#makeithappen

Since www.weddingwire.com is one of the leading resources for finding wedding and event vendors, this milestone means a lot to us! 

gearing up and into creative mode for the floral arrangements we are crafting for our event this evening!

Save $$$ on planning your event!

Many event planners will say that in terms of saving money on events, it really comes down to what's the most important, and what you can "live without". And while there are always ways to cut costs by cutting "unnecessary" things out, over the years, we've been challenged by a handful of our clients to find creative ways to keep everything they want, and keep it all under budget. Here are my top 4 favorite insider tips to save on your wedding day: 1. Flowers - Everyone knows the trick of choosing floral options that are in season to save money. When you're not willing to budge on your dream floral design, another way to save is to choose a florist who can bring the savings to you. When you're not working with an event planner who can find things at wholesale cost for you, choosing a florist that has a storefront - versus one who solely designs out of a warehouse for events - is a great way to get better pricing. These shops typically make most of their money on day-to-day sales and will be more willing to decrease their pricing on event services when asked. Another way to save is to find out who else is getting married before or directly after you in your wedding venue. See if they'd be willing to split the cost with you, and share the flowers (they get them after your event, or vice versa). 2. Dessert Hour - Many weddings these days feature a dessert hour with a large, beautiful, buffet spread of desserts, paired with a slice of wedding cake for each guest to enjoy. While impressive, it's very rare that guests consume all the food that's offered during this portion of the event. One way to save money here is to instead offer each guest a dessert plate, with a slice of cake and a few other small sweet treats. This helps the caterer plan for an exact amount of food, rather than displaying more food than can possibly be eaten, which translates into money saved on your bill. Another way to save, if you still want a "buffet" feel to the dessert hour, is to instead to platters of dessert foods on each table. You can still budget your amounts, yet still give your guests the luxury of choice on a smaller scale. 3. Wedding Cake - If you want the look of a big, beautiful wedding cake like the ones they had in the 80's - go for it. But 4 and 5-tiered cakes can get pricey. A way to save here is to have a 2 or 3-tiered cake for the slicing ceremony, and then have sheet cakes for the kitchen staff to slice and serve to the guests. The secondary benefit here is that everybody's cake slice will look neater, as it will be perfectly square or rectangle, versus a slice of a big round cake with multiple layers. 4. Bar Service - Instead of offering all top-shelf liquor and unlimited varieties of libations at your wedding, instead opt for signature cocktails. This is a great money-saver, and it's actually a big trend right now in weddings too. Rather than paying a per-head rate for unlimited options at your event, come up with 2 signature drinks that represent each member of the couple. Perhaps the groom likes gin and tonic and the bride likes mimosas - offer a few different variations on those two cocktails to your guests, alongside beer, wine and soda. If limiting your bar service isn't doable for your entire event, try it for the cocktail hour, opening up full bar service during the reception. 

Bold, Vintage, Comfort : 2015 Let Interior Design inspire Wedding Decor

As we all come down off our chocolaty sugar highs from Valentine’s Day and the realities of just saying “YES!” start to sink in…let’s try to get a grip and slow the whirlwind. Deep breaths. Stare at your ring. More deep breaths. There you go! Now what? Now begins a time in your life that will be exhilarating and stressful. There will be a lot of ups and downs. Maybe there will be some tears, but tons of smiles and accomplishments are on their way! Where to begin? The overriding trend in events and wedding planning over the last 8-10 years is “personalization” – making your wedding day fully reflect you as a couple! As on shows like X-Factor and American Idol, the phrase “Make it your own” gets thrown around like a dodge ball. But, that is just so vague. So mysterious. So monumentally not helpful. In fact, many of our couples come to us overwhelmed at the unlimited possibilities and lack of an idea of where to start! Whether we are planning a wedding al fresco, or our client has booked a stunning ballroom for their reception (hey, some do both!), the creation of “space and experience” begins. One place we like to look for inspiration when designing a wedding day is toward the trends in Interior Design. As Edina Monsoon from Absolutely Fabulous so wisely tells us, “What you can tell about a person, you can see on their coffee table!”   Trends in Interior Design are typically longer lasting than trends in fashion, as interior design decisions are usually quite a significant investment. It is much easier to buy a new dress, than change the sofa in your living room! Amiright? In 2015 we are seeing design choices being made that speak to comfort, peace, and an “escape”. We're also seeing attention on bold trim and accents (lots of stripes out there) and vintage, antique, and weathered pieces (real or faux). Let’s take a visual journey translating these interior design trends into a stunning celebration. Trend #1 Comfort and Ease.  The plush, overstuffed sofa and sectional are coming back in a big way this year. A focus on the home as a place to recharge the smartphone, the mind, and the soul has gained popularity in recent years.

