Sam & Aric

Sam found her Maine squeeze! He asked, and she said yes!

Saturday October 12, 2019

Norway, ME

2113 days 23 hrs 7 mins ago

Story

Sam's Version:

It was my 26th birthday in 2014 when I decided it was time to start dating again. I joined a dating website (which I always said I'd never do!) and Aric was one of the first profiles I saw. He drew me right in with his tagline which read: "Will you help me eat all these Oreos?" I sent him a message right away and we met 4 days later! On our first date, Aric mentioned he was from a town in Maine I'd probably never heard of. When he told me it was Fryeburg, with the town fair I'd grown up going to, 10 minutes from where my parents lived, it seemed like too crazy of a coincidence. I knew we had some potential when we were able to talk about the fair's pig scramble without things getting weird.

Over the first few years of our relationship, we bonded over a mutual love of travel, dogs, and Harry Potter. We traveled near and far, by planes, trains, cars, and ships. We pet a lot of dogs along the way, and watched all the Harry Potter movies. On October 14, 2017, Aric surprised me with a trip on the Cog Railway. I was a little suspicious that he brought a backpack with him for seemingly no reason. I was also suspicious when he insisted on setting up our camera on a tripod even though the top of Mount Washington was crazy misty and windy that day! It turns out, he had the most gorgeous ring inside his bag, and a sign that asked "Will you marry me?" Plus, he caught the whole proposal on camera (even though you can't hear anything over the sound of the wind!) He asked, and I said yes!


Aric's Version:

Sam reached out to me first. I want to make that clear because while she brings the looks, brains, and talent to our relationship; I bring a decent amount of luck. We met in the general Boston area and were pleasantly surprised that we both could pronounce things correctly and were later mutually impressed with each other’s ability to demolish pizza(s). On our 3rd date Sam brought her dog for massive bonus points (side note: Pooch is also a devout lover of pizza).

We’ve worked our way through our ever-expanding travel and Netflix bucket lists. Right now, our international travel plans are pretty much set until 2021 and our Netflix queue is significantly further. It's good to share future goals.

On October 14, 2017 I brought a backpack on a train up a mountain and gave Sam a ring on the top. The ring isn’t that big, but Sam sometimes borrows my pockets with other stuff and I didn’t want to accidentally propose with a chapstick - even if she might have still said yes.

Tidbits

How did you first meet?

See Our Story!

Who made the first move? How?

Sam did!

Who's going to take out the trash?

Whoever happens to be closer to the trash :)

What was your most memorable date?

Our third date featured pizza, a park, and our pooch. The 3 Ps. It was the first time Aric met Bowie, and she officially adopted him as her Pooch Daddy!

What's your favorite activity together?

We love to travel to places neither of us has been before! Or sit on the couch and eat sushi.

Where are you going for your honeymoon?

New Zealand! We can't wait to see the national parks, caves, and wizards.

What's the best meal you have eaten together?

High tea in Iceland, steak and ale pies in Scotland, Bowie's Point in Costa Rica, poutine in Canada--we're always on the hunt for a good local meal when we travel!

What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?

In 2018 we traveled through Scotland in a campervan for 10 days! We camped on the shores of Loch Ness, in the mountains of the Cairngorms, and so many more beautiful spots. The food, beers, and ciders were amazing, the people were friendly, and the time we spent together was perfect!

What nicknames do you have for each other?

Sam calls Aric: Love, Pooch Daddy
Aric calls Sam: Goob, Gooblet, Pooch Mama

Wedding Party

Heather Restuccia

Matron of Honor

Kayla Gendreau

Bridesmaid

Sara Levy

Bridesmaid

Rebecca Rondeau

Bridesmaid

Tiffany  Tran

Bridesmaid

Stephanie Varvak

Bridesmaid

Jon Whitaker

Head Boy

Drew Crecilius

Groomsman

Shane Davis

Groomsman

Bryon Restuccia

Groomsman

Tymond Tran

Groomsman

Matt Whitaker

Groomsman

Bowie (Pooch) Marquis-Kiesman

Pooch of Honor/Best Pooch

Q & A

For all our friends and family who have lots of questions, please check out our FAQ first!

