We just wanted to take a moment to spotlight a unique venue that makes our heads spin with possibility. The New England Aquarium hosts special events (IE weddings, engagement parties, etc.) with an exotic flair. Their space is designed to host just about anyone, with options ranging from parties in the Main Exhibit Gallery with the Giant Ocean Tank, the West Wing Gallery that houses the shark and ray touch tank, the Harbor View Terrace and Tent (see photos below), to the IMAX Theater. Check out the attached PDF for more details on floorplans and how many guests each room can accomodate. They also offer seemingly endless options for food from their in-house caterer.

The Aquarium even offers romantic proposal opportunities including champagne and chocolates, where a Deep Ocean Tank diver will pop the question with a sign while swimming inside the tank. That kind of romance gets a big, fat YES! from us.

The photos below are featured in the Tabletop section of the 2012 Issue of Southern New England Weddings Magazine. We would like to thank our vendors:
Florist: Mimosa Fresh Flower Design
Stylist: Simple Details Events
Photographer: Josh Kuchinsky Photography
Rentals: Rentals Unlimited

Don't miss the Cape and Islands Bridal Show featuring over 50 of the best vendors on the Cape and Islands on February 12 at the New Seabury Country Club in Mashpee, MA from 12-4. There will be Live Music, Food Samplings, Strolling Fashion Show, Informative Seminars, Ask the Experts, Table Scape Showcase and Raffle Prizes.
All ticket sale proceeds are being donated to the Making Strides Walk for Cancer on Cape Cod. Please pre-purchase your tickets thru paypal, process by entering Email: ciweddinggroup@gmail.com. Tickets will be available for pickup at the registration table the day of the event.

We had to share this YUMMY Smores Martini recipe from Russell Morin Fine Catering's Blog that discusses what to expect at one of their tastings. We think it would be great to serve at a bachelorette fete or engagement party where fun is the watchword. Thanks to the great people at Morin's for coming up with this and sharing!!!

Smores Martini
"2 oz. Vanilla Vodka
"1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
"1 oz. White Creme de Cacao
Combine all ingredients in an ice filled shaker. Shake and pour into a martini glass which has been rimmed with chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Garnish with chocolate covered mini marshmellows. Enjoy!

Well, we have one more very special photo shoot to show you from our engagement week photo extravaganza. This one is special to me personally becuase it features my friend, your fellow chatty, and the Managing Editor of Southern New England Weddings Magazine, Danielle Cort and her future Mr., Ray. Corinna Raznikov Photography totally captured the playfulness and tenderness that they share. We wish them the best of luck! XO

Come out to the Pavillion at Pinehills in Plymouth, MA on Jan. 29th to experience a bridal show like no other. At the South Shore Wedding Show, you can pamper yourself silly in their bridal spa featuring hair and makeup artists as well as massage therapists all at the ready to take all the planning stress away. And be sure not to miss the champagne sampling with specialty desserts and coffee. Oh and did we mention there will be passed appetizers? At 1:30 there will be two seperate fashion shows to choose from, so give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the many splendors while schmooozing with some of the area's finest vendors.

Download your VIP pass below to get in for free. Or tickets are $10 at the door, and if you buy yours online, they are 50% off.

It is Engagement Photo Session Week!

We have decided to dedicate an entire week to showcase some of our favorite photographer's favorite engagement sessions so you can admire, take notes, and come up with ideas of your own.

Corinna Raznikov Photography had the pleasure of following this fun, breezy couple from an Ice Cream Parlor to a beach barbeque with friends in Duxbury. We love that these showcase an option for untradional couples and give plenty of inspiration for multiple-photo save the dates.

If you're a bride to be, one of the first things I'd recommend is signing up for a Pinterest account. I've been using Pinterest to save ideas and inspiration for my hair, jewelry, flowers, cake, decor, and more. It's been so helpful and I can't believe how many great ideas are out there. But be warned: Pinning ain't easy! As any bride and frequent pinner will soon learn, there are so many ideas that it becomes overwhelming. I've changed my colors and theme several times, depending on my latest wave of pins. So pin away, but be wary. Go with your gut. Find a theme and stick to it. Pinterest can be fun, but changing your mind a million times will only leave you with a wedding headache. I'll always have those gorgeous pins of brides wearing yards of lace and carrying bouquets of wild flowers, but since that's not the look I decided to go with, I'm not going to let those pretty pictures change my mind.

It is Engagement Photo Session Week!

We have decided to dedicate an entire week to showcase some of our favorite photographer's favorite engagement sessions so you can admire, take notes, and come up with ideas of your own.

Azure Photography, the creative team behined these beachy-chic pictures, says "When deciding on location for the engagement portrait, I always suggest incorporating a place, activity, hobby, etc. that represents the couple. Maybe they have a beloved pet that wont be part of the wedding day or a favorite vacation spot."

"These photos are from an engagement portrait this fall in Marthas Vineyard. The brides family has a house there and they vacation there frequently throughout the summer months. We did the shoot over two days so we could have some evening and morning light. Wonderful time with a great couple, Amy and Rich."

It is Engagement Photo Session Week!

We have decided to dedicate an entire week to showcase some of our favorite photographer's favorite engagement sessions so you can admire, take notes, and come up with ideas of your own.

Jill Person of Person and Killian Photography says that taking a half an hour for your engagement session during your planning goes a long way. It is a great opportunity to see how you interact with each other in front of the camera and lets you get to know your photographer that will be capturing your wedding day. We love how happy and relaxed Andrea and Adam seem together.

Hello brides! It has been quite awhile since I have last chimed in on my wedding plans, but since Sunday marked the five-month mark, I figured I would catch you up a bit. The months that have followed my engagement and my last posts have been full of a busy work schedule, wedding planning and making lots of decisions, both big and small. I am definitely an organizer and a planner but think that even those types can feel a bit overwhelmed with the prospects of planning the "I dos." Anyone else?

One thing that I have learned in these planning months is that sometimes, I have even surprised myself. Things that I did not think were important, really are. And things that I thought meant the most, really do not. It has been quite an experience -- I can only imagine what that big day will feel like when all these decisions come together. 

One huge component to our wedding that my fiance and I have recently decided on, was to book a professional florist. Our vision for the day consists of blooms that are very romantic and organic, and evoke an ethereal look. Given the season of our wedding, we are in luck with a few of our favorites: peonies, poppies, roses. We also like the highlight of succulents and simple greenery. Going with a local florist was important to us and we looked no further than Kim Lamothe of Greenlion Weddings of Tiverton. Her style is infectious and really, exactly what we were looking for. We met with her once to discuss our ideas and hear hers, and knew from that meeting, we would be in good hands. 

Sticking to our wedding colors of ivory, cream, blush and champagne, I wanted a simple and unique bouquet with smaller bridesmaids bouquets and petite blooms for the junior bridesmaids. For the guys, we are thinking succulents and flowers, all with a varied look; lots of neutrals with just the right amount of color pop. 

I have to admit, I was a little weary when it came to choosing a florist and I completely underestimated how important it is to have someone handle such delicate details. Yes, I know that flowers contribute to the look and feel of the day and they smell fabulous, but I definitely overlooked the fact that a choice on flower styles and color completely impacts a lot of the other decisions going forward (at least for me). Now that we have set the beginning stages for the floral arrangements, I am trying to decide on colored pocket squares for the guys, the right shade of blush heels for the girls, floral sashes for the littler ones. 

One way to communicate the vision of the day that has been immensely helpful, is to share inspiration boards via Pinterest (and it would be an understatement to say I am slightly obsessed with this site). From the get-go Kim compiled images that inspired the look of our day -- she practically got my vision before I did. 

Here are just a couple pics that inspired my own board (without giving too much away!):

The first is a bridal bouquet combo with accents of dusty miller and brunia berries. Love!