Top Wedding Photos of 2011

One of our favorite things to do is review photo submissions for our annual photo contest. We reflect back on great memories that were forged at Newagen Seaside Inn, we remember with fondness the spectacular celebrations and most importantly the incredible families we had an opportunity to serve. What a year it was! With that said, we are excited to share with you, the Top Photos of 2011, in no particular order. Drum roll please... 

                                        Photo Courtesy of Rachel Olson Photography©

 

                Photo Courtesty of Robert Mitchell Photography©

 

                Photo Courtesy of Michele Stapleton©

 

Photo Courtesy of Sara Wilmot©

 

 

 

Photo Courtest of Felice Boucher©

 

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Armstrong©

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Blush Imagery©

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Amy Salerno©

 

 

Photo Courtest of Karen Lewis©

 

 

 

 

 

What's your favorite photo? Click here to visit our Facebook Fan page and vote for your favorite. 

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Newagen Seaside Inn Weddings: The Best of 2011

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Southport Island featured as one of 15 Secret Island Getaways

Photo Credit: Just Us 3 - Flickr

Thanks to our good friend and fabulous photographer, Michele Stapleton, we discovered this great story on Southport entitled 15 Secret Island Getaways from www.10best.com. Here's what they had to say about our Island: 

"Experience the charm and simple beauty of New England's coastline without the hustle and bustle of the busier tourist towns.  Southport Island offers all the best of Maine - including the unbeatable seafood and cozy accommodations - without the flocks of tourists typically found among the region's more popular vacation destinations." 

For more information on planning a Southport Island vacation, contact Newagen Seaside Inn at 1-800-654-5242. 

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Newagen Seaside Inn is Wedding Wire Rated for 2011

 

Newagen Seaside Inn is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011. 

Southport Island, Maine - November 11, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding technology company, is pleased to announce that Newagen Seaside Inn is WeddingWire Rated 2011 for Wedding Reception Locations. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence. Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to find the best local businesses for their wedding. 

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Emily Carter: Maine Wedding Florist

Emily Carter Floral Designs brings innovative designs to each client's wedding while tying in little personalized details unique to the couple and their style.  Whether it is through her specialty line of rentals or incorporating elements native to Maine, it seems certain that when a client selects ECFD they are ensured to be overwhelmed with delight from start to finish.

“The various qualities of the seasons are amazing in New England: the vibrant colors of Summer, rust tones of Fall, pristine white and grays of Winter and the pastel charm of Spring.  I love taking advantage of the seasonal flowers and using them in ways that ring true to Maine and there is no greater place to do this than seaside at Newagen,” quotes Emily.

Looking for a Maine Wedding Florist, visit www.emilycarterflowers.com.  

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Planning Your Maine Wedding: Meet the Livingston Quartet

This past summer we had the privilege of hearing the Livingston Quartet at a September wedding. The Livingston Quartet offers an unparalleled jazz experience.  Having studied with faculty at New England’s elite music institutions, Nathan Joseph (guitar), Molly Ridley (piano), Jasper Boyd (bass), and Fhiwa Ndou (drums) perform at weddings, charity events, and university functions as well as jazz clubs in Boston and Portland.  Livingston Quartet showcases a repertoire that ranges from classic to contemporary, and the group is equally comfortable providing a tasteful backdrop as it is taking center-stage. For more information contact Nathan at njoseph@bowdoin.edu. 

For more information on planning your Maine Wedding, contact Jason Schlosser at jason@newageninn.com

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Jason and Hannah's Coastal Wedding at Newagen: An Amazing Day and An Epic Arrival

 

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Traditional Newagen Lobsterbake at Newagen Seaside Inn

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His Way, Her Way, Their Story - A Coastal Maine Wedding at Newagen Seaside Inn

 

 Amy and Kevin met on the softball field, playing for opposing teams.

“Amy was playing second base, and I hit a double and easily cruised into second,” says Kevin. “I tried to make a joke, but Amy’s team was losing at that point and she only scowled at me.  That’s how it started.”

At some point, Amy says she had a crush on Kevin and “he finally looked in my direction.”

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Animoto: A 3 Minute Tour of Newagen Seaside Inn

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A Coastal Wedding in Boothbay Harbor at Newagen Seaside Inn

Ben Barrows and Filiz Soyak were joined in marriage at Newagen Seaside Inn in Southport Island on June 6, 2009 in the company of friends and family on a glorious Spring day. The very thoughtful ceremony took place on the event lawn with the rugged Maine coastline, surrounding islands and Atlantic ocean as their backdrop. It was even complete with a seaside serenade from their guests. Immediately following the ceremony the bride and groom escaped to the secluded and picturesque Sunset Rock for time to reflect and celebrate their vows. Their guests retreated to the freshwater pool for an assortment of passed and stationary hor d oeuvres. This is a very small glimpse into their beautiful day. 

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"Best Wedding Location" - A Trip Advisor Review of Newagen Seaside Inn

Recently, we discovered a heartfelt review from a wedding that took place at Newagen Seaside Inn in September of 2008. The review is full of good feedback on what went well and how they would change certain aspects if they could turn back the clock. 

