BRUNSWICK, ME (1/24/12) – Belle Fete Events & Catering is pleased to announce it has been selected as a 2012 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section in The Knot Maine magazine and on Maine Weddings from The Knot (NYSE: XOXO; www.theknot.com), the number-one wedding resource that’s most trusted by brides.
The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. Engaged couples will find detailed feedback on local wedding businesses reviewed by thousands of newlyweds who had great things to say.
“At Belle Fete, we approach events as a creative process. We take the time to listen and work with brides to create a day that truly encompasses their vision” says Lori Kinkade, Owner of Belle Fete Events & Catering. “We are honored to be voted the best caterer in Maine by our brides and look forward to being part of many more special days in the future.”
Belle Fete worked with a couple on a true farm to table wedding experience. The bride grew up on the family farm in Newcastle where the wedding was held. The groom is a chef out of Boston who works in a 4 star kitchen. They wanted all of the food served at their wedding to come from friends and family.
The bride’s father raised the pig and lamb specifically for the wedding. All of the produce was supplied by fellow farmers who were friends of the family.
In keeping with the beautiful fall landscape, the bride chose shades of purple and orange. On the tables were bittersweet and Chinese lanterns very simply placed along the purple runners.
Menu
Stationary Appetizer
Fresh vegetable crudite served with caramelized onion and fennel dip, toasted almond and spinach dip and roasted red pepper hummus.
Local cheeses all served with a variety of breads and crackers.
Family Style Dinner
Old fashioned pig roast
Caramelized onion foccacia with balsamic vinegar and rosemary olive oil
Grilled leg of lamb with concord grape glaze
Wild Rice
Roasted Seasonal Root Vegetables
Greystone Manor in Cape Neddick was the setting for an amazing Maine coastal wedding. The stone mansion has long views to distant islands as well as the sound of waves crashing against the rocks. The couple wanted to create an extremely elegant event. They chose to go with shades of grey with pops of yellow. Orchids and white roses were the main flowers used on the tablescapes. Every detail of their reception was carefully coordinated. While the bridal party was having their photos taken, the guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on the great lawn. The Bride and Groom had some amazing shots taken right on the greystone pebble beach that the mansion was named after. Dinner and dancing took place under the amazing Sperry Tent.
Menu
Passed Appetizers
Maine Lobster Cakes with Citrus Aioli
Blueberrys and Cream Cheese En Croute
Seared Tenderloin on Crostini with Horseradish Creme
Stationary Appetizer Display
Bruschetta Bar
A beautiful presentation of homemade tomato bruschetta, roasted red pepper hummus, artichoke creme, garlic herb boursin served with an assortment of crackers and crostini
Plated Salad
Fresh Maine greens with candied pecans, dried cranberrys, sliced apples, gorgonzola tossed in our homemade balsamic vinaigrette
Plated Dinner
Duo of Beef and Shrimp- Filet Mignon topped with three tail on jumbo shrimp marinated in white wine and fresh herbs served with garlic herb potatoes and baby carrots
Dessert
Wild Maine blueberry pie served with chantilly creme
All photos courtesy of Michelle Turner
Belle Fete worked with a couple to make their barn wedding dream a reality. The bride fell in love with a huge barn that sat at the foot of a hill in Oxford, ME. The first time I went to take a look the sun was setting and a flock of wild turkeys were grazing on the ceremony site. The barn itself was a huge structure with incredibly high ceilings. The bride wanted to turn it into a intimate space. She accomplished that by using twinkle lights, colored lanterns and beautiful bright dahlias that were grown just for her.
There were several John Deere tractors in the barn and we incorporated them into our design concept. The bride echoed the John Deere green in her attendants dresses.
A tractor brought the Bride, her father, and attendants up to the ceremony site on top of the hill. Hay bales topped with pumpkins were setup for guests as seating for the ceremony.
After the ceremony, guests made their way back down to the barn for cocktails. Cocktails took place outside where guests could take in the view.
Dinner and dancing took place inside the barn.
The couple wanted a meal that featured local and seasonal ingredients. They wanted the food to be casual but elegant and work with setting.
Maine Barn Wedding Menu
Passed Appetizers
Pulled pork on cornbread rounds
Deep fried potato salad with chive creme
Butternut soup shots
Stationary Appetizer
Fall Harvest Display – Local cheeses served with fresh vegetable crudite, housemade dips, assorted nuts and dried fruit and crackers
Buffet Dinner
Seared pork loin glazed with a homemade smokey apple bbq sauce – sliced to order
Beef bourguignon
Brussel sprouts with pancetta, butter and fresh herbs
Roasted red potatoes
Homemade cornbread and biscuits
All photos courtesy of Corey Michael
Working with Lori and the Belle Fete team was exceptional. From the first time I spoke with her, I knew that I had found someone special. She was professional, enthusiastic and full of creative ideas. She took the time to get to know our personalities and really worked to incorporate our passions into the catering. As someone planning the wedding from overseas (Zurich), I really appreciated all she did to help me organize, relax me, and take the reins on our wedding. The wedding was everything I could have dreamed. The food was spectacular, the timing perfect, and the venue (a barn) was transformed into my dream dining hall. I could not recommend Belle Fete more highly.
A.C.