So how does that translate to your wedding? For us, it is all about the fabric choice, flowers, and styling. To bring that sense of comfort and ease to your wedding day, pick a dress with flowing fabrics (chiffon or silk) and you will begin to set that mood the very moment your guests see you. Hair should be easy, flowing. The formal  lacquered up-do is going the way of the dodo bird: Let your hair down!

 For the Gentlemen, let’s soften the look with rounded edges, simple lines, and  go with a gray suit. Check out this heather gray wool suit by Allure Men by Jean Yves. Notice the rounded detail in the lapel. So sharp (pun intended). These small details make a big impact.

For floral treatments on your wedding day, the “floral garland” is making a statement this year. It absolutely adds a level of subtle, quiet beauty to any space. It is a rebellion against the traditional centerpiece table treatment. Of course the lush look can be used in the traditional sense, creating clouds of flowers above your tables.

Garland centerpiece photo by www.vickigraftonphotography.com Floral wall garland from www.hellomay.com.au Staircase floral photo by www.rebeccalindon.com Tall centerpiece photo by www.weddings.torywilliams.com

Trend #2 Bold Trim & Accents: In the home, painting your window frames a dark color and using big oversized stripes is gaining traction for 2015. As Details magazine explains, “a woman wearing eyeliner and mascara knows this fact: when you draw a dark line around something, you pay attention to it.”

Striped wall dining photo by Bludoor Studios. Ombre stairs from www.welke.nl

To bring this to your wedding day, go for colorful wedding party attire, or bold linens. Contrast patterns with one bold tone in your flowers to keep things interesting, but not busy. To be totally on-trend for 2015, Marsala is a very romantic choice for a signature color. This deep red tone can be paired with soft pinks and greens in the spring and summer. For the Fall, complement the deep- red with patterned feathers in browns and tans for real drama!

www.projectwedding.com   www.cleverweddingideas.com www.thebridaldective.com www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Trend #3 Vintage & Weathered This aesthetic has been around for a long time. There is however a surge in its popularity and application in the home. In a time when technology advances so quickly, we are starting to appreciate and long for pieces that have survived history. There are countless ways to bring this feel to any event.

thenletitbe.blogspot.com blog.dormify.com ipaper.ipapercms.dk

Bring this idea into your wedding with mercury glass vases and candle holders. Shop vintage and junk shops for unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Old doors and window frames with a whitewash or crackle finish can be repurposed to create structure and architecture for an outdoor or tented ceremony.

www.brintonstudios.com www.rockmywedding.co.uk www.atdusk.com.au www.pinterest.com/pin/296885800410450637/

Every interpretation will be different. What is it that you find comfort in? What is bold to you? However you end up answering those questions is what will help you live up to the “make it your own” mantra. Now look at that ring, again. Breathe. Happy planning!

XO,

John & Nicole

Top 11 Concerns/Questions Answered for the Newly Engaged!

featured on www.mrswhyknot.com on January 26, 2015

Maybe you got engaged on a holiday. Maybe you or your other half popped the big question at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Maybe it just happened recently at a place and time that was meaningful to you. Whatever your story, November-January is the most popular time to get engaged and known throughout the industry as “engagement season”. January-February is our favorite time of year. As wedding planners, coordinators, and designers, we love being introduced to new couples who are happy, enthusiastic, and ready to embark on the journey toward their dream wedding.

If you’re planning your big day without the help of a planner, have no fear! We’ve put together a list of the top 11** questions we get from newly engaged couples – and we’ve answered each one, so you can stop worrying, and start getting the most out of this exciting time in your life!

#1. What do I say when people keep asking me what kind of wedding I want? I have no idea!

You don’t have to know right away! Simply say, “We are just enjoying being engaged right now and we’re not rushing anything. We are thinking we’ll start planning in (insert timeframe here).” You can say 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months, or whatever feels right.

