Cape Cod Christmas Wedding

{ Nantucket Wedding  via Claudia Kronenberg Photography }

Happy Holidays to one & all!

Baby It's Cold Outside

It is snowing like a bah-stahd out there.  If your wedding was tonight, you'd need some cozy warm tights underneath your dress. Something like this:

{ Jennifer S. Rau Photography via Wedding Obsessions }

Like this idea? Find some cable knit tights here.

Inspiration: Mad for Plaid

I've gone a little mad for plaid.

Not in a plaid wedding dress kind of way:

{ via Style Me Pretty }

But in a Charlotte Marries Trey in a Wedding Infused with Subtle Tartan Details way, a la Carrie's maid of honor dress with a little tartan ribbon at the waist.

{ It is embarrassing how I got this photo. Let's not talk about it, OK? }

Think white rose bouquets tied with plaid ribbon, little flower girls in tartan dresses, groomsmen in navy suits with plaid ties.  A groom in a kilt is not required... but if you're a girl who loves a man in a skirt, be my guest.

What a lovely way to inject some holiday color without being overtly red & green. And a nice way to honor the family if you happen to be a MacSomething, Campbell or Stewart (like me!).
 

 { Top: Have one of these guys outside the church; Flower girls could carry evergreen kissing balls; Centerpieces in silver trophies tied with plaid ribbon;

Middle: Bouquet with amaryllis; Plaid takes the cake; Sweet little flower girl dress; 

Bottom: Red-domed centerpieces and hints of gold; Kilt hits the beach via Raw Photo }

Cold night. Hot Drink How-To.

Yes, yes. Cranberries are synonymous with Cape Cod. Any good Shoreside Bride would feature this crimson berry in a signature cocktail. The classic Cape Codder, The Cranberry Spritzer, The Cape Cod 'Rita... all a little summer.

For you winter Cape Cod brides looking to keep your guests warm, how about a Mulled Cranberry Cocktail?

Recipe:
Combine one quart of cranberry juice, 1 cinnamon stick and two whole cloves in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer.

In another saucepan, combine 1/2 cup cranberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of water. Warm over medium heat, gently stirring, until the cranberries pop and are well coated with sugar. Use these cranberries to garnish a toothpick or skewer.

{ Recipe & photo courtesy of Martha Stewart }

If you want to booze it up, add some fruity red wine to the juice as it is simmering, or top off the mulled juice with a splash of orange-flavored liqueur, like Cointreau or Triple Sec.

{ Alcoholic suggestions courtesy of yours truly }

Me making one of these to keep warm on this freakin' cold night. Snow? Where are you? Snow?!?

Tuesday Shoesday: The Bride Wore Uggs

{ Martha Stewart Weddings }

Still waiting on this snow my manfriend says is coming. But at least I'm ready.

A Heaven of Diamonds Shine Down Through The Night

Today was a dreary day. Wet. Windy. Cool and getting colder by the minute. But I've heard (from the boy in my life, who fancies himself a weatherman) there might be some snow in the forecast. I'm hoping to wake up to a mantle of white.

Isn't the first snow of the year magical?

And isn't this, too?

{ No Eye Has Seen Photography }

Happy Monday!

P.S.: I haven't forgotten about the Borsari Gallery Real Wedding. And, to warn you, I'm going a little mad for plaid.

Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Starfish Hanging, Six Geese a Laying...

Err, no. Not quite the song. But me likey these starfish ornaments and thought they warranted a song.

Tie pretty little nametags to them (in silver or gold calligraphy), hang them from a Christmas tree, and aren't they just a darlin' Cape Cod Christmas Wedding escort card? 

{Is everyone trawling Etsy like I am for Christmas presents?!? 

These are from Etsy seller Hen And Chick 

but maybe could be a DIY project? } 

Tuesday Shoesday: Tied Up with A Bow

Dear Santa-

   These, please:

{ Christian Laboutins (already tied up with a bow) for every holiday-inspired wedding, holiday party, holiday caroling, holiday baking, holiday house cleaning...  }

Cape Cod Wedding Venue: Borsari Gallery

For whatever reason, I always envision winter weddings to be small in size but huge in warmth, held at a place with romantic nooks, cozy crannies and the whole place awash with light.

The Borsari Gallery, in Dennis, is exactly this kind of place.

 { Kelly Hike via The Perfect Plan }

Right in the heart of Dennis Village, what is now an art gallery was once a post and beam barn, built in the 1800s. The pine paneled walls are covered floor-to-ceiling in fine art.  It's warm, it's intimate (guests lists are capped at 99), it's unique, it's perfect for a winter wedding.

 { All aglow with candelight... love the cobblestone walkway and brick wall

Elegant Bliss Photography via The Perfect Plan } 

{ via Well Wed }

Stay tuned for a Real Wedding holiday-season affair held at the Borsari Gallery coming up this week.

