{Inspiration} Navy and Pink Newport Estate Wedding

I talk about this often...when you chose Newport, RI as your wedding destination, you are offered so many venue types. Ocean views, vineyards, farms, hotels, historic mansions, golf courses and private estates. When I first started Couture Parties, my events had only consisted of private estates. I LOVE designing weddings for local venues, but...there is nothing like a private home to have a wedding or party. Learning the history of someones home amazes me. Most of them have been in the family for over 100 years. 

When most people think of Newport estate weddings they immediately think of the Kennedy's, who were married at Hammersmith Farm. Here is some inspiration for an estate wedding using the colors Pink and Navy blue...Preppy yet sophisticated. 

{Images via} Tuxedo, Letter Press Coasters, Bridesmaid Dress, 

Tent,  Ranunculus, Romoma Keveza Gown, Table Setting, 

Tuscan STyle Table, Kennedy's, 

Groomsmen on a Mission

When it comes to weddings, I am a traditionalist. I love to incorporate family, religion, heritage, favorite places as much as the couple wants. But the artist in me, always wants to step it up a little with a Couture Parties twist.  Friends of mine were married last summer and she just shared their wedding photos.  When I saw them, they were bursting with their personalities (which I feel all weddings should) One of my favorites was of the groomsmen (all best friends from High School) walking in a parking garage getting ready to see their best friends walk down the aisle.  This picture speaks for itself...Groomsmen on a Mission.

All to lead up to this very important moment.......

Isn't funny when they say "A picture can say a thousand words"

Happy Valentine's Day

Enjoy your Valentine

Image from Here

Banner available Here

It's a great day for a white wedding

As I sit here in my office, watching the snow fall to the ground....I am thinking of all the brides who are getting married this weekend.  I am sure there is panic in your eyes, as you watch the school closings, flights being canceled, and snow plows hit the streets.  Don't panic! I can not speak for all vendors, but for the good wedding vendors, we kind of have the motto the postal service does, no matter the weather we will be there! Make the most of your special day. Don't be discouraged, it is about you as a couple, not what mother nature has in store for us.  Here is a photo of a wedding that was taken during a snow storm in Newport around the Ocean Drive. This happy couple still loved each other even though it wasn't in their "plan". Enjoy your guests, enjoy each other. Life is too precious.

*Photo Credit Brian Wedge Photography

2011 Trend Predictions

The Knot has posted there predictions for 2011....so glad they are saying Preppy is trendy! We LOVE Preppy here in Newport!

TheKnot.com Top 11 Wedding Trends for 2011:

              

1. Prohibition-Era Elegance: So long, Mad Men—the most stylish new show is Boardwalk Empire and brides are noticing. From dusty nudes and lace dresses for the ladies to wing-tip shoes for the men, couples are falling in love with the dapper fashion of the 1920s. And it wouldn’t feel like Prohibition without alcohol. To reinterpret the boozy nights of the Roaring ’20s, couples are serving up “moonshine” and Prohibition “bathtub gin” in their very own speakeasy bar, all while guests dance the night away—to jazz, naturally.

2. The Redefined Princess: With a royal wedding around the corner, you can bet Kate Middleton’s going to alter what princess style is all about. Put away the ball-gown skirt because the new princess silhouette will be body-skimming but with a bold train. Add statement-making headwear like tasteful tiaras (seriously!) and cathedral-length veils. And you can count on sophisticated sequins and beading showing up on everything from the wedding dress to the floral arrangements and the wedding cake.

3. Sultry Ballerina Style: From feathered headpieces and shredded fabrics to airy plumes and pale pinks paired with black, the look of the season is all about Black Swan, right down to an ambience where everything happens after 8 p.m. One idea we love? Romantic ceremonies by candlelight.

4. Ivy League Chic: From Fair Isle sweaters to Vineyard Vines ties and Tommy Hilfiger blazers, preppy chic is back in a big way, and weddings aren’t immune. Brides will be channeling their inner Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl or Ali MacGraw from Love Story and incorporating Ivy League-chic details like plaids and stripes for the perfect remix of retro, preppy sensibility.

