Dear Donna, What is the secret to an exciting marriage after you wed and have children? Yours Truly, Stuck in the doldrums Dear Stuck, I applaud your question because the first ingredient in this recipe is the DESIRE to create some excitement and fun in your marriage once you tie the knot and expand your family. When you are raising children everything seems to be about them. The trick to creating this excitement is to have some time with your husband to do things you like or have never tried before or go back to the basics. I think that a DATE NIGHT approach is a good one. For example, Saturday nights should be reserved for you and your husband. Have steady babysitting set up and create a calendar for Saturday nights that includes some things you already enjoy and others you would like to try. Throw in some
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Photograph: Carrie Rodman Photography
Thanks so much to Laura and Martin for sharing their spectacular New York engagement shoot by Carrie Rodman Photography with us! The happy couple tied the knot in Newport, but decided to mix things up by having their e-shoot in a place that was close to their hearts: New York City. Check out the letter below from the bride, with her favorite moments and tips for engaged couples looking to schedule a shoot of their own! From the bride: “Our engagement session was on a gorgeous day in late April and despite a little wind all of the trees were in bloom. We had decided to do the shoot in our neighborhood in New York because it is such special place to us and it provided some variety knowing that all of our wedding pictures would be in a very different location in Newport. We kicked off the shoot with
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Photography: Carrie Rodman Photography, Wedding Planner: Raina Dawn Events, Dress: Shoshanna, Shoes: Kate Spade, Hair: Warren Tricomi
 
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Credit: Photographer: Kristin Spencer Venue: Belle Mer
Happy Thursday everyone! We have a travel specialist, Arlene Brenner to give us the inside scoop on one of the best places in the world to celebrate the beginning of married life. Today, Arlene takes us to Tahiti or, officially, French Polynesia. Comprising more than 118 islands, each with its own unique features, there’s no shortage of romance to be found there. Umm can you say private over-water bungalows? So sit back, pour a glass of wine…or maybe a frozen cocktail and let Arlene transport you to some of her favorite accommodations on the islands. Moorea…known as the Magical Island: Moorea is a Polynesian paradise. Often thought to be James Michener’s mythical “Bali Hai,” it is a magical island of beauty where emerald mountains rise from sandy shores, towering over plantations, palm fringed ivory beaches, and shady lagoons. Moorea attracts visitors to explore, to discover the villages and boutiques, restaurants
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Photo Credits, Top to Bottom: Bora Bora Four Seasons Hotel & Resort, Matira Point Bora Bora City Pictures, Coastal Style, Bora Bora Four Seasons Hotel & Resort
Where they once sat in dusty cupboards filled with jewel-colored preserves, jellies and jams, they now gently perspire on perfectly pressed linen tablecloths or burst with hand-picked wild flowers. Mason jars are such a sweet way to include a touch of country charm into your special day. We here at Newport Wedding Glam have been wowed by their versatility and charm. Use them to quench your guest’s thirst by filling them with colorful cocktails or light the way to your reception by placing tea candles inside or personalized them with a little chalkboard paint or perfectly pair them with retro straws. As for where you can find a supply of these glass goodies, check out the fabulous wedding supply Website Koyal Wholesale. If you don’t want to purchase a cache of mason jars you can always ask your caterer if they would supply enough for beverage service purposes throughout the
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Photo Credits, From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: The Blue Envelope via Etsy, Jack and Jill Invitations via Etsy, Clayton Austin Photography via A Low Country Wedding, Picknik Studios via Amanda Eve Weddings, Austin Gros Wedding Photography, Beaux Arts Photographie via Style Me Pretty, Christan P Photography via Style Me Pretty, Garrett Nudd Photography via Style Me Pretty, Clayton Austin Photography via A Low Country Wedding, Caroline Ghetes via Green Wedding Shoes, Austin Gros Wedding Photography, Gideon Photography via Green Wedding Shoes, Once Wed
The venue is booked. The invites are out. You’ve got the dress. Now, let’s talk shoes! Correction: Let’s talk DESIGNER shoes. Badgley Mischka, Kate Spade, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo…be still our beating hearts! Art of this caliber isn’t necessarily a “must” on your wedding day, but how spectacular and decadent would it be to slip on a pair of blue satin Manolo Blahnik jeweled pumps before meeting the man of your dreams in the dress of your dreams at the end of the aisle? Swoon! It’s just our opinion, but wouldn’t a dazzling pair of Jimmy Choo or Manolo stilettos pair divinely with a black-tie affair at one of Newport’s myriad spectacular mansions? Having a daytime clambake for your rehearsal dinner? What about a sweet, colorful pair of wedges? Getting married on a Newport Beach? Perhaps choose a pair of TOMS then. Just remember to somehow
