Earth Day Pledge

Please consider pledging to make at least one aspect of your wedding green. Here are some tips:

• Have the ceremony and reception at the same location
• Keep the guest list small
• Offer local food and beverages
• Use local flowers
• Buy a vintage, used or sample wedding gown
• Check out antique stores and estate sales for wedding bands and engagement rings

What's your Earth Day pledge?

Wedding Cake!

I love sampling wedding cake. When I was planning my wedding a few years ago, I went to Cappuccinos in Middletown, RI. When the four of us arrived for the cake sampling, we were seated in the designated cake sampling area of the bakery and were giving complimentary beverages, including cappuccino. Oo-la-la. It was a very pleasant experience.

At the time, cupcakes were the craze, but I still opted for the traditional wedding cake. Nowadays, brides opt for cupcakes, chocolates, chocolate fountains, dessert shots and dessert tables. As always, I encourage brides to use caterers and bakeries who use fresh, local ingredients.

Additional bakeries in the Newport and Bristol area:
It’s My Party

The Cake Gallery

What bakery are you using?

Photo courtesy of It's My Party.

Vintage Weddings

Did you know that retro style weddings from the 1920s to 1950s are making a comeback? I’m excited about an article I recently read, which states that vintage apparel and simple weddings are a popular trend among modern day brides. Why? Cost.

Back in the day, brides had small, simple weddings, which kept the price down. Ask your grandmother about her wedding.

How can you go vintage? Visit consignment boutiques, resale stores, flea markets, antique shops maybe even the Salvation Army. Who knows what treasures you might find -- a wedding gown, accessories, bridesmaid’s dresses, etc. Consider having your intimate wedding at a small venue or at your home.

I’m very excited to hear about the retro wedding trend because they cost less and reduce waste since the focus is to reuse vintage items and keep it simple. It’s also eco-friendly. Two of the three Rs: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Check out these local consignment stores.

Karma Designer Consignment Boutique

Trendy Jenny’s Blog Spot “Five Consignment Shops in Newport, RI”

What elements of your wedding are vintage?

Budget Weddings

Given the state of the economy, it’s no surprise that the average cost of weddings in the U.S. has gone down. Although most brides have a budget, many get caught up in the moment and go over – way over. Two years and a salary later, you are still paying for it. Did you really need a $5,000 cake?

Well, frugal brides rejoice! You can have a beautiful, enjoyable wedding on a budget. Want to learn some tips? Join me on Wednesday, April 14, from 7 to 9 PM at the Learning Connection in Providence to Learn How to Have a Budget Wedding and save money.

Have any budget wedding tips you want to share?

View a Newport Platinum Wedding

Newport wedding planner Raina Dawn Dieterle of Raina Dawn Events planned a platinum wedding for Michelle & John Bannon. Their platinum wedding is being featured on WeTV. Their budget was $400,000.

Air Dates:
Monday, March 15 at 1am 12c
Monday, March 15 at 4am 3c
Sunday, March 28 at 3pm 2c

Are you planning a platinum wedding?

Trash the Dress

There’s a trend to trash your wedding gown after your wedding. I have to be honest and say I don’t know why someone would want to do this. After all the time you spent looking for the perfect gown and all the money, why would you want to trash it? Since I promote environmentally-friendly weddings, I encourage brides to donate their gowns or reuse the fabric. Oggi Wedding Photography of Newport, RI, shares my thoughts. Check out the blog and see what other brides have to say.

So are you going to trash your dress? Why or why not?

8th Annual Newport Bridal Show

Still looking for vendors? Check out the 8th Annual Newport Bridal Show at Rosecliff & OceanCliff this Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door.

Sample food and drinks. Enjoy giveaways, entertainment and fashion shows. Visit with 80 vendors.

Free parking and transportation between venues!

The photo is of Oceancliff -- courtesy of the Newport Bridal Show.

Valentine's Specials that Pamper

Are you ready to be pampered? Newport area businesses are offering some Valentine’s weekend specials, including facials and makeovers. Time to relax and de-stress from all the wedding planning. This is also a great opportunity to talk with potential makeup artists and hairstylists for your wedding while experiencing their talents firsthand.

Tip from the pros:
Maura Hession, Makeup Artist, recommends a consultation for hair and makeup at least one month prior to the wedding.

Check out these Valentine’s specials:

Friday, February 12, 2 to 7 PM
Enjoy a free half hour mini-facial with Murad skincare expert Vicky Nawoichyk and/or a free bareMinerals application from a professional bareMinerals team member at The Apothecary Newport Skincare & Makeup, 6 Broadway, Newport, RI. Call 401-324-6253 to make a reservation.

Saturday, February 13, and
Saturday, February 20, 10 AM to 4 PM
Maura Hession is partnering with Maureen Gomes at Salon Nuvo, 1151 Aquidneck Rd., Middletown, RI, to offer bridal hair and makeup consultation for $99.00. Call 401-847-6886 to make an appointment.

Receive a complimentary makeover with $30 purchase at Cosmetic Cosmos, 387 Thames Street, Newport, RI. Contact store for details.

Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Maura Hession.

Natural Look -- Makeup Trends for 2010 Newport Brides

So how many magazines have you gone through to find the right hairstyle and makeup for your wedding day? When I was planning my organic wedding a couple of years ago, I remember going through dozens of magazines and browsing websites trying to find a natural look. Imagine my surprise when I learned the natural look is popular in 2010.

I contacted some local makeup artists to get some information about trends they are seeing among Newport area brides. Here’s what they have to share.

“The trends in hair and makeup seem to be soft waves, unfussy updos and almost bare skin with a hint of color,” says Maura Hession, Makeup Artist. “Hair extensions have become very popular too.”

“I have found more and more brides requesting a fresh, natural look with perfect, glowing skin, minimal make-up and false eyelashes for accent," says Sherry Brice of Cosmetic Cosmos. “The colors are being kept very soft with paler pinks and corals.”

Look for my next blog that will list some Valentine’s specials for those who want to get pampered.

Photo courtesy of Maura Hession.

Romantic Inn

Looking for accommodations for out-of-town wedding guests, morning-after breakfast or a honeymoon?

When I first read about the Cliffside Inn in Newport, I was excited to learn they serve an afternoon tea – I love afternoon tea. Their tea is named one of the 20 best afternoon teas in America according to the book The Great Tea Rooms of America. However, you have to be a guest to get the tea service. I also love that most rooms have a whirlpool tub and all rooms have a fireplace. This was enough to convince us to book a night. We went last weekend.

Each room has its own unique look with antique furniture and paintings by Beatrice Turner. You can learn more about Beatrice on the website. We stayed in Adele's room. The room features a two-person whirlpool tub, queen size, hand-carved bed and wood burning fireplace.

In addition to a delicious, complimentary afternoon tea and breakfast, morning coffee/tea room service, bottled water, tea, fire logs and DVD library are included! Plus, the staff provided excellent customer service. Needless to say, we will go back again.

Another great aspect of this inn is that the famous Newport Cliff Walk is a block away. We enjoyed a nice early evening walk along the ocean. Downtown Newport and the beaches are just minutes away as well.

I could see this inn being a great place for out-of-town wedding guests with a morning-after breakfast or honeymoon.

Know of any other romantic inns in the area? Please share.

Chocolate!

One of my favorite things to do when I’m in Newport is to buy chocolate! Not just any chocolate but a passion fruit dark chocolate from Laurent Vals Handcrafted Chocolates located at Newport Chocolates. Known as passionata, the website describes it as dark chocolate covertures enhanced with actual gold leaf and filled with a tropical burst of passion fruit infused ganache. It tastes as great as it sounds.

What I love about these chocolates, in addition to the incredible flavor, is their artistic design. They almost look too good to eat. They are elegant and make great wedding favors. Being a supporter of local businesses, I highly recommend locally made chocolates for wedding favors.

