Weddingbee PRO

This is the final part of the series “Rainy Day Weddings.”

Photographer Kim Chapman

Don’t be afraid of the rain! They can be some of the most spectacular shots! Do be prepared with several matching umbrellas for the wedding party! Be daring! Run out into the rain! Catch the rainbow if you can!!

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Every once in a while I get a request from a bride about an outdoor wedding, and she says she doesn’t like or want a tent. My first response is usually “are you from the West Coast?” as many weddings happen successfully without tents in California, where the weather is much more predictable. This got me thinking about tents in general, so I thought I would share some of our favorite tent photos as well as some insight into tents.

In no particular order…

1. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you always need a tent, no matter what time of year you’re getting married.

2. You should plan on getting the next size up in your tent if you are planning for an outside ceremony or cocktail hour. If it starts to rain, you can always have the ceremony in one section of the tent and wall off the reception area with some fabric. This is a very cost effective way to ensure a rain plan.

3. If you can afford it, floor your tent. There’s nothing worse than a guest ruining their shoes in the grass, or dealing with uneven surfaces to place your tables. Not only will your guests appreciate sitting or standing on an even surface, but your florist will love you even more because they’ll be placing centerpieces on level tables. There’s nothing quite like a tall centerpiece leaning to one side filled with water and flowers….yikes.

4. A tent is a completely blank canvas, so you can add design elements as you please, without worrying about the space dictating your color scheme. There are lots of design elements that will add to a tent, such as:

• uplighting and washing the ceiling with LEDs
• addition of a fabric liner or chiffon panels to soften the ceiling and make the space more intimate
• chiffon side tent panels to soften the perimeter of the tent
• addition of lights to the poles in a number of different ways

Photos by KPW

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I have a lot of brides who cringe when I ask them if they’d like to see their groom before the ceremony. “It’s tradition. I don’t want to jinx anything,” is a common answer. Do you know how this tradition came about? Kate Mann looked into it and found this excerpt from Emily Post:

Can’t I see my fiancée before the wedding on the big day?

Q: My mother insists that I not see my bride-to-be on the day of the wedding until the ceremony. Is this customary in today’s weddings?

A: Most couples today have disregarded the musty old superstition of the bridegroom not seeing his bride before the ceremony on the day of the wedding. The superstition stems from the days when marriages were arranged and the groom might never have seen the bride. There was a chance that he might take one look at her and bolt – so it was often safer for them to meet for the first time at the altar! This, of course, is a custom that these days certainly does not need to be followed, unless of course it’s something you both feel strongly about.

So, since that really isn’t the case too often anymore, why not consider this taboo? Not only is it a great way to schedule your photos and ensure you enjoy your cocktail hour, but the moment when you first see each other is always magical- beyond words actually.

That’s why I asked three fabulous photographers in New England to send me some of their favorite “First Moment” shots. Take a look and tell me you wouldn’t love to experience this yourself?

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This is part 2 of the series Rainy Day Weddings.

Photographer David Murray:

If you know inclement weather is coming, one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is that the bride and groom set the tone for the day. If they’re enjoying the rain and having a great time, then your guests will enjoy the day as well. For stylish and classic outdoor photos, consider buying a few white umbrellas.

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A lot of brides are concerned with the one thing they have no control over -the weather. For outdoor weddings the weather can certainly put a damper on things, but if you plan ahead and have a great “rain scenario” it won’t matter what the sky is doing.

I thought it would be a good idea to show some of the images that are captured from rainy day weddings and to ask some of my favorite photographers to give a bit of advice concerning the subject matter.

Photographer Amy Salerno:

On rainy days you get really wonderful light that makes the photos soft and moody, and I think it’s really romantic. Besides, what’s more romantic than holding your sweetie close while sharing an umbrella?