Our son held his wedding at The Inn during a holiday weekend last year. Cannot say enough good things about the Newagen, its location, staff, food and goings-on. 

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"Perfect!" Nate and Becky's Elegant Autumn Wedding on Southport Island in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

 

Nate Ryan and Becky Riccio both love the Maine Coast. They met in college while attending University of Maine and they knew one day they would be married on the water in Maine. Nate grew up in Midcoast Maine so his father is very familiar with Boothbay Harbor. He recommended they look at Newagen Seaside Inn because of its idyllic oceanfront location. Becky and her Mom, Patty, visited several other Maine oceanfront locations but when they arrived at Newagen they knew they had found their perfect location. Becky's Mom said, "End of story, this is where the wedding will be!" They decided to have their ceremony and reception at the Inn on October 4, 2008 and what a day it was. Glorious sunshine, a beautiful sunset and stunning Maine foliage.

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Filiz and Ben: A Date with Destiny - From Amman to Southport for A Maine Wedding

 

Each couple's story is unique and dynamic. A romantic adventure they could see produced into a feature film. Isn't that what makes first love, engagement and marriage so amazing? When boy meets girl, nothing else matters and they believe that their meeting at this cosmic intersection was a divine date with destiny. The story of Ben and Filiz is one of epic proportions in it's own right. Thousands of miles separating them, two worlds apart, an unlikely virtual crossing of paths through Friendster, a highly anticipated meeting in Boston and a happily ever after in what some might call an unlikely location; Amman, Jordan. For those who know Ben and Filiz, their destination is no surprise for these two global citizens. For the complete story wonderfully told visit Filiz and Ben's Wedding Website.

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1 Big Reason to have a Small Wedding in Maine

According to the CNN Money and other wedding planning websites such as www.costofwedding.com the average cost of a wedding today is around $30,000. CNN says,"Tying the knot used to involve a trip to the altar and a simple reception, but low-cost affairs are increasingly a thing of the past as brides and grooms flex their consumer power and buck tradition. The average price tag that is fast approaching $30,000 represents a 73 percent increase during the past 15 years, according the study." 

Because of this trend, modern brides and grooms are forced to become more budget concious which has many couples leaning towards a destination wedding. CNN Money says, "About 9 percent of couples will hold a "destination wedding," which involves the entire party traveling to a special location for the celebration. These couples spend on average 41 percent less on their receptions than those who have an average wedding, according to the survey." Experience shows that this can be attributed to the reduction in guests due to travelling and a better value at a destination over a city. 

If you are looking for creative ways to reduce your ballooning budget, consider Newagen Seaside Inn, located on 19 pristine acres on Southport Island at the water's edge just minutes from Boothbay Harbor. 

(Photo courtesy of David Murray Weddings)

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Our Top 10 Maine Wedding Photos of 2008

A Maine Wedding can be a wonderful opportunity for spectacular images. Regardless of the weather, most photographers can take a lemon of a day and make lemonade. That is why selecting your photographer is vitally important. Be sure to do your homework.

For a more detailed list of preferred vendors please visit our post on the 

Top 12 Wedding Vendors in Maine. 

After a careful review of about 500 submitted wedding photographs, we have our Top 10. (In no particular order) It was not easy. While we could provide commentary on each wedding photo, we think that these photos speak for themselves. To view the Top 10, click the link below. 

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Karyn and Joe - A Coastal Maine Wedding

Karyn and Joe's wedding is a memorable one for us at Newagen: a dream wedding in all respects. The perfect couple, no detail left undone, a destination wedding with friends travelling for a long weekend, lobsterbake rehearsal dinner, a welcome reception on the wharf at McSeagull's, a wedding at the most photographed church in Maine and a carefully selected station buffet menu for their guests to enjoy. To see a glimpse into their wedding day click below.

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Where have all the authentic Maine Inns gone?

The Crisis

With the changing landscape of tourism in Maine some historic properties are making a dramatic shift into the resort community, private club or upscale markets and abandoning the essence of what people traveling to Maine are looking for. Or perhaps with the increasingly competitive hospitality market these hoteliers are on the cutting edge of a new evolution of resort and guest experience in Maine.

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Maine Wedding Planning Tips - Our Top 12 Preferred Vendors in Maine

Once you have found the perfect location for your Maine Wedding, you will need to navigate the "planning gauntlet", with little or no guidance. While most vendors provide a short list of references, you can bet they are not going to give you the phone number of a less than satisfied client. So what are you supposed to do? Well, we have put together a list of our Top 12 Preferred Vendors to get you pointed in the right direction. For the complete listing of all our preferred vendors visit our website at Newagen Seaside Inn. (Photo courtesy of Sharyn Peavey)

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Top 10 Things to do in Boothbay Harbor

1. Windjammer Days
For 46 years, gorgeous, fully rigged, tall masted ships have sailed into Boothbay Harbor for this historic two-day celebration on the Maine coast. This is an event that you do not want to miss.