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Credits from Top to Bottom, Right to Left: Christian Louboutin via Taylor Lord Photography, Christian Louboutin via Blushing Bride Blog, Badgley Mischka via Anne Marie Photography, Badgley Mischka via Kristen Marie Photography, TOMS via Dreamlove Wedding Photography, TOMS via Haley Sierra Wedding Photography, Christian Louboutin via Blushing Bride Blog, Carrie Rodman Wedding Photography
Dana and Mark had the most wonderful, romantic wedding at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel in Salve Regina University. The Astors’ Beechwood Mansion couldn’t have been a more stunning backdrop for their big day! We were so sad last year when Astors’ became no longer available for brides & grooms, but we couldn’t resist sharing their fabulous wedding with all of you as there is so much beautiful inspiration to take away from Dana & Mark’s stunning Newport wedding! We are absolutely smitten with the blue and green details and subtle flourishes throughout. Our friends at Snap! Photography were there to capture the gorgeous details during the day! Thanks so much to the beautiful couple for sharing their special day with us! From the bride: “The week after Mark and I got engaged, my mother and I drove to Newport, to pick the spot. When we went to Astors’ that
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Credits: Photography: Snap Photography, Wedding Planner: Raina Dawn Events, Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Salve Regina University, Flowers: Broadway Florist, Gown: Kleinfelds, NYC, Monique Llhulier, Invitations and Calligraphy: Haute Papier, Astors' Beechwood: Astors' Beechwood, Transportation: Viking Tours of Newport,Videographer: Buzz Media Company, Cake: Cappuccino's, Hair/Makeup: La La Luxe Salon, Hotel: Pearls Boutique Hotel, Caterer: Blackstone, Rehearsal Dinner: Sardella's Restaurant, Sunday Brunch: La Forge Casino Restaurant
 
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Photograph: Michelle Carpenter
Hello pretties! Today’s post should be super helpful to all of you brides and grooms planning to exchange vows in Newport, RI. To be quite honest, this GORG city by the sea doesn’t lack in historic charm and good clean fun. Between the majestic mansions, tasty restaurants, cute shops, famous festivals and exhilarating boating adventures, out of town wedding guests can make their stay in Newport as busy or as laid back as they want it to be. So, because we here at Newport Wedding Glam love you guys, we decided to do all the legwork and compile a list of can’t miss points of interest in Newport. Enjoy! To start, let’s talk about Newport Restaurant Week! It goes from Nov. 4-13, perfect timing for all of you late Fall brides! Check out the link: http://www.gonewportrestaurantweek.com/ And here is our list of things we love to do in Newport that you can
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Photo Credits, Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Cliffwalk via Onne Van Der Wal, Fort Adams via Bill Murphy, Tennis Hall of Fame via Tennis Cruise, The Breakers via Stalking the Belle Epoque, Marble House via Branch the Blog, Castle Hill via Stoneblossom
Dear Donna, I have taken a lot of the wedding planning on myself, but my mother and mother-in-law feel left out of the process. How do you recommend I include them without having to deal with too many opinions? Sincerely, Do-It-Herself Bride Dear Do-It-Yourself, I know only too well both sides of this issue. While you want to have the wedding of your dreams, your mother(s) also want to experience the joy in making them come true. Here’s my best suggestion as to how to do both. I would find two particular areas that you would want to have assistance with, one from your mother and one from your mother-in-law. For instance, have your mother-in-law help you choose your flowers. Have your mother join you at your tasting. They will feel part of the planning process, you won’t have too many opinions on one subject, and the rest will be
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Photograph: Zenobia Studios, Flowers: Sayles Livingston Flowers
All of you lovely New England couples who were married this past summer, it’s time to get those notes out! Ok, so let’s talk about an etiquette issue that no bride or groom really wants to think about pre-nuptials: Thank you notes. How long do you have to write them after proclaiming I do and what should they say? You probably won’t want to hear this, but you really don’t have a year to get your thank you’s in the mail. Sorry. You have in our opinion, ummm, about FOUR weeks (ok I might give you 6-8 weeks MAX depending on how long you take for your honeymoon) and no, they can’t be fill-in-the-blank form letters. Take a look at Emily Post for a super helpful run-down of who should get a note as well as a list of the do’s and don’ts of thank you note writing. Also, The Knot has some great
