Category: THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

Featured Vendor: Buono Events

Posted on December 5, 2022 by - THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

Are you looking for entertainment for your next event? Buono Events provides clients with an unmatched entertainment experience and is sure to create everlasting memories for you and your guests.

Not sure if you want a DJ, a band, or maybe you want both at your next event? Buono Events can do it all! They work exclusively with the New York based band Hudson Horns. Hudson Horns has multiple, dynamic ensembles comprised of professionally trained musicians; all of whom bring unparalleled talent and high-energy performances to stages and dance floors everywhere. Buono Events strives to surpass the typical DJ experience by combing vast musical knowledge, taste, personality and style into one-of-a-kind engaging performances.

In addition to band and DJ services, they also have an open-air photo booth. A photo booth is a great way to get some fun photos of your friends, family, and colleagues at any event.

The owner of Buono Events, Joe Del Buono said, “We have been fortunate enough to experience many levels of success within the events industry by providing an unparalleled service and garnering 5 star acclaim at every single turn.”

We love working with them and we will know you and your guests will love them too!

Mention this blog post when inquiring and receive 5% off of your event package with Buono Events.

Contact them here for more information!

 

Newport Voted #1 Most Friendly Place in the USA

Posted on August 15, 2022 by - PRESS, THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

Come visit the most friendly place in the United States!

Newport was recently voted the friendliest place in the USA from a survey conducted on Booking.com.

 

 

 

 

 

A recent survey on Booking.com showed that 76% of people say that their motivation to travel is to boost their mood, and this year the city of Newport is proud to have received the top honors as being the most welcoming place in the USA.

The awards are based on traveler’s reviews on Booking.com, along with the amount of awarded accommodations in each city, and recognize everything from excellence in staffing to cleanliness to safety.

 “We see so many positive reviews for outstanding hospitality at hotels, bed & breakfasts, and vacation rentals across this New England city,” says Ben Harrell, managing director, US at Booking.com

We are excited that Newport has received this recognition and if you would like to read the full Forbes article visit the link here!

Featured Vendor: Newport Charter Group

Posted on June 22, 2022 by - PRESS, THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

Nothing says Newport summer like a cruise around Narragansett Bay.

Our friends at the NEWPORT CHARTER COMPANY recently invited us aboard the stunning Camelot for a spin around the harbor and we’re so glad they did! We hopped on at Goat Island and enjoyed a yummy gourmet picnic provided by Karma Kitchen & Catering.

Enjoy a private yachting experience and explore Newport Harbor on the beautiful 33’ Camelot. Thoughtfully named, Camelot draws its inspiration from 1930s antique American commuter boats.

The purity of its classic lines and the refinement of its luxury woodwork make Camelot one of the most attractive boats in Newport. Camelot has a roomy cockpit and vast salon which allows plenty of room for both interior and exterior seating.

Newport Charter offers small group private cocktail cruises around Newport for up to 6 passengers. They also cater to special requests, including weddings, engagements, dinners, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and seasonal events like the Newport Folk and Jazz festivals.

Their most popular package is a 1 hour 45 minute cruise through the harbor.

When you charter Camelot, the entire boat is yours. This privacy allows the captain to tailor the cruise to your liking, creating a personalized and memorable experience. It’s a great way to share the “newport experience” with friends or family.

 

**Mention this post and code “GOAT” and receive 15% off your private charter**

CONTACT:

Newport Charter Company

1 Goat Island Rd.

Newport, RI 02840

http://www.newportchartergroup.com/

captain@newportcharter.com

401-835-0543

 

Featured Vendor: Polished Event Design

Posted on March 16, 2022 by - PRESS, THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

Featured Vendor: Polished Event Design

Updated: Mar 17


Desirae Tavares of Polished Event Design


Are you planning a wedding or special occasion party and looking for an Instagram-worthy photo backdrop for your guests?


Put a creative twist on the classic photo booth with a customized backdrop and props that match the theme of your wedding or event. Balloon decor and backdrops can transform any event or atmosphere, offering a modern display of art and beauty.




Our friends at Polished Event Design provided the decor for our booth at the Newport Wedding Show and it was the star of the show! Models, guests and engaged couples posed for photos in front of the dreamy balloon backdrop throughout the day.


Desirae Tavares with Newport Wedding Show Models

Newport Experience Event Planners: OceanCliff & Regatta Place


Polished Event Design specializes in:

  • Lux organic balloon décor

  • Customized backdrop designs and personalized setups based on your theme and color palette

  • Modern backdrops & select décor rentals

Desirae Tavares, owner of Polished Event Design, says “Every event should have a focal point. Perhaps that may be a lavish balloon garland welcoming guests for a dinner party or a customized backdrop that embraces your theme. I work with clients to transform ideas into reality based on your color palette and theme.”


