Nantucket Weddings Unveiled

The Island was hopping this year for Christmas Stroll but one of the highlights was the Flash Mob on Main Street! Yes, it was huge! Check out the film below…

I am so excited to share with everyone that Brea McDonald Photography is now offering a Photo Fun Booth for our clients!
About two weeks ago we launched our Photo Fun Booth at a Cape Cod wedding…. and lets just say it was a BIG hit!

As you can see the Photo Fun Booth can add a little something “extra” to the after-dinner portion of your evening; with fun props and silly faces the photo booth brings all kinds of guests together! It was  surprising how creative guests got when in the booth! It was impossible for anyone to walk away without a smile on their face.

The Photo Fun Booth is fully manned by one of our photographers to get the best shots possible AND get your guests rockin and rollin with some fun props (the sailors hat was a definite favorite of the night). We can use a standard white backdrop or work in a fabric that compliments your wedding day style. The booth is set up off to the side during your reception/welcome party and open for fun after dinner! A great addition to any fun filled weekend!.

We are seeing a trend with wedding parties this year – multiple flower girls and ring bearers.  While we agree that kiddo’s add a fun flair to the big day (you never know if they will make it down the aisle) – they also deserve their own fun and entertainment.  As guests arrive for your long weekend celebration, why not treat your younger guests to a Critter Cruise!

Captain Josh has come up with one of the coolest things to hit the Nantucket waterfront in a long time – the Nantucket Critter Cruise. Catch this, it’s a one hour trip for kids where they go out on the Monomoy, get to watch Captain Josh haul some fish traps and lobster gear, and then everybody gets a fishing pole to do some fishing. How cool is that? You never know what kind of critters will come up in the traps so it’s exciting stuff for the whole crew. Once the haul is up on deck, the critters you catch go into a “touch tank” so everyone can see the catch up close and even pick the critters up if you want to. To top it all off, all the kids get Critter Cruise tee-shirts to wear home to show everyone they made the cut and are members of the Monomoy Critter Cruise Crew.

Call 508-228-6867 to make your reservations with Captain John and his crew.

As we walked around town this weekend we saw many of the stores hanging their red, white and blue buntings.  Fourth of July is just days away and we thought we’d dedicate this week to all things patriotic.  Many of you who are still planning for the big day are also hosting a get together with friends.  Whether it’s a backyard b-b-q or a clambake on the beach – this drink is sure to add some color and fun to your party.  Enjoy!

• 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
• 1 big splash cranberry juice
• 1 very thin slice jalapeno or serrano pepper
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 slice lime
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1/4 ounce blue curacao
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.

Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.

photo by Kate Sears

Photograph by Kate Sears

You planned your wedding on Nantucket because of the ocean breeze, the beautiful scenery, the sunsets and of course fresh fish at your fingertips. What if you and your guests (or just bridal party and family) could enjoy going out on a local fishing boat to catch some fresh fish and then enjoy the taste of your triumphs that night without the hassle of having to cook? Maybe it’s a great idea for a rehearsal dinner?

A Private Concierge has created the ultimate fresh fish dinner package for you and your guests, “You Catch It, We Cook It.”

Our “Catch It & Cook It” Package includes:

• (1) Full-day group fishing (up to 6) trip to catch a variety of fish (tuna, striper, fluke, and more)

• Planning & Preparation of all details for your Fish Dinner (including reservations for fishing, food likes/dislikes, dinner menu, etc)

• Arrange for food & drink on the boat prior to departure from Fresh.

• Grocery shop at Bartlett’s Farm for fresh vegetables, spices and other needs that will complement the fish you catch.

• Deliver groceries & beer/wine/spirits for dinner.

• Prepare meal for guests at their home.

• Serve you and your guests your triumphs as per your liking.

