Here is a good article on gifts for the groom from NewsUSA.
The answer is: Yes, it’s expected.
But it’s also a chance for all you brides out there to truly show you know that not everything is about you on your wedding day. That there really is another person involved (that would be the groom) who deserves a bit of recognition, too.
Cape Neddick plays a lovely host for this seaside wedding. The couple stands under a driftwood arbor, with the ocean behind, as guests in natural wood garden chairs witness the union. The reception utilizes our clear frame tent, to allow for full appreciation of the seaside view. Here we see rustic farm tables paired with white wash cross back chairs, and navy blue napkins to enhance this simple nautical theme.
Here’s a good article on traditional wedding dress fabrics by Jolene M. Bouchon from Brides Magazine.
Not all wedding dress fabrics are created equally. Some fabrics are better suited for structured designs, others are great for flowing, light looks, and others for larger-than-life ballgowns. Before you jump into wedding dress shopping, learn what to expect when it comes to fabric. We talked to Terry Hall, fashion director at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York, about the six fabrics most often used to create wedding dresses and why they work. Read on to learn more about these gorgeous fabrics and why they each make an excellent choice for gowns. Continue reading
This fairytale wedding took place at the lovely Josias River Farm. The happy couple enjoyed the dark wood farm table for the head table, while the guests were seated at round tables covered in crisp white linens. The gold chivari chairs add a touch of sophisticated whimsey to the overall palette. The café lighting is all but invisible during daylight hours, but once the sun descends, the sailcloth tent will glow like a firefly, lending elegance to the enchanted evening.
Venue: Josias River Farm
Photographer: Sarah Morrill
Planner/Designer: JD Design
Flowers: Kinship Floral
Items used:
Renee Cohen
Wedding planning can be an exciting – yet overwhelming – time, especially when it comes to your wedding budget. It’s no surprise that wedding costs add up quickly. Due to unrealistic portrayals of weddings everywhere you look, there can be a ton of pressure to have the “perfect” wedding. A wedding doesn’t have to be lavish to create the everlasting memories and laughter that are ultimately the most important thing for your special day. Consider what you want out of your wedding, stick to your ideals, and enjoy your day in a way that doesn’t burden your new start together. Check out these expert tips on how to keep a wedding budget-friendly without compromising on style and elegance!
FANCY SAVE THE DATES AND INVITATIONS Continue reading
Hannah Baker
When you first begin the planning process, without a doubt one of the first things you address with your partner is a wedding budget. It’s essential to know exactly how much money you have to allocate to the things you find the most important for your big day, and dictates pretty much all of your decisions going forward in the planning process. So what areas should you splurge on, and on what areas should you save? We chatted with Julie Guinta, the design director at one of our favorite event design companies, Rye Workshop, for her top tips on where to splurge and where to save money on your wedding!
Where to splurge
Hire an event designer
“I have to say it, hire an Event Designer! If you want your wedding to have a design edge, having someone help you with your vision, guide your decisions, manage your budget and just be your advocate leading up to your big day takes a huge load of you so that you can enjoy being engaged.”
Installations
“Spring for one (or two!) large installs for your reception — over the bar, dance floor, entry to your reception space. Wow your guests with an awesome, memorable, and, yes, Instagram-friendly install! This adds so much to space and allows for you to be conservative on your tablescapes.”
Lighting
“Either a layer of candlelight, bistro lights, pin spots or disco balls! It is a great way to highlight the work that has been done to your space and create a mood. Everyone looks really good with some soft candlelight!”
“Know when to splurge on florals. Yes, peonies are absolutely gorgeous but having them absolutely everywhere can drive up your floral budget exponentially. Go ahead and splurge, but use these stunners sparingly and where your guests can admire them up close.”
Where to save
Paper goods
“Save on paper goods — ie. programs, welcome booklets, menus, etc. Most guests will not read these and the cost adds up. And you save trees! Have an awesome website that your guests can access from their phone and beautiful signage with calligraphy sharing your event details.”
Cocktail hour
“It’s an hour long and people are busy catching up and getting cocktails. Have an awesome bar arrangement and use your money where your guests are for the most amount of time, the reception.”
Welcome bags and bathroom baskets
“I have seen so many clients spend a good amount of their budget supplying their guests with bottles of water, small snacks, wedding-centric first aid kits, and items branded with their wedding logo. Most of your guests come prepared for the weekend. No need to supply things that they probably already have in their luggage. If you’re set on having a branded gift, think of a cute phrase instead of your initials that will live past the weekend.”
“Opt for mix-and-match table decor. A vintage wine glass, colorful dessert plate, beautiful napkin or cool table number can add color, design, and texture to your table, and you don’t have to find all one type of glass—just work within your color pallet. Facebook Marketplace is a go-to option for finding great treasures in your local area for less. And you can sell those things back on Marketplace after the event to add a little extra money back into your budget.”
Blair Donovan
Once you’ve pegged the perfect parish to wed your sweetheart, next up comes finding corresponding church wedding decorations for the big day that can compete with timeless architecture, stained glass windows, and grandiose chandeliers that could (almost) upstage your wedding dress. Unlike other wedding venues, churches demand a certain degree of respect and appreciation because of their sacred affiliations, meaning your visions of oriental rugs lining the aisle or a ceremony backdrop are probably ill-suited for this incredibly intimate and religious setting. In fact, your parish may even have certain restrictions when it comes to wedding decor.
