Boston Hearts Weddings » Blog

Blogging the Bride: The Tasting

Francie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:25:08 +0000

Last week, I went along as Nicole and Chris had their tasting at their venue, The Intercontinental Boston… holy yummyness! Everything was so beautifully presented and tasted so fab, they had really tough decisions to make. I loved the way that the chef at The Intercontinental chose to present the plates. For both the appetizer and entree courses, we tried four different options, which were first presented to the table so we could see what it would look like plated on wedding day, then each of us were given a sort of modernized bento box with all four options, which made it really easy to go back and forth between all the options to see which one we all liked the best!

Luckily we had Jill of Person + Killian on hand to capture all the deliciousness…

Of course the dessert was my favorite. How adorable are those brownie pops and mini ice cream cones! And I TOTALLY love the presentation. I should have thought of those for my wedding! Would have fit in nicely with the rest of our burgers and fries menu!

I really love to join couples at their tasting (and not just because the food is usually pretty good). I always feel like it’s one of the first times throughout planning, along with trying on dresses, where it really sinks in that this is really happening. They’re REALLY getting married! It’s a really fun thing to witness and be a part of.

Tell us about your tasting! Do you agree? Was it one of those peak moments during the planning process? Or if you haven’t had your tasting yet, are you looking forward to it?

The Blogging the Bride Team (so far!):

My Wedding: Getting Ready

Francie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:16:39 +0000

The photos are in!!! There are soooooo many good ones, I have so many to share! Over the next couple weeks, I’ll be doing a series of posts to show off all the fabulous photos from our wonderful photographer and friend, William Tangorra.

To kick things off, let’s start at the beginning! We began the day with hair and makeup at my parent’s home. It was one of my favorite parts of the day (no offense to any other part of the day), it was just so relaxing, and fun to spend girlie time with my friends and family. And… how can you not have fun when having glamour time? Joanne of Joya beauty and Lena of Hair that Moves were both on hand to make sure all of us were looking gorgeous and Will got some great shots around the house…

*all photos by William Tangorra Photography

Stay tuned for SO much more!!

Cape Cod Wedding

Francie — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:24:59 +0000

I have the most adorable wedding to share today! Sent to us by Kate of K. Photographie, this wedding is pure Cape Cod summery style. Love it!

So many cutie details! LOVE the B and G on the back of the bride and groom chairs. It really is the little things that count!!

Photographer: K. Photographie
Venue: The Pelham House Resort, Dennis, MA
Catering: The Casual Gourmet
Band: Accent
Dress: Yolanda Courture
Flowers: Katie McConnell of Wild Bunch Studio

Fun Wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Francie — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:19:04 +0000

Happy Monday!!

May was chock-full of amazing weddings for Tangorra Wedding Planning! One of our favorites was Sam and Austin’s wedding at the Boston Harbor Hotel. These two were so much fun! Fun to work with, and even more fun to be with on their wedding day.

Both of them definitely have an eye for style (Sam ownes the fabulous custom menswear company 9tailors), and every detail of the decor was thoughtfully, beautifully designed. BUT, the best part of this wedding was that Sam, Austin and their friends and family just had such a blast! There was so much dancing, and a photobooth with props galore. Their photographer, Eric Laurits, captured it all! Enjoy!

Full fabulous vendor list below!
XO

Photography by Eric Laurits
Ceremony & Reception at The Boston Harbor Hotel
Flowers by Hanaya Floral
Reception Music Provided by Greg Gates
Videography by Morgan Kirkham
Photobooth by Photobooth Favors
Hair & Makeup by Joya Beauty & Hair That Moves

Blogging the Bride: Calligraphy

Francie — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:22:38 +0000

If you follow my blog, you know that I love all the little details that go into making a wedding interesting and special – it really is the little things that make the whole thing unique to each couple. Calligraphy is one of those little things that brings the whole event to another level of fabulosity. Most brides put a lot of thought into their invitations, but not everyone thinks so much about the envelope. Well, Nicole is not one of those brides. Read on to hear all about Nicole & Chris’ wedding calligraphy from their designer, the wonderful Jan Garver of Janscript Elegant Calligraphy:

I’m so excited to be a part of this wedding! Nicole and Chris came to me with very clear ideas about what they were looking for to set the tone for their special day. First and foremost, they wanted something with a “classic look,” but “different.” Nicole attended art school and has an artist’s eye, and she was determined to create an event that everyone would remember…without going overboard. She told me that she didn’t remember ever receiving a wedding invitation that caught her eye immediately and made her want to open it, so it was her goal to find a calligrapher whose work would accomplish that, because she believes, as I do, that the entire tone of the event is set by the first thing the guests see: the invitation envelope.

