Just Because…
Photo Credit: Michelle Carpenter
Honeymoon: Africa!
Throughout all of your planning and perfecting, I am sure somewhere on your long list of to-do’s is your honeymoon! It is your first vacation as a couple, your first time really alone after I am sure a family filled week, your time to relax and enjoy each other. So, where should you go? Why not somewhere that has everything from laid back islands to up beat cities? Why not Africa? Once again we asked our travel agent friend Arlene Brenner to give us the down low on this breathtaking country, and here’s what she had for us. Africa is so Romantic, it is really made for the Honeymooner. Your choices of places to stay range from intimate Safari Lodges with private tents, private plunge pools, unsurpassed service and topped off by falling asleep to the sounds of life on the plains of Africa in the evening OR if you love
Photo Credits from Top to Bottom: Singita Boulders Lodge, Best Tourism, One and Only
Styled Engagement: Patriotic Engagement Shoot
In lieu of the upcoming holiday, we thought we would treat you to a little bit of Independence Day fun! Tiffany Medrano Photography came up with this themed shoot based on the lovely Bristol, Rhode Island where one of the best 4th of July parades is held each year! After teaming up with Alli Coate Weddings to design the invitations and Seven Stars Bakery for the bakery items, they turned out with a perfectly patriotic engagement photoshoot! A quote from the photographer… “Alli and I got together for coffee one morning knowing that we wanted to plan some sort of styled shoot. The conversation lead to, “What could we get done in one week?” And in the course of four and a half days this is what we came up with… We decided on an understated patriotic theme. Our inspiration came from the town of Bristol, Rhode Island. Bristol has strong
Credits: Photographer: Tiffany Medrano Photography, Invitations: Alli Coate Weddings, Bakery Items: Seven Stars Bakery
Real Wedding: Morissa & Derek
Happy Monday! We hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We are kicking this week off with the gorgeous Newport Yachting Center wedding of Morissa & Derek. Their special day was captured beautifully by Ashley Therese Photography. The bright bouquets and statement centerpieces were done by Florals by Alisa. The ceremony took place at Forty 1° North Marina Resort and was catered by the Newport Restaurant Group. The brides ruffled gown was designed by Rose Clara and her makeup by Jennie Kay a Beauty Parlour. Finally, GMS Management provided entertainment for the night! “On the day of their wedding, the sun was golden and warm all day – it was perfect weather for their Newport wedding. Morissa and Derek held one another’s hands during their intimate wedding ceremony at Forty 1° North and just melted into each other’s eyes. Morissa and Derek’s celebrated with a gorgeous Newport Yachting Center reception that was breathtaking adorned in nautical details. Guests enjoyed cocktails
Venue: Newport Yachting Center, Photographer: Ashley Therese Photography, Flowers: Florals by Alisa, Ceremony Venue: Forty 1° North Marina Resort, Catering: Newport Restaurant Group, Wedding Dress: Rose Clara, Makeup: Jennie Kay a Beauty Parlour
Just Because…
Photo Credit: Adeline & Grace, Wedding Planner: Planned to Perfection
The Look: A Second Wedding Dress for your Reception!
Why have one dress when you can have two? These days brides are saying so long to their floor length dresses once the dancing begins and trading them in for a shorter style dress they can bust a move in! What girl wouldn’t want a second dress for her reception if she had the option!? The second dress can be similar to your original bridal gown, or something totally different! We’ll leave that up to you! If you’ve decided on that second dress, here a few great shops in Newport we suggest you check out! Andria Bird Bride on Spring Street in Newport has several great designers and dress selections! Isoude is another beautiful boutique located right on Bellevue Ave that has breath taking dresses! The White Dress by the Shore in Connecticut even has a collection called little white dress! We also found a site with some really adorable reception dresses (see photos below)
Photo Credits from Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Carla Ten Eyck, Dress Safari, Amsale Spring 2013, Carrie Rodman, Greer G Photography, Float Away Studio, Sarah Seven
Etiquette 101: Is it obligatory for the bride to include their fiancé’s sister as a bridesmaid?
