Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

Do you remember any of the meals you’ve eaten at weddings over the years? I don’t, and that little fact is a big part of why Nick and I chose not to drop a ton of dough on food for the big day.

That’s not to say we’ll be serving steaming bowls of Ramen noodles to our guests. We want the food to be good. More importantly, there must be enough of it. If you run out of food, your guests are sure to remember it, possibly for years to come.

But good food doesn’t have to be crazy expensive food. It doesn’t have to blow our guests away with intricate presentation and complex flavors. It doesn’t have to be all that “Mainey,” since most of our guests are from this region. They’ve already experienced the lobster and blueberry thing, in other words.

Don’t get me wrong, the groom to-be and I love a good meal, even a fancy schmancy meal from time to time.  I have eaten foie gras and loved every decadent morsel of it. Nick has a weak spot for expensive cheeses.

We just figure that people don’t come to weddings to eat — they come to celebrate.  They expect to be fed a tasty meal that will fill their bellies (and, let’s be honest, absorb some alcohol), but not much more than that. The people we love don’t expect to be impressed.

Our tentative game plan is to serve a selection of three soups, a salad and a bunch of gourmet-ish sandwiches. I happily ripped this idea off from my sister’s wedding, after seeing how well it worked. We also snagged a chef friend of hers to provide the catering, and we’ve got an early menu sketched out. Split pea soup with parsnip and hazelnuts, mmmm.

We’re loving his ideas for simple, seasonal foods that are affordable but still rise above standard wedding fare. It’s especially refreshing after getting a catering estimate that exceeded our entire wedding budget. Still stunned by that one…

If money were no object, we’d be happy to go all out for an extravagant meal. For us, it came down to priorities. Less money spent on food means more money to spend on other things (read: honeymoon!)

Read the previous posts in Jackie’s wedding planning series:

The proposal

Will you be my maid?

Dress shopping

Engagement portraits

Torn between virtual planning tools

We have been following Brooklyn graphic designer and handmade talent Jen Pepper as she settles into life in Maine and plans her coastal New England wedding.

It’s Okay.

There are three months until our wedding. That’s it. Just three months for everything to actually come together and create a day that Matt and I will remember forever. I have to say I feel completely overwhelmed. The to-do list seems to keep expanding instead of getting smaller, the RSVP’s are rolling in and the day just keeps getting closer and closer. Since I can’t stop time or put the rest of my life on hold it’s time to start letting things go. I decided to start a running list to help keep me grounded.

It’s okay…

-that there won’t be bunting banners anymore, even though I really thought I wanted them from day one.

-to feel sad when people RSVP “no”, but remember that there have been events that you really wanted to go to that you have also had to decline in the past.

-to buy instead of DIY. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day, and if I can buy it on ETSY I’m helping to support other awesome artists.

-to make it simple. Things don’t have to be complicated or time consuming to be amazing and reflect our personalities.

-if our place settings and dessert bar don’t look magazine worthy. Our guests will enjoy the day and have an amazing time no matter what.

-that I haven’t lost as much weight as I wanted. It’s a journey not a marathon (oh gosh I can not imagine running a marathon). Matt loves me the way I am.

- to have paper straws and bakers twine even though every other wedding on every other blog has used it this month. I think they look super cute. Our guests are not reading wedding blogs everyday, so no one would ever say “oh paper straws again, that is SO last March!”

- to take ideas and advice with a grain of salt. Everyone from my amazing seamstress to my UPS driver have had tips and words of wisdom to offer in the last year. It quickly becomes overwhelming.

- that we really are not having a first dance. No matter how many people continue to try and talk us into it. It really isn’t “us”.

- to worry. But instead of letting it spiral out of control we will take steps to solve the problem instead of just becoming a bridezilla.

It really is going to be okay. It’s our wedding. No matter what happens, at the end of the day we will be married. Bonded together forever as husband and wife, that is the only detail that really matters. Even though I do need to buy some more bakers twine.

Previous posts in this series:

I’m engaged. Now what?

