Category: THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

10 Wedding Planning Tasks You Can Do From Home

10 Wedding Planning Tasks You Can Do From Home


Whether you are planning a postponed wedding or staying the course with a celebration scheduled for later this year or in 2021, take advantage of the time you might have now by tackling all of those time consuming wedding planning tasks.

While some plans may be out of reach (site visits, in-person dress shopping, etc.), we’ve rounded up 10 wedding planning tasks you can check off your to-do list right from the comfort of your own home!

BOOK YOUR WEDDING VENDORS AND SCHEDULE VIRTUAL TOURS/APPOINTMENTS

Your wedding planning doesn’t have to be stalled by this pandemic. In fact, it may be more important than ever to be on top of things earlier than you might have planned. Continue to research and book your high priority vendors like your venue, photographer, DJ, and florals. This is a great time to set up zoom/facetime meetings with potential vendors, ask all of your questions and see if they align with your vision for your big day.

These vendors are going to have overflow from 2020 into 2021 and fewer 2021 weekends available—waiting to book may leave you to find that a vendor on your “must-have” list is no longer available.

Pro Tip: Start putting together a list of “must-play” songs for your DJ/band and jotting down your visual needs and preferences for your photographer/videographer.

START PINNING INSPIRATION PHOTOS AND CREATE VISION BOARDS

This is a great time to pull inspiration from Instagram, Pinterest and wedding publications to capture the feeling of your dream wedding. Organize your decor ideas and start to pin all of your favorite themes and ideas. This will save a lot of time when you are discussing your vision with your wedding vendors. You can simply share your mood board with them and they will know what you want instantly.

Looking for more wedding inspiration? Check out our Pinterest boards here. We hope they inspire you with swoon-worthy details and fresh ideas!

GATHER NAMES AND ADDRESSES FOR YOUR GUEST LIST

This is a great time to start working on your guest list. Your guest list has a huge impact on your overall budget so getting this in order early is one of the most important things you can do when you start your wedding planning.

Collecting addresses is a great reason to reach out and get in touch with your loved ones while we’re all practicing safe social distancing. It’s also useful to have everyone’s contact info in one place, so later on you have a list for thank you notes, holiday cards, and other occasions.

This is a time consuming activity, but once you have your guest list, it will help with other tasks like ordering invitations, creating a seating chart and tracking your RSVP’s.

Pro Tip: Consider including numbers on your RSVP cards. More than likely, you will have a few guests return their card without writing in their name(s) and this will save you time trying to figure out who it is.

SEND OUT YOUR “SAVE THE DATE”S OR “SAVE THE NEW DATE”S

If your wedding plans have recently changed, it is important to notify wedding guests and share updated details as soon as possible.

This can be done by sending emails or mailing new “save the date” cards. You can also update your wedding website with the new date, location, and any other information guests may need to know, such as directions to your venue or details about hotel accommodations/room blocks.

Pro Tip: If your original wedding date is less than two months away, emails and group texts/chats are the quickest ways to share the new details. You can also use Facebook to spread the word—consider creating a new list to limit the message to only your followers who are on your guest list.

We love these “save the new date” cards!

CREATE A WEDDING WEBSITE

Building a wedding website is a great way to keep everyone in the loop and to share quick updates anytime.

We love these free wedding website templates from Minted and Zola that will guide you every step of the way.

STAY HOME BUT STAY FIT

Staying home does not mean you have to miss out on your daily workouts. In fact, now you can work out at your own convenience and there are so many great home workout videos available online.

Start working out daily and get into the best shape for your big day!

SKIN/HAIR AND SELF CARE

Take this time to pamper yourself and get into a skin and haircare regimen. Indulge in face masks, massage oils and other forms of self-care to help you look and feel your best.

This is also a great time to start narrowing down your ideal glam (makeup, hair, nails, etc.) for your wedding day.

