Taylor & James' Lakeside Retreat Wedding at Camp Otyokwa in Bremen, ME

Each time we drive through Mid-coast Maine, for work or otherwise, we simply cannot believe what we’re seeing - it’s too pretty to be real. Similarly charmed by the area Taylor and James, a couple designers currently living in Pittsburgh, decided to throw their wedding in Bremen about an hour and a half up the coast from Portland. Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Pemaquid is Camp Otyokwa, a lovingly preserved 1930s cluster of cabins, and is the spot Taylor and James chose to invite the people in their life to experience a part of the north east they’ve come to love so much. It was hugely important for these two to craft exactly that - an experience for their guests - that was representative of who they are as people, and what they came up with felt like a weekend retreat: elevated camp vibes but still casual, smart and quirky and focused on the people in attendance.

After getting ready across the property, James walked up the hill to meet Taylor before heading down towards the ceremony site as a pair. Awaiting them there as guests began to arrive for happy hour #1 were beautifully displayed appetizers appropriate for Maine, pour your own drink stations (what a cool idea?), and comfortable late August temperatures. This setting allowed them to greet friends and family as they rolled in and get heaps of quality time with their loves ones, a top priority for them that day. The ceremony was a unique one: after processing in with their parents, Taylor and James invited pairs of friends to speak about their relationships with them. Stories from pre and post college, stories of world travels, stories of when they met one another, stories of how they ended up in Pittsburgh. It was a charming encapsulation of the steps taken to get where they were that day, and afterwards their brothers stood to enlist the audience in ‘officiating’ the wedding. The crowd read from cue-cards in unison and effectively pronounced them married to raucous applause and cheers, leaving Taylor and James and their families beaming.

Guests retired from the ceremony to the lakeside, wading into the water and catching up and taking photographs. People sprawled throughout the property and we began to fully appreciate their vision for this day, while the setting sun over the trees on the far side of the lake felt like a reward for their hard work. As the dinner bell rung everyone was invited back up to the tented area for happy hour #2 as dinner was prepared. A majority of their friends being creatives, Taylor and James opted to clad the tables in drawing paper and provide drawing utensils for them to use resulting in everything from perspective sketches to quick portraits to abstract shapes and lines. It kept people engaged in the moment, engaged with one another, and present. After dinner had concluded and dessert had been served, everyone was invited back up the hill to “The Nook,” Otyokwa’s tiny recreation hall, for dancing. James’ hand crafted playlist had folks bumping along underneath the disco ball, taking turns in the middle of dance circles, and after a little while we caught up with them outside to say goodnight. It’s always hard to wave goodbye to Maine, a place we hold dear, although documenting such an extraordinary day for such extraordinary people before heading out makes it a little easier.

Venue: Camp Otyokwa
Coordination: Matt Waldron
Catering: Anna + Kelsey @ Easy Tiger
Florals: Local farms in Bremen
Dress: Margaret Ellen Bridal
Menswear: A Kind of Guise
Stationary: Pittsburgh Print Shop
Rentals: Wallace Events