2010 Bride's Choice Award Winner!

We are very excited to announce that for the second year in a row The Wedding Belle has been selected to receive the "Bride's Choice Award" from WeddingWire, the fabulous online wedding database. This award recognizes the top 5% of wedding vendors across the country who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism. We were chosen as a recipient by recent newlyweds who have given rave reviews of our company! We feel so honored and proud to be recognized by WeddingWire yet again in 2010, and we look forward to continuing the streak in 2011! Thank you to all the Brides and Grooms who have taken the time to review our services!

Wentworth by the Sea Tasting

This past week Leslie and Kaitlynn attended a Wentworth by the Sea Hotel Grand Tasting. Leslie designed a beautiful table for the event, very romantic in theme with shades of pink and hundreds of Swarovski crystals! Braided chair sashes added to the romantic element, and many people, in fact, referred to the table as "Rapunzel." How much more romantic can you get? The design was a hit amongst the many couples that attended the tasting, and so was The Wedding Belle. We were able to set up appointments with several potential clients, and introduce ourselves to many more lovely couples! All in all the Grand Tasting was a "grand" success, and we are very much looking forward to the next tasting in March! Thank you to the wonderful Wentworth staff and all of the other great vendors that attended the tasting!

Braided sash with Swarovski crystal accent

Swarovski crystals & votives hang from centerpiece

You Just Got Engaged! Now What?

How To Get Started Planning Your Wedding

Congratulations on your engagement! No doubt you are anxiously anticipating the period of time between now and the big day. The Wedding Belle is here to help iron out the basics so you can be off to a great start planning your wedding. Each task in the list we've compiled below will help to assure that you and your fiancé are on the right track from the beginning. While planning your wedding will be overwhelming at times, it will also be a ton of fun! You and your partner should take time to enjoy the opportunity to spend time making fun decisions together!

1) Be On The Same Page: Discuss with your fiancé what you both want for the wedding day! What type of venues do you both like? What time of year will the wedding take place? Would you like to have a theme or not? What are your favorite colors, and will they play a part in your day? Have fun, dream, and just enjoy the excitement and each other!

2) Be Ahead of the Game: Decide on the size of your guest list from the start. Will it be an intimate wedding of close family and friends? Or the bash of the decade including that girl you sat next to in 8th grade biology? Many couples wait to form a guest list, but knowing the number you plan to host has EVERYTHING to do with how you will plan many of the other details. If you figure out the guest list in advance, it will be a lot smoother sailing in the long run.

3) Be Realistic: Decide on a budget. This is probably the most challenging task for couples because many have no idea what typical prices are when it comes to planning a wedding. Be flexible and realistic when deciding on your budget. Leave some space for "surprises" along the way. With a little wiggle room, you'll be in great shape come the final months before your wedding (and hey, you may even be able to afford that last minute splurge! Raw bar anyone?)

4) 2-for-1: Choose your ceremony and reception venues at the same time. This is HUGE! Do not put a deposit down on a reception venue if the church isn't also available on the same day. This mistake could complicate a number of other decisions you'll be making along the way so take your time to decide, and book them both at once. Once your venues are coordinated take a deep breath and celebrate: your wedding officially has a location! Now get back to work :)

5) The Help: Hire a wedding planner! This step could also be listed at number one, but many couples only start researching planners in the beginning, and hire one only after the venue has been booked and dates are set. However you choose to go about it, remember that a wedding planner can be an enormous weight off your shoulders, especially in the days leading up to your wedding. Find a planner who you feel comfortable speaking with and who listens to your thoughts, ideas and concerns. If you feel the connection is off, move on, there is a perfect one out there for you! Ultimately you want a planner that understands your vision and can help to make that vision a reality. After all, it is your wedding!

Alright, so you are now off to a great start on your dream wedding! You have many exciting months ahead of you both. As a final note, remember to cherish these opportunities to make decisions as a couple. It's great practice and you'll have fun doing it! Good luck in your planning, and again, congratulations on your engagement!

Grateful

The Wedding Belle has turned five years old! When my daughter turned five, my husband and I spent a lot of time in reflection and were in complete disbelief at how quickly the time had flown by. In honor of The Wedding Belle milestone, I would like to take a moment to say "thank you" to all those who have supported me throughout the years.

