IH Blog

So..many words come to mind when you are planning your wedding, personal, romantic, elegant or simple.

Whatever your style...MAKE IT FUN.  Blending two families, and friends and coworkers who may not know each other can be tricky.

Our All inclusive menu package includes stationary hors d'oeuvres (choose from options such as Mac and Cheese martini bar, Mashed Potato bar, or a Nacho bar) giving your guests a chance to mingle during the cocktail hour along with passed hors d'oeuvres giving your guests a chance to chat before being seated for the meal.

After dinner, select an Ice Cream Sundae Bar (Memorable and Fun) or a Gourmet Cookie Bar to be complimented by your wedding cake.

Your DJ or Band, orchestrates the "flow", of your wedding and emcees the introductions, toasts, roasts and cake cutting.

Your DJ will work with you to choose music selections that are uniquely you and suggest some options to ensure that you get all of your guests up on the dance floor...or choose a Band for that live entertainment vibe.

Check out our preferred vendor list for wonderful DJ and Band recommendations or choose one that offers both DJ skills and Live music for a Memorable and Fun event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PEONIES are perennial garden classics loved for their extravagant May and June early summer blossoms and perfect for a Bridal bouquet. They are available in multiple colors from creamy white to salmon and blush pink to magenta.
Pair with greens for a stunning simple bouquet or choose multiple shades for an ombre effect. Combine with garden roses and deep greens to create a fragrant show stopper.
Our garden peonies are in full bloom right now and really offer the WOW effect!
Why not check out our Preferred Vendor list for our talented florist recommendations.

 

The wedding cake started from humble origins in ancient Rome. The Groom smashed a barley cake over the Bride's head to ensure a prosperous future. UGH! Watch out for the hair and makeup please!

Wedding cakes today are the ultimate vehicle of self expression.

Today's cakes are truly "works of art" from traditional crafted sugar flowers to hand painted cakes or fabulous unique touches and toppers to incorporate your wedding theme.

In addition to an amazing design, the cake has to taste great too, often incorporating several flavors in individual layers.

Why not check out our "Preferred Vendors" list to see our recommendations for some wonderful, skilled Cakemasters.

SPRING IS HERE! and, the gardens are lush and changing every day. The window boxes are filled with an array of colorful flowers and the antique carriages are decked out with an assortment of spring plants and flowers creating a place for some memorable wedding photographs. Iris in assorted colors are popping up everywhere. The Shasta daisies and Poppies are showing off as well. The peonies are in full bloom...a sure sign of June with their fragrance and huge beautiful blossoms and our 13,000 annual border plants have been planted by our talented gardening staff adding stunning color throughout the season. The Adirondack benches are placed along the Assonet River affording another beautiful spot to relax and take photographs. 
As we write this blog post, there is a fun Brunch Wedding taking place, featuring our wonderful Brunch Buffet Package. As the wedding guests enjoy their meal, they are being entertained by a DJ who is both a talented musician and ready to play any favorite songs requested. We have some very talented people on our Preferred Vendor list, offering a fabulous addition to any wedding. The Bride and Groom literally danced down the aisle at the conclusion of their garden wedding ceremony, and the guests are feeling and sharing their happiness vibe. This is the perfect time for you to schedule a tour and see what "IH" has to offer. 

SPECIAL AND MEMORABLE:

We meet with dozens of couples every month. Universally, each couple wants their day to be Special, Unique, and Memorable.

Here are some of the most popular trends we expect to see for 2019:

Attention to Detail (Our Specialty). Find those little touches that represent the two of you, a custom monogram, tables named for your favorite places as a couple, favorite flowers incorporated into your decor. 

Hats: Styles this year are incorporating Hats. Gorgeous and fun, hats offer many color and style options. Romantic, Edgy, Sophisticated...whatever your choice, you and your wedding party in hats will make your day Memorable and Fun!

Hand Painted Cakes or Custom or Illustrated Invitations: A unique way to make your special day stand out... Remember, you don't have to "do it all". Choose one or two special details to make your day special.

Black Accents: Black adds sophistication to soft tones and creates definition in photographs. 

 

70's Vibe: Rust and coral, Lucite and Velvet, Ruffles or Fun Jumpsuits. Add a touch of Funk to add that 70's vibe to your wedding.

