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!

Clockwise from top center: Erich McVey Photography; Bella Cupcake Couture by Barbie Hull Photography; Jennifer Young; Crystal Genes Photography; Diane Levinson @2 Stews; Jenna McKenzie; Chenin; Jose Villa

There’s just no beating Mother Nature when it comes to wedding inspiration.

In Maine, that means rocky beaches and wide ocean views. The historic Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit has plenty of both, plus some advice for making the most of the environment on your wedding day.

Perched on Bald Head Cliff, the resort has served as a romantic getaway for more than 140 years. Charlene Banulis, director of sales and guest services for the Cliff House, offers these tips for a nature-inspired event:

Marry outdoors

Look for a venue with ample seating, level ground and proximity to amenities such as a kitchen, drink service area and powder rooms.

Keep it local

Eco-minded venues can help couples find local food and blooms for the big day. At the Cliff House, that means dishes like seared Atlantic salmon and Maine citrus shrimp. Spa treatments incorporate blueberries, wild roses and stones from nearby cliffs.

Go green

Not necessarily in color, but in practice. The Cliff House uses energy-efficient lighting, a green touch that helped the resort earn certification as an environmental leader. Also consider wearing an heirloom gown or incorporating a vintage cake topper, rather than buying new.

Paul Newman, one of America’s most legendary actors, also had one of Hollywood’s most legendary marriages. He tied the knot with actress Joanne Woodward in 1958 after reuniting with her on the set of “The Long Hot Summer,” launching a 50-year union that endured until his death in 2008.

Once you read the vows from their Las Vegas wedding, it’s easy to see why Paul and Joanne lasted so long.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

January 29, 1958

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the Art of Marriage: The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say ‘I love you’ at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

Whether you’re a black diamond pro or a newbie on the bunny slopes, a Maine ski resort can make for the perfect wedding locale.

Actually, you don’t need to ski at all to enjoy a resort’s alpine scenery and full amenities, even long after the flakes stop flying. Several ski mountains in the state cater to weddings year-round, offering hefty discounts to couples willing to visit during the warmer months.

Sunday River

One of Maine’s most popular mountains, Sunday River provides four wedding packages at a range of price points. Grooms will love the option to play a round on the mountain golf course, and guests enjoy welcome baskets upon arrival. The resort’s Grand Summit and Jordan Grand Hotels boast a variety of indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception venues.

Sugarloaf

Another western Maine favorite, Sugarloaf is discounting June and July weddings by 10% if you book by March 15. The resort’s most popular venue is the “Bridal Bridge,” a quaint wooden span surrounded by rock walls and lush floral landscaping. Other sites can accommodate up to 500 guests.

Shawnee Peak

Shawnee is Maine’s longest-running ski area, conveniently situated just an hour from Portland. The peak’s wedding options keep an eye to affordability, with two reception spaces that couples can book for the whole weekend. Lodging onsite includes a 10-bedroom guesthouse, or, for more rustic types, yurts and cabins.

Saddleback

Another alternative to the larger resorts, Saddleback hosts wedding events in an elegant post-and-beam lodge than can comfortably fit up to 250 guests. Picture wild lupines in summer, colorful autumn leaves or cascades of white winter snow as a backdrop.

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)

Clockwise from top left: Emily Steffen Photography, CHARLEYSTAR, Simply Jessie Photography, Meagan Tidwell, Elizabeth Kaye, ban.do, Charlene Precious, Amy Carroll, Harwell Photography

Nothing sets the mood like an enticing cocktail on Valentine’s Day. But not just any mixed drink will do – a Jack and Coke doesn’t exactly scream romance, does it?

We checked in with the divine Grace restaurant to see what they’ll be shaking and stirring up for guests on February 14. Bar manager David Smith was kind enough to share two martini recipes, one featuring fresh cranberries with hints of citrus and the other spotlighting Maine-made vodka, ginger and sage.

Cheers to that!

