Posts Tagged ‘ceremony’

Weddings are family affairs, so why not involve your favorite family member – your pet! Chances are that Max was around when you said “YES!”, has comforted you when the planning became stressful, and even threatened the mail man when your favors didn’t arrive on time. So it is only fitting that he play a role in the wedding.

{  row 1:  couple |  chocolate lab |  white lab }
{ row 2:  ring bearer |  kitty attendant }

Other than being adorable, what can your pet do at the wedding? Dogs can pretty much do anything: ring bearers, best man, or flower girl are standard roles. Cat, on the other hand, are a bit more challenging. Depending on your cat’s personality he or she could fulfill the same role as a dog, but I do recommend a human assistant – if kitty is the ring bearer, ask your adorable nice or nephew to pull kitty down the aisle in a wagon. This way the ceremony’s focus isn’t on coercing the cat to you with promises of cat nip.

And if you are dressed up, shouldn’t Max be as well? I LOVE these pet accessories!

{  floral collar |  preppy pearls |  handsome bow tie }

Are you planning to involve your cat or dog in your wedding? We’d love to hear your plans!

Cheers,
__Jessica

Hope you’re enjoying your Saturday morning! With coffee in hand let’s take a look at one fantastic venue just south of Boston…

At a recent wedding industry conference we discussed non-traditional wedding venues, and it reminded me that I have one last installment of the Roger Williams Park venues. We’ve featured the Casino and the Carousel so far, but of the three main wedding spaces in the park my favorite is the Botanical Garden.

Part III: Botanical Gardens

With ample parking and landscaped paths the journey to the Botanical Garden is a very pleasant experience. The majority of the structure is a glass greenhouse that offers a great view inside and out.

Several fountains dot the interior gardens – this one is inside the main door. Some of the fountains can be turned off and covered with flooring in order to increase the space for ceremony chairs. All of the potted plants are mobile and can be removed to create an aisle.

{  pranzi catering }

This is a sample of a ceremony in the entry space. The fountain has been covered and the plants moved to create an aisle. Looks great!

As you walk through the ceremony (or cocktail) space there is small hallway with bathrooms that separates the first greenhouse from the second, larger greenhouse. This is the first peek into the main event space.

The main event space is far larger than it appears. All of the small potted plans would be removed, leaving space for approximately 10 guest tables between the two fountains (one on each end) that you see here. For day time events there is a screen for the glass ceiling that can be drawn to reduce the direct sunlight.

And the entire facility is climate controlled – perfect for any time of year! Providence is a great town for a wedding, and this is just one of many gems to consider.

Let us know if we can help you find the perfect wedding venue in Providence, Boston, or beyond!

Cheers,
__Jessica

Fenway Park is a Boston icon, and now the engagement party/rehearsal event/wedding venue of choice for some Red Sox fans. If you are looking to scope out the park’s space, make plans to attend the September 12th bridal show. They have more to offer than warm beer and cold hot dogs – promise!

Fenway Park Bridal Festival

Sunday, September 12, 2010
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

For more information and to purchase tickets check out the website

This weekend I visited the Sherborn Inn with one of our fantastic couples, Jessica and Mike. After talking through the details of their ceremony and reception I walked around and took some photos to give you a better idea of what this venue has to offer.

Guests will enter through this side entrance to the Inn. There is a small parking lot with handicapped parking immediately in front of this door, with plenty of other parking available just around the back of the Inn.

{  front parking  }                                                            {  back parking  }

As your guests enter the Inn they will find the baby grand piano – a nice place for escort cards. The Inn is open for public dining during private functions, so staff is on hand here to greet and direct everyone to the appropriate place. The main wedding dining space is just beyond the fireplace, and we’ll get to that, but first check out the bar that is down the hallway on your left…

The exposed beams and chandeliers make the bar a great late-night place for after the rehearsal or wedding. But back to our tour of the wedding space…

As you walk past the fireplace and piano you enter the main reception space. The private event bar, available only to your guests, is on the left side of the wedding reception space, just before the guest dining tables. On the right, the dance floor space and DJ.

{  in this photo the room is set for 90 guests  }

The tables pictured here are for dinner stations and the DJ. Plated meals will increase the size of the dance floor and reduce the amount of time spent on dinner. Just a little something to keep in mind.

The Tent and Field

At the back side of the Inn is a tented patio, arbor, and field for outdoor ceremonies or cocktail hours. Jessica and Mike plan to have their ceremony in the grass, then welcome guests into the tent for drinks and hors d’ouevres.

Whats the rain plan? We will have the ceremony under the tent and move cocktail hour inside.

{  these tables will have linens for an outdoor cocktail hour  }

{  a ceremony set under the tent  }

The field is accessible through the arbor just beyond the far side of the tent. Plan to have your ceremony face the Inn so everyone can enjoy the view without the sun setting in their eyes.

Other Spaces at the Sherborn

These smaller spaces can accommodate small groups, early arrival guests, or just a private dining space for a related wedding event (like a bridal shower or rehearsal dinner).