Decisions, decisions

How to find a wedding venue without leaving the couch

Finding a wedding venue that won’t break the bank

The wedding guest list

Let’s get organized

Wedding weight loss

Finding what’s right for you

Setting the table

Invitation dilemma

The dress(es)

Who is going to marry us?

Google Docs, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee for your spreadsheet function that allows even excel-phobes like me to organize a guest list.  You were there for me, GD, when I had all those return addresses from Christmas cards to save.

I love thee for being at my fingertips whenever I need thee, saving me from digging a hastily scribbled post-it out of my purse when it’s time to write that deposit check.

I love thee for letting me set the pace of my digital wedding planning. You know how much I regret forsaking you, if only briefly, for the Martha Stewart Weddings virtual checklist. Martha bombarded me with her avalanche of to-dos, just like you said she would GD, and I promise never to stray again.

But after all we’ve been through, can I trust you to alert me when I need to mail out save-the-dates? Will you send me cheery “X days until your wedding!” notes at regular but non-incessant intervals? Will you show me reviews of local florists, without me even having to ask?

Pinterest, we’ve had our good times too.

You’ve helped me record my scattershot moments of wedding inspiration in one convenient place. You encouraged me to share my ideas with friends, and they’re always telling me how much they love you.

I feel so creative when I’m with you Pinterest, like there’s nothing I can’t DIY.  I wish I could just quit my job and spend all my days with you.

But is that healthy Pinterest? Is it ok that I while away hours upon hours lost in your embrace, neglecting my work?

And I haven’t forgotten how you made me wait for an invitation to join you, Pinterest. It still stings, like a pin in the heart, all these days later. Some nights, I go to bed angry with you.

TheKnot, you also hold a special place in my heart. You, above all others, understand that I need both practical advice and dreamy wedding inspiration. You’re the total package, bringing all of my wedding planning needs together and never making me apologize for obsessing over tiny details.

You’re in it for the long haul, TK, with your promises of buying a house and having a baby.

But we both know I’m not the only bride in your life. You’re always bragging about the millions of women who “log on” to you every day, swooning over you for all the same reasons I do. You even nudge us to talk to each other in your forums, TK, and I’m just not that kind of girl.

Can a single virtual wedding planning tool really meet all a bride’s needs? I’m not sure I can commit to just one.

Read the previous posts in Jackie’s wedding planning series:

The proposal

Will you be my maid?

Dress shopping

Engagement portraits

Ok. Seriously? Wow. We’re all swooning over the stunning items available for rent from New England Country Rentals, a Massachusetts based gem that will service throughout New England as their name reflects. We’re so, so happy and can’t wait to start seeing more of their gorgeous pieces at upcoming weddings. Read on to hear more from Kelly and don’t miss the generous incentive to check them out at the end of the post!

L&L: Tell us a little about you and the history of New England Country Rentals.

NECR: New England Country Rentals came about when my then fiancé and I were planning our own wedding. We were in an endless search for real wooden farm tables and much to our surprise, discovered that there were no true wooden farm tables available for rent in New England. In order to create the look that we were going for, we decided to build the 22 farm tables ourselves.

Once production started we had a feeling that others were out there looking for the same style of tables so we put up a website FarmTables4Rent.com and quickly found out there was quite the demand! Within one year of launching, we expanded to New England Country Rentals and became a full service event rental company.

L&L: Describe the range of unique products you offer, and your inspiration behind them.

NECR: In addition to the basic rental items, NECR specializes the very best in rental products spanning from handcrafted furniture to high-end tableware. Each of our products have been carefully chosen to product our clients with a wide variety of options.

Our new 2012 furniture collection will include everything from wooden lounge furniture to Venetian market cards. We not only are unveiling multiple new products, but also are expanding our table inventory to include styles such as glass, concrete, wrought iron, stainless steel and driftwood.

NECR will also be expanding our tabletop and accessories collection to include hand painted Italian china, unique drinkware and brilliantly designed accessories.

L&L: Do you ever create custom products for clients? If so, what is the oddest request you have ever received?

