IH Blog

MORE 2019 WEDDING TRENDS:

As 2019 takes shape, we start to see what trends are popular. This year, both the men and women in the wedding party will have more RELAXED choices.
FASHION: Why not choose a color and length (and maybe a designer for continuity) for your Bridesmaids and let them select a dress that flatters them, select a suit or blazer for the guys (navy is always a classic look) and tie that together with a gift of ties and socks. Best of all, they can wear it again.

COLORS: Burgundy, turquoise, and emerald green continue to show up everywhere. Couple with "garlands of greens" for the head table. The rich color tones that "Dahlias" offer will make it the "go to" flower this year. Creams, blush and champagne colors will always look elegant and incorporate one of the "moodier" colors (think burgundy) to stay on trend.

STATEMENT INVITATIONS: Choose an invitation suite that best represents the "two of you". This will tell your story from color scheme to important events in your lives. Tell your story with "special table numbers" and "seating cards".

REMEMBER: You are marrying the person you love. Make it YOUR OWN, but have fun with it

It's February. Mother Nature has gone easy on us so far this winter. So many engagements happen between Christmas and Valentine's Day. This is the perfect time to schedule a private tour of Independence Harbor and select your Special date. Most couples choose a wedding date within one year of their engagement. 

Every season is SPECIAL at "IH":
SPRING offers daffodills, tulips, hyacinths, and flowering trees and shrubs.
SUMMER offers our perennial gardens at their prime,enhanced by thousands of colorful annuals, manicured lawns and trees and beautiful views of the Assonet River along our East Bank.
FALL offers rich colors of endless chrysanthemums and gorgeous NE foliage.
WINTER offers beautifully decorated sleighs and carriages and thousands of miniature white lights creating a magical winter landscape....and BEST of ALL, Winter Wedding Savings!

We have recently added videos of the Independence Harbor Gardens by the month to our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and You Tube accounts to help you envision the perfect time of year for your Special Celebration.
Our newly remodeled dining room sparkles with warm, organic, neutral colors, champagne chiavari chairs, and the dining room's window wall enclosures create an intimate and spacious elegance with beautiful views of the renowned "IH" landscape. 
Our "All Inclusive" Wedding Package Menu is also impressive, and affordable!

Call us today to schedule YOUR private tour of "IH", and select YOUR Special date!

Our Sunday Brunch is always held on the First Sunday of each month. The date for our February Brunch fell on Super Bowl Sunday. It did not take too much thought to decide to use the New England Patriots for our decorating theme. Flowers, Fabrics, and Balloons were in Red, White, Blue and Silver. Our chefs really stepped it up with their amazing food art paying tribute to both Valentine's Day and our beloved Patriots. Best of all, the Patriots won the Super Bowl!!!
Why not make a reservation for our next brunch and explore putting our Independence Harbor Team to work for Your Wedding!!

WEDDING TRENDS 2019: 
A study in contrasts, wedding trends for 2019 include Alternative Engagement Rings (think pink/blush sapphire or multicolored stones)... Simple Gowns with clean lines (think Meghan Markle),...toned down Natural Makeup (show off those freckles)...Velvet, Opulent Wedding Cakes, and Natural Greens along with Ornamental Grasses incorporated into bouquets, centerpieces and accents.
Full Service Seated Dinners are back, and this will be the year of the "Gin" cocktail. 
Living Coral is the 2019 color of the year, but deep moody hues in florals continue to trend, set off with metallic accents. 
Entertainment will include DJs with Bands or Musicians incorporated into the mix.
The BOTTOM LINE? No rules...make it your special day!

TREAT YOUR VALENTINE: February is Valentines Month! Why not surprise your sweetheart with reservations to Independence Harbor's February 3rd Sunday Brunch. With a Valentines Theme, our sumptuous Brunch Buffet is sure to WOW! For further details and full menu, see our website at: www.ihweddings.com/brunchmaster/february3

SHOWER THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE: Independence Harbor offers bridal and baby showers during the months of January, February and March for groups of 50 or more. Choose from our Breakfast Buffet, our Brunch Buffet, or our Luncheon Buffet. Our dining room is beautifully decorated, and our grand fireplace will be lit creating an intimate gathering for the guest of honor, friends and family. For more information, menus and pricing, visit our web site at:  www.ihweddings.com/showers. 

Check out Independence Harbor's "Last Minute" available dates for April of 2019. Available April 2019 dates offer lower guest minimums of just 100, Free Facilities Rental, Free Garden or Fireside Ceremony and Winter Menu Pricing (our lowest pricing structure). Choose complimentary up-lighting in your choice of colors to give your wedding that WOW. Some dates offer an additional photo hour with your photographer prior to the ceremony at no charge. April is daffodil season at "IH" and our gardens offer hundreds of the happy flowers...Just Spectacular!

'Tis the season for booking weddings! The most popular engagement times are Christmas time and Valentine's Day. This is the perfect time to reserve your date and be certain that the date you have your heart set on is yours!

Have you considered a winter wedding? Perfect for an organic theme...think natural greens, lanterns, pinecones and gorgeous creams and whites accented with glittery silver or gold. Guests look forward to a social event in the winter when things get a bit quiet after the Holidays,...and best of all, you will realize significant savings over prime time pricing. Why not consider some fun winter only offerings such as a Hot Chocolate station, or passed warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks. Independence Harbor is dressed for winter with white lights in the trees and antique carriages and sleighs and of course our magnificent stone fireplace will be lit to showcase your winter wedding photos. 

You're engaged. Congratulations!

Now it is time to choose the perfect venue for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Before you schedule an appointment, it is best to have an idea about how many guests you will be expecting at your celebration. Many venues, including Independence Harbor, require minimum purchases, which are largely based on your guest count.

Set a tentative budget. You want to be sure that the venues you are considering are going to fit within your budget.

View the venue's website or request a menu package be sent to you. Carefully look for information such as guaranteed guest minimums, event hours, and pricing details...What is included in the price?  Are there additional fees beyond the package menu price?

Are you flexible on the time of day, day of the week, or the month for your wedding? Independence Harbor offers significant price and minimum reductions for April and November, the months just before and just after "Prime Season". Getting married on a Thursday night during "Prime Season" is considerably less costly than a Prime Saturday Night Wedding.  And, getting married in the winter months (December through March), is the most budget friendly time to tie the knot! 

Are you flexible on your date? Most couples reserve wedding dates within one year of their engagement. At "IH", we reserve dates up to two years in advance, so...if you are considering only one special date and you are not flexible with that date, you are best to make your reservation sooner than wait.

Make an appointment for a tour of the venue. Consider a day other than a weekend for your tour, as venues are typically busy with weddings and other events on weekends...and may not be able to allow you access to their entire facilities. If you can plan some time in your schedule to view venues during the week, you will be less rushed and have the full attention of the wedding professional you meet with. Prepare a list of questions in advance of your tour...so you are certain to gain all the information you need to make an informed and well thought out decision.

Visit our website at www.ihweddings.com for detailed information on "I.H.".

And remember to Enjoy the Planning!