“We’ve always been drawn to anything rustic,” said Lauren. “It embraces the feeling of love, comfort and family, which is what we are all about. We wanted to celebrate our families, our new combined family with Dan’s two sons and, last-but-not-least, Dan’s Auburn firefighters family.”

Overflowing with creativity, Lauren pulled off a causal-yet-stunning September wedding on a hill in New Gloucester, complete with a gazebo, a fruit-filled apple orchard and a view that went on for miles.

Combining a spectrum of earthy and fall colors, the late-afternoon wedding had an autumn rainbow of sage, burgundy, harvest gold, champagne and all the colors in between.

“The colors went perfect with my sunflowers, burnt-orange roses, wheat sprigs and dried eucalyptus,” said Lauren.

The bride wore a beautiful, strapless white gown with blue heels and her bridesmaids wore short, champagne-colored dresses with burgundy heels. Dan and his groomsmen wore Class A firefighter uniforms, giving the wedding a unique aspect.

“We even embellished suits for Dan’s boys, Kamden and Kade, with brass buttons, hardware and Auburn patches; they were so excited!”

Lauren’s dad drove her to the site in a bright-red, antique pick-up truck with her bridesmaids in the rear, dangling their feet off the tail gate.

“He even surprised me by leaning his shotgun on the fender of the truck as he helped me out. It really set the mood for the day.”

The field where the ceremony took place had white chairs facing an amazing view and an arbor made of ladders and lace with a sign that read, “And they lived happily ever after.” The aisle had rolled white paper, bordered with colorful mums in half barrels.

After the ceremony, guests entered a large, white tent to find rustic window sashes lined up on a long table with each pane numbered for seating placements. Another antique truck was the backdrop for the band and guests sat down to a family-style barbeque with all the fixings.

“No two centerpieces were alike,” Lauren said. “Lanterns and vases sat on disks of sliced wood, and they were all decorated with flowers and sliced dried fruit. We used burlap runners and autumn floral prints. Mason jars were drinking glasses.

The gazebo was the bar and lounge area, with hanging mason jars, hay bales and Adirondack chairs. As the sun began to set, a bonfire was lit.

After dark, the couple and their guests released 50 lanterns in the sky and the evening ended with a display of fireworks.

Having a romantic wedding with a rustic flair was the ideal way for the Massellis to display just who they are and the love that they share.

“It was our kind of romantic,” explained Lauren. “Our life is rustic … it was all about being comfortable and not stressing … and most of all, enjoying our day with family and friends. It was all about the love we put into it.”