REQUIEM

3 oz. Grey Goose Vodka

1 oz. Cointreau

2 oz. Cranberry Syrup

For cranberry syrup:

In non-reactive sauce pan combine:

1-12 oz. bag fresh cranberries

2 sprigs fresh rosemary plus small sprig for garnish

1 c. sugar

zest of 1 orange

zest of 1 lime

Stir over moderate heat until cranberries start to pop and rosemary is fragrant.

Add 2 cups water and reduce until it becomes slightly thickened and cranberries have released their pectin; approximately 15 minutes. Cool. Should be made the day before.

For the cocktail:

In a martini shaker add Grey Goose, Cointreau and cranberry syrup.

Shake well and strain into martini glass. Garnish with reserved rosemary and lime twist if desired.

DUST TO DUST

3 oz. Cold River Vodka

1 1/2 oz. Domaine de Canton (ginger liqueur)

1/4 oz. Aperol or Campari

3 Sage leaves (1 reserved for garnish)

1/4 oz. piece of crystallized ginger (1/2 reserved for garnish)

1/8 t. fresh lemon juice

For the cocktail:

In martini shaker, muddle 2 sage leaves, half of crystallized ginger and lemon juice with a couple ice cubes.

Add Cold River Vodka, Domaine de Canton and Aperol. Shake well and strain into martini glass.

Garnish with sage leaf and reserved crystallized ginger.

Still searching for a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift? Before you rush out to buy the last lonely box of conversation hearts at the grocery store, consider DIYing those tiny iconic candies.

This fun recipe shows you how to create the candy hearts with the sweet sayings right in your own kitchen. All you’ll need is some powdered sugar, gelatin and a few other ingredients, plus some romantic catchphrases. Borrow one or two of the most popular sayings, like “Be Mine” and “Sweet Talk,” or make up your own.

A heads up: the homemade hearts need 36 hours to dry, so get started well before February 14.

NECCO’s recipe for its Sweethearts conversation hearts has remained largely unchanged since the candies’ inception in the early 1900s. Originally cut in a variety of shapes, such as postcards and horseshoes, the hearts used to be large enough to accommodate longer sayings, allowing would-be lovers to communicate.

Some of the original sayings are still used, including “Kiss Me” and “My Man,” but NECCO now adds new ones each year. The late 90s brought the cutting edge “Fax me” and “Email Me” sayings, and more modern times saw the introduction of “Tweet Me” and “Me + You.”

NECCO makes 8 billion of the candies throughout the year, then sells out of them in the six weeks from January 1 to Valentine’s Day.

You can have the candy hearts custom-made, but you’ll have to pay for a full production run of 2 million. For a low-budget alternative, scratch off the original words and write in your own.

We’re still waiting to hear which sweet sayings NECCO will announce for 2012. Our suggestions: “Marry Me” and “I Do.”

A roaring fire. Soft sheets. Room service. How much do we love a romantic getaway?

After sharing a few of our favorite inns and B&Bs in Maine, we thought we’d expand our horizons. There are cozy cabins and plush rooms scattered throughout New England, perfect for a quick romantic retreat or an extended honeymoon escape.

A new independent travel site called Fathom recently sent L&L their list of the most romantic hotels in the Northeast. Here are some highlights:

Massachusetts

The staff at the stately Blantyre in Lenox freezes the tennis court in the winter for ice skating and serves oysters on snowballs around a crackling fire. Snuggle up in a four-poster bed and admire the antique décor in one of the hotel’s palatial rooms.

Vermont

Twin Farms in Barnard is well-appointed despite its location “smack in the middle of nowhere.” Skip the area’s crowded ski resorts and hit the downhill trails right on the property, with a convenient snowmobile shuttle. Cap off your day with a soak in a Japanese tub housed in a small shack nestled in the woods.

Rhode Island

The deluge shower alone would make it worth the trip to Watch Hill for a stay at The Ocean House. The hotel spa’s couple’s room features the shower, a therapeutic bath and a private bathroom. Book a massage, then relax on a chaise lounge in the “relaxation room,” with walls of panoramic windows overlooking the coastline.

For Fathom’s complete list of the most romantic hotels in the U.S. and Caribbean, click here.