REAL WEDDINGS-February 2014
Photographs by Matthew Robbins Photography
September 14 | Tenants Harbor

Derek and Mali met at a bar in Portland and got engaged on a rock on Peaks Island. When it came to planning their wedding, a couple of things were definite: They wanted to get all their favorite people in the same place, and they wanted to make it really easy for everyone to have a great time. “It all came together when we booked our venue,” says Mali. Flipping through the Maine magazine “camp” issue, their minds ran wild with the idea of renting a sleepover camp for a whole weekend. Blueberry Cove Camp in Tenants Harbor on the water provided the perfect backdrop. The second weekend in September was stunning, filled with warm yellow light and hints of autumn and turning leaves. Mali and Derek wanted their friends to be comfortable and wear whatever they wanted, but the theme was “Yacht Rock.” Guests ran with it. There were captains’ hats and gold buttons, boat shoes and plaids. The couple was even married by their good friend in front of an old refurbished wooden boat “altar.”

“AFTER THE VOWS, THE CAMP BROKE INTO FULL PARTY MODE. THERE WERE LAWN GAMES, LIVE BANDS, DANCING…THERE WAS FIRE, MERRIMENT, AND EVERY TIME WE LOOKED AROUND WE SAW NEW FRIENDSHIPS BEING MADE AND A WHOLE LOT OF LAUGHTER.”

Why…

buck certain wedding traditions? “We made it a point to take as many of the traditional wedding elements out of our event as possible,” explains Mali. “We felt that the less we required of our guests, the more fun they would have. We wanted it to be a free-for-all. Thirsty? Get a drink. Hungry? Eat something. Want to explore? Go for it! Here’s a map of the grounds.”

those flowers? The couple didn’t order flowers, figuring they would find boughs and maybe some wildflowers when they got there. Sure enough, there was a camp garden busting with flowers, and they were encouraged to help themselves. One of Mali’s favorite memories is seeing all of her bridesmaids sitting in a circle, buried in flowers, leaves, and petals, crafting bouquets.

that dress? With the help of Maria Antonieta of Maria Antoneita Couture, Mali designed her dress out of an old sail given to her by longtime family friends.

that groom’s outfit? Derek’s Madras jacket was a tribute to his grandfather, Junius Beebe.

Click for a full list of resources from the 2014 Wedding issue.