Friday, August 26, 2011

Don't Let the Rainy Weather Ruin Your Day!


Planning an event in New England adds an additional element to the planning process. While we are fortunate enough to have every season, New England occasionally gifts us with experiencing every season in one day. While picking a day in August may seem like a safer bet, consider this weekend when Hurricane Irene is sweeping in with storms all over the coast.

So how do you prepare for the unexpected? We’re sharing some of our more last minute ideas on how to keep Mother Nature from raining too much on our parades. All of these are things that can be done within the last days before an event when weather.com is offering depressing news, except for the first. Our first rule is the golden rule of trying to plan any outdoor event.

  1. A SOLID rain plan
We’re not talking about planning on everyone going inside if it sprinkles. We mean having a solution that will comfortably fit all guests and additional tables. This is why we ALWAYS recommend a tent at outdoor venues (which can also help with too much heat). If your rain plan is moving inside, be sure there is plenty of space for everyone and you can still do most of the activities you had planned. The rain plan should also take into account the following points.


  1. Sides for the tent
If you are renting a tent, it is likely they offered the sides. If you initially refused, but the weather prediction has since soured, we recommend calling the company to see if they are still available. While they end up blocking views, they can be essential in keeping your guests dry and warm. The sides can also be pulled aside, taken off, or put up only on some sides. The versatility of the sides is a very helpful feature, provided you have someone there who knows how to properly put them up and take them down. This is a rather crucial piece that can become more complicated when trying to figure it out later. At the very least make sure someone from the tent company shows a few people how to handle the sides. Caterers and wedding planners will also often know as well.


  1. Heaters
Even if the temperature doesn’t drop significantly, rain makes people want warmth. If it is a predicted rainy day, be prepared for cold guests. Whether this means renting a heater from the tent company or having blankets on hand for later in the night, try to anticipate guests wanting warmth.

  1. Slip-proof surfaces
Even if the rain stops, the damage might not. If there is a dance floor or floors inside that may become slippery when wet, consider putting in a rug, an outdoor weather mat, or other slip proof surface for people to wipe their shoes on. It will save you clean up and twisted ankles all night.

  1. Transportation
If it’s a day filled with sunshine, guests won’t grumble over a little bit of walking (well, most won’t). But if it’s raining or muddy, that short walk will become a major issue. If the space allows, consider seeing if a there is a trolley or shuttle available in the area. If they aren't, there's a good chance a school bus would be available.

  1. Sand/Kitty Litter
This is another strategy for after the rain. If there is an area that guests will be walking through on the yard, placing sand can soak up the water and keep shoes from sinking in. Kitty litter also works, and can even be sprinkled on driveways or walkways and then swept up to minimize puddles.

  1. Umbrellas and Ponchos
Everyone has umbrellas, but maybe they could become your favors! Umbrellas never go to waste, so some in your colors could be a fun touch and be super cute in photos. And if it's looking torrential, cheap plastic ponchos. They again can be really fun in photos, and come in every color (including clear). It's a nice, considerate touch that your guests will truly appreciate.


We hope this helped! Do you have any other ideas on how to stay dry and warm? Leave them below!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

How Lighting Can Transform Your Wedding!


Leslie recently wrote a piece on the easiest and most economical way to transform a venue for a reception. Not only do we have that advice, but also three of our favorite lighting vendors to work with! We've also included some photos from one of our weddings at the Wentworh Hotel to show you how dramatic the change can be! Thanks to Daniel Doke for the fantastic pictures.

When you think about redecorating your home, all design experts will tell you that the most economical way to make the biggest impact is to paint your walls! When you walk into your reception tent or room, you may like it, but feel that you wish you could paint the walls to incorporate your wedding colors. Clearly, this is not a possibility, most locations frown on painting the walls ;) However, most reception spaces today choose neutral colors for the walls and of course a tent is a blank slate! So, how do you accomplish getting your walls painted without actually painting the walls? The answer is simple and can be cost effective if you use the right resources and take time in the pre-design phase to get the most impact for your money!
The answer: LIGHTING! This used to be a very expensive endeavor. You had to hire a large lighting company, bring in tons of staffing to set-up, run and breakdown the equipment. Hiding wires, large display boards, and sometimes with all of that, you still only got a static color on your walls. Today, with the technical advances in the industry you can now have battery powered, single LED uplight units placed throughout your room to create an entire atmosphere! The best part, they are all controlled from a small computer panel and the lights can be changed during the reception at any time with a simple push of a button. Keep it relaxed for the dinner, then when the dance floor gets hopping, the lights can create a night club experience for your guests!
Small extras can also make a huge difference! A couple of popular options - Hang a light from the ceiling or a pole and light your cake table. Order a custom monogram for your dance floor.

