Newport Clambake "Inspired."

As A Newport Wedding Planner...I am constantly coming up with decor ideas for the New England Clambake.  Thought it isn't the season for clambakes, if you are planning ahead for your New England Clambake in the Spring/Summer 2010...check out what "Inspires" me!


Here is what I recently did for our "Platinum" Clambake Wedding Welcome Dinner. This was a DIY printable Kate Spade invitations that Raina Dawn Events custom designed for the bride & groom.  It let guests know about transportation the following day for the wedding & of course looked so cute on the tables : )

Here are some other fabulous "lobster" ideas I am "Inspired." by.... can't wait to do with my next Clambake Clients!! : )

Custom designed invitation & lobster bib for your clambake by Bird & Banner...

Inspiration from Stonewall Kitchen...

Ankasa Pillows 

(these are quite expensive pillows & one of my favorite stores in NYC... how gorgeous!!)

DIY Homebaked cookies!!

You can get the cookie cutter at Sur La Table!!

I just can't get enough of everything Clambake & Lobster! : )

I mean how FAB is this from Lollipop Events & Design...they even show you brides how to DIY... "Inspired." yet?!

Another DIY from Martha Stewart...

Inspiration from Claudia Kronenberg Photography...

You can get this look right on Amazon...check out what I found : )

And my favorite...I mean how awesome & affordable from Sand Scripts- love all of these (just need to use it in the proper way with high end decor & would be SO cute!

Lobster Placemat- use to customize your own (like the first inspriation picture)!!

Custom Wet Naps : )

Custom designed Lobster bibs...so cute & can use as a Save-The-Date!

Can't wait for Spring Clambake!!!

Raina Dawn Events -Vendor Spotlight with New Leaf Hair Studio

Raina Dawn loves my girls at New Leaf Hair Studio...Courtney, Leah & Ashley- you ROCK! : )  Check out these gorgeous hairstyles and inspirational quotes from the team.


Living in NYC and having worked on photo shoots as a producer for magazines like Glamour, Cosmo Girl!, etc. I thought how will I ever find hairstylists in Rhode Island that are the caliber I am used to in NYC...well I found them @ New Leaf Hair Studio!

"Julie's hair and make up was kept clean, fresh, and flawless! Her chignon was full of sculptured curls complemented by her lace trimmed veil. Her bridesmaids even kept it natural for the garden wedding at Linden Place, Bristol, RI."

"Alisa 's hair is a "Sex in the City" inspired style. Carrie had worn her hair like this to Charlotte's wedding--it's big, it's grand, it's perfect for a Newport wedding at Belle Mer! Alisa's hair was long but very thin and fine so I added some extensions for volume. She added the orchid (a fantastic flower for ornamentation because of it's strength) and her birdcage veil for the ceremony."

"Alison's wedding hair and make up was vintage for sure! Leah set her hair in hot rollers for volume, then perfected it with iron. We LOVE the headband trend right now. Alison's had this one made to match her very vintage, amazing dress which is a great idea. Leah kept her make up soft and natural to fit her outdoor wedding at Blithewold."

"This bride's mantilla veil was so pretty with her long hair. The veil makes a natural style a bit more glamorous"

"This style was for a seaside wedding in Maine. Instead of trying to find a starfish pin, this bride made her own by using a real white starfish."

"Kristen's hair was another 'vintage' style. It's very popular to pin the hair up in a low chignon with LOTS of texture--almost as if the hair is naturally curly and it's just pinned up."

"Sarah took out her birdcage veil after the ceremony and we put in this orchid. Her hair is long but needed fullness so we added extensions, teased the crown and gathered her hair to one side. Her green eyes were 'dramatized' with eyelashes, black liner and and neutral lip."

"Kelly's make up was natural and fresh. Her hair was what we call a textured chignon--and no extensions needed! I kept a few wisps out to keep it natural and beachy for the Cape bride. She did not want to fuss with her hair for her August wedding."

New Leaf Hair Studio is located in Bristol, RI, but they are more than happy to come to the brides room and do just the bride or the entire bridal party!  They also not only do amazing hair and know how to work with extensions (a must!), but makeup and all the other bridal services as well...thanks gals for sharing with us!!

Today Raina Dawn Events wants to Honor ALL the Veterans!!

Today is a special day...being Veterans Day, it reminds me of a number of things.  Most of all it reminds me of my father who without fail every year called his Veteran friends to thank them.  It is filled with memories of my father and every patriotic holiday he would hang our American flag so proudly. 


Today I also think of my boyfriend...my love...my "Guy"...my Veteran.


Today is a day we honor ALL Veterans past and present...humbly thank them and can never begin to repay them for their service. 

Today I also really enjoyed the blog posts on Style Me Pretty. I wanted to share a little snipet with you, but you must read Style Me Pretty for more details...a must watch, a beautiful dedication & a really special wedding in Maine!!

A must read... Style Me Pretty, Veterans Day Weddding...here is the beautiful wedding that was gifted to the filmakers behind The Way We Get By.

The Vendors: Real Weddings Maine Director, Jessika Brooks / Venue by Retreat at French’s Point / Event Design by Flora Fauna Designs and coordination by The Sweetest Thing Weddings / Photography by David Murray Weddings / Stacey Kane / Michelle Turner / Audra Photography / Catering by Silver Tureen / Tent by Sperry Tent / Cake by Let Them Eat Cake / Henna by Genevieve Levin of Blackbird Studios

The Way We Get By - Trailer from The Way We Get By on Vimeo.