Real Wedding: Winter Wonderland

Jenna & Brendan's Christmas-inspired wedding was a sweet, homespun affair.

{ Centerpieces were cylinders of white spider mums surrounded by frosted votives 

and tiny red ornaments. 

Table numbers were tied to larger ornaments with silver ribbon. }

{ The bride's bouquet was red roses, and groomsmen wore red rose boutonnieres.

The wedding was held at the Yarmouth House, which was decked to the halls 

with millions of white twinkle lights. }

{ White snowflake ornaments held escort cards. }

 

{ A candy buffet of Christmas favorites } 

 

{ A simple, but very pretty, cake surrounded by votives and "snow" }

Vendors: Prudente Photography / Flowers, Design & Coordination by Shoreside Bride / Cake from Casual Gourmet / Held at The Yarmouth House

The Winter Season

Cape Cod is quiet in the winter.  Solitary cars on the road and boarded up houses and storefronts.  Frozen harbors and desolate, wind-swept beaches. 

But there is a certain majesty to this season - a certain kind of crystal beauty and warm intimacy.

I know almost everyone dreams of a breezy waterside summer affair when they think "Cape Cod wedding," but maybe, just maybe, we'll find some inspiration for a Cape Cod winter wedding.

{ Sperry Tent dressed up for the winter. }

Still Falling for Nautical

I know the calendar says fall isn't officially over until December 21st but, in my mind, autumn doesn't last a day past November.

So I'm squeezing in this one last series* of fall wedding photos, courtesy of Style Me Pretty. And it's preppy-nautical to boot!:

 { Who knew blue and white stripes went so well with pumpkins? 

I'm inspired. Truly inspired. }

{ Pearls, ruffled navy dresses, orange pashminas, ga-ga-gorgeous flowers and more blue-and-white striped grosgrain ribbon. Could there be anything more perfect for a fall Shoreside bride? }

 { Classic. }

*Who am I kidding? I love fall. This won't be the last. But I'm full-to-the-brim of sparkling holiday ideas to share.

Happy Thanksgiving

Signing off early this week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Turkey! And thanks for reading!

{ via }

Pizza Night

Is it OK to serve pizza at a wedding? I'm not talking about having pizza delivered late-night for people to nosh on as they continue to dance & drink into the wee hours. (This is, obviously, totally acceptable and really good. Who doesn't love drunk food.)

No, I'm talking about serving pizza for dinner.

{ via Every Last Detail }

{ via Style Me Pretty }

{ via Red Box Pictures }

I'm not thinking Domino's delivery...  Something more like an interactive food station with wood-fired pizza and lots of gourmet toppings.  

Something like this:

 { How cute is the antique truck? Pizzas are created to order,

grilled and served from the bed of the truck. 

Too bad they are in New Jersey. }

Imagine the savings! Pizza, even from a cute old truck, can't be too much of a budget-breaker.

Any Cape Cod caterers doing something like this? 

Or am I completely crazy?

She Wanna Pearl Necklace

The pretty kind. Not the, uh, gross kind.

Particularly these, which would make a great bridesmaid gift. (I know. I've seen them in action. With short chocolate brown dresses and gold strappy sandals. Perfection.)

Or just a great anytime gift. (Hint, hint.)

{ Find 'em here }

Cape Cod Wedding Venue: Highfield Hall

Highfield Hall amazes me every time I go. Built in 1878 as the summer home of the prominent Beebe family, the Queen Anne stick-style mansion is nestled high in the woods of Falmouth. The Beebes used the home until the early 1930s, after which it changed hands a number of time, serving as a hotel and theater before eventually falling into neglect. In 1994 a local committee raised nearly $8 million to save and renovate the building, which reopened in 2007.

It has every modern amenity but the meticulous renovation maintains the building's historic character and architectural details. If the story of the building and its glorious return from despair doesn't intrigue you, maybe its covered porches, giant fireplaces and a swoon-worthy grand staircase will: 

{ via Hemlines & Heels ... Check out the blue petticoat, too! }

{ Tim Cook via www.highfieldhall.org }

 

 { The Casual Gourmet }

Let's do a Great Gatsby style wedding here, with croquet out on the lawn during the cocktail hour.  Or a warm & cozy winter wedding inside the mansion.

To Favor or Not to Favor: That is the Question

What do you think about party favors?

From little baggies filled with dime-store trinkets to mini bottles of champagne, party favors run the gamut from the mundane to the sublime, but are they always necessary?

Far too often at the end of a party I watch catering staff throw away all the leftover favors. And really, when it comes down to it, how often do you use that singular wine glass engraved with "Emily & Chris 9.12.09"? It's tucked away in the back of your cabinet until you give it to the really clumsy guest at your next huge party.