When Nicole and Chris designed their invitation with the wonderful Lynne Johnson of Inviting Company, they chose a combination of fonts: for the body of the text, they went with a classic, easy-to-read block type; and for their names, they chose an elegant script. The printing is being done in a muted charcoal, which softens the effect on the white paper and makes it less stark than the traditional black.

Once the invitation was designed, the search for a calligrapher was on. Nicole told me that when they got to my website (www.janscript.com), she was immediately struck by the first lettering style on my sample page, a style that I created, called Janscript:

It’s a combination of a classic Italic and a more masculine Foundational (or Roundhand), and it is probably my most-requested style. Nicole said that she did a double-take when she saw it: “It stands out, but it’s not too much.” She and Chris immediately saw how well it would complement the two typestyles on their invitation. They were also considering Italic with Flourished Capitals (below), but kept coming back to my unique style.

I’m a firm believer in going with your first instinct when it comes to calligraphy, because there’s a reason why that was your first instinct! There are no rules to choosing a calligraphy style for your invitations; you should choose the one that you are drawn to. Many people mistakenly believe that the addresses should match the invitations, but that is impossible because then it wouldn’t be calligraphy. Typeset fonts are vastly different from calligraphic alphabets. Obviously, there are some calligraphy styles that will not complement your invitation as well as others, and I will always counsel my clients if I feel they have chosen something that wouldn’t lend itself to the tone they are trying to set. But the bottom line is: choose a style that you like!

Once Nicole sent me their guest list, I went over it with her and adjusted everyone’s name (by asking questions about people’s full names and marital status) to reflect proper etiquette. This is one of the many services that I provide to my clients (at no additional charge) because I believe that a calligrapher’s job does not begin and end with “writing pretty.” I consider it my responsibility (and privilege) to educate my clients and make sure their invitations are absolutely correct. How an invitation and the envelopes are worded reflects not only on my clients, but also on me. Over the years, I have become a self-made etiquette expert, and stationery companies and acquaintances consult me on a regular basis about the proper way to do things concerning paper.

For Nicole and Chris, I will be matching the charcoal ink, which will really pull the entire invitation together. I think their guests will receive something that they will really want to open (carefully, I hope!), and I look forward to contributing to their special day. I’m excited to tell you about the table cards we’re going to do – they are sure to be remembered! Thanks to Nicole and Chris for choosing Janscript Elegant Calligraphy!

Thanks Jan!! I’m so excited about this… I heart paper products in a big way, as many of you know… but paper products WITH calligraphy? LOVE.

As a side note – we will be back to our regular posting schedule next week and boy oh boy to we have some pretty fab weddings to share! Can’t wait!!

The Blogging the Bride Team (so far!):

Blogging the Bride: The Invitations

Francie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:24:38 +0000

This week we’re talking invitations with Chris and Nicole’s stationer, Lynne Johnson of Inviting Company. Lynne is here to share lots of tips on choosing your invites, and a little sneak peek into how she helped Chris and Nicole choose their paper products!

Choosing the paper trousseau for a wedding should be a very personal experience. As an invitation designer, I feel it is my job to help the wedding couple set the scene and tell their story. Every piece of paper created for and connected to the special occasion can make a very lasting impression.

Learning about and listening to the bride and groom discuss their color palette, favorite flowers and personal style helps to build and connect the several wedding ensemble pieces that will become an integral part of the event. Beginning with, the Save the Date many months before through to the thank you note sent months after, the magic of a wedding should show.

With all the endless number of books to look through, paper choices and colors selections as well as fonts and wording, knowledgeable experience can make a big difference and help the creation process truly work. At Inviting Company, we “build” a full sample so that the couple can actually see and feel what their guests will be getting. This is a journey that takes a bit of time as we try different papers, fonts and wording, but is one that is hopefully lots of fun and will end with the perfect invitation and accessory pieces. It is very unusual for Inviting Company clients to find exactly what they love in any of the commercial books that we carry and it is even more unusual for any two of Inviting Company invitations to look alike…every event is unique, every couple is different. So every invitation is different.

With Nicole and Chris, it was easy…the wedding will be elegant and contemporary. The color palette is mostly white and silver. They loved a square format and a mix of fonts. Both choices are quite contemporary, but using a soft white stock with pewter color ink the formal look is definitely expressed. There was a lot of information to convey to the guests, so an invitation with a pocket is being used. In the pocket will sit the reply card and an envelope, the reception card with a hand drawn skyline of Boston, and a directions card. There is also room for a details card with all the other necessary information that the guest will need. To close and finish off the invitation will be a beautiful ribbon and a seal embossed with a custom monogram. That monogram with the N and C intertwined will undoubtedly be seen in other places in the wedding…perhaps on napkins, menus, programs and even on the dance floor…the possibilities are endless. Nicole and Chris’ savvy style and sophistication is definitely reflected in their invitation. After opening a beautiful envelope with their names carefully addressed in calligraphy, their guests will get a glimpse of an extraordinary event and look forward to a most memorable celebration.

