For most people a haircut is an opportunity to get a new look, but for John Hutchins IV—of Portland, Maine’s Leavitt & Parris —the salon is where he met his future wife, Amanda Gorneau. After years of his father, brother, Jason, and himself faithfully trekking to a stylist, they decided it was time to find someone more local.

Following the recommendation of a friend, John’s father went to Bei Capelli where Mandy worked. After his appointment, he reported back saying “that I had to go in and meet this girl who cut his hair,” John recalls, noting his fathers keen judge of character. After some cajoling, John made an appointment.

Despite his father’s forewarning that Mandy was “a talker,” much to John’s dismay “she didn’t say boo.” So, he went back for a preemptive second appointment and a few days later they shared their first date. Mandy knew “from the beginning that there was something special about John; I also believe that fate had a part in it.”

A little over one year later, unbeknownst to Mandy, John placed a call to Tiffany in Boston to set up an appointment to “look at some options.” Despite the tight, six-hour window—four of which were dedicated to the drive—the trip was a success. With a trip to St. Martin already planned, John proposed to Mandy while getting ready for bed.

When it came to planning, John called upon colleagues—“selecting the people to be a part of it was a dunk shot because the people I work with on a day-to-day basis in the industry are great.” Everyone took their roles: Mandy and John’s mother “took on all the little, detail projects that added the special touches,” Jason managed the logistics, and John rounded out the team as designer and the all around “go-to guy.”

Mandy donned a strapless, trumpet-style gown, complete with her mother’s “something blue” pouch and penny dated 1965, her mother-in-law, Lu’s, “something borrowed” pearls, and the bonnet she wore during her baptism as her “something old” hanky.

After exchanging vows under a custom arbor (designed by their friend, Craig), all 142 guests moved to the cocktail tent, which also served as an after-hours lounge. The dinner tent was total opposite in décor, offering a more formal style; coincidentally the final design was also a surprise to everyone including the bride. When Mandy and John’s mother finally saw it, they “had tears in their eyes.”

Although the day brought rain, it added a “dreamlike” feel to the clear-top tents. Most brides would squabble, but Mandy affirms that “it was beautiful to hear the quiet trickle of the rain on the tent.” Dinner and dancing went off without a hitch and both agree that they “wouldn’t change a thing.”

With wedding season in full swing it is hard to sneak away, but they managed to steal a few days at The White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport and plan to honeymoon in Bora Bora come January.  

Written by Jessica Latimer