If you are looking to host a special event, allow Polished Event Design to help you create a custom photo experience!


**Mention this post and receive 15% off, including a complimentary half hour consultation!** (new clients only)

CONTACT:

Polished Event Design

info@polishedeventsri.com

(508) 542-9199




Join us at the 19th annual Newport Wedding Show

Posted on January 18, 2022 by - THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

  • Newport Experience
    • Jan 18
    • 1 min read

Join us at the 19th annual Newport Wedding Show

 

Join us at the 19th annual Newport Wedding Show

Sunday, February 27, 2022

 

Presented by:

Newport Wedding Magazine

 

The Newport Wedding Show is Newport’s biggest wedding event of the year! Hosted at two of the most elegant Newport wedding venues, OceanCliff and Rosecliff, you will find everything you need to plan your dream wedding in one day!

 

· Two locations, twice as exciting!

· 80+ wedding professionals

· Fashion shows, tasty samples, creative cocktails & inspiration

· Thousands of dollars in drawing and door prizes!

 

Save time and money by purchasing your wedding show tickets in advance!

DISCOUNTED TICKETS & MORE INFO!
 

OceanCliff was voted

“Best Reception Venue”, “Best Ceremony Venue”, &
“Best Rehearsal Dinner Venue” 2022

by Newport Wedding Magazine readers.

 

 
 
 
 

Best of Newport Wedding Winners

Posted on December 17, 2021 by - PRESS, THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

Best of Newport Wedding Winners


We are thrilled to announce OceanCliff won “Best Reception Venue” and tied for 1st place for “Best Ceremony Venue” and “Best Rehearsal Dinner Venue” in Newport Wedding Magazine’s Best of Newport Wedding awards!






We are also excited to announce Schooner Aurora won “Best Weekend Wedding Activity” for the 4th year in a row! Lots of couples love to include a sunset sail on our tall ship during their wedding weekend. Ask us about our rehearsal dinner or pre or post wedding sail packages!



We would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for us and Newport Wedding Magazine for these amazing awards! We are so grateful for all of the amazing couples & vendors we have worked with this year!

What Matters Most – The 5 Ws of Wedding Planning with Susanne Day of The Newport Experience

Posted on July 29, 2021 by - PRESS, THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

  • Newport Experience
    • Jul 29, 2021
    • 5 min read

What Matters Most – The 5 Ws of Wedding Planning with Susanne Day of The Newport Experience

Updated: Aug 2, 2021

 

 

Podcast by Sara Zarrella

 

Wedding planning isn’t for the faint of heart. There’s hundreds of decision to be made and in the middle of all of those decisions, it can feel hard to know exactly what you really want for your wedding day. That’s why we hosted Susanne Day from Newport Experience to share how to focus in on what matters most when planning your wedding day. After 20 years working in the heart of New England at some of Newport’s most sought after venues, Susanne has 5 easy tips to focus in on what matters most when planning your wedding day!

 

Please rate, review and subscribe to this podcast wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode. Even better, share it with a friend! It’s a great way to show your support and let us know what you think. Thank you for listening.

 

Meet Susanne!

I started working at the Newport Life Magazine in 2000 and then started working for Newport Wedding Magazine and the Newport Bridal Show, I had such a blast those years!! I’ve been with the Newport Experience team since 2014 so I’m still working with couples and vendors, just in a different way than before. When I’m not doing that, I’m gardening, playing tennis or with my friends and family. And I love the Hallmark Channel for movies!

 

There is so much we can talk about when it comes to helping couples plan their perfect day because you’re truly an expert. But, today, let’s focus on what matters most. How can couples figure out what’s important to them during wedding planning?

 

When I work with couples, we immediately work to “Focus on What Matters Most” using the 5 W’s. I start with an intro email, then encourage them to call me for a quick 10 minute call to narrow down options. I seriously only need 10 minutes with them to figure out what they really want. Then we connect for a scheduled site tour to meet in person. For me, this approach helps them feel like they are crafting their wedding experience, not just choosing options from a price sheet for their celebration.

 

 

Let’s dive into the 5 W’s as you mentioned. What are they?

Absolutely! They’re the 5 questions I ask couples when they begin to plan their wedding:

1. Who (guest count)

2. What (top must haves and non-negotiable)

3. When (season, day/night, midweek/weekend)

4. Where (close to home or destination)

5. Why/How (how do you want to feel?)

 

That is so helpful and insightful! Can you take us through the process step by step of the 5W’s when it actually comes to planning?

