20 or so musings about Lisa

I typically do not share things about myself to my clients. However, weddings are personal occasions, and my clients often share personal things about them and their family dynamics with me. Sometimes it’s nice knowing a bit more about the person you are working closely with, so now it’s my turn to share a bit more about me – and my thoughts. None of these musings are wedding related, but will give you more insight into my “quirky” personality.

I believe in…

1. Honesty and integrity are of utmost importance, but tact - even more so. I never understood why being hurtful teaches anyone a lesson.

2. I’m a Republican and Democrat – a conservative and a liberal. I see valid points on all sides, and also see misguided opinion on all sides. I just vote for the person that agrees with me most on the issues that most matter to me.

3. Make love, not war. However, if you are going to do it, it should be done with responsibility as to not hurt yourself, anyone else, or to get yourself in a situation you are not ready for.

4. Animals – they are so cute. As a child, I loved a Cockapoo for 15 years. Her name was Useless. Yeah, I know - it was my Dad’s decision. Pets keep you young. They are always there to love you – no matter what.

5. I met my first boyfriend at 20, and married him at 27.

6. Don’t ask me my age, it will probably be a lie.

7. I would say that my sense of humor is more “dry”. However, I cannot stand Woody Allen (too neurotic), and I LOVE Will Ferrell.

8. Love is irrational and is not to be understood – just felt.

9. I love the people in my life who make me laugh.

10. I love creating wedding planning and design proposals. It makes me excited to dream about all the possibilities.

11. I love my two children so much – it almost hurts. If I believed they were in danger, and I could save them by giving my life – I would in a second.

12. I idolized Dorothy Hamill – 70’s haircut and all!

13. Adequate back-up. Life is unpredictable.

14. My Dad died because he felt worthless in this world.

15. I played “first” clarinet in my elementary and Junior high school band.

16. I don’t understand why people kill to prove killing is wrong. However, I am a proponent of the Death Penalty. Not sure how to rationalize this in my mind - I’m conflicted. Good thing it’s not one of those issues I alluded to in item #2.

17. I’m a Capricorn.

18. I aspire to be the best. I am not afraid of it. However, I am afraid of lower standards - as being “good enough” is not “good enough” for me. Ultimately, it’s not the end result that matters – but the process.

19. Everything in life happens for a reason – we just might not understand it at the time.

20. I love the “Golden Girls” because they make me "laugh out loud". I have seen every episode 5 times – at least. It’s unfortunate that “they” don’t make TV like that anymore.

21. I spent 4 years in an advanced science and Math magnet in high school, 4 years at Smith College studying Biology and Chemistry, and 8.5 years in a PhD program in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Brown. It took me all that time to find my true calling. If that’s not interesting, I don’t know what is.

Unique Wedding Ideas

Little touches can make a huge impact on your wedding day. I want to suggest some unique ideas that will not only add personalized touches to your big day, but also make your wedding stand out from the rest!

This is great for a fall wedding. This very simple program, printed on a earthy vellum overlaying ivory card stock, says "less is more". It's fashioned together with string and a thick piece of twine, and is very easy to create. This vellum with it's earthy hues are perfect for a fall wedding or natural themed event.

Are you having a New England style reception, a more casual picnic style wedding, or a country themed reception? Longaberger baskets make the perfect addition. Just dump the centerpiece flowers in a basket for a more country feel. The smaller baskets would also work very well on the ends of chairs.

With a basket you can easily add cute details, or perhaps make a table number/table name, and hook it directly onto the basket with a nice coordinating ribbon. Easy!

Candlelight makes any event romantic. I love using candles, even at daytime weddings. There is something very special about candlelight and weddings. Typically couples place 3-4 clear votives surround. There are so many simple things that you can do to clear votive holders to dress them up and make them pretty.

I love this idea. It actually came from my 5 year old! We pasted tissue paper on a clear votive holder, and voila - the look was transformed! Amazingly, it put out beautiful light with a tea light or regular votive candle! You can really have fun with this. You could create some fun mosaic patterns. You could use a solid color. You could also use parchment paper, print your names and wedding date on and fashion it around the votive holder - ala Martha. This way, you can use the votive as a place card, favor, and centerpiece decoration all in one! WOW!

I also love wine glasses, and love to see the light reflected off of them. If you get a colored votive, put it in a wine glass, it creates a beautiful and different look.

Here I have used a stemless glass, but it works just as well with a stemmed glass. You could also use these as decoration on the cake or buffet tables. Stemmed glasses with votives also work very well in window sills.

I have used a colored votive and holder, but you could also use a clear or white votive and a colored glass.

I have also arranged some mums in a jar. I'm not by any means a florist, but I thought this was an interesting concept. I kept the Classico label, but you could take it off, or surround the jar with paper, foil, tissue paper or whatever! The possibilities are limitless. You could also use a clear jar, and fill it with sea shells, marbles, or submerge orchids. As it's pictured, this arrangement (label on) would be a great centerpiece idea for an Italian themed wedding. The name of each table could be different types of pasta sauces. For example, Prego!

For a really romantic look - rent votives. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and styles. The light that they emit is absolutely gorgeous! This particular votive is beaded, but you could do some really cool things yourself. For instance, you could use simple beads to spell out your initials on the glass (or maybe the first letter of your last name)or your wedding date. For a seaside theme, use sea shells!

I hope some of these wacky ideas have inspired you to think creatively about your wedding.

Destination Ipswich, MA

Just an hour’s drive from the cobblestone streets of Boston houses - Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful wedding sites that I have had the pleasure of working. Perched above the beautiful Crane beach, this site offers a dramatic setting for weddings. Its beautiful gardens, magnificent landscape, grandiose great house, seaside location, and picturesque views along the half mile Grand Allee make it a perfect location for your wedding.

Your guests will be welcomed by the foyer, which leads into the Gallery - a perfect location for a small reception. If you need additional seating, you can add a tent over the side terrace. The rotunda is perfect for the cake cutting, the dining room for an indoor ceremony, and the ballroom for dancing late into the evening. The golden hues, period archways and Grand stair case provide the backdrop for a sophisticated event.

This site also offers it all. Give your wedding party a hardy New England Welcome at Steep Hill Beach, by offering crabs, oysters and lobsters.

Because this site can comfortably accommodate up to 320 with an added tent, this is truly the perfect destination. Your guests will be treated to New England at its finest. Just a short and very beautiful drive from Salem Massachusetts, a mecca of museums and landmarks. A bit beyond- Massachusetts’ capital, Boston, is rich in tradition and is a great place to shop, eat, and tour. Ipswich, the heart of the North Shore, is a meticulously preserved seaport offering a variety of activities including museums, performing arts, whale watching, great shopping and superior dining.

Visit the website - http://castlehillfunctions.thetrustees.org/