Stephanie and Peter's WEDDING ON HER FAMILY'S BLUEBERRY FARM

BANGOR, MAINE

How it felt.

Peter and Stephanie's wedding took place on a blueberry farm in Maine that has been in Stephanie's family for years. The couple are artists in their own right, and infused personal touches of themselves and family throughout the day. The florals were pulled from a hydrangea bush that Stephanie's grandmother planted years ago.

Inspired by one of her favorite artist's, Andrew Wyeth, Stephanie seems to be living her own version of "Christina's World." A handmade paper artisan, Stephanie (of Share Studios) crafts her paper using deckle moulds made by her now husband Peter. While getting ready for their wedding day, she wrote Peter a brief note on some of her handmade paper, using a hand carved pen that she taught her dad to make as a pandemic project.

Rather than experience what might be a typical wedding buzz, the family milled around the property setting up and chipping in to create the intimate event that was to come. Stephanie's sister helped her into her dress and veil, while her Aunt finished up the whoopie pie cake (an old family recipe). Benches were brought in for the ceremony, while windows that were once a part of a family home, were crafted into a backdrop. Just before walking down the aisle, Peter peeked out the window to see if guests had arrived.

During portraits, every type of Maine weather was experienced. The bride and groom were seen running through the property during a lightning storm, and everyone huddled into the garage while the storm passed. Once cleared, a rainbow appeared and Stephanie and Peter's family met in the blueberry fields. The families talked about what running a blueberry farm is like, while children sampled the fruit. Guests sipped on drinks while playing yard games before a beautiful sunset.

dress: kamperette | PHOTOGRAPHY: NIKKI DASKALAKIS | Handmade Paper: share studios | rentals: wallace events | Hair: Mane Beauty studio | Groom's attire: charvet | film lab: photovision prints

Nikki was a total godsend. We had a very laid back style of planning our wedding, and admittedly could have used a bit more structure to the day. We both struggled with anxiety, but Nikki was so cool and in control. She calmed our nerves, basically orchestrated the pace of our wedding day, and not to mention took breathtaking photos while dodging thunderstorms and drenching rain. She rolled with the punches as Maine threw every type of Summer weather at us. Of all the photos that she took that day, the first one she shared with me (the next day) will always be my favorite. It was just a feeling. A blur of a Kamperett dress, a flash of blue suit, moody storm clouds ahead, a rush of green below: running into our future together.

- stephanie, bride