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10 Reasons Why CONNECTICUT is the Wedding Capitol of New England

 

When most people think of CT (who don’t live in CT), they envision a yuppie paradise full of cul de sac neighborhoods, BMWs in every parking spot, and everyone resembles Barbie & Ken. Believe it or not, that only accounts for 1% of Connecticut. The rest of Connecticut is very diverse and a melting pot of culture, ethnicity, and music. That would explain why Connecticut is the Wedding Capitol of New England.

Being the 2nd smallest state in the Union has it’s benefits. In the heart of Connecticut, you are only about an hour and a half from New York City and two hours from Boston. You can imagine the baseball rivalries that happen here. But what about weddings?

Here are the 10 reasons why Connecticut is the Wedding Capitol of New England.

1. Wedding and event Venues

Connecticut was one of the first states incorporated in the nation. Because of that, there are many historic properties that host weddings. Places like the Wadsworth Mansion, Saint Clements, and Gillette castle are just a few places that hold historical significance. So if you’re looking to enjoy sophistication and old world charm, these might be some great choices for you.

If marble, gold, and architecture is your thing, Connecticut is the place for you. With the highest concentration of Italian-American citizens in the United States, they’ve brought their passion for fine masonry and lavish decor. Venues such as The Aqua Turf, Farmington Club, The Riverview, Waterview, La Bella Vista, Grand Oak Villa and Connecticut’s newest addition, Aria, the possibilities are endless. The mediterranean influenced cuisine paired with the stunning marble architecture and sculptures are the perfect setting for the most regal of occasions.

If you’re a country bumpkin or appreciate the simpler things in life and love a venue with rustic charm, Connecticut has some great country and barn wedding venues to choose from. Venues like Bill Miller’s Castle, Wood Acres Farm, The Barns at Wesleyan and Winvian are a must see.

One of Connecticut’s best features is it’s waterfront property. From the Litchfield Hills to the shoreline, theres a perfect wedding destination waiting for you. If you’re a land lover and want to stay off the shoreline, venues like The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station and The Pavillion on Crystal Lake are great locations. Wanna be on the shore? Check out places like Anthony’s Ocean View and The Mystic Seaport.

But more than venues, we’ve got even more to offer. Wedding professionals are at a 1 to 100 ratio.

2. There’s a DJ for EVERY BRIDE in CT.
From simple to lavish and conservative to liberal, you’ll find it here in CT. Because of the massive ethnic diversity, Connecticut has a DJ for every nationality, personality, and preference not to mention, every budget.

3. Four seasons means LOTS of flowers to choose from.
Just in Cheshire Connecticut alone, there are HUNDREDS of greenhouses. It’s the greenhouse capitol of New England. Connecticut at one time was plentiful in farms.. From the vibrant spring flora to the earthy autumn, Connecticut’s flower farms are sure to please. Many venues also feature seasonal favorites that make a spectacular backdrop for wedding photos.

4. Wedding Paparazzi that Hollywood would be jealous of.
Wedding photographers are plentiful here. The scenic backdrops of New England have brought many photographers here. Because Connecticut is considered a ‘High End’ wedding state, we have some of the best photographers that you can find. Timeless photos from Eric Foley. Simply sarcastic photography from Sassy Mouth Photo. Mike Ross offers a classic photojournalistic style. Photo Expressions is fantastic at finding the perfect backdrop for your photos. And don’t forget about Connecitcut’s favorite bad boy, Airen Miller for something modern, edgy, and very svelte. Pair any of these photographers with picturesque New England and you’ve got a winning combination!

5. A truly Cinematic Experience.
mebCINEMA, Inspiration in Motion, and Custom Made Video are true artisans at what they do. This won’t be your parent’s wedding video. Each one of them are truly talented in capturing the best moments on film. But don’t take my word for it, have a look for yourself on our wedding page. www.PrymeTymeEntertainment.net/weddings

6. See you in 30 minutes or less.
No matter where you are in Connecticut, you will find a wedding happening within 30 minutes travel time of each other. Being such a small and concentrated state, travelling to your wedding is a snap!

7. And speaking of travelling, go in style.
Limos are big business here. Connecticut is the halfway point between New York and Boston and many people, some Very Important People live and work here. So there is no shortage of high end transportation to suit your needs. From classic Cadillac limousines , to party busses and stretch hummers, you can travel in style. Prospect Limo and Gateway Limo are some of the finest transportation resources in the area.

8. Unwavering Tradition
Connecticut is a progressive state however, we believe in tradition and the consistency of old world values. Because of this, service is KING in Connecticut. Expect to be pampered and your every desire met. It’s just how we roll.

