Nantucket Weddings Unveiled

Nantucket weddings, in general, have their last dance shortly after 10pm. It’s the rules! So put some thought into not only your last dance but your get away. Many of your guests will be there till the end so work in a little something festive and fun for you and your guests to send you on your way. Sparklers are always popular and make for a wonderful photo-op.

How do you want to end the night with your guests?

Photo courtesy Brea McDonald Photography.

With a host of names – from Texas Bluebell to Prairie Gentian to Lira de San Pedro – lisianthus symbolize an outgoing nature. Native to Texas and Mexico, and descended from a North American wildflower, in their single-form variety, lisianthus may resemble tulips or poppies.  In their double form, they can take on the appearance of roses or peonies.

With wide ruffled, delicate petals and oval leaves, in colors ranging from white to pink, lavender to purple and bicolors such as blue-violet, it’s said that lisianthus also symbolize appreciation.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and for many couples recently married, this will be their first holiday as a married couple.  Bring back some of that island flair with these adorable mini baskets by ACK GIFT BAGS.  If you are spending the holiday on island, be sure to call Kylie at 508-228-5316 to reserve yours today.  A great hostess gift or even to put at each place setting at your dinner table.  Choose from Chocolate Nantucket Cranberries or Sweet & Spicy Mixed Nuts.

photo courtesy of Ack Gift Bags

Couples are always on the hunt for that perfect ’something’ to include in welcome bags for their guests.  We found these handmade soaps over at Summer House Soaps and they are made from all natural ingredients. With plenty of varieties to choose from, you can give your favorite scent or customize bags for your wedding party.  The possibilities are endless.  Check out all their offerings here.

photo courtesy of summerhouse soaps

With their open, heart-shaped flowers and tropical disposition, it’s no wonder that anthurium have come to symbolize hospitality.  Also known as the Flamingo Flower, Boy Flower, Painted Tongue and Painter’s Palette – because of their distinctive shape and color – the name anthurium comes from Greek, meaning ‘tail flower.’  Exotic and compelling with bold, typically red flowers and shiny, dark green foliage, anthurium, like the hospitality they represent, are long-lasting and irresistibly beautiful.

flowers by Soiree Floral

WOW! The perfect modern, sophisticated and elegant way to get pink into your big day! We are loving this perfect color palette! It’s so fun to see our favorite colors used in a new way.

Board via Snippet and Ink.

Everyone talks about ‘being green’ these days.  There are many things you can incorporate into your wedding day to do your part to make the world a little cleaner.  Here are a few tips from some island vendors:

Tip #1 – Purchase invitations that are made on recycled papers.  Nantucket’s very own Marty Kelly of Marty Kelly Nantucket says that “While designing pretty, whimsical stationery is my passion, producing an eco-friendly collection of fine paper is my commitment. My card stock comes from a “green” paper mill that runs entirely on its own hydropower. All of my cards and envelopes are made from 100% recycled material with at least 30% post consumer waste.”

Tip #2 – Use blooms that are in season.  Better yet, you can even ask your florist to use flowers that are grown organically.  Many farms have gone to great lengths to get their ‘green’ status.  This is more costly so be sure to plan your budget accordingly.  Dawn Kelly of Soiree Floral suggests you can go one step further and request that your centerpieces be made without the use of floral foam (the foam is a by-product of petrolium).

Tip #3 – If you are giving favors, give something that gives back to the earth.  Try a Tree in a Box.  Your guests can plant the tree when they get home, have a reminder of you, and feel good about doing something for the earth.  If planting a tree is a little too ‘earthy’ for you – try Bloembox.  Beautiful to display your escort cards on, these boxes contain satchels of seeds to create a beautiful blooming garden.

Visit Port Overt for even more green wedding tips as you work on the details for your special day.

Etsy… oh Etsy! What a fantastic place to find just about everything you want for your wedding day. We came across these fun personalized drink umbrellas and couldn’t keep them to ourselves.

These little lovelies are made at the Autumn Jo shop along with a collection of other little custom touches.  They can design them with your wedding colors for that added little pop at your reception or if your having cupcakes on your big day opt for a custom umbrella cupcake topper!

Whether you are a recently married couple, or about to tie the knot, at some point you will be hosting your first party.  With Halloween just days away (and a holiday that seems to be enjoyed by adults more than kids these days) – we thought we would take a departure from all things wedding related, and focus on being the host/hostess with the most.

We found this fun drink recipe over on Martha Stewart.  How great is this?  Your guests are sure to be wowed when they go to serve up a glass of cider and have these witch faces staring back at them.  You are sure to get a ’scream’ or two!

photo and recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

Shrunken Heads in Cider

Serves about 30

• 2 cups lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• 8 large Granny Smith apples
• 32 whole cloves
• 2 gallons apple cider
• 2 (12-ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 2 cups spiced rum (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, mix together lemon juice and salt; set aside.
2. Peel apples and cut each in half through the stem; remove seeds and core. Using a sharp paring knife, carve a face, as desired, on the rounded side of each apple half. Place apples in lemon mixture for one minute; transfer to paper towels to drain.
3. Place apples, face-side up on prepared baking sheet and transfer to oven. Let bake until apples are dry and begin to brown around the edges, about 90 minutes. Remove apples from baking sheets and press cloves into the “eye” sockets.
4. Combine cider, lemonade, and rum (if using) in a large punchbowl; float shrunken heads on top.

With many Nantucket weddings, the obvious choice is to play up a nautical inspired atmosphere for your big day.  Maybe using navy with a crisp white for your stationary and linens, seaglass on your reception tables.  You get the idea.  We found a fun way to create a nautical inspired escort display that has great visual impact and it’s interactive as well.

Using a rusty anchor and a buoy painted in the couple’s wedding colors gives the escort table character.  Setting out a coffee table book by photographer Cary Hazlegrove for the guest sign in book is a great way to have a keepsake after the big day.  Even better, you can keep the book out at home to look at over and over while enjoying the beautiful scenic pictures to remind you of your special day on this incredible island.

escort table by Soiree Floral