• Clean up & breakdown of the dinner.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Cost of groceries, beer/wine/spirits or other outside costs requested by the client

• Any equipment rental that is needed (tables, chairs, etc)

ABOUT THE ALBACORE & CAPTAIN BOB DECOSTA:

The Albacore is a 35-foot custom Sport Fisherman built in 1998 and provides a comfortable ride in all types of sea conditions. There is a fully enclosed bathroom with hot and cold running water as well as a large cockpit and walk-in cabin divided by a set of curtains that can be rolled up or down depending on the weather. In case of a cold ride back to dock, the cabin is even heated for guest’s comfort. The Albacore also have two large cooler seats provide ample seating in the sun as well as keeping all your beverages cold.

Growing up on Nantucket fishing has always been part of Bob’s life; he started working as a mate for his dad Ray on the Albacore when he was nine years old. By the time he was 18 he had obtained a Coast Guard Captains License and become an expert at fishing Nantucket’s unique sets of shoals and rips. In 1994 Bob took over the Albacore after his Dad lost a short but fierce battle to cancer. Some of Capt. Bob accomplishments include captaining the boat that caught the first Blue Marlin in Nantucket Anglers Club History, being featured in Saltwater Sportsman twice and catching the first keeper Bass on the Island three years in a row. In 2007 Capt. Bob won the Boston Big Game Club Monster Shark Tournament on Martha’s Vineyard. This tournament is the largest shark tournament on the east coast and was televised on Spike TV. Capt Bob and Debra, his wife of 21 years have a son Raymond.  Both Deb and Ray love to fish and will often be seen out on the boat with Bob when he doesn’t have a charter. Ray is taking after his dad and grandfather and working on the Albacore as a mate from time to time.

ABOUT SI MANGIA & LILIANA DOUGAN:

Plain and simple, Liliana has a love for food. She loves to cook for people and watch them enjoy the meals that she has personally created just for them. Liliana was born and raised on a small farm in Southern Italy. All of her food growing up came from the land – from the flour they used in their bread, the olives that were pressed for their oil, the grapes used for their wine and the animals raised for their food, Liliana’s family even made their own butter and soap!

As a child, Liliana remembers waking early in the morning to find her mother getting the brick wall oven sizzling hot for the fresh bread she was about to bake or getting ready to head out to find fresh grown vegetables for the family meals that day. Everything they ate was seasonal , organic, and local. Her mother’s greatest gift is to create amazing meals with the simplest, freshest ingredients, that was how she cooked in Italy and it is how she cooks now and her legacy lives on in Liliana’s cooking.

Liliana has worked in the food industry since 15 years old. From catering weddings to working in a five star restaurant, she experienced every aspect of working in a restaurant, but her passion is just cooking. Liliana offers her clients numerous ethnic cuisines, including South American, French, Chinese, Indian, and American classics. Of course her favorite is Italian, from peasant foods to elegant contemporary Italian cuisine. She even offers home made pasta to her clients, including her new gluten free pasta.

A Private Concierge can arrange, manage and take care of all your needs for your stay on Nantucket and in Aspen. Contact us at info@aprivateconcierge.com or call (917)-921-8996.

Guest blogger Sarah from A Private Concierge is with us today to share a unique idea for your wedding weekend.

It’s a beautiful day at the start of your wedding weekend on Nantucket and you want to go out on a boat with your bridal party for some wine and cheese, some tunes, your photographer – but you don’t have a boat!?  A Private Concierge would like to introduce you to the luxury dayboating club, Barton & Gray Mariners Club.

Membership with Barton & Gray grants you access to their fleet of captained Hinckley yachts along the eastern coast of the United States.  As a Member you will find the yachts in the most incredible destinations, at the most attractive ports, and with the finest appointments and provisions available. Membership is annual and there are multiple levels of Membership tailored to match your lifestyle.  Contact A Private Concierge for more information about membership opportunities and special wedding weekend offerings.

Full-service trips out on the boat aren’t enough?  How about full-service drop off for your party to the Wauwinet and Galley Beach for your rehearsal dinner after you’ve enjoyed an afternoon of cruising around the island?

Barton & Gray works closely with Nantucket Island Resorts and Galley Beach to provide not only the ultimate drop-off service for dinner and a sunset, but also to give guests of both an experience on Nantucket not offered by anyone else on island.