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Liesl Clark of Claris Photography has taken some beautiful boudoir photographs for many of our brides. I have always been curious about the process and the end result. I asked Liesl to put together some images to give you an idea of how stunning and simple boudoir photography can be. I also asked her to explain the process from a photographer’s point of view.
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Some brides come to us with the vision of a traditional wedding which includes the classic wedding cake, complete with a topper and cutting ceremony. Others ask for the exact opposite, serving simple pies and bunt cakes. Brides are also looking for alternative desserts, either to replace the wedding cake or to add to it. I have compiled some images from vendors we’ve worked with in the past, showcasing desserts from the traditional to the over-the-top!

The classic wedding cake…there are so many styles to choose from -fresh flowers, sugar paste, fondant and buttercream. Check out these incredible designs! Cakes by Something Sweet By Michelle.

Custom shaded purple fondant with a shimmering overlay. Sugar paste flowers and ribbon draping complete the look of this unique creation.

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We had such a great time on Martha’s Vineyard and Chappy for our clients Serena and Ted’s wedding. Although this wedding involved more planning than any other wedding we have ever coordinated, especially in the realm of transportation, we had a blast with both their families and friends and were so happy to be a part of their wedding week.

The wedding events really started on Wednesday, and we have photos of Thursday’s “welcome” lobster bake and the wedding on Saturday.

A festive, yet casual themed lobster bake…

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I get asked this question so many times from my clients. This is what I’m hearing from brides today about the pros and cons of both options:

First, the classic reasons not to have a DJ or to definitely hire a band:

1. I want the crowd to really get into dancing so I have to have a band. A DJ just won’t cut it.

2. DJs are so cheesy — they have props and light shows.

3. My guests expect a certain level of sophistication from us, so we have to have a band.

4. Live music just kicks things up a notch.

5. My guests want to be entertained throughout the night, and a band is just the thing!

Now the reasons why a band is not selected or why people love DJs:

1. I just can’t afford a great band; I’m playing it safe and going with a DJ.

2. I want a lot of originals to be played- no one can sing like Michael Jackson!

3. There isn’t a lot of room at my reception venue, and I don’t want the band to take up too much space.

4. I want a lot of current music, and I know a band doesn’t know all of those songs.

5. We have a very diverse group of guests, and I want to be able to have music for everyone to enjoy!

There are a lot of points I agree with here, but I want the experts to tell you their side of the story. That’s why I’m going to be posting interviews from DJs, bands and ceremony/cocktail hour musicians, to tell us why they should be hired and what the pros and cons are of their individual industry.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks to learn a bit more about one of the most talked about aspects of a wedding!

We’re so excited to welcome yet another member into the PRO Hive, the fabulous wedding and floral designer Kate Parker.  Kate creates some of the most elegant New England affairs, and even planned our own Emilie Sommers’ St. John nuptials.  She has tons of advice and inspiration to share, so please help me in giving her a warm hive welcome!

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Hello Weddingbee PRO readers!

I am so excited to be blogging with such a fabulous group of wedding vendors!  I hope I can provide some inspiration and insight into the wedding industry to help you plan your weddings.  Now for a little bit about KPW and me….

Kate Parker Weddings was founded officially in 2003, and we started as a small boutique day-of coordination firm.  After our first and only 2003 NYC client, we realized that most brides looking to New England as a destination wedding location needed much more than day-of coordination, so we started offering full coordination only and the company grew and grew.  We now offer full floral and event design services, paper products, welcome baskets, rentals, lounge furniture, lighting and music entertainment services.  Sort of a one-stop shop really.  I actually graduated from UNH with a degree in voice performance - go figure.

So with my experience on the operatic stage from college, I thought “brides can’t be any worse than sopranos” , and the business was launched soon thereafter.  I absolutely love the wedding industry, helping brides navigate through the stress and come out with a beautiful event to celebrate the joining of two people.  Doesn’t really get any better than that.

I hope you enjoy our blog posts and photos!  Here are some pictures from a recent event on Great Diamond Island!

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