Nantucket Weddings Unveiled

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

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!

Today we have guest blogger Kylie Laird of ACK Gift Bags with us to share her thoughts on must have items to include in your gift bags, and what services they provide for you for the perfect welcome to your guests.

A great way to show your appreciation and warmly welcome your guests “on island” is with a personalized Welcome Bag. Your Welcome Bag is perfect for providing essential information on the weekend events along with incorporating the finest of local products or your personal Nantucket favorites. From the very moment your guests arrive they will feel like they are participating in a very special and memorable event.

A personalized welcome letter sets the tone for your destination wedding weekend. The letter can not only outline the weekend’s festivities, timing, suggested attire, transportation pick up points but also can provide an insight into your favorite Nantucket activities, restaurants, beaches or bike trails. Your guests will love to have your insider scoop! They will also enjoy learning about you and your fiancé’s history with the island and why it is a special place for you both.

Our bags come in an array of color schemes and can reflect the signature colors you have chosen for your wedding weekend. Some great basics to include are Nantucket Nectars; Cape Cod Chips; chocolate covered cranberries; nautical shaped cookies or lollipops. You can also include some fun items from your home town or city. You may consider adding useful items: an umbrella for an early spring wedding; sunscreen for the golf tournament you have arranged or flip flops for a beach ceremony. Maps and island guides are a great inexpensive way to orientate your guests to Nantucket. Whether you decide on simple bag with local favorites or an elaborate tote stocked to the brim, keep it personal!

Once you arrive on island your focus should be on relaxing before the big day and enjoying your time with your guests. ACK Gift Bags will deliver your custom Welcome Bags to the downtown inns and hotels and ensure your bags are placed in your guest’s rooms prior to them getting off the ferry. It will be a very welcome surprise when your guests check in.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your services Kylie!

In the never ending quest for all that is Nantucket (and even better, customized) we have found www.maptote.com.
These super clever bags come in many different sizes, styles and even locales. Care to do something a tad more custom for your wedding weekend? Map Totes will work with you to design a custom bag that is all yours…. can it get much better than that!

Check out their adorable Nantucket bags.

Parchment Fine Papers has so many wonderful invitation sets, occasion cards and gift ideas. But when we saw these coasters we thought they would add that perfect touch to any island wedding or rehearsal dinner. The coastal theme and colors can work for the most sophisticated soiree or your classic clambake.

Or if you are putting together welcome bags for your guests consider adding in a collection of these coasters. Their letterpress designs are stunning and your guest will enjoy memories from your wedding as they use them in their homes.

It’s the little details!

You can visit Parchment at 11 Washington Street in downtown Nantucket.

Guest blogger Kylie from ACK GIFT BAGS is with us today to share a little 411 on making your guests feel welcome during your wedding weekend.

A great way to show your appreciation and warmly welcome your guests “on island” is with a personalized Welcome Bag.  Your Welcome Bag is perfect for providing essential information on the weekend events along with incorporating the finest of local products or your personal Nantucket favorites. From the very moment your guests arrive they will feel like they are participating in a very special and memorable event.

Our bags come in an array of color schemes and can reflect the signature colors you have chosen for your wedding weekend. Some great basics to include are Nantucket Nectars; Cape Cod Chips; chocolate covered cranberries; nautical shaped cookies or lollypops.  You can also include some fun items from your home town or city.  You may consider adding useful items: an umbrella for an early spring wedding; sunscreen for the golf tournament you have arranged or flip flops for a beach ceremony. Maps and island guides are a great inexpensive way to orientate your guests to Nantucket. Whether you decide on simple bag with local favorites or an elaborate tote stocked to the brim, keep it personal!

Once you arrive on island your focus should be on relaxing before the big day and enjoying your time with your guests. ACK Gift Bags will deliver your custom Welcome Bags to the downtown inns and hotels and ensure your bags are placed in your guest’s rooms prior to them getting off the ferry. It will be a very welcome surprise when your guests check in.

Contact Kylie at info@ackgiftbags.com or 508-228.5316

photo courtesy of ACK GIFT BAGS

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.

A great way to warmly welcome your guests and show your appreciation for making the journey to our island is with a personalized welcome bag. Your welcome bag should provide the essential information on your weekend’s events. Be sure to also incorporate the finest of local products or your personal Nantucket favorites. From the very moment your guests arrive they will feel like they are participating in a very special and memorable event.

Some great ideas to consider include: Nantucket Nectars, Cape Cod Chips, Chocolate Covered Cranberries and Nautical Shaped Cookies or Lolly Pops. Creating a theme for your bag that is meaningful to you is also a great way to go; and achievable by including some fun items from your home town.  Just remember to think outside the box (or bag) and you will be sure to come up with something clever and memorable for your guests to enjoy.

bags by ACK GIFT BAGS

designs by ACK GIFT BAGS

gift bags by ACK GIFT BAGS

The holidays are right around the corner, and what better time to be on the search for the perfect attendant’s gift?  This Saturday, November 21st, the Small Friends Shopping Mall is the place to be!  From 6-10pm peruse local talent and artisans with unique offerings.  Located at 19 Nobadeer Farm Road.  Support local talent, and find unique gifts for your loved ones.  It’s a win-win for everyone.  Enjoy!

Gift bags by ACK Gift Bags

Martha Stewart Weddings has a wonderful special issue on news stands right now dedicated to destination weddings. If you are planning your Nantucket nuptials then I am guessing it will be a destination affair. The magazine is full of wonderful ideas, locations, real weddings and of course those personal touches that make it Martha!

If you are not able to greet your guests in person or just simply want to be sure to welcome everyone in a personal way here are a couple of great ideas to think about.

1. Write your guests a personal note welcoming them and thanking them for attending. Leave this in their room to greet them upon arrival.

2. A split of champagne on ice in their room to get them into celebration mode.

3. If the weather looks iffy provide them with a free in room movie voucher and a bag of popcorn and candy.

4. A themed welcome bag of all the goodies they will need for the perfect Nantucket wedding weekend. Fill it with maps, itineraries, Aunt Leah’s Fudge, a list of your favorite hot spots and eateries and postcards with stamps to send to friends.

Be creative and share with your guests why Nantucket is so special to you and they are sure to have a wonderful weekend celebrating your wedding.

Photo courtesy Brea McDonald Photography

Circular label by Marty Kelly