Alyson & Joe
July 8, 2017 // Ocean Gateway //
Photography by Lauren Delvecchio, LAD Photography //

Alyson and Joe both attended Wake Forest University in North Carolina, where they had many mutual friends, but didn’t meet until they each had moved to Boston, and she approached him about taking over for her coordinating alumni events. “It turned out the same qualities that made him the perfect person for the job— friendly, outgoing, and really nice—also made him a great guy to date,” Alyson says. Joe proposed during a day trip to Maine, popping the question on Marginal Way in Ogunquit. They wanted to introduce their family and friends to Portland, where they enjoy spending weekends, and decided that Ocean Gateway was the ideal venue. “It’s modern, filled with incredible ocean views, and was convenient for all of our guests staying downtown,” says Alyson. “Plus it allowed us to really customize things like lighting—it was truly a blank canvas.” Before guests sat down to dinner, catered by Dandelion Catering, “the band got everyone out on the dance floor for an amazing rendition of the Hora,” she says. “It set the tone for a great night ahead.”

Personal Touch

First Look: After a “frenzied day of getting ready,” Alyson and Joe had their first look in Deering Oaks Park. “There was a drum circle and people running a race in tutus, which really helped to lighten the mood,” says Joe.

Ceremony: Retired sea captain Ken Barnes performed the ceremony in front of Ocean Gateway’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Casco Bay. “Although we weren’t going for a nautical theme, we loved his unique experience and take on marriage after being married for over 50 years,” Alyson says.

Reception: The couple built their own display board for the Polaroid photo booth, which had an “amazing backdrop” designed by wedding planner A Family Affair. “Tacking up the first photo and marking it with a ‘we’re hitched’ made our marriage feel just as official as our first kiss,” says Alyson.