#2. What is the best time of year to get married?

Wedding season is typically March-November, but there aren’t any rules! Fall is becoming popular for weddings, and of course Spring & Summer are always beautiful. Winter weddings are special in their own way, so you really can’t go wrong any time of year!

#3. What comes first? Where do I start?

You’ll need to come up with your guest list first. Once you understand how many people you want to celebrate with, the process will be much easier to navigate. Having a guest list enables you to select venues that work for your guest list, and rule out those that don’t.

#4. How much is this going to cost?

Depending on what you want, you can make your wedding fun and enjoyable without breaking the bank. In New York, we’ve worked with budgets of $10K or less, all the way up to opulent events that cost $250K+. Decide what you’re comfortable with, and go from there.

#5. Can I ask my family and friends to help me plan?

If they’ve offered, of course! Ask them to help research, come up with ideas, and even craft with you. If you want to make sure you’re not asking too much first, say something like, “Since you’ve offered, I could really use help with XYZ. Would that be something you’d enjoy & have time for?”

#6. How do I ask my family and friends to STOP helping me plan?

Simply say, “I really love that you want to help – and I want this process to be enjoyable for everyone involved. Can you give me some time and space to figure out what I need the most help with?” Then, when you’re ready, refer to question #5 to enlist their help.

#7. Do I have to pick a color scheme that goes with the season of my wedding?

Not at all! When it’s done right, you can make any color work with any season. If you’re hiring an event designer, they’ll make it work for you!

#8. Do I have to invite everyone I know?

In short, no. In general, people understand that weddings tend to be expensive affairs, and many couples are planning and paying for their big day on their own without help from parents. “We’re keeping it small, mostly just family,” is all you have to say.

#9. I want a small wedding. How do I tell my big family?

You can simply say, “We would love to celebrate with everyone, but with the size of our families, that’s tough to do. What we want is a stress-free day for all involved, and while we’d love to invite everyone, we’d prefer to keep it small & intimate.” If it’s important to your extended family to be involved, you can invite them to the ceremony, or promise to post a wedding video online soon after the wedding.

#10. How long does it really take to plan a wedding?

We’ve planned weddings in as little as 3 months, and others in as long as 2 years. Whatever timeline is right for you, it’s totally possible! Wedding planners often make events with short timelines possible – they’re pros that can help coordinate everything for you, quickly! If your timeline is fairly short, that would be a great route to explore.

#11.  How do I know when to book all my vendors and services?

It’s tricky to know the order of operations for wedding planning, but we have a great timeline tool that’s helpful! If you’d like a freebie PDF of it emailed to you, simply reach out to us at Nicole@EventsBySB.com orJohn@EventsBySB.com. We’ll send you one right away!

  Whatever you’re planning, just try to keep yourself de-stressed and excited. Remember – being engaged is one of the best times of your life. Soak it up, enjoy it, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy Planning!

  XOXO

Nicole & John

**Why 11 questions? Why not just a typical top 10? Well, we’re not your typical wedding planners. First of all, 11 is a lucky number for us and second of all, we’re just the type who like to go above and beyond. So, you get 10+1 from us!

Claire & Pete - Brooklyn, NY

Pete works in publishing and is a member of the band #LostGloves. Claire works for a tech start-up and is an actress. Busy Brooklynites with very little time in a day to plan a wedding, they quickly sought us out to make their wedding day a success. See the rather adorable way Pete asked Claire to marry him (http://bit.ly/11yScIy)! Well done, right?

As many brides can attest, finding your wedding dress can be the most daunting part of the whole process. Events by SB’s Creative Director has a proven track record of matching Bride to Dress very quickly (but that may have to do with the light #MimosaBrunch we treat you to the day of shopping!)

Hunting for Claire’s dress, we came across a stunning 1950’s lace and tulle circle skirt dress with a pleated satin waist hanging in the window of Rosebud Vintage in Crown Heights, BK!

This was her dress! It was everything Claire was hoping to find. As told by the shop owner, the dress was a custom-made design in the early part of the decade. This dress should not have fit Claire because of its measurements, but we were undeterred “Put it on, lets just see…” When Claire came out of the dressing room “OMG it’s a TARDIS dress.” That is when Claire knew. This was all meant to be! 

