Ryann and Rick: Real Wedding

I've been absent blogging lately because of the busy wedding season; but I didn't want the season to pass by without showcasing some real weddings that have passed.  Here's one and there's more to come...

Ryann and Rick are a NYC couple who came to Newport, RI to be married at The Regatta Place.  It's a beautiful location on Goat Island in Newport, literally situated on a dock in the middle of what I call "Yachtville".  A summer storm rolled in right after the rehearsal and the bride is so sweet she didn't worry about her wedding the next day, but said, "I feel sooo bad for the bride" that was being married there that night.

It ended up being a gorgeous summer day (and night) on the water and Ryann and Rick were such a relaxed and fun couple to work with...I love their style.  The photos are from Melissa Coe Photography and it's no wonder why she is internationally recognized; plus, she's such a cool chick with a great sense of humor; and the ultimate professional.

Ryann and Rick decided they wanted something non-fussy with a cream palette, along with deep purple arrangements.  The great Sayles Livingston Floral Design hit the nail on the head with fantastic simplistic and chic elements.

The ceremony was beautiful and the couple were randomly invited aboard a yacht where they got great pics!

I love this pic!  This yacht was Tiffany Blue!
I was not only hired as planner, but also to put together a candy dessert table.  In lieu of a traditional cake, Ryann and Rick went for candy with "To Stay" bags and "To Go" bags:

It was a great night and even greater couple!  Congratulations Rick and Ryann!

Photos: Melissa Coe Photography
Venue: The Regatta Place
Floral Design: Sayles Livingston

Paris on the Mind: Lov'n LADUREE

I have Paris on the mind and am thinking of ways to visit there sometime.  I want to be inspired by the cafes and food and fashion. I'm also searching for inspiration for dessert tables I am asked to construct for weddings; and along with trying to compose an authentic Parisian style shoot as well,  I've scoured the internet for inspiration and ran into LADUREE.

The Laduree family opened one of the first Parisian tea rooms in a quest to combine cafes with high end pastries and tea.  Laduree is now renowned for it's one-of-a-kind macaroons, chocolates, cupcakes and tea and you can order there products online HERE.
From the Laduree website, a little somethin'- somethin' you can send to a friend (ahem! hint, hint, friends)  Little bits of wonderful like these:

How cool is this checkered green box!?


But they have also introduced a beauty division with products such as scented candles and cards, bath powders and salts.  I'm dying for the scented cards to leave someone...or maybe I'll just write myself a little note ...

Now, I've seen a TON of macaroons everywhere here in the states; but this is how you do it people!

Images via Bardot in Blue

You can order online, or you can just go directly to their shops.  Like here at Laduree Bonaparte in Paris:

Or if you happen to be in Milan, for like fashion week or something you can go to their Milan location:

Ahh, the inspiration!  To find more about all things French, go to Bardot in Blue.  It just happens to be a fantastic little blog about a  girl living in Paris.  She takes great pics and documents her adventures and daily inspiration.

Au revoir  for now!

Now Offering Wedding Vignettes and Video Save the Dates!

So, little do people know that I actually started a video production company years ago.  This was in between working for catering companies and hotels planning weddings and events.  It's off on it's own now and very successful (you can see it's awesomeness HERE )

In brainstorming what I could offer brides that would really make a difference in their experience; I realized that I had everything they needed to make their wedding memorable ; Seamless Wedding Planning and Video Production

I can develop budgets, timelines, plan details, details and more details to finite precision; but I also want to help capture that event in a memorable way.  A way that doesn't make people cringe when a few years from now you ask your friends, who are over for a BBQ, "You wanna watch our wedding video"?

Something that captures just the intimate and most important moments and details.  Here is our first installment of  a Wedding Vignette: 

rich and jen wedding from video expedition on Vimeo.


Each video will be unique to each couple and scored to the song of their choice.

We are also adding Video Save-the-Dates!  We are customizing Video Save-the-Dates for each couple to really highlight their personality and style.  We will then give the client an uploadable version to be sent out as their Save-the-Date.  You can also use this on your wedding website!  We are finishing up on our premeire of that and I will post soon!

Pass it along, if you book before September 1st, 2010, you will receive 20% off of a Wedding Planning Package of your choice ~ schweet!

Real Wedding Making My Day

This totally caught my eye today thinking about going to NYC in a couple of weeks.  Finding inspiration everywhere and throwing out bold colors for signature style.  Check out the couples retro style and Corpse Bride theme on the invitations.