{  Keeping Room }

{  Coolidge Room  }                                                  {  Bullard Room  }

Hope your having a great week!

Cheers,
__Jessica

The second part in the series on Roger Williams Park… the Casino!

Part II: The Casino

The Casino is one of the first buildings you see when entering Roger Williams Park. This beautiful historic building was fully restored and has been converted into event space. Surrounded by trees and forty acres of land (aka great photo space!) it is a great venue.

(these are the chairs that come with the venue rental, and the table isn’t ready yet, so ignore the decor for the moment) As guests approach the front door there are sprawling, wraparound porches on the first and second floors. When the weather is nice guests can enjoy cocktails out here, or even just appreciate the grounds. If you have a string quartet I may suggest placing them out here in an attempt to draw guests outside in lovely weather.

Immediately as you enter the front door the large, open parlor is perfect for cocktail hour or a ceremony. The fireplace is something to highlight with candle or floral decor, but definitely needs some lighting. Because the entire casino is surrounded by wraparound porches, and the decor of the first floor is so dark, the natural lighting inside is a bit diminished.

When it is time for dinner guests will be invited up this staircase…

…where they will catch the first glimpse of the space that awaits them!

My eyes were immediately drawn to the rich ceiling of the space, and then back down to the coordinating chairs. At night, the chandeliers cast a nice glow and compliment the ceiling decor. At the left of the photo is the stage, which can be used for head tables or a band.

The stage is being set for two head tables for the bride, groom, and bridal party, as well as a cupcake table (just on the right).

The second floor of the Casino spans the entire width and length of the building, seating 150 for dinner and dancing.

The Bandstand

If you walk around the Casino you will spot the bandstand, an option for an outdoor ceremony.

Paved stairs and walkways lead to the bandstand, allowing guests to easily move between one space and the next. If the weather permits, utilizing this space for the ceremony would allow you to host cocktails in the first floor and veranda of the Casino. I would decorate the railing of the bandstand with floral decor and seat the guests around the base of the bandstand — it will be beautiful and intimate.

How close is the Bandstand to the Casino? This picture was taken from where the guests would be seated,  so very close.

For more information on the Casino and Bandstand read more at the Casino’s website and information page.

So far we’ve explored two very different venues at Roger Williams Park: one trendy and one historic. Next, we will take a look at the Botanical Gardens.

Have a great week!

Cheers,
__Jessica

Roger Williams Park is an interesting and beautiful location tucked away in Providence, but because there are few photos or details online about the extensive event space we have a three part series to highlight some of the great venue options the park has to offer.

Part I: The Carousel

If your style is casual, fun, and maybe a bit vintage, the Roger Williams Park Carousel is a fantastic venue. After meeting with a friend and fellow wedding planner who is planning her August wedding at Glenn Echo Park I was inspired to highlight a New England carousel as a unique wedding location. We’ve all seen the cocktail hour activities like photo booths, but why not encourage your guests to take a ride on the carousel?! (I’m pretty sure it is safe to drink and ride)

During the day it sparkles, but think about the twinkling lights at night. With some decorative lighting around the room, if only to add color and bring a balance to the bright lights of the carousel, this space would be far more beautiful and sophisticated than the typical kid’s parties.

Housed in a nondescript but well maintained building, this is the first thing you see when you approach the carousel. No, your guests will not be dining on picnic tables! Instead, look at the large patio — the entire building is surrounded by a patio that could comfortably hold a large tent (a tent being the perfect blank canvas!).

The carousel consumes the majority of the interior of the room, so cocktail hour is best in the pavilion. Guests can grab a drink, take a ride, and maybe get their cotton candy favors. There is enough space in the pavilion for cocktail tables and a bar, but dinner in a tent would be perfect. Working with great rental and decor vendors would allow you to carry the whimsical feel into the tent without sacrificing comfort.

As the patio wraps around the pavilion you can see the Japanese gardens. I took these photos before everything started to bloom, so imagine leaves on the trees and blossoming branches. But even in the colder months this is a serene place for some post-ceremony photos or for guests enjoy between dances.

We’ll be featuring the Roger Williams Casino and Botanical Gardens next week. See you then!

Cheers,
__Jessica

Last week I met up with Michelle Reid and she gave me the grand tour of the Hampshire House. It is a quintessential Boston venue with spectacular views of the Boston Garden. It was a treat to get a chance to look around!

It was a nice afternoon so before my meeting I walked around Beacon Hill and the cute little shops on Charles Street. What a nice area for photos! And with the Boston Garden across the street you can even sneak in a few “typical Boston” photos.

I met Michelle in the lobby (which, if you have ever been then you will know, opens directly into Cheers). Don’t worry – when wedding guests arrive all doors into the restaurant are closed and only your guests are allowed to enter. It will be a peaceful and elegant entry: watercolors of the Garden are hung and the stage is set for your event.