I first sampled passionata in May 2009 at a chocolate and wine tasting at Ferns and Flowers in Warwick, RI. I was hooked. I bought a chef’s selection box of chocolates for my mom for Mother’s Day. She loved them too.

If you get a chance to try a passionata or any other chocolates from Laurent Vals, please let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Passionata photo courtesy of Luarent Vals Handcrafted Chocolates.

2010 Bridal Shows

Happy New Year! So how many of you became engaged in December 2009? December is the most popular month for engagements. Congratulations!

I’m starting a list of upcoming bridal and wedding shows in Newport County and Bristol County. I plan to add any bridal trunk shows as well. Enjoy!

Sunday, January 10
Newport Wedding Showcase
Hotel Viking, 1 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
11 AM to 5 PM

Saturday, February 13
Bride on a Budget
Jacky's Galaxie Restaurant & Wedding Banquet, 383 Metacom Ave., Bristol, RI
11 AM to 4 PM

Saturday, February 20
Newport Bridal Show
Rosecliff and OceanCliff Mansions, Newport, RI
11:30 to 4:30 PM

If you learn of any other local wedding shows, please share.

Southern New England Bridal Expo

If you are going to be in the area on Sunday, January 3, 2010, stop by the Rhode Island Convention Center for the 16th annual Southern New England Bridal Expo. According to their website, there will be over 140 wedding professionals and two fashion shows plus giveaways.

Several Newport area wedding professionals will be attending, including the following:

• Newport Wedding Trolley
• Rockstar Limo
• Jennifer Neves Photography
• Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa
• Newport Yachting Club

The expo runs from 10:15 AM to 5 PM. Download a $3 off coupon from Southern New England Bridal Expo.

Please stop by to visit me, AffordableGreenWeddings.com, at booth 119A.

If you do attend the expo, please share your experience with us.

Happy New Year!

Non-Traditional Wedding Venues

I’m really excited to be working with a couple who is planning a non-traditional, green wedding. They want an outdoor ceremony and reception on a farm.

Non-traditional wedding venues are the current trend for today’s bride. A farm is among the many locations you can choose from including, vineyards, museums, oceanfront rentals, historic buildings, parks and more.

In doing my research, I discovered that Newport and surrounding areas have a variety of wedding venues to cater to the non-traditional couple, including the following:

• Colt State Park Chapel by the Sea, Bristol, RI
  
• Greenvale Vineyards, Portsmouth, RI
  
• International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Newport, RI
  
• Sakonnet Vineyards and Winery, Little Compton, RI
  
• Sweet Berry Farm, Middletown, RI
  
• The Meeting House, Tiverton, RI
  
• Wetherledge, (described as an elegant summer estate built in 1889 with views of Narragansett Bay) Jamestown, RI

The above list is just a sampling of all the great wedding venues in the area.

Where are you getting married?

photo courtesy of Greenvale Vineyards

Venues with Winter Wedding Specials

Finally, I have some exciting information to share about venues that offer winter specials.

The Chanler at Cliff Walk, an award winning oceanfront hotel, in Newport, RI, introduced their Exclusive Use program starting this month. According to the website, this new program will allow groups to use the entire mansion for a private event, either by spending $1500 in food and beverage or by booking a minimum of five rooms per night. The program is available Sunday through Thursday from December through March.

According to Kate Trepanier, Sales & Catering Manager, depending on the time year you were originally looking at (i.e. weekend in summer), you may save 35% - 65% by taking advantage of the Exclusive Use program during the winter season. Sounds like a great deal!

Hotel Viking, a historic, luxury hotel, in Newport, RI, offers a 15% discount on Friday and Sunday until April 30, 2010. Marlen Scalzi, Director of Sales and Marketing, notes overnight guest room rates fluctuate with the weekend, but are very affordable. In addition, you may receive a discounted rate on the Historic Kay Chapel for your ceremony. According to the website, the special package pricing is available for Friday weddings, Saturday morning weddings and Sunday weddings on non-holiday weekends.

