{Modern Beauty}

I've known about this company for a while and am so excited to share it with you.  This one is for both my photography friends and everyone!  Drop It Modern, a luxury backdrop company out of California, was launched in 2008 by photographer Breanne Schaap.  Breanne has a love for design in all mediums and wanted to bring fabrics of design to every genre with custom print. 

From their website, "Today Drop it MODERN© is the "Original Modern Backdrop Company" known and loved for their rich textures, modern designs and quality materials."

Their website states that they have developed these beautiful backdrops for "the discerning photographer"; but I'm thinking, "Hey! This would be perfect for the DIY bride designing a Guest Photo Area; or hell, even for me to like, hang behind my couch or something.  I'm loving these things!

 See what I mean?  I could look like this when you walk into my house...I have white chairs!

Ok, so what if you're not doing a Guest Photo Area, and you have like paint on the wall and carpeting
and don't really need it for your couch area.  How are you going to use it in your Newport wedding??  I'm sorry...do you NOT see the potential for stand-out ~ rock star dessert table displays?

The potential for these beauties is endless. On their website, they offer an "Imperfect Inventory" page for more affordable options.  They also offer International and Same Day Shipping for the procrastinator, or the emergency-driven go getter.

They offer durable, simple to use support systems and reflectors developed for portability to take on the go and for easy set-up.

Drop It Modern is also wonderful in so many other ways!  They donate a portion of their sales to Living Water International, which provides clean drinking water around the world.  And just when I thought I couldn't love them any more...

All images via Drop It Modern

Nautical Newport Bridesmaids Gifts

Finding the right bridesmaids gifts is sometimes a daunting task.  You want to get the perfect thing that they will use or wear; and you want it to also linger with remembrance of the special time you spent with them throughout your planning and Big Day.  Well, I am DYING over this new discovery!  Style Newport is a Newport, Rhode Island-based jewelry design business with the absolute perfect gift you're looking for.

You can individualize your gifts by choosing specific Nautical Signal Flags.  According to the website, "Signal flags represent both letters and numbers and are used to send messages to and from boats. Think of it as nautical sign language."  Karen King, owner and designer first was inspired by a gift her husband gave her which was a ring that spelled out "I love you" in nautical flags.  So each item can carry a secret message!  Swoon!

You can find each letter and its charm here.

There are many options: customized bracelets and necklaces choosing charms and beads of your choice.

 While you're on their site, don't forget to grab a bunch of these:

ALL of your bridesmaids will want one for when they're on the water, or anywhere near the water.
All jewelry is produced using U.S. based suppliers and Rhode Island craftsmen.  Which makes me love this store even more.

Now I'm off to send my boyfriend this blog post.  I'll be anxiously awaiting my own "I love you" message..hint, hint!

Home for the Holidays

I'm going back home for the holidays...back to Ohio and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic.  I love living here in Rhode Island, but there's nothing like wide open spaces, air to breathe, green space (brown space in the winter), and watching sunsets from miles away....I can't wait!

"I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me...."

pics via From Me to You

The Royal Wedding Gown--ahh, to be Kate...

Soo much talk about the Kate and Wills wedding..but let's be honest, who cares about anything other than what she's going to wear??

These wedding gown sketches by leading designers were revealed as potentials for Kate Middleton's gown.
Which one would you choose?  I think I'm partial to the Ralph and Russo...

Ashley-Isham

ben-de-lis

Monique Lhuillier

Ralph and Russo

Reem Acra

Reem Acra

What do you think??

Newport Holiday Parties

After the dusting of snow this morning, I was just feeling a little excited about upcoming holiday parties

pics via this is glamorous

Why you should Trim your Guest List

Just as Coco Chanel is quoted as saying, "Take off one thing before you leave the house", so should you think in this context when it comes to your wedding.  As a wedding planner, I know better than anyone how hard this can be for the couple.  Your intentions can start off reasonable; but as yourself and your parents start to remember 3rd cousins and long lost co-workers who were great, the list can become longer and longer....and longer.

Image via Funky Town Photography

Why is it so important to cut the guest list when we have the old addage"The More the Merrier"?
I'll tell you why:
Budget, budget, budget!
You have a budget when you start planning your wedding (hopefully).  Every single one of us are trying to get the very best that their money can buy; and when planning a wedding, everything(usually) is based on a per person price.  Therefore, the more people you add, the more money you spend.  And yes, this even includes a wedding with stations, buffet, and cocktail/hors doeuvres-only for food.  You will also add more favors, welcome gift bags, alcohol to the bar, cake/dessert, furniture (if rented)..and on and on and on.

So you can see why I get a little on edge when I have a bride and groom kinda "sneak" it in that their guest list was at 125 people and they are now up to 155 people.  It will cost you more and you will get less of the quality things that you want!  You will have to start skimping, eliminating things and start to become unhappy about the loss.

Being a Host - Not an Attraction
Yes, you are going to be gorgeous and absolute perfection after you find that perfect dress and hair/makeup are flawless.  But don't forget that your guests will remember your wedding with affection if you are also a great host.  Think about a great dinner party you've been to where you had the most fun because the host was welcoming and having a good time themselves.  They looked great and socialized with each person, knowing all along this was their affair and everyone had a great time.

This is what you want for your wedding!  If you have an obscene amount of people (half of whom you don't really know anymore, or never knew), there is no way in hell you're going to be a great host.  Instead, you become the attraction.  The statuesque figure everyone admires from afar. The one that is halfway listening to their long-lost Uncle Cliff scream something in their ear while gazing like a deer in headlights around the room to find a familiar face.

Personalization vs. Cookie Cutter
Like I mentioned before, if you have more money because of a smaller guest list, you can really personalize your wedding and make it stand out.  Use the extra money to get themed favors, letterpress invitations and paper goods, and splurge on spectacular details that no one else has done before.  With your smaller guest list of close family and friends; they will be sure to appreciate it more than your Dad's sales rep from Chattanooga who almost made it on the list.

Just some food for thought today on why Bigger isn't always Better.  Now, get out there and cut that list to stay on budget...as a favor to your friendly wedding planner.

Phillipe Starck Seating

I'm in love with Phillipe Starck.  For those of you who don't know who he is, you can read all about him here and here.  Basically, he is a Design God who invents everything from the very famous King Louis Ghost Chair to household items; and designs for hotels, clothing and oh yeah...$300 million yachts for Russian billionaires.

My love of him started with a trip to visit my favorite girlfriend in NYC.  She was there for business and I took the train in to meet her at the Hudson Hotel (designed by Starck). That's all I needed.

He combines old design with modern and puts a functional, streamlined twist for variations of seating for the home and events.
Now I love a good chiavarri like the rest of us, but what about thinking outside the box for seating at your wedding?  How bout some different Cocktail Hour seating, y'all??

Inspriration for your wedding or event with Phillipe Starck: