A Wedding Story: Susan!

This week’s Wedding Story comes from a bride who had a fabulous destination wedding in fabulous LAS VEGAS!

When did you get married?
We were married on May 1, 2010

Where was your ceremony? Reception?
We had a destination wedding! Our ceremony was held in the Classico Chapel at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV. Our dinner reception was held at Canaletto, a restaurant inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

Godiva chocolate favors

What made you choose that reception location?
We originally had planned a bigger, traditional wedding in our hometown. All of our plans changed when my mom got very sick about 6 months before our original wedding date of June 13, 2009. We ended up canceling our plans to wait for her to get better. When she died, two weeks before our original date, we decided to go in a completely opposite direction for our wedding. We decided to go destination so that we could keep it small. I chose Canaletto at the Venetian because it is a beautiful restaurant with private rooms that overlook the canal that runs through the hotel. I had also eaten there before and knew that the food was amazing. It was perfect for us. There was a live string trio playing in the piazza below our private room, so we turned down the music we had playing and let the live music entertain our guests.

What was your favorite aspect of your wedding?
I truly loved our reception. We didn't have the typical reception with a dj and dancing. We simply had an amazing 6 course dinner in a beautiful room. We did keep some of the traditional elements though. The best man introduced us, we had a champagne toast, and had a phenomenal wedding cake. Because we only had 22 people there, we were able to go around and talk with all of our guests, and still were able to relax and really enjoy the evening.

What was the best resource you used during the planning process?
The Las Vegas wedding forum on theknot.com! The brides there are all so helpful and sweet. Past brides have put together a list of vendors and FAQs to help new brides in the planning process. I have formed wonderful relationships with some of the brides on that forum, and they definitely made the whole process easy and fun.

What's the one thing you would have done differently?
I wish I would have gotten more sleep the night before, I only got about 5 hours of sleep! After our reception, we had plans to go and have an after party at an outside lounge at the Mirage hotel, but I literally could not keep my eyes open! I really wish I would have been able to stay up with my guests and really enjoy the beautiful night!

Cake courtesy of Cake Designs LV

Any advice for future brides?
If you are planning a destination wedding, just know that you will have to give up some control. Also, make sure you take a minute to take it all in, the night will seriously fly by.

Photos courtesy of Deacon Tyler

If you'd like to be a Featured Wedding Story, please email me at legallybride@hotmail.com

A Wedding Story: Stef!

This week’s Wedding Story comes from former Rhode Island knottie, Stef!

When did you get married?
Sunday, May 30, 2010!

Stef’s hair and make-up were done by Sam Cavalope and Krystal Treanor, respectively.

Stef’s Bouquet, courtesy of Golden Gate Studios

Where was your ceremony? Reception?
We held both at the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, RI. Our ceremony and cocktails were outside in the gardens and our reception was inside the manor.

Some indoor & outdoor views of Glen Manor House

What made you choose that reception location?

We looked at over a dozen venues in Newport, Portsmouth and Southern Massachusetts but everything was too modern or too small or held more than one event at a time. When we walked in to the Glen we knew it was the place for us! I remember both of us were speechless and just walked around the grounds in awe. It is stunningly gorgeous with their flower gardens, gorgeous water views, the bridge and boat dock and of course the beach, rocks and woods! It has a little bit of everything! The manor itself is full of marble floors and fireplaces, antique furnishings, crystal chandeliers and all things vintage! We loved having the place to ourselves for the whole day and having Katie and Don, the care takers, take care of us for the day! It truly is your home for one very special day!

What was your favorite aspect of your wedding?
Jon and I wrote our own vows and successfully made everyone cry. We wanted to be corny, emotional and just our quirky selves. I wrote my vows to the pattern of, "Love is..." and Jon wrote his to the theme of, "We work because...". We mentioned everything from our love for the Red Sox to having ice cream for dinner and being each other's best friend. It is a moment we will never forget.

What was the best resource you used during the planning process?
We actually have several friends in the wedding business and picked their brains for information, ideas and other vendors. I will also give lots of credit to The Knot and especially the Rhode Island and Boston boards. The ladies on there are so helpful and honest and are truly supportive!

Stef’s groom along with their DJ, Victor from Party Time DJ’s

Cakes from Shemry’s Cakery

What's the one thing you would have done differently?
I would of tried to wash my hands more and have had my students do the same because I had the stomach flu on my wedding day! Silly germs...I should of sprayed down every inch of my classroom the week before! Oh well, at least I have a good story to tell the grandkids!

Any advice for future brides?
Something is going to go wrong on your wedding day. It might even be several things but you cannot help it or prevent it so you just need to go with the flow. Let someone else handle it, hire a day of coordinator or a wedding planner and be totally hands off the day of. It's your big day with your husband and just enjoy him and your wedding and don't worry about your flowers not being what you ordered. No one knows but you :) No melt downs, no bridezilla moments! No one wants to celebrate that!

Photos courtesy of David Bibeault

If you'd like to be a Featured Wedding Story, please email me at legallybride@hotmail.com

“I do” Ideas: Holiday Themed Weddings!

I love this time of year & I (obviously) love weddings; so what’s better than putting the two together?!? How do you pull this off without your wedding looking like a cheesy corporate holiday party? Let’s walk through it…

First off, the invitations will play a part in setting up your theme. You could choose a simple white and red themed invitation, don’t forget the ribbon!

Not opting for red? Check out these white & silver snowflake themed “Winter Wonderland” beauties from East Six

For bridesmaids, I like darker colors for this time of year. There’s always the classic black.

Or any other array of darker shades or jewel tones. I love this dark red.

For the ceremony, I love these white branches as décor for the Winter Wonderland theme.

Onto the reception… There are lots of fun & unique place card options for the holiday theme.

While I do like this traditional white and red place card look with snowflakes in the background,

I love these next two ideas! Using pinecones as place cards,

Or creating snowflake ornaments! You could have them hanging on branches for your guests to find!

At the reception, you have a few color options in my opinion.

You can stick with the classic deep red theme.

Work it into your tables and linens,

Centerpieces & décor,

as well as your cake!

Another festive option is metallics; gold or silver.

I love how these centerpiece are both made up of many different parts but don’t look too cluttered.

And, of course, silver or gold cakes.

Finally, you could stick with the Winter Wonderland theme & use whites, with touches of blue or purple.

I love the little touches of snowflakes here…

And at the end of the night… Favors of course!

I LOVE the idea of ornaments that your guests can put up each year and remember your special day by.

Another idea? Edible favors! I love these little snowmen & gingerbread man cookies!

x

Staying in the holiday spirit, I found these shiny silver bells that were handed out as favors with ribbon tied around them.

Finally, what better gift to your guests at the end of the year than a planner for the following year?! LOVE this idea!

Did you have a holiday wedding (or do you dream on having one)? I’d love to hear your ideas!

All images from The Knot, unless otherwise noted.