Click here for the FULL rehearsal dinner!

Because the wedding took place on an island and it was a destination wedding for everyone, it was important to the couple and their parents that all of the weekend’s events reflected a warm, intimate and hospitable atmosphere. The rehearsal dinner did that and more, and it really set the tone for the following day. The groom’s parents hosted a fabulous traditional lobster clambake, complete with fire pit and lobster bibs that said “Alice & Ben” above a red lobster. During cocktail hour, the guests wandered about the property, which includes lovely stone walls, grazing horses and an idyllic pond. For dinner, the guests were seated under a beautiful tent at nine long tables lined with gorgeous sunflowers and set with mason jar mugs, black-and-white checkered tablecloths and red napkins. A close friend of the groom’s brilliantly emceed a program of roughly 15 toasts and speeches. The night concluded with a fantastic slideshow created by a sister of the groom, and everyone departed having eaten well and laughed hard in a truly lovely setting.

Photography: Christian Oth Studio / Venue: The Captain R. Flanders House / Coordination: Julie Hatt / Catering: Lobster Tales / Flowers: Island Ambiance / Tent, Linens + Table Settings: Tilton Tents / Liquor: Edgartown Market / Invitations: Bryn Chernoff of Paperfinger / Lobster Bibs: Sand Scripts / MC: A Friend of the Groom / Slideshow: A Sister of the Groom

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Post tags: Black, Bryn Chernoff, Captain Flanders Inn, Christian Oth Studios, Edgartown Market, Island Ambiance, Julie Hatt, Lobster Tales, Paperfinger, Red, Rehearsal Dinner, Sand Scripts, Tilton Tents, White
Post categories: Casual Elegance, event, Massachusetts Weddings, Real Parties

Click here for the FULL rehearsal dinner!

From Lydia FitzGerald of Charmed Places… This event is near and dear to my heart. It was a labor of love to plan and execute and both my clients, their guests and I were extremely happy with the outcome. The dinner took place at Grasmere Farm in Rhinebeck, New York, which is not yet known as an event venue. The last private event to be held at Grasmere prior to this rehearsal dinner was the rehearsal dinner for Chelsea Clinton the summer before. With that level of event preceding ours, I knew I had to work with my clients and vendors to create an event that honored this occurrence, as well as the space itself and of course, my client’s wishes — one of which was not to upstage the wedding the following day. Yikes! Hard to do when working with such a naturally beautiful and grand location. The barn at Grasmere is a raw space with no power or running water. Among other things, I had the space power washed and a load of gravel delivered and raked to ensure that the beautiful lounge setting on the massive gravel courtyard in front of the stone barn would make a statement to guests as they arrived.

On the day of the event, guests were directed to an unmarked entrance to the property. A long and winding drive lined with lanterns that we installed that took them past massive fields, a large pond and up to entrance to the courtyard and barns. After several consecutive days of rain we were fortunate to have a beautiful and sunny day. Guests spent cocktail hour in the courtyard sipping on champagne and a specialty cocktail of marinated blackberries, fresh mint, vodka and seltzer, listening to spanish guitar melodies provided by a live musician. With one entire side of the 7,000 sq ft barn exposed, we made sure that guests were moved inside the barn for dinner before sunset so they could take in the view of rolling lawns, haystacks and blue sky before night came. Dinner was festive but intimate, with the lighting design of the barn’s interior becoming more apparent as day became night. With September being the start of harvest season in the Hudson Valley, guests sampled local produce in an heirloom tomato salad with champagne vinaigrette and grass-fed Hudson Valley beef with local chanterelle mushrooms. Many toasts were given, and a lovely and sweet video montage of the couple was played for guests. When it was time to leave, no one wanted to go! At the end of the evening the bride ran up to me, grabbed me and exclaimed, “Thank you for making this evening so special!” Mission accomplished!