NECR: We absolutely do create custom product for clients – we mostly build tables and accent pieces. Our oddest request… probably a request for rentals for a wedding in Australia. The bride understood that we were based on Boston but was very excited for our products!

L&L: What types of events do you primarily rent to? Describe your ideal event setting.

NECR: Most often we rent to weddings but we also provide for corporate and private events. The ideal event setting would be a wedding where the couple was looking to add some of their own personal touches to an existing venue – a private home, a tented venue, a farm, a barn, etc.

L&L: How far in advance should couples contact you for their wedding rentals?

NECR: Couples should absolutely inquire as soon as they are interested as we often book out in the spring, summer and fall months due to increased demand. We recommend that a client reserve the rental items about 3-4 months in advance of their date, but they can absolutely make adjustments as the date nears.

L&L: Where are you based out of, and how far are you willing to travel?

NECR: We are based south of Boston but cover all of New England, New York and beyond. We have shipped products as far as Florida and Wisconsin.

L&L:  What is included in your rental and delivery fees? Do you provide assistance unloading and setting up the rentals?

NECR: Our rental fee is very straightforward without any hidden fees, all prices are visible on our website. Our delivery is based on the distance from Boston. Our deliveries are “white glove service” meaning that our staff not only delivers & picks-up, but will take care of all onsite assembly and breakdown. If there is a floor plan available then they will place it in the floor plan, otherwise they will place the items in a predesignated location.

L&L: What is your favorite part of your job?

NECR: It is a tie between receiving inquiries from new clients that are thrilled by our products and appreciate what NECR can offer, and the first time a client visits our showroom. The moment that they turn the corner to see our products and you can see the excitement on their face, hear the cheer in their voice, followed by a “see! I told you I would find [this] somewhere!”

Being that we are not a traditional rental company, we often have clients that are very excited about our offerings and the different products that we can provide that they cannot find elsewhere. Since many of our products are custom built in house, they truly are one of a kind and make an event even more unique and special.

L&L: When you are not working, what do you most enjoy doing?

NECR: Spending time on the water. My husband and I live right on the ocean south of Boston and would spend every waking moment by the water or out on our boat if we could.

L&L: What “must-see” places and eateries do you suggest to folks from out of town check out while visiting coastal New England?

NECR: MA coastal towns – Falmouth, Woods Hole, Duxbury, Scituate, Marblehead. Many coastal towns in Massachusetts have fabulous scenery, beaches and local vendors. The character of the pleasant villages is unique for each town.

L&L: Thank you for giving us an inside peek into New England Country Rentals. If readers want to get in touch with you, what is the best way for them to reach you?

NewEnglandCountryRentals.com

781-990-6000

info@NewEnglandCountryRentals.com

facebook.com/NewEnglandCountryRentals

twitter.com/NECRentals

We would be happy to extend 10% off rental items when you mention that you saw us on Love & Lobster!

We have been following Brooklyn graphic designer and handmade talent Jen Pepper as she settles into life in Maine and plans her coastal New England wedding.

It’s so easy to get caught up in all the little details, sometimes I find myself losing track of the big picture. A wedding isn’t about Pantone colors, finger foods or boutineers- even though they do look pretty in photos. A wedding is about one thing, and one thing only. LOVE. At the end of the day Matt and I will be married, joined together for the rest of our lives, bound by our love, affection and keen senses of humor, and we knew we wanted an officiant that embraced us as a couple.

Since we don’t attend church here in Maine the obvious choice in officiants was not even an option for us. We then toyed with the idea of inviting a very dear friend from New York to act as our officiant on our wedding day, and have a quick city hall wedding the day before just to make it official. I also did a little online searching for notary’s in the area but no one really stood out to me. For a few months i just put this very important piece of the puzzle on hold. I figured we would figure something out eventually.

