A Wedding Rooted in Story and Simplicity

Julia and Dan’s love story began at a summer camp dance in Maine when they were teenagers. Years and many adventures later (including living on a sailboat for a year) — they decided to get married.

When Julia reached out to me, she was excited about her engagement but hesitant about the wedding zeitgeist. She wanted to celebrate her relationship without all the formality and pressure that didn’t feel true to her and Dan.

At one of our first meetings, she joked, “Can we just have sticks as the centerpieces?” That simple idea — raw, unfussy, authentic — became the inspiration for everything that followed.

A Two-Part Celebration Designed with Intention

Julia and Dan ultimately decided on a two-part celebration: a small, private ceremony with immediate family in the summer of 2024, followed a year later by a larger anniversary weekend with friends and extended family. It was the perfect way to honor both the intimacy of their marriage and the joy of community.

For the larger event, there was only one location that made sense — the Maine summer camp where Julia grew up, and where she first met Dan. Julia is a third-generation camper, and Dan attended the boys’ camp down the road. Hosting their wedding celebration at Camp Arcadia tied everything together.

Friday Night: A Relaxed Beachside Welcome Dinner

The weekend kicked off with a casual welcome dinner on the beach, catered by Rustic Taps with wood-fired pizza, beer, and wine.

We styled the tables with blue-and-white checkered cloths and themed each one around classic camp activities — canoeing, archery, arts & crafts, tennis, sailing, and more. Our team at SRS Event Design created colorful, whimsical centerpieces inspired by those traditions. Each table became a conversation starter that introduced guests to the camp culture and history.

Dinner was followed by a late night screening of The Parent Trap in the main lodge, complete with movie concessions like freshly popped popcorn and boxes of candy.

Saturday: A Dinner Party Beneath the Pines

Saturday was intentionally left open — a true “camp day.” Guests swam, played lawn games, and made friendship bracelets before gathering in the Pine Grove for dinner.

This natural clearing surrounded by tall evergreens became the perfect outdoor dining space. Our design approach focused on blending with the environment, not competing with it. We built tablescapes using natural stumps, moss, ferns, and Queen Anne’s lace picked from camp fields. Soft candlelight added warmth as the sun set.

Julia’s wish for “sticks on the table” came to life — elevated into elegant, organic centerpieces that perfectly matched the setting.

Dinner was catered by French Picnic, whose rustic, seasonal menu reflected the same philosophy of simplicity and beauty. Afterward, guests gathered around a fire pit for a creative s’mores bar stocked with gourmet chocolates, nut butters, and homemade curds — the perfect sweet finish.

A Maine Wedding Celebration that Felt Like Home

Julia and Dan’s weekend proved that simple doesn’t mean plain. By focusing on story, place, and personality, we created a celebration that was deeply personal, visually stunning, and full of warmth.

This event perfectly captured what we value most at SRS Event Design — thoughtful planning, thoughtful design, and celebrations that feel like an authentic reflection of the people at their center.