Good morning ladies and gents! Today we are so excited to share with YOU…our fabulous readers…an exclusive interview with one of our fav event planning companies, Fancy Pants Event Planning. There are so many helpful nuggets of wedding planning information in the following paragraphs, you won’t want to miss a word. Enjoy!
NWG: What are some of your favorite trends you are seeing in 2012 weddings?
FP: We love that today’s brides and grooms aren’t settling for what’s always been done. Weddings offer them an opportunity to throw an once-in-a-lifetime event, and they’re having fun with it. Personal details are at the forefront, and we love that too. We are also big fans of the trend toward interactive food and beverages. We see a movement beyond traditional food and wine pairings to serving foods with complimentary beers or infused liquors. Charcuterie with local ale, for example. Couples are also putting a spin on the popular signature cocktail trend by incorporating champagne and vodka bars into their events. Guests are encouraged to choose their favorite mix of fruit, liquor and champagne. St. Germain, champagne and fresh raspberries anyone?
NWG: What color trends are you finding popular this year?
FP: Across the board, we are seeing the use of neutral colors that come across as sleek and modern, like shades of taupe and grey. From there, we are seeing two different styles emerge. Some brides are choosing fun pops of unapologetically vibrant colors (coral and navy is a popular combination that fits well with Newport and a modern nautical inspired affair). Others are opting for pastels to bring a softer romantic elegance to their affair. As both trends continue to evolve, we love how comfortable today’s brides are working with less expected tertiary shades and the use of color blocking techniques like ombre.
NWG: Often couples feel they can plan their wedding on their own or do not want to spend part of their wedding budget on an event planner, what would you say to those couples out there?
FP: The number one reason to hire a wedding planner is to ensure that you (and your families) can relax and soak in what will be a joyous milestone occasion in your life. This is true if you choose to hire a coordinator to manage day of logistics or enlist a planner to ensure that you enjoy the entire journey of planning from start to finish. Of course, there are numerous other advantages to having a planner on board. Great planners are on the leading edge of event trends and a huge creative resource. They have managed hundreds of weddings and can help you achieve your vision within your budget. They bring a depth of knowledge and industry relationships to the table that will actually save you time and money! And they alleviate stress and will guide you away from common mistakes. If you elect to hire a wedding planner, you will have a trusted confident with an eye on the big picture. Think of the wedding planner as the maestro that brings the strengths of all the other vendors (and sometimes even your family members) together to create one beautiful and seamless event.
NWG: What do you find special about weddings in Newport and the New England area?
FP: Newport is a destination, which adds to the merriment of any affair. Even if you are from Rhode Island, crossing the Newport Bridge can make you feel like you are going on vacation! So, it’s no surprise that the coastal beauty of Newport and New England make our area especially alluring for weddings. There is something almost mystical about watching couples getting married by the sea. And we haven’t even mentioned yet that Newport and New England are steeped with colonial history and an amazing array of delicious locally sourced foods!
NWG: What are some of your favorite Newport & New England venues?
FP: First, we feel the need to say that we know we are spoiled to have such a remarkable range of amazing venues to choose from! Three that consistently stand out for us are Castle Hill Inn, Rosecliff Mansion and Saltwater Farm Vineyard (in Stonington, CT).
NWG: What screams quintessential New England wedding to you?
FP: One of the wonderful trends with today’s weddings is that couples are making it a weekend affair with a myriad of different activities for their guests. This approach allows them to incorporate a broader range of experiences than what may make sense for their wedding reception. Our two favorites that scream quintessential New England are a clambake on the beach and a twilight cocktail hour sail.
NWG: What do you feel are the most important vendors to spend the wedding budget on when it comes to allocating wedding funds and why?
FP: Everyone is different and we ask that our couples take time to consider what elements are most important to them. We find and typically suggest that the bulk of wedding funds go toward the venue, food & beverage and entertainment. We also put together a budget estimate that outlines every possible wedding line item so that brides and grooms are looking at the whole picture. We don’t want important items, like décor lighting, to fall through the cracks because a couple has not budgeted for it from the beginning. Regardless of the budget, we also prioritize helping couples afford the unique touches that will make guests feel special and ensure a memorable night.
NWG: What are your favorite aspects of event planning?
