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2 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
Shore Publishing
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Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 3
Table of Contents
P.O. Box 1010, 724 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT 06443
203-245-1877
www.zip06.com
Shoreline Wedding Venues ......................... 6
How to Green Your Wedding .................... 9
Publisher
Lisa Miksis
Wedding Etiquette .................................. 13
Section Editor
Sunny Bosco
Tips for a Terrific Toast ........................... 14
Proposal Contest Winners ....................... 16
Wedding WEDsites ................................. 17
Wedding Folklore ................................... 18
Creative Director
Julie Eckart Johnson
Production Staff
Jennifer Corthell
Chris Dobbins
Todd Rogers
BigBigDay,
Ideas
Advertising Director
Robyn Collins
Advertising Staff
Stephanie Alderman
Lindsay Braun
Shannon Cushing
Ben Cadwell
Brenda Gelston
Matt Irons
Lisa Martin
Gail Rubin
Lorinne Sekban
Sales Assistant
Alexandra Spignesi
Cascade Fine Catering
Connecticut’s Premier Banquet Facility invites you to their 6th Annual
Winter Wonderland Bridal Show
Sunday, February 20 th • 11am-4pm
Sample exquisite butler-served hor d’oeuvres while viewing the latest bridal fashions
from Bridal Trousseau of Branford and Zaccariello’s Formal Wear of Wallingford.
I
t’s simply a fact that your wedding day will be a joyous and memorable occasion. And we
hope that the tips and information in this spring’s Wedding Guide will help you make your
special day even better. But here are a few fun facts that you may not have known. Did you
know, for example, that only 19 percent of couples rely on a wedding planner, or that Iowa
and Nebraska weddings are the biggest, with an average of 200 guests?
Enter to win a free bridal shower at
Cascade, and/or a free Honeymoon!
Here are a few more wacky facts, courtesy of TheKnot.com:
• The average engagement ring costs more than $5,800.
• Most brides have one do-it-yourself element, such as favors
or escort cards.
• “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Lady in
Red” are the two most popular first dance songs.
• Eighty-seven percent of brides wear white.
• Ancient Romans broke a cake over the bride’s
head to symbolize fertility. Today, brides must be
fortunate to have only a little cake smashed in
their faces!
4 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
Meet Connecticut’s leading vendors that will
help to give you the wedding of your dreams!
Fine Catering
Shore Publishing
Shore Publishing
480 Sherman Ave. • Hamden • 203.907.0595 • www.cascade-banquets.com
Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 5
The Attention &
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A just-married couple relaxes on the lawn at the Florence
Griswold’s Marshfield House. Photo by Iris Photography
I
n the 2002 comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding,
the newly engaged groom tells his conventional
parents about his upcoming wedding. His
mother immediately volunteers to call the
country club to reserve a banquet hall.
To be sure, the traditional celebration is still alive
and well in the Constitution State, but Connecticut
couples have plenty of wedding venues to choose
from—from elegant mansions to a working carousel to
a river steamboat. Brides and grooms can even opt for
extras that include a beluga whale, or a dance floor that
was once a working lace factory.
One hundred years ago, the Wadsworth Mansion
at Long Hill was the new home of Colonel Clarence
Wadsworth and his bride. Today, the elegant beaux arts
mansion in Middletown features elaborate gardens laid
out by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New
York’s Central Park, and a restored manor house with
seating for 200. For larger parties, tents can be set up
on the grounds.
6 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
By Rita Christopher
The Branford House Mansion, on the grounds
of the University of Connecticut at Avery Point
in Groton, sits on a green lawn that overlooks both
Fishers Island and Long Island Sounds, with all the
stunning views that suggests.The century-old mansion
holds 200 for a sit-down dinner in three rooms, and
350 for a cocktail buffet, with tents for larger parties
on the grounds.
Don’t overlook the surprisingly sophisticated
facilities offered by Connecticut’s State Parks. Eolia,
the mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park, offers
sweeping vistas of the Long Island Sound from its 230
seaside acres. With dining facilities that seat 150, the
mansion is open from March 1 to Dec. 23, but some
brides reserve as much as two years in advance to be
sure of getting the date they want. “It has everything
all in one place: the mansion, the gardens, the water.
It’s hard to find that all in one location,” says Sally
Hargis, who is in charge of booking for the facility.
Sally adds that the décor is neutral, lending itself easily
to whatever color palette a bride chooses.