REGISTER FOR WEDDING GIFTS + EXPERIENCES

Creating a wedding registry is a fun activity for you and your partner to do together when you’re stuck inside. Compile a list of things you need for your home or search for websites to create a honeymoon fund.

While nothing is more fun than using that little scanner gun, couples at home should take advantage of the wide array of online registry options available. Cross this fun task off your list by shopping entirely online!

SHOP ONLINE FOR BRIDESMAIDS + GROOMSMEN APPAREL

Shop online for bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen suits by color, price, and silhouette and start to create the perfect looks for your best girls and guys.

While an in-person fitting may not be possible right now, we love these tips on how to measure yourself for a bridesmaid dress at home and this Groomsmen Suit and Bridesmaid Dress Size Chart.

PLAN YOUR HONEYMOON

A honeymoon is a great chance to relax after months of planning your big day. Set a budget and start discussing dream destinations with your significant other. Research locations online and decide on the best time that works with both of your schedules. This will give you both something to look forward to!

Orin Swift Wine Dinner

Orin Swift Wine Dinner


Join us on Wednesday, February 19th for our Orin Swift Wine Dinner featuring an exclusive

four-course menu perfectly paired with wines from Orin Swift Cellars.

6:00-6:30pm: Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast

6:30-9:00pm: Four-course dinner with wine pairings

View Wine Dinner Menu here.

$125 per person or $115 with Winter Fest bracelet
*includes tax & gratuity

Reserve your spot today by calling 401-849-4873 or email ryanh@newportexperience.com for reservations.

Join us for Newport Restaurant Week

Join us for Newport Restaurant Week


Join us at the Safari Room at OceanCliff for Fall Restaurant Week and enjoy delicious two-course lunches and three-course dinners.

$20 Lunch | $35 Dinner

View Restaurant Week Menus here.

Call 401-849-4873 for reservations or click here.

Restaurant Week Dine & Stay Package

Indulge in our Dine & Stay package a book a relaxing getaway at OceanCliff Hotel during Newport Restaurant Week. Includes a cozy one night stay and dinner for two in the Safari Room Restaurant.

$199 Deluxe Room

$249 Luxury Room

*Valid Mon-Thurs only, based on availability. Excludes taxes, beverages and gratuities.

Call 401-619-7925 for availability and reservations.

Featured Vendor: Newport Chowder Company

Featured Vendor: Newport Chowder Company


There are few things cozier than a bowl of hot soup and New England clam chowder is one of the coziest.

Our friends at the Newport Chowder Company recently shared their award-winning recipe with us and we’re so glad they did! It is the creamiest, dreamiest clam chowder; the ultimate comfort food.

It all started in 1985 when Muriel Barclay de Tolly, opened her famous Muriel’s restaurant in Newport, RI with the help of her six children.

On a dare, Muriel entered her seafood chowder in the Newport Chowder Festival and went on to win three consecutive years. This placed her in the Newport RI Chowder Hall of Fame. Although she retired from her restaurant in 1999, her delicious seafood chowder recipe, with its “secret potion”, is still available today through the Newport Chowder Company.

Each of their chowder packets contain Muriel’s award-winning seafood chowder recipe and can be personalized for your wedding, shower or corporate event. It’s a great way to share the “newport experience” with all of your guests. You can never go wrong with food, especially if it’s locally sourced and the personalized packaging gives it that extra special touch.

Warm, thoughtful, and delightfully personal, it’s a unique gift that your guests are sure to love!

Personalize and share this award winning recipe at your next gathering or corporate event!

**Mention this post and receive 50% off customization!**

CONTACT:

Hope & Main

Newport Restaurant Week Returns

Featured Vendor: Confectionery Designs

Featured Vendor: Confectionery Designs


Behind every fantastic wedding is a team of top-notch vendors. Our Featured Vendors are those in the wedding industry that we have worked with on many occasions, know and trust their style and professionalism, and who we feel would be a great fit for our brides and clients.

Confectionery Designs is a company specializing in wedding and specialty cakes. Renowned Pastry chef Mark Soliday and his wife & Bakery Manager Marie Soliday, moved to New England 16 years ago to expand their cake business. They offer an amazing selection of handcrafted cakes as well as a variety of doughnuts and pastries. Chef Soliday is also a Pastry Arts Instructor at Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island. With his refined experience, Chef Soliday will design your wedding cake to reflect your personality and style, thus creating a lifetime memory. Check out some of his masterpieces below!

OceanCliff Hotel & Resort

OceanCliff Hotel & Resort

Regatta Place

OceanCliff Hotel & Resort

Hop on over to their website to learn more about their delightful cakes: www.confectionerydesigns.net

For more information, contact:

Confectionery Designs

774-565-8288 / 401-413-6851

info@confectionerydesigns.net

**Mention this post and receive a Complimentary Cake Tasting. They will provide a range of flavor options so you can truly experience their work for yourself. New Bookings only.**

Join us for Newport Restaurant Week

November in Newport

November in Newport


November in Newport offers a variety of activities and fall fun for visitors and locals alike. Here are some of our favorite happenings in and around town this month.

Newport Restaurant Week: From November 2- November 11, celebrate Newport Restaurant Week at over 50 restaurants offering two-course prix fixe lunches for $20, three-course prix fixe dinners for $35, and a three-course premier prix fixe dinner for $50. Visit The Safari Room for lunch or dinner!

Annual Harvest Festival at Greenvale Vineyards: On November 10th from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, celebrate Greenvale Vineyards’ harvest festival with music, tractor rides, face painting, games, wines and food samplings.

Christmas at the Newport Mansions: From November 17- January 1, enjoy The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House at their most festive. With music, tours, and holiday decorations, celebrate Christmas at the Newport Mansions by visiting with friends and family.

Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade:

Head to Newport Harbor at 6:15pm on November 23 for an unforgettable boat parade to kickoff the holiday season. See boats decked in lights and listen to Caribbean Christmas and Holiday music. After, partake in a holiday stroll at locally-owned shops and restaurants with special offers.

Christmas at Blithewold: From November 23- January 1, enjoy Blithewold Mansion’s beautiful Christmas decorations. Experience the magic of the mansion during the holiday season with friends and family.

Book your stay at OceanCliff today to experience the very best of Newport.

For more information on what to plan for your Newport experience, contact us at info@newportexperience.com.


Best of Newport Wedding Awards 2018

Best of Newport Wedding Awards 2018

Newport in October

Newport in October


Fall is officially here and there is no place better to be than Newport. October brings cooler weather and a month full of incredible music, food, and fun. Here are our favorite happenings this month.

Broadway Street Fair

Head to Broadway and enjoy music, food, family activities, and exhibiting artists October 6 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. With over 170 vendors, this free rain or shine event is a fun-filled experience for all.

Mansions & Motors

Presented by The Preservation Society of Newport County and the Audrain Automobile Museum, experience Cars & Coffee at The Elms mansion on October 6th and 20th from 8am-10am.

Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival

Visit Bowen’s Wharf October 13, 2018 – October 14 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily for music, drinks, and delicious food. Enjoy fish tacos, lobster rolls, fried calamari, oysters, signature cocktails and cold Whaler’s Brewing beer, accompany continuous live music, and family fun, all beneath the Wharf’s colorful tents. Fresh smoothies, donuts and kettle corn for your sweet tooth.

Harvest Festival at Newport Vineyards

Experience Newport Vineyards at its most fun October 27, 2018 – October 28, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM for grape stomping, wine and Taproot beer tasting, and pie eating. Enjoy live music while sipping on local wines or fresh Taproot beer, and noshing on gourmet goods.

Book your stay at OceanCliff today to experience the very best of Newport.

For more information on what to plan for your Newport experience, contact us at info@newportexperience.com.