What a memorial day weekend! Our DJs definitely had their hands full with weddings of all shapes and sizes, but the one thing they had in common was the incredible music!! Swipe to check out DJ’s Joel, Mariko, and Matt’s POVs from this weekend 😎 #weddingdj #nycdj #bostondj #djforhire

via Instagram

CHARMING COASTAL WEDDING VENUES NEAR BOSTON, PART 2

Continuing on from last week’s series…are you and your fiance planning a wedding in the Boston area, but keep finding yourself dreaming of a sweet and quiet coastal celebration instead? Then you might want to hop in the car with your sweetheart and head to the gorgeous southern coast of Maine! Whether you are thinking of an iconic cliffside resort, a small family owned in, or a private club on the beach, you’ll find a truly wow-worthy coastal wedding venue. And, the best part is that all of these stunning venues are within a 2-hour drive from Boston! Incredible!

So, without further ado, here’s two more amazing venues for part 2 in our 3 part series on Coastal Wedding Venues near Boston!

Stage Neck Inn, York Harbor, ME

Our first stop this week is the Stage Neck Inn which boasts spacious and luxurious accommodations with classic décor, along with modern amenities and breathtaking ocean and harbor views as well as the relaxing sounds of the ocean’s waves lapping on the shore. 

The Stage Neck Inn offers custom wedding menus and packages, and can include any extras you may be looking for like: a rehearsal dinner, wedding shower, ceremony, reception, or next-day brunch. Their package pricing includes all site fees, taxes, and gratuities to simplify planning, and are capable of hosting up to 125 guests as well as provide charming on-site accommodations for your out-of-town guests. And, we know that many of your wedding guests will fall in love with the Inn’s delightful oceanfront guest rooms and cottages, offering one-of-a-kind ocean, harbor, and beach views, as well as all the best in coastal living, including indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, in-house spa treatments, and  on-site dining options.

Black Point Inn, Prouts Neck, Scarborough, ME

Next up we have Black Point Inn, which was built in 1878 by the Kahler family and which boasts a colorful history of guests including rail barons, political leaders and one of Maine’s most famous native sons, world-renowned artist Winslow Homer. The Inn was originally known as the Southgate House, was once just one of the many grand hotels on Prouts Neck, but today, Black Point Inn the last remaining hotel on Prouts Neck, and a true piece of historical Maine.But even though the Inn is historic, it has been extensively renovated numerous times throughout its history to ensure comfort while doing everything possible to preserve its original character. So, today many of the original wall coverings, paintings, prints and décor elements have been lovingly restored,as well as a great deal of original antique furniture. 

The Inn hosts large weddings (up to 200 guests) in the months of May, June, September, and October, but are happy to look into availability for parties of 40 guests or less (micro weddings) in the months of July and August. The Inn also features 25 spacious and distinct guest rooms and suites, all with private baths and individual heat and air conditioning.

The post CHARMING COASTAL WEDDING VENUES NEAR BOSTON, PART 2 appeared first on Beat Train Productions ~ Boston & NYC Wedding DJs - New England & New York City Wedding DJs

source https://beattrainproductions.com/charming-coastal-wedding-venues-near-boston-part-2/

Charming Coastal Wedding Venues Near Boston, Part 1

Are you and your fiance planning a wedding in the Boston area, but keep finding yourself dreaming of a sweet and quiet coastal celebration instead? Then you might want to hop in the car with your sweetheart and head to the southern coast of Maine; Where we know you’ll have absolutely no trouble finding an epic waterfront location along this romantic, dramatic and rugged shoreline. 

So whether you are thinking of an iconic cliffside resort, a small family owned in, or a private club on the beach, we’ve put together a short list – in 3 parts – of truly wow-worthy coastal wedding venues. And, the best part is that they’re all within a 2-hour drive from Boston! Incredible!

And now, without further ado, here’s part 1 in our 3 part series on Coastal Wedding Venues near Boston!

Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport, ME

If you are looking for a historic waterfront destination that is highlighted by a classic Maine lighthouse, and is only 90 short  minutes from Boston, you’d be in luck!  The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport Maine boasts ballroom weddings for up to 175 guests, or lawn receptions under a spacious peaked tent for up to 350 guests!  Also on site, is an ample supply of cute and cozy overnight lodgings for guests, as well as fabulous on-site amenities like three delicious restaurants, a marina, and scenic boat tours. Imagine having your first dance while the sun sets over the Atlantic right behind you?! Dreamy, right?!

Jones Landing, Portland, ME

Jones Landing is a sweet Peak island retreat just a short 15-minute ferry ride from Portland’s Old Port, meaning that your guests can enjoy sweeping views of Casco Bay as they are escorted by a spacious Casco Bay Line ferry from Portland to Peaks Island. Then, upon arrival, guests will only have to walk a short distance to Jones Landing, where your wedding celebration begins!  And, speaking of celebration, wedding ceremonies are often held on the venue’s side lawn down by the water, and receptions taking place on the covered waterfront deck overlooking the sparkling, boat-filled harbor.

Chebeague Island Inn, Chebeague Island, ME

A visit to Chebeague Island feels like going back to a simpler time. A time when Resorts, Inns and hotels were dotted all along Maine’s coast. And, the Chebeague Island Inn (Established in the 1880’s) is one of the few originals that remain. Chebeague Island is, in fact, the largest island in Casco Bay, and is currently home to 400 year-round residents, many whose families have been here for generations as well as many generational summer families.

As a nod to their history they have thoughtfully restored the Inn – instead of changing its character –  to recapture its classic historical beauty and special place in the island community. The Inn boasts 21 boutique hotel rooms, beautiful wedding ceremonies in the perennial garden, tented receptions with the Atlantic as your backdrop, and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the wrap-around porch, and a ton of other on-site amenities. 

Please stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 in the coming weeks, where we’ll delve even further into Coastal wedding venue gems near Boston, and all that they have to offer!

The post Charming Coastal Wedding Venues Near Boston, Part 1 appeared first on Beat Train Productions ~ Boston & NYC Wedding DJs - New England & New York City Wedding DJs

source https://beattrainproductions.com/charming-coastal-wedding-venues-near-boston-part-1/

Can We Have An Adult Flower Girl (Person) At Our Wedding?!

While in the past, flower girls were generally children under the age of nine, we’ve been seeing a growing trend of couples having adult flower girls, guys, people or grannies at their wedding ceremonies!  It’s certainly a fun twist on the (maybe outdated) traditional wedding party role, and can sure make for some fun Reels, TikToks or footage for your videographer, but is it appropriate from an etiquette perspective?! 

What Does an Adult Flower Girl or Guy Do Anyway?

The adult flower girl (person) is considered a member of the bridal party, along with the maid of honor, bridesmaids and junior bridesmaids, and there may be only one flower girl or several. Typically, a couple would only have an adult flower girl/guy/person if there aren’t any young children in their life who can or want to take on the role.

And, when it comes to the big day, just like a child flower girl, the role of an adult flower girl/guy/person is pretty simple. During the processional, the flower person will walk down the aisle right before the bride, throwing flower petals and maybe some biodegradable glitter! After that, the adult flower person may choose to stand at the altar with the rest of the wedding party or to simply take a seat in the front row for the rest of the ceremony.

Who Can Be an Adult Flower Person?

Having an adult perform the role of flower girl is always unexpected and humorous, and has a way of eliciting smiles and chuckles from the other wedding guests. Some couples even opt to have both of their grandmothers serve as their flower girls, to give them a sweet and special role in the ceremony. We’ve also seen bridesmaids and groomsmen acting as flower girls during the processional. 

Otherwise, the role of an adult flower person could be bestowed upon a willing close friend or family member who would like to be, but isn’t currently a part of the wedding. However, when it comes to asking a loved one to be an adult flower person, we recommend considering how you will broach the subject, as some grown adults may take offense to being handed a role normally reserved for a five year old! But, others may love the idea and eagerly (and dramatically) take on the role, and still other loved ones may even volunteer to be an adult flower person without any prodding!

What Does an Adult Flower Person Wear?

