Tag Archives: weddings

One Beautiful Engagement Party

15 Friday Jul 2011

Posted by in Advice & Inspiration, Wedding Decor Ideas, Weddings

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I saw a photo of Blake Shelton and Miranda’s wedding the other day on TV and really loved her dress. It got me interested to look for more photos of their big day which really made me happy. Their wedding was natural, rustic and expressed who they really are. Exactly what a wedding should be. I also came across photos of their engagement party which I had to share. I really fell in love with the design and feel of everything. It was done so well.

The party was held at Front Porch Farms in Nashville which is such a beautiful place. All the flowers looked as if they were handpicked from the garden and I love the addition of found objects and vintage finds. So nostalgic and pretty. One of my favorite elements was the tablecloths. They were so adorable! Patchwork quilts led the way for guests to sit and relax.

The outside was just as gorgeous while keeping with the rustic, earthy theme. I can imagine all their guests being so comfy and having a great time.

Inspiring Invitations

28 Thursday Apr 2011

Posted by in Invites & Save the Dates

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So you have something to celebrate and you’ve decided to throw a party. It can be a birthday, a baby or bridal shower, engagement party or just a little get together to catch up with some friends. There is one thing you must have. Invitations! Yes, you can buy them and fill in the blanks or have them personalized with your info online, that is somewhat easy. The real challenge is making them meaningful.

Sure you can send out simple invites. No problem. However, when a celebration comes around that is truly one of a kind, you should put a little more effort into it. Just think of the event and the decor involved. Your invitations should reflect the event so your guests get a little sneak peak as to what is up ahead. It is also nice if they reflect you or who the event is for.

Personally, I feel the invitations and save the date’s if you’re planning a wedding, should excite your guests. Don’t you want them to count down the days? Sure! Especially, if it’s a big event. I mean, you’re celebrating for a reason. This is your chance to show some style, uniqueness and authentic design. Start putting down the bricks and lead your guests down the yellow brick road, all the way to your fabulous event.

There are no rules except one: make sure the text is readable. If your guests can’t make it out, you might not have everyone come, haha. I love designing items like invitations. Like cards and stationary, you have a certain amount of space to work with so you don’t really need to think about size. It’s all about the design. So this is why I say make it spectacular. It’s the first thing people will see!

Here are some invitations I found that I feel are really great. I hope they inspire you as much as they did me. Remember, think out of the box and explore your options. Research, research, research! Get creative and have fun.

NY Venues for a DIY Wedding – Long Island

25 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by in Event Locations & Spaces

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When I researched venues for my wedding next spring I knew three things: it had to be unique, authentic and whimsy. Don’t forget affordable! Since I was the bride, the wedding planner and the designer, the venue had to give me the freedom to do what I wanted. I pretty much needed a blank slate to present my awesomeness.

After a few months I narrowed the list down to four places and visited each one. Some of them twice to be sure. After receiving all the details and checking out the venues my fiance and I made a decision. We actually chose the venue we originally wanted before looking at the others. A vineyard out east lured us in but upon learning the fees, permits and rules, we opted for our current choice. Even though we ended up where we started, I am happy I researched and considered other places. It’s one of the fun elements of planning a wedding.

So now I can share some of those places with you. If you live in New York or would like to get married here, these venues are definitely worth checking out. Let the sharing begin!

Brecknock Hall
This historic mansion is absolutely gorgeous. The home of David Floyd, grandson of WIlliam Floyd, was built between 1851-1857 and makes a perfect choice for a romantic and elegant wedding. The mansion is secluded and private and surrounded by nature. Located in Greenport by the water, the 19th century Italian cobblestone building reflects class, beauty and vintage style.

There is only one wedding booked at a time so the whole weekend is dedicated to you. There is no rush to get everything out right away. For $7,000 you get to use the whole mansion which accommodates up to 450 guests. There is a bridal suite to die for and a groom suite your fiance and his best men will love. All you have to do is hire the caterers and add the touches of design. You can have your ceremony outside and feature the reception inside and I can guarantee your guests will be in awe. You can contact Diane Radigan for more information at diane@brecknockhall.com

Hallockville Farm Museum
If you want a rustic, vintage wedding, than this is your place. Located in Riverhead, the museum grounds are quite beautiful with a vast 500 acres of farm land and several historic buildings to explore. This natural setting is perfect for nature lovers who appreciate the simple things in life. You have the option to set up tents or rent the Naugles Barn on site. Rental fees for the museum grounds only range from $2200 to $3300.

The 1500 square foot barn was built in 1938 and has been restored to hold events. Talk about authenticity! The barn has electricity, a small space for caterers but no heating or cooling. So if you choose this venue I recommend its during a nice cool month. Prices vary from $2800 to $4000 depending on the amount of guests you have and there are a few permits you will need as well. Make sure to get all information before considering this venu

Martha Clara Vineyard
This was the venue that we were going to pick but decided on another place. However, this is a beautiful space to have a wedding. I recommend spring into fall so you can appreciate the peach orchard and lush vineyard. They allow the horses to roam as well in the nice weather so that’s a bonus!