Can I bring a date?

If your invitation notes "and guest," we'd love to have you bring a date! Please be sure to RSVP for them so we know who to expect. Plus, we want to be sure we have enough yummy food and drinks for them!

Are kids welcome?

While we love and adore your children, we have limited space (and intend to party!), so please make this a date night for adults 21+ only.

Is it okay to take pictures with our phones and cameras during the wedding?

We really want you to enjoy our wedding day, feeling truly present and in the moment with us. We've hired an incredibly talented photographer who will be capturing the big day from start to finish! We respectfully ask all guests to leave cell phones, cameras, and any other digital gadgets off during the ceremony. Of course, we'll be more than happy to share our wedding photos with you afterward!

What time should I arrive?

The shuttle will begin running between the Norway Town Hall and our venue at 3:00 PM for our 4:00 PM ceremony.

Where should I park?

The Norway Town Hall, 19 Danforth St, Norway, ME 04268. The shuttle will pick you up and drop you off at this location.

What should I wear?

Semi-formal (suit and tie and cocktail dresses)

What kind of shoes should/shouldn't I wear?

For the ladies, flat shoes or low block/wedge heels are appropriate for our venue's gravel pathways and wood barn floors! We would highly suggest you leave the stilettos at home!

When is the RSVP deadline?

September 14, 2019

Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Please be sure to let Sam and Aric know if you'll need handicap access so they can make special arrangements for you!

Whom should I call with questions?

Call or text Aric or Sam with any questions you might have!

Will food be served?

Of course! We'll have delicious hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour as well as a full dinner with options for both meat-lovers and vegetarians!

I am coming from out of town. Where should I stay?

Please see the "Travel" section of our website!

Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?

The ceremony will be outdoors, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather! The reception will be indoors.

Will there be dancing?

Absolutely!

Travel

Hotel Product

Oxford Hills Casino Hotel

Please take hotel shuttle to the Hampton Inn Oxford for complimentary bus pickup to our venue at 3:00.

Phone
207-539-6777
Hotel Product

Hampton Inn Oxford

We have a discounted block of 15 rooms under either of our last names for a Friday check-in and Sunday check-out. Block rooms are only held until August 30, 2019.

Bus to our venue departs promptly at 3:00

Phone
207-539-6055
Hotel Product

Norway Town Office, Danforth Street, Norway, Maine, USA

Bus pickup location for those not at the Hampton Inn Oxford or the Oxford Hills Casino Hotel
19 Danforth Street, Norway, ME. Bust departs promptly at 3:15.

Phone
207-743-6651
Shuttle

Complimentary Shuttle

Calendar

Oct 12

Clock

3:00 PM - 11:30 PM

**Please Note** Parking at Granite Ridge Estate & Barn is for vendors, and handicap individuals ONLY. A complimentary shuttle will pickup and drop off guests at the Hampton Inn Oxford and Norway Town Hall. Guests of the Oxford Hills Casino Hotel will be required to take a complimentary hotel shuttle to the Hampton Inn Oxford for pickup. Two buses will begin running as follows:


Transportation to venue:
Hampton Inn: 3:00 departure
Norway Town Hall: 3:15 pickup
Granite Ridge: 3:45 arrival

Transportation from venue:
Buses leave beginning at 8:30


Norway Town Hall:
19 Danforth Street, Norway, ME

Hampton Inn Oxford:
151 Main St, Oxford, ME 04270

Note

Book Your Travel As Early As Possible!

Keep in mind that hotels in Maine will book FAST for the leaf peeping season! Book your accommodations as early as possible as rooms will likely be filled months in advance. Don't wait until the last minute!

Plane

Portland International Jetport, Maine

Please fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM). This is the closest airport to our venue, at about 1 hour 15 minutes away.

Registry

We've lived together for a few years now and are lucky enough to have all the home essentials we could ever need. If you’d like, please help send us along on a memorable camping trip across New Zealand by contributing to some of our honeymoon experiences!

Please click the icon below to head to our Wanderable registry!

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