New England Wedding Professionals Networking Night in Mendon, MA
100+ New England Wedding Professionals raised money for a local non-profit while networking
Last week I attended the very first New England Wedding Professionals Networking Night! George sat this one out to have a daddy/daughter night with our Emerson. This meant I had a 40 minute car ride all to myself to bask in the thrill of crushing the Hamilton Cast Album solo. (This is my definition of pure excitement) What a feel-good kind of night this was! Together we raised $1,000 for Compassion New England.
Pulled up to the venue to find Mr. & Mrs. Burley!
Every inch of the SHOPPE is just gorgeous. Their on-site calligrapher created stunning pieces like this throughout the night.
With all of my excitement, I arrived at the venue early, excited and ready for the promise of an exceptional event and meeting new vendors to network with! On the other side of some gorgeous white doors, I met a whole community of vendors that you, our dear reader, will fall in love with. Upon arrival I was greeted by the friendly faces of our friends The Burley’s (of Jamal & Lashana Photography). Little did I know, our mighty state of Rhode Island would show up in full force that night! Over the course of the night, our friends came trickling in. Look at our Rising Tide Chapter! These people are just the greatest.
Rising Tide Society - Rhode Island Chapter (photo by: kataramstudios)
This whole night lead me into spaces and conversations of people I admire, and businesses that are blossoming in all the best ways. I spent a good amount of time swiping a few too many samples of Cava’s delectable passed hors d’ouerves too! Wait until I show you the photo from their display… you’re going to geek.
All I could think about was how much our Eisley Images community (specifically our couples) would love these vendors for their own weddings.
Consider this me shouting from the tops of the internet: this is our Eisley Images seal of approval!
Meet the Vendors of the night
The Event Planner: All Aboard Event Planning
Jenny and her team function on a level of creativity, and thoughtfulness that in unmatched in this industry. I can’t even begin to compute in my brain how they bring dreams like this from paper to reality. The All Aboard Team is diligent, punctual, outrageously fun all while spreading charitable goodness around like it’s confetti! This is the kind of team you need at the helm of your wedding day and events. Let’s break this idea down: this gorgeous event you’re seeing photos from was simply a networking event to raise money for a non-profit. Can you imagine what these women could do for you as event planners or day of coordinators?!
I am outrageously lucky that I have the privilege of working alongside Jenny with our Rhode Island Rising Tide Society Chapter! Take a look at what she planned for our SEO Meet-up last month - click here!
BONUS: If you’d like to find out more about All Aboard’s charitably conscious company, read more here! We featured them in our most recent “Feel-Good Five” Series.
The Event Designer: Gold Heart Design
A 100% Charitable Company. Do you need me to repeat that goodness? ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of their profits benefits Compassion New England. Christi, Creative Director, and her team launched a whole new way to serve their community. Gold Heart Design was created to raise money and awareness with every event, and item sold in their store. They have designated branches to increase their reach and impact:
“First is our Crisis Center in downtown Milford MA. The crisis center meets the physical needs of people who are in crisis by giving away diapers, food, fuel assistance & vouchers for clothing, furniture & household items. We also have a variety of programs to bless people during the holidays with meals & Christmas gifts for children.
The second branch is The Happy Place. The Happy Place exists to serve people with special needs and their families.
The Happy Place offers weeknight Clubhouse to kids & adults with special needs at our specialized facility in Northbridge, MA. Clubhouse is designed to give people with special needs a place to hangout and have fun with people like themselves. This is all facilitated by trained staff.
The other side of The Happy Place is our vocational training program. High school students and adults with special needs operate our store, The Blessing Barn Apparel. They sort, hang, tag the merchandise, operate the cash register, serve customers and more! It’s a great opportunity for them to gain real life skills & build confidence! ”
How can you support Gold Heart Design?
1. Visit Shoppe Gold Heart and buy from their store (instagram)
2. Donate & shop at the Blessings Barn Home Store (website)
3. Hire them to design your event (including in house florals, rental items and calligraphy) (instagram)
4. Host your wedding or event at The Greenhouse
5. Volunteer your time with Compassion New England
The Venue: The Greenhouse at SHOPPE by Gold Heart Design
Located at SHOPPE by Gold Heart Design, this stunning structure is a bright, and unique setting for any celebration. The coolest part? As I mentioned above, Gold Heart Design is a 100% charitable company at its very core. Their mission is to support their local community by giving men, women, and children the means to get on their feet. You can feel good about choosing to work with Gold Heart Design. The added bonus? They are wildly talented at what they do.
Address: 9 Hastings Rd, Mendon, MA
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5PM
The Bar Service by: Cocktails
All night the friendly duo of bartenders were slinging the most delicious and uniquely crafted mocktails! The service they provide at weddings and events is exceptional. Cocktails comes prepared to meet and exceed your bar needs. You have the option to have a full bar, beer, wine, the ability to create signature cocktails for your wedding, all with professional bartenders to ensure your guests are tended to and, of course, drinking responsibly.
