Monday, January 24, 2011

Blissful Events: ...and the Bride wore Fuchsia!

Many thanks to Jennifer Belkus Goolkasian from Aphrodite Wedding Photos for sharing these great photos from Christina and Steve's September 4th 2010 wedding!

 
You may remember that this was the weekend of much feared end-of-summer hurricane "Earl". Well, Earl wimped out and his presence left no impact on this day! It ended up being 80 degrees on Steep Hill Beach in Ipswich MA- and a perfect afternoon for a festive casual beach wedding!
Christina and Steve lead their guests to the beach...
 (I love to officiate barefoot ceremonies)
 
 
...and then back up to the tent for casual summer fare 
by the crew at Ipswich Clambake Company.
  
 Beach towels and sand toys for the kiddos made perfect wedding favors!

Why have only one cake? C&S chose seven favorite flavors 
and presented them on collected and borrowed cake stands.
 It was truly a perfect end of summer celebration for two really cool people!
 
 

Monday, January 10, 2011

So, what DO you do? A Wedding Planner's real job description


Quite often during consultations with prospective clients, I am asked a series of questions along the lines of "So, will you hand out vendor payments on the wedding day" or "will you have an emergency kit with you" and I just want to let out a little snicker. Yes, of course I'll do those things. That kinda goes without saying.  Every single wedding day is different and each has it's own interesting list of job descriptions. I figured I'd take a moment to make a list of things that we have done for our clients on the wedding day that may not be on those "Questions to ask your Wedding Planner" lists!

1. Unusual Clean Up
I have had the pleasure of sweeping up piles of money from the floor during and following the first dance at a Greek Wedding.  If you have never swept up money, it's more difficult than you'd expect- especially on a humid August evening.

2. Emergency Seamstress Duties Far Beyond Button Replacement
I once had to sew a Father of the Bride into his Tuxedo after drastic weight loss due to his Wedding-at-Home-Dad duties. Poor Dad must have dropped 3 pant sizes from last minute mowing, weeding, clipping, painting and mulching.  Also, I've had to completely re-attach the bottom half of a wedding gown when it was stepped on and detached at the waist during a particularly spirited HORA.

3. Can you say Cake Disaster? Yup, I guess I am also a wedding cake designer.

4. The Heavy Lifting.
-Bride: "We are fine with re-using the ceremony chairs- we have a group of guy friends that will be happy to move those 150 wooden folding chairs off the beach and into the tent."  Right- as soon as the bar opens, moving those chairs become less of a priority...


5.  Bustle The Gown-or should I say, REPAIR The Bustle 
I've seen them up to 50 points (no joke) and have had to McGyver many. Forget the needle and thread- I have used electrical tape when needed.

6. Take over as Shuttle Driver
Guess who gets to take over when the 17-year-old next door that you asked to drive in circles decides he has a better offer for Saturday night than driving a 14 passenger Econoline van around the cul-de-sac.  

7. Shuttle Driver part 2
Ok, ok, packing 8 handsome and tuxedoed groomsmen in my 4 wheel drive and transporting them off-road to a pristine lakefront photo op wasn't my worse day at the office!

8. Child Care Provider
Running interference with two 4-year-olds who think knee-slides across the dance floor headlong towards the table supporting a 5 tiered wedding cake is the BEST.THING.EVER.

9. Electrician
Fun times with Portable Generators- Are these things supposed to throw flames out the back like those "Funny Cars" you see on The Speed Channel?  

10.  Helping Hands
And finally-my favorite Mother of the Bride utterance of all times- "Melanie, can you help me pull up my Spanx?"

:)

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Grace Ormonde Book Launch- "being in love never goes out of style"

Over the Summer, Blissful Beginnings had the pleasure of coordinating the Northern New England launch party for Grace Ormonde's gorgeous new book, "being in love never goes out of style."

The party was hosted by the wonderful Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine.  The magical event was held under a Sperry Tent overlooking the Kennebunk River.  
It was a perfect summer evening for a celebration with a distinctive New England vibe!





 Grace Ormonde greeted attendees with a passion for her beloved wedding industry, and celebrated the labors of local and regional vendors.





   
 Guests enjoyed delicious Custom Cupcakes by Flour! Flowers and Sweets



Grace signs a copy of "being in love never goes out of style" for Jacques Depres from Jacques Pastries



Other fabulous wedding vendors who helped to set the scene for the celebration include:
 
Chris and Cyndi Smith
Jeff Rockwell
Goldenwood Ensembles
Elegant Music for Weddings and Events
Dulcinea Violin Duo
Vodka Provided by Cold River Vodka
Grace's Hair and Makeup
Joanne McDonough- Joya Beauty
Lena Hartford- Hair that Moves


The event highlights were captured on this great video produced by Bruce Cullen of