Event Planning: Lydia FitzGerald of Charmed Places / Venue: Grasmere Farm in Rhinebeck, New York / Photography: Randy Ahart of Photo Pink / Event Design + Florals: Lisa Riso of The Greenhouse at Rhinebeck / Lighting Design: Salvin Design / Catering: Main Course Catering

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Post tags: Charmed Places, Grasmere Farm, Hudson Valley, Lisa Riso, Lydia FitzGerald, Main Course Catering, New York, Photo Pink, Purple, Randy Ahart, Rehearsal Dinner, Rhinebeck, Salvin Design, The Greenhouse at Rhinebeck
Post categories: Hudson Valley Weddings, New York Weddings

The rehearsal dinner – What an evolving concept full of creative potential. Usually held after the ceremony rehearsal and the night before the wedding, guests generally include the wedding party but may also include extended family and out-of-town guests. Consider this extension of the celebration a wonderful way to make the whole weekend thematic and full of inspiration.

Join us as we tell a tale of romantic meets bohemian. Set amidst the gardens of a 1924 mansion, the inspiration for this rehearsal dinner photo shoot (conceptualized by LVL Wedding & Events, Found Rentals, Inviting Occasion, and Hitching Post PR) incorporated a love for reading and for writing. Think, a la Shakespeare.

Create a place for guests to feel comfortable, like an inviting living room. Conversations will grow beneath these gold chandeliers and around the refurbished red velvet wingback chairs, gold armchairs with grain sack upholstery and rolled arm couches. Vintage books, glass candles embraced in novel pages, antique picture frames, worn-in leather luggage, and oversized pillar candles dotted with champagne cork flowers and strung wine corks adorn the mantel while a cascade of book pages and roses flow out of the fireplace.

Design a warm and welcoming dinner atmosphere where guests can eat, drink and be merry. The goal is to have the evening less formal and save more intricate designs for the following night, while still setting the mood and keeping with the feel of the weekend. A weathered cupboard door announces the oversized menu, replacing traditional individual menu cards. You and your love can take your seats in a navy blue wingback settee at the head of the table underneath the pergola. Iron and wood architectural doors designed with hanging books that spell out a love sonnet frame the backdrop for the picture perfect event. Centerpieces were created using a Remington typewriter, deconstructed books and pages, feathers, glass orbs and a variety of Roses, Hanging Amaranthus, Poppy and Scabiosa pods, Magnolia leaves, Dinner Plate and Pom Pom Dahlias, and berries. Family and friends gather on assorted antique wooden chairs around the grey farm table where they feast under the stars served family-style on bronze and pewter pieces.

Gathering guests in an intimate, less formal environment allows them to get to know each other and connect so that when the wedding day comes, the ice is broken and they can get down to business – celebrating you and your love.

Rentals, Décor, and Event Design: Found Rentals / Floral & Event Design: Inviting Occasion / Planning & Design: LVL Weddings & Events / Catering: Colette’s Catering Extraordinaire / Paper Goods: Sayeh Studios / Venue: Muckenthaler Mansion / Photography: Studio EMP / Video: Crescent Bay Films / Music: Denny White / Producer: Hitching Post Public Relations

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Post tags: Books, Colette's Catering Extraordinaire, Color Palette Red Pink, Corks, Cresent Bay Films, Denny White, FOUND Rentals, Grapes, Hitching Post Public Relations, Inspiration Shoot, Inviting Occasion, Library, literary, LVL Weddings & Events, Muchenthaler Mansion, Outdoor, Rehearsal Dinner, Rustic, Sayeh Studios, Shakespeare, Studio EMP, Vintage, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Inspiration, Wedding Planners & Designers, Wine
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Pineapple Productions…When Mary and I first started working together, she showed me photographs of a beautiful al fresco dinner set within a community garden in an urban area.  She hoped her rehearsal dinner would have the same feel — from the casual-but-chic outdoor setting to the seasonal fresh-from-the-garden cuisine.

We were all set with the perfect venue, the perfect caterer and the perfect floral designer when Mother Nature threw us a curve ball.  Record high temperatures hit Washington, DC, and the extreme heat and humidity made it impossible to be outdoors, even in the late evening.  Vendors worked together at the last minute to move the event to an indoor location and then to craft a plan that preserved Mary’s urban garden style inspiration.