On your "to do" list be sure to take Balmy Days fireworks cruise or their 1 hour cruise. For the more adventurous, visit Tidal Transit for their Guided Kayak Tour which will take you up close and personal with these majestic ships. For some good old fashioned family fun, don't miss the nostalgic small town parade and the blueberry pancake breakfast waterfront in the harbor.

Bob Brooke travel writer for 2 Camels had this to say about Windjammer Days, "Surviving the vagaries of fog, the economy and changing ownership of vessels, the Windjammer Days festival is a firmly anchored, highly successful and popular local tradition in Boothbay. Originally a one-day event featuring a few windjammers, it has grown to a two-day extravaganza, which includes parades, concerts, sporting events and an auction as well as the fleet of majestic windjammers complemented with impressive military vessels. But really what everyone comes for is to see the magnificent Windjammers. With over a dozen two and three-masted schooners under full sail, it's a breathtaking site."

To read the full article on 2 Camels click here. To read the other 9 things to do in Boothbay Harbor, please click below.

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Newagen Seaside Inn located in Boothbay Harbor, Joins National Trust Historic Hotels of America

Newagen Seaside Inn on Southport Island has been invited to join National Trust Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Newagen Seaside Inn is one of more than 200 hotels and resorts throughout the country and only three in Maine that is recognized for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

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Most Romantic Oceanfront Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

According to a recent Trip Advisor review, Newagen Seaside Inn is the perfect location to rekindle the romance. Newagen is located just minutes from Boothbay Harbor, Maine on the ocean with sunrise and sunset views of the Atlantic Ocean. To read the recent review on Trip Advisor click the link below.

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Your Wedding in Maine - Tips for Tented Weddings in Maine

A tented wedding has become a very popular type of event for brides and grooms. There is something very elegant and romantic about a towering tent spread over green pastures with the sound of the Atlantic Ocean and the twinkling stars overhead. The spaciousness of the tent with the wide open expanse of nature come together as one to present a very appealing location. However, for some brides and grooms there is much discussion and debate about the prospect of doing an event outside.  To mediate your dispute and hopefully get you pointed in the right direction we have created 6 Tips for Tented Weddings

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Putting Some Green into Your Wedding

More and more couples are taking the ho-hum out of wedding planning and integrating their beliefs and values into their special day. A more recent trend for the environmentally conscious is the Green Wedding. Making your wedding 100% green will require supreme knowledge of the green market and perhaps a specialized green wedding coordinator unless you have a lot of time to do the research and planning. For some great ideas on Green Weddings check out Eco-Chic Weddings and Great Green Weddings. If you want to inject some green into your wedding without it being the sole focus of your day, check out these 5 Simple Tips for Putting Some Green into Your Wedding. Also check out Portovert Magazine, the first and only magazine for the eco-savvy brides and grooms.

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Bed and Breakfast Finder Features Newagen

More and more couples looking for a unique location for their wedding reception are abandoning the traditional ballroom or hall in search of a unique and intimate Inn or bed and breakfast. It can be overwhelming when considering how many choices there are for destination weddings throughout Maine and the United States. Bed and Breakfast finder narrowed that search down to 4 recommended locations which included Newagen Seaside Inn:

"Today, there is no such thing as a “traditional” wedding. From Alaska to Maine and Florida to Arizona, bed and breakfasts are being host to weddings everyday.

Contrary to popular belief, bed and breakfast weddings are not only for small groups. The Newagen Seaside Inn (Newagen, ME), with its unique and spectacular location on the seaward tip of Southport Island, can accommodate weddings for up to 225 guests. If you desire a formal sit down dinner or a casual lobster bake, this waterfront inn can accommodate any style and preference."

Click here to read the entire blog from B & B Finder's Bed and Breakfast Blog.

If you are looking for a unique destination for your Maine wedding reception contact us at 800-654-5242, Newagen Seaside Inn is located just minutes from Boothbay Harbor on beautiful Southport Island.

(Photo courtesy of Melissa Bonvini)

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10 Reasons to Get Married in Boothbay Harbor

Why get married in Boothbay Harbor? Well, The Knot featured Kate and Nik who had their wedding at Newagen Seaside Inn, just minutes from Boothbay Harbor. Kate said, "Once they discovered the Newagen Seaside Inn in Southport -- with it's views of the rocky coastline, islands and lobster boats -- they knew they had found their site."  Still not convinced. Well, check out the 10 Reasons to Get Married in Boothbay Harbor. 

Photo Courtesy of Sharyn Peavey

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5 Tips for Getting the Most from Your Reception Menu

 

I saw an article on the Bridal Tool Box, that said, "Don't break the bank with sirloin steak and lobster dinners. Your friends don't need to be impressed by fancy food." Gimme a break! They have got it all wrong.

My experience in the the food and beverage industry has shown me that the opposite is true. Guests will almost always remember when the food was not great. Even if you're on a tight budget, any caterer can give you several price points for steaks and, if ordered wisely, could provide a nice marinated steak with lobster or shrimp. If you are getting married in Maine, the cost of lobster is much better than if you are in the Midwest. If you do your homework and trust the caterer that you select, you will be successful in getting the most bang for your buck. 

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