5. Exotic Indian Inspiration: From Katy Perry’s Indian wedding and Eat, Pray, Love to Nicole Richie’s exotic elephant as a wedding greeter, India will definitely be the “it” country for wedding inspiration. Think vibrant color palettes like purples, reds and golds, lavish décor elements such as beading and rich drapery, and exotic, spicy dishes.

6. Wedding Man Caves: Blackjack tables, brandy bars, PlayStations and stogies. The man cave has officially moved from the home to the wedding, so don’t be surprised if you see all the male wedding guests in the new “groom’s corner” at the reception.

7. Prewedding PJ Parties: This isn’t Bachelorette Party, Part Two. Before the big day, brides will be planning a night of pampering and bonding via JHS-style slumber parties, complete with matching pj’s of course.

8.       Food Truck Fun: Waffles, tacos and dumplings, oh my! People’s hunger for gourmet food trucks has seeped into weddings, and brides will be embracing it wholeheartedly by requesting makeshift sidewalk carts during the cocktail hour or food trucks for the wedding after-party.

9.       Haute Desserts: Blame it on the popularity of Top Chef: Just Desserts, Amazing Cakes and Cake Boss, but desserts and wedding cakes will be taking center stage with gourmet flavor and haute style. Chocolate tart with a dash of sea salt, anyone?

                            

10.   Video Guest Books: Building on the popularity of “wedding photo booths”, wedding guests can expect confessional-style video booths and even iPads dressed up as guest books as the newest way to “write” well wishes to the happy couple. Bonus? Postwedding, couples can easily share their guest book online via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Vimeo.

11.   Surprise Honeymoons: Couples will be taking a cue from Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and have the groom plan a surprise honeymoon.

Newport wedding I did in 2009 (check out those pants....whales!) 

Cookie Bar

C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me. Cookie, Cookie, Cookie starts with C!  Is it because I am a Mom, that when I hear Cookie I think of that song?!  Well, no matter how you sing it or say it, Cookies are fantastic! Have them show up at your next party or wedding as the take home party favor.  “Cookie Bar’s” are popping up at all types of events. Milk and cookies have so much nostalgia behind them.  My memories of cookies are from my Grandma who had a cookie jar on her counter ALWAYS filled with Italian Cookies.  My favorite that she makes is thumb print cookies rolled in walnuts with a cherry in the middle. YUM!  She is such a believer that cookies bring families together she showed up at my formal wedding reception with an aluminum tray filled with Italian cookies (I thought the caterer was going to jump from his chef’s coat with her bringing her own dessert for 225 guests :) but, he was a good sport and set up the cookies next to the ice cream sundae bar) 

            A great way to incorporate family traditions at a wedding thru cookies is to have a Cookie Bar with favorite cookies from each side of the family.  (you could even get your bridesmaids to help with the baking) A great take home memory (along with the variety of cookies) would to be to print out the brides and groom’s favorite family cookie recipe on recipe cards so each guest can take one and add the recipe to their recipe library. Every time they bake that cookie, they will think of the great time they had at your wedding.

My Grandma's cookie jar.....which is now mine :)

*photos credits {Martha Stewart} {Brilliant Ice Sculpture} {Flickr} {Drew B Photography}{My own mad skillz :) }

Boutique Wedding Tents

Newport is a very desirable wedding location.  My guess would be because of our beautiful historic Mansions and Beaches.  Outdoor celebrations go hand and hand with Newport.  Why not celebrate your next outdoor fiesta with a trully unique atmosphere. If you have been following my blog or website , you will know I LOVE details.  When I came across Boutique Tents I feel in love.  These tents are GORGEOUS! How amazing would it be to have one of these at your wedding as a cocktail lounge for your guests? (Picture big oversized couches, tons of fab pillows with cocktail in hand!) Or you could even turn it into a dessert bar room! The possibilities are endless!  If you live in the warmer states, you could just have it poolside as your pool cabana.  Even cuter, is they make mini ones. This could be a outdoor play tent for the kiddies, SO FUN! Custom colors and designs are also welcome.

*Photos and Availablity at http://www.boutiquetents.net/