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The don't sweat guide for weddings - #1 Make a Date with your Fiance

Congratulations and best wishes! The question has been asked and answered. You are officially engaged to be married - which is why everyone keeps asking you: When and where?

Nailing down the initial points may seem like a daunting task. There are so many choices and so many things to consider. They say the hardest part of planning is simply getting started. Then again, if done correctly the best part of planning is getting started.

Why not do it right! Ask your beloved on a date. Invite him/her to a candlelight dinner at your home. Set the scene with music and lighting. Order in or pre-cook something savory in which to indulge yourselves. Don't forget dessert since your mission is to stay at the table until you have fully discussed the wedding.

Before dinner turn off your phones and shoo away any roommates. Sit down with a bottle of wine and your notepad. Allow yourselves to fantasize. Ask your mate to picture their perfect wedding and describe it to you. Who are the people he/she envisions around him? What is the setting? How are you dressed? Now you do the same.

Write these images down. Do you want a white gown march down the aisle of a cathedral? or an intimate gathering of friends on the beach? Take time to dream. Explore the possibilities without regard to cost or logistics.

Once you have determined the mood and style that are important to you both....you are ready to get down to business.

don't sweat press

Inspiration Board - Romantic Elegance

Favorite pick - Ice Blue and Jade by Koral

With Spring around the corner, gorgeous shades of blue and green are in bloom reflecting an air of romantic elegance.

True Love - inspiration #1

Meet Kristin Love at the 8th Annual Newport Bridal Show Booth # 7 at Rosecliff

Newport Bridal Show Exhibitor Spotlight

Details with Love, LLC

For your wedding why not let Kristin take care of the details? As a native of Newport, RI with over ten years of experience in the industry, Kristin's passion, creativity and style will help make your vision of the big day become a reality.

At Details with Love, LLC "We continually strive to create those memorable experiences our clients will cherish forever." Details with Love, LLC offers consulting and planning services to fit your customs, vision, and budget, ranging from the guidance of hourly consultations, to full service planning and design which handles all of the details. Kristin is highly passionate about creating, producing, and orchestrating an extraordinary event for her clients, which reflects their unique personality, style, and love story.

In fact, as both the bride and planner and of her own wedding in August 2009, Kristin had to improvise as an "uninvited guest" arrived, Tropical Storm Danny, only 48 hours before the wedding. Forcing the planned outdoor ceremony to be moved inside, Kristin, used to last minute changes, and her vendors were still able to create the wedding she had dreamed of, moving the ceremony to a beautiful intimate setting at the Bay Voyage Inn. Kristin's confidence, knowledge and calming attitude will assure that no matter what, your wedding is a success.

As you near your wedding day Kristin offers this piece of advice for the bride, "Relax, go with it, have fun and enjoy! Don't let the planning of one day cause you to lose sight of the marriage that is to last for the rest of your lives." Kristin is looking forward to meeting you at the 2010 Newport Bridal show!

Meet Krisin Love at the 8th Annual Newport Bridal Show

Booth # 7 at Rosecliff

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Two Locations: Rosecliff & OceanCliff

Delicious Food & Beverage Samples · Entertainment · Free Parking · Giveaways ·Free Transportation Between Venues

· Fashion Shows · Travel Savings

Save Time & Money Pre-register for Tickets in Advance

Visit the 8th Annual Newport Bridal Show Online

For Additional Information Contact:

Bridal@newportri.com or call 401-849-3300 ext. 285

Details with Love, LLC

Kristin Love

174 Bellevue Avenue Suite 310 Newport, RI

401 855 0373

info@detailswithlove.com

www.detailswithlove.com

http://www.detailswithlove.blogspot.com

Wedding Style and Trends for 2010

This years focus is on elegant, personal affairs and when it comes to bridal wear...vintage is vogue. Our advice when designing your wedding, make it personal to you and set your own trends; For inspiration, check out these top trends you’ll see in 2010.

1. Back to Basics

Events will focus on the attention to the details, the foundation of the event, not the drama or grandeur of the evening. Consider spending more on the lasting memories than the showmanship of the event. Spend a bit more than the average budget allotment on photography mediums rather than abundant upgrades, you’ll be grateful for your decision in the end.

2. Home Weddings

Intimate and personal affairs at a private residence or in the backyard are bigger than ever. Going home incorporates the continued trend of personalizing the wedding day experience.