Thank you Lynne!

Tell us about your paper products!

The Blogging the Bride Team (so far)…

A Tented Reception

Francie — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:18:30 +0000

I hope everyone had fabulous long weekends! My weekend was full to the brim with wedding prettiness!

This past Sunday I helped with a wedding that took place in the Bride’s parent’s backyard. We had worried about the weather – would it rain? Would it be too hot? But in the end it was perfect. I always tell my brides that it will only rain if they aren’t totally happy with their rain plan.

This particular wedding was truly pretty. It was not extravagant (no one involved wanted it to be – it was a backyard wedding!), but I’ve never had so many guests come up to me to tell me how picture perfect everything was. It’s true, the flowers (done by Our Favorite, Lyndsey Loring), did perfectly match the picture that the bride had in her head for the day, but to me, what really completed the scene was the tent provided by another of Our Favorites, Sperry Tents.

If you’ve never seen a Sperry tent, you may not believe how that could be possible – a tent is a tent is a tent, right? Nope. Sperry tents are crafted out of sailcloth and held up by pine poles that resemble masts. The flooring is pieced together to look like a true wooden plank floor, like what you would see in a home rather than a temporary event space.

Typically when you’re inside a tent, you feel like you’re inside a tent (know what I mean?), but somehow the sailcloth gives everything a sort of luminescence that just can’t be achieved under a vinyl tent.

I hope I get to share the photos from this wedding… as I said to their photographer Will Tangorra that night… everything looks better under a Sperry tent!

*Photos via Sperry Tents

To see tons of great photos of Sperry’s work, visit their website!

Blogging the Bride: How to Look Fabulous

Francie — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:42:10 +0000

Blogging the Bride is back!

Nicole and Chris are deep into the planning process now… we’re getting closer and closer to the big day! We have so many fun things to show everyone coming soon! Today, I thought we should talk a little bit about assembling your wedding day pampering team. I mean, really, when else do most of us have the chance to relax all morning, and have our hair and makeup professionally done, before slipping into the most beautiful tailor-fit just for you dress you’ll ever wear?!

Getting your hair and makeup perfect is important for a few reasons: first, you want to feel and look as fabulous as possible. 2. Unless you are a celebrity who has the papparazzi following them around all day, you’ll probably have more photos taken of you on your wedding day than you ever will again.

Because getting hair and makeup just right is so important – and “just right” can mean anything, as long as you feel beautiful! – I always recommend that my brides do a trial run with their stylists before the big day.

Nicole has chosen her makeup stylist – the fabulous Katrina Hess – who is here today to walk us through Nicole’s trial, and how they chose her big-day makeup look!

Nicole is going for the classic but modern makeup look. Her overall style and her wedding gown is so classic and I couldn’t think of anything else that would work so well.

We’ll be going for a softer look first for the ceremony and portrait pictures and then adding more depth and pizzazz for the party! Having two makeup looks is so fun for photos, and really makes a huge difference!

Starting with foundation, since Nicole has already flawless skin I just used a illuminating tinted moisturizer and minimum concealer. The finishing powder is a HD powder by Makeup Forever. Her checks are highlighted with both cream and light shimmery powder blush.

For eyes we did some soft layering using matte and shimmery cool tones of grays with a tint of pink. Of course her eyes are accented with defined black liner and lush lashes. I’m using a soft matte neutral pink/brown lip color with a dab of gloss for her ceremony and pictures.

Nicole’s ceremony look easily transfers to her party look. I like to suggest this for brides that are conservative but at the same time want the runway look! This only takes minutes to do-
I’m adding black matte shadow heavy at the lash line and accentuating lower lash line with shimmery grey/black shadow. For lips we’ll using a plum/pink semi matte lip with shimmer overlay of gloss. Of course adding extra individual lashes!!!!!

I love it! Some brides choose to change up their look for the reception by changing their dress, but for those brides who just love their wedding dress too much to give it up after just a few hours, changing your makeup or hair style is a great way to go from day to night, or in Nicole’s case, Cathedral to dance party!

