Ask Esther

Yesterday at Saltwater Farm, JC & I met a bunch of great, newly engaged couples who have either booked or are considering booking (DO IT!) their weddings at the vineyard. I had some really nice conversations with the couples and even some parents about our experience and their visions for their own dream weddings. It made me remember just how overwhelming the whole planning process can be. JC & I planned every last detail by ourselves...searching online through hundreds of potential venues and then visiting over a dozen, many of which we realized in seconds were not right for us (but still drove 2 hours to see); spending hours on the phone with potential vendors, before scheduling face-to-face meetings with each of them...photographers, caterers, florists, justices-of-the-peace, and on and on........

We would have given our right arms (the left needs to sparkle with the ring J) for some advice or recommendations as to where we could start. Once we had agreed to work with some of our vendors, we were able to ask them for advice and it made the process so much easier. If you've followed our blog, you know that we hired DJ Doug from Power Posse Productions without even talking to him, let alone hearing/seeing his work!

I gave my email address and phone number to a bunch of couples because I am honestly more than happy to share our experience, offer inside info, and give recommendations for our awesome vendors. I mean, I spent a year researching and learning all about wedding planning and getting to know vendors in New England so it would be a shame to have all that new knowledge go to waste now! I understand why so many wedding planners get their start after their own weddings ;)

So if you've come across our blog in your search for some of the vendors we used, please feel free to contact me about our experience or ask any questions you like...the more random the better! For now, I'll tell you that we chose to work with each of our vendors because they were the most fun, the most flexible, the most creative, the easiest to work with, and the most excited about our vision. Tall order, if you ask me!

Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard - owners, Merrily & Michael Connery

Caterer: Gourmet Galley - owner & event planner, Anna Lathrop

Photographers: Justin Marantz Photography - owners & photographers, Justin & Mary Marantz

Videographer: Stillmotion - cinematographer, Patrick Moreau

Florist: It's So Ranunculus - owner & florist, Leah Miner

DJ: Power Posse Productions - owner & DJ, Doug Jastremski

Hair: Platinum of Norwich - stylist, Bobbie Camp

Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Libray - owner & makeup artist, Jennie Fresa

Justice of the Peace: Chaz Zezulka

Best of luck and have fun!

Bride: Esther Tetreault

esthermary11@comcast.net