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The Happy Couple
For some couples, love is instant. For others, it's a slow, steady burn that develops over time. Such was the case for Ashley and Jim, good friends who realized they were something more on one fortuitous night in Maine, under a sky full of stars. Three and a half years later, Jim asked for Ashley's hand in marriage. And on the big day, they had their first dance beneath a constellation of glowing lanterns that was every bit as magical as the constellation that brought them together.
Here, Jim, in Express, whispered sweet nothings to his soon-to-be wife, in a Jenny Yoo gown, on their wedding day.
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The Bridesmaids
The bridal party paraded past Lake Sebago; the ladies' one wardrobe requirement was to wear yellow (Ashley helped them source their dresses everywhere including Gilt Groupe and J.Crew).
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The Bridesmaids' Bouquets
'Green Wizard' rudbeckia, craspedia, and hypericum berries, mixed with sunny hydrangeas, cymbidium orchids, and roses give the bridesmaids' bouquets a woodland vibe.
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The Ceremony
Ashley and Jim exchanged vows in St. Andrew's chapel, one of the buildings at century-old Camp O-AT-KA. The only decor the room's gorgeous birch benches needed was a touch of greenery.
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The Programs
Ashley created the star motif on these programs and also used it on cocktail napkins and matchbook favors.
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Save-the-Dates
Save-the-dates featured an outline of Lake Sebago in Maine. Stars from Etsy shop The Starcraft marked the location of the wedding.
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A Starry Theme
A few paper-star lanterns are sent skyward by the bride and her bridesmaids. "Daniel, our photographer, was trying to get us to loosen up," says Ashley.
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Special Touch
Ashley had a heart-and-arrow "tattoo" sewn on the back of her Jenny Yoo gown.
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The Newlyweds
The couple share a private moment on the porch of Camp O-AT-KA's Great Hall.
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A Risky Trip
Jim paddles the new Mrs. O'Brion from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. It was just down the shore, but the duo faced some pretty epic waves. "Our photographer, Daniel, and Jimmy both said, 'No way you can do this, you're going to tip!'" says Ashley, "But I thought that even if we did, it would be such a great story." The couple arrived safe and dry to rounds of applause.
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Escort Display
Rather than relying on escort cards, pals and relatives found their tables (all named for constellations) on a star-chart-style seating diagram with a little telescope set up next to it.
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Custom Decor
The bride's friend Erin Flett designed a textile pattern for the wedding she dubbed "Ashley Pine" and screen-printed it on pillows to comfy up the seating areas.
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Bright Lights
The industrious twosome put their names up in lights with a six-foot-tall sign they made from plywood and paper, painted a glossy red, and then illuminated with tiny bulbs.
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The Favors
One of two matchbook favors designed by the bride features stars and the couple's nicknames.
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Sparkling Exit
Friends trace shapes in the air with a couple of blazing sparklers.
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Sources
Location and Catering: Camp O-At-Ka
Flowers: Jason Parent at Harmon's & Barton's
Stationery: Ashley O'Brion
Wedding Photography: Daniel Kiyoi
Hair and Makeup: Raezors Salon (207-893-2226)
Paper Star Lanterns: Inmark
Matchbooks: ForYourParty.com
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