Shore Publishing
203-481-9934
116 N. Main Street
Branford
www.lis-a-lis.com
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Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 7
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5 Durham Road, Suite C4 - Guilford Glen
(next to the Guilford Art Center) Guilford, CT 06437
Easy Access from I-95, Exit 58
Women • Children • Maternity • Baby
magine your wedding overlooking the waters of the
Long Island Sound. From the most intimate ceremonies
and receptions to grandeur and elaborate affairs, create
lasting memories at Water’s Edge Resort & Spa.
I
Weddings at Water’s Edge
Resort & Spa
The Ellie Mitchell Pavilion at Rocky Neck State Park
in Niantic, on a high bluff overlooking Long Island Sound,
also offers magnificent views of Long Island Sound. The
pavilion, constructed of native stone and lumber in the
1930s by the Works Progress Administration, is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places.The second floor
is used for receptions and can seat 300 for a formal dinner.
The season runs from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
“It’s a uniquely lovely setting on the shoreline,” says the
Pavilion’s Sue D’Agostino.
The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme,
where the permanent collection highlights the work of
American impressionist painters, has options for weddings
large and small. The museum’s Marshfield House has
year-round indoor facilities for small groups of 50 to 75
people,with cocktail receptions for larger groups. For
receptions of up to 150 people, a large tent is set up on
the Adrian P. Moore garden terrace. Outdoor receptions
are scheduled from the second week in April to October.
Because the museum holds outdoor events of its own, it limits outdoor wedding
events to six per year, and only one per weekend. “It’s the bride’s weekend,” says
Donna Carlson, assistant to the museum’s director.
At the Mystic Aquarium, up to 300 guests can exchange vows and even dine
and dance among the Aquarium’s marine life exhibits. With sharks, whales, and other
ocean creatures as their witnesses, bride and groom say “I do,” and, later, guests enjoy a
party laid out by the facility’s exclusive caterer, Ocean Blue Catering.
The Lace Factory in Deep River is a one-of-a-kind venue that is also piece of
Connecticut history.True to its name, the venue was built in 1875 and did once house
a lace-weaving factory. Today, it’s what caterer and owner Andrea Isaacs describes as an
alternative banquet facility. The large main hall glitters with twinkle lights and 1800
panes of glass, and guests arrive in style—either by land, via the Essex steam train,
which has its terminus at the Deep River Landing across the street from the Factory;
or via the Becky Thatcher, a 70-foot Mississippi-style riverboat that offers the option of
either cocktail service or holding the entire reception on board.
If trains and boats are not enough, how about horses—carousel horses, that is. Built in
1916, the venerable carousel at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven not only has
the requisite floor for dancing, but also a working carousel for guests to ride. In addition
to 69 horses, the facility has 5,000 square feet of banquet space, accommodates up to
275 guests, and is open from April 1 to Nov. 1.
Most venues have lists of caterers approved to work at their facilities. Some have
special requirements for insurance that much be purchased for the event. Many also
accommodate the wedding ceremony itself on the premises. And, just for the record,
the reception in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding never did take place at the
country club.
Enjoy the convenience of our Award Winning Spa and “The Shops at Water’s
Edge” which includes a Beauty Salon, Bridal Shop, World Class Florist and
Bridal Jewelry all on the property to help make your day unforgettable
• To limit gas used on travel, choose a venue close to home
• Hold the ceremony and reception in one location
• Encourage carpooling
• Consider local, organic flowers
• Use natural décor, such as seashells or donated items
• Give favors that keep giving, such as seeds or charitable donations
• Consider donating leftover food, clothing, or dishware
Call today to meet with our wedding professional.
1525 BOSTON POST RD
WESTBROOK, CT
860.399.5901
watersedgeresortandspa.com
Shore Publishing
Bottom:The view from the west terrace is
of beautiful Long Island Sound. Photos
courtesy Rocky Neck State Park
How to “Green” Your Wedding
Unparalleled ambiance, impeccable service, creative cuisine and
luxurious accommodations, will make your wedding the day of your dreams.
8 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
Top:The Ellie Mitchell Pavilion at
Rocky Neck State Park is an historic
building on the national register of historic
places, and can seat 300 for dinner.
