July Coastal Maine Botanical Garden Wedding

Belle Fete was a part of a beautiful wedding that took place at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden.  The bride and groom wanted to create an elegant reception that incorporated a local feel. The wedding took place in the Rose Garden. 
 
 While the bridal party was off having their photos taken around the garden.  The guests were greeted by servers handing out glasses of champagne, white wine and sparkling water.
 
The cocktail hour took place in the kitchen garden.  Guests enjoyed passed appetizers as well as a stationary bruschetta bar.
 
The passed appetizers included:
 
Seared tenderloin on crostini with fried leeks and horseradish creme
 
Maine Lobster cakes with citrus aioli
 
Maine blueberry and cream cheese en croute
 
The stationary bruchatta bar consisted of our homemade garlic herb boursin, artichoke and spinach creme and traditional tomato bruchetta
 
Guests were asked to make their way through the beautiful gardens to the event lawn where the plated dinner and dancing took place.
 
The bridal party was announced followed by the Bride and Groom who were announced and immediately went into their first dance.
 
After the couple was seated guests were served a plated salad of local greens and vegetables tossed in our homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
 
Guests were given a choice of the following entrees:
 
Lemon herb chicken served with pesto cous cous 
 
Honey butter Maine haddock served with roasted red potatoes
 
Marinated sirloin kabobs served with garlic cous cous and grilled balsmic asparagus
 

Maine Farmer’s Market Centerpieces

Maine Wedding Tip 

Create unique centerpieces using local farmer’s market finds. 
 
 
We created these beautiful centerpieces to highlight appetizers on our passing trays.  We went to the Brunswick Farmer’s market and purchased produce that caught our eye as well as some beautiful fresh herbs.  The black eyed susan’s came from our garden.  These are super easy and are sure to be a big hit at any event.
 

 
To create your own centerpieces here are some tips from Belle Fete:
 
- purchase any produce that are visually interesting and works with your color scheme.  Make sure that they have a flat bottom so it can stand on it’s own. Or      flatten it yourself.
- using a pairing knife or florists knife cut off the top and create a hollowed space deep enough to hold water
- cut herbs, flowers and arrange
 

 

 
 

Maine College Dinner Event

 
Belle Fete worked with a local college’s Career Planning department to create a very special evening for their guests who were in Maine for a conference. The department decided to hold a dinner at the Maine Maritime Museum
 
The menu was carefully planned to highlight some of the best that Maine has to offer.
 
Passed Appetizers
 
Maine Diver Scallops with Sherry Creme
 
Local Maine Goat Cheese with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables on Crostini
 
Sundried Tomato and Basil Stuffed Mushrooms
 
Plated Salad- Mixed greens tossed with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette
 
Dinner Options
 
Seared Flatiron Steak with Herb Chimichurri
 
Honey Butter Haddock
 
Roasted Vegetables in Phyllo
 
Dessert
 
Blueberry Crisp
 
 
We used local wild flowers to decorate the tables.  Fresh oregano was tied around the napkins to give a finishing touch to the tablescape.
 
 
 

Maine Weddings & Events — Venue Spotlight

The Barn on Walnut Hill

Belle  Fete Events and Catering is thrilled to begin their partnership with a new wedding and event venue The Barn on Walnut Hill in North Yarmouth.  The 3,000 square foot home has every possible ammenity to make your stay there perfect.  It has a full kitchen, gorgeous living spaces, elegant bedrooms as well as a grill and hot tub.  The 1,750 fully renovated barn is amazing.  With soaring beamed ceilings, gorgeous chandeliers on dimmers it can accomodate up to 150 guests.  The grounds provide several different spots for the ceremony.  It is truly a one of a kind venue.

 Please visit www.thebarnonwalnuthill.com for more information
 

Maine Wedding - Kingsley Pines

 Kingsley Pines in Raymond was the perfect setting for this Bride and Groom.  They wanted a fun, and relaxed atmosphere that was elegant and modern at the same time.  The couple wanted to give their friends and family an experience unlike any they have ever had before.  The evening started off with the couple exchanging beautifully funny and touching vows in front  of the lake.  While the bridal party was off having their pictures taken, guests made their way up to the lodge for the cocktail hour.

 To mark the end of the cocktail hour and incorporate a family tradition, the bride’s family started off on a round of a traditional German drinking song and a Proste! to announce that guests should proceed to dinner.
 
Dinner was set in another location on the campus.  The dining hall sits directly in the water so the view is incredible.  In order to keep the party going the B & G decided to not have a traditional plated meal or buffet but rather have an all appetizer reception.  Guests were free to sit where they choose.  Some guests gathered on the dock, others on picnic tables while some guests sat in the dining hall. 
 
Dancing took place in the barn.  The Bob Charest Band was amazing and everyone danced the night away.
 
 

 
The evenings menu:
 
Cocktail Hour
Maine Blueberries and Cream Cheese en Croute
Cajun Seared Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
Chilled Gazpacho with Creme Fraiche served in cucumber cups
 
Dinner Hour
Seared Tenderloin on Crostini with Horseradish Creme and Fried Leeks
Basil Sundried Tomato Stuffed Mushrooms
Mini Haddock Risotto Cakes with Honey Dill Creme Sauce
 
A Trio of Passed Sliders – Classic Cheeseburgers with carmelized onions, Pulled Pork and Salmon Cakes with a honey glaze and garlic oil
 
Charcouterie Display
The Brides favorite sausages made right in Lisbon.  Assorted artisan cheeses, mustards, grapes and homemade pepper jelly
 
Dirty Rice with Chorizo
 
Salad Display
Spinach Salad with strawberries, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette; Tortolini Salad; Chickpea salad with fresh lemon, cumin and mint and Quinoah with braised chicken and feta
 
Dessert
Dessert Display
The father of the bride gave us her favorite ginger snap cookie recipe to prepare and they were delicious!!!  Hand rolled calebaut chocolate truffles, German spice cookies, Raspberry and Apricot Shortbread Jam cookies, Hand Dipped chocolate strawberries.