A Private Concierge can arrange, manage and take care of all your needs for your wedding weekend on Nantucket. Contact us at info@aprivateconcierge.com or call (917)-921-8996.

I was recently reading online that a destination wedding is “a wedding held at a location that neither the bride or groom call home and one where they, as well as many if not all of their guests will be traveling to.” For the majority of Nantucket weddings they would fall under the destination wedding category. There are a few helpful tips when planning a wedding from afar and we thought we would share with you what some of the worlds pro’s had to say.

The top two tips across the board were…

1. Hire as many vendors in the local as possible. They know the area, they are set up to service and work in the area and you will avoid paying added travel and accommodation fees for out of town vendors.

2. Hire a wedding planner who is familiar with the area and has wonderful working relationships with the other area vendors.

Consider the following when thinking about your guests…

1. You can’t always count on that 10% rule for attendance. Many guests will make this a mini-vacation or weekend get away and are excited to travel for your big day. A destination may not add guests to the regrets column so plan accordingly with your budget and venue.

2. Arrange for guest transportation to and from the ferries and airport. This is always a wonderful touch and can be organized with your wedding planner.

3. Try not to over schedule your wedding weekend. Allow time for your family and friends to relax at the beach or have lunch at that well known restaurant. Your guests will kick back and relax and that always makes for a great weekend.

No event is too big or too small to include the timeless fun of a photo booth! Whether your Nantucket wedding is black tie at the Yacht Club or more casual out at the brewery the photo booth will be something your guest are certain to enjoy.

Wendy from Nantucket Photobooth shared with us that at even the most cutting-edge occasions, event planners are finding that the magic of stepping behind a curtain and pressing that button is truly timeless. At any event, from the most formal to the merely frolicsome, photo booths produce guaranteed results in gales of laughter, hilarity, and good-natured antics.

With today’s photo booths offering up top quality high resolution digital files, guest can now blow that skinny little paper strip up to a large wall size memento! This idea was recently spotted on HGTV and offers up a fun new twist to the traditional wedding portrait framed on the wall.

For more information on reserving a Nantucket Photobooth for your wedding or rehearsal dinner check out their website or e-mail info@nantucketphotobooth.com.

Every detail of your wedding has been clearly thought out, the location, the venue, the flowers, your photographer, the invitations, the guest list, etc and now it’s the final little details that need to get done.

A Private Concierge has planned and booked all travel and accommodations for you, the bridal party and your family.  Before anyone arrives we will stock your accommodations with food, wine/beer/spirits and any other item needed.  A Private Concierge will also handle any dinner reservation, activities that you or your guest may like while on island.  If you are shipping any items for the wedding to your accommodations before you arrive, we can be on-call to receive the packages to ensure you don’t miss them!

A Private Concierge also offers services that go beyond preparation for your wedding weekend (travel, grocery shopping, etc.).  We are also available to be on-call for the day-of your wedding, rehearsal dinner or brunch. We understand that there are several last minute details that need to get done and we can be that point person that makes sure they are handled.

A Private Concierge includes preparation meetings (at least 2) in all of our wedding packages so that we know each detail a couple expects for their wedding weekend.

A few of A Private Concierge’s “Weekend-Of” Tips:

GET WEDDING ITEMS IN PLACE

Marty Kelly Paper created and completed all of your weekend itineraries, programs, place cards, and menus to complement every detail of your wedding perfectly.  A Private Concierge will pick up and deliver itineraries to the appropriate accommodations before your guests arrive on island for the Weekend-Of your wedding.  The Morning-Of we will deliver programs to the ceremony, and then deliver and set-up menus and table cards at the reception.  All of this will be done without you,  your maid of honor, your mother or your mother-in-law having to ask oneself  “did I remember to do this.”

photo courtesy of Brea McDonald

SHARE YOUR SIGNATURE-DRINK

You met your favorite bartender Tom Heiser sipping on an Espresso Martini at 56 Union almost 5 years ago on your first date with your now fiancé, it’s how you fell in love. Your love affair with the Espresso Martini (and your fiancé) are so strong, that even the night before your wedding you had to stop in the Boarding House to see Tom for one-last single girl Espresso Martini. A Private Concierge will make sure that before your Weekend-Of all the bartenders at your wedding reception can make you and your guests your signature cocktail such as the Nantucket favorite, Espresso Martini.