FP: The trend toward truly custom weddings taps into everything that we love about event planning. It is so rewarding to build a relationship with a couple and to help them find imaginative ways to express their unique personalities through their wedding celebration. We love seeing all of the elements of the wedding day come together, and knowing that we created an experience that they and their families will treasure.
NWG: What are some general tips or advice you often give to your clients to help them in their planning?
FP: First, set a realistic budget as early as possible in your planning process. The wedding budget will play a critical role in guiding you on the size of your guest list, the venues you might consider, etc. What you do not want to do is start making decisions without a clear sense of your total spending threshold. Second, RELAX. It is easy to become overwhelmed by all that goes into a wedding celebration. We create custom planning timelines for our clients so they can tackle a few things at a time and find wedding planning more fun and stress free. If you don’t have a planner, there are plenty of online resources to keep you on track. While we all love the creative details like escort cards and favors, the truth is that these items can wait until you have determined your budget, finalized your invite list and secured key vendors. You do not have to do everything at once.
NWG: What DIY projects do you suggest for your clients and brides out there?
FP: DIY projects offer a fun and inexpensive way to infuse your wedding with personal touches. We are happy to see brides leverage the creative talents of their family and friends for some elements of their weddings when that is a possibility. SOME is the operative word! Keep in mind it is best to select DIY projects that can be done well in advance, like non-floral décor elements, favors or an alternative guest book concept. The weeks leading up to your wedding should be relaxed and enjoyable. The last thing the bride, groom or their families need are sleepless nights creating escort cards or baking home-made desserts.
NWG: How has the role of the wedding planner changed in the past few years?
FP: Wedding planners are playing a role in more of today’s weddings, and seem to be playing a greater role once they are involved. The number of couples choosing to hire a planner is growing every year (theweddingreport.com). What was once common only among the wealthy elite now appeals to a much wider audience. It also seems that more couples are looking to planners for a full range of services versus simply wedding day coordination. We see a few key reasons for this from working with our own clients. As the trend continues toward people waiting longer to get married, both the bride and groom are often in the midst of managing challenging careers when they get engaged. They don’t have the bandwidth to manage all the planning and logistics for their big day! Second, there is growing emphasis on weddings that include unique personal details and lavish guest experiences. The more intricate the event, the more appealing it is to have a planner involved. And finally, Newport and its surrounding areas frequently serve as the location for destination weddings. Having a local planner on board can be essential to couples managing their wedding from afar.
NWG: What should everyone know about Fancy Pants Event Planning?
FP: We are a boutique event planning company. We are dedicated to creating unique and stylish weddings. We love what we do. We love exceeding the expectations of our clients. We are sisters. We love working together. We love a great party!
NWG: What’s the most important piece of advice you can offer a bride?
FP: Start with an honest assessment of what is most important to you about the wedding and how these desires fit within your budget. Then try to let go of the rest. The little details can send you in a swirl if you let them. You don’t want to overdo things to a point where your overall experience will be diminished. If there are wedding traditions that do not hold special meaning to you, consider doing away with them altogether. Look for other ways to make your day uniquely yours. Above all else, you want to let yourself enjoy this special time. And remember, even if things start to seem stressful, the only thing that really matters is that you picked the right groom!
Feel free to comment with any other questions you may have for Fancy Pants Event Planning and we will do our best to get you an answer!
Newport Wedding Glam
Photo Credits from Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Fancy Pants Event Planning, Victoria Souza Photography, Carrie Rodman Wedding, Victoria Souza Photography, Fancy Pants Event Planning, Adeline & Grace
Good morning and happy Monday! We hope you had a super caliente Cinco de Mayo and are ready to hit the ground running this week. We know we are and to prove it, we’re going to show you some fabulous MOVING pictures!
Specifically, this video is coming at you from the amaze-a-talented videographer, Mike Picard, who beautifully captured Stacy and Andrew’s wedding at Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, RI. Mike also shared with us a few words of wisdom regarding how to choose the right videographer:
“I would say look for a person to film your day that has the look and feel you love. There is no doubt if you see one of our wedding films you can tell its ours and that’s what our couples love about our style the most. I also advise to get your wedding day filmed, trust me after the fact its too late to wish you did.”