Clients, past and present:

To all of my wonderful clients, past and present, I thank you! Starting with my first clients, Jodi and Shawn, to my current clients for 2010, it has been an experience unlike anything I could have imagined! I have learned so much from each of you…not just in regard to weddings but about family dynamics and overcoming extraordinary circumstances. Without your trust and support, the Wedding Belle would have only been a dream. To all of my current clients, I can’t wait to create more amazing events and memories this upcoming year with all of you! For you, I am Grateful…

Vendors:

What would the Wedding Belle be without such an exceptional team of vendors? I am only as good as the team that supports me; for it is all of you that take those crazy ideas in my head and turn them into reality. To my vendors that have supported me from day one, words cannot express my gratitude. You believed in my spirit and took a chance. Now that years have passed, hopefully, I have made you proud to say that you are a “fan” of the Wedding Belle. I look forward to working with you for many more years to come. For you, I am Grateful…

Staff & Support Crew:

The Wedding Belle has grown over the past few years from a one woman show to a small team of very talented people. My hand picked crew is one that I am extremely proud of...hard workers, who are dedicated and motivated, all with a sense of humor! What more can I ask for? Each one of you brings something new and exciting to the table, and without you, the Wedding Belle would not be growing today. For you, I am Grateful…

I also have a wonderful support crew that take care of my accounting, website (design, keywords and hosting) and a consultant that are helping me take my small business to the next level. They have been with from the very beginning of my company and I am extremely appreciative of their dedication, time, energy and talents!

Family & Friends:

The Wedding Belle journey actually began nine years ago when my husband, Denis, and I began planning our own wedding. My true love and enjoyment for planning really took over, and the morning after our amazing wedding, I looked at my husband and said, “I want to do that again!” After the initial shock of thinking I meant I wanted to get married again (instead of planning a wedding again) washed over my husband, his support of my business began. He was the first person to listen to my ideas and the one who spent hours helping me develop my initial plans. While his involvement has changed over the years, I can honestly say that without Denis, The Wedding Belle would never have been able to become a reality. Thank You for your unending support and your countless hours as “Mr. Mom”, while I am working hard during Wedding Season! For you, I am Grateful…

Other than my husband, my kids may be the only other people in this world that can truly understand the hard work, sacrifice and time that goes into making The Wedding Belle a success. They live it everyday right along side of me! I hope that with all the hard work they witness, they can also see the joy and love that comes along with each new wedding! They inspire me, make me laugh and are trying to teach me the art of patience in their own little ways. For them, I am Grateful…

Without the support of family members, none of this would be possible. I am blessed to not only have a wonderful family web, but I have also been blessed with a few “extended/adopted” family members. They have helped with brainstorming, proof-reading and fueling my creativity. They have been sounding boards when my brain was in overdrive and have stepped into the roles of Childcare Providers or even Wedding Day Assistants when other plans have gone awry. It is wonderful knowing that all I have to do is pick up the phone, and some trusted advice will be headed my way! For them, I am Grateful…

When someone chooses you to plan their wedding, they are allowing you into their lives and their families. Even though it may only be for a few short months, to be entrusted with this responsibility is an honor and a privilege, one that I take very seriously. I am very Grateful…

Sincerely,

Leslie

Meet the Belles!

A Note from Leslie:

Along with the many new services that The Wedding Belle is now providing, I have expanded my staffing to assure that the quality of service at The Wedding Belle remains at an exceptional level! I am proud to introduce to you my "Belles," along with their new positions! Although they have new positions they have both been with the company for prior wedding seasons! They each bring such amazing energy and talent to the company and I am excited for our clients to be able to work more closely with them throughout the planning process, instead of just on the wedding day. So here is just a little teaser of who the Belles are (including myself just for fun) and I hope that everyone gets a chance to get to know them better as the 2010 Wedding Season kicks off! I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Sharyn Peavey for providing these photos for us! Not bad for on-site at the end of a wedding day!! Thank you Sharyn!

All the best,

Leslie

Leslie Barbini, Owner, Wedding & Event Planner

After planning her wedding in 2001, Leslie began to dream about what a wonderful opportunity it would be to assist others in planning their weddings. Over the years, she has planned, designed, researched and assisted with numerous weddings, anniversaries and fund-raising events. Nine years later, with many testimonials from happy couples and Wedding Belle designs featured in renowned bridal publications, Leslie’s dream has become a reality. Leslie prides herself not only on being a designer, coordinator and consultant but on being an advocate for her clients as well.