9. Cruise Control.
If you have a love of the water, Connecticut is a great place for your special day. With hundreds of miles of shoreline on Long Island Sound, The Connecticut, and Housatonic Rivers, you can take advantage of many of the yacht and charter tours that run every day. If you’re from Long Island and your wedding is here in CT, travelling just got easier. Enjoy one of three ferries that run every hour from Long Island to Connecticut.

10. It’s all about convenience.
With so many things to think about on your special day, it’s not uncommon to forget something or need a last minute item. Connecticut was built for convenience. You won’t have to travel far to find what you need. Connecticut is also home to hundreds of 5 star hotels for the convenience of guests with overnight accommodations.

All in all, Connecticut is the go to place for everything Wedding.

Productive Wedding Planning | Avoid wedding burnout

Productive Wedding Planning | Avoid wedding burnout and review your accomplishments.

Everything has it’s place.

Invitations, napkins, hiring photographers and DJs and too many things to list. But where SHOULD you be in the wedding planning process? If you’re not sure, take a look once in a while at your wedding checklist and see what you’ve accomplished. Start of with your top priorities and go from there.

Once you’re done hiring vendors and venues, it’s time to think about your decor. Your centerpieces, china, napkins, and anything else you want to make your wedding extra special. Always keep your checklist with you so you can check things off as you go. Being organized is key and will help you to plan your wedding more efficiently and with less stress.

Highlights from the Riverview & Torrington Country Club Bridal Shows

 

This weekend was AMAZING for bridal shows!

On Saturday, January 25th, Aaron & Mark from Pryme Tyme Entertainment headed on over to the Riverview in Simsbury for the WeddingSteps bridal show. There were well over 50 vendors there for brides to come and check out. The WeddingSteps had some great incentives for brides and gave away an all expenses vacation to the Caribbean for one lucky couple. Many of the brides who we met with on Saturday (probably 40 or 50 WOW!) were starting their wedding journey after being newly engaged over the Christmas holiday. We got to meet with a few of the couples that we had seen at previous shows as well which is always a treat. Over all, a great show.

On Sunday, we headed over to Torrington Country Club for their bridal affair. It was a much smaller show than the Riverview but, we STILL met with over 30 brides and will be contacting them to set appointments to talk about their special day. While we were there, WZBG‘s Amy Ferarotti interviewed Pryme Tyme Entertainment owner and Master of Ceremonies, Aaron DeMarest.Thank you to Amy and WZBG for such a great interview and telling Litchfield county all about Pryme Tyme Entertainment.

5 shows down. 2 more to go. 2014 is going to be an excellent year! Thank you to all of the brides and vendors who came to see us this weekend! We look forward to meeting with you again to start planning your special day!

bridal shows in ct, bridal show ettiquite

How to get the most out of visiting a bridal show

How to get the most out of visiting a bridal show


Alrighty ladies, the time has come to start looking for vendors. With CT’s bridal show season officially underway in January, there’s a few things to know before you head out in search of the perfect wedding team.

While walking down the aisles, you’ll see wedding professionals of all types. Be sure to stop at as many as possible. Every wedding vendor has something unique to offer that could potentially make your special day amazing.

If you see a vendor you are interested in, be sure to give them your contact information so that they can set up an appointment with you. The vendors get a list of brides and grooms attending but, it helps us as vendors to know who is interested in us so we don’t bother you if you already have the services you need or are interested in another vendor.

Use things like dot stickers on promotional materials that you get so that you remember which vendors you are interested in. You’ll be more than likely carrying around a bag FULL of cards, brochures, and other promotional material. This will help you sort through the pile quickly and find your wedding team.

While speaking with the vendors at the show, ask for referrals to other vendors who they recommend. This could help you save time and give you some great references when choosing your wedding team.

As you’re waiting to speak to a vendor (chances are there will be a line), be sure to pop onto their website on your smartphone or tablet. This way, you can learn a little bit more about the company and have time to ask questions more specific to your special day.

After you’ve met with all of the vendors, go to a wedding site like WeddingWire or TheKnot and read their reviews. This will give you an even more in-depth look at what your wedding vendor can do for you.

Carry a bottle of water with you. You will be doing a lot of talking & walking. Stay hydrated.

Have a light meal before you come. Don’t miss out on meeting the right vendors on the account of going hungry. Visiting a bridal show can be exhausting. Carry a snack with you like protein bars to keep your energy up.

Follow up with your favorite vendors immediately! The good ones get booked quickly. Keep in mind, the majority of weddings in CT happen in May, June, September, October, and November.

Visit multiple shows. You might meet the right vendor for you after the 2nd or 3rd show. Smaller to medium sized shows typically offer the best experience because you have more time to chat with the vendors.