Nantucket Weddings Unveiled

We ALL love wedding cake but more and more couples are opting for a little something extra for dessert at their weddings. Candy buffets, chocolates and cupcakes have all been seen in 2010 but what about adding in an all time favorite fall dessert … perhaps caramel apples?

Paper tags by Griffin-vites Stationery.

We LOVE everything that Emersonmade touches! Their beautiful flowers, poppers and clutches are so perfectly made and styled that they make every event special! Now they have ring pillows with soft layers of flower petals surrounding the ring. Classic, feminine and in the perfect colors for every wedding. Visit their website to view all of them!

Cozy fabrics and rich warm tones rule the fall season in New England. This Inspiration Board caught our eye at Snippet and Ink. Can’t you just see this rustic wedding taking place at the Sconset Casino or at Westmoor Farms??

Board via Snippet and Ink

We all know that the quintessential flower of Nantucket is the beloved hydrangea.  But do you know how it got its name?

In most species the flowers are white, but in some species (notably H.macrophylla), the showy Hydrangea flower clusters come in a range of colors, from the common pinks and blues to more vivid purple, amethyst, and nearly red hues, and several shades in between. In these species the exact colour often mirrors the ph of the soil; acidic soils produce blue flowers, neutral soils produce very pale cream petals, and alkaline soils results in pink or purple.

While the Hydrangea has been a favorite in the garden or landscape for years, it has become a popular cut flower to enhance garden-style arrangements.  The white is exceedingly popular in bridal bouquets and other wedding designs.  The massed, spherical form and supple texture of Hydrangea blooms make them a preferred choice in upscale floral arrangements.  Rare is there a home interior design magazine these days that doesn’t show a picture or two of a bouquet of Hydrangeas among its pages.

photo by Cary Hazlegrove

Something Old…..every bride ponders her ’something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ – we received a GREAT tip from a past Nantucket bride, Melissa, who was married this September on the island.  From Melissa:

“for my something old, I glued two pennies to the bottom of my shoe.  One with the year that I was born, and one with the year that my husband was born.  It made for great photos, and when my family and friends saw the photos after the big day, my phone rang off the hook.  A lot of people were not aware I did that, and they thought it was a fun idea.”

Thanks for sharing Melissa!

Brides carrying blooms with a little frangrance seems to be a trend that will carry well in to 2011.  Of course, every bride wants to have her own unique scent as she walks down the aisle – something that may be crafted from a childhood memory, or something she has grown in to as she finds her personal style.  In either case, you can’t go wrong with one of these delicious perfumes.  A little something for everyone.  Enjoy!

Geranium Bourbon is for the traditional bride who wants to feel alive and invigorated.  Deep and rosy, a blend of cassis berries, lemon, geranium and Turkish rose creates the scent of an English garden after a summer rain.  Available at Sephora.

Photo courtesy of Miller Harris

Island Bermuda by Michael Kors has tropical notes of hibiscus and passion flower which form this summery scent.  Perfect for a June/July bride.

photo courtesy of Michael Kors.com

Noted as elegant, natural, and spontaneous, Flora by Gucci is scented with the unique osmanthus flower that gives this fragrance a sophisticated edge.  Available nationwide mid-September.

photo courtesy of Sephora

We aren’t afraid of a little work to get that perfect look right?? When we spotted this lantern over on Design Sponge we knew we had to share. The great thing is that you can select the perfect colors and get just the right size to fit your desired look. I can see these modern lanterns at a fun beach side lobster bake or your super chic Nantucket wedding after party. I guess we will leave that up to you!

here’s what you’ll need:

-cylindrical glasses or vases

-colored card stock

-colored tissue paper

-ruler

-pencil

-scissors

-double-sided tape

-tea light or votive candle

1. measure the height and circumference of your glass and cut a piece of tissue paper that is the same height and 1/4″ wider than your measurement.

2. put a strip of double-sided tape down the length of your glass and wrap the tissue paper around, securing both ends onto the tape.

3. measure and cut a piece of colored card stock that is 1″ taller and 1/2″ wider than your glass measurement.

4. fold the cardstock in half lengthwise and starting at the fold line, make a series of cuts that are approximately 1/2″ to 1″ apart, making sure to stop about 1″ from the edge.

5. unfold the cardstock and stick pieces of double sided tape along the top and bottom, and all along one of the short edges.

6. wrap around your glass, lining up the top and bottom of the glass with the top and bottom of the cardstock.

7. light a candle and carefully insert it into the glass.

Today we have guest blogger Kylie Laird of ACK Gift Bags with us to share her thoughts on must have items to include in your gift bags, and what services they provide for you for the perfect welcome to your guests.

A great way to show your appreciation and warmly welcome your guests “on island” is with a personalized Welcome Bag. Your Welcome Bag is perfect for providing essential information on the weekend events along with incorporating the finest of local products or your personal Nantucket favorites. From the very moment your guests arrive they will feel like they are participating in a very special and memorable event.

A personalized welcome letter sets the tone for your destination wedding weekend. The letter can not only outline the weekend’s festivities, timing, suggested attire, transportation pick up points but also can provide an insight into your favorite Nantucket activities, restaurants, beaches or bike trails. Your guests will love to have your insider scoop! They will also enjoy learning about you and your fiancé’s history with the island and why it is a special place for you both.

Our bags come in an array of color schemes and can reflect the signature colors you have chosen for your wedding weekend. Some great basics to include are Nantucket Nectars; Cape Cod Chips; chocolate covered cranberries; nautical shaped cookies or lollipops. You can also include some fun items from your home town or city. You may consider adding useful items: an umbrella for an early spring wedding; sunscreen for the golf tournament you have arranged or flip flops for a beach ceremony. Maps and island guides are a great inexpensive way to orientate your guests to Nantucket. Whether you decide on simple bag with local favorites or an elaborate tote stocked to the brim, keep it personal!

Once you arrive on island your focus should be on relaxing before the big day and enjoying your time with your guests. ACK Gift Bags will deliver your custom Welcome Bags to the downtown inns and hotels and ensure your bags are placed in your guest’s rooms prior to them getting off the ferry. It will be a very welcome surprise when your guests check in.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your services Kylie!

It’s always fun finding out the meaning behind flowers.  Freesia happen to be one of the most popular wedding blooms and we have a little 411 on this delicate little beauty!

Named after the German physician Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese, freesia – with their bell-shaped blooms and sweet, citrus scent – are among the most popular fragrant flowers.  And, while in most cases the white variation of a flower is the most fragrant, in the case of freesia, the pink and red varieties are actually more highly scented.  With their wiry stems and delicate blooms, it’s not surprising that one of the most popular freesia varieties is named Ballerina.

The 7th wedding anniversary flower, in the language of flowers, freesia are said to symbolize innocence and friendship.

photo by Brea McDonald

Though this wedding day inspiration board doesn’t scream Nantucket at first look, there is something that is classic, elegant and sophisticated about it. And THAT is all Nantucket! When thinking about your wedding day look don’t be afraid to work in some of your person loves, like horses. Pull out the overall feel of the look, like leather and wool and warm tones. You don’t have to go with hay bales and horse sketches if that’s not formal enough for your event. Talk to your florist and designer to help pull out the common details that can work to make your event YOU!

Inspiration board details can be found at Ritzy Bee.