1. Real Weddings

An Intimate, Rustic-Industrial Wedding at The Portland Co. in Portland, Maine

When Lauren Methia (31 and a wedding photographer) and Dave Oliver (34 and a chiropractor) began planning their spring nuptials, they knew a destinati

When Lauren Methia (31 and a wedding photographer) and Dave Oliver (34 and a chiropractor) began planning their spring nuptials, they knew a destination affair was in the cards. Wanting to gather their closest family and friends in a significant location, the pair looked to Portland, Maine, a favorite vacation spot with plenty of amenities and stunning scenery for guests to enjoy all weekend long. “It’s been a special place for us since we started dating,” says Lauren, “and while the other locations we were considering were very beautiful, there was no connection and they felt very impersonal to us.” With Maine in mind, the couple then set out in search of a unique venue with lots of character. The Portland Co., an elegant, industrial space along Portland, Maine’s historic waterfront was the perfect fit, providing Lauren and Dave with an unexpected backdrop for their day. “We both loved the style of the space,” says Lauren, “open, airy and industrial. We knew there were so many possibilities and it would be unique.” The day started with a waterfront ceremony officiated by Dave’s brother at Fish Point on Portland’s Eastern Promenade. Allowing the sentiment of the moment and the beauty of the local to be the focus of the occasion, the couple kept the decor to a minimum, adding only a few floral arrangements to help define the outdoor space. After exchanging vows, the newlyweds were whisked off in a pedi-cab to The Portland Co. for the reception. With a short guest list, Laura and Dave were able to make the most of the industrial loft space. With the help of The Event Light Pros and A Family Affair, they created a series of intimate vignettes for each portion of the evening. Strands of bistro lights distinguished the dining area and a cozy lounge complete with sofas, armchairs, vintage rugs and a bar provided a chic place for guests to mix and mingle before dinner. “I wanted the evening to have a backyard feel,” says Lauren. “The style was very organic, simple and elegant. We kept the decor to a minimum to allow the character of the venue to shine through.” Wooden farm tables dressed with simple linen table runners and vintage-inspired bottles filled with flowering branches made guests feel like they’d sat down to a family dinner, while warm candlelight infused the industrial space with undeniable ambiance. Details like hand-lettered place cards, Polaroid escort cards featuring childhood photos of each guest and a menu boasting local craft beer and mini lobster rolls allowed Lauren and Dave to show off their playful personalities. A tip for the taking from Lauren: “Our best advice is to choose the things that are most important to you and focus on that. For us that meant the food, photography, venue, location. Everything else will work itself out.”

