A Vintage-Inspired Formal Wedding in Maine

Jillian and Paul

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.

01 of 19

Royal Stationery

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).

02 of 19

The Bouquet

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

03 of 19

The Bridal Party

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

04 of 19

The Bride's Arrival

An antique Bentley escorted the bride to church in style.

05 of 19

The Boutonniere

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

06 of 19

The Church

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

07 of 19

The Ceremony

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

08 of 19

The Reception Location

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.

09 of 19

Welcome Gifts

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.

10 of 19

Cozy Accommodations

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.

11 of 19

First Dance

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

12 of 19

The Menu

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.

13 of 19