A beautiful summer wedding next to a lake in Maine, complete with a sailcloth tent, dinner under the stars, freeflowing wine, and an abundant organic feast is the kind of wedding that usually takes months to plan and prepare. Yet, this couple defied the odds and pulled this gorgeous fête together in only a month’s time with the help of mStarr Design.
Set right alongside Sebago Lake, about an hour outside Portland, is Rockcraft Lodge. The estate is almost a century in age, with a stone country home built by Italian masons. To call this spot cozy is an understatement. There’s something about this place that makes you feel like you could’ve grown up spending summers here. And yet, there’s an air of romance in the crisp air that makes this venue shine in a way all its own.
Words by: Emily Starr Alfano of mStarr Event Design, Images by Corinne Krogh Photography
Our wonderfully creative and brilliant friend Emily Starr Alfano was the design guru behind this gorgeous wedding and she recently sat down to give us all the deets of her design decisions. We seriously can’t believe she pulled off an event this stunning in less than a month’s time! This one is major proof that you don’t have to sacrifice incredible style because of time limitations.
Can you tell us some of the highlights of your experience at the venue?
The entire property is a highlight! You have this beautiful, spacious, updated home, a sprawling lawn, and then -- oh yeah! -- private access to Sebago Lake. I loved how we were able to set up our alfresco dinner on the grassy lawn surrounded by trees, and the water is in the background! The location is also a manageable distance from the Boston area and, of course, Portland.
Tell us a bit about the wedding you planned and why the couple choose this venue.
Andrea + John reached out to us in June of 2015 with the intention of turning a vacation in Maine into their wedding celebration...and it was happening in july! Yes, this intimate wedding was planned + designed in just one month... and it happens to be one of our all-time favorites!
Andrea + John had rented an incredible private residence {really a compound} on Lake Sebago for a family vacation and thought there was no better time to get married given the rare opportunity that so many close family + friends were together in one place. Andrea had a few must-haves for the day but given the timing, really gave us free reign to run with the design + details. We had a clear vision of a celebration filled with organic elegance and delicious food in a laid-back setting. We somehow convinced {ok begged} a team of really talented vendors to come on board and on a hot + humid July afternoon, managed to collectively produce a wedding that exceeded even our own expectations!
What were some of your favorite things about this wedding?
It's hard to decide what our most favorite elements were...the al fresco dinner under bistro lights, the custom illustrations + calligraphy from Jenny Sanders at Graceline, the morning-of scones {fresh baked of course} + local jam hand-delivered to guests were certainly at the top of the list. Lucky for us, everything was captured perfectly on film by Corinne Krogh, who had flown in from Oregon!
Why did you make the design decisions you did?What about this venue influenced your design direction?
We were able to really let our imagination run wild with this one with time being the only thing standing in our way! The goal was an intimate celebration of love + the joining of their two families {especially their kids}. There were under 30 guests so it was a real treat to be able to design + execute things we might not be able to at a wedding with more guests {ie. fresh scones + jam hand delivered to everyone the morning of the wedding!}
Favorite existing design elements of the venue?
The dock. The wood swing that looks out to the water. The large tree down by the water. Perfect picture opps!
Any special drinks or eats you had in the surrounding town? What did you do while in the area?
Hit up The Good Life for sandwiches, booze + yummy snacks, The Galley for lobster rolls and the BEST donuts from Village Bakery.
Any inside tips for prospective couples who want to marry or have an event here?
It's a great spot if you want to treat some of your closest family + friends to a getaway. There's the lodge itself and a guest house as well. 
Credits:
Photos: Corinne Krogh Photography | Event Design + Styling: mStarr Design | Planning: Emily Elizabeth Events | Catering: Season to Taste | Floral Design: Watershed Floral | Calligraphy + Paper Products: Jenny Sanders of Graceline | Lighting: The Event Lighting Pros | Rentals: Peterson Party Center, 12th Table, Maine Prop House, Reserve Modern Event Rental | Tent: Peterson Party Center | Hair + Makeup: I Do Spas | Cake: European Bakery | DJ: DJ Bob Wilson