To be straight forward: We think yes. Your wedding day is the day two families join together. You become part of her family, and she becomes part of yours. If you are thinking you don’t know her well enough, rethink that idea. Take the time from when you said “Yes” to when you say “I Do” to get to know her. Include her in the planning process from the bridal shower to the bachelorette party and you never know she could become a great friend. Now, we are not saying you are required to ask her, but she is going to be your sister-in-law after all! We say save yourself the trouble of your first family fued, and pop the question already! Comment and tell us, did including your soon to be sister-in-law in your bridal party bring you two closer?  
Photo Credits from Top to Bottom: Snap! Photography, Half Orange Photography
Real Wedding Film: Stacie & Matt by Artistic Wedding Films!
Let me guess, you couldn’t get enough of Stacie and Matt’s fantastic wedding at the Newport Country Club? Well, guess what? We’ve got more for you! Check out their beautifully done wedding video by Artistic Wedding Films! Thank you for sharing Stacie & Matt!
Credits: Photographer: W.Scott Chester Photography, Venue: Newport Country Club, Florist: Toni Chandler, DJ & Lighting: Luke Renchan Entertainment, Videographer: Artistic Wedding Films
Real Wedding: Stacie & Matt
When first looking at the pictures from Stacie and Matt’s wedding day, the first word that came to mind was: Vintage. Stacie’s beautiful dress, bird cage veil, and the pictures themselves just scream vintage to us! The photographers at W.Scott Chester Photography did a phenomenal job capturing each and every moment during the day! The pictures of the lovely couple alone in that open field of grass are simply magical! Stacie and Matt decided on the historic and breathtaking Newport Country Club to become Mr. and Mrs. We don’t think they could have picked a better location to celebrate with their friends and family. From the looks of it, they enjoyed their time dancing the night away to music from Luke Renchan Entertainment, which we also have to compliment on the perfect lighting! The floral centerpieces and the bridesmaids bouquets by Toni Chandler added just the right amount of color to accent
Credits: Photographer: W.Scott Chester Photography, Venue: Newport Country Club, Florist: Toni Chandler, DJ & Lighting: Luke Renchan Entertainment, Videographer: Artistic Wedding Films
Just Because…
Photo Credit: Viera Photographics
Things We Love… Newport Wedding Favors!
Lets face it, in the past wedding favors usually got left behind on the guests table, or forgotten about shortly after the big hurrah. These days, wedding favors have taken a turn in the right direction. They can really play up your theme, or play homage to your wedding day location. We sat down and asked our friend Ann from Fancy Pants Event Planning and Tara from Elegant Events by Tara what they thought were the most creative (and taken home) wedding favors! We even have some great Newport inspired ideas for you! One idea that has been popping up all over receptions are homemade items. Everything from jam to honey in mason jars have been making an appearance. Attach the recipe or a cute note as the tag and it becomes a sweet gift to take home! Another idea we are loving, are Mix CD’s! How could you not? The bride and groom come up
Credits from Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Fancy Pants Event Planning, Steep Street, Fancy Pants Event Planning, Braedon Flynn Photography, Fancy Pants Event Planning, Steep Street, Leila Brewster via True Event, The Newport Sweet Shoppe
Inspired by… Ribbons!
Think back to when you were a little girl…ribbons were everywhere. Ribbons were in your hair, tied in bows on your little white socks and around your dresses, they were given to you as awards, or tied around gifts. You loved ribbons as a little girl, so why not as an adult? Today, ribbons are a great accessory to add in to your wedding! They work wonders as backdrops, adding drama and color! Or what about tied to the back of chairs, to give them a little more flair? Ribbons could be draped as an added decoration to the roof of your venue or used as a creative photo opp like below! So, whether it’s orange or blue, add some ribbon and let that little girl in you shine through! Were ribbons a part of your wedding day? Share your photo’s with us, or any other ribbon inspired ideas!