How great is that pic of the bride drinking out of a straw?  The last pic is true NYC style and I love it!

pics via Project Wedding

The Way to a Man's Heart: Food. The Way to a Woman's Heart: a Fashionable Man

I'm sure if you're a bride you have everything pictured perfectly and well-mapped out in your head.  Especially what you'll look on your Big Day and for the rehearsal dinner.  But what about your Groom?  It's not going to be all that great to look back at the photos of your rehearsal dinner (pre-partying with your friends); if you look awesome,  and then realize you hung your honey out to dry with only a "so-so" outfit for the night.

I mean guys love to look hot.  They will be the center of attention too!

These are perfect for a summer rehearsal dinner...especially here in Newport, RI.  If you're not a member of Gilt Group yet, stop reading this and sign up (and tell them I sent you).  They have the greatest auctions on high-end clothing, bags, housewares and even vacations.  I found everything that I've posted here through them, and if you check out the prices your jaw will drop and excitement will fill your heart.

 

seersucker blazer, seersucker pants and holy vneck sweater by Buckler  check out their website...friggin' awesome!
plaid tie by Personality Milano ties
orange/yellow tie by Duncan Quinn
raspberry/blue tie by Massimo Bizzocchi

Oh!  And don't forget their accessories too.  The cufflinks would be perfect for either rehearsal dinner or wedding day.  Choose one of these to help him bling it out with purple, keep the time on his sleeve or carry a little something special with him in a cufflink locket.

For your honeymoon, get him this diving watch that looks pretty cool on land as well as sea.  It goes well with  the leather passport holder, because I know you're going somewhere swanky, right?

cufflinks by st. dupont, link up and watch white
black diver watch by Invictus Watches
leather passport holder by Gordon Rush

So, don't forget the icing on the cake...the man next to you!

Tuesday Tablescapes

Just because I'm in love with summer, and the fact that upcoming events are in the Florida Keys, outdoors at a beautiful New England estate,  and another at a rustic/natural venue...this is pretty much what is in my head this week:

Couldn't you just live in the pic on with the Dogwood and knotted linens?  Of course you could...the champagne stays!


Pics: Style Me Pretty &
Martha Stewart Weddings

Planner Knows Best...

I wanted to point out an issue that occurred this weekend and thought it could be the first in a series of "But what if THIS happens..." that I get asked so much.  I hope to post a blog about unforeseen issues that arise as they happen so that you can learn and be prepared.

I can't stress enough how important diligent planning is in not only making your Big Day run smoothly; but also to save you money, time and frustrations.  Thinking about every single aspect of each item, vendor, and detail and what could possibly go wrong will help you cover all of your bases. 

I was hired recently by a couple from NYC; coming to be married in Newport, RI.  They have almost everything planned already and felt they needed a Day-Of Planner to help with finite details, timelines, decor, etc.  We met face to face for the first time this weekend with their venue/caterer and found that the Bride and Groom have sent their invitations out already - as they should have - it's a destination wedding and we're only 7 weeks out; but haven't chosen their final menu yet.  What's wrong with that, you ask?  Well, nothing if you're having stations, or just passing hors d'oeuvres.  But, if you're having a served meal, you MUST pick your menu prior to sending invites!  When the Bride realized that she didn't ask her guests to choose if they wanted Chicken, Steak or Vegetarian, I saw a look of panic.

This is yet another example of why it's so important to hire a trained and experienced Wedding Planner to help with your details.  This is also why complete communication with your venue manager and/or planner is THE most important thing you can do.  We're here to help you make your day unbelievable, but need to know everything you're doing along the way to guide in the right direction.

So what do you do in a situation like this?  You have to send out yet another mailing.  There's no way around it.  Wait for your RSVP's to come in and if they're only coming in a trickle, start calling people to confirm.  You can then send out another card and self addressed stamped envelope, to everyone who has confirmed, to get their dinner selections. This is a pain and more money, but a very necessary expense.

You can ask anyone who has worked in the catering and event industry and they will tell you; timing is everything.  If the chef and servers don't know what the guests are eating and how much to prepare, it WILL be disastrous.  If you are in a pinch like this, I find that Wedding Paper Divas is wonderful to work with and you can get things turned around really quickly.  The great thing is that you can also customize with your look and theme of event, as to not lose "your look".

There are always solutions, but prevention is the best route.  Wait, does that line sound like an after-school special?

photo:  Getty Images
Invitations:  Wiley Valentine and The Green Kangaroo