New Leaf's 2009 wedding season closed out this past weekend with two fantastic brides. Danielle Bassi called last year to book herself, her mom, and 2 sisters. Her winter wedding at Linden Place was to be a destination for our Pennsylvania bride. Little did I know that I would be reminded of how small of a world we live in!

Once upon a time, Sue Austin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Anne. She dreamed of planning her wedding one day. She pictured her daughter wearing a gorgeous gown and long, flowing veil, fit for a princess.

All of Sue Austin's dreams came true for Anne.

Sue booked Anne's wedding over a year ago so we were dying to meet Anne. We got a sneak peek of her on Snap! Photography's blog, wearing the sassiest skirt and heels, skipping around Castle Island in Boston with her fiance, Tony. We were not disappointed when we met her.
Anne is one of the sweetest, nicest brides we have ever met. She has a smile that lights up any room, the cutest giggle, and was super easy to please. It is no surprise that Tony is smitten with his princess.

Many girlfriends, wives, sisters and mothers across America might agree on one thing--the stupidity of Fantasy Football. Why does it need to take so much time? My husband's answer is that you need to scout, draft, follow stats, blah, blah and blah.

I don't mean to stereotype the female gender in assuming that women do not participate in this league (even though it's a pretty good assumption considering we typically possess much better time management skills). That being said, the girls at New Leaf are approaching our own 'off-season' of weddings. We have a few more parties left but now is the time for some hardcore wedding hair training.

Anyways, we are always 'scouting' out upcoming trends. My prediction for 2010?
I am 'betting' on sleeker, more polished updos and sparkly headbands and Audrey Hepburn hair.

Retro and fun are two words to describe Caitlin Chipperfield's 'vibe' for her wedding.
She lucked out with some beautiful fall weather for her Oceancliff affair. Now I have lived in New England my whole life. Why does it still shock me that, in October, I can watch the Patriots playing in the snow one day and then our bride can get married outside in Newport two weeks later?
Courtesy of our friends at Snap! Photography, here is what a ceremony looks like at Oceancliff...well, minus the guests wearing summer attire. I think it was still too cool for that.

I bet Caitlin never dreamed that her ceremony could be outside.

I met Jill Sartorelli at her wedding hair trial in the spring, and we both agreed it felt like eons ago! When did that start happening? Years, months, seasons, they all blend. My mom warned me about that...

When I first met Jill, I instantly liked her. She was so sweet, soft-spoken and easy-going. It's no wonder she works with children for a living. Her fiance and her have been together for 8 years so they had been waiting for this day forever! Anyways, Jill's wedding was planned for a Sunday and she never dreamed the weather in October would be so gorgeous! The air was crisp, the sun was shining, it smelled like fall. Perfection.

Jill's mom told me when they visited Glen Manor for the first time, it was a day just like this one. They booked the venue. But Jill also did something smart. She expected rain. She planned on things being inside. Usually, I like to think positively but for a day like your wedding, it's best not to have your heart set on sunshine. Why not, you ask? Because if you focus on what the day really is about, the weather becomes secondary. And that's nice. Sure, every bride wants the perfect day, but if you focus on other things, what is a better surprise than waking up and seeing sun? It's kind of like an 'added bonus' to marrying your best friend.

Brides must really love Rhode Island. Kate Hunter came all the way from California to get married. I think Kate just really loves her fiance, whose family lives here. Her mom, Nadine, did a lot of the organizing for Kate. Come to think of it, I never did get to meet the mom behind the magic....hmph.

You know a bride is going to be nice when her last name is Niece.
And as an aside, am I the only person who still has to say to myself, 'i' before 'e' , except after 'c' or when sounding like 'neighbor' or 'whey' when typing a ie/ei word? I hope not because then I will be embarrassed.