Smaller size guest lists, more intimate settings, grass roots weddings, elegant and detail driven, but in no way small on what counts.

3. Buttercream vs Fondant

Fondant is falling behind, buttercream corners the market.

Tools and techniques now allow for buttercream to look as smooth as fondant when applied by a skilled artist. You have the option of better flavor, more natural ingredients, and less costly cakes that no longer suffer or lack in design.

4. Favor Comeback

Personalized appreciation is back. The effect that an event has on the guests is more noticeable than ever before so the importance of a favor is felt more than ever. Be sure to appreciate those in attendance - it’s not just an afterthought, omission, or generic item. Think local artisans, locally grown products, personal mementos, and fun on-the-spot print outs like photo booths.

5. Nearby Destinations

Nearby destination weddings are taking flight over the exotic and far off locales. The ever popular destination wedding will remain but guests will get out of town by car (within driving distance) so couples can create a wedding weekend, guests get an escape, but no one breaks the bank. Enjoying the destination locations, spend within your own local economies, create a greener effect, experience undiscovered backyards, and stay sensible about cost while you’re at home.

6. Colors

Monochromatic palettes - this doesn’t mean muted colors, just single color bunches. Vibrant Colors: Orange, green, yellow, and pink. Metal Colors: Gold, silver, copper, and pewter. And black is definitely the new black. Go ahead...Break the rules!

7. Greener Conscience

Immerging will be the newest phase of eco-conscience: A better understanding of the gray shades of green. You will see more emphasis on the smaller changes that are less recognizable to the guest (i.e. solar and LED lighting, no more oasis in floral arrangements, less catering waste). It’s no longer about making the event appear “organic” – it’s about understanding how things are made, disposed of, and where/when events take place. Learning to make better choices that are unseen by the guest are just as important as the recycled invitations everyone is talking about.

8. Video Integration into Events

We’ve all seen the photo montages of your childhoods during dinner but the next phase in video at your event comes in several different forms. Video DJ’s are immerging, allowing your dance party to dance to the visuals of the music videos; ceremonies are being broadcast on screens for better viewing from the back; and time lapse photography is being shot and integrated into video for current day montages of you and your fiancé. Love to party? Set up crane camera and project the event as it unfolds on screens around the dance floor (budget permitting of course).

9. HD Video

Videographers have already gone hi-def. But next year all or most will make such a transition, making HD and even Blu Ray the norm in wedding videography. Upgrade now and appreciate the quality later. This also means smaller cameras on site and less intrusion into your event, all around a better option on the big day.

10. Vintage Style!

When it comes to bridal wear...vintage is vogue.

A vintage theme winter wedding, or a wedding with a little vintage touch is not necessarily as pricey as many would imagine. The concept can be achieved by either going fully vintage, or just adding a touch of vintage with things such as vignette of vessels adorned with flowers to compliment the design or vintage serving dishes and cutlery.

Q&A - An Intimate New England wedding

What do you think typically draws brides to intimate weddings at smaller venues?

It’s a wonderful way to share this special celebration surrounded by the love of your closest family and friends! One of the best things about having an intimate wedding is that it also allows you to a celebration that Fits Your Budget and Reflects your Personal Style. This allows for a real reflection of who you are as a couple and the ability to share what is most important to you.

Can you list the names of some small venues where you have planned weddings?

There are so many charming opportunities in NE. A few beautiful intimate locations that come to mind are the local Vineyards, Local State Park, and Inns, contact your favorite restaurant that you both enjoyed on your first date. Also a family members home or rental property on the coast line, is a great opportunity to hold your celebration and you can stay overnight!

Can you think of any specific characteristics about any of these venues - or having a small wedding in general - that brides need to be aware of? Any major benefits or pitfalls?

Be aware of a plan B if you choose a beach location, local garden or outdoor venue. I would suggest contacting a local tent company and reserving a rain only tent for the day, just in case of inclement weather….most times they can generally release the hold 48 prior to the event.

Stick to your guest list! You may be worried that you will offend some people or may have to invite them, but in the end this is your wedding. Plus, I'll tell you a secret - planning a small wedding really forces you to keep it that way because sometimes you simply run out of space, and so it is great to be able to say “I'm sorry we are keeping it really small”.