MAKE YOUR GUESTS FEEL LOVED

A Private Concierge knows that nothing says I love you quite like Chocolate.  We recommend some decadent party favors for your guests from The Cholive Company. These chocolates were developed to be unique, like a fine wine and when you and your guests taste them you will experience the difference.

photo courtesy of The Cholive Company

We love the Mini Mint Twists or the “Black Dress” & “Black Tie” packages. The individually wrapped, Mini Mint Truffles are filled with Vermont whole cream ganache and are perfect for filling an elegant martini glass at the bar or the tables.  The “Black Dress” & “Black Tie” packages, highlight the Cholive Company’s 3 signature Chruffles (Raspberry, Coffee & Caramerl Flavors) and their Cholive cocktail chocolate, perfect to accessorize your guest’s Espresso Martinis.

Whether you place these chocolates in your guests accommodations before they arrive or share them at the Weekend-Of events A Private Concierge will be able to order and deliver them appropriately.

These are just a few of our Weekend-Of Tips, we have many more to share, so be sure to check back each week for our advise.

A Private Concierge can arrange, manage and take care of all of your Weekend-Of wedding needs. Contact us at sarah@aprivateconcierge.com or call (508)-332-9422.

With the holiday weekend fast approaching and wedding season about to be in full swing, we thought a little stress relief was in order.  Guest blogger Kristin O’Reilly from Destinations Affairs has found an amazing weekend getaway to relieve your stress and lose all your worries during this busy time of planning for your big day!  Take it away Kristin:

Planning a wedding, as we all know, can put your mind and body through a mental workout. Pack on some good old career stress, and everything else life seems to throw in there at the most inconvenient times, and you’ve got yourself being pulled in a million directions. We all wish we could time out and “beam ourselves” to that perfect picture perfect spa weekend. However, we instantly think back to reality when we consider the cost of a venture. Saving up for the luxurious honeymoon and everything else in between…who really has a couple grand to throw down for a spa weekend? So, we find ourselves plowing through our day-to-day dilemmas.

What we all need every now and again is to take our mind and bodies to a sense of “home.” An affordable, casual, and friendly setting in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Deerfield Spa is tucked among the Pocono Mountains, just two hours from New York. With this Spring weather upon us, take a drive with your windows open and your favorite music blaring!

Whether you need to regroup and jump start your fitness and daily wellness routine, or looking to rid yourself of those last few pounds before the big day, Deerfield Spa is a smorgasbord of health, fitness, lifestyle workshops, delicious cuisine, and spa indulgences. Offering numerous daily fitness classes from Cardio Salsa, Diva Dancing, and Disco Aerobics to Boxing, Pilates, and their signature, Yo-Wei (an exercise combining yoga and resistance training), a couple days here and your instantly back on track! Take a hike on one of the many hiking trails through the Pocono Mountains or partake in a cooking class. You are truly in for an enriching and healthy weekend!

Spa treatment prices are typical of any spa, starting at $115.00 for a signature facial. However, with your 2 night minimum stay (Rates starting at $380.00 for 2 nights, per person double occupancy), you receive 3 meals a day, 2 snacks, unlimited fitness classes, Deerfield’s celebrated hiking program, lifestyle education lectures, workshops, and demonstrations, evening activities, and 24-hour use of all facilities.

Yes folks, we have discovered that affordable spa weekend!

image courtesy of Destination Affairs

“Whatever your goal – from getting fit and managing stress, to bonding with friends or simply getting away from it all – a trip to Deerfield can get you headed in the right direction” -SpaVacations Review

Contact Destination Affairs to book your package today.