Brilliant Blog

TIPS & SECRETS FROM A NEW YORK CITY PROPOSAL, WEDDING & EVENT PLANNER

A Brilliant Destination Wedding: Newport, Rhode Island

I was lucky enough to visit Forty 1° North, a hotel and marina resort located in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island as part of a recent press trip. It’s the perfect getaway for couples searching for a wedding location that’s like the Hamptons, but not the Hamptons.  A quick, relaxing train ride – free of the chaos of airport security and terrible traffic snarls – to Newport and you’re at the perfect waterfront destination wedding location in flash.

The vibe of this resort mixes the caliber of a New York City wedding – a sophisticated setting and impeccable food & service – with the backdrop of charming Newport. It is posh, yet totally approachable. The boutique hotel is located right on the marina and has 24 rooms and suites, as well as 2 lofts and 2 cottages. Each room has its own Dr. Seuss book, for a touch of whimsy, and Malin + Goetz amenities to make sure you are properly pampered.

When it comes to wedding venue locations, Forty 1° North has both indoor and outdoor space, including the waterfront marina and two restaurants with totally distinct vibes. Whether you use their in-house sommelier for rehearsal dinners in the private dining room, their roundtable bar for a beer tasting, the library for a welcome cocktail reception or your ceremony in the open-air seafront reception area, it’s perfect for a summer evening wedding or a cozy, intimate winter nuptials!

During my stay, I was lucky enough to experience a boat ride around the harbor with a luxury picnic of lobster rolls, caviar and perfectly chilled rosé – a super chic alternative to the typical rehearsal dinner.  We also were treated to a cooking class cooking class with their classically trained head chef, where we made an inventive, but surprisingly easy, Thai soup!  A fun way to do a group activity for foodie brides and their ladies, or foodie grooms and their entourage.

Oh, and if all that wasn’t enough to tempt you, their Lavender Crème Brulee is out of this world!

Dreaming of a wedding like this? Contact us today at 917.974.4729 or sarah@brillianteventplanning.com

Newport Luxury Hotel Amenities

Forty 1 North Guest Rooms

Newport Hotel Marina

Sophisticated Newport Bar and Restaurant

Newport Outdoor Wedding

Newport Wedding Contemporary

Newport Elegant Wedding

Marina Restaurant Fine Dining Newport

Photos courtesy of Forty 1° North,  Meghan Sepe Weddings, Couture Parties and Connerton Photography.

A Brilliant Wedding: Vanessa & Nicole

I remember when Vanessa & Nicole sent me their list of formal photos…it included a note that said “We’d like photos of us laughing, we do that a lot.” As you can tell by these fantastic photos, they were certainly right.  These two lovebirds met as roommates and tried to remain only friends but alas, love got the better of them and they fell head-over-heels for each other. Their intimate, spring wedding was filled with smiles, merriment, hugs, kisses …and, you guessed it, a ton of laughter.  They encouraged their guests to “Remember to Live” and enjoyed every last bit of their big day. I’m pleased to announce that their photos were recently featured on Style Me Pretty.  I was privileged to be part of their amazing day and am so grateful to have met them.

Lovely photos courtesy of Kate Triano Photography.

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Featured in the New York Post

I was so proud to be interviewed by the New York Post regarding same sex marriages – now legal in NYC! As a strong supporter of the gay community, I’m thrilled that marriage equality has finally arrived in New York. Read the Post article here.

New York Post Gay Marriage Article