On a gloriously warm mid-October Saturday, the guests entered the mansion to a Merchant’s Table covered in sheepskin, bricks, wheat, ore, and wood. In place of table assignments, each guest received a glass mug for their beer and whiskey! 

Tables were set with pumpkins and gourds that were scattered around vintage books found at thrift stores throughout Brooklyn (some dating back as far as 1904!).

The bar was set in the Conservatory, with its big glass panes and colorful Tiffany Glass transom windows. Just beyond the Conservatory was a tented patio where the tables were set up family style. Decorated with more of the warty gourds and vintage novels. We added tall trumpet vases filled with beet-powder dyed water and in each vase a single “blade” of 6’ tall decorative grass was placed. It was simple yet dramatic. 

Out in the yard, we set up a table for the couple’s friends to serve the beer they brewed for the occasion. In keeping with the bride’s choice of Beet Red for inspiration, a homebrew of Beet Beer was served! 

The ceremony took place after an hour of cocktails and mingling with their guests, as the couple had decided instead of “a wedding that had a party” they wanted to have a “party that happened to have a wedding.” For bouquets and boutonnieres, we stormed the Whole Foods organic produce department for Kale, Beets, Swiss Chard, Asparagus and Red Endive. This was such a great challenge! Claire loved her edible bouquet! 

In lieu of a sit-down meal, their guests noshed on delicious light appetizers with a few beet-centric choices provided by #BassetCatering until the groom’s favorite taco truck arrived, #Calexico! They were phenomenal! Instead of the traditional cake-cutting, there was a “doughnut-splitting” of fresh made apple cider doughnuts! 

Everyone danced until the very last minute they could! Friend of the Couple DJ was on fire, and ended the night with party favorite and strangely heart warming Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”!

Sheep for Wheat!?

Planning & Decor: www.eventsbysb.com

Claire’s Dress: Vintage find from www.rosebudvintage.com 

Pete’s Suit: Custom by www.altonlane.com

Catering: www.bassettcaterers.com & www.calexico.net

Photography: www.bigcakephotography.com

Venue: The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture www.bsec.org

Tent Rental: www.westsidepartyrental.com

Claire's Hair & Make-up: Norah Salazar http://norahlovesmakeup.viewbook.com/

Beet Juice Saison by #GlassbootBrewers

Looking Back on a Great 2014 Wedding Season: Selected Wedding Highlights

featured on www.mrswhyknot.com December 22, 2014

The 2014 Wedding Season was an exciting time for us! We worked with a wonderful contrast of people, ideas and concepts that provided us with unique opportunities as well as challenges to navigate. We want to highlight some of those challenges to help spark a thought about your wedding. Part of planning and designing a wedding includes identifying and overcoming challenges, working with what you have (or don’t have), and accommodating a wide range of people and their needs, which can be interesting and tricky at times.

Here are just a few of our 2014 events which had unique and interesting challenges, which we overcame to create beautiful, fun experiences for our clients.

Valerie and James – A sunset wedding on the NYC Harbor

Louis Valentino Park is hidden behind old abandoned warehouses on the NYC Harbor with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the setting summer sun! This fabulous site presented two challenges to planning a perfect ceremony.

  To take advantage of this natural breeze, we created a flowing shabby-chic backdrop by sourcing vintage-feel fabrics in champagne, ivory, coral, and glittery gold to tie the bridesmaids’ dresses to the shimmering harbor during sunset. We turned the fabric into strips, which danced in the harbor breeze during the ceremony, creating a sense of romance and calm. To work WITH the sunlight, we decided to rotate the orientation of the entire site so the sun was behind the guests. Doing this we eliminated the glare from the guests view, and bathed the entire ceremony in the best light for outdoor photos.

photography by Beulah of www.wilhelminaweddings.com

Annie and Chris - An evening Gala for a very fun couple in a Pre-War building just beyond the bustling and boisterous Times Square!

The loft boasts original wide-plank floors, built-in book shelves, enormous skylights, grand windows, and private access to the roof which sits just below the Empire State Building. Everything in the loft is painted white, which creates a blank space to do anything you want! The couple wanted to have a big dance-all-night party that was not the typical seated formal affair. Wanting to include everyone they loved, the layout of the loft and the couple’s wishes required some creative thinking!