And now to highlight some of the still photos from the wedding by Metzger Studios…
Newport Wedding Glam
Credits: Photographer: Scott Metzger, Videographer: Mike Picard, Wedding Planner: Wendy Joblon, Venue: Rosecliff Mansion, Flowers: Stoneblossom, Cake: Confectionery Designs, Lighting: Ormonde Productions, Invitations: Folia, Band: Beantown
Newport Wedding Glam
Photo Credit: Hardy from Viera Photographics
Whether you want to wear it up, down, braided or parted, we have the best on trend list to guide your wedding hair look right HERE thanks to Formal Hair Design, so read on and set up those appointments!
Here are the 2012 Bridal Hair trends for the season:
Texture: Soft Romantic Curls sculpted to help bring out the best in the brides facial features
Vintage Glam: Dry finger waves, to the Audrey Hepburn fun bun (using hair padding)
Braids: Either across, diagonal, peekabo, coming from the hairline…you name it. Brides love it!
Side-Ways: Brides are loving their hair to the side, while up, or down, to the side bun, they are loving this look.
And now a few tips from Formal Hair Design: Hair padding or clip in extensions are hot! The bride won’t have to worry about growing her locks, fine hair…not an issue anymore. Padding adds the bulk and beauty they can’t achieve on their own. Custom made by Formal Hair Design, of course. Also, veils are becoming less popular as weddings are becoming less traditional.
So comment and tell us your favorite hair trends of the season, we would love to hear from you!
Newport Wedding Glam
Photo Credits from Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Formal Hair Design, Michael Falco via Harper's Bazaar, Mi Belle Inc., Adrian Tuazon, Docuvitae, Jessica May Photography, Formal Hair Design, Jessica Lorren, Formal Hair Design, Krista Mason Photography, Tumblr, Studio Cabrelli, Formal Hair Design
A relaxing schooner sail on the Schooner Adirondack was just the ticket to kick-start Laura and Martin’s authentic Newport wedding weekend. The sail was photographed by Carrie Rodman Wedding and planned by Laura and Raina Dawn Events. Yesterday we asked this beautiful couple tell you in their own words about their yummy, unique and fabulous clam bake rehearsal dinner. In today’s post, Laura details the special moments she and her (now) husband shared with their bridal party and immediate family sipping champagne and taking in the stunning Newport coastline.
NWG: Who did you include in your Schooner Sail and when did it take place?
Laura: The schooner sail took place on the Friday before our Saturday wedding in August. We thought this would be a fun alternative to a bridal brunch for the girls and something that everyone would enjoy. The sail was just for bridal party and immediate family, making it a great time for everyone to relax and get a feel for the scenery of Newport. Our guest loved it!
NWG: What are some of the details you chose to have on the boat and did you serve food & drinks?
Laura: We had the boat trip catered by A Little Cafe. We served champagne, mimosas and Belinis (with Cipriani Belini Mix I ordered online). We had personalized cups with cute nautical sayings, and personalized knot napkins. We also had Haute Papier make letterpressed anchor coasters tied with nautical twine as giveaways to the guests.
NWG: Did your event planner assist you with this event and if so how did that help?
Laura: I planned this event myself, but Raina assisted me with sourcing and designing all of the little details (cups, napkins etc) and also with logistics.
NWG: We see you had it professionally photographed, what was that experience like and would you recommend this to other couples?
Laura: We chose to have the photographer there for the “take off” to shoot me and martin on the boat, some family boat shots, guests boarding the boat, and of course all the details. I felt it would be uncomfortable to have a photographer on board in such close quarters while on the sail. I am so glad that I captured it on film!
NWG: How did your guests enjoy the sail?
Laura: Everyone LOVED the sail! In fact our bridal party had raved about it so much to other wedding guests, that some guests planned a sail of their own for the morning of the wedding day!
NWG: Any other advice for couples considering doing a schooner sail for some of their guests?
Laura: I highly recommend it as something special for your out of town guests to experience, especially if most of them havent been to newport. It was special, and unique and something people are still talking about!
Newport Wedding Glam
Schooner: Schooner Adirondack, Photographer: Carrie Rodman Wedding, Planner: Raina Dawn Events, Coaster Favors: Haute Papier
We’ve talked before about how we love when our Newport and New England couples incorporate traditional clambakes into or around their special day. Laura and Martin did just that and were kind enough to share with us the fabulous details of their flawless rehearsal dinner at the Eisenhower House which was catered by McGrath’s Clambakes and photographed by Carrie Rodman. The tradition of a clambake dates back to the early New England colonists and is still practiced quite authentically in the Newport, RI area as food is baked on a bonfire of rockweed creating a balance of flavors. Perfection! The decor was provided by Stoneblossom and Rentals Unlimited and the grooms cake by Confectionery Designs!
