This romantic woodland wedding at Hardy Farm was nothing short of magical. Kendra and Susie exchanged heartfelt vows beneath a canopy of trees, surrounded by the soft patter of rain, candlelight, and their closest loved ones. Their wedding wasn’t just a celebration—it was a moment of pure connection, years in the making. With a chic black-and-white dress code, minimalist florals, and their beloved dogs in attendance, their day was as deeply personal as it was beautiful.
A Love Story Eight Years in the Making
Kendra and Susie’s journey started in college—though it took a few years (and a pinky promise) to get them to where they are today.
They met through mutual friends and stayed in touch over the years, always looking forward to seeing each other. Then, one night, while FaceTiming, Susie blurted out, “I think I like you.” After a long, shy pause, Kendra finally said it back.
“That weekend, I kept my pinky promise and got on a bus to U-Maine Orono,” Susie shares. “Eight years later, we still take pinky promises very seriously.”
Their engagement happened years later, in a moment as spontaneous as their relationship. “I planned to propose in Pittsburgh, where our story really started,” Susie says. “But before I could stop myself, I got down on one knee… in the middle of a construction site after brunch.”
Finding the Perfect Venue for a Romantic Woodland Wedding
Kendra and Susie always knew they wanted to get married in Maine, but after three years of soaking up their engagement, they hadn’t settled on a venue. Then, one day, Susie texted Kendra at work with a surprise: she had found the perfect place, put down a deposit, and they were officially getting married in less than a year.
Hardy Farm in Fryeburg offered exactly what they had been looking for, even if they hadn’t known it at the time. Its woodland chapel created the dreamiest setting for their ceremony—far from the noise of city life (and construction sites, unlike their Pittsburgh proposal location!).
A Rain-Kissed Ceremony in the Forest
The ceremony took place in Hardy Farm’s Woodland Chapel, where towering trees created a natural canopy overhead. Susie walked down the aisle first with her parents, while Kendra waited for their first look at the altar.
“I had no idea what her dress looked like, and it was all saved for that moment,” Susie shares. “I was scared standing up there alone, but as soon as I saw her, nothing else mattered.”
As Susie began reading her vows, a light rain started to fall. “Leading up to the wedding, rain was never something we were excited about,” Kendra says. “But in that moment, it was perfect. Susie squeezed my hand, and I just listened to the words she had written for me as the rain fell softly around us.”
A Chic & Minimalist Reception
For their romantic woodland wedding, Kendra and Susie kept their design choices simple yet impactful. Knowing they would both be wearing white, they asked their guests to dress in all black—not as a formal black-tie event, but in a stylish and laid-back way.
“Selfishly, it felt really cool to be the only two in white,” Susie laughs. “And unselfishly, who doesn’t own black?”
Florals were kept minimal, with baby’s breath and candlelight creating an intimate, elegant atmosphere.
Wedding Advice from Kendra & Susie
- Be present. “No one else has to love your day more than you two.”
- Forget outside opinions. “Cancel out the noise and focus on what matters to you.”
- It’s worth it. “At one point, we started thinking about what else we could spend the money on (like renting glassware), but in the end, we deserved this day.”
Kendra and Susie’s romantic woodland wedding at Hardy Farm was the perfect reflection of their love—unconventional, deeply personal, and filled with unforgettable moments.
Venue: Hardy Farm | Photographer: Kate Michaud Photography | Planner: Jesse Feeney | Florals: 48 Long Stems | Entertainment: Aull That Entertainment | Catering: Barry Larry’s | Hair: Diamonds & Curls | Dresses: Wedding Angels Bridal | Dog Handler: Auntie Liv’s Pet Concierge | Video: NES Media
If you loved Kendra & Susie’s wedding, you’ll adore the inspiration in the latest issue of Evergreen Weddings Magazine! From real weddings to expert tips and dreamy venue features, it’s everything you need to plan a wedding as unique as your love story. Click here to purchase our latest issue.
Be the first to comment