Enjoy dreaming of all the possibilities! Your guests will feel that the room was built for you!
There are three particular companies we love working with that are spread throughout New England. Check out their websites below to become even more inspired!
New Hampshire: Event Lighting Concepts, http://www.eventlightingconcepts.com/
Eastern Mass (Boston): Advanced Lighting & Production Services, Inc. (ALPS), http://www.alpsweb.com/
Western Mass: CJC Event Lighting,

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Vendor Highlights: MAC Photography

We work with some truly fantastic vendors, and want to continue our series of sharing them with you! Up next, MAC Photography! Check out some of their photos below and read about why we love them!




MAC Photography, located in Downtown Portsmouth NH, consists of a team of professional artists dedicated to preserving your wedding memories. They offer over ten years of professionalism combined with a unique blend of classic and modern photography. It is their goal to find that special difference with each and every client. They pride themselves in capturing the fine points of your day with style and elegance and their professional artistry is well known throughout the Seacoast for doing just that!

Place cards from a Wentworth By the Sea event.

“There are three key elements that separate us from our competition! First is our digital enhancements. Digital imaging plays a hug role in photography, it is not only important to hire a great photographer but also someone who is well educated in the latest digital enhancing techniques. We offer digital enhancements free of charge, every single printed photograph whether it’s a wall portrait, wallet, or album page is retouched complimentary. Our standard enhancements include whitening and brightening of teeth, evening skin tones, and saturating colors but we can even go as far as changing blinking eyes, moving signs and cars, and make body parts slimmer."

"Second is the way we photograph client’s wedding details and use them as textures and graphic elements within the wedding pictures and album pages. This look transforms wedding images into custom artwork."


"And third is the amount of planning we do with clients to ensure the day goes smoothly. Approximately two months before the wedding we meet the couple at the reception site to scout out spots for pictures outside and inside in case it rains. It’s very important for us to establish an A & B plan before the wedding day. We complete a family formal questionnaire and create a wedding itinerary for the bridal party and wedding vendors. We started offering this service because we wanted to relieve our couples of any stress on the wedding day."

- Michelle Brewster and Jodi Ramos, MAC Photography.



Visit MAC Photography at www.mac-photography.com to view their full portfolio, pricing and packages, and review what past couples thought about their services.
MAC Photography
500 Market St #2B
Portsmouth NH 03801
603.373.8695
E: info@mac-photography.com



Dress from Madeleine's Daughter

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Belle Turned Bride - Photographer Martin Haseman

My friends call me un-photogenic. I’ve been told that something happens the moment the flash goes off; they’ve seen it happen countless times. A twitch of the face and my normal, pretty smile is morphed into a frightening triple-chin sporting nightmare.
I’ve heard all the tips; weight on your back foot, don’t stand straight on, smile with your tongue on the roof of your mouth, close your eyes until I say “3.” I may be a lost cause but is it wrong of me to hope for a few perfectly frame-worthy pictures from my wedding day?? I don’t think so!
I know I speak for Spencer and I when I say that choosing a photographer was one of the most important decisions we had to make for our wedding. Pictures will be the one thing we can take away when the festivities are over. I want them to be artistic, romantic, emotional, and to capture the true essence of who we are. I also have a personal goal of having a photographer who is capable of capturing my best angle (if there is one).

Martin Haseman of Martin Haseman Photography
In my years of working weddings I have met some unbelievable photographers. I have spent countless hours scrolling through their colorful blogs in awe of their sheer talent. Martin Haseman is among them. I presented his work to Spencer shortly after we returned from Italy and he was (obviously) equally impressed. We are thrilled that Martin will be photographing our wedding. His work captures all of the aspects we were looking for in a photographer. I also know from personal experience that he is absolutely wonderful to work with. I am excited to have someone I know and trust behind the lens. I also think his cool-calm demeanor may have just what it takes to reign in the triple-chinned beast. I guess we will see during our engagement session next month!!!
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