Meaningful Details

Cape Cod Wedding

2009-06-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

My Cape Cod Wedding went incredibly well. I could not be happier for the bride and groom! The venue was a beautiful big mansion overlooking the water (I believe Chatham Harbor?) with a large wedding tent in the backyard and enough lawn left over for corn hole, croquet, and a few other lovely lawn-games! Lisa and Carson really did an amazing job of choosing colors (pinks, greens, and blues) to brighten up the tent and lawn.

I do have to admit that this was my first run in with a vendor that I would not recommend. The caterer showed up two hours before the guests were scheduled to arrive to dress 150 place settings, plus linens, plus the buffet tables, cocktail tables, and bars. They did not leave themselves enough time and were still doing finishing touches as guests arrived. Whenever I tried to help, the head of the company just looked at me and said "it's okay, we got it" in a very cranky-pants tone. Also, because of the late start the food was served late and majorly cut into the dancing time. There was a very strict "lights-out" policy at the venue and because everything got pushed back - dancing only lasted an hour or so instead of two. If you're getting married on the Cape please contact me so I can tell you which caterer I worked with at this wedding - you do not want them at yours.

The band was fantastic and I am adding them as well as the string trio to my website so you can get their names and contact info. The band is from Rindge, NH so if you're looking for something unique (bluegrass) this band will knock your socks off and are also willing to travel!

I have to say that the toasts at the wedding ran long - instead of three toasts it turned into seven. I would highly recommend not allowing people not originally on the docket to get a turn to speak - because generally they are not prepared and just babble on for oh 15 minutes or so :) If you want to give everyone a chance to speak do it at the rehearsal dinner - use the "strict timeline" on the wedding day as an excuse on why you can't allow it on *the* day.

Lisa and Carson had some great Meaningful Details -

Quilting Fabrics as foundation of center pieces
Unique guestbook
Table "numbers" were restaurants they found special and the stories of why
Escort cards were drink umbrellas stuck in beds of sand
Menu contained both Cape Cod traditional and Kentucky fare

Thank you to Lisa and Carson for letting me share your special day. My best wishes to you both!

2009 Wedding Season Almost Underway!

2009-05-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

Wedding season is just around the corner. I am thrilled to be working with some amazing brides this Spring/Summer. My first wedding of the season is June 6th on the Cape. Does anyone know how long I should plan for travel time to get from Arlington to Orleans? This particular wedding will be like a blind date because I've not met the bride and groom yet. It will be awesome, they are going to have lawn games and board games and all kinds of fun! I am so excited to see how it all comes together.

I know you're all clamoring for me to post about my own wedding. So, I will. Our guest list, that including ourselves and our photographer friend fit on two full hands- just ten people. The day turned out in our favor. Planning an outdoor ceremony and reception in the end of October can be a little questionable... but it was warm enough and sunny enough for us to be perfectly happy. My husband's best friend became and officiant for a day and performed the ceremony that I wrote using a lot of tidbits of IndieBride. It was very nice. I cried throughout the whole thing. No, really. I did. Good thing for the water-proof mascara.

Our cake was wonderful, made by Crumpets Bakery in Pepperell. It was light green with beautiful white dots and our little duckie cake toppers! My mom did my bouquet and I made my headpiece. It was really quite an accomplishment since I am not really a DIY kind of a girl. But I was glad I did it, and it turned out beautifully.

I cannot thank my mom enough for all the hardwork she did on our wedding - from flowers to food to sanity. She really went above and beyond. I love her so much and am forever grateful that she was there beside me for my special day.

Well, before I get all misty-eyed, I should go.
Oh- I am on Twitter now too @Meaningfuldtail ... stupid character limit kind of screwed me up. If you'd like to follow me though, I am there :)

Rebecca and Eric's Wedding

2008-10-20T09:40:00.001-07:00

So I goofed a little on this one... I forgot to bring my camera to the wedding, so I have to wait for the professional pictures to get posted, then get permission from her, then post them up here... so the pictures might take a bit.