Leslie is a distinguished graduate of the Association of Bridal Consultants development program, the only program dedicated exclusively to serving wedding professionals and brides worldwide, since 1955. Having graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a 16 year career in dance, choreography and theater, her background is well-rounded and enables Leslie to serve her clients in every aspect of the planning process.

Emily Griffin, Wedding & Event Planner

Emily joined The Wedding Belle in February of 2007. After working throughout college in various roles in the hospitality industry, she recognized that event and wedding planning in particular was the area that she was most passionate about. To have the opportunity to be a part of the most important day in a couple's life is a rare and often challenging opportunity. But for Emily there is no greater reward than seeing the happiness she can create when she makes their dreams a reality.

Emily graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2006 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Studio Art/Architectural Studies. Emily grew up just west of Boston and currently resides in Providence, RI. Emily has spent three seasons with The Wedding Belle as a Wedding Assistant and is very excited to be continuing her journey with The Wedding Belle as a full Wedding and Events Coordinator. Emily is currently completing a development program with the Association of Bridal Consultants and will be heading up The Wedding Belle's expansion in Greater Boston, Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Kaitlynn Carter, Event Assistant & Marketing Communications

Kaitlynn joined The Wedding Belle in May of 2009. Throughout her life Kaitlynn has always enjoyed planning small events for friends and family. She has found a lot of satisfaction in creating events and, in turn, memories for others to enjoy. It was after decorating her first apartment that Kaitlynn realized she also has a passion for design, and that realizing a career as an event planner is a perfect fit! During a semester abroad in Italy she got in touch with Leslie inquiring about an internship and began work one week after returning from Europe! Her experiences abroad only gave her more inspiration for unique design ideas and increased her appreciation for different cultures and styles.

Kaitlynn will graduate in May 2010 with a B.A. in English. Having grown up in southwest New Hampshire, Kaitlynn has stayed true to her roots and currently resides in Portsmouth. After a successful season as an intern with The Wedding Belle, Kaitlynn is thrilled to be continuing on as Event Assistant for the company. She is also responsible for Marketing Communications, and maintains a blog, Twitter, Facebook and other online networking websites for The Wedding Belle.

New Services

The Wedding Belle is proud to announce that we will be making several new services available to you from here on out! In addition to the many wonderful wedding packages we currently offer, we now provide several custom-venue wedding packages. Perhaps the biggest and most exciting change to our repertoire is that we will now offer full event planning and coordination for many other types of events!

Custom-Venue Wedding Packages: Each custom package begins with the services offered through our Simplicity package, but is then catered to compliment the services already provided by the specific venue you have chosen. Each package is designed and specially priced to meet the needs of the bridal couple. These venues are some of our favorites to work at! We now offer custom packages at:

The Wentworth Hotel (Newcastle, NH)

The Wentworth Country Club (Newcastle, NH)

One Hundred Club (Portsmouth, NH)

The Exeter Inn (Exeter, NH)

Historic New England Properties (York, Me & Portsmouth, NH)

Fernwood Farm (Gilmanton, NH)

Whether you are planning an extravagant affair for 200, an intimate gathering of your closest friends, or a corporate event, The Wedding Belle is here to assist you! Our team of highly trained professionals will work closely with you to create just the right atmosphere for your occasion. We now offer special event planning for the following:

Anniversaries

Vow Renewal

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

Corporate Events

Holiday Parties

We are thrilled to finally be sharing this exciting news with you! Our website is currently being updated with more information on all of these new services so please check back over the next week or two for more information! In the meantime feel free to email info@theweddingbelle.net with inquiries.

Welcome to Our New Blog!

Welcome to The Wedding Belle Blog! We are very excited to be expanding our online network. We can't wait to begin sharing lots of news about what's going on at our company as well as tips and advice for planning! Our blog will be updated weekly. Here you will find current updates on events being planned, recaps on events we've recently put on, posts about our favorite venues and vendors, DIY project ideas, tips and advice on wedding planning, and anything fun and interesting we may come across that you'll like knowing about. Please check back with us frequently, and also check us out on Twitter and Facebook!

There are a lot of exciting new things going on here at The Wedding Belle. Please be sure to check back next week when we'll be introducing all of the new services we'll be offering this year!