Jenny with All Aboard Event Planning sipping on mocktails!
The Catering by: Cava
I quickly became friends with the women passing around the appetizers. It got to the point where our eyes would lock and there was a mutual understand that, yes, I did in fact need another stuffed mushroom. Every tray they showcased was unique, flavorful, easy to eat and exceptional. Their lo mein appetizer was a crowd favorite!
The Sweets by: Swirled Sugar & Silver Whisk Bake Shop
Since I had arrived so early, I said hello to Jenny (All Aboard Event Planning) and then noticed they still needed a few hands to help put on the finishing touches. I jumped in and started helping Nancy with her Silver Whisk Bake Shop treats! These little key lime bites were a delightful show stopper. Most people crowded around this table the majority of the night! It was an absolute joy to have the extra one-on-one time getting to know Nancy. What a total sweetheart! You’re going to love her and her sweet treats for your wedding or event.
Our treat for the road was waiting for all of us by the front doors. Organic Cotton Candy!!! Swirled Sugar is a family and women owned and operated Organic Cotton Candy business. We love all of that. If you haven’t seen their instagram yet, you really need to stop what you’re doing and click here real quick. How fun does that look?
“Forget what you may think about traditional cotton candy. All of our cotton candy is organic, all-natural, 100% nut free and gluten free. It is a treat that everyone can enjoy! We cater to your event needs, providing both personalized favor bags and/or cart service with attendant.”
Swirled Sugar’s Cotton Candy was a scrumptious treat!
The Photographer: Kataram Studios
Aram seemed to be in ten places at once that night - in the best way possible! He captured every inch of the Shoppe and kept us laughing. I was so excited to find out that Kataram Studios is a husband and wife team - just like us!
The Videographers: StopGoLove
StopGoLove is a company we have admired since getting to know them over the past year. Much like Eisley Images, they lead with passion and they make it their mission to serve their couples an exceptional wedding day experience. With owners Jared Haskell & Jason McCutchen at the helm, they lead their team by putting heart into every story they get to tell.
The DJ: E.C.F Entertainment
All night E.C.F Entertainment pumped positive vibes throughout the Greenhouse from the DJ Booth. This Boston based DJ company serves New England communities through South Berwick, ME all the way to Nantucket! We’ve personally worked with DJ Manolo at a Meredith & Brendon’s wedding at the Villa at Ridder Country Club last year! He is one of our favorites of all time.
The Light Up Letters by: Doris Loves USA
Let’s give ‘em something to instagram about! Doris’ unique light up letters are battery powered and so easy to set up. Standing 4 ft tall and 2 ft wide these letters make a statement, announcing the party has arrived! We also love that this is a husband & wife team - just like us! Rumor has it, they also offer a temporary tattoo station!
The Photo booth by: DJ IMHO
This photo booth was next level! We were able to fit so many friends, and the printed copies on set were the perfect keepsake. If you have this photo booth for your wedding, you will receive digital copies too!
Our Photobooth keepsake! (Photo on left by: Kataram Studios)
The Puppy Kissing Booth by: For the Love of Paws
Danielle’s expertise is ideal for any couple looking to have their best pal in attendance on their wedding day. Offering a stress free solution, your wedding day will be smooth for all involved! Danielle and her team arrange travel, grooming and on-site assistance on your wedding day! For the Love of Paws is also available for pre-wedding training sessions, engagement session assistance, and even accommodating your pups attendance at your proposal. Truly an incredible, one-of-a-kind service :)
Gill the Golden being an absolute angel baby. How sweet is this puppy kissing booth? Gils Instagram: @gillthegolden (I knew you were wondering)
I spent most of my night here at the puppy kissing booth! (Photo by: Kataram Studios)
More about Compassion New England (non-profit)
What We Do
Who We Are
“Compassion New England is a non-profit organization, which exists to spread hope & love throughout the community. We believe that every person was created by God for a purpose & is worthy of a full, happy life. Our desire is to add dignity & hope to the lives of everyone we meet.”
“Compassion New England works hard to develop programs & services that meet real needs of families in our community. We do this by providing: vouchers for physical items which are redeemable in our thrift stores, a fuel assistance program, a food pantry & much more!”
Eisley Images is a husband and wife wedding photography serving an exceptional wedding experience for joyful couples who laugh loudly and love deeply. Christy and George live in Providence, Rhode Island with their half blind pug, Artie, and their hilarious and wickedly smart four year old, Emerson Eisley. When Christy isn’t photographing once-in-a-lifetime-loves, she can be found reading all the non-fiction books, listening to all the business podcasts, leading a group of creative entrepreneurs in the Rising Tide Society or dancing around her kitchen to songs she made up to tunes that already exist (the subjects of the songs are usually about Artie & Emmy).
Based out of Rhode Island, originally from New Hampshire and ready to travel to wherever you two wander.
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