Even if the venue you are looking at does not mention winter specials on their website, call them and ask. In most cases, you may find a hidden deal. If you are working with a wedding planner, she can find the deals for you.

Did I mention that it’s snowing? The area is expecting 12 to 18 inches of snow! From what I can see from my snow covered windows, it’s beautiful!

Have you found any good winter wedding deals? Please share!

The photo is courtesy of Hotel Viking.

Certified Green Hotels

Hi!

Sorry for the delay in blog posts. While I was researching winter wedding packages and winter specials, I came across the Rhode Island Hospitality Green Certification Program, which lists green certified hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality industry. I was excited to find this and had to share. The green initiatives for hotels may range from compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to the menu including a percentage of local food to green cleaning supplies and more. Personally, I would love to see a venue powered by wind or solar power.

There are 10 green certified hotels in Newport County! There’s the Bay Voyage Inn in Jamestown, RI, and the remaining nine are in Newport, RI. The nine are:

∙ Hotel Viking
∙ Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa
∙ Inn on Long Wharf/Wyndham
∙ Inn on the Harbor/Wyndham
∙ Long Wharf Resort/Wyndham
∙ Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina
∙ Newport Marriot Hotel
∙ Newport Onshore/Wyndham Properties
∙ Vanderbilt Hall

If you are planning a winter wedding in Newport County, you may want to consider these hotels as potential venues for your reception and accommodations for out-of-town guests. Having your wedding at a green certified location is the next best option to an outdoor wedding. Although an option, an outdoor wedding in Newport during the winter season might be a challenge.

For the next blog, I will have some winter wedding packages and specials to mention.

Winter Weddings in Newport

A winter wedding in Newport? Yes! Snowfall can make a beautiful backdrop – think winter wonderland. Newport and surrounding towns (Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Portsmouth and Tiverton) offer quaint New England seaside charm with elaborately decorated mansions. Imagine snuggling on a horse drawn sleigh, dancing near a glowing fireplace, kissing under mistletoe, sipping hot cocoa and hot apple cider toddies with guests. Feel the romance and warmth of the season. Your winter wedding can be filled with unique items from your dress and flowers to décor, food and beverages.

The benefits of having a winter wedding are availability and cost savings. Since most weddings take place in spring and fall, brides will have less competition and are more likely to book the venue and vendors they want for the day and time they want. Also, since winter is off-season for wedding vendors, brides are more likely to negotiate a good deal. Plus, there are fewer tourists in the off-season.

When planning a winter wedding, keep in mind that some facilities are catering holiday parties in December. Instead of competing with brides, you may be competing with corporate event planners. January is the least popular month for weddings. February, of course, offers the fun theme of Valentine’s Day.

Looking for a location to have your winter ceremony and reception? For the next blog, I plan to talk with some local venues to see if they offer any winter wedding packages or specials.

Have you planned or are you planning a winter wedding in Newport County? Please share.

Hi!

Yes, it’s been a while since Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau has published a wedding blog.

Well, I’m the new blogger! My name is Kim Grant, and I’m an Eco-Wedding Consultant for AffordableGreenWeddings.com. After planning my own organic wedding, I started AffordableGreenWeddings.com to help brides-to-be plan eco-friendly weddings. I’m also a freelance writer. My articles have been published in a variety of publications, including Southern Weddings, Footprint Eco Magazine and Natural Awakenings.

I plan to post blogs weekly. The blogs will discuss national wedding trends and how they fit into the local Newport County wedding scene. In addition, I will be talking to area wedding experts, including vendors and venues, as well as brides who have planned or are planning to have a wedding in Newport County. Of course there will be some tips on how to plan a green wedding locally.

The intention of this blog is to be interactive and share information. Your comments and suggestions are encouraged. I look forward to hearing from you!

Ever wonder how much work goes into making a wedding cake?

Every bride deserves a little pampering every now and then.

Wedding planning can get a little crazy. There are a number of great spas in Newport County that can help you relax even on your most stressful days. I took an afternoon and went to visit the wonderful Spa Terre at the Hotel Viking for some much needed pampering.