Coastal maine wedding in shades of blue with a speakeasy bar tent

white purple and blue wedding in maine

Sky blue and navy mixed with lavender and white to create a welcoming and whimsical design for this wedding. It's no secret that blue and white weddings are trending, but we love the coastal twist that this couple and Pinch Me Planning put on the palette. Colton and Clare had a vision for their wedding, our favorite detail has to be the speakeasy bar tent that they put together. Oh, and it's definitely worth mentioning that this wedding had over 200 guests in attendance, so if you're planning a big wedding yourself, this is a MUST see! Keep reading to hear all about this beautiful day and the couple's love story from the bride herself and to see even more of these stunning photos by The Libbys Photo and Films.

an unlikely day for a proposal

groom tears up at first look with bride in garden

Colton proposed outside of Clare's parents’ house on Scarborough Beach in Maine on Memorial Day weekend 2022. It was a stormy day and we both stayed up too late at Portland bars watching the Celtics playoff games with Clare’s younger brother Jack the night before. We were all exhausted, hanging out in sweatpants attempting to recover. Colton was insisting on a beach walk, which was the typical routine on a Sunday morning. However, considering the weather, the request was very uncharacteristic, seeing as he despises cold stormy weather. Eventually, Colton coerced Clare into getting outside “before the rain really started”.... he wasted no time and got on one knee at the end of the boardwalk on the way to the beach. Both of our families came together for a big barbeque and lobster roll celebration. It was really special that all of the siblings were there. Everyone was in on the surprise apart from Colton’s mom who was jumping up and down once we got back to the house. After an hour of champagne popping and burger eating, the storm had passed and a big, bright double rainbow appeared over the ocean, framing the exact spot Colton had gotten on a knee. A couple of months later we did our engagement shoot with the Libby’s on that same boardwalk and beach.

a coastal color palette

blue purple and white tented wedding reception

We knew we wanted to trend toward a classic, coastal blue palette; however, we also wanted to ensure that we stayed true to Bar Harbor, Maine. We focused on the rocky coastline, the quintessential coastal Bar Harbor town center, combined with the Bar Harbor Club’s architecture and landscaping. In working with Christina, she presented us with an entire design board filled with dusty blues and purples. Our key mood words were “coastal”, “romantic”, “classic”, and “fun”.

maine inspired wedding invitations

nautical wedding decorations blue and purple wedding tablescape

finding the right team and a big enough venue

blue large wedding venue on maine coast

Clare had selected a list of coastal Maine venues but very few were able to host over 200 guests. Finally, we narrowed in on the Bar Harbor Club, 5 hours from our hometown in Massachusetts. Once we had our venue we immediately reached out to Christina at Pinch Me Planning. Christina was our absolute champion throughout the entire process. Clare and Tracy worked hand in hand making decisions, researching inspiration, and meeting regularly with Christina and other vendors. Christina was originally brought on as a design consultant because she had already booked a wedding on our date for her full service. After the first time we met Christina in person at the BHC, we were begging her to hire her for her full service. As she always does, Christina made the impossible possible and brought another amazing member of her staff, Celine. Christina ramped up her involvement from design consultation, to her full service, and Celine was on sight executing perfectly for the wedding weekend.

glass tent wedding reception ideas

what they wore

bride in oscar de la renta gown with 3d flowers

I had very little vision of what I wanted, but I knew I wanted something classic, that was through and through a wedding dress. I think the Oscar De La Renta was the third dress I tried on, and I really did have that gut feeling experience. It was so classy, bright white, feminine, and everything that comes to mind for me when I think of “wedding dress”. We also sewed one of the lace flowers from my mom’s wedding dress into the hem of my dress. It sounds silly but having a piece of my mom’s dress on my dress was a physical reminder to be present and soak up every moment of pure joy.

mom helping bride into dress on wedding day

bridal portrait ideas bride poses by maine coastline

bride and bridesmaids in purple on maine coastline

bride in mini dress for reception

I wore light blue Badgley Mischka Embellished Pointed pumps (my something blue). I changed into a strapless Sachin and Babi mini dress with embroidery that kind of mirrored the appliques of my wedding dress, with some platform white sneakers from Ash. I also used the site “something borrowed” to rent the Cult Gaia pearl choker and a Retrofete pearl bag that I put on with my mini-party dress. I wore my Mom’s Mikimoto pearl jewelry, her diamond and pearl drop earrings, and her diamond and pearl bracelet as my something borrowed. Colton also gifted me a white gold and blue sapphire tennis bracelet (my something new). The bridesmaids all wore the same Amsale dress in a dusty blueish-purple color.

groom in blue tux with white rose boutonnière

The groom and his men to Indochino to get their suits fitted. They had a great experience–the Indochino team was quick and efficient with the measuring and provided a great atmosphere to hang out.

groom and groomsmen in blue suits

all happy tears at this ceremony

flower-filled chapel wedding in blue lavender and white

I cried when I saw the ceremony room set up for the first time. We wanted to create our own little chapel, and it turned out so stunning. The natural wood beams, with the incredible florals from The Bud Connection, draping, and lighting are all so spectacular. My bridesmaids and I snuck in when it was all being put together, and we were all crying in our PJs with curlers in our hair.

blue lavender and white wedding flowers

shadow projection for wedding ceremony

Seeing Colton at the end of the aisle – everyone told me to walk slowly, hold my bouquet low, look around at all of our friends and family – but I couldn’t do anything besides hold onto my dad and stare down the aisle at Colton.

indoor garden themed wedding ceremony

a speakeasy bar tent

speakeasy themed bar at wedding

We made our bar tent our own “speakeasy”. Whenever Colton and I go to a new city, we always try to go to a speakeasy bar. We even fantasize about creating a speakeasy in our basement home one day! Christina was so supportive of this idea and nailed the aesthetic. She took all of our wedding colors and found a more moody hue, that she applied to napkins, draping, furniture, and florals. We named our speak easy after the street we live on in Boston. Colton built our house, and for two years as he worked on it our friends and family would refer to the project as “West Third”. It was so fun revealing “West Third” to those same friends and family members at the reception.

custom match boxes for wedding

a reception in shades of blue and purple

blue purple and white wedding reception

When we finally sat down for dinner and I looked around at everyone laughing and cheering and enjoying the evening, I was elated. I wish I could live in that tent and moment forever!

blue lavender and white tented reception sweetheart table levitating floral installation at tented reception