Welcome to the first installment of Merchants + Makers. From time to time, I'll be featuring the talented vendors, creatives, merchants, makers, movers and shakers in Maine's wedding community. There are SO MANY brilliant Maine businesses contributing to the local economy and devoted to making a couple's wedding the best day ever. I have been shooting weddings since 2008 and STILL meet new industry colleagues producing amazing work or managing wonderful spaces -- there are hundreds upon hundreds of us, so I know I won't run out of content to feature!
One of which is The Homestead at Rest And Be Thankful Farm in Lyman, Maine. Maria Northcott, officiant and owner of A Sweet Start, put this venue on my radar, so I had to go see for myself. I rounded up two friends who were also interested in a visit, Lisa Parker of Cakes for All Seasons and Lindsay Diminick of Yellow Twist Floral Design, and headed down 295. The Homestead is only 40 minutes from Portland and about 10 minutes from Kennebunk, yet you feel like you're further away in a rural countryside. The Homestead owners Michele, George, and their daughter Lucy greeted us with open arms and smiles. They wooed us with baby Sawyer and four-legged furries, Aadam the handsome horse and Abraham the curious kitty. The weather was gorgeous, our conversation was easy, and we found ourselves hanging for a good chunk of the day. Couples are in good hands with this crew, and I can't wait to photograph a wedding here next year!
