Andrea & Cory: Freeport, Maine Wedding

Who: Andrea and Cory
What: A blue racecar/Eiffel Tower themed (it really worked!) family-focused wedding for 150 in Freeport
Where: Ceremony and celebration in Freeport at the Hilton Garden Inn and its intimate Old Town Hall.
When: Saturday, February 14, 2009 (Valentine's Day!)
How: Bridal party hair on site by the fun team from the Brunswick-based Looking Glass Studio, dress from Andrea's Bridal of Portland, whoopie pie wedding cake from Wicked Whoopies, DJing by the bride's uncle/matchmaker using the groom's equipment (he runs Cory Creamer DJ Services based in Bath- 207.740.1600) and detail on top of detail masterfully executed by the bride's mom, Gayle, the events planner for Falmouth-based Tyler Technologies.

Why: Perhaps it's cliché to say that opposites attract, but oh, how they do. And perhaps no couple better proves that point than Andrea and Cory. She, a high school French teacher, who lived in France during college, has a master's degree from Middlebury and openly admits to a slight obsession with Celine Dion. He, a Volvo mechanic (good to know!) who organizes and announces car races (on the track and on the ice) and before their honeymoon, had never been south of Boston.

Despite these differences, the two attended the same Maine high school- Morse in Bath- and met while playing on the intermural floor hockey team (his team needed a girl). The timing wasn't right. Fast forward, and Cory is the DJ at Andrea's father's 50th birthday bash (those Schmidt's sure know how to throw a party). The timing still wasn't right. Skip ahead another year, and Andrea's aunt informs her "Cory Creamer is single!!!" (having seen them chatting at the previous summer's birthday party). Cory had a young daughter and his was ex expecting, and though that might seem like another case of bad timing, the two felt a connection that could not be overlooked despite life's beautiful complications.

Three years later, and she's dotingly gone to a few demolition derbies and he to a Celine Dion concert. He DJs dances for her high school students, and she lovingly picks out Kaylee and Gage's outfits each Saturday. And they celebrate their obvious difference, knowing that the things they most value - devotion to family, loyalty to friends and a love for quiet moments and life's little unexpected gifts - are shared and sure.

And their wedding day (chosen not because of cupid but due to the logistics of her teaching schedule and his DJ/announcing one) reflected that, from the racing/France fusion theme, to their special dances, to that pause near the end of the nigh, when Cory saw his new wife from across the room, and left his friends to walk to her and lovingly help her pull pins from her updo. Perfect timing.

Perhaps an influence from her time living in France, Andrea speaks with much more than her words. It was so fun to capture all of her many expressions, like here, as she gets her makeup applied by Gretchen, her aunt/matron of honor.


Gretchen works in optometry, so she was very delicate around Andrea's eyes.


A most beautiful bride! A tight shot that totally showcases Andrea's playful personality.

Cory's 5-year-old daughter, Kaylee, was a fabulous flower girl. She got into her dress nearly two hours before the ceremony, and despite pizza and other non-white friendly snacks all over the suite, she stayed perfectly princess-like with nary a stain.


Any woman who has even been laced up into a wedding dress knows exactly what Andrea's eyes are saying here.


Tres jolie, oui? Andrea's dress (from Andrea's Bridal funny enough) fit her so perfectly, that I was shocked to learn that her mom and dad had bought it for her at an insurance auction of all places before she was even engaged and before she'd even seen it.)


During the couple's ceremony, guests watched a video of images from Andrea and Cory's lives and it was fun to see that despite their many differences, there were snapshots that showed the(ir) similarities of growing up in coastal Maine. The show was also a nice chance for the two to snuggle up, along with Cory's adorable son Gage, who is reminding himself to stay quiet.


In lieu of traditional vows, Andrea and Cory wrote very personal letters to one another, which they read aloud. Both moved me and so many guests to tears (and giggles), but it was when Cory began reading his own note to Andrea that his emotion came through in what was likely the most memorable moment of the day.


Andrea tried to calm him with the most tender of kisses.


And eventually he was able to finish. I love Kaylee's nervousness for her dad as even at 5, she grasps the meaning of this moment, and look at Gage reaching up for his daddy. Could those kids be any cuter?


There was little time for formal photographs, as the ceremony began after 5 p.m. and dinner and !dancing! were waiting. The formals became especially interesting when one of the groomsmen had to run out of the room due to a bout of nasty food poisoning from the night before. What a trooper he was! Nevertheless, I was able to capture some really true portraits, like this one of Andrea and her mom.


Then Andrea and Cory...








And then it was across the drive to the reception, where Andrea's mom had DIYed ever delightful detail, from the silk flower centerpieces to the whoopie pie cake to the homemade card box- a little cardboard car covered with crepe paper flowers that even had a mini Maine vanity license plate, complete with the couple's new last name.


So connected during the first dance.


And a favorite photograph from the father-daughter dance. You can tell how relaxed Andrea is in her dad's arms, and she is just taking it all in during this very quiet moment.


Cory danced with his daughter for a special dance. Look at those little stocking feet!


Cory then surprised Andrea when he and some close friends serenaded her with Mr. Big's "To Be With You." What a fun treat (though I haven't been able to get that song out of my head since.)


When I met with Cory and Andrea in Freeport a few weeks before the wedding to talk about the details of the day, they were in excited agreement about how every aspect of the day would go down- except for the cake cutting, which brought about some rather playful taunting between the two. Given this, Andrea didn't really know what to expect- but you can clearly see here she knows something is up.


Her anxiety only grew during the cutting.


Those are some devious little looks.


And so it was no surprise when this happened.


Luckily, they quickly kissed and made up and Andrea, who had planned to change into a second dress for the party, decided to do that right away.


Andrea and Gretchen are known for their Grease routine, and didn't disappoint.






And a final kiss on the dance floor ended the night.


Congratulations, Andrea and Cory!!! I really couldn't have asked for a better way to spend Valentine's Day than celebrating with you, and I've had a fabulous virtual vacation, following you through Facebook on your Las Vegas honeymoon adventures. You affirm my belief in the old adage that opposites attract, and that sometimes, what you're looking for has been right in front of you the entire time. Beaucoup d'amour and bonne chance!