Monday, July 27, 2009

Congratulations to Julie and David!


Congratulations on the birth of your child! What a wonderful blessing it must be for you and your parents.
It was such a joy to be part of your wedding. Best wishes to you all.

P.S. Make sure you pick up a copy of her book





"Some Like it Haute" A very fashionable summer read!

Advice from a Newport R.I. Wedding Planner... How do I make a LARGE room look small?

When my bride Pam booked the tent at Castle Hill for 50 guests I thought,
they are going to look like they are sitting in the middle of a football field!

The tent is designed to hold over 200 guests.

So I used a three tables pushed together in a clover leaf pattern to take up floor space. Very high topiaries were created to fill the space as well.

It worked like a charm, A luck charm that is!

Real Wedding at Castle Hill Inn







I want to Thank Pam Paul for inviting me to be their wedding planer. Many thanks to Dillon her son,for helping me set up the escort cards and the children's VIP table.
Hey Dillon Thank you for making my first "Kid Friendly" wedding such a success!
If your not doing any thing Labor Day weekend come help me with my next wedding!
It was a wonderful weekend!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Castle Hill Wedding Inspiration ....A Compass Rose




This nautical icon chosen for the Welcome Bag will be used thru out the wedding weekend.

To me, it signifies the new direction this lovely family is taking!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

A Kid Friendly Wedding

My bride Pam wanted her son Dillon to feel not just special at her wedding,
but a
Co-Host
of the wedding weekend.





She started by incorporated his name in to the welcome program.

Pam, Paul and Dillon Welcome you to Newport!
The City by the Sea

During the wedding ceremony he will walk his Mother down the aisle as the ring bearer. Then present a rose to his new step father to welcome him in to "his" family.
The 10 invited children will be dining with the grownups, but a very special V.I.P. table will be created just for him to entertain his guests in style. A slurry of toys, coloring books and arts and crafts will be on hand at this special table.
For desert a wedding cake will be cut by the bride and groom with a interactive Ice cream bar set up especially for Dillan.
The band hired for the wedding was a young group of performers. Their energy and style will be the perfect fit for this cross generational group.

Its going to be a joyful and fun wedding for all!

American Gothic Revisited!


This just made me laugh!
It could make a fun Photo for a Save the Date for a country side wedding.
www.BrianPhillipsPhoto.com

"Sea Side Weddings" Coming in August to The Newport Wedding Gallery


Newport and New England offers dozens of wedding venues that have a seaside view. This show will feature a real sand castle centerpiece by SANDTASIA. Beach side wedding cakes from Sin Cakes. Also 1st Impressions Invitations, R.I. Rentals, and A Newport Affaire will collaborate on this “By the Sea” tabletop In the Newport Wedding Gallery

The show will run August 1st thru August 30,2009
Open on Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 to 6:00

Exquisite Events Of Newport...Cool Napkin Folds

I found this great web site for napkin folding options www.napkinfoldingguide.com
Love this Art Deco look!

J Crew Roses for You and Your Guests



I found this absolutely stunning rose infused gown at J Crew this week.
Made from shimmering silk dupioni and appliqued raw-edged rosettes have a cool, contemporary sensibility. $3,000.00
Wile in the market I found this fabulous over lay that would be the ultimate complement to the dress
$150.00 to rent for a 120 round

Monday, July 20, 2009

Pam and Paul


I'm so looking forward to working with Pam, Paul and Dillon !
They have embraced Newport and all its nautical charm for their guests to enjoy! It's going to A Newport Affair for all to remember!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Hip Hip Hooray!





So Cute!
David Dadekian Photography www.dadekianphoto.com
See more of Davids work at The Newport Wedding Gallery this month!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Ten good reasons to have a Small Intimate Wedding In Newport RI

1. You get to celebrate one of the most joyful days of your life surrounded by people who love you.

2. No stage fright! You will feel more relaxed and in control because you’ll be with friends and family,

3.Less wedding debt. You can save thousands of dollars by having an intimate wedding,

4. You now can splurge. Some couples choose a small guest list not necessarily because their budgets are small, but because they can now use more luxurious wedding vendors and have a truly lavish dream wedding.

5. You have more unique options when choosing a venue. Since you won’t need a large traditional venue to accommodate your guests,

6. You will have more freedom to customize your wedding to your own tastes that will be a reflection of the two of you, not the banquet facility's.

7. You get to spend time with your guests. When the guest list is small, the bride and groom can spend time with each of their guests, making them feel more welcome.

8. You can get your guests involved. A small wedding will give you the opportunity to get your loved ones involved in activity's on your special day and week end.

