10 Reasons to Get Married in ... Newport, RI - AisleDash

I wrote this article for Anne Chertoff of www.aisledash.com Thanks Anne!



1. The Views
Newport is located at the southern end of Aquidneck Island, so the town is surrounded by stunning water views. There are 11 venues with waterfront views.

2. The Location
It's just 3 1/2 hours from New York City, 1 1/2 hours from Boston and 45 minutes from Providence, making Newport an easy-to-get-to destination. The closest airport is Providence's T.F. Green International.

3. The Venues
Couples can choose from a wide range of venues, including chic tented garden affairs in Rhode Island State Parks, historic Victorian mansions, hotel ballrooms and modern loft-like banquet facilities. There really is something for everyone!

4. Fun Things to Do
There are a variety of activities for guests to enjoy. Water lovers can go sailing, boating and fishing. Ocean Drive is great for biking. At one of the area's many beaches you can fly a kite or go for a run. Everyone loves the two-seat Scoot Coupes and check out Go Newport for the concert and festival schedule.

5. Places to Stay
One can splurge on grand luxury at Forty 1 North or Castle Hill. There are two major chain hotels in town and mid-level hotels are located in the residing Middletown. Do try out the charming inns and B&Bs. My favorite picks are the Admiral Fitzroy Inn, Hilltop Inn and the Ivy Lodge.

6. Dining
Seafood rules in this town. Family-friendly fare can be found at the Red Parrot and the Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant. Hip and trendy restaurants such as Christie's and Asterisk are great for private dining as well as rehearsal dinners. Newport's sailors can always be found drinking Dark and Stormies at the Clarke Cooke House or Cafe Zelda. And seafood lovers can be found at the Black Pearl, The Moorings or Flo's Clam Shack. For the best cheap eats in town, we locals favor Salvation and @The Deck.

7. Wedding Photographers
There as so many talented photographers in Newport, couples can choose their wedding photographer based on the style they are looking for:
The Romantics: Cheryl Richards, Genevieve de Manio Photography and Lori DeSantis Photography.
Fresh and modern: Brian Phillips Photography, Sara Zarrella Photography and Kim Bova Photography.
Traditional: Alexandria Mauck Photographic Designs, David Dadekian Photography and Robert Hagan Photography.

8. Night Life
Looking for a place for your wedding afterparty? Dance at the Boom Boom Room or the Sky Bar (do come dressed: no shorts or Tees allowed) or enjoy some music at the Newport Blues Cafe.

9. Spectator Sports
Looking for activities for your out-of-town guests? Newport offers a variety of sporting activities to watch and play: rugby, polo, baseball, tennis and, of course, sailing.

10. Wedding Florists
Some of the top wedding vendors in New England are based in Newport, including these florists:
For a traditional and romantic wedding look, try Golden Gate Studios, Check the Florist (in Providence), and Broadway Florist Designs.
For a modern wedding style I recommend Ray's Flower Shop.
For a country look and feel, visit Of the Earth Floral Design.

Being a Newport Wedding Planner Is NOT Like Being the Bride

I'm sorry, but that's the truth. I get emails and meet people all the time who say they want to be wedding planners. Most of the people who have this "epiphany" are brides-to-be or recent brides who are having/had SO much fun planning their wedding that they want to change careers.

What I tell them is that being a wedding planner is not like being a bride. And then I tell them not to quit their day job.

As the bride you make all the decisions and you get all the attention. As the wedding planner you are answering to a client's wishes and dealing with her emotional roller coaster that is her engagement and wedding and in some instances, her mother's issues too.

When you're the wedding planner you don't get to plan the wedding you want or would have planned if you could do it again. You have to plan the wedding your client, the bride wants, even if you don't love her color scheme and ideas.

As the wedding planner you are trying to make a living. You have to charge people money and $1000 or $2000 a wedding isn't going to pay the bills. Trust me, no wedding planner, no matter how successful is booked EVERY weekend of the year.

As the wedding planner you're on call all the time and working weekends. Are you prepared to give up your weekends?

If you truly think that being a wedding planner is your calling in life than here's my advice:

1. Do NOT quit your day job.

2. See if there's a wedding or event planner in your area who is looking for interns or assistants who you can work with on weekends or evenings.

3. Be prepared to work for little money in the beginning because you have no experience and you have to pay your dues. Planning your own wedding doesn't count as wedding planning experience.

4. Look into taking event planning classes. Some colleges offer non-credit event marketing/planning courses or a continuing education program might have a focus on event planning. Or sometimes organizations like the Learning Annex or the Association of Bridal Consultants will hold seminars on the topic.

5. Do your research. Find out how many wedding planners are in your area and talk to other wedding vendors about what services may be lacking. Maybe you don't want to be a full-service planner. Maybe you want to focus on day-of, which is never only a day. More on that to come.

A reprint from Anne Chertoff's Blog http://from-i-will-to-i-do.blogspot.com/

Who's Who at Bridal Market Week 2009

Photo 1
Robert Allen of the wedding Pod Cast Network and Newport's own Photographer Sara Zellar, shooting for LaBella Bride

Photo 2
Mrs And Mrs Kleinfeild !
Mara Urshel & Ronnie Rothstein At the Pnina Tornai Show.

Photo 3
Editor Katina LaFazia Editor of LaBella Bride.

Photo 4
Darcy Miller Editorial Director.of Martha Stewart Weddings at the Plaza Hotels Market Party.

Photo 5
Brittany Swann and her colleague from Get Married

Photo 6
Editor in Chief Carley Roney Of The Knot and Cake Diva Sylvia Weinstock
Did You Know that Carley hails from Providence R.I.?

Photo 7
Robert Allen From Wedding Pod cast network and Brides.com Editor Anne Chertoff