Shore Publishing
Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 9
Local Venue Options
Amarante’s Sea Cliff
Essex Steam Train
Mystic Aquarium
62 Cove Street, New Haven
203-467-2531 • www.amarantes.com
One Railroad Avenue, Essex
860-767-0103
www.essexsteamtrain.com
Fantasia Wedding & Banquet Facilities
55 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic
860-572-5955, ext. 337
www.oceanbluecatering.com
Capacity: 300
Open: Year-round
404 Washington Avenue, North Haven
203-239-6652 • www.fantasiawedding.com
Saybrook Point Inn and Spa
Florence Griswold Museum
2 Bridge Street, Old Saybrook
860-388-4809 • www.saybrook.com
Branford House Mansion
Avery Point Campus, 1084 Shennecossett Road,
Groton • 860-405-9072
www.branford.uconn.edu
Capacity: 200 sit-down, 350 cocktail-style
Open: Year-round
Cascade
480 Sherman Ave, Hamden
203-907-0595 • www.cascade-banquets.com
96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme
860-434-5542, ext. 118
www.flogris.org
Capacity: 150
Open: Year-round
Eolia Mansion
275 Great Neck Road, Waterford
860-443-5725 • www.ct.gov/dep
Capacity: 150
Open: March to December
The Ellie Mitchell Pavilion at Rocky Neck
State Park
244 West Main Street, East Lyme
860-443-5725 • www.ct.gov/dep
Capacity: 300
Open: May to October
Lace Factory
161 River Street, Deep River
860-526-4445
www.thelacefactory.com
Capacity: 300
Open: Year-round
On Your Wedding Day
The Wadsworth Mansion
421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown
860-347-1064
www.wadsworthmansion.com
Capacity: 200, sit-down
Open: Year-round
Water’s Edge Resort and Spa
1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook
860-399-5901 • www.watersedge-resort.com
Westbook Elks Lodge
Lighthouse Point Park
203-946-8327 • [email protected]
Capacity: 275
Open: April to Nov.
142 Seaside Avenue, Westbrook
www.westbrookelks.com
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10 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
Shore Publishing
Shore Publishing
Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 11
Etiquette Tips
Professional Wedding
By Sunny Bosco
Although contemporary weddings can be
pretty inventive, the rules of etiquette almost
never waver.
Whether you’re a guest or guest of honor,
none of us wants to be the one who gets
noticed for making the faux-pas heard
’round the ballroom—whether it’s using the
wrong salad fork, or shocking your new inlaws during your toast to the new couple.
“Weddings these days can be far from
traditional, but when it comes to etiquette
there are still rules that stand true,” says
Deborah Carpenter, who is a wedding
coordinator and owner of Opulent Affairs
in Hamden.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Wearing White: Nobody wants to
upstage the bride, and wearing white or
ivory is a pretty good way to do that. Even a
patterned white dress is probably a bad idea,
although black is acceptable, especially at
night weddings.
Inviting Exes: “The topic is controversial,”
says Deborah, who advises couples to
Annual Bridal Showcase
Sunday, March 6, 2011 • 11am - 3pm
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February 20, 2011 - 11am - 4pm
consider whether you and your ex have
children together, how your fiancée feels,
and how you would feel if the tables were
turned. “This is the day that is the beginning
of your life with your new partner and a day
for new beginnings.”
Tipping: Many vendors will include tips
in a contract, so always check.Tipping service
workers like wait staff, bartenders, coat
checkers, wedding coordinators, reception
managers, or anyone who goes above and
beyond expectations or provides extra
services is always nice, but not required.
Save the Dates: These cards are a promise
to invite, so send them only to friends and
family who will be on your final guest list.
“The good news is that your guest list will
be done way ahead of time,” says Deborah.
Gift-Giving: Consider whether the
couple is already living together, and that
cash is always appreciated.
Contact Opulent Affairs at 203-510-3958 or
[email protected] or visit www.opulentaffairs.
web.officelive.com.
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12 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
Shore Publishing
Shore Publishing
Pinchbeck’s Rose Farm | www.rosesforautism.com | 203-453-2186
Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 13
a Toast to Remember
Tips for
B
eing asked to be someone’s best man or maid of honor is an honor to be cherished. Often the best
friend of the groom or bride, the best man and maid of honor often want to reciprocate the honor of
their role with a toast that illustrates just how much they care for the bride or groom.
But once the time comes to sit down and think about their toast, the best man or maid of honor are
often in the dark. Giving a wedding toast, after all, is not an everyday event, and for many people it will
be a one-time experience, if they’re even asked at all.Though a certain amount of pressure comes with
the responsibility of giving a toast, keeping a few ideas in mind when writing a toast will make the
process go more smoothly.
Thank the guests. Thanking the guests for attending is a good way to break the
ice. Be sure to thank the hosts as well. Avoid any missteps by simply thanking the
parents of the bride and groom after thanking the guests for joining in the
festivities.
Introduce yourself. While the bride and groom certainly know
who you are, chances are many of the guests do not. Many weddings
boast guest lists with more than 100 people, so introduce yourself
and explain your relationship to the bride or groom.
