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A Vintage-Inspired Formal Wedding in Maine

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A Vintage-Inspired Formal Wedding in Maine

February 23, 2012

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Jillian and Paul

Aaron Delesie

After a New Year's Eve proposal, Jillian Parker and Paul Blakeslee decided to borrow a page from Marie Antoinette’s playbook for their opulent New England wedding.

The 19th-century reception site near Cape Elizabeth, Maine, proved a unique backdrop for their chosen theme: Versailles. To bring together the couples' home state and their foreign inspiration, they set the stage in Maine, and Sofia Coppola’s "Marie Antoinette" inspired a rich palette of teal, pale pink, and gold, which played the starring role.

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Royal Stationery

Aaron Delesie

The couple’s monogram appeared inside a crest with a coat of arms inspired by Marie Antoinette. Its border was borrowed from a box of Laduree macarons from Paris, and the teal-and-gold envelope liner echoed the pattern on the bottle of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, which was used in a signature drink. Each guest also received accommodation information, an itinerary, and a reply card, bound with a matching paper sleeve (papelpress.com).

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The Bouquet

Aaron Delesie

The bride's bouquet of white hydrangeas, ranunculus, rosebuds, and silk velvet poppy pods was tied with a blue jacquard ribbon.

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The Bridal Party

Aaron Delesie

Jillian, in Carolina Herrera, posed with her bridesmaids, who were wearing flowy Amsale gowns in Jillian's favorite color, blush pink.

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The Bride's Arrival

Aaron Delesie

An antique Bentley escorted the bride to church in style.

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The Boutonniere

Aaron Delesie

Paul's boutonniere featured two millinery flowers -- one white and one gold -- backed by creamy rosebuds and tied with gold twine.

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The Church

Aaron Delesie

Jillian and Paul were married in Portland, Maine, at their local church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1869.

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The Ceremony

Aaron Delesie

Jillian and Paul listened to priest Fr. Greg Dube give the Homily during their wedding ceremony at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

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The Reception Location

Aaron Delesie

The Barn on Walnut Hill is a turn-of-the-century renovated barn and farmhouse whose attached chicken coop was turned into a wet bar for the reception.

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Welcome Gifts

Aaron Delesie

Guests received silk-screened white-linen welcome bags with an itinerary featuring a hand-drawn map of Portland by Jillian’s father and macarons from 'lette Macarons Beverly Hills.

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Cozy Accommodations

Aaron Delesie

Shawls tied in blue-and-gold jacquard ribbon were displayed for guests on stands in the cocktail tent and came in handy during the cool, rainy reception.

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First Dance

Aaron Delesie

Before the fabric-draped front entrance of the barn, Jillian and Paul shared their first dance to "My Funny Valentine" by Chet Baker.

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The Menu

Aaron Delesie

Paul, a clinical dietitian and culinary school grad, spared no flavor while dreaming up their menu. Oysters, reminiscent of the couple’s first date, were followed by greens dressed with a vinaigrette that showcased his family’s maple syrup, and a small cup of gazpacho, a nod to Jillian’s Texas roots. The main course, rack of lamb, paid tribute to a Valentine’s Day meal he had once prepared for his future bride.

Dinner menus featured hand calligraphy, gold engraving, and a Marie Antoinette design.