The restored potato barn is huge! I love the rustic feel. The bathrooms are newly updated, there is a cute nautical themed bridal suite as well as a space for the groom and his guys on the second floor. You can have the ceremony outside up to 250 people on the Merlot field for an extra $250 or ask to use the bridal gazebo.

Tents are also an option out on the Chardonnay field for $2000 to $5000 which includes electric. Prices range from $4000 to $6000 from May 1 to October 31st and $3000 to $4000 from November 1 to April 30th. You will need permits and licenses from each company providing food and also to serve liquor. A wine purchase is required for the event as well.

Nassau County Museum of Art
If you want a night wedding surrounded by art why not pick a museum? The rental site includes meadows, formal gardens, outdoor sculptures and a trellis all within the former 19th century Fricke Estate mansion. The 145 acre property located in Roslyn Harbor this venue will help you put together a grand evening wedding you will never forget. Contact Frances Diesu at 516) 484-9338, ext. 15 or fdiesu@nassaumuseum.org for more information and rates.

The Hedges Inn
Located in East Hampton, this cozy inn is a perfect setting for an intimate affair. Friends and family can even stay over making it even easier for your guests that are traveling to the event. Offering 12 luxurious rooms, 400 year old gardens and trees and a relaxing setting that create a calm and romantic environment for your special day. It would also be nice for an engagement dinner. Just expect it to be a little pricier than other venues.

Other venues to check out!

Long Island Vineyards

Bailey Arboretum – Lattingtown

Brenner’s Farm – East Setauket

 

Your Dream Wedding

03 Sunday Apr 2011

Posted by in Wedding Decor Ideas

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Everyone has an idea of what their dream wedding would be like. Even guys! There are all types of ways to design and style the event in addition to choosing a venue, caterer, music, photographer and what else, the guest list. Let’s face it, there are a lot of elements you need to think about when planning a wedding or any event for that matter. Well, here are a few tips to help you along your way.

Who Are You?
First and foremost, your wedding should represent who you are. You and your fiance are together for a reason, right? We all know you love each other, that’s a given. What do you both believe in or stand for? What special morals do you have? What is the reason you both live the lifestyle you have chosen? These are all important questions you should ask yourselves before you even start planning.

Family & Friends
Who do you want to share your special day with? Is it everyone you know or just close family and friends? Some people want a grand affair and others choose to have a more intimate one. One thing to remember, don’t just invite people to get gifts. That’s a little rude. People your hardly talk to really don’t need to be there, unless they are friends of your parents. Once you figure out who you want there, you can move on to the next step.

The Budget Blues
Talk with your parents or others that may help to see what your budget is. Most weddings nowadays are $30,000 and up but don’t freak out if your budget is smaller. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have an awesome event. Work with what you have and know it will all be beautiful in the end.

Choosing the Place
Now that you have a general head count and your budget in check you can research venues. Being organized will make this step a lot easier. I recommend doing a lot of research. I spent 4 months searching for the perfect place and happily I found it. Not only was it totally within our budget but it represents my fiance and I perfectly! Remember, the venue will be a reflection of who you are. Make sure you get all the details you need to make your decision and don’t let places walk all over you. If some of their rates are a little pricey, let them know.

Finding a Caterer
This is one of the most important steps when planning your wedding. In most cases, the caterer handles the rentals, the food and any other elements that need to be taken care of. That is the traditional way of doing things. You don’t have to go that route if you don’t want to or simply can’t afford to.

While I was contacting caterers I wanted to pull my hair out! For what I wanted they were asking way too much and including tons of food that isn’t necessary. They were basically trying to sell me a big fancy wedding. That is what bothered me the most. Not everyone wants that! I felt as if they weren’t listening to me at all. Some of them didn’t even get back to me. How unprofessional. So, if you want the caterer to only take care of the food, that is fine. It will be much cheaper.

Design
This is the fun part! I am choosing a DIY wedding because I can. I understand not everyone has the creative genius to do so. That is why there are plenty of people out there that can help as well as magazines, blogs and books. Research! Maybe you have a talented friend who has been waiting to put together an event, great. Give them the chance to help out even if you are doing it yourself.

A good way to start is to come up with a theme. Depending on your venue this can be just about anything. If you love nature, go for a garden theme or present the affair with lots of flowers. Girly girls can glam it up with a hollywood theme and couples interested in history can go for a vintage look. There are so many things you can do. The possibilities are endless.

Services
Choosing whether you want a band or a dj shouldn’t be that hard. Just make sure you meet with a few people so you know all your options. If you have someone in mind, go for it. Why waste time? It’s the same with the photographer and videographer. Decide on a group or a smaller independent artist. Compare rates and see what works best for your budget. You also want to make sure they produce good work!

Follow these tips and your wedding planning journey will turn out to be a smooth ride. It may be bumpy along the way but what isn’t? Breathe, focus and always stay true to yourself.