9. You can be more generous! One bride I'm working with will pick up the hotel bill for all her guests.

10. You can have a wedding in Newport that people will remember. Because your wedding won’t be typical - the kind your guests have been to over and over again – your wedding is more likely to be remembered as a very special day.

Nancy Swiezy
A Newport Affaire
www.anewportaffaire.com

Now Thats a Green Wedding!


You could use it for your omelets at the brunch the next day!

The boys are going wear Blue Jeans at your Wedding?


Well Corey and Geoff certainly pulled this on off with style and charm!




To see more of their wedding go to Brian Phillips Blog
http://www.brianphillips.net
Jolly good show, old chaps!

P.S.Maria said they were blue Khakis !

The Bestman's Toast Generator!


This fill in the blank program gives the best man speech options... if he's not much of a writer!

http://www.blissweddings.com/library/toast_generator.asp

For Public speaking parctice he can join Toastmasters International
Toastmasters.org

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

We found Butterflys in The Newport Gallery Garden this Weekend!






Thanks Pam for making the garden so beautiful for all of us!

Tiffany Blue Butterfly Invitations.. Just for you!


















By Praez Media

Are you part of a Wedding Cult?


"Come on ...All of us are using that Photographer, Florist, Band and Videographer!"

Do you give in and go with them or find a vendor that really speaks to you?

As your planning your wedding you'll be faced with decisions that will last you a lifetime. Choosing a vender in your price range can be hard enough, but when friends and other venders get involved pressuring you it can be even harder.

Many friends just want to recreate or change the wedding day they had.

While venders who try to influence you to use a “friend” some times have a monetary incentive to do so.

I have heard of a group of venders that call them self’s

“The Dream Team” But who's dream is it ?

If you want your wedding to look like every one else’s... then that may be the right choice for you.

At The Newport Wedding Galey there are over 100 venders that showcase their work with no referal fees passed on to the managment.

THE NEWPORT WEDDING GALLERY
www.thenewportweddinggallery.blogspot.com

Inspiration....Hydrangea



One does not need to match all the time!













Color chart from Matha Stewart

Chritian Oth makes the cut in Jacqueline Tobin's new book,Wedding Photography Unveiled: Inspiration and Insight from 20 Top Photographers

If your wondering here is the list of the Ms Tobins Whos Who in Wedding Photography. In book stores Fall 2009

Liz Banfield
Virginie Blachère
Chenin Boutwell
Philippe Cheng
Suzy Clement
Mike Colón
Amy Deputy
Shannon Ho
Jesse Leake
Kathi Littwin
Charles & Jennifer Maring
Melissa Mermin
Elizabeth Messina
Melanie Nashan
Christian Oth
Parker J. Pfister
Ben Quillinan
Meg Smith
Amanda Sudimack
Jose Villa

I have worked with Christian Oth in Newport twice now ...
I wonder if any of my wedddings will be in the book?

www.ChristianOth.com

Monday, July 13, 2009

Inspiration.... Julie and Julia


The Julie and Julia Project was the first time I heard about blogs.

Now writing my 340th article, I am so excited to see this movie.

If you love food and the challenge to staying motivate to ones dream, this will be the movie for you!

I cant wait!

Here is the link to the original blog , then a published book, and now a movie!
The Julie /Julia Project http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/

Newport Wedding Planning

I found this article from the New York Times from June 1902 about Weddings in Newport. Nothing has really changed!
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9B06E6DC153DE433A25756C1A9609C946397D6CF

Engagement Chicken...First comes chicken then comes marriage?

Being a New Yorker, we are told that chicken soup can cure just about anything.

But this is the first time I have heard about Engagement Chicken.

The rumors are out that it works!

So girlfriends...
Roast up a bird this evening and call me in the morning to plan your wedding!

Engagement Chicken
1 whole chicken (approx. 3 lb.)
2 medium lemons
Fresh lemon juice (1/2 cup)
Kosher or sea salt
Ground black pepper
Place rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Wash chicken inside and out with cold water, remove the giblets, then let the chicken drain, cavity down, in a colander until it reaches room temp (about 15 minutes). Pat dry with paper towels. Pour lemon juice all over the chicken (inside and outside). Season with salt and pepper. Prick the whole lemons three times with a fork and place deep inside the cavity. (Tip: If lemons are hard, roll on countertop with your palm to get juices flowing.) Place the bird breast-side down on a rack in a roasting pan, lower heat to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and turn it breast-side up (use wooden spoons!); return it to oven for 35 minutes more. Test for doneness—a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh should read 180 degrees, or juices should run clear when chicken is pricked with a fork. Continue baking if necessary. Let chicken cool for a few minutes before carving. Serve with juices.

