Girl Safari – New England Wedding Professionals in Maine from meg simone on Vimeo.
Girl Safari (#GirlSafari) simply translates to Girl Adventures… in this case with wedding professionals based in New England. Unlike an office setting, most of us work alone. It’s fun to connect with other business owners in a casual setting to get to know each other and talk shop. This started in the winter of 2011 when Stacey, Brea, and I got together one weekend for a little Nordic Ski Adventure (see the video here). Others saw tweets and posts on facebook about our winter fun and wanted to join in. When planning this last year I think it was Stacey who recommended Becca and Laura as she had done work with both. I had never met them in person until this #GirlSafari, but their outpouring of friendliness, talent, and humor made me glad they came. I work with such a wide array of professionals in any given year that its fun to plan these kinds of outings with people so we can at least have a drink and create a few memories before the hustle of the wedding season approaches. Actually, in 2012 I didn’t have any events with these ladies, although I was able to film two small videos for Becca, “How To Pin A Boutonniere”, and “How To Make a Boutonniere”. For 2013 I only have one wedding that is with Brea… so you can see its more about having fun 
iPhone Footage by Becca Olcott from Petal Floral Design
Brea McDonald Photography (Thanks for the use of the Cabin!)
Stacey Hedman Photography
Laura Lubanski of You Stir Me and Wedding Invitation Specialist at Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Filmed on location near Kezar Lake in Lovell, Maine
Music – Fiddle Swing by www.Stock20.com
On the coat tails of my previous post about Pumpkin Pond Farm on Nantucket, another wedding venue you should put on your radar is Marianmade Farm in Wiscasset, Maine. It is less than 3/4 mile from the village on the Sheepscot River. They have incredible views and 13 acres of rolling hills and woods, not to mention flowers and lavender. The timber frame lavender drying house on the farm overlooks the water. With a capacity for 150 it’s a perfect location to consider for any kind of celebration. Just like the Pumpkin Pond Farm inspiration below – you could implement that concept at a location like Marianmade Farm. Photos courtesy of Michelle from Marianmade Farm.
Custom tables included with rental.
Pumpkin Pond Farm – Nantucket Bridal Shower Luncheon Inspiration from meg simone on Vimeo.
Planning a destination wedding on Nantucket? Often times the wedding party will filter in a day or so in advance, a perfect opportunity to have a bridal luncheon with your girls. This inspiration is also ideal for a Bridal Shower. When you are having smaller soirees like this, in the above video, Jen Shepherd from Placesetters will point out that you don’t have to break the bank to make something look good. The costs are a lot different for 12 place settings then 120. The bouquet here was created from the ribbons at the bridal shower and was a great jumping off point for the color palate. You can translate this concept at any local farm, garden, or green space in your area. This feature can be found on the pages of the Fall/Winter WellWed for Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. To order your copy just click here. Be sure to check out Hannah Blount’s Jewelry, inspired by nature, the girls were loving the selection she brought. Dawn, Jen, and team pulled together a really incredible design. I loved the natural infusions with fresh picked herbs from the farm and of course Brea’s photo shoot in the flower gardens with the natural light.
Filmed on Nantucket at Pumpkin Pond Farm
Photography: Brea McDonald
Flowers: Soiree Floral
Design: DKD – Dawn Kelly Designs
Rentals & Linens: Placesetters Inc. Jen Shepherd
Invitation & Paper: Smudge Ink
Jewelry: Hannah Blount
Scones: Nantucket Gourmet
Gift Bags: Beauty by The Sea
Drinks: Nantucket blACKbook, Holly Finnegan
Dresses: The Lovely
Models: Mallory Epping, Hannah Blount, Alicia Graziadei, Amy Donnellan
I was grateful for this testimonial of my services by Maine based wedding photographer, Melissa Mullen Photography. This appeared on her blog and I wanted to showcase it below. Click on the image to read the full review, see additional films, and read my thoughts on working with Melissa too!