We set off for the third floor event space that was set for a cocktail reception. This is the largest room which is currently set for approximately 20 seats at cocktail tables and a cheese display in the middle of the room. House linens (tan and cream) are part of most social events, but the Hampshire House wedding packages come with a selection of linens and great options for menus.

A neat  detail is that the carpet is really just an area rug! It is easily removed to expose a beautiful dance floor, so this could double as both a cocktail and after-dinner dancing space.

Just off of the main room is this smaller sitting room. I’m standing in the doorway that connects with the main cocktail space, and just ahead is the entryway to the bar. Each of the rooms have a fireplace that can be lit in the colder months.

This will give you an idea of what the bar is like, but it really is better in person. Full bar service, including beer on tap, is available. Guests can enter from the sitting room or the second floor landing.

Our next stop was the second floor. The library is the largest room in the house, with dinner seating at a max of around 80. The carpet can also be removed to expose a dance floor, so intimate wedding can have both dinner seating and dancing in this room without the need to “flip” the room (remove tables/chairs). Check out some of their Real Wedding pictures on their My Boston Wedding brochure!

The library experience wouldn’t be complete without a stately bar – and this one is incredible. It reminds me of a pre-prohibition bar, elegant without being overstated. They are still setting up for the reception (so ignore all the extra “stuff” that is out) but I like the simple touches of the apples in a vase.

Thanks for the touch, Michelle!

So on my way home I stumbled upon the fabulous Rugg Road Paper Company. I’ve been interested in visiting their shop and am glad I did. Their quaint space is so inviting, with everything from Lilly Pulitzer note cards to custom designed wedding invitations, so I had to take a look.

From custom paper for DYI invitations, to the best that Crane and Co. have to offer, there is a little something for everyone. They even have a selection of small gifts, so stop by and check them out!

Enjoy the weekend!

Cheers,
__Jessica

This week has been busy, in a great way! One thing I’ve learned is that many venues aren’t open for visits over the weekend – I understand that working on Saturdays isn’t fun, but this is a bit of a hassle for many couples. Who wants to take all of their vacation time to scout out wedding venues?

But we are here to help! Grab you coffee, snuggle with your laptop, and take a tour of the Commander’s Mansion. Thanks to Rae and Tammy for showing me around!

As you walk up to the Mansion you can see it has two porches and lots of windows into the space. The porch on the left side of the house wraps around and attracts lots of guests.

This is the view as you enter the front door. The main event space is through all of the doors on the right. (My camera was acting up a bit, so some of the pictures are disproportionally dark while others show how beautifully light this space is.)

Here’s the view of the front door (as seen from the foyer).

As you walk in the foyer, the stair case is on the left and the main event space is on the right. I think this little alcove would be perfect for hiding out before introductions. This is the main event space on the first floor where you can host almost anything. You can have cocktails here, then flip it during dinner for your dancing and cake cutting. Or it can be the main space for dinner. In the warmer months (when the tent is up) you could utilize this as a cocktail lounge, with fabulous furniture or just the home of your guest book, gift table, favors, and cocktails.

Marble fireplaces are in nearly every room of the Commander’s Mansion. Perfect for displaying family photos, engagement shots, or just votive candles.

As you move upstairs the second floor landing is large enough for all of this pretty furniture. If it doesn’t fit your style you are free to have it moved – a great spot for a bar.

On the second floor there are a series of rooms perfect for guests to mingle in, and even some space for the bride and groom to get ready. This little room overlooks the front of the house and is in between the bride and the groom’s rooms.

First, the bride’s room. It is a soft pastel and white color palette that quite spacious. The adjoining bathroom is also large enough for a whole flock of bridesmaids. Several brides have their portraits taken from this couch.

The groom’s room is also fantastic – more of a hunting/manly feel for this space. Not quite as large as the bride’s room, but plenty of space for 6-8 people and with it’s own bathroom.

Just down the hall from the 2nd floor landing is this additional room. The photo shows only about half the space, so it is large enough for almost anything you would want to put in there. It is typically a kids party room for a bar/bat mitzvah, so if you plan to have children at your wedding this would be a good space for kids activities, movies, or generally a place for them to run around. There is another room on the second floor, the Lavender Room, that good for just about anything.

I took a peek out the windows and found a preview to the patio…

Speaking of the patio! Rae took me on a tour of the outdoor space we well, and I am thrilled to say that it is GREAT! This is the patio where, during the summer months, they have a large tent for outdoor receptions. Tents are such a perfect, blank space for just about anything (especially lighting!).

Just beyond the patio is this grapevine arbor ceremony space. Surrounded on all sides by the trellis and vine it is quite and lush in the summer, with shade provided by the tree. The arbor is fully covered by the vines, so the bride and bridesmaids can hide on one side without ever being seen by guests!

Doesn’t this look perfect for some cute bridal party photos?! (when it is in bloom, of course)

Just one last thing – the Technical Considerations:

• Complimentary parking is available throughout the property
• The entire building is handicap accessible

Hope this helped you narrow your venue search! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Cheers,
__Jessica