Friday night I drove up to Glen Magna Farms and ran the rehearsal for Rebecca and Eric. The venue is beautiful, and has vast expanse of lawn that makes the whole place seem like a palace. The rehearsal ran smoothly, except none of the little kids were there to practice the "wedding parade" that took the place of the flower girl during the processional. I kept my fingers crossed that on Saturday the kids would be smiling and happy to be in this parade.

Saturday, I woke up to sunny blue skies but a cool breeze in the air. I arrived at the venue and set up the lawn games that Rebecca and Eric had dropped off, checked on the catering to be sure everything was as it was supposed to be. Soon Rebecca arrived to get ready and we whisked her off to the bridal suite.

The guests began to arrive and gather inside the mansion as it was a bit cold outside. When Rebecca was about ready I started to get people seated. The catering staff helped a lot by pointing people in the right direction. The musicians were playing and the sun was shining. I went to gather all the children for the wedding parade and while some declined, and one called the parade "gay" (she was eleven), a group of adorable kids were ready to be stars in the wedding parade. The processional started and the wedding parade took off down the aisle, they were adorable.

Rebecca appeared for the first time with her parents, with one on each arms, and they started making their way down the aisle. Her dress had a medieval flare and beautiful red orange tones in the skirt and jacket with a gorgeous corset and bird cage veil. "All you need is Love" by the Beatles started playing as they made their way to her future husband.

Rebecca's grandfather performed the ceremony and I cried, I always cry when I have the good luck to be within hearing distance of the ceremony.

The reception began and food, hot tea and coffee were served along with amazing home made cakes and mini pies. Rebecca's mom made all of the flower arrangements, bouquets, all of the desserts, and the wedding cake shaped pinata. She is an amazing cook and a wonderful florist. It's too bad she lives in Ohio, I'd love to recommend her to other brides!

Picture time came quickly and before too long the family was off to the Chinese banquet held at another location. Rebecca and Eric seemed extremely happy and I was so lucky to be a part of their day!

Rebecca and Eric's Meaningful Details:
- Rebecca's grandfather performing the ceremony
- Home made desserts, flower arrangements, etc!
- Custom designed and hand crafted wedding dress in beautiful colors!
- Lawn games for guests
- Wedding parade - so all the children could participate in the wedding ceremony!

Best of luck to Rebecca and Eric in their life together.

Next week: my wedding! :)

Erica and Matt's Wedding

2008-09-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

(photos to come)

What a beautiful wedding! When I first met Erica and Matt I knew we'd hit it off and I was more than thrilled to be a part of their team. The day started at 1pm with set up of 100 folding chairs outside. Luckily there was no rain, however it was the stickiest day I can remember since July. The set up was fast with the help of the catering crew, the facilities assistant, and members of the bridal party.

The reception, buffet, bar, guest book table etc all went up quickly and before I knew it, we were opening a box of colorful orange, purple, and red linens to drape the tables throughout the Cambridge Multi Cultural Arts Center (CMAC). Centerpieces quickly got placed on each table, table names were distributed, and place cards were alphabetized and put out for the guests.

It seemed like only moments later that I gathered the bridal processional and cued the DJ. A beautiful bride and groom said their vows in front of some of the most loving witnesses I've ever seen.

The food, wine and vodka flowed, people danced. Friends of the bride and groom did a skit in the middle of the dance floor with props, costumes, and a script. A first dance was had, and brownies were served.

Thanks to the catering team the cleanup went rapidly and we were all able to leave the facility before 11pm.

So, what were the Meaningful Details for Erica and Matt?

Bride, groom, bridal party, and parents all wore converse all stars in various shades.
Friends of the bride and groom made wild flower bouquets and arrangements to decorate the ceremony site.
Friends of the bride and groom decorated an old schwin bicycle built for two and surprised them for their photo-session
Spontaneous clapping, hooting, and hollering erupted during the processional, vows, and ring ceremony.
Costumes were provided to guests for the Polaroid guest book located just a few yards from the open bar
Delicious, vegetarian Spanish menu by J&L Catering

Congratulations Erica and Matt! Thank you for letting me a part of your special day!