Photo Credits from Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Virgil Bunao, Cakies, Jose Villa, Sarah Yates, Our Labor of Love, E Claire Creations, Our Labor of Love, Blog Celebration, Dove and Sparrow Photography, Michele M Waite Photohgraphy, Corbin Gurkin, Sasha Gulish
Real Wedding: Nicole & George
We would like to introduce George and Nicole this lovely morning. George and Nicole met in 2006 and have been together since their very first date! When George decided to pop the question, he flew across the country without telling a single person! He asked for Nicole’s hand in marriage on Christmas Eve, which is what sparked the idea for a winter wedding. Not knowing the Newport area to well, Nicole decided on hiring wedding planning expert Jaime Nelson from Eventfully Planned early on and never looked back! Jaime helped Nicole with finding each one of her vendors to make her day perfect! After finding St Spyridon, a Greek Orthodox Church, the couple then decided on the perfect waterfront Atlantic Beach Club, mainly for the dance floor! The bride and groom were certain about one thing, there would be A LOT of music and dancing during their winter wonderland wedding!
Credits: Planner: Eventfully Planned, Venue: Atlantic Beach Club, Photographer: Rebecca Arthurs, Stationary: Bella Figura Letterpress, Florist: Toni Chandler, Transportation: Rockstar Limo, Lodging: Hyatt Regency Newport, Makeup: Spectrum Makeup Artistry by Jennifer Hodge, Ceremony Venue: Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, Linen & Chair Rentals: Felicia's Perfect Setting, Cake: Kate Repko, Lighting: Music Mixers Entertainment, Calligrapher: Scribe Calligraphy, Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Real Wedding: Meagan & William
Meagan and William could not have picked a more beautiful location for their classic wedding day. From the Park Plaza in Boston to the wonderful Marsh Chapel, these pictures by Brett Alison Photography are perfect! We love the shots of the bridal party in front of the old historic Boston buildings. Those heavenly emerald green bridesmaid dresses and the bouquets by Lyndsey Loring Designs with just the right amount of purple. And, what about the brides incredibly elegant wedding gown from The Bridal Secret?After pictures, the bride and groom lead their guests to the delicious Maggiano’s where they had an amazing dinner with delectable cake by Montillio’s to follow. Besides the look of utter happiness on the brides face, our favorite part had to be the Official Boston Red Sox trolley that brought the bridal party from location to location! I mean how could you not?! Click here to view the full,
Credits: Photographer: Brett Alison Photography, Floral Designer: Lyndsey Loring Designs, Reception Venue: Boston University, Dress Store: The Bridal Secret, Cake: Montillios, Restaurant: Maggianos
Just Because…
Photo Credit: Snap! Photography
Inspired by… Nautical Wedding Details!
Ahoy Matey’s! Thinking of a theme for your Newport wedding? What about the oh so fitting Nautical trend? From stripes to sailboats and every starfish in between, we are loving these details from the sea. The pictures below are insipration enough to get you started on your “knot” so classic wedding! Smell the salt in the air, feel the sand in your toes and throw that anchor overboard on an oceanic affair! You can purchase the adorable “captain & first mate” forks HERE on Etsy! Learn how to DIY the simple rope vases (pictured above) here! Comment and tell us, how did you or will you incorporate a nautical theme into your wedding
Photo Credits from Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Callie V Photographye, Carrie Rodman, Blue Sail Studios 1 Etsy Shop, Bayside Bride, Brea Mcdonald Photography, Agnes Lopez, Harwell Photography, Alexandra Meseke, Kaylee Eylander Photography, Troy and Aimee Grover, Meg Perotti, Carrie Rodman, Emilie Inc., Grey Likes Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Studio 28, Lauren Gabrielle Photography, Pinterest, Carrie Rodman, Miles Witt Boyer
