Michelle & John's Welcome Dinner Clambake in Newport, RI

Today is "Part 1" of the absolutely gorgeous and awesome events that took place for Michelle & John's wedding this past August. Even more gorgeous... the couple!!

Today I will start with these simply stunning photographs...the SECRETS behind the beautiful shots... the absolutely fabulous Mariah of Snap! Photography. You must also check out her blog post on their "Snap! Happy Blog" because her commentary is the best!!

So when it came to planning Michelle & John's wedding in Newport, RI

Raina Dawn Events planned not only the wedding day,

but the entire week of events starting on Thursday going through Sunday.

Here is a peak at their Friday Night "Welcome Clambake Dinner"

All 160 guests attended!

We watned to insure that this was not your average red & white checkered clambake decor
so Raina Dawn Events teamed up with the 
"oh-so-fabulous" Perfect Surroundings & Rentals Unlimited 
to created this"Platinum Clambake"!!

Florida Gator Groom's Cake at The Clambake...

John & Michelle met in college- crazy Gator fans : )

How FAB is this cake...

At the request of the bride & groom I had custom designed Koozies made for all of their guests to keep their beers cool at the clambake & when they get home...

At Raina Dawn Events we love the details...

so we had these nautical lobster coasters designed...how cute!

Michelle & John's initials are M&J...

so I thought we just had to have a Signature Cocktail Mojitos

passed around with these napkins

"M&Jitos" (aka "Mojitos)

We also created these adorable custom designed Welcome Bags

with a nautical feel that each guest received when they entered their hotel room.

Each bag is lined and is a little cooler bag that guests can use and take home with them.

There were maps, custom itinerary info packet with transportation and where to be, snacks, water, Tylenol, you name it!

Check back soon to see the new line of "RDE Welcome Bags"

you can purchase A La Carte if you are interested!

Obsessed with the details...

so Raina Dawn Events personally designed and printed these

adorable lobster information cards that were on all the tables.

We wanted to do a sophisticated & nautical Save-The-Date,

so we had these custom design vintage postcards designed...

Here comes Michelle & John...

They are coming to check out what we have done for them...

Here is the first sneak peek at the "Platinum Weddings" camera crew.

They are chatting with John & Michelle about what they think of the amazing Gator cake and all the decor!

How beautiful and sweet are they! : )

Delicious New England Clam Chowder...of course!

There I am : ) with Tania from McGrath's & the "Platinum Weddings" camera crew...

they wanted to make sure everything is going as planned- which of course it was ; )

Mike Buzz Media Company (and Erica!) you simply ROCK!!

John rings the bell for dinner...

T.R. McGrath himself!!

Unbelievable & delicious...

nothing like a true traditional New England Clambake!!

There is Gloria & Al, awesome speech Al...Mariah it made me laugh and cry too.

And thanks for the shout out Al : )

John & Michelle tells "Platinum Weddings" what they think of the night...

I can't wait to watch to see what they said!!

Excited for their big day tomorrow...

Check back on Monday for lots more on John & Michelle's wedding!

Raina Dawn Events goes Platinum on WeTV!!

Raina Dawn Events goes Platinum on WeTV!!

The SECRET is out & the news that arrived on my birthday is revealed...

Platinum Weddings on the WeTV Network filmed my most recent wedding in Newport, Rhode Island just a few weeks ago. This is the first and only Newport, RI Platinum Wedding they have ever filmed...actually the only one in all of New England!

I feel honored to have been featured as THE Platinum Weddings Wedding Planner for Newport, RI. Most of all I feel so lucky to have planned and had the opportunity to coordinate such an amazing wedding and weekend of events for Michelle & John!

I can't wait to share with you all of my SECRETS in planning a Platinum Wedding, why this wedding was so special, who the Newport Platinum vendors were and lots, lots more.

So I have to send a big thank you to Emily...you rock & if you ever decide you want to leave producing and do wedding planning you must let me know ; )

Chris, Issac, and Christine (our crew from LA for 4 days) you were awesome...thank for your patience, for making us all look fabulous and for being part of such an exciting weekend!

Platinum Weddings and WeTV thank you for showcasing the elegance, caliber and sophistication that Raina Dawn Events brought to Michelle & John's wedding and that we pride ourselves on bringing to every wedding we plan!!

Most of all I want to thank Michelle & John, The Cassidy's & The Bannon's!!!

Stay tuned for lots more on my Platinum Wedding, the gorgeous and amazing bride & groom, all the Newport Wedding Planner SECRETS and of course all of the stunning photos to come...

Happy Labor Day & Happy 30th Birthday Ricky!!

Raina Dawn Events wishes you a Happy Labor Day and is back in full force for Fall!

Things have been super busy here up through this Labor Day weekend...we have been planning weddings and parties, along with getting ready for a ton of exciting news and events to share with you.

To kick off this exciting week of blog posts...

I will start by wishing my mother a Happy 21st Birthday (or so we are saying ; )

and I want to wish my "little" brother Ricky a very Happy 30th Birthday!!

Rick's birthday was yesterday, Sept. 6th, so we threw him a SURPRISE party last week at Cowgirl NYC. It was so much fun I just had to share some pics with you...

He loves BBQ, so I thought how perfect...

Cowgirl has this awesome private room & bar

with delicious ribs, corn bread, margs, you name it...how fab!

Then came the SURPRISE...

Ricky was SHOCKED ; )

I quote "You got me...good one!"

Jenessa...it was so fun planning this together & I love that he couldn't understand why you were wearing a dress as you headed off to dinner at BBQ restaurant ; )

how cute are these custom cowgirl boot birthday napkins & coasters...

the staff at Cowgirl were fantastic, they worked the tunes with me and were so into the surprise...they even had a code word and calling system down so we knew when he was coming!

yummy red velvet and vanilla with chocolate icing cupcakes "to boot"

Ricky makes a special wish...

me and my "little" bro ; )

Check back tomorrow for the revealing of the exciting news about Raina Dawn Events that came on my birthday last month. Also tons of great Newport Wedding Planner Tips & Secrets and gorgeous Newport Weddings!

p.s. loving my new Nikon camera...party planner (aka "photographer")... I think the pics are gorgeous if I do say so myself ; )