Keep things light. While jokes should remain appropriate
(every wedding has kids in attendance), keeping the toast jovial
is a good way to keep the festive mood of the day going. While
it’s important to get across how much you cherish being the
best man or maid of honor, a jovial approach to doing so will be
enjoyed by all.
Add an anecdote. The best man or maid of honor no doubt
have many funny anecdotes to tell about the bride or groom.
Add a light-hearted anecdote that illustrates your relationship
to the bride or groom and how much they mean to you.
Just make sure the anecdote is appropriate for everyone
in the audience.
Raise a glass, but do so after the toast,
and not before. While everyone knows to
raise a glass at the end of the toast, some
best men or maids of honor raise one
too many glasses before it’s time to
give their toast. Don’t drink to
excess before it’s time for you
to give your toast, or you’ll
risk being the talk of
the reception for
all the wrong
reasons.
You don’t have to be a
celebrity to hire a
Anthony
Cafiero
wedding planner!
We provide planning assistance for every budget so you
can relax and enjoy your engagement and wedding day!
Créatif
Contact us for a free
one hour consultation at
860-388-9010
www.creatifevents.com
14 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
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Shore Publishing
Shore Publishing
Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 15
Pop the
Question
Contest Winners
WEDsites
By Jen Matteis
“
My fiancé Erik proposed to me on the ice at Rockefeller
Center in New York City!
For our anniversary every year, we go to New York City. We
exchange cards and he usually has roses waiting for me, one for
every month we have been together.Well, this year was different.We
did the usual, shopping on Fifth, lunch at Fridays, a walk through
Times Square, and then Rockefeller Center to see the tree. For my
birthday a couple days before, he had given me tickets so we could
go ice-skating at Rockefeller Center—something that we had
always talked about doing. He told me he had bought a package
that let us go in the exit so we do not have to wait in line, skip the
first line, and get our rentals. Then, someone came out, since we
had this package, and took all our things for us.We went on the ice
and skated around for a while, then the announcer said “five more
minutes.” I looked at Erik and told him how upset I was that we
only had a couple more minutes. The announcer said “Everyone
off.” We were right by the gate when Erik said, “With the package,
we get five minutes on the ice to ourselves.” So we kept skating,
then our song came on. “Those Nights” by Skillet. When we were
in the middle of the rink right in front of the tree, he got down
Jen and Erik in
on one knee and asked me to marry him! It was amazing!!! After I
Rockefeller Center,
just after Erik popped
said “yes,” I heard a recognizable yelling and cheering. I looked up
the question.
and Erik had invited his and my parents and sisters so they could
be there to see! After skating, they had dinner planned for both
our families. After dinner, Erik’s mom said “The taxi is here.” I
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A User’s Guide to
We extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Jennifer Greenberg and Erik
Smith, the winners of our first-annual www.zip06.com Pop the Question
contest—and to all the happy couples who entered! Jennifer and Erik got engaged
on Rockefeller Center, and were selected from two dozen entrants, winning a gift
certificate to Water’s Edge Resort & Spa! May they live happily ever after!
advice:
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to New York. days we hung out, I trie together, so
your relationshFinding something that’s d taking her
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long as it means intimate, or a big deal tha the two of
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Jen shows off her engagement
ring during dinner at Ruth’s
Chris Steakhouse in New
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Jennifer Greenberg
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T
imes are changing for brides and grooms. Gone are the days of calling
every wedding venue in the state to check rates or ringing up guests
with directions to hard-to-find reception halls.
Now, tech-savvy couples can create customizable wedding websites (“wedsites”)
to keep guests informed, or employ professionals to make their visions come
alive online. Photographers, bridal shops, and bakeries specializing in wedding
cakes are easy to find, contact, and critique via comprehensive, Internet
wedding directories such as the Connecticut Wedding Vendor Directory (www.
weddingreports.com), searchable by location and cost.
For those looking to construct a personalized wedsite to announce a wedding,
post event details, update guest lists, or make last-minute changes, a good place
to start is WeddingWebsites.com (www.weddingwebsites.com).There, you can
compare the features, prices, and user reviews of wedsites offered through
different companies.
When choosing a site, try to find one that offers a system for online RSVPs,
which will spare you the headache of the snail mail variety. Also, make sure
you have high-quality, professional photos to upload for a polished look.
Before you begin, start with an online budget calculator such as the one offered
at Your Wedding Company or The Knot (www.yourweddingcompany.com or
www.theknot.com), which will help you balance your budget. Questions you
may consider asking yourself are whether you want to pay by the month or for
a full year, and whether you want a simple site that will display the basic facts
or a pricier website with Flash animation and video capabilities.
