There May Be Questions You Haven't Thought About..

I can’t even begin to tell you how many questions I get a day about weddings. Some are specifically about the hotel itself or just about weddings in general. I enjoy both! But the questions that are just about weddings can be very random. Which is why I chose the below questions and answers from The Knot’s newsletter from 2 weeks ago. Below are a few that I thought would be helpful.

1. What exactly do the bride and groom do during the cake cutting?
The cake cutting typically takes place after dinner when your bandleader or DJ makes an announcement (you can also do this). If you have older guests who might be leaving early, do your cake cutting at the beginning of the reception just before the first dance. For the first cut, your groom's hands are placed over yours as you cut into the bottom layer of the cake. The groom makes the second cut solo and feeds the bride, and then it's your turn.
*here at the hotel, I am by your side for this. We usually do the cake cutting between salad and entrée, where I would come and get you (and make sure that you are ready). I will roll the cake onto to the dance floor, where the bride and groom will cut the cake. But don’t worry, I will remind you how it all works and even show you how to cut it. You always cut the piece diagonally so that it is easier to pull out of the cake and place on a plate. After you feed each other, your photographer will take the pictures he or she wants and then I will roll it away and cut it in the back!

2. Where do I put my engagement ring during the ceremony?
Wear the ring on your right hand or have your aunt or grandma hold it. If you want to wear your engagement ring for the reception, put it on during the ride to your venue or just before being announced. For Jewish weddings, it's fine to wear your engagement ring, and then exchange stone-free wedding bands if you want to keep with tradition. Also remember: The band is usually worn closest to your heart on your left hand.

3. Who lifts my veil?
While more and more brides are wearing a veil flipped back for the entire ceremony or not wearing one at all, the most traditional bride still wears a veil over her face. If you like to keep things classic, there are two options. One is your dad lifts the veil when he gives you away, "revealing" you to the groom (like you really need help with that one). The other is for the groom to lift the veil just before the kiss.

4. What side are we supposed to stand on during the ceremony?
If you're in a church facing the altar, the bride stands on the left side and the groom on the right. Guests of the bride and groom should follow suit, sitting on the side of whoever they know best or are related to (hint: tell mutual friends to sit on the side that has less people). For Jewish ceremonies, it's the opposite.

5. What's the best way to greet guests if I don't want a receiving line?
Yeah, we get it -- you don't want to stand around after the ceremony in an assembly line. Instead, greet your guests during the reception by going from table to table during the first course. Just make sure you have time to eat too! Also, make a short speech thanking guests for coming and give a shout-out to vendors and parents (or anyone else who helped pay for your wedding!). While this moment with the mic shouldn't take the place of personal interaction with guests, it can be a great forum to let them know how much their support means to you.

6. Can I take my shoes off at any time during the reception?
We've all been to the wedding where guests cut loose on the dance floor and ditch the heels. But it's a little different when you're the bride -- especially if you're wearing a formal dress. Instead of going barefoot, bring a pair of flats for dancing. If you're getting married in the summer, have baskets of flip-flops in your wedding colors for your guests to slip into before they get down. There's one exception to the shoes-or-lose rule: beach weddings!

I'm Back!

I apologize for me just getting back to the blog. It has been a crazy few weeks. Taking a vacation before wedding reason start is a great idea, giving me time to relax and enjoy warm weather, but when you get back it becomes crazy. We already had a wedding this year, but it starts up again in 3 weeks with Kristin and Shaun. I am excited to get started on the next 16 weddings I have!

I promise I will try to get on here a bit more often then I have been. I actually will be getting my own website (courtesy of Pat, one of my grooms) instead of having a blog. I want something a little more interactive and creative. So it is time to revamp my blog. I love everything about weddings and have a TON of ideas in my head about different venues and set ups, centerpieces and escort cards, music and bands, breakfast ideas and making a weekend/event out of the wedding! It’s crazy! So I hope to get more into that too.

Please enjoy, and any questions, comments, concerns are always welcome!

Vacation

I will be out of the office until Wednesday the 24th. Vacation before wedding season starts- Warm weather here I come!! So there will be no post this Saturday.
I will be back next week with some new posts about new Flower Wedding Trends and the Worst Wedding Advice.