Fun Foods: Our "All Inclusive" wedding package offers fabulous stationary hors d'oeuvre choices. Choose from the "Mac and Cheese Martini Bar", the "Mashed Potato Martini Bar", the "Sweet Potato Martini Bar", or the "Nacho Martini Bar" and more.... Beautifully presented with the appropriate toppings, these interactive stations will get your guests up and moving. Finish with our "Ice Cream Sundae and Mousse Bar", or the "Gourmet Cookie Bar"...include your Special Wedding Cake, and you have "Special and Memorable" (And...delicious!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFORDABLE ELEGANCE

You can afford the wedding of your dreams by making some smart choices:

-Avoid guest list "bloat". Invite only the people that are truly special to you. Cousins and relatives that you barely know, or work acquaintances, do not need to be on your list. People truly do understand that your are keeping to a budget. Independence Harbor offers some dates with guest minimums as low as 100.

-Go minimal with flowers and centerpieces. "IH" offers glass hurricanes with ivory tapered candles. Add a ribbon with bow to coordinate with your wedding colors and you have a budget friendly centerpiece. You can still add the "wow" factor in your wedding party bouquets and boutonniere's.

-Why not consider buying your dress "off the rack". Nearly all fine stores carry wedding dress options OR choose a dress that you love and make your own statement. No Rules, choose any color and style, be a trendsetter. Choose a dress color and length for the girls and let them select a dress that is flattering and can be worn again. Consider having the groomsmen buy a suit in your selected color. You can gift the ties and socks to style your wedding "look", and the guys will have a suit that they can wear later.

-Choose a Date other than a Saturday Night: Why not consider a Thursday Night? On Thursday Nights,"IH" offers Free Rental, reduced guest minimums (100) Winter Menu pricing (our lowest pricing structure) the option for a complimentary photo hour with your photographer prior to the ceremony, and state of the art uplighting programmed to your color scheme. Give your guests advance notice and they can anticipate your wedding and enjoy a long weekend. We also have some "Last Minute Savings Dates" offering significant savings...Same Great Food, Same Beautiful Property, and just a Fraction of the Cost!!!

-Our All Inclusive Package Menu. Our "All Inclusive Wedding Package Menu" includes Stationary and Passed Hors D'oeuvres, Entree (Full Service or Buffet), Champagne Toast and Dessert Station or Full Service Dessert along with our "Thirst Quencher Bar". "HAVE IT ALL" without the cost of pricey add ons.

-Plan, Plan, Plan. Planning ahead allows you to stick with your budget and not make impulse decisions. Stay on track and Enjoy the Process. You are planning your special day with the person that you love. This is supposed to be Fun.

Experience the Magic of an Independence Harbor Wedding with our Special Savings Dates. "Last Minute Savings Dates" offer Reduced guest minimums (just 100), Free Rental, and "A" Pricing (our lowest pricing structure). Also included: a Free Fireside Wedding Ceremony and a Complimentary Uplighting Package programmed to compliment your color scheme. Some dates offer a Complimentary "First Look Photo Hour" prior to your ceremony. Save Thousands from your Wedding Budget. Same gorgeous gardens, Same Acclaimed Cuisine and Service, and.... Our "All Inclusive" Wedding Menu is second to none!!! Availability changes frequently, particularly at this time of year. Why not schedule a tour today.

 

Our stunning perennial gardens are planned to showcase ever changing flowers. April is Daffodil Season, May offers Hundreds of Tulips and Stunning Flowering Trees and Shrubs, June is lush with Poppies, Iris, Shasta Daisies and Peonies along with Thousands of Annual Plants offering amazing garden color. July with its Astilbe, Liatros and multi colored border plants will Wow your guests, and August and September offer Gardens that are Full and Fabulous. October offers Chrysanthemums in the jewel tones that you dream of for the Fall Season. Garden Videos are now available on our "ihweddings.com" Web Site and on our Facebook and Instagram and You Tube pages. One look will have you aching for winter to be over!

Mother Nature decided to send us one last blast after a relatively easy winter. Our Monthly Brunch held on March 3rd was well attended in anticipation of the storm. Our St. Patrick's Day theme was so much fun. Our chefs outdid themselves with a wonderful Brunch menu accented by their fabulous food art carvings including the proverbial "pot of gold". Flower arrangements felt a little like Spring...Yellow and White Tulips, White Roses, Fragrant Bells of Ireland, and bright touches including Yellow Calla Lilies. Our Brunch is held Monthly on the first Sunday, offering a great opportunity to celebrate a special event with those closest to you or...planning a wedding?? Why not make a reservation and come check out our beautifully remodeled Dining Room and sample our food and exceptional service. Hope to see you soon.

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