The bride and groom were caught between what they wanted and what the realities of combining family and friends into one party means. The couple’s wish to have a cocktails and dance party meant they did not want a sit-down assigned seating event. They wanted everyone dancing all night!

We created four areas within the one space that would cater to all needs.

For the traditional wedding experience, we set dining tables near the buffet for the “VIP” guests. The bar and dance floor were assembled at the opposite end of the space to keep the party going all night. The space between the tables and dance floor was set with cocktail tables for those who wanted to dance the night away, and preferred to eat dinner at a cocktail table between their favorite songs!

      Courtney and Tim – An autumn wedding on the family farm The bride decided from the very beginning she did not want the traditional flower centerpieces, and did not want to assign seating. The couple wanted to create a relaxing fun family time on the groom’s family farm.

Since this wedding was to take place on a farm in the fall, we decided to go with wheat and organic English and French lavender (technically an herb!) for the rustic hand-tied bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces. Working in some farm-grown gourds and pumpkins with burlap accents and pops of orange and yellow against a base of blues, a truly romantic scene was set.

Allowing your guests to choose their own seats can be a thoughtful gesture, but once the first few groups sit with their “besties”, you’ll inevitably have one or two empty seats between those groups and the last few people to walk in (who will also want to sit together) wont have any seats to do so. To solve this problem, we suggest setting extra tables with at least 15% more seats than rsvp’d guests (ie: you expect 100 guests, provide seating for at least 115).

lavender and wheat bouquets and boutonnieres by eventsbysb

Lastly, two days before the wedding, the bride’s sister asked us to work an 11 minute photo montage into the reception.  After dozens of phone calls and emails, we secured a projector and screen rental, reworked the layout of the reception, and updated the timeline for the DJ and the caterer. Timing is everything!

We believe your wedding day should be one of the happiest, most perfect days of your lives together. At SB Events, that belief is at the core of what we do, and we work tirelessly to overcome every challenge, clear every roadblock, free up every snag, and smooth every potential crease that may arise leading up to or during your big day, to keep it as perfect as possible. Even when your event is expertly planned and designed, someone must be assigned the job of “coordinator” to handle the inevitable issues that will arise on the day of your wedding. This includes handling any seating issues, vendor management questions, timing implementation, and of course, those last minute surprises that your bridal party may want to provide for you.

We’re here to handle it all, and love every minute of our jobs! As you’re planning your event, don’t forget the crucial step of selecting a coordinator who you can trust to handle any challenge that’s thrown their way. At SB Events, it’s what we do, and we love doing it!

 XO & Happy Planning!

CYA (Cover Your Ass): Ask the Right Questions of Your Venue

featured on www.mrswhyknot.com July 23, 2014

When planning your wedding at a Catering Hall, their list of inclusions often seems all-inclusive, but you'll want to be sure that what they're providing is in line with what you need for your specific event.

As wedding and event planners, we visit new venues all the time, and ask dozens of questions about their capabilities, requirements, guidelines, offerings, and general approach toward events.

If you're planning your event on your own, you probably already have an idea of the questions you will be asking (how much everything costs, whether you can have your ceremony onsite, how many guests can fit) but here is a quick list of top questions to ask, that you may not have thought of, to make sure you have all the information you need to plan your event:

-       Maximum Seated Capacity – It's important to ask this question, but you'll also need to ask "what is the maximum seated capacity, when a dance floor is set up?" Sometimes, caterers give you a number, but because you didn't know to ask about the dance floor, your expectations of capacity might be different from theirs. Make sure you ask both questions.

-       Size of dance floor – It's also important to know how much space the dance floor will have - we've all been to the wedding where the dance floor was too small to accommodate all who wanted to give their twinkle-toes a little spin on the dance floor, and similarly, you don't want the dance floor to be too big either. You want a nice balance of enough room for everyone, while not making the dance floor look empty by having it be too large for your party. The general rule of thumb when it comes to sizing your dance floor is to ensure that you have 3 square feet per dancing guest. This allows enough breathing room for all who like to boogie down, and won't eat up too much of your reception space.

