Tarry A While Resort

Rehearsal

Lobster Bake

Queen's Head Pub

Welcome Drinks

Wedding of Ellie Werner & Ray Leslie

.............................................................................. Special shout out to Ellie's dad, Gerry Werner, for creating their amazing save-the-date cards :)

Our Wedding

Buckle up folks - this was a long journey...

Friends and Scholars

It all started September 2008 - sophomore year of high school. Ray, a newbie at St. Luke's, sat just a few seats down from Ellie in Spanish class. The two talked with each other here and there, gradually bonding over bad jokes about Ray's inability to do his homework and Ellie's desire to take pictures on her computer in the middle of class with her friends.

Flash forward to Spanish class a year later, and it was clear Ellie and Ray were becoming closer, as the two took their joking banter a step further, posting messages to each other on Facebook. In a very teenage attempt at flirting, they soon took up calling one other "scholar", teasing each other about their efforts in Spanish class and making promises to not let the other one down. The "scholar" nickname stuck, and while they would not admit it then, Ellie and Ray were clearly developing crushes.

Love Songs

To the end of high school, Ellie and Ray remained close friends. Being a part of the same friend group, they would often hang out on the weekends. Their paths split when they set off to colleges across the country from one another - but they never lost touch. They would look forward to the holidays going back to Connecticut, knowing there would be ample opportunities to see each other at Ray's best bud Patrick Shurr's house. After graduating college, Ray and Ellie found themselves back in Connecticut again. The two grew ever closer, as they attended concerts together and began bonding over their shared taste in music. It was at this time that their friends created a shared playlist to which they could all add songs. Ellie and Ray would text each other regularly about their additions to the playlist - both saying now they used this as an excuse to talk with one another.

Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Their time in the same state was short-lived, as after just a few months Ray moved to New York City and Ellie made the move to Korea that would last her two years. Aside from her family, Ray was the last person Ellie saw before leaving the country. They grabbed lunch at Ray's tried-and-true stomping grounds, Chipotle, as the two needed to have just one more get-together. While they lived their lives apart, enjoying the excitement of new cities, jobs, and even dating other people, they could not stop talking to one another. They texted constantly and would FaceTime regularly to catch up - venting, gossiping, and expressing repeatedly just how much they missed each other. When Ellie found out she would be returning to the states to attend graduate school in New York, Ray was the first person she told. The two could not wait to finally be living in the same city together for the foreseeable future.

Lollapalooza

Once in the same city, it did not take long for Ellie and Ray to finally admit their feelings went beyond friendship. Things took a solidifying turn when the two took off to Chicago for the weekend to attend the Lollapalooza music festival. Ellie and Ray spent the weekend together enjoying live music and having a little too much fun celebrating Ellie's birthday with her best friend, Paige, on their last night there.

The next day, in an attempt to make their flight home, Ellie learned just how hard it can be to wake Ray up after a long night (resulting in missing their flight), and Ray learned just how easily Ellie can lose her purse (resulting in Ray's wallet being lost and needing to smooth-talk TSA to let him through security without any identification). Despite all the chaos, the two could not stop smiling and reminiscing after an amazingly memorable weekend together. That night, after an exhausting and messy journey home, Ray still made sure to make it over to Ellie's house to celebrate her birthday with her parents and close friends. After that weekend, the two were inseparable.

A New Chapter in Maine

After moving in together in their New York City apartment just 3 months before COVID hit and spending the pandemic year bouncing between their childhood homes, conveniently located just 5 minutes away from one another, Ellie and Ray embarked on a new chapter in their life, making the move to Maine.

The Proposal

A year and a half later, on a routine weekend walk in the park with their floofy puppa, Otto, Ray asked Ellie to marry him in one of their favorite spots by the water. Now, they are counting down the days to celebrate their big day with all of their family and friends.

Our Story

Photos

Engagement Photos

Wedding Party

Given that Bridgton is both a lake-side destination in the summer and a skiing destination in the winter, there are many <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/s/Bridgton--Cumberland-County--Maine--United-States/homes?tab_id=home_tab&amp;refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&amp;flexible_trip_lengths%5B%5D=one_week&amp;price_filter_input_type=0&amp;price_filter_num_nights=5&amp;channel=EXPLORE&amp;query=Bridgton%2C%20ME&amp;place_id=ChIJidf5C0ZTskwR0NnvGxL3xW4&amp;date_picker_type=calendar&amp;checkin=2023-09-22&amp;checkout=2023-09-24&amp;adults=2&amp;source=structured_search_input_header&amp;search_type=autocomplete_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AirBnB</a>, <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/search/keywords:bridgton-maine-united-states-of-america/arrival:2023-09-22/departure:2023-09-24?adultsCount=2&amp;petIncluded=false&amp;filterByTotalPrice=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vrbo</a> and other rental properties in the area that we recommend exploring for the quintessential Maine experience.&nbsp;

Located just across the lake from Tarry A While, we have booked the entirety of the Highland Lake Resort for the wedding. Call to book and mention you are there for the Werner/Leslie wedding. Distance from venue: 2.8 miles

Highland Lake Resort

Also located just down the road from Highland Lake Resort, Grady's West Shore Motel is right on the lake with beach and boat access. A beautiful location with reasonably priced rooms. You can call to book or book directly on their website. Distance from venue: 3.1 miles

Grady's West Shore Motel

Just down the road from Highland Lake Resort, Amore on the Lake is a smaller boutique motel, offering just 7 rooms, with a private beach and beautiful lakefront access. You can call to book or book directly on their website. Distance from venue: 2.9 miles

Amore on the Lake

Located just under 2 miles down the road from the wedding venue, Tarry A While Resort, the Noble House Inn is a lovely 8 room Inn! The closest option for lodging, we recommend booking directly on their website or calling to secure a room. Distance from venue: 1.8 miles

Noble House Inn

Located in the town of Naples, about a 15 minute drive south of Bridgton, the Lakeview Inn has 16 rooms available. You can call to book or book directly on their website. Distance from venue: 11.4 miles

Lakeview Inn

Located about 30 minute drive away, the Hampton Inn - Oxford is located right down the road from Oxbow Brewing Beer Garden and across from the Oxford Casino. Please let the bride and groom know if you book a room here. Distance from venue: 20.8 miles

Hampton Inn Oxford

Accommodations

By Plane

Portland International Jetport (PWM) is located 39 miles south of Bridgton (~1-hour drive). If you are flying in, we recommend renting a car. Otherwise, you can book a taxi service in advance to get you to/from the airport. Car services can be easily booked through either <a href="https://www.portlandcabllc.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Portland Cab Airport LLC</a> (207-831-6900) or <a href="https://www.portlandairportexpresscab.com/index.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Portland Express Cab</a> (207-423-4642). Boston Logan Airport is another option for those flying. It is a larger airport, but further away, located 141 miles south of Bridgton (~2 hours 45 min drive). If you are flying into Boston we recommend renting a car.

Ellie & Ray

Ellie & Ray

E&R

Lobster Bake

Welcome Drinks

Wedding of Ellie Werner & Ray Leslie