fauna Designs ( our go-to gal for stunning client-centered design) provided gorgeous tablescapes for each season which were coordinated with four sample wedding gowns from Madeleine’s Daughter Bridal Boutique of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The goal was to showcase unique design options for each season.
As the day drew to an end, the show culminated with an amazing waterfront fireworks display provided by Central Maine Pyrotechnics and the grand prize giveaway presented to Johanna Rodden and fiancé Joe Dyer. They happily left the show with a large lobster claw designer bag from Sea Bags filled with goodies from Dean’s Sweets, The Good Kettle and Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. as well as a certificate for a private lobster bake for six people provided by French’s Point.
For us, it was a perfect afternoon to spend learning about every couple’s special wedding dreams. We hope you left with many great ideas for your big day.
And finally, a special thank you goes out to all of our fabulous vendors who helped pull off such an incredible event!