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Photo Credits: Krista A. Jones, Louisa Marion Photography via Intimate Weddings
Every once and awhile a wedding comes around that is so perfect, it simply must be shared. From the location to the dress to the color palette, the nuptials of Julie Ryder and Brendan Lammers at the Commandant’s House in Charlestown, Ma., in September was just that sort of event. We here at Newport Wedding Glam were IN LOVE with how this beautiful bride executed her “something old” concept by having her talented florist from Studio 123 string her father’s World War II dog tags into her gorgeous bouquet. We are tearing up just thinking about the significance and emotionality of such a gesture. The couple chose Melissa Mermin to photograph their special day and you can see for yourself the stunning job she did. Other details that we thought were so neat were the hand-made (by the bride and bride’s maids), nautical-themed coasters that the couple passed out as
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Credits: Photographer: Melissa Mermin Florist: Studio 123, Wedding Planner: Ronda Flashen, Entertainment Concepts Inc., Caterer: Gourmet Caterers, Cupcakes: Five Bites Cupcakes, Lighting: Peterson Party Center, Band/DJ: Sweet Tooth and the Sugar Babies, Oyster Boat: Island Creek Oysters
This is our first Friday “Just Because…” and thought it was important we explain…Fridays at Newport Wedding Glam will be the day we get back to the basics, the simplicity, the single image that happens to catch our eye whether it be an image that screams romance, love, fun, silly, or some other emotion we just can’t put our finger on, but we want to share it with you “Just Because…”! So as you end your busy weeks and hop onto Newport Wedding Glam on your TGIF you will be left with an image (NO WORDS) like today, but a single image that gets you excited for your weekend, brings out an emotion, and that makes you smile “Just Because…” !! Photographers, Event Planners, Brides & Grooms, and anyone out there who wants to submit an image for “Just Because…” we would love your submissions – simply click here and
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Photo credit: Snap! Photography
It’s that time of year again and we want to know honestly, is there any place on earth more stunning in the fall than New England? Many couples think Spring/Summer weddings in Newport, but Fall has become an extremely popular time of year to get married in New England and we are not surprised! The air is crisp and cool and the trees are an explosion of reds, yellows, oranges and browns. It’s as if every hour of each day holds that picture perfect – and perfect for pictures – “magic hour” light. Add a brisk, salty ocean breeze and the choice of literally hundreds of stunning venues and you might have just found wedding Shangri-La in Newport, Rhode Island. You may even be able to get some better rates in the Fall depending on the venue or accommodations and time in the Fall that it is. Here are
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Photo Credits, Top to Bottom, Left to Right: 1-6 Snap! Photography; 7 Carrie Rodman Photography; 9-11 Snap! Photography; 12 Peter Silvia; 13 NK Photography via Style Me Pretty
We love this engagement shoot of the lovely, Erica & Jon, who collaborated with their wedding planner Raina Dawn Events and wedding photographer Carrie Rodman Photography to decide on the perfect location and rustic barnyard backdrop for their shoot. Every photo is just cuter then the next! She had her hair styled by Wavelengths and even in the humid hot summer they both looked so cool and relaxed! With a couple of outfit changes, including their rival football teams, they very creatively incorporated one of their football shots into their adorable ticket designed Save The Date cards that just went out! All of their guests keep commenting on how creative and unique they are. We have been so excited to share this Real Engagement shoot with all of you. Be sure to read below from the bride about the photo shoot, why they chose this location and why they highly recommend having an
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Wedding Planning & Event Design: : Raina Dawn Events, Photography: Carrie Rodman Photography, Hair: Wavelengths Salon
We just couldn’t wait to reveal our first “Dear, Donna” column post! “If anyone has taught me about life, love and the pursuit of happiness, it is my mother Donna!” –Raina Donna, an English major and most recently Senior Vice President at a major financial institution; a business woman who broke through the glass ceiling time and time again; a mother who had a high power job, but seemed to always be there for every game, teacher meeting, home cooked meal every night; a woman who can command a room of hundreds of people with her smart speeches and witty poems; a mother who guided me through my wedding planning; and a woman who has taught me to pursue my dreams, live life to the fullest every day, to not worry forward and to always take the high road… is going to be guiding brides & grooms every month on
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Credit: GreenWeddingShoes Photographer: Steep Street