Does planning a small wedding involve less or more work on your end? Most people probably assume that small weddings are easier to plan; do you believe this to be the case? Do you have any examples of potential planning problems at small weddings that you were able to avert or smooth over?

Whether you prefer something large and extravagant or intimate and detailed, every wedding celebration is your biggest day! A small wedding doesn’t always mean a small budget or less detail. You should do what you’ve always dreamed of and what makes you both happy. Let's face it -weddings no matter how small or large can be chaotic in some ways. Hiring a professional to assist with creative ways to carry out your dream or to assist with the day of your event relieves the stress for you, your family and friends.

Is there anything that you've noticed that brides tend to forget or not be aware of when planning a small wedding?

If you choose an indoor facility…be aware of the maximum guest count at the venue you choose and make sure it will work with your guest list and vision so you can accommodate a sit down dinner or dance floor.

What planning tips would you offer to brides planning a small wedding at any intimate venue?

Prioritize what you want to invest in. Decide what the most important aspect is for you both to designate more of our budget there. Most importantly go with what you really want and try not to be discouraged by others…this is your day! Be Creative….having a wedding that is truly a reflection of you as a couple is a wonderful way to share your love and leave a lasting impression.

Embrace your day and know you can’t control everything…..relax and enjoy yourself and the love of those around you!

Our Destination Honeymoon!

Honeymoons/Destinations

My husband Michael and I just got back from our honeymoon at Sandals Grande St. Lucia, and we’re already planning a return visit (no, seriously). We expected swaying palm trees and breathtaking sunsets—but we quickly realized that we were in for something much more special. Palm trees and sunsets were no match for the island’s two gorgeous, soaring peaks (known to locals as the Pitons), the lush, kelly-green rainforests that blanket the entire island, the exotic beaches (no seaweed in sight), rainbow-hued reefs, and deep teal waters that welcomed us in like a big, warm, salty bath. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more naturally beautiful place. After 7 blissed-out days spent sunbathing, sailing, snorkeling, zip lining, exploring the island's private coves, indulging in five-course meals and rum-spiked cocktails, and taking in blood orange sunsets from our deck, coming back home to a New England snow fall was a reality check! That said, we really can’t imagine a more perfect way to celebrate our marriage, and we wouldn’t have done anything differently. Actually, that’s a lie: We wish we could have stayed!

Our New England Wedding!

My own wedding day on August 29th, 2009 was a whirlwind of a wedding, thanks to an uninvited “guest” - Tropical Storm Danny. As not only as a bride, but as a wedding planner, I definitely had my eye on the weather reports of the impending storm. High winds and rain forced us to abandon our plans for our outdoor ceremony at Beavertail State Park and the tented reception at Wetherledge. (a tent is a great plan B when they are not predicting 65mph winds the day of your event) So, with 48 hours until the wedding, I started making calls to my vendors to begin re-planning the entire wedding to be moved indoors!

The ceremony was moved from Beavertail to a beautiful intimate setting inside the Bay Room at the Bay Voyage Inn, overlooking the Newport Bridge. Kelli O'Brien DuBeau from Exquisite Events Design provided the most romantic décor, and for our ceremony, our florist Toni Chandler of Events Design brought in large, gorgeous urns of sea grass, pale peach and green colored flower petals lined the aisle path; it was perfect.

Our reception followed in the Harbor Room, overlooking Newport Harbor. With live jazz and blues music by Chelley, Bill and Dyl, a customized chef’s stations menu provided by Russell Morin Fine Catering and a specialty “tropical” cocktail. The service was impeccable. All of our vendors worked together and with us to seamlessly create an experience to remember; making our wedding day all that we had dreamed despite all of the crazy changes in location and details happening around us.

As our ceremony was about to start, our “Danny” decided to take another path and went out to sea. The sky is always so beautiful after a storm and as our guests were enjoying cocktails and appetizers, we were able to sneak away with our photographer to capture photos in the gardens and on the beach across the way. 


At the end of the evening, we smiled, as we had still been given the romantic and intimate evening we had envisioned and our guests had the time of their lives - all managing to stay dry - except for the tears of happiness. In my experience, one thing you can't control in planning a New England destination wedding is the weather and my advice to brides. . .

Relax, go with it, have fun and enjoy! We are now happily married and looking forward to our honeymoon in St. Lucia in October, and have to admit… laughing at the possibility of a hurricane!