On call 24/7 for the past six years, three senior citizens have made history by greeting nearly one million U.S. troops at a tiny airport in Maine. Filled with unexpected turns, their uplifting and emotional journey demonstrates the meaning of community at a time when America needs it most.

Today, Guy is attending Luke's Wings Event tonight for their Annual Veterans Day Party & Emergency Fundraiser for Fort Hood Victims at Rhinoe Bar in Washington, DC...sadly I can't be there, but wanted to give a "shout-out" and hope they have a successful event!

Brides Across America..gives back!

I am really excited about this post today... I have reached out to Heidi Janson, Founder of Bride Across America, to see how I can get more involved and help her cause.  I want to spread the word about this wonderful charity!!

When I was at The Wedding Salon show yesterday I also had the opportunity to chat with Bridal Reflections, one of the bridal stores that gives their dresses to these military brides...in one word...AWESOME!!

Brides Across America is a nationwide charity that provides free wedding gowns for military brides.  on November 11, 2009 their bridal store partners will be giving away free designer wedding gowns!!  These bridal salons across the country are pleased to reward the military personnel who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or whose fiancé’s are on active duty in these areas with this special Veteran’s Day event.

Wedding gown manufacturers and designers including Impression Bridal, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, and many more are donating sample wedding gowns to Brides Across America.    


Check out their website for the list of all the stores Nationwide who are participating in this Military Wedding Gown Giveaway Event. 

 Photo & NBC article credit

To qualify, brides must be engaged, be on active duty in the military, or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan.  All military brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof. Brides do not have to reside in the area where the giveaway is taking place. Each event has limited amounts of gowns and the event is on a first come first serve basis...so check spread the word to those you know who qualify and have them get in touch with Brides Across America right away so they don't miss this wonderful opportunity! 

 Photography credit: Alison Portis

Raina Dawn Events attended The Wedding Salon Event at The Roosevelt Hotel in NYC

Last night I attended The Wedding Salon Event at The Roosevelt Hotel.  

It was jam packed with tons of brides and vendors! 

These photos aren't my gorgeous shots from my Nikon ; )  I only had my trusty iPhone on me to grab a few pics to share with you.

The line was out the door as you can see, but luckily for Heather (former bride who was excited to come with me and browse) we skipped the line as a preferred vendor and headed inside.

Entering there were dresses and a fashion show taking place by Bridal Reflections.  I was really excited to chat with Bridal Reflections...why?  Check out my next blog post today and you will see why! Bridal Reflections 5th Ave. Salon also just expanded their store and is now featuring a new couture evening wear boutique and bridal show collection.  

The main room was busting at the seems with brides, so as Heather & I made our way around we snapped a few shots of the band, performers, dancers, and decor!

The elegant dancers from New York Wedding Dance sashed across the dance floor...they do private dance lessons with brides & grooms, will come to your home/apt. or on location and even help you with song selection if you can't decide what you want your first dance to be. 

There was the gorgeous invitations of CECI New York & her beautiful new White Label Collection!

I also chatted and although this picture does not so it justice, these cupcakes were decadent and they were all stuffed!  The Petite Cafe, Home of the Stuffed Cupcakes, if they hadn't run out of sample cupcakes we would have definitely spoiled our dinner.  

Although I am a bit tired of the cupcake tower for weddings (parties I still love it...super easy and fun), but this one was something different and special.  Here is a shot below from Stuffed Cupcakes where you can see that the cupcakes are placed in these pretty cups (the ones last night were even more dainty and sparkly) and I like having the top of the cake at the top : )  Not to mention, once again, they are STUFFED with delicious fillings...yummy!

I also was impressed and thought Eleni's cookies were well done!!  Again, something you see often, but these actually taste delicious and are high quality.  Heather said her and her (new!) husband when they first met would eat Eleni's cookies in the Chelsea Market all the time and they love them!  

I also got deep in conversation about destination weddings with D. Gordon, from the One & Only Ocean Club, Bahamas and Courtney Norris, from One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico.  I am looking forward to planing a wedding at one of those two destinations...absolutely amazing if you are a bride & groom you should definitely consider this destination wedding spot!!!  (and of course Heather walked away with information for her honeymoon she is going to be taking soon ; )

To top off the night, I chatted with Sylvia Weinstock who is known as the "Queen of Cakes" and creates and designs the most stunning and unbelievable cakes I have ever seen.  I have been fortunate to be a guest at a few weddings with the most outrageous Sylvia Weinstock cakes and got to experience as a guest what that is like- amazing!  And like she told me last night after I commented on how gorgeous her cakes are, she said and "they are also delicious!"

Photo credit: Melanie Dunea

 Check out her book... Sylvia Weinstock's Sensation Cakes.

  

When I discussed with Sylvia, that I do destination weddings, NYC, DC and specialize as A Newport Wedding Planner...she said "We go to Newport...my cakes travel all over the world!" and she was delighted to work and bring her cake take Newport or any destination wedding I am planning! : )

So for my future brides & grooms...just let me know and we will call Sylvia and you can have a cake like one of these for your wedding...just like so many celebs ; )

So it was an event overflowing with everything weddings!!

Check out full list of The Wedding Salon vendors here.

Then Heather & I grabbed a bite at Koi and called it a night ; )