Lucky in Love – Caitlin and Drew

Caitlin & Drew, 08/23/2014- Lucky in Love

Caitlin and Drew first met 5 years ago in Portland, Maine, when Caitlin was out celebrating her “going away” to graduate school in Pennsylvania the following week. They met through a mutual friend who grew up with Caitlin, and who went to college and played basketball at USM with Drew. It wasn’t until Caitlin was home for a two week break from graduate school in Pennsylvania that they went on their first date. Caitlin was hesitant to go on the date, knowing she had another year in school in Pennsylvania, but decided to give it a try. Definite sparks flew, neither one of them had ever felt such immediate comfort with another person, it definitely felt like they were meant to find each other. They spent as much time as humanly possible together within the last week before she returned to school, and the deal was sealed when Drew made the 6 hour drive after a full work day to visit Caitlin in PA on Labor Day Weekend. They spent the following year taking turns driving every couple weeks to Portland and Pennsylvania, or meeting half way in Albany, NY, where some of Drew’s family lives. Caitlin’s roommates even surprised her for her birthday by secretly paying for Drew’s gas money and having him drive all the way to PA from Maine late after work on a Friday night, they knew Drew would be the only birthday present for Caitlin that would truly make her happy!

After graduate school, Caitlin moved back to Portland, Maine and moved in with Drew and his two roommates. Over time, alongside friends and family, they continued to grow closer and further in love.

Driving through the White Mountains, to Northern Vermont, to visit Drew’s parents, where he grew up, is one of Caitlin and Drew’s favorite things to do. They always make stops in North Conway, NH and look for Moose through Crawford Notch.

The Proposal:
Drew planned a trip to North Conway, NH to hike and get away in June, 2013, the week before they were going to pick up their chocolate lab puppy, Bruno. He proposed to Caitlin at the top of Mount Kearsarge North after a fun filled weekend in their favorite town.

Finding Hardy Farm:
Caitlin and Drew feel extremely fortunate to have stumbled upon Hardy Farm. They knew they wanted a wedding venue that would allow them to create their own day, and would also allow for all of their closest family and friends to share the weekend with them. Caitlin’s co-worker happened to mention that her neighbor’s had renovated a Bed and Breakfast in Fryeburg and had just started to book weddings. After looking up the website, it seemed to good to be true. Not only was Hardy Farm charming and beautifully designed, but, it was right in the area that Drew and Caitlin loved to drive through, and half way between Caitlin’s family and Drew’s family. They felt they were meant to find the venue. The owners Deb and Greg were extremely inviting, supportive, and open to any of our ideas.

The Wedding Details:
One of the greatest features of Hardy Farm is the ability to bring in unique vendors and ultimately creating whatever vision the Bride and Groom have. There are many opportunities for DIY activities! The wedding was at the wooded ceremony site, cocktail hour was at the Patio and lawn, dinner was under the beautiful sailcloth tent, and dancing was in the elegant barn. The best part, Caitlin and Drew felt, was that 32 of their closest family, friends, and bridal party stayed in the Farmhouse and Lodge for the entire weekend, which made the weekend unforgettable. Caitlin found her dress and the bridesmaids found their dresses at Inspiration Bridal in North Conway, NH. The flowers were picked down the road from Hardy Farm, at Sherman Farms. They were put together by Caitlin’s God Mother and came out more beautiful than Caitlin could have dreamed. The catering was done by 302 Smokehouse, which got rave reviews from the guests. The lobster mac and cheese was a crowd favorite! The music and tent/barn up lighting was provided by Northeast Event Design, which really guided the flow of the evening and provided a ton of fun! Caitlin and Drew are pleased to be left with amazing photos that were taken by Nicole Copeland photography. Drew’s basketball manager lent him the Class Acts basketball bus for the bridal party transportation, and gorgeous off-site photos were taken at Weston’s beach in Fryeburg, Maine. The wedding cake and mini whoopee pies were provided by Elizabeth Roberts, at Baked with Love out of Casco, Maine. Another part Caitlin and Drew found to be very special was how they got to sign a horseshoe that remains in the Barn. It creates the opportunity to keep those precious memories, and a piece of ourselves at Hardy Farm forever.

Caitlin and Drew felt they had the wedding of their dreams, and were excited to hear that several of their wedding guests thought their wedding at Hardy Farm was unique to them, special, and a perfect spot for such a beautiful event.

1 Year Later: 8/23/2015

Caitlin and Drew, and their dog, Bruno moved happily into their first home in Windham, Maine. On their first anniversary they took a reminiscent drive back to Hardy Farm to visit the horseshoe they signed, and felt euphoric when they were greeted by Deborah and Greg with open arms, as if they were part of the Hardy Farm “Family.” They stopped by 302 Smokehouse to have an anniversary dinner, and went home to enjoy a piece of their wedding cake they had saved for the year.

Make sure to check out their original wedding post on the blog from 2014!

Thanks to Nicole Copeland for the terrific images!