BUZZ ....Imagine getting every ones photos from your wedding at the end of the night?...

All your guests need to do is insert their digital cameras memory card in to the Canditto and it will automatically copy the photos they’ve taken at your wedding!
At the end of your celebration, remove the two identical thumb drives.
Keep one for yourself and keep the other as a backup, or an instant gift to your new in-laws!

Don't worry for Uncle Harry's fishing trip won't show up.... Only photos taken the last 8 Hours will!

Send Canditto back in the same shipping container. Canditto includes prepaid postage and mailing labels to make it easy and free.

You can Rent Canditto For $450.00 .
A Gift for you!
If you use you The Newport Wedding Gallery's Code 310284056.
They will give you a $50 discount
The Newport Wedding Gallery can set up a Canditto Station at your Wedding to make sure no one leaves with out checking in their digital cameras memory card for additional $100.
http://www.canditto.com http://www.canditto.com

Currently showing at WISH Pronovias of Barcelona Size 8

Pronovias is one of top bridal stores in NYC and Barcelona.
This $5,000 "worn once" gown from the Spring 2008 collection is now available For $1200.
Simply stunning for a bride that is no taller than 5'8"!

Wish
664 Thames street
Newport RI 02840
info@wishnewport.com
p.401.848.0202

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Chanels Trains and Tails at the 2009 Haute Couture Fashion Show


My Fashion Hero Karl Lagerfeld!
Many of the top linen rental company's and event designers follow the fashion trends.
Lets see if we start seeing a lot of silver and grey next wedding season!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Modern Sculpture


I just thought this was so cool !
A Skepter Bouquet
Very out of the box thinking

Are You Planning A Second Wedding In Newport R.I.?

