Rain, Rain Go Away on my Wedding Day!

Well, if you are getting married in Newport this weekend, you have been watching the weather channel religiously because all it has done is rain for the past 3 days! (don't worry, it is going to be gorgeous this weekend!) But what if it does rain on your wedding day?  My advice as a wedding planner is, always have a plan B. Make sure the tent is water sealed, bring the tables at least 8 feet away from the sides of the tent due to drainage, put the band/DJ in the middle of the tent (because the party must go on!) and have some indoor locations on back up for photo opportunities.  In Newport, there are a few indoor spots that will let you take pictures (these ALL need permission beforehand and their may be a fee involved) but some great options would be the Newport Art Museum, Edward King House, Newport Marriott, The Chandler, The Rotunda Carousal, and Ochre Court at Salve Regina. Keep your sprites up, invest in some fun wellies and umbrellas, and pass out some plastic ponchos to guests with a note attached that says "It's raining, who cares...we are STILL getting married!"

{photo credit} Connerton Photography 

Newport Wedding Map

A very FUN addition to your wedding is a map of your wedding festivities.  Because Newport is a destination place, and many guests are from out of town, you should include a little guidance for your guests.  Yeah I know there is GPS in every car, but these are WAY more fun and they can be used as a keepsake of your wedding day.  It can also can be made bigger by the artist so you can frame it and hang it in your home.  The picture below was hand painted by Kristy Rice of Momental Designs. (It can also be changed to what ever venues you are using)  She is an amazing artist, who can also hand paint your invitations. She offers an array of stationery for your wedding needs, but of course the map caught my eye being Newport and all!

{photo credit Momental Designs}

City Themed Rehearsal Dinner

Newport is a HUGE destination wedding location. So why not bring your city to our city by the sea.  Have you ever thought about theming your tables at your rehearsal dinner?  Instead of just naming the tables after favorite destinations why not create tables that resemble favorite cities you and your soon to be spouse travel too, or better yet places you want to travel too.  I am not talking about all the tables to look alike either, why not have 5 different themes? So fun! It is also is a great way for guests to get up and meet one another because they will be intrigued to walk around the room to look at the different city tables.  Are you incorporating your state in your wedding plans?

NYC themed table

{Photo by Vanessa Tierney} 

It's all about the shoes

Traditionally....you would wear white or ivory shoes on your wedding day.  More and more brides (and grooms) are opting to kick off tradition and wear something different.  I have seen every color in the rainbow, converse sneakers, flip flops, and cowboy boots!    In this photo, a bride wanted to keep tradition but wanted to incorporate her nautical theme from her wedding. Love it! Are you going to wear non traditional shoes on your wedding day?

{photo credit Sarah Bastille Photography}

Ten Tips for having a FUN Rehearsal Dinner

It is the day before the wedding, you rehearse for the ceremony, now it is time to relax before the big day!  Here is a list I created to assure you will have a fun rehearsal dinner.

1.. This is the time where all the running around has come to an end and you and your fiancé can sit back and have a few laughs with your closest friends and family.  Traditionally, the people who are invited to the rehearsal dinner is the couple, their parents, immediate family and the wedding party.  Some couples also invite out of town guests. There is not a “rule” who you need to invite to the dinner.

2. Keep it casual.  More and more couples are doing fun, unique rehearsal dinners.  A New England clambake is a fun way to relax before the wedding.  Do a traditional red and white checkered tablecloth and use lobster pots filled with potted geraniums as the centerpieces. A backyard BBQ Bash is also a favorite, and also cost effective.  Have family members make their favorite BBQ specialties, fire up the grill and hire someone to man the grill. It will be the best money spent because everyone can interact with the guests and you won’t have to worry who gets stuck cooking on the grill.

3. Hire a photographer.  When you hire your photographer for your wedding, ask if they would be willing to come to the rehearsal dinner for an hour.  They will be able to capture the moments leading up to your big day. It is a great keepsake to look back on.

4. Chose a location that you are familiar with.  Look at locations that you and your fiancé love to dine at. Do they have the best truffle mac and cheese you have ever eaten?  Be sure to add it your menu so your guests can experience some of your favorites.

5. Invites.  Invitations for a rehearsal can be as fun as you want.  The invite usually sets the tone of an event, so go with something that will reflect the setting you are trying to perceive.  These are usually sent out 4 weeks in advance.

6. Don’t forget the kids. More and more couples are including kids in their ceremony.  Most out of town guests are not comfortable hiring a babysitter locally, so include a table for the kids.  Hire a family babysitter or ask your wedding planner for a great recommendation.  Set up a table with crayons, paper and stickers and be sure to ask the venue for kiddy menu items for them.

7. Dessert.  This is a great way to incorporate the couple’s love for each other.  Did the couple meet at college?  Have a baker great a cake resembling their school mascot.  Did you grow up together in the same neighborhood? Serve ice cream treats you would get from an ice cream truck to bring back the nostalgia.

8. Table Seating.  Most of the time you would say, “let them sit where they want” but honestly it is better to have assigned seating.  Generally people sit with people they know, guide your guests to mingle and socialize. Mix the group accordingly.  You and your fiancé are merging as a family; your guests should be too.

9.Ice Breakers.  Sometimes a rehearsal dinner is the first time families meet.  Create 10 trivia questions about you as a couple.  Eat table is a team. They will have to come together to try and come up with the correct answers. This is a great way for the guests to interact with one another.   Great a slide show of some of you and your fiancé’s baby photos leading up to you as a couple.  Try to include photos of you with your guests that are present.

10. Toast.  Be sure to thank everyone for making your wedding the special day it is going to be.  Most important, enjoy your time with your guests, and get a good nights sleep.