Claire + Amelia
Wedding Colors: pink, yellow, copper
Wedding Location: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
Wedding Season: summer
Marriers Claire and Amelia traveled to Bar Harbor, Maine, for their destination wedding in Acadia National Park. Surrounded by an intimate group of family and friends, the couple enjoyed an outdoor summer wedding. Amelia, who identifies as genderfluid and uses she/they pronouns, and Claire, who identifies as bi and uses she/her pronouns, say their wedding was magical. Amelia wore an Alain Dupetit copper suit with a short-sleeve white button up shirt and brown shoes, while Claire wore an open-back ivory, lace wedding dress from BHLDN, and carried a bouquet of pink and white flowers.
OUR WEDDING VIBE
It was both poignant and silly, as well as casual while still feeling like the most special day. Getting married under that gorgeous apple tree by the ocean with our favorite people gathered around was everything we could have asked for and more.
OUR FLOWERS
Our flowers for the ceremony were very minimal (mostly just a bridal bouquet and an arrangement at the altar). They were provided by a local farm called Seal Point Farm. The bouquets and arrangements were assembled by Claire’s aunt.
OUR CEREMONY
Our ceremony took place in the yard of the house we were staying at, right on the public beach Claire has visited with family all her life. Our family and friends gathered under an apple tree at the edge of the beach. Amelia’s Aunt Kara officiated and incorporated so many memories and ruminations on our relationship. We wrote our own vows as we wanted the ceremony to feel like it really came from and was tailored to us.
HOW WE PERSONALIZED OUR WEDDING
Every choice we made (from the very first choice to elope) was to make sure our wedding felt like us. While we didn’t have a wedding party, each of our friends who traveled with us for the ceremony played a role in it. Claire’s sister recorded a song for us to walk down the “aisle” to. Our friend Sierra Carter who is a poet and storyteller even wrote and read a poem for us! The location of our ceremony was also personal to us. We both love Acadia National Park and since Claire’s grandparents live in the area, it was a no-brainer to get married there so they could attend.
OUR ADVICE FOR ENGAGED LGBTQ+ COUPLES
Don’t be afraid to have exactly the event you want and only invite the people that nurture and support your relationship! And take advantage of the fact that some people don’t know what to expect from your wedding. You are unburdened by traditional expectations and therefore you can choose to do only the things that feel meaningful to the two of you. For instance, Claire had both of her parents walk her down the aisle while Amelia preferred to walk in with her aunt who officiated the wedding.
OUR ADVICE FOR VENDORS + VENUES WORKING WITH LGBTQ+ COUPLES
In addition to always asking pronouns, ask clients how they would prefer to be referred to as a couple. And be open to feedback! Everyone’s gender journey is different, so their answers may change even from the first time you met them. In general, non-gendered language like “the happy couple” is always better!
CHALLENGES WE FACED WHILE PLANNING OUR LGBTQ+ WEDDING
Mostly, we’ve faced the same challenges every couple does (stress, budgeting, etc.). But since getting engaged in fall of 2020, there have been so many truly scary and disheartening political happenings that have invalidated or threatened our civil rights, including our right to be married. Processing that together while planning two wedding events has been very challenging.
SURPRISES WE ENCOUNTERED PLANNING OUR LGBTQ+ WEDDING
We have been so overwhelmed with love and support by our family and friends! We never expected people to be as willing and excited to help us pull this wedding weekend off as they were. And we didn’t expect the level of emotion felt by our guests throughout the ceremony… not a dry eye under the tree! It was so special to be married by someone who knows us so well and was really able to make every aspect of the ceremony so personal.
Search our directory of LGBTQ+ inclusive vendors.
FEATURED VENDORS
Equally Wed preferred photographer: Madi Ellis Photography (View their listing on our directory of LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding vendors.)
Ceremony and reception venue: Private property
Wedding site: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
Florist: Seal Point Farm
Wedding dress: BHLDN
Suit: Alain Dupetit
Kirsten Palladino
MOST VIEWED STORIES
- How to Find the Perfect Ring for Your Partner
- Bold, romantic, ethereal wedding inspiration
- Rebel Wilson marries Ramona Agruma in a stunning Sardinian wedding
- These nonbinary cosplay lovers brought anime to life for their ethereal wedding
- Adventurous Love: Laura and Jill’s Stunning Elopement in Olympic National Park