Don't get me wrong... I love myself a little schwag. New pair of flip flops? I'll take 'em. Pretty candle, sure. But I just adore the favor that is so cute, so personable and so meaningful to the hosts, that it adds style to the entire event. Here are some of my favorite ways of thanking your guests:

 

{ Martha. Of course. }

 
I love that these potted orchids are both the centerpiece and the favor. I think favors should almost always do double duty: centerpiece/favor, placecard/favor, etc.

{ The Knot }

Making a donation to a charity in lieu of a favor has long been a 'favor'ite idea of mine. I've recently read some negative comments about this idea that surprised me. Evidently, somewhere, some guest actually wants something physical to take home with him or her from an event (evidently a full stomach doesn't count). Yeah, I think those people are bunk. If you are afraid that guest is attending your event, you can tie a little note about the donation to a decorated cookie or a bag of Jordan Almonds.

{ via }

Lottery tickets. At a wedding, attach them to a placard that quotes Willa Sibert Cather: "Where there is great love, there are always miracles." For added fun, hide them under the charger plate for your guests to find when your first course is cleared.

So here's my two cents on favors:
Birthday parties for the elementary school set - yes, a favor is required. Even if it's the plastic bag full of dime store trinkets.
Adult parties - maybe.  They are a 'charming custom, but are in no way required or expected,' according to the Emily Post Institute. If you are going to favor, make sure it's a reflection of who you are, and your inherent style.

And maybe try to make it edible. Those always seem popular. 

Happy Veterans Day

To all the men and women who serve: Thanks.

{ Really. Can a man in uniform be any more handsome? }

Love Is...Part 2

More Shoreside guest "book" ideas I've been collecting...

{ Make a Wish, Take a Wish. It fulfills my need for 

apothecary jars and seashells. }

{ 'Leaf' a thumbprint on a Wedding Tree via; or all over Etsy}

 { Vintage Cape Cod postcards }

{ Or have guests sign a object you could use to decorate your home, like an oar...}

{ ... or a pair of Adirondack chairs }

Need More Info.

Two new Cape Cod wedding venues have crossed my path. Does anything know anything about them? Photos of weddings there? Inquiring minds want to know. 

The Elnathan Nye house in Falmouth looks to be an old sea captain's house with a barn and room for a tent. According to the website, the site can accommodate up to 200 outside or 45 inside.  There are not too many venues on the Cape that can accommodate small groups or large groups... a place that can do both is a rare find.  And an antique house makes such a lovely spot for an intimate winter wedding. 

The outer Cape is also seriously lacking in wedding venues. Edgewood Farm in Truro might just become a new favorite. Meadows, barns, gardens... this place looks like it's got it going on.

{ A big ol' Sperry Tent nestled amongst Edgewater's pine trees. Nice. Very nice. }

Have the 411 on these places? Send it along. Would love to share with other Shoreside Brides.


 

Love Is...Part 1

I'm always looking for interesting "guest books." Something more interactive for the guests than just signing their name. I'll share a few ideas this week, but I keep obsessing about this one:

{ via Peppermint Bliss. The whole wedding is ah-mazing. Whimsical, enchanting, endlessly personal. 

Highly suggest reading each installment. }

So the little parts about this that make it a recurring part of my wedding dreams: "Love Is" spelled out in ribbon.  The most pretty shade of red.  The guest-book 'kiosk' -- including built-in shelves! -- made from barn-board. The little cards held down by string.  It was so thoroughly thought out. And I appreciate that.

I also appreciate that one guest very seriously contemplated writing "Love is.... A battlefield."  I would be that guest. Not because I thought the sentiment was true, but because it would crack me up the whole night.  

A Hot Drink for a Cool Day

Today was one of those cold, dark and stormy and days where you really want to spend it in bed, watching movies, eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate.

I didn't get to spend all day in bed, but there's still hope for a movie, popcorn and hot chocolate. And isn't this the cutest little package of hot chocolate? I'd be a very happy wedding guest if I got this today.

 { DIY instructions on Ruffled. Did you read Ruffled last month?  It was chock-full of DIY ideas. }

Cape Cod Wedding Venue: Bourne Farm

There is something almost poetic about a fall wedding held at a farm.  Rustic barns... fresh-from-the-harvest-foods... crimson-colored leaves... full moons...cool nights... warmth of love...

I could write a little Ode to Bourne Farm and its utter perfection as a fall (or spring or summer) wedding venue, but I'll spare you the iambic pentameter. 

Bourne Farm, in West Falmouth, is part of the Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries. It's a working farm (they grow pumpkins!) overlooking a kettle pond, with a big ol' barn, rolling fields cris-crossed with stone falls and a grape-vine covered pergola. It's charming. It's classic New England. It's picturesque.

Some pictures to prove it:
 

{ Reception in the fields underneath a big white American Tent }

 

{ In the Barn overlooking the fields }

{ Under the grape arbor }

{ By the Pond }

{ Rolling fields }

Want to know more? Email us!