“Spoiler Alert” –
“Dating is a whole new game in Vermont when you show up trying to flirt with your cordless drill.” This Stowe, VT Wedding Film will leave you in stitches. My lifelong
YMCA Camp Huckins friend Meredith tied the knot! We met in the Junior Division and have been friends ever since. This modern day romance is special for many reasons. It was an honor to be asked to be a part of their ceremony as they brought in water from around New England that represented important places in their lives. Little did Meredith know, all those years ago on the shore of Lake Ossipee that young Erik was just around the corner at
Camp Calumet! I think you’ll agree these two make a perfect “crew” to navigate life’s adventures together.
I LOVE how the video ends on this whole feeling of “and this is how it all begins” because honestly it does! So much more ahead. I feel some brides think their wedding is just the pinnacle of it all or something. There’s so much more to look forward to! Although I would take having a wedding every year. I wish I could run with all my friends most days. Meredith
Lindsey Oaker Photography did an incredible job capturing the day (see her blog post, here). Ironically I documented Lindsey’s wedding back in 2008 – it was so fun to work with her in this capacity. Meredith and Erik’s ceremony was in town, followed by a reception at the Stowe Mountain Lodge with DJ Walter Perterson of Digilog Studios.
Music Licensed through SongFreedom:
Colbie Caillat – Brighter Than The Sun (vocal & instrumental)
Jess Penner – Sweeter (instrumental)
Jess Penner – All Smiles
Music Licensed through The Music Bed:
Katie Herzig – Best Day of Your Life
Castle Hill Rhode Island Wedding Film from meg simone on Vimeo.
It had to be the hottest day in April last year when I met these two on NYC’s High Line. I love meeting couples for the first time, but no matter how much information I gather before the big day, there are bound to be surprises that leave me trying to focus the camera while managing my own joyful laughter. Not only is the groom an impressive dancer but their story is hilariously delivered by the Maid of Honor. The weather was stunningly beautiful yet bone chilly. However they still braved the coastal breeze for some wonderful photos with Maine based photographer Melissa Mullen. It’s always so fun to work with wedding professionals that I’ve worked with before (Melissa) and new ones that are instant team players (Stephanie). I hope we can do it again ladies!
Newport Wedding Film by Meg Simone Wedding Films
Photographer: Melissa Mullen Photography
Wedding Planner: Couture Parties, Stephanie Frazier Grimm
Location: Castle Hill Inn – Newport, RI
Entertainment: Unity - Murray Hill Talent
Flowers: Stoneblossom Floral & Event Design
Hair and Makeup: Allison Barbera Beauty
Music Licensed Through Song Freedom:
Kerry Muzzey – The Fix-Up
Tyrone & Elina – Anywhere With You (instrumental)
Kathryn Ostenberg – Light Me Up (instrumental)
Mount Washington Resort Wedding Film of Michelle and Steve from meg simone on Vimeo.
This fall wedding at the Mount Washington Resort with Elizabeth Bradford Photography and DJ Matt Spofford was awesome! The weather was incredibly dramatic and the energy and excitement from this crew literally lit up the dance floor. I still have images of Michelle waving a rainbow of glowing colors above her head as the guests partied into the night. Steve’s humor is evident from their proposal story and his smile remains contagious throughout the evening.
Michelle tagged you in a post: “Steve and I just sat back, sipped wine & relived our wedding day through the amazing video by Meghan Simone - There are no words to express how incredibly thankful we are to have had such a talented & wonderful person capture our day. OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SURE KNOW HOW TO PARTY!!! My face hurts from smiling for the past hour Meg THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU – IT WAS BETTER THAN WE COULD HAVE IMAGINED!!!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!! I can’t even begin to tell you how much we love our video – it is perfection.”
Invitations: Gus & Ruby Letterpress – Portsmouth, NH
Wedding Gown/Bridesmaids Dresses: Andrea’s Bridal – Portland, ME
Alterations: Davina Dawn – Concord, NH
Favors: Incredibrew – Nashua, NH (Wine Making)
Bridesmaids Gifts: Sally Bags (purchased at Assets Jeans Co in North Conway, NH)
Music
Tyrone WellsSee You (Instrumental & Vocal) – SongFreedom
Train, Hey Soul Sister – SongFreedom
Kerry Muzzey, Howard Sees the Sky – SongFreedom
Kerry Muzzey, Accidental Fetch – SongFreedom