To set the tone for their seaside celebration in Portland, Maine, Lauren and Dave had Marie Chang Designs create a custom invitation sweet with a modern, whimsical aesthetic. Calligraphy inspired fonts, a muted color palette and a subtle Maine motif spoke to the wedding’s laid-back, natural and industrial vibe.
Lauren gave her florist Watershed Floral full reign when it came to her bouquet. Capturing the natural essence of the day, the team put together a stunning arrangement of roses, ranunculuses, peonies and ferns with an untamed, romantic appeal.
While 111 Maine’s menu of everything from mini lobster rolls to fish tacos with blueberry-mango slaw went over big with the couple’s guests, the cake received rave reviews. “I love coconut and the look of naked cakes, so those were my only requests,” says Lauren. The couple’s catering team delivered with a decadent coconut-raspberry confection, plus an assortment of miniature desserts including strawberry rhubarb tartlets.
Cocktail hour kicked off an evening of celebrating catered by 111 Maine and the Bar Association. The Event Light Pros and A Family Affair helped the couple to create a cozy, yet chic vignette where guests could relax, while enjoying a selection of locally brewed beers and inspired eats like miniature fish tacos and lobster rolls. To play up the venue’s organic, industrial vibe, the space was decorated with succulents, wooden signs — including a custom bar menu in the shape of Maine — and more.
Standard escort cards simply wouldn’t do for Lauren and Dave’s laid-back affair. Instead, the pair put their creativity to work and used Polaroid-inspired photos of all of their friends and family members as children to help their guests find their seats.
For their favors, Lauren and David looked to their venue and theme for inspiration. “I love succulents and plants,” says Lauren, “and since our wedding had a very natural, organic feel, I thought succulents would make a great favor.” The pint-sized potted plants were displayed alongside vintage crates, moss and stones during the reception, adding to the decor’s earthy vibe.
Lauren and Dave envisioned a laid-back affair that felt more like an intimate dinner party than a blowout bash. “I also wanted the evening to have a backyard feel,” says Lauren. “The style was very organic, simple and elegant. We kept the decor to a minimum to allow the character of the venue to shine through.” Wooden farm tables dressed with simple linen table runners and vintage-inspired bottles filled with flowering branches made guests feel like they’d sat down to a family dinner, while warm candlelight infused the industrial space with undeniable ambiance.
The pair worked closely with 111 Maine to create a mouthwatering menu of savory eats. To achieve the laid-back, backyard vibe they were after, Lauren and Dave opted for a family style meal with passed side dishes like local roasted vegetables and quinoa accompanying beef tenderloin with chimichurri sauce and cod vera cruz. “We really loved that there was no set menu,” says Lauren.
With ample space to work with and a small guest list, Lauren and Dave were able to make the most of their venue’s unique open floor plan. They set up vignettes throughout the room to create an intimate feel, with strands of bistro lights distinguishing the dining area and a cozy lounge area complete with sofas, arm chairs, vintage rugs and a bar providing a chic place for guests to mix and mingle before dinner.
As a wedding photographer, Lauren had seen her fair share of weddings and she knew right from the get-go that she wanted the day to feel fun, laid-back, undeniably unique and personal. Having decided on a location to host the spring affair, the couple then set their sights on finding a venue with lots of character. The Portland Co., an elegant, industrial space along Portland, Maine’s historic waterfront was the perfect fit, providing Lauren and Dave with a unique backdrop and ample space for their day. “We both loved the style of the space,” says Lauren, “open, airy, industrial and lots of character. We knew there were so many possibilities and it would be unique.”
rnTo allow the sentiment of the occasion and the breathtaking locale take center stage, the couple kept the ceremony decor to a minimum. Arrangements of lush ferns and hydrangeas framed the aisle, while shepherd’s hooks displaying bright blooms added a pop of cheerful color to the waterfront site.
Though the couple had originally hoped for an outdoor wedding, the weather in Maine can often be unpredictable in the month of May. “The Portland Co. is bright, open and airy, which to me was the next best thing to being outdoors,” says Lauren. The pair decided to take a chance and host the ceremony at Fish Point, only 10 minutes away from the reception venue along Portland’s Eastern Promenade. The site afforded guests stunning views of Casco Bay’s shimmering waters and quaint islands.
Lauren’s bridal look was all about classic elegance and simplicity. She donned a georgette lace mermaid gown from Watter’s Love Marley collection with a lace corset bodice, thin straps and a chapel length train. Not wanting to stray to far from her day-to-day look, she opted for natural looking makeup and a low, romantic updo. “I don’t wear a lot of makeup in general, so natural-looking makeup was important to me,” says Lauren. “With that said, we did make my eyes a bit darker to make them ‘pop’ and I think it worked well with both the venue and my dress.”
Lauren and Dave made their exit from the ceremony in style, making their way to The Portland Co. for the reception in a pedi-cab. The two took in the beautiful views of Casco Bay from Portland, Maine’s Eastern Promenade and enjoyed a few private moments before reuniting with family and friends for an evening of celebrating.
To bring Lauren and Dave’s vision for an intimate, backyard-inspired event to life, The Event Light Pros lit up the dance floor with unique drop-socket pendants. After cocktail hour and dinner, the couple kicked off an evening of celebrating with their first dance to Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter’s “You and Tequila.” DJ Luke Lanigan took it from there, getting guests up out of their seats and out on the dance floor. “He was awesome and listened to my every request,” says Lauren. “Music was definitely something we were picky about and wanted it to really set the mood for the evening. He had everyone dancing the whole night through!”