Gathered

A journal of hosting, desigNing, dining and celebrating in Maine

A minimalist illustration of a tall, slender plant with multiple branching stems, each ending in small circular buds or seed pods.

Gathered is the blog of The Maine Barns—the team behind Flanagan Farm and Walnut Hill, two of Southern Maine's most sought-after wedding and event venues just outside Portland.

Here, we share the seasonal inspiration, planning guidance, and behind-the-scenes perspective we offer clients each year as they build thoughtful, beautifully hosted Maine gatherings. From choosing the right venue to designing a bespoke weekend itinerary, you'll find the ideas, expertise, and answers that shape every celebration we host.

If you’re planning a wedding in Maine, we’re so glad you found us—and if you simply love great spaces, good parties, delicious food, and Maine, you’re in the right place too.

Spring Weddings in Maine: Why May Deserves a Closer Look

May in Maine is its own kind of magic: gardens erupting, flowering trees at their peak, and a quality of light that is genuinely hard to replicate at any other time of year. Add in the floral advantages of a local growing season in full bloom, energized vendors, and more flexibility for guests on hotels, and late spring starts to look like one of the most thoughtfully considered choices a Maine couple can make. Here is a closer look at why

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Weddings, Behind the scenes Mike Haimes Weddings, Behind the scenes Mike Haimes

Real Wedding: Sophia & Alex, May at Walnut Hill

When BRIDES magazine featured Sophia and Alex's May wedding at Walnut Hill, it was easy to understand why. Sustainable local florals, a ceremony grove alive with the soft dappled light of a lush, late May tree canopy, and the restored 1887 barn transformed into something airy, luminous, and deeply personal. This is what a spring destination wedding at a Maine barn venue can look like, and why May at Walnut Hill is always a season worth seriously considering for couples planning a wedding in southern Maine.

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Supper Club, Behind the scenes, Winter Mike Haimes Supper Club, Behind the scenes, Winter Mike Haimes

Supper Club: The Steakhouse Edition with Big Tree Catering

The fourth annual Big Tree Catering Supper Club was always going to be a great night. What we did not fully anticipate was how meaningful it would become. Chef Adrian Arvizu-Rico arrived with a bold concept, the traditional steakhouse experience reimagined through a global culinary lens, and delivered one of the most memorable and quietly profound evenings the Flanagan Farm Supper Club has ever produced. Read the full story inside.

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Supper Club, Behind the scenes, Winter Mike Haimes Supper Club, Behind the scenes, Winter Mike Haimes

Supper Club: A winter’s feast with Aragosta

Chef Devin Finigan of Aragosta has built one of the most celebrated dining destinations in America from a coastal kitchen on Deer Isle, Maine. For her third consecutive season at the Flanagan Farm Supper Club, she brought that same ingredient-driven grace and sense of place to our Valentine's eve barn in Buxton. A full recap of the evening's menu, the story behind our family's love for Deer Isle and Aragosta, and details on Chef Finigan's debut cookbook are all inside.

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Winter, Supper Club, Behind the scenes Mike Haimes Winter, Supper Club, Behind the scenes Mike Haimes

Supper Club: Piccolo’s Sunday Supper

When Piccolo closed in 2020, Portland lost one of its most beloved dining institutions. When Chefs Ilma López and Damian Sansonetti agreed to bring their cherished Sunday Supper tradition back to life for one evening at Flanagan Farm, we knew it would be special. What we did not anticipate was just how personal it would feel — for our guests, for Damian and Ilma, and for Mike, whose own culinary story begins on the streets of Florence not far from where this style of cooking first shaped him. The full story is inside.

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Private Events, Maine, Behind the scenes Mike Haimes Private Events, Maine, Behind the scenes Mike Haimes

Supper Club: Delighting in a Decade with Woodford F&B

When Mike and I first moved to Portland in the fall of 2019, Woodford Food & Beverage was the first place that made us feel at home. So welcoming them to Flanagan Farm to celebrate their 10th anniversary this winter felt like one of the most meaningful evenings we have hosted. This post is our love letter to a decade of Woodford in Portland, plus a full recap of the extraordinary menu Chef Courtney Loreg brought to our barn for the occasion.

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Behind the scenes Mike Haimes Behind the scenes Mike Haimes

Love/Give: Celebrating With Purpose at The Maine Barns

Many of the couples who celebrate at The Maine Barns share a particular relationship with Maine — a place that has shaped them, drawn them back, and ultimately brought them here to mark one of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Love/Give is our way of honoring that connection. Through the program, a portion of proceeds from every celebration at Flanagan Farm and Walnut Hill is donated to nonprofit organizations working across five key issue areas in Maine. This post tells the story behind it — and the organizations we're proud to support.

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