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.