-       Are Linens included? – Ask this question, and don't forget to also ask their colors and whether there are any upcharges for certain colors. Sometimes, catering halls keep certain colors stocked (standards like black, white and ivory), but need to rent out any other colors that you'd like. Make sure you know what colors you want to use, and whether or not they will charge you more if you ask for a color that they don't have in storage.

-       What do the chairs look like? – It's important to see, and sit in the chairs as well. Find out how comfortable they are, and how they look (will they need chair cushions or covers?) to make sure they're perfect for your guests. And if you determine that you'd like chair covers, find out if chair covers can be provided by the venue, and whether they come at an extra cost (ask about colors on these too!)

-       Is Up-Lighting included? – A big trend in weddings lately has been to utilize lighting instead of additional decor to brighten up the room and give it a color that would look great for your event. Some venues offer this for free; others can rent lighting equipment for you (or you can rent it on your own). Find out if there is a charge associated with them providing this for you, as it can really save you a lot of money with decor.

-       Pin Spots – You're already going to be spending time and money on obtaining beautiful centerpieces for your guests' tables - make sure that your venue can help to highlight those with pin-spots. These are tiny spotlights that can be adjusted to point directly at your centerpieces, to give them a nice glow. It also produces great ambiance within the room.

-       Audio / Visual Equipment – Many couples choose to display a photomontage or short video at their weddings. Make sure your venue has the equipment to support this for you, and find out if you need to hire an A/V professional to handle this for you. Your wedding coordinator may be able to manage it, or someone at the venue may be willing to do it for you!

-       Tip Jars at the Bars – This is a matter of preference. Some venues allow tip jars to be on the bars at your event. Others ask for you to provide gratuities to your bar servers. Either way, it's important to know which approach your venue takes, and whether you'll need to budget a little extra for bar service gratuities.

-       Valet Parking – Does your venue provide it? Does it cost the guest anything? Or is it an extra charge for you?

-       Preferred or Required Vendors – Some venues have strict rules about the florists, lighting vendors, and other wedding professionals that they'll allow into their venue. Find this out upfront, to determine if your preferred vendors are on the list, or if there is flexibility in who they'll allow to work with them.

-       Vendor Meals – Don't forget about your other wedding professionals - your DJ, Photographer, Videographer, Coordinator etc., all need to be fed at your wedding. Find out what your venue charges you for vendor meal pricing. They will often offer a price break on these meals for you!

-       Location of restrooms and whether they are shared with other events onsite –  It's important to know whether you'll have to share restrooms with other events. The venue may provide small baskets of toiletries and amenities to guests, or they may ask if you’d like to do it yourself. Find out if you’re sharing the restroom with another event that evening – perhaps the other couple would like to split the cost of these items for you, if you’re sharing the space!

-       Can they accommodate pre-cocktail hour arrivals – If you’re planning on taking photos between the ceremony and the reception, you’ve probably allocated a bit of a time gap in between those two events. Your guests may use this time to check into their hotels, explore the local area… or even just show up early to the cocktail hour! Find out if your venue can accommodate early arrivals by offering them champagne, bottled water, soft drinks, or anything like that. For some venues, they will of course accommodate. Others may not be able to. It’s important to know what to expect here!

-       Deliveries / storage before event – Find out if your venue can take and store any décor items for you, before the event.

-       Overtime charges – At the end of the party, you may possibly find that some of your guests are having too good of a time to end the night! Find out if your venue is flexible with the end-time of the event, and if so, what those overtime charges might be. Better to be prepared and offer your guests a little extra time, if they want it!

To make it easy to remember, here’s a short recap list of the items that you can print and bring along with you to the venue:

-       Maximum Seated Capacity

-       Size of dance floor

-       Are Linens included?

-       What do the chairs look like?

-       Is Up-Lighting included?

-       Pin Spots

-       Audio / Visual Equipment

-       Tip Jars at the Bars

-       Valet Parking

-       Preferred or Required Vendors

-       Vendor Meals

-       Location of restrooms and whether they are shared with other events onsite

-       Can they accommodate pre-cocktail hour arrivals

-       Deliveries / storage before event

-       Overtime charges

Happy Planning!

SNEAK PEEK! Private Tour of Westchester County's Newest Coastal Wedding Mansion!

featured on www.mrswhyknot.com April 7, 2014

Something Blue was recently given a private tour and exclusive planning rights to a brand-new wedding venue in Westchester – which we are excited to begin planning events in! This venue is so brand-new, the name and location have both yet to be announced – but Something Blue has the exclusive inside scoop on all it has to offer, including the very first photos and details of the venue, the grounds and the breathtaking views!

