The romantic Kennebunkport wedding of Carolyn & Alex

How did you two meet?
Alex introduced himself to Carolyn while she was working the Greenwich, CT Sidewalk Sales for her job in 2018. He had spotted her from afar the day before, but with his niece in tow that day decided to wait it out until the next day. After initially introducing himself, Alex purchased a “birthday gift” for his mom in the form of a $200 dress. The dress has never been worn, but Alex says it was the best money he’s ever spent. They went on their first date that night and the rest is history. For their wedding day,Carolyn had handkerchiefs made out of the original dress that Alex had purchased to be given to her groom, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother with personal messages embroidered on each.

Why did you choose to get married at the location that you did?
Carolyn grew up coming to Kennebunkport with her family. The halfway point between their home in Connecticut and her dad’s family camp in Grand Lake Stream, Maine, the Toll family have enjoyed many wonderful times in Kennebunkport. It was one of the first places Carolyn and Alex visited when they were dating, and it has become their “special place.”

Were there any happy surprises that happened at the wedding?
Carolyn’s father passed away in 2010 and Alex’s grandfather passed away in March 2021, so they wanted to find small but meaningful ways to honor them both. Carolyn’s dad used to drive a 1960 Red MG…as Alex was in charge of the getaway car for the wedding weekend, he was on a mission to find this same car but wanted to keep it a surprise from Carolyn. Using a Defender as the “coverup car” Alex had secured a red MG for the weekend that pulled up in front of their cottage on Friday morning before the wedding. Carolyn and her mom walked out of the cottage, Carolyn in complete shock and her mom with tears streaming down her face (fully in on the surprise) – it was the best surprise of the weekend. Alex’s parents had also arranged a biplane (both Carolyn’s dad and Alex’s grandfather were avid pilots) to fly over cocktail hour with a “Congrats Carolyn & Alex” sign. Both bride and groom were completely shocked and delighted. Alex had also stitched both of their initials – in their favorite color, hunter green – on the interior of his jacket collar which he showed Carolyn at their first look. So come to think of it, not all were exactly “subtle” homages (ha!) but certainly meaningful and very fun ones!

What moment sticks out to you above all of the others from the wedding?
Our first look was certainly the highlight for both of us throughout the weekend. Alex is a very emotional person, so we knew a first look was necessary to get the “initial tears” out, but Carolyn ended up crying just as much if not more! It was such a special and intimate moment for both of us. We also loved taking a few minutes to drive around after our ceremony and just soak everything in.

Now that the wedding is over, what are you going to do with all of your free time?!
Carolyn will return to work, amping up post-COVID business travel while helping to plan her sister’s wedding in October 2022! Alex is finishing up his year-long Master’s Program at Columbia from which he will graduate in August. The next week, we leave for Africa for our honeymoon! Lots of things to look forward to!


Florist/Planner: Beautiful Days Maine
Photographer: Brea Mcdonald Photography
Band: Flipside
Church: St. Ann’s Episcopal Church
Reception venue: Breakwater Inn & Spa
Cake: Let Them Eat Cake
Lighting: Event Lighting Concepts
Invitations: Sable & Gray
Hair & makeup: The Crown Boutique // Jenn Macek Conway
Dress: The Plumed Serpent
Suit: Brooks Brothers, Maus & Hoffman, Ferragamo, Smathers & Branson
Officiant: Reverend Peter Cheney
Rentals: Sperry Tents // Peak Events // La Tavola
Transportation: InTown Trolley
Rings: Betteridge Jewelers