A Note from Jeff & Samantha…

From Samantha:
It was wonderful to be a part of Clay Hill Farm’s Green Wedding Giveaway. Our wedding was everything that we wanted and more. The community giveback aspect of the contest was very rewarding. We found new ways to reduce our trash and shared it with people through the Internet. Also, our garden is a promising new way for people to learn how to grow their own food. We are very grateful to all of the fabulous vendors who are involved with Clay Hill Farm’s Green Wedding Giveaway.

From Jeff:
Participating in the contest was a great experience.  It was a unique way to share our ideas with family and the community.  I didn't know there were so many people in my community and even my family that have an interest in sustainability that don't mind making small changes in their life that make a big difference.  One thing in particular that I found interesting was that other customers have started following our lead and bringing their own reusable containers to the butcher shop, saving several pieces of wax paper and plastic bags per trip.  It is a great feeling to know that you have influenced others for the better of the planet.


Hurricane Threat Didn’t Dampen the Third Green Wedding Giveaway of 2011!

With the threat of Irene bearing down, slated to slam the Maine coast on August 28th, the third of the three Green Wedding Giveaway 2011 winners to marry at Clay Hill Farm in Cape Neddick, Maine, exchanged vows inside the restaurant. As the wind kicked up and the rain intensified, Samantha Smith of Buxton, Maine and Jeffrey Court of Arundel, took the weather in stride and refused to let Mother Nature’s mood dampen their commitment.
Braving the elements for some outdoor ‘umbrella’ shots on Clay Hill Farm’s eleven private acres, the couple proudly entered the Reception to the Scorpions’ classic, ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’. Smith and Court were the third finalist winners in Clay Hill Farm’s annual Green Wedding Giveaway contest, a challenge that encourages engaged couples to ‘pick their shade and shout it to the world’, celebrating the real people making a difference in the world with their commitment to the Earth and each other. As finalists, Smith & Court created a community garden at an engineering institute in Worcester, Mass, as well as educating people about waste reduction with their “Trash the Trash” campaign. The couple blogged about ways to reduce your everyday waste in their contest campaign, proudly producing the potato chip bag that held their trash after five weeks.
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With generators at the ready, the lights never flickered during the Reception, but a few nervous gasps were heard as the lights were dimmed for the first dance. With abundant donations from the Green Wedding Giveaway sponsors, including; floral package by Blooms Flower Shoppe, photography by Shane Corcoran, DJ services by Scott Langlois of CREA, classical guitar by Pat Keane, cake by Kristin F. Simmons, pastries by Hippie Chick Bakery, favors by Robin’s Chocolate Sauce, bridal accessories by Eco-Chic Couture, videography by AF Media, formalwear by Event Central, honeymoon suite courtesy of Meadowmere Resort, Mexican honeymoon arranged by Travel Experts of York and hybrid transport courtesy of Regal Limousine, Smith and Court embraced the novelty of a hurricane wedding and celebrated their green wedding journey with 75 friends and family members. “We had a wonderfully memorable day with all of our friends, family and Hurricane Irene. The threat of a hurricane could not stop something that was almost ten years in the making,” said the newly pronounced Mrs. Court, a lawyer in Massachusetts chuckling over the irony of her new surname.

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Clay Hill Farm is an award-winning restaurant and wedding venue on 11 private acres in Cape Neddick, Maine. The first restaurant in the country to be a certified wildlife habitat and bird sanctuary, Clay Hill Farm is also one of the first businesses in Southern Maine to earn the Environmental Leader certification. Passionate about seasonality, local food and Maine-made ingredients, Clay Hill Farm embraces green living by also celebrating real people making a difference and encouraging social outreach in all shades of green.
www.clayhillfarm.com, (207)-361-2272 Photos by Shane's Wedding Photography