NWG: Who hosted this event and had you always considered doing a traditional clambake?
Laura: My husbands parents hosted this event for our rehearsal dinner. I had heard from Raina about how special these events can be and I immediately wanted to have one! After convincing my in-laws how special it would be, we both set about planning this event. This event is still talked about amongst our guests as something so uniquely New England that they had never experienced. Many of our guests are from the south and had never been to New England, nevermind Newport, so this was the perfect way to showcase a special tradition.
NWG: Did you invite all of your guests or was it a small rehearsal dinner?
Laura: We invited all of our guests to the rehearsal dinner. We were so lucky to be able to do so and I felt it was only polite to invite everyone as it was a destination wedding and people had traveled so far to be there – I wanted to keep them entertained and show them a great time!
NWG: Can you tell us about the clambake experience with McGraths in particular?
Laura: I could not say more great things about working with McGraths – they are truly the staple of the New England Clambake and make the event not only exciting for the guests, but also run completely smoothly.
NWG: What are some of the details that were incorporated into this Clambake Welcome Dinner?
Laura: I had such a great time planning details for this event! I had a custom “Laura & Martin’s Clambake” sign painted on Etsy along with nautical lobster coasters, personalized bibs and even wetnaps! The lobster theme was so fun to work with. My mother in law picked some great table scapes with large sun flowers and some nautical elements like netting and ropes along with lobster lolly pops and candy.
NWG: We heard the groom had a big surprise for you, tell us all about it?!
Laura: Upon my arrival to the clambake, I was unexpectedly greeted by the Artillery Company of Newport in full on old fashion garb! At first I had no clue who they even were! It turns out they were there to add some extra flair to the event, allowing guests the opportunity to shoot an authentic cannon. This was a private joke between Martin and me, as we had always talked about having fire works at our wedding – that wasn’t exactly feasible, so this was the next best thing!
NWG: What kind of decor was there and was their transportation provided?
Laura: The decor was provided by Stoneblossom and Rentals Unlimited and consisted of adironack chairs, lanterns, cocktail tables and checked table clothes – along with galvanized pail floral arrangements with sunflowers. We provided Trolleys from Viking Tours to and from the event.
NWG: What did you serve as desert, did we hear Groom’s cake?
Laura: Confectionery Designs created the most unbelievable grooms cake for us featuring helmets of Martin’s two favorite football teams – The Jaguars and Vanderbilt University. I was completely shocked and amazed with how realistic it came out! This was my gift to Martin (I tried to make it a surprise, but decided in the end it was more fun to get him involved in the tasting and design).
NWG: It sounds like such an amazing night, what are your favorite memories of the evening?
Laura: My favorite memory of that night is sitting under the warm, cozy lighting of that green and white striped tent surrounded by all of our loved ones, and hearing the toasts from our friends and family.
Newport Wedding Glam
Venue: Eisenhower House, Catering: McGrath's Clambakes, Cake: Confectionery Designs, Florist: Stoneblossom, Photographer: Carrie Rodman Wedding, Transportation: Viking Tours, Music: Blackstone Valley Bluegrass
Hello pretties! Your Monday just got a LOT better…
Today we are announcing this week’s A-mazing giveaway: The bluecube photo booth from blueflash Photography to use for FREE at your wedding! In addition, the lucky couple who wins the bluecube will also get a discount of $200 if they decide to book blueflash as their wedding photographer! That’s about a $700 value!
The bluecube is a photobooth that was custom designed by blueflash photography. It nominally measures 8 feet wide by 8 feet long by 8 feet tall. It is 128 cubic feet of photographic goodness. It’s size is adjustable ranging from 6′ x 6′ x 6′ all the way up to 10′ x 10′ x 10′. The large size of the bluecube allows bigger groups of party/wedding guests to pile in!
In order to win:
1. You must “Like” BOTH the Blueflash and the Newport Wedding Glam Facebook pages.
2. You must comment on this post saying why you’d want the bluecube at your wedding and how many guests you plan on having.
We’ll pick a winner one week from today so don’t delay. Good luck!
Newport Wedding Glam
Newport Wedding Glam
Credits: Event Planner: True Event, Photographer: Ashley Therese Photography
Fascinators have been so popular since the royal wedding!