I think it was right after Christmas, and an afternoon of watching Four Weddings with a box of tissues, that I decided we needed to find an officiant that we vibe with. I did a little bit of searching on Google, and then suddenly I stumbled upon A Sweet Start. Right in the first paragraph, I knew Maria was our officiant… “the fact that you’re looking for a notary public as an officiant probably means you want a wedding that’s a little different, a little creative, and a lot YOU.” Those words just made my heart melt, and I knew if she wasn’t available she was going to break my heart.

I sent her a quick email inquiring about our wedding date, and I swear I checked my inbox like a teenager waiting to hear back from the cute guy in Home-ec. Then it came, the sweetest little email that said indeed Maria was available for our wedding! I think I exploded in joy, this was more exciting than booking our venue, our florist and buying the dress combined. We had an officiant, we had someone who could make our dream a reality. Maria and I have been emailing ceremony ideas back and forth for  about a month now. She has so many great ideas to really make our day special, unique and so very us. Heck, she even sent over some sea shanties that she thought would be cute since we are saying “I DO” on a boat.

Now instead of file folders filled with photos of flowers and table settings, I have a running Document of ceremony inspiration. I can’t wait to sit down with my husband to be and help craft the words of love that will ultimately bind us together, and I am so excited that Maria is on-board to help us.

Previous posts in this series:

I’m engaged. Now what?

Decisions, decisions

How to find a wedding venue without leaving the couch

Finding a wedding venue that won’t break the bank

The wedding guest list

Let’s get organized

Wedding weight loss

Finding what’s right for you

Setting the table

Invitation dilemma

The dress(es)

9.24.11 Dahlia and Winthrop

Woodway Beach Club ~ Stamford Connecticut

Maybe like many couples today (or not) the second Winthrop proposed we were not calling venues and booking bands. We knew we wanted a feeling of inclusivity, but the where and how were big questions since we live in Los Angeles and families were back on the East Coast. Ultimately, we decided on the “right” coast and so we began looking at venues. With each visit and vendor meeting we became a bit more educated and so our vision started coming to life. We love and find calmness in being on the ocean, and so we picked a venue that was charming, but not presumptuous, right on Long Island Sound and had a great beach for everyone to sink into at some point in the night. We were going to bring a bit of the West Coast to the East!

The club has an amazing striped awning with white Christmas lights – probably the last thing I needed to know it was THE place – and so our nautical chic red, white, and blue wedding without being the Fourth if July started coming together.

The ceremony set-up was traditional, but we added lanterns and rose petals to soften the scene and placed ribbon in the tree to enhance the breezy feeling of the chiffon chuppah which mirrored my dress. My dad and I drove up in his light blue Mercedes just to give the ceremony a bit of an entrance since there was no to place to hide-out. Ceremony flowers would advance from blues and whites to beachy cocktail arrangements to deep red and purple reception flowers. As my (the bride) name is Dahlia, we had more than just accent dahlias, we placed one in each menu fold with the hope that they would end up all over for people in pictures. They did! Inside, the club’s blue and white striped awning would be accented by similar tables linens just for the cake, guestbook, and place card table.The last puzzle pieces included hanging sails from the club’s ceiling in order to make the space a bit more cozy and personalized.

And so the scene was set, but now we had to have some fun and make sure all these great people got to meet other great people. At cocktails we decided to have seafood themed hors d’oeuvres capped off by oysters to make sure the love was flowing. For the reception, we enlisted a great band that made the atmosphere amazing for our guests, but also created special moments for us. We had a photobooth (bigger than the ones in the movie theater), with a red background to fit into our colors, available for everyone to make some of their own memories while all taking a part in ours. And at the end of the night we had sparklers and a bonfire for people to get their toes in the sand and roast a marshmallow or two.

At the end of the day, we picked what we loved, in a setting that felt natural to us, and had our dream day. It was a lot of work, but our planner was there to help the vision stay true and everything about the day was more than we could have imagined, except for how fast it went!

Photographers- Weddings By Two
Planner- loli events
Venue- Woodway Beach Club
Florist- Peter’s Wholesale Florist
Band- Bud Maltin
Cake- SoNo Bakery
Dress- Pronovias
Shoes- Michael Kors