Many young girls dream of fairy tale weddings complete with big gowns, a bevy of bridesmaids and bouquets tossed over the shoulder. But what happens when a bride's attitude is “Been there, done that”? For the growing population of adults who have divorced and then found love again, “They don't want that 20-something wedding,” says Kendall Brown, owner and president of Media, Pa.-based Eclatante Event Design. In fact, while Brown feels the traditional wedding has its place, she has found a niche producing “subsequent” or “last weddings,” as she calls them. The market remains, perhaps strangely, untapped; Brown notes that many couples wonder if subsequent weddings are appropriate to celebrate. Yet, her research reveals more than 50 percent of the U.S. population is on its “second or third or fourth marriage,” she says. And a growing group of these brides and grooms want to celebrate, albeit in a completely different manner from their first wedding. But as Brown puts it, “Why wouldn't you want to celebrate your last wedding?” Read on to discover how these wedding experts help couples do just that.
OLDER, WISER
Planners agree — second-time brides typically are easier to work with than first-timers.As wedding coordinator and co-owner of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based An Elegant Affair Heidi Caldwell says, “Second-time brides are more organized and prepared, so there is less guesswork.” Wedding and event planner Nancy Swiezy of A Newport Affaire in New York adds that these brides, often busy professionals, don't have time “to waste on fantasy.”
Yet what these brides lack in time, they make up in resources. “They certainly seem to assert their own priorities the second time around,” says Yifat Oren, president of Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based Yifat Oren & Associates, “mostly because they are usually older and, second, because they usually pay for it themselves.” She notes, too, these brides seem to enjoy the process of planning their weddings more as well. Brown offers one more reason for the ease of working with these brides: “Their mothers aren't involved.”
HERE COMES THE BILL
Second weddings tend to be smaller, the experts say. “Fewer guests, less pomp and more relaxation,” as Caldwell puts it. But that doesn't necessarily make the budget any smaller. Tara Guerard — owner and lead designer of Soiree by Tara Guerard in Charleston, S.C. — puts it bluntly, “They're spending the money!” One wedding she produced — the second for the groom, the first for the bride — had a guest count of only 80. But Guerard notes, “They spent, budget-wise, the same as my bigger weddings.” And with age comes wisdom. “Money seems to be used more wisely,” Caldwell notes. This can be seen in the choice of venue: “They aren't hotel brides,” as Brown puts it. And a striking venue requires less decor, “which is less money than if you have to create a unique feel in an empty hotel ballroom,” Caldwell explains. Another difference she has noticed in second-time brides: They're more likely to forgo expensive flowers in favor of atmospheric candles.
TRADITIONS BANISHED
Heeding tradition is of little concern to the encore bride. Instead, Brown notes, subsequent wedding couples focus on “the traditions that {they} have built throughout their lives, individually and together.” To that end, “Out is the mandatory sister-in-law bridesmaid,” Caldwell says, “out is the $5,000 gown they'll never see again, out is the 100 extra guests who are friends of their families.” And mature brides show no interest in removing and tossing the garter. As Brown puts it, “Nobody is taking any clothes off.” She adds, “Half don't even carry flowers,” much less toss the bouquet. Instead, the bride may hold a meaningful heirloom. Another tradition these brides and grooms show little interest in is the cake-cutting ceremony. Instead of doing the “typical big cake-cutting” at one wedding, Guerard and her team had “individual cakes for each person at a seated dinner because it felt a little bit different,” she explains. The favors, too, were nontraditional: a green box hung on the back of a chair with the guest's name written on an attached tag — the box served as a leftover cake to-go box, favor and dinner place card.
Traditions that seem sweet for a 20-something bride are less suited to a mature bride. The first dance between the bride and her father is often not considered an option. And as one woman put it when speaking to Brown, “If you have to be given away at 50, that's a problem.”
TIES THAT BIND
Children, too, often play a larger role in second weddings. The most common way to include younger children from a previous marriage is as flower girls or ring bearers; older children are typically the best man or the maid of honor, with no other attendants. “I've seen sons give away their mothers,” Oren says, and Brown recalls seeing one groom “given away” by his two daughters. She adds, “I have a couple who is planning to make promises to the children as part of the vows.”
Caldwell has also seen “children say vows of their own or have a special piece of jewelry — bracelet, ring, necklace — to exchange at the time the bride and groom do.” One potential problem An Elegant Affair was able to head off involved a former husband in attendance with his and his former wife's daughter, who served as the flower girl at the wedding. The new husband was “somewhat unnerved,” Caldwell says, at seeing the former husband during picture-taking of the bridal party. Yet this was easily remedied. “We arranged for someone else to look after the daughter and gave the father an errand to run to have him out of the way while the couple were having their shots done,” she says.
SECOND TIME AROUND
Everyone learns from mistakes, brides included. “A lot of brides want to fix what they felt wasn't right in their first ceremony,” Caldwell notes. Often they want “a better photographer, better venue and definitely a coordinator to make sure everything runs smoothly,” she adds. Guerard cites an example of a beautiful venue that couldn't have been used for a larger wedding but was perfect for an intimate party of 80: the back garden of the Gibbs Art Museum in Charleston.
Often, too, encore brides and grooms skip the traditional church ceremony and reception and instead marry and enjoy their honeymoon, throwing a big party after they return. Swiezy notes a sophisticated bash that took place in a New York loft for a second marriage; the hip venue needed only candles and dance music to create a party atmosphere. Because the honeymoon took place in Italy, the couple opted for antipasto platters at the party to keep with the Italian theme.
THIS TIME IT'S PERSONAL
While all brides like to add personal touches to their weddings, second-time brides take this practice to the hilt. One couple Brown is working with vacations at wineries around the world and wants to infuse their wedding with their shared passion for wine. Their wedding will include long wood tables, Italian ceramics and “bottles of wine from everywhere. The food is going to be served family-style, and there is no head table — people just sit down.” She jokes, “I tried to talk them into stomping grapes for fun, but that was apparently a little over the top.”
One wedding An Elegant Affair produced was the opposite of the bride's first wedding: “The bride {previously} had the traditional large church wedding, complete with the cathedral-length train and 300-plus guests — all conducted by her mother-in-law,” Caldwell says. This time, the bride and groom — both outdoorsy types — opted for a destination beach wedding in Hawaii. “The entire event was flanked by flaming torches, incense, and with the waves not more than 15 feet away,” Caldwell says. “They were married at sunset and said their vows under a full moon.” Afterwards, islanders treated the party to a surprise private fire-dancing performance.
Some couples opt for personalized versions of pre-wedding celebrations. Brown notes, “I have a couple where the bride and groom are not into the whole bridal shower, bachelor party, etc., thing. So instead, they're all learning Israeli folk dances, which will be performed by the guests at the wedding. So fun.”
From Special Event Magazine http://specialevents.com/weddings/Retying_the_knot_20070405/index.html

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Inspiration... Brooks Brothers


Do stop by the Newport Wedding Gallery to see our Nautical Wedding Table Top show. It was inspired by a Brooks Brothers navy blazer.

Gold chairs and flatware, a navy table cloth, red roses and charger, cream plates with gold rim and a navy and white striped tie napkin to finish this proper look.























