A Clear Top Tent Wedding at Hidden Pond: Elevating Maine Wedding Design with Custom Lighting

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when the Maine woods meet the coast, and Jessica and Rex’s wedding at Hidden Pond captured it perfectly. As a couple who met in Portland and shares a deep love for the “vintage New England” aesthetic — think old postcards, wool blankets, and local lobster shacks — their vision was a masterclass in intentional, soulful design.

Designing for the Guest Experience

Jessica, a corporate event manager, worked alongside the talented Nicole Mower Events to create a weekend that felt less like a formal production and more like an elevated adult summer camp. From the custom-designed “merch” hats and t-shirts to the seating chart adorned with lobster ornaments, every detail was a nod to their history in Maine.

The most striking personal touch? Jessica hand-embroidered every guest’s name onto linen napkins — a labor of love that served as both a place card and a cherished keepsake.

The Lighting: Navy Textures and Warm Glows

To house their family-style reception, the couple chose a clear top tent from Peak Event Services. For Griffin & Griffin, the goal was to ensure the tent felt intimate and architectural against the dark backdrop of the Kennebunkport forest.

We leaned into the couple’s color palette of deep blues and earthy greens by installing custom navy blue drum shades. These fixtures provided a sophisticated, tailored contrast to the transparency of the tent. By day, the navy shades acted as a design anchor among the eclectic mix of tables and chairs; by night, they cast a warm, directional glow over the family-style feast prepared by Earth, creating the cozy atmosphere of a private dinner party.

A Magical Maine Finish

As a heavy fog rolled in over the pond, the lighting took on a cinematic quality, reflecting off the clear canopy and the lush floral installs by Sweet Talk Floral. After a weekend of coffee on the beach and golf cart rides through the property, the night ended with a private last dance for the couple — a quiet, joyful moment under the soft glow of the drum shades.

Jessica and Rex didn’t just show their guests why they love Maine; they invited them into a perfectly lit, thoughtfully textured piece of it.