Talk to you all next week!!

Wedding Menu

Lately my Saturday’s have consisted of doing Menu Tasting's for the wedding's we have this year. It has been great to sit down with the bride and groom and to get to know them a bit better. I love hearing their engagement story or when they first met. Everyone has an amazing story!

I thought that I would share some pictures of the food that is a part of our amazing $99.00 Dream wedding Package

The passed hors d’oeuvres that are included in the package are below.
(Bride and Groom Choose 4)

The cold ones that we offer are:
Portabella Mushroom and Sun Dried Tomato with Goat Cheese
Shaved Tenderloin of Beef with Onion Relish
Brie on Crostini with Strawberry and Grape

The hot options are:
Mini Chicken Wellington
Scallops wrapped with Bacon
Maine Crabcakes with Remoulade Sauce
Grilled Turkey and Vegetable Potsticker, Ginger Dipping Sauce

The bride and groom then select one appetizer and one Salad from the following

APPETIZERS
Warm Goat Cheese Tart
Herb Oil, Yellow Pepper Coulis, Marinated Grilled Zucchini

Porcini Mushroom Ravioli
Sweet Pea Sauce, Porcini Mushroom, Shaved Parmesan Cheese

SALADS
Mesculin Salad with Fennel
and Shaved Parmesan
Roasted Red Pepper Dressing

Baby Frisee Salad
Caramelized Walnuts, Dried Cherries, Cherry Tomatoes, Gorgonzola Cheese, Cranberry Vinaigrette

Classic Caesar Salad
Romaine Hearts
Garlic Herb Crostini Shaved
Romano Cheese

ENTREES
Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon with Roasted Tomato Beurre Blanc
Seasonal Baby Vegetables
Wild Rice Pilaf
Petite Filet Mignon with Deep Sea Shrimp
Port wine Demi Glace
Seasonal Baby Vegetables
Truffle Mashed Potatoes
Oven Roasted Statler Chicken Breast
Chicken Thyme Jus
Tender Asparagus, Butter Nut Squash

The tasting can last anywhere from an hour to 2 hours, depending on the details of the wedding and how much we chat! I want the bride and groom to feel comfortable, choose the food that best expresses them, and have a good time. This is the most important day of your life, and I love that I am able to be a part of it.

Now that you've seen the pictures and I have made you hungry- go enjoy a snack!

The Hotel has recently joined the Boston Wedding Group! I am very excited about meeting new people, new vendors, getting new ideas and getting our name out there!!

Check out the website, there are some great vendors.

http://www.bostonweddinggroup.com

Need a Hair Style for Your Wedding Day?!

Pampering your on your wedding day is the best idea yet! Getting your hair and make up done is a great idea. if you have the money. If not, no worries. You can always check to see if any of your friends or bridesmaids can help!

Short hair has been very popular this past winter. I am one that gave in to the trend. I cut off 10 inches! hey- it’s hair, it’ll grow back! I am hoping to get back to long hair before I get married- which will happen at some point.

Since there are so many styles and lengths of hair, always do a trial run. You want to make sure that it is something that will compliment you, your face shape and your dress. Do not go crazy changing your cut or color before your wedding. When you look back at your wedding album (20 years down the road) you want to be able to recognize yourself! I am posting a few pictures of some different styles that I like.

I LOVE The Knot. Click on the link below and get some great ideas from them..

http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/galleries/view.aspx?stopredirecting=truth&id=63415&type=1&cm_ven=responsys&cm_cat=knotnews&cm2027,%202010&ODBTHEMENAME=Real-Weddings&MsdVisit=1

Check out Our New Promotion we are offering until April 30th, 2010!

I am very excited about this new promotion that we are offering!! Book by April 30th, 2010 and you will receive 3 additions to our already AMAZING $99.00 Dream Wedding Package!

*Complimentary Parking for ALL of your guests the night of your wedding.
*A SECOND Complimentary Night Stay the weekend of your wedding
*Breakfast in Bed for both Bride and Groom the Morning after your wedding.

These are three FABULOUS additions that you can't miss out on! Let me know if you have any questions or want to come in to tour the hotel.