To keep the al fresco feeling alive, rather than cancelling the market umbrellas, we kept them.  We just moved them into an art studio space with lofty ceilings.  From those lofty ceilings, Holly Heider Chapple hung an assortment of lanterns — some weathered wood, some nickle, some bronze — and interspersed them with suspended clutches of baby’s breath to add an ethereal and natural quality to the studio setting.

We completely re-worked the floor plan, using a mix of long rectangular tables and rounds dressed in heavy natural linen in a seamist and ivory color.  Some linens were striped, and others were in a graphic Grecian key pattern for a dressed up picnic feel.  Holly placed more lanterns on the tables, as well as herb pots and wooden boxes filled with dahlias, roses, hydrangeas and thistle in cheery coral, red  and blue tones.

The menu reflected favorites from Mary’s home state of Texas and her new home of Michigan.  Texas style watermelon margaritas and cans of Michigan’s own Vernor’s Ginger Ale were passed on trays as guests arrived for the party.  We also set up a beer bar featuring Mary and John’s favorite Michigan microbrews.  The buffet featured firecracker tenderloin of beef, pecan crusted chicken, crab cake sliders and Texas “caviar” made from black eyed peas and colorful peppers.  Dessert included Southern style caramel cake as well as hand pies made from Michigan cherries.

Venue: Halcyon House / Event Planner:  Allison Jackson of Pineapple Productions /Caterer: Design Cuisine / Photography: Kate Headley / Floral Design: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD / Invitations: Just Paper and Tea / Calligraphy + Signage: Arney Walker Calligraphy

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Post tags: Arney Walker Calligraphy, Design Cuisine, Halcyon House, Holly Heider Chapple, Just Paper and Tea, Kate Headley, Pineapple Productions, Rehearsal Dinner, Washington DC
Post categories: The Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination…While I love a bride who is completely into personalizing their wedding day designs, I know that not all brides are ready to commit to that trend- especially our more traditional brides who are born and raised in New Orleans! We wanted those brides to know that there was a way to have the best of both worlds and prove to them that personalizing your event doesn’t mean that it has to be a “theme.” I designed and personalized this rehearsal dinner to show couples that it is okay to bring their heritage, passions, and personalities into their wedding parties! I based the designs of this rehearsal dinner on my own family’s heritage of oyster fishing. We named each of our dinner tables an oyster dish, incorporated oyster shells in the table decor, and even built an oyster chandelier!  We also incorporated burlap, which oyster sacks are made out of {and a huge trend right now, as you know}! All small touches of the family without coming off as super themed! While oysters and burlap are very raw elements, we added the wedding glam by incorporating mercury glass and sequins–the perfect marriage where rustic meets chic!

We chose the beautifully unique backdrop of Race and Religious, a venue in New Orleans that has so much character and personality in itself! The messy clay, exposed brick, and gas lanterns exuded the unique Nola vibe that we were going for!

By using a bunch of DIY things {the chandelier, burlap and jute wrapped candles, pearl wrapped champagne flutes, banner, pool monogram, and bench swag}, we created a perfectly attainable and unique rehearsal dinner. My incredible team of vendors, and fantastic photographer, helped immensely to bring my vision to life and capture it perfectly! We hope to have given brides some ideas and inspired them to take a chance and add some of themselves to any of their wedding parties! It will separate their wedding from every other wedding! Enjoy!

