Mountain Romance
 
A romantic proposal on Cadillac Mountain leads to Fuschia and Brandon’s whimsical wedding in the Maine Highlands
 
By Abigail Worthing
 
When Fuschia Cyr, née Caron, first met Brandon Cyr 12 years ago, she knew he was something special. “I knew he was The One,” Fuschia says. “I loved him the moment I met him.”
For Brandon, it took him a little longer.
“I missed all the hints that she was interested in me, and I wasn’t sure until years later when we started to date” Brandon says. 
After meeting, it was a few years before the couple started to date. A month into their relationship, they took a day trip together and Brandon says it was on that day that he knew that this was the girl he was going to marry. “She looked so beautiful in her summer dress,” Brandon remembers about that day. “I remember just staring at her and thinking ‘this is it. I love this girl, and she is the one!’”
The proposal took place on a trip to Bar Harbor, which Brandon had planned to celebrate their second anniversary. On what the couple calls “a gorgeous day” in June, they visited the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. A popular tourist destination, the top of the mountain was crowded and as the wind picked up, the couple decided to make their way to their favorite spot in the park. Nestled in the rocks on Sand Beach was a special place for the two, where they would picnic. It was there, in a place so special to the couple that Brandon popped the question. “It was quiet, and I was looking out at the waves. I turned around and saw my best friend kneeling down holding the most beautiful ring I have ever seen,” Fuschia remembers fondly. “When Brandon asked me to be his wife, it was a dream come true! I was going to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.”
As the couple began making plans for their ceremony and reception, Fuschia knew without a doubt where she wanted to celebrate their love, at her family home in Brooks, Maine. The home is surrounded by trees, with a stunning vista of a lake behind the house. This provided the perfect backdrop for both ceremony and photographs. The foliage surrounding the home was at its peak, providing a warm glow of golds and oranges to the day. “My family home is the most beautiful place in the world. It is the most beautiful place and holds a special place in my heart.”
Fuschia says that she and her mother had been planning her wedding for years, and while there was no “theme”, she had a clear vision for the day. “I kept using the word ‘whimsical’,” Fuschia says of the aesthetic.
The bride prepared for the ceremony with her two bridesmaids and her mother, all wearing matching floral robes and toasting with champagne as they got ready, with Kimberly Savage on hand to do the hair and makeup of the bridal party.
The bride’s attire reflected the whimsy of the day. Fuschia wore a lace, off-the-shoulder gown by Stella York, a crown of flowers, and deep blue velvet heels. The bouquets, designed by Najean Shedyak at Unity Flower Shop, were full and lush with greenery and flowers, giving the appearance of being plucked from a garden.
The day reflected the bride and groom’s affection for their families. In lieu of a traditional bridal party, standing beside Fuschia on her wedding day were three important family members. “I knew I wanted my brother, sister, and sister-in-law to all stand next to me as I got married,” Fuschia says.
The ceremony took place outside, surrounded by the orange and gold of the autumnal changing leaves. In another nod to the importance of family for the couple, the ceremony was officiated by the bride’s uncle, Craig Lowe. Close family sat near the couple for the vows, while other guests were seated further uphill near the home. Framing the couple as they exchanged vows were two large antique vases filled with eucalyptus, flowers, and sprays of white pampas grass.
The reception took place under a tent provided by Wallace Events behind the bride’s familial home, and had a communal warmth, with guests seated at long rows of farm tables as opposed to separate smaller groupings. The tables were adorned with gauzy runners and laden with greenery, an abundance of silver dollar eucalyptus with flowers in coordinating shades of pink. As a special touch, the flowing runner for the head table was embroidered with flowers in shades of pink. The warm wood of the tables and chairs contrasted beautifully with the crisp white of the plates atop a beaded glass charger. The place settings were accented with a dusty rose napkin that coordinated with the dresses of the bride’s sister and sister-in-law. 
The couple put another whimsical and unique touch to their reception with punch bowls and glasses on each table, adding an unexpected vintage touch to the guest experience. Combined with the flowers and tall taper candles, the tables had a sweet romantic feel that added to the beauty of the day.
As an added touch of personalization for the day, Fuschia added touches from a personal collection she has been cultivating since childhood. “I’ve been collecting milk glass since I was a child,” Fuschia says. “I wanted to use all of my favorite pieces for our reception.”
The food, provided by Jeff’s Catering out of Brewer, Maine, was a nod to the couple's desire for a unique dining experience for their guests. The brunch buffet was filled with breakfast favorites, from biscuits and gravy to bacon and eggs.
The couple chose to indulge their favorites for their wedding cake, baked by Frank’s Bakery in Bangor, Maine. The cake consisted of four layers, two layers of white cake with lemon curd and a native raspberry filling, and two layers of chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and raspberry filling, surrounded by white frosting. The florist wrapped the cake with vines, garnished with flowers and berries. Atop the cake was a tribute to the couple’s home state, with two Maine chickadees sitting together surrounded by vines and flowers.
For Fuschia, the wedding was the culmination of years of dreams and prayers, perfect from start to finish. “My wedding day was a journey of answered prayer and euphoric highs. I married my best friend at my childhood home with all my favorite family and friends surrounding me,” says Fuschia fondly. “It was the most beautiful day, from the foliage to the sunset. It was truly a blessing from God. As a little girl, I always had dreams of my wedding day, and today they all came true.

IN FUSCHIA’S WORDS
 
I’m so glad that… I got to marry my best friend 
 
One of my favorite moments was… watching the sunset with my husband and family at the end of the day. 
 
I didn't realize … how fast the day would go!
 
I wish … I could relive my wedding day; it was the best day ever!
 
I really liked … how much God blessed the entire day. 
 
My advice to other brides is … order enough cake for leftovers!!!

MAINE VENDORS
Photographer: Andrea Simmons Photography
Caterer: Jeff’s Catering, Brewer
Florist: Najean Shedyak, Unity Flower Shop, Unity 
Wedding Gown/Grooms/Groomsmen Attire: Blush Bridal, Bangor 
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Henrys Bridal, Bangor Maine 
Engagement Ring/Wedding Ring: Kay Jewelers, Bangor Maine 
Hair & Makeup: Kimberly Savage, Sanford
Nails: T&T Nail Salon, Belfast
Wedding Cake: Frank's Bakery, Bangor Maine 
Event Rentals: Wallace Events, Ellsworth
Reception Music - Noreast Entertainment, Glenburn
Alteration: Donnas Tailoring, Pittsfield Maine  
Videographer: Cole Libby, Libby360, South Portland