First, The Who. I’ll preface with this: The Who can be super tricky. I generally like to go over this with my couples and their parents so no one feels they’re being called out or attached. My goal is to really help them save money and maximize their time on their wedding day. Everything goes so fast. The people in that room should be who’s absolutely most important to you.

 

Next, the What. Remember, these are the top must haves and non-negotiable items.

Think about the parties and weddings you have been to and what made them fun/memorable

for you. Now, write those things down and prioritize which is most important to you.

It’s hard, but not everything can be the priority!

 

When isn’t just the date.

It also refers to the time of day time of week, and which season you want to be married in. If you are laser focused on one specific date there is no flexibility in pricing and availability. If you are very flexible with the date you can maximize your budget and you have more “buying power” for your big day. Weekday, early times, and winter weddings are all typically cheaper events.

 

Where do you want your wedding?

Rhode Island is a destination for weddings and Newport even more so because there is

so much to do! With lots of options for accommodations and other weekend activities it can become more than one day and a whole itinerary can emerge for your out-of-town guests.

My advice is to plan a two-night stay and check out different restaurants and attractions while you are touring venues to get a feel for how your celebration can be. If that sounds

overwhelming, then stick close to home!

 

Why/How: How do you want to feel?

Let your wedding be a reflection of how you want your marriage to be. That was the best

advice I got when planning my wedding. If you want your wedding/marriage to be influenced

by other people’s expectations and unsolicited advice then do what others tell you.
How you start your planning matters.

 

 

Do you have any tools and tricks that you learned to help couples cut their list and figure out their “who” because that’s always a BIG topic for couples?

1. No work friends: you are with them all day long so naturally you would feel closer to them, but there is always someone that thinks they are closer to you that doesn’t get invited and then things get weird later. These guests (and their plus ones) add up really quickly! An easy solution? Tell them you will all meet up after work for cocktails to celebrate when you get back from your honeymoon.

 

2. Nobody you haven’t met: You don’t have time for small talk on your wedding day If they are so important to come to your wedding and witness your forever vows, why haven’t you met them yet? Chances are if you don’t make time to spend with them before the wedding—it won’t happen after.

 

3. No automatic plus ones : I only say this because I have witnessed guests arguing in the parking lot because t’s hard when you don’t know anyone else there. Save your friends from this and don’t automatically offer a plus one to everyone. Solution: If they are in a committed relationship obviously extend that invite. If someone calls and asks about their plus one, make time to meet them beforehand if it’s really important to you/your guest.

 

4. Family: If you have a HUGE family, consider inviting just the members who are closest to you. I often tell couples to think of who’s “around the Christmas tree every year”. Tell the extended family that you want to have a small intimate wedding and blame the max capacity of the venue if you have to!

 

5. Parents invited guests: This is tough one. I get it: they have life-long friendships as well as family members that have invited them to their kids weddings over the years and they want to reciprocate. But the reality is the day goes fast for your parents too and they won’t have the time to mingle with those guests. Parents could consider hosting a party at their house for their friends to come celebrate the couple instead!

 

6. BONUS Tips. So this worked during COVID in 2020 to cut from 200 down to 50—no joke—it’s magic! Remember the first two weeks of COVID when we were in the shut down? Think about the people you still talk to regularly and check in with on a normal basis. Who did you call? Who called you? Parents, siblings, best friends, the other people that reached out—that’s it—there are your 50!

 

What are some key points that couples should be asking their venue when they are inquiring before they book?

  1. Always ask what is included and what is not included when it comes to your venue rental.

  2. “All in, out the door quote” that includes tax so that you can compare venues and what they’re offering you. It’s also nice to avoid any surprises!

  3. Gratuity! How does the venue handle gratuity? Is it included? If not, then it’s one more thing to consider budgeting for.

 

Thank you Sara Zarrella for including us on this incredible podcast! Here are some photos taken by Sara Zarrella, one of our favorite photographers!

Visit Sara Zarrella Photography to see more!

 
 

Where to stay, eat and explore in Newport

Posted on April 5, 2021 by - OCEANCLIFF HOTEL, THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE

Where to stay, eat and explore in Newport



Perched on the city’s southwest corner, OceanCliff Resort, formerly the Bronson Villa, is an awe-inducing, lavish castle tucked into 10 acres of rolling lawns that seem to tumble directly into the sea. To complement its oceanfront beauty, the hotel emanates with a 19th-century aura while staying on the forefront of contemporary hospitality. (It’s also one of the top wedding destinations on Aquidneck Island. Read more here…