Stow Acres Country Club
help. I need you to un-stress me,’” said Diane Hamilton of Diane Dezine’s Event Planning in Templeton, Mass. Diane puts these panicked brides on a tight schedule. “I lay out a step-by-step timeline, so when it gets really close, they can get things done a lot earlier then if they did it by themselves.” With two months of lead time—and just one month before her husband-to-be Chad checked into a new duty station with the U.S. Navy—Melinda Morgan of New London,
Ideal setting, enduring memories The Randall Estate at Stow Acres Country Club The site of your reception should be as memorable as your wedding. The Randall Estate’s distinctive atmosphere and gourmet food create the perfect setting for your day. Our team of experts have planned thousands of memorable weddings. They will guide you through the planning process and help make sure everything is perfect. If you are planning your wedding, The Randall Estate is a must-see location. Call today to schedule a tour or reserve your date.
l 25 miles from Boston, inside Route 495 l Distinctive cuisine l Seating for up to 250 l Elegantly manicured grounds l We take care of the details
More than a great game!
46 Spring
2012
www.stowacres.com – 978-568-1100 ext. 107 58 Randall Road – Stow, MA 01775
BRIDE&GROOM www.bridegroommag.com
Micheal Heath Photography
There are financial pros and cons to working within a more limited time frame as it often leads to less comparison shopping. “If they know their priorities and can forego personalizing certain items, such as favors or decorations, couples may be able to negotiate costs and have things work to their advantage,” Bonner added. “I’ve had brides call me a few months before their wedding in a panic saying,‘I’m still missing some things and I really need your
Patricia and Matthew Lurvey
Conn., planned an impressive wedding. Having family and friends make phone calls, run errands and babysit for her three girls made for smooth sailing. “Even with Chad’s boat going out for two weeks, it didn’t set us back,” said Melinda. Being from the area was an advantage. “I was able to pull everything together fast because I knew where to look to find things we needed.” When time is short, coordinating checklists and calendars is a must. “I’ve dealt with couples in the eleventh hour, grasping at straws hoping they can pull something off,” said Mickey Doherty, co-owner of B&M Catering in Pawtucket, RI. On any given weekend, his crews are expertly managing multiple events. “We once planned a wedding in less than a week because the groom was being shipped off unexpectedly,” recalled Doherty. The resulting casual barbecue for 100 guests took place in a relative’s backyard. Dave Morin, co-owner and co-manager of Arrowhead Acres in Uxbridge, Mass., and his wifeVicki have expedited many nuptials at their 49-acre facility.“Recently, we received a call from a navy groom who needed to set a date during his leave time,” said Morin. “We will coordinate that entire wedding within two to four weeks.” The Morins, who met while volunteering with the Coast Guard, are attuned to the needs of military couples. “We know the strengths and weaknesses of our vendors, and which ones are more reasonably priced and equipped to respond quickly,” Morin said. “For example, one of our caterers stepped up to the plate with about three days notice.” Arrowhead also