Newport Wedding Planner & Team In Full Force...

Hi all...

I have not forgotten about you. As A Newport Wedding Planner, it is high season and things here at Raina Dawn Events are just jam packed with planning, new clients, a huge Newport wedding this weekend and so many exciting things happening we can't wait to share with you.

After this fabulous wedding in Newport, Rhode Island this weekend is complete & the bride and groom are on their honeymoon, I promise to be back in action with TONS of Newport, RI info, planning tips, exciting news about Raina Dawn Events & much, much more blogging excitement!!

Stay tuned and I will be back next week!!

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Here is a sneak peek at my birthday on Aug. 10th at a fabulous restaurant in DC called Oya. These are taken with my brand new Nikon camera (one of my birthday gifts I got that I just absolutely LOVE !!!).

I also can't wait to tell you about the other amazing birthday gift that came on my birthday...you will have to stay tuned ; )

There I am making a very important birthday wish...it's a SECRET!

I will say...

Life is about celebrating and enjoying every moment...not only the big occasions, but all the precious little moments in between.

I want to send a special thank you to my amazing clients, my dear friends, my loving family and of course my special Guy...for all your love, support & birthday wishes..."Life is good"!!

Raina Dawn Events teams up with Castle & Pierpont...

I am so excited about the photo shoot we did this past week...although it was not in Newport, the photographer is a Rhode Island based photog who I wanted to share with you and I thought I would let you what Raina Dawn Events is up to.

We joined with the talented & amazing Castle & Pierpont to design a stunning table scape for a photo shoot.

My fabulous friend Rori from Castle & Pierpont is such a talent an I feel so lucky to have teamed up with her on this project.

We had such a great day at a stunning location right outside of NYC called Wave Hill...the grounds are phenomenal...reminded me of Newport in many ways.

To top it off my friends at Haute Papier custom designed the menu and table number cards...a sneak peek at those to come soon.

Ruth Fischl provided the stunning furniture and Broadway Party Rentals provided the table settings.

Here are a few shots for a sneak peek...

Above are great shots of Wave Hill…..

Michelle from Main Event Weddings is a Rhode Island vendor you should definitely check out!! She took gorgeous photographs of our table scape you can see there!

Here I am...with Rori of Castle and Pierpoint, finalizing the plan for their table scape.

Carrie Rodman Wedding Photography of Newport, RI & her recent wedding at The Regatta Place.

Another awesome Newport wedding blog post thanks to my dear friend and amazing wedding photographer Carrie Rodman Photography! Carrie is sharing her wedding photography secrets with us and a gorgeous recent Newport Wedding she photographed .

Carrie and I go way back to our NYC publishing days...she is passionate about her weddings and brings NYC talent to Newport!

Carrie shares her secrets behind wedding photography with us, along with Meghan & Jason's wedding at the Regatta Place June 21, 2009...

Meg and Jay were a joy to photograph. They have a little boy Owen who was just precious in his seersucker suit. What was endearing about this couple, their devotion to each other and Owen. Their wedding was a fun celebration

of the family they had already started long before the vows were said. I was honored to be a part of their special day.

Carrie's SECRETS...

When I first sit down with a potential client, it is a mutual interview. I really know having a connection with my couples is fundamental.

It establishes a level of trust, allowing me to capture a wedding in a very intimate way. An emotional bond not only elevates the work, it ensures that we will have a fun day.

Basically, I love photography and my brides . That sentiment resonates in my work, pure and simple.

What I tell my couples is common sense, when it comes to selecting a photographer. You really need to like your photographer, just as much as you like their work. If you love both, even better.

I am an art director just as much as a photographer. The "candid" moments that people gravitate to in my book, are usually crafted by me in someway.

Good art direction encompasses things like knowing how to make people comfortable, being sensitive, moving and motivating people,what angles are flattering, collaborating with my couples and wedding planners, it is knowing when to move on if something isn't working, etc.....

Art direction is one of my fortes. It is a skill just like taking a great picture. The combination of the two have allowed me to be successful in both my commercial and wedding careers.

Check out Carrie's gorgeous studio in Newport, RI LightWave Studio...yes I know, it looks like a loft in Tribeca!

Sayles Livingston Flowers...Newport, Rhode Island Wedding Decor.

Today I am thrilled to feature my friend and fabulous florist Sayles of Sayles Livingston Flowers!

If you are looking for stunning floral and decor ("and unusual arrangements") for your Newport wedding you MUST make sure to hire Sayles!! She is one of the best floral designers in Southern New England, not to mention has been in the wedding and event industry for over 15 years and is truly a delight to work with!

Don't forget to follow Sayles blog at "Fresh Cuts".

Sayles has shared a few of her "SECRETS" with us...

1. One of my “secrets” is that designing flowers is just like interior design and a good designer must not be afraid of interesting color combinations or textures!

2. Also, every wedding is a new and unique experience. We treat each client like they were the first and only one. A wedding is a very emotional and special day and the bride and groom should be well taken care of with a calm and thoughtful approach.

3. Never hire a vendor you don’t trust!

Vintage Postcard Save-The-Date of Newport, Rhode Island!

Check out these fun vintage post card save-the-dates that were custom done by Haute Papier!

As a wedding planner I am always trying to suggest stylish, original ideas that are really creative and suit the wedding and couple. One of my clients who will be doing a destination wedding in Newport, Rhode Island loved my idea of hiring Haute Papier to design their own, personalized STD for their wedding...look how fabulous they turned out!

My client got to choose their favorite vintage post card image of Newport & compose a message to their guests. Below, is another Haute Papier post card they feature on their website for a wedding in Washington, DC. I just love these!!