Planning + Design: Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination / Photography: Greer G Photography / Floral Design: Bee’s Weddings and Events / Lighting Decor: Luminous Events / Invitation Suite: Tupelo Honey / Venue: Race and Religious / Make-up: Ashley Melzer Sievert / Hair: Ginger Dickey at Color Bar Salon / Sweets: Sucre / Dress: Alice + Olivia via Saks

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Post tags: Ashley Melzer Sievert, Bee's Weddings and Events, Color Bar Salon, Greer G Photography, Inspiration Shoot, Louisiana Wedding, Luminous Events, New Orleans, Race and Religious, Rehearsal Dinner, Rustic Chic, Sucre, Tupelo Honey, Tying the Knot Wedding Coordination
Post categories: Photo Shoot, The Blog, Wedding Style

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Bliss Event Productions…This couple hosted a really fun and unique welcome reception for their guests the evening before the wedding.  A local Napa winery was the location for a Napa Valley style BBQ followed by a feature movie under the stars.  We filled the lawn of the winery with blankets and pillows facing the movie screen.  We had a custom espresso/coffee cart with a barista making coffee’s for the guests and a fully stocked movie candy bar.  And of course a popcorn cart popping fresh popcorn throughout the movie.

From the Bride…The night after we were engaged I remember being so anxious to start the planning process that I spent several hours in the middle of the night on Amazon.com buying every wedding design book I could get my hands on. Although I work on events by trade, I really had no idea of what I wanted for my own wedding. The only thing I did know was the location; since our friends and family are scattered throughout the country it was going to be a destination for most of our guests no matter where the locale, and there is something so decidedly modern and elegant about Napa that we just couldn’t resist. We’re also huge foodies- food and wine was one of our biggest priorities of the evening– and we knew that we couldn’t go wrong in the land of celebrated wine and Michelin stars.

I immediately enlisted the help of Brandy from Bliss Event Productions and after one phone call I knew I would be lucky to have her. She has an uncanny ability to bring your thoughts to life and elevates every detail along the way. For example, I knew that I wanted to use Tiffany luggage tags to welcome guests and with Brandy’s help we created a Save the Date that was composed of a luggage tag that read “Destination: Napa!” and the guest’s name that sat upon a corresponding Save the Date card, all wrapped up in a Tiffany box and bow. After all, how could someone say no after receiving a blue box in the mail? I loved that it set the stage for the event we had in store.

I fell in love with the wedding venue as soon as we drove up the long, oh-so-gorgeous tree lined avenue at the entrance of the Estate but it took us a few tries to find the site of the Welcome Dinner. We knew that we wanted a spot that was completely different from the wedding venue, a spot that took advantage of the beautiful Napa vineyards and allowed guests to have the wine tasting experience of a winery. However, once we found the newly opened Valley Gate Vineyard, with its sweeping views and rustic charm, we knew it was perfect. We wanted an evening that was whimsical, sunny, and cheerful. Brandy and I conceived of the idea of having a movie under the stars as a nod to Adam and his love of film. Guests played croquet on the front lawn and sipped wine, melon mojitos, and lavender lemonade before a dinner of roast chicken, molasses baked beans, and jalapeno corn bread.  After dinner, we created the complete movie going experience with a coffee cart, Izze soda, a popcorn machine, and colorful boxes of movie candy. We snuggled up with pillows and fleece blankets, and as the sun set on the eve of our wedding day we watched Father of the Bride under the stars. We loved that it gave us another opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and it was the perfect prelude for what was to come.

We really did have a veritable dream team of vendors that brought such passion and expertise to their work that I always knew we were in good hands: the incomparable Tiffany from Adeline & Grace who is amazing both in front of and behind a lens, Kate from Flowerwild whose stunning work looks as though it is plucked from a still life painting, the amazing Paula le Duc who made dinner service appear effortless (guests are still raving about the hamachi cones!), Reverend Jacqueline Eigen who handled an interfaith marriage nimbly and gracefully, and DJ Adam Bomb whose music really did bring the house down. There are so many indelible moments for me from that weekend, and to be able to share it all with our family and friends really did make it an affair to remember.