Located on the water, this stunning vintage mansion is sure to be the newest and most sought-after wedding destination for those who would like an intimate, private event with a rustic and hidden-away feel, yet prefer the convenience and accessibility that venues in lower Westchester offer.

Just steps away from the water and tucked away in a private wooded area, the house is not only full of its original charm, but the owners have done an amazing job reviving the entire space, both inside and out, for the most discerning of guests. Not a detail has been missed, including restoring the original woodwork and light fixtures throughout the house, which gives this classic yet updated venue its own unique identity.

There is truly nothing else like it in Westchester.

The abundance of windows bathe the rooms in light, and the wrap-around porch allows for guests to not only enjoy the beauty and comfort of the inside of the house, but also the beauty and splendor of the surrounding area outside.

Not only is it a perfect venue for a wedding, rehearsal dinner or private event, it also has 8 bedrooms which are available for overnight accommodations for hosts and guests. 

An Anniversary Party with a twist!

featured on www.mrswhyknot.com February 18, 2014

What better way to celebrate 30 years of marriage, than with a personalized party that incorporates your love for each other, fun family gatherings, and FOOTBALL?

  That’s the fun and unique task that Something Blue Events was given when asked to plan a combined 30th Anniversary / Super Bowl Party for one of the most fun-loving couples we’ve worked with to date! Their anniversary fell very close to this years’ Super Bowl, which was held at MetLife Stadium on 2/2. Being the fun and charismatic couple that they are, they wanted their Anniversary Party to not only reflect them, but to also reflect their love for entertaining… and football!

So we planned them a party to be remembered for years to come.

When asked what they wanted for cuisine, they replied, “It’s the big game! Wings! Can we do that?”

Of course we could! 

In addition to having the event catered, we included a surprise for the partygoers: a pre-game tailgate party outside of the event venue, catered by a local food truck! There was no shortage of game day nosh, as they served up 2 hours of pre-game munchies to satisfy even the biggest of appetites. From burgers, dogs, french fries and onion rings to a sweet treat of fried Oreos, guests got their choice of pre-game grub before the big event began!

The surprises didn’t stop there. Once inside the event venue, The Waveny House – a mansion and popular wedding venue in New Canaan, CT – guests were greeted with 4 oversized HD flat-screens to view the Big Game. The décor of the space incorporated everything the couple wanted, and Something Blue’s Creative Director made sure they got just that! From a handcrafted aisle runner made of turf, to centerpieces created with NFL-licensed footballs with hand-tied white rose bridal bouquets, right down to the linens which were coordinated with the colors of the opposing teams, guests were treated with a one-of-a-kind game-day twist on a traditional anniversary event.

From there, the delicious chow continued to be served up. We tailored a catering menu that not only incorporated some game-day faves like wings and dips, but also traditional wedding-fare that had been transformed into finger-foods like lamb chop “lollipops” and mini beef-wellingtons. Two of the most unique items were the Taco&Tequila bites (mini fish tacos paired with shot-sized bottles of Patron) and the Burger&Beer (sliders served w/ a shot-sized beer)! What is a football party without the Burgers&Beer!?  These small but important details gave guests a taste of “Big Game” cuisine with a classy and upscale twist.

Half-time was Dessert Time! Our dessert caterer created an incredible cake replica of MetLife stadium along with enough cinnamon and sugar soft pretzels for all the guests to enjoy as late-night snacks.

  When it comes to the logistics of planning an event like this, it’s important to recognize all the moving parts – not only were there multiple vendors moving in, setting up, and cooking in various locations, there was also a lot of overlap that needed to be addressed. This is where Something Blue Events shines – no matter what type of party you want, or how complicated it may be to execute, leaving the details to us is the best way to make sure it’s “off your shoulders, but never out of your hands!” That’s our motto, and the details of this event speak to how easily Something Blue can create the event that you want, while you maintain complete control over the experience that you want. Even if your favorite football team disappoints, your favorite events team will always come through!

  Catering: www.eventsbyjoni.com

Venue: The Waveny House www.newcanaan.info