The Blogging the Bride Team (so far):

Why Everyone Should Do an Engagement Shoot

Francie — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:01:46 +0000

Most of you have probably figured out by now that I have a soft spot for a good engagement session photo. I know (and you know) that I can go on and on about why I think everyone should do them (even though I didn’t), and the pros of having great photos of you and your Groom (or Bride!) without your wedding clothes on… but today, I’ll do even better… today we have Alex of
Alexandra Daley-Clark Photography here to share why she thinks everyone – and every photographer – should do engagement shoots… She offers a free engagement shoot with her wedding photography package. Here’s why. Enjoy!

Years ago, I was skeptical about the idea of engagement shoots. I actually thought they were silly and outdated. Out of the blue, one of my couples asked for one, and I thought I’d give it a try. Since that day I’ve been sold on the importance of engagement shoots. Not only do they positively impact my ability to effectively and accurately document your wedding day, they’re fun too!

Your wedding day may the ‘happiest day of your life’, but it also may be one of the most stressful. Add to the mix a stranger snapping pictures of you for ten hours and imagine the added stress. Unless you’re a professional model, you’re probably not used to being photographed in your underwear, while getting your hair done, or while kissing your fiancé. Especially by someone you barely even know. This is why an engagement shoot is important; it lets us get to know each other, and consequently reduces your wedding day ‘photography jitters’ immensely. One of my main goals for your engagement shoot is that you come away from it feeling that you’ve made a new friend, a friend that just happens to be the person you’ve hired to document your wedding day! If this is the case, when I show up on the big day you’ll feel much more comfortable with the constant shutter clicks. Because of the earlier shoot, you’ll be familiar with me, my personality and my shooting style. An added benefit of your increased comfort level with my presence, is that your relaxed attitude will be adopted by your family and wedding party. If you’re happy to see me, and comfortable with being photographed, your wedding party will be too. You do want everyone to look relaxed and happy in the photos, right? If we’ve never met in person, or only for an initial consultation, you’re going to naturally be more guarded at first. So will your family and friends, its human nature.

Usually, one person in a couple is more comfortable in front of the camera than the other. During the course of our e-shoot I can give you tips and tricks to make being photographed more fun, and less nerve wracking. Perhaps you’re not very good at ‘smiling on command’, or you’re self-conscious about a certain part of your body. During an engagement shoot we can address these issues privately, rather than trying to address them on your wedding day. If you’re not too keen on kissing in front of people, practicing with just me around will make your big wedding day smooch easier. I promise!

Another benefit of the engagement shoot is that you’ll end up with some lovely photos of the two of you, just being you: young, gorgeous and in love! What you use those photos for is up to you. Wedding photos in all your finery are going to be treasured forever, but it’s also nice to have professional photos of yourselves more relaxed and in casual clothing.

Some possible uses for the engagement shoot photos include: guest books, save-the-dates, wedding websites, table decorations, announcements, and even just for Facebook. Heck, you never even have to do anything with them; it’s the process that is most important. Photography is very intimate, it doesn’t matter if you ‘like’ your florist or baker, they’re merely dropping off a product, but I’ll be there all day (and probably well into the night too!), think about that. It’s best to pick a photographer that you like not only for their work, but their personality too.

So, even if you’ve been engaged for ten years, or already have kids, the engagement shoot is still an important aspect of your wedding day. If your fiancé is reluctant to have an e-shoot have them read this. If you want to bring your dog along, you’re welcome to do that too. The process is very simple, we just walk around town (usually Portland’s Old Port or Portsmouth, New Hampshire), chat, take some pictures, you guys kiss a lot, we go to know each other and we’re done. I promise you’ll have fun, even if it’s a bit your of your comfort zone.

*all photos by Alexandra Daley-Clark Photography

Thanks Alex! Tell me… are you doing an engagement shoot? Why or why not?

North Shore Summery Wedding

Francie — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:19:02 +0000

*Note* This is a re-post of one of the first weddings we featured here on Boston Hearts Weddings. I just HAD to share it again now that we are all in a bright, summery mood!

The first time I posted the photos from this wedding, shot by Brian Phillips Photography, it was probably about Nine degrees out. Today it is warm and beautiful… even a beach day… even a day that this wedding could have taken place!

Since I grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, I have such a soft spot for the rocky coastlines and the little windy streets that dot the towns of Cape Ann. So, I think you can understand why I fell in love with this cute, cute wedding that Our Favorite, Brian Phillips Photography got to shoot this summer in Rockport!

Don’t you just adore the photos in the vintage car? So pretty! Are you making your get away in a photo-worthy car?

Dress: Watters, Priscilla of Boston
Location: Rockport, Mass
Catering: Vinwood Catering (one of Our Favorites!)
Flowers: Sage Floral Studio
Makeup: Tada Yourself, Tara Vaccaro Gudmundsen
Entertainment: Unicorn One Productions

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