Wedding Planning for All

Did you know that Blissful Beginnings offers hourly consultation? 

Do you need help structuring your BUDGET to accommodate your NEEDS and WANTS?

Are you looking for Venue or Vendor referrals based on your specific wedding VISION?

Have you narrowed down your research, but still need a little "insider info" to help you make the best decision for YOUR PERFECT WEDDING?

Blissful Beginnings is happy to offer candid, experienced information on New England Weddings on an hourly consultation basis to suit all weddings, large and small.

From how to plan your budget, to answering the "silly questions" that arise during the process, we love helping couples to enjoy the planning process and feel comfortable making the best possible decisions for their special day.

Contact Melanie for more info or to schedule a phone or in person consultation!

Photos by Michael Cirelli

Feeling Good 2012- Accolades

There is not much that gives a business owner a greater sense of pride than client accolades and positive feedback. With great pride, we are happy to be named as a

Knot Best of Weddings pick for 2012

and a Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award Winner!

Both awards are based on client reviews. Thank you to all of our former clients who have taken time to commend Blissful Beginnings for providing quality Wedding Services!

Winter Wedding at Ski Esta

Winter is upon us, and although not traditionally "Wedding Season"
-this wedding at the amazing Ski Esta in Newry, Maine proves that
winter weddings can be warm and wonderful!

Amanda and Josh were married last February and they wanted to wow their guests- 

Ski Esta was the perfect venue!

 The following beautiful images are courtesy of Carol Savage Photography.

The ladies prepared for the day in the amazing Master Bedroom suite

Views of Sunday River Ski Resort can be seen from every south facing window...

and there are so many windows!

 I had the pleasure of officiating Amanda and Josh's wedding ceremony 

in the Great Room.

Benches were used for ceremony seating to insure an unobstructed view. 

Rentals Unlimited handled all of our rental needs perfectly.

 

 Check out that amazing view as a backdrop!

Following the ceremony, guests proceeded downstairs for cocktails and festivity.  

Black Tie Catering provided a delicious selection of hors d' oeuvres and sushi.

 Delicious Caramel Apple Martinis served as the signature cocktail for the evening

 The Dining Room was set for a formal plated dinner.  

 We used calla lilies ordered by the bride to create tall elegant centerpieces, 

accented by birch candle holders, ivory chargers and custom menus 

folded into chocolate napkins.

 I love this photo taken from the second floor game room!

 

 After dinner, the dance floor was opened by the Bride and Groom

The Delta Knights provided a perfect soundtrack for the night's events!

 A friend of the Bride and Groom created the elegant Wedding Cake and the BMW Groom's cake!

Guests enjoyed late night s'mores buffet with gourmet marshmallows 

from Sweet Lydia's

...cocktails by the fireplace

  and some fun in the photo booth!

Congratulations Amanda and Josh!  

Blissful Beginnings loved being part of your special day!

Accessories vs. Excess-ories!

Lately I have been reviewing the past few years of weddings in my portfolio as well as checking out wedding blogs and the fresh crop of Wedding publications trickling in, and I have come back to the realization that that less IS more when it comes to wedding attire.
Being in the business for 15 years, I can usually "date" a wedding by tell-tale trendy clothing, gown style or accessories- dare we recall the leg-of-mutton sleeve and V-band headpiece with pouf?  The weddings that leave me guessing are those that I'd classify as Classic or Classically inspired. When I look at the gorgeous sepia-toned photo of my Grandparents' wedding, I see the class and elegance of the late 1940's- rich details of the fine silk of the trumpet skirt, delicate gardenias and lily of the valley in gloved hands, the neatness of a properly tied white bow tie and tailored suit. The look is romantic, timeless...not trendy.

Let us recall the famous words of Coco Chanel, "Before you leave the house, take one thing off"- this pertains perfectly to wedding accessories.  If you are rocking a fascinator, birdcage veil, statement necklace, chandelier earring, a crystal cuff, a colorful satin t-strap shoe and a jeweled belt you are guilty of accessory overload.  I am partial to choosing one (maybe two) "updated" (not trendy) accessories which will help your look feel fresh and current.

Are you having accessory envy?  Do you NEED to have a little of everything?  Well then, change it up throughout the day! Drop the veil and add that funky fascinator for the reception.  Add the belt or larger earring after the ceremony.  Accessory changes can follow the formality of the day's events.

 Make the trends work for you, don't give in to the temptation to have them all at once!

Can't fight Mother Nature

SO...as we creep up on what "should" be a perfect, late Summer wedding weekend, the threat of Hurricane Irene looms.  Welcome to New England!  Planning your wedding festivities around the weather is a roll of the dice, a guesstimate, a leap of faith.   As we roll into a weekend filled with the words PLAN B, let's focus on the Marriage as opposed to the Wedding- Love is Love, come rain or shine!

Hinkley Photography

Margaret Singer photo

Margaret Singer photo

Hinkley Photography

Melinda Butler photo

Best of Bride 2011

We are so happy to be voted Best Wedding Planner and Best Justice of the Peace 2011 by New Hampshire Magazine Bride voters!  This is our 3rd Year in a row receiving these honors. 

We strive to provide the most personalized wedding services in NH and New England and we thrilled that the majority of our clients are referrals from past customers or vendors who know our work best. We are so appreciative of  these "word of mouth" recommendations and also the time that our clients and friends have taken to vote for us.

THANK YOU! 

On the Web- Kiele and Jay's Beach Wedding

What a beautiful day to look back and remember Kiele and Jason Gregoire's fabulous beach wedding, Now on Style Me Pretty Little Black Book Blog!

 

It was a picture perfect September afternoon- it's the kind of day that we wedding people dream of (and wish for for all of  out clients!)

From the incredibly-fun-to-work-with vendor team to the incredible joy that surrounded both families, it was truly one of my favorite weddings ever! All photos by the amazing talented Nadra Photography!

Click here for to see the fabulous details!