You probably shouldn’t expect (or want) your grown-up flower person to wear a frilly, tulle flower girl dress, like a child flower girl would wear. Meanwhile, if your adult flower person is already in the wedding party, they should simply wear their wedding party attire, but might want to accessorize with a flower crown, or other floral accessory to let them stand out from the group! But, If your adult flower person isn’t otherwise a member of the wedding party, let them choose their own attire in the wedding colors so they’ll still feel like part of the crew. And if your Grandma’s are acting as your flower girls, they should wear whatever makes them feel comfortable, beautiful and confident on the big day!

The post Can We Have An Adult Flower Girl (Person) At Our Wedding?! appeared first on Beat Train Productions ~ Boston & NYC Wedding DJs - New England & New York City Wedding DJs

source https://beattrainproductions.com/can-we-have-an-adult-flower-girl-person-at-our-wedding/

Finding Your Dream Wedding Venue

You can’t have a wedding without first finding the perfect space to host the event! So, understanding how to pick a wedding venue is one of the most crucial components of planning a wedding. No matter what kind of venue you are after, choosing a wedding venue is an important task that needs to take place before you get very far along in the wedding planning process.

Research

But, before you jump into the process of actually vetting potential wedding venues, you and your fiance need to do some brainstorming and research, looking for potential wedding venues. Online research is a great first step in the search process, but websites should never replace seeing the space in person, as a couple. 

Instagram

For all things weddings, Instagram is your friend! And, that holds true for the venue search as well! To start, you can try scrolling through locale-specific hashtags like #[yourcity]weddingvenue to see if you can uncover a hidden gem or two in and around the locale where you plan to tie the knot. If something piques your interest, give their account a follow. This will allow you to come back at a later time to more thoroughly research the options you’ve stumbled upon.

Recommendations

In much the same way that word of mouth is a great way to discover beloved must-visit restaurants, lean on friends, both engaged and recently married, for venue suggestions! Keep in mind that while word of mouth opens you up to a barrage of advice, the wedding is ultimately your day as a couple to plan however you see fit, so you need only listen to the input that serves you and your partner.

Wedding Planner

Your wedding planner will be an invaluable resource throughout the wedding planning process, especially as you wade through all those wedding venue ideas early on. As pros, they’ll understand non-negotiables to be on the lookout for, and explain them to you. They’ll also be able to help you see the vision of how your wedding style could come to life in a potential space.

Set A Budget, General Location and Season

Your wedding budget and the location where you hope to tie the knot will greatly affect the wedding venue you ultimately select. Having an understanding of what you can afford and where to focus your search will ensure the process of selecting a wedding venue is as seamless as possible. Additionally, while you don’t need to know your exact wedding date prior to booking a venue, you should have a grasp on the time of year you’d like to tie the knot, as some venues may be closed during certain times of year and could be off the table for your wedding.

Plan Around Your Guest List

Without a clear understanding of your guest count, you won’t be able to select a wedding venue that will be able to effectively accommodate your guest list. Imagine booking a small and intimate space, only for your guest count to balloon to close to 300 people. It’s of utmost importance to decide on the number of guests you plan to invite prior to making a final decision about your wedding venue.

Consider Your Guests’ Experience

From the time your guests arrive until they depart at the end of the night, what will their experience be like? Think about temperature concerns. Think about a venue with easy-to-find bathrooms. Think of the mobility and accessibility needs of your guests. Think of the things that will make being a guest at your wedding a comfortable, enjoyable and seamless experience.

Tour Potential Venues

Site visits, ideally with your wedding planner in tow, are always a good idea. If you book a wedding venue site unseen you may run into surprise(s) later that you would’ve been made aware of had you simply booked a site visit. Also, you might miss out on the venue of your dreams, simply because it doesn’t translate well to online photos.

Read The Reviews

A great way to get a sense for your short list of venues is to see what other couples have to say and how their weddings met, fell short of, or exceeded their expectations.

Trust Your Gut!

Simply put…You will know when you are standing in the space that you want to celebrate the start of this wonderful new life with your person.

The post Finding Your Dream Wedding Venue appeared first on Beat Train Productions ~ Boston & NYC Wedding DJs - New England & New York City Wedding DJs

source https://beattrainproductions.com/finding-your-dream-wedding-venue/