But, the good news is that you can still maintain a fresh, modern vibe in your church wedding venue that speaks to yours and your future spouse’s styles. Another bonus—from the altar to the pews to the aisles, you have no shortage of spots to beautify. No matter how big or small your church of choice is, put your own spin on the space with greenery (think plenty of garlands, wreaths, and even faux leaves), signage, lanterns, and more. Check out our roundup of nine church wedding decorations to enhance your religious ceremony that will personalize the venue without detracting from its preexisting appeal. Continue reading
Here is a general set of tips we found by Debbie Carlson that can make the big day be as problem free as possible. Everything is covered except the wedding tent, tables and chairs. That is where we come into play. Give us a call we would love to be apart of your big day. We service Maine, New Hampshire, and North Shore of Massachusetts.
By Debbie Carlson of the Chicago Tribune
Planning your wedding should be fun and fabulous, but for many people, it’s one of the most stressful things they’ve done. Don’t get frazzled — we’re here for you. We rounded up some top wedding specialists to give you insider tips that are on trend, with real advice to help you decide what to do and what not to worry about, so you can focus on a wedding that will be the talk of the town for years to come.
THE DRESS
White is no longer mandatory. Subtle colors like blush and champagne are trending and give gowns a vintage feel, said Lori Conley, senior vice president of merchandising, product development and design for David’s Bridal. The minimalist bride may choose a gown whose silhouette, draping and unique details are the stars. Necklines are changing this season to show more shoulder. Nontraditional brides are choosing short dresses and jumpsuits, Conley said.
Here is some must have information on Marriage licenses and required certificates. When it is time for you to get married give us a call we service Maine, New Hampshire, and North Shore of Massachusetts.
Brides Jaimie Mackey
What’s the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate? A marriage license is what you get first, and it’s basically an application to be married. When you’ve filled it all out, had your ceremony, gotten it signed and your officiant has turned it back into the county, then you receive a marriage certificate that proves, in fact, you are married.
Here’s everything you need to do, step-by-step, to get (and complete) your marriage license, and subsequently, your marriage certificate.
Step 1: Set a Date and Place for Your Wedding
Before you can apply for a marriage license, you need to know where and when you’ll be getting married. Why? Because you typically must file your marriage license application in the county in which you’ll be getting married.
Furthermore, marriage licenses expire. Some, for example, expire after 90 days. If you’re planning your wedding one year in advance of the date, then, you must wait to apply for the marriage license until some point within the final 90 days before the wedding, or you’ll have run out of time to use the marriage license and end up having to apply all over again.
On the other hand, you can’t wait until the very last minute either, because many states require you to go through a waiting period before getting married. In Texas, for example, you must wait at least 72 hours before getting married after you apply for a marriage license to get married, meaning that if you put this off until two to three days before the wedding, the license wouldn’t even be valid yet.
Once you know when you’re getting married, you can plan your visit to the county clerk accordingly.
Step 2: Visit the County Clerk
The easiest place to go for your marriage license is the county clerk’s office. Make sure you carve out a couple of hours for this, as there may be a wait. You can even try to make an appointment before you show up so that you don’t have to wait too long. You and your significant other must both be present at the time of the marriage license application.
Here’s everything else you need to be prepared for during your visit to the county clerk:
Once you’ve proven your identity, turned in your paperwork and paid your fee, you’ll be granted a marriage license. Some states will hand you the marriage license right then and there, but others will mail it out to you within a few days.
Step 3: Get Signatures From Your Officiant and Marriage License Witnesses
Now that you have your marriage license, it’s time to gather up some signatures. While the requirements for signing a marriage license vary from state to state, most require signatures from the following people.
The Couple
Naturally, the couple must be present when it’s time to sign the marriage license post-ceremony. It’s better to get this taken care of early on, before the party gets going and the drinks start flowing. This is one wedding detail you do not want to forget!
The Officiant
Whoever legally performed your ceremony, whether it was a judge, a religious leader, or a friend ordained for the day, must also sign the license. There will be a line for them to sign their name, as well as specify their title or ordination. But note: There are a few states (Colorado, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and parts of Pennsylvania) where you can self-unite or self-solemnize your marriage, which means that not only does the officiant not need to sign your marriage license, you don’t have to have one in the first place!
Two Witnesses
These could be your parents, your maid of honor and best man, or any other friends you nominate for the honor. They must be physically present and, well, witness the two of you signing the marriage license. In most states, the marriage license witnesses must also be over the age of 18. Typically you will need two witnesses, but in some states you only need one.
Step 5: The Officiant Turns In the Completed Marriage License to the County
After the ceremony, it’s the officiant’s responsibility to turn the marriage license back into the county clerk, either by mail or in person. After that, you’re all set! Depending on where you live, you will either be mailed a certified copy, or you will need to go in person to pick up certified copies (in which case, prepare yourself for another fee.
You might be wondering, though, why you even need these copies if it’s all official. You’ll need certified copies of your marriage certificate for a number of things. For example, you may need to send copies of it to change your marital status for insurance (car, health, etc.), Social Security (if you’re changing your name), your credit cards, your bank accounts, and the IRS, to mention just a few.
Our white wash cross back chairs really stand out in this gorgeous wedding ceremony at Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm, perfectly framed by the huge, ancient tree.
A lovely display sits atop our dark wood bar to enhance the natural beauty of this outdoor wedding.
Venue: Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm
Photography by: Henry + Mac
Items rented:
white wash cross back chairs with white cushions
dark wood bar
