If you have been following me for a bit now, you know the big event of 2016 was my wedding in September! I can’t believe it’s been a month since we said “I do”! The wedding was everything I could have imagined and I had the best vendors in the game. Check them all out here:
Newport Vineyards
Newport Vineyards is a twenty year old vineyard that just had a multi-million dollar renovation. The two-year expansion now includes Brix Restaurant, The Vineyard Cafe, The Marketplace, new tasting room, new tank room, new and expanded venue facilities, more public events, live music and private events. This property is one of the most gorgeous vineyards I have ever seen and as soon as I saw it, I knew it represented Tyler and me. With wooden barrels serving as tables, globe string lighting, views of the vines, lawn games, and delicious wine, the rustic, yet elegant atmosphere couldn’t have been more perfect. During our wedding, we also had access to the barreling room and the tank room, which are both lit up beautifully for events. Equally as impressive as the grounds, is the staff. Maris, my wedding coordinator and her assistant Courtney were extremely patient, kind, and helpful. They really ran the show and dealt with all the different personalities. I wish I lived closer to go to all of Newport Vineyard’s events!
Blackstone Catering
One of the comments I heard all night (and have since heard) is how good the food was at our wedding. Especially with running hoopLA, I pride myself on not having “wedding food” at my wedding. The passed hor d’oeuvres we chose included lobster rolls, mini fish & chips, lamb lollipops, curried chicken salad, and a cheese and fruit area. There was something for every dietary need and our guests really got a feel for New England signature dishes. After our photos were done, I made sure I was able to try them all (a few times). During our tasting we were able to mix and match sauces and proteins, which made our menu really fit our needs. We served a salad with mozzarella, pesto, and roasted tomatoes, and an entree choice of steak, asparagus, and potatoes; salmon with a chimichurri sauce and citrus risotto; or mushroom ravioli. Dessert was incredible, large cupcakes in lemon, vanilla, or banana from Vesta’s Bakery and chocolate chip cookies from John and Cindy’s Harvest Farm. I was happy our guests were well fed with incredible food.
Lynda Williams Beauty
I have my makeup and hair done pretty frequently for hoopLA events, and I have never felt as beautiful as I did on my wedding day. It was the most incredible feeling and as I saw myself for the first time, I literally cried. I can’t thank Lynda Williams enough for making me feel so incredible and for bringing my vision to life. Lynda has a calming demeanor and really focused on me during the time I was in her chair. She communicated exactly what she was doing and I felt like I was in great hands the entire time she worked on me. My bridesmaids equally felt as beautiful and were so happy with how their hair and makeup came out too (some trying to keep their hair the next day). I highly recommend Lynda for any event where you want to feel confident and beautiful. I hope I get to work with her again soon.
Flower Thyme
Joy Rich brought my floral vision to a whole new level, that I didn’t even expect. She made my flower crown, the groomsmen’s boutonnieres, the bouquets, and all the center pieces. By using foliage and eucalyptus, we kept our florals very simple, but Joy was able to make them elegant and perfect for our rustic venue. I didn’t even expect to keep my flower crown on all night and I loved it so much, I never took it off. She really is an artist.
DJ Valentina
Besides the food, the other comment I heard was, “Who is this DJ, she is incredible”? The music for a wedding really gets the party going and sets the mood from the first song. When Tyler and I sat down with DJ Valentina, she got our vibe from the start. We knew we were in good hands when Tyler, who doesn’t give up control easily, sat back and let her have at it. She really made our wedding about what music we like and what would get the party started (and never end). Working with Valentina was also completely stress free. She answers emails in a timely manner, is easy going, and doesn’t beat around the bush (my kinda girl). Gone are the days of “wedding music” because DJ Valentina takes your party past the stagnant “wedding” songs and keeps your guests constantly on the dance floor. All I can say is book her. Book her now.
Ryan Devoll Photography
One word of advice for your wedding is to find a photographer who you enjoy being around…because they are with you all day. I not only enjoyed Ryan and his team, but I loved them. On a day where emotions are running high, they knew exactly how to take control and pose us. They can really read people and made sure Tyler and I were happy, comfortable, fed, and liquored up. My mom has some friends who want pictures, and I can’t thank him enough for telling them to wait until after his pictures were done (or we would still be there til this day). Ryan is a joy to work with and he always has a smile on his face. More than anything I loved that he checked in with Tyler and I right up to the day and he was always accessible.
