July 19, 2014 | Chebeague Island Inn Photographs by Meredith Perdue

Eric and Tamara each grew up speaking two languages. Eric’s mother is Cuban and immigrated to the United States in her teens. Tamara’s parents were Serbian and came to the United States as adults. Throughout the wedding weekend, they honored their family heritages. They created welcome bags that contained notes to guests in three languages (English, Spanish, and Serbian). The wedding program thanked the guests in all three languages, too. They incorporated a Serbian tradition by tucking a sprig of rosemary into each guest’s napkin for the seated dinner. And they set up a game of Cuban dominoes on a table inside the Chebeague Island Inn’s Great Room.

“We hoped that as each guest crossed Casco Bay the fast pace of everyday life would melt away. Then, they’d glance up and see the inn just off in the distance awash in a happy yellow, sitting atop a hill, beckoning them to come and sit a spell,” says Tamara.

LOCATION: The bride and groom as well as guests stayed at the Chebeague Island Inn. In close quarters, Tamara and Eric were able to bond with family and friends throughout the weekend.

DECOR: Working with Meagan Gilpatrick of Maine Seasons Events, they created an elegant, coastal, clean, and inviting look with a palette of Prussian royal blue, oatmeal, cream, butter yellow, and silvery gray green.

WELCOME BAGS: “Because most of our guests had never been to Maine, much less Chebeague Island, we viewed the welcome bags as key,” says Tamara. They included practical information—a map of the island, a map of Portland, and ferry schedules. They also included a list of activities on the island and
in Portland along with restaurant recommendations.

CEREMONY: The Chebeague Island Inn has a tradition of announcing the bride before she emerges by ringing a bell three times. “We decided to embrace the tradition,” says Tamara.

Click for a full list of resources from the 2015 Wedding Issue.