Last but not least, choose your wedding’s color scheme before creating
your wedsite.You’ll want to retain the same theme throughout every aspect
of your wedding, both online and in the real world.
Popular Wedsites:
Brides.com
nearlyweds!
www.brides.com
A great multi-use site where users can
read suggestions, share a proposal story,
or plan a budget.
www.nearlyweds.com
Choose from a variety of templates
and create a personalized wedding
website for $14.99 per month with
free online RSVP.
The Knot
www.theknot.com
This wedding-planning community is
a good place to begin. See suggestions
for dresses, rings, invitations, cakes,
hairstyles, and more, or create a
free wedsite.
Shore Publishing
www.weddingwindow.com
Create a wedsite; choose from a number
of themes and customize with your own
photos (cost: $79 for the most popular
package).
WeddingOrg.com
www.weddingorg.com
Work with your own personal website
designer to create a fully personalized
wedsite with music, Flash animation,
online RSVPs, photo galleries, and more
(cost: $450 to $562).
mywedding
www.mywedding.com
Create a free wedsite and find vendor
directories, online RSVP managers, and
advice on everything from changing your
name to selecting a date for the big day.
WeddingWindow
Wed Page Designs
www.wedpagedesigns.com
Wedsite features include a variety of
templates, online RSVP, biographies,
guest books, and more. Cost varies
from $12.95 for six months to $29.95
for 36 months.
WeddingReports.com
www.weddingreports.com
Locate and compare professional,
Connecticut-based vendors of wedding
cakes, reception halls, photographers,
and more.
Wedshare.com
www.wedshare.com
Wedshare’s customizable wedsites offer
online RSVP; choose between a free site
with limited features or pay $14.99 per
month for a premium site.
Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 17
Folklore
Wedding Day
Brides and grooms believe in many old wives’ tales, folklore, and good
luck charms to ensure a happy marriage. Here are just some of the wedding
day superstitions.
Brides are carried into
a new home to
guarantee good luck!
A
Vineyard
WEDDING
Work directly with our exclusive caterer,
Coastal Gourmet Catering, for a customized
approach that incorporates your personal tastes
and style for memories that will last a lifetime.
523 TAUGWONK ROAD • STONINGTON, CT
860-535-1222
stoningtonvineyards.com
d299839
• The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress is good luck.
• A sugar cube in a bride’s glove is believed to sweeten the union,
according to the Greeks.
• The groom carries the bride over the threshold to
protect her from evil spirits below.
• Saturday is considered the
unluckiest day to marry, according
to English tradition.
• Many cultures share the belief
that it’s bad luck if the groom
sees the bride in her dress
before the ceremony.
• Russians believe that
marrying in May dooms
the marriage to failure.
• For the Celtics, it’s bad luck
if an article of the bride or
groom’s clothing is damaged
during the ceremony.
With 58 acres of rolling vineyards, sweeping
lawns and sunset views, Stonington Vineyards
is the perfect venue for your special day.
Specially selected menus and packages created by our chefs at Coastal Gourmet Catering, a division of Coastal Gourmet Group.
imagine...
Maxilmilien Darché
Trumpet
Weddings & Cocktail Hours
your wedding day at a unique venue surrounded by country
meadows and soft green rolling hills, with delicious food,
gracious service, and a professional and courteous event staff.
203.376.0207
[email protected]
250 Guests • eleGantly DesiGneD Ballroom
Personal on-site event CoorDinator
Book Your Wedding Now through the End of March and We’ll Pay Your Sales Tax!
For the Look
You Want...
MUSIC by
Kathleen
& Doreen
Flutist
Free Make-Up Trial
For Your Big Day!
Flute & Orchestral Keyboard
Free Gift When You
Book Your Appointment
Free demo CD available !
18 • Spring Wedding Guide 2011
769 Stonington Road, Route 1 • Stonington, Ct 06378
860-572-1111 • StoningtonMeadowS.CoM
(203) 488-1779
481-9575
(203)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Music for Weddings & Special Occasions
Shore Publishing
HK PHOTOGRAPHY
VAL MCCORMICK PHOTOGRAPHY
Shore Publishing
Specially selected menus and packages created by our chefs at
Coastal Gourmet Catering, a division of Coastal Gourmet Group.
d299838
COSMETICS & BOUTIQUE
1116 A Main Street, Branford | 203-481-9770
[email protected]
ANNANDALE PHOTOGRAPHY
Spring Wedding Guide 2011 • 19
Spring Wedding Guide 2011
Shore Publishing