Thanks to
R.I. Rentals www.rirentals.com
Check the Florist www.checktheflorist.com
Cape Letting Arts www.capeletteringarts.com
A Newport Affaire A Newport Affaire
The Newport Wedding Gallery The Newport Wedding Gallery
Brooks Brothers www.brooksbrothers.com

Now that's a gift the groom won't return!

Sara Zarrella's Red Boot sessions are tasteful and stylish and are always conducted in a private, intimate setting. Let us help you create a sexy and sensual gift for your special someone for any occasion: Valentine’s Day, birthday, anniversary, a wedding gift or just because you want to spoil them with a tasteful boudoir-style portrait! Customer privacy is assured -- all images are the sole domain of the photographer and will not be shared with anyone without your permission. All images are professionally retouched to emphasize your best features.

Don't you think he will enjoy this more that a year old slice of wedding cake?
www.sarazarrella.com

Advice From A Newport Wedding Planner... Should I wear a Garter ?

The garter tradition originated back to the 14th century. In parts of Europe the guests of the bride and groom believed having a piece of the bride’s clothing was thought to bring good luck. They would actually destroy the brides dress by ripping off pieces of fabric. Obviously, this tradition did not sit well with the bride, so she began throwing various items to the guests – the garter being one of them.

Another interesting custom dated back to the ancient times where the wedding garter represented the virginal girdle. When the groom removed the garter from the bride, this represented the bride’s relinquishment of her virginity.

An Old English custom was while the bride and groom were in their bridal chamber, the wedding guests would sneak into the chamber picking up discarded stockings and throwing them at the couple. Whoever flung a stocking that hung on the bride or groom’s nose, would be the next to marry.

Should you play the garter game in front of your guests?
I say save it for latter!
It's never done at Society Weddings

Thanks from the Mother of the Bride


Thank you Nancy
The day was perfect, from the weather to the decor, to the styles that you helped choose for the gents. Our pictures are just great--we haven't been able to get everyone in the family together in a few years, so this was such a good opportunity to get those family shots. Stavros was a great choice to document our time together. Nancy--you're the best and I really appreciate your sensitivity to our budget and your uncanny abulity to make a fabulous event for Kamil and John in spite of the constraints.
Warm Regards,
Cathy
http://newportweddings.blogspot.com/search/label/Kamil%20and%20John

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

How to have a Dream Wedding in Newport R.I. with out paying for one!

Part 1 Local Knowledge
Lets be honest with each other there is a recession going on.
You do not need to spend a whole lot of money now to have a beautiful wedding in Newport R.I.
Here are some ideas I would like to share with you in order to have a dream Wedding.
First things first, do hire a wedding planner such as A Newport Affaire. They have the inside scoop to venues and services that may not be advertised in the expensive magazines and web sites. A couple from Boston hired them to plan a Welcome Dinner. Not only did they save on paying for a venue fee, but the site was BYOB.
They saved over $2,000 on beverage costs alone.
Local knowledge can save you thousands!
www.anewportaffaire.com

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Castle Hill Inn and Resort in Newport Rhode Island

In two weeks I will be doing a wedding at Castle Hill Inn & Resort in Newport. I'm so looking forward to tasting the food real time.

Monday, July 6, 2009

FALL 2009


With so many late comers in to the planning mix here is fall color chart!
Im hearing a lot about purple as a the color of choice.

Color Trends for 2010




http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy Birthday America !



Have a joyful 4th of July!

And Yes Lady Liberty is now back open to the public!

www.nps.gov/STLI

BUZZ... Frank Barbosa of Salon Frank Antonio will be Sarah Jessica Parker's personal hair dresser for Sex And The City 2

Frank Barbosa - Master Stylist & Master Colorist of Frank Barbosa - Master Stylist & Master Colorist of Frank Antonio in Newport R.I. will be Sarah Jessica Parker's personal hair dresser for the movie Sex And The City 2.
"I will be heading up the department as well as taking care of the supporting cast members." said Frank Barbosa. Frank will be going to Dubai in November to shoot with the cast. He told me that there will be another big wedding in this movie.

Yahoo! Who's getting married ?

Is it Carrie... again, or may be it will be Samantha.

What will the girls be wearing in this Tale of Two Citys?

Of course Frank wont tell.. and to tell you the truth,

I don't want to know. Why ruin a great night out with the girls!

To have your oun Sex and the City experiance in Newport visit Salon Frank Antonio on 22 Bellevue Avenue
http://www.frankantoniohairandmakeup.com

Friday, July 3, 2009

ANP COUTURE



Just love Ashley's work!
she has a shop on http://www.etsy.com