Photography: Adeline and Grace Photography / Planning + Design: Bliss Event Productions / Movie Projection: Wine Valley Entertainment, Adam Jobe / Linen Rentals: La Tavola Linen / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Location: Valley Gate Vineyards / Coffee Bar Cart: Maya Espresso Catering / Paper Goods: Paisley Quill

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Post tags: Adeline & Grace Photography, Bliss Event Productions, Classic Party Rentals, La Tavola Linen, Maya Espresso Catering, Napa, Rehearsal Dinner, Valley Gate Vineyards, Wine Valley Entertainment
Post categories: The Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Olivia Griffin Photography... This is definitely the most eventful rehearsal dinners I’ve ever photographed.  Everything was thought out by the event planner and the groom’s mother, Jan.  Julie, the bride, loves to fish so the groom’s mother decided to do a fishing theme for the dinner.  I thought this was very thoughtful and sweet of Jan.  Also, the groom’s family is big in the golf scene.  The groom and the groom’s father are actually in the PGA tour and quite successful golfers.  Because of this, the family likes to go with themes other than “golf” for big gatherings.

The rehearsal was held at the Old Edwards Inn, the Farm and then the dinner was held at the Bascom. The place settings were really unique.  Each table was identified by a rock painted with the name of a lake that Julie had fished from so the guests had to find a rock with their name painted on one side and the name of a lake on the other side.

Dinner was served “family style”, which means each table received a large bowl of food for each person to take a portion. Next was desert…and this was really cool.  It was called “live bait.”  Each person got a little dish of oreo crumbs with a gummy worm inside…so cute! However, what came after desert was crazy!  A brief story was told about the groom’s bachelor party weekend and being out on a boat and something about minnows and before we know it, a shot glass with live minnows is being handed out to all the groomsmen!  The reaction was fantastic and it was definitely hard to watch, but everyone took down the shot. Towards the end of the evening came many wonderful and tearful toasts…such a happy and sweet occasion

Photography: Olivia Griffin Photography / Event Planner: Walton Event Design / Videography: Jeff Bradt Video / Event Location: The Bascom / Rehearsal Location: Old Edwards Inn

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Post tags: Destination Wedding, Highlands, Jeff Bradt Video, North Carolina, Old Edwards Inn, Olivia Griffin Photography, Rehearsal Dinner, Sunflowers, The Bascom, Walton Events, Yellow
Post categories: Destination Weddings, Real Parties

Before we get to the main event, Hillary has sent over these lovely images from one of the coolest rehearsal dinners we’ve seen. Taylor’d Events was on hand for this party too, and can we just gush a little over the fantastic job she did? We had so much fun just living the event through Hillary’s photos, so we can just imagine the excitement of every guest at this party had to have been through the roof. Check it out yourself!

Don’t forget about the gallery for more of the rehearsal dinner! But now, on to the main event…

We wouldn’t want to stop the party short – so click here for the highlight of the day from Max Monohan!

We met in Sun Valley.  Bray was living there at the time and I had just returned from backpacking in Spain and was just home for Christmas.  One of my best friends was having a dinner party where Bray was cooking dinner.  We had never met before and Bray blew me away with his delicious Lobster bisque.  And the rest is history!

Bray surprised me by taking me on a seaplane ride to Port Ludlow, WA.  He didn’t tell me anything except to pack a weekend bag.  We stayed at Port Ludlow Resort and he proposed while having a picnic on the beach.  It was really romantic!

My favorite flowers are lavender and the combination of lavender flowers with green stems inspired the wedding colors. We knew that we wanted to have a big party!  So for us, the planning was easy.  We wanted a great band, lots of dancing, lots of alcohol and great food, and of course…all of our friends and family to be ther to celebrate with us!

Photography: Hillary Maybery / Cinematography: Max Monahan Productions / Catering: Judith McQueen Entertaining / Flowers: Taylor Sturges, Taylor’d Events / Event Design: Taylor Sturges, Taylor’d Events /  Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Band: Marmalade Hill / Rehearsal Dinner Venue: The Saloon / Rentals: That’s Entertainment

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Post tags: Casual Elegance, Color Palette Purple, Cowboy Boots, Cowboy Hats, Hillary Maybery, Idaho, Jimmy Choo, Judith McQueen, Max Monohan Productions, Outdoor Wedding, Rehearsal Dinner, Rustic Chic, Summer Wedding, Taylor'd Events, Wedding Photographers, Wedding Planners & Designers, Western
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog