Farm to (Wedding) Table

The farm-to-table movement, in terms of food, has become widespread over the last two decades as more and more people discover the benefits of supporting local agricultural systems. The same awareness with local flowers has been a little slower to catch on, especially in the wedding industry, but fresh, chemical-free blooms grown in your community deserve a place at the table as well.

Field to Vase

The decision to feature local and seasonal materials at your event is a direct investment in the farms and farm workers in your community and a positive alternative to the environmental and health issues linked to imported flowers. In their short journey from field to vase, local flowers use less fuel for transportation, less energy for refrigeration, and less packaging than their imported relatives. If local flowers aren’t available at the time of your wedding, you can work with a florist to source certified US Grown or Fair Trade flowers (traceable farms that follow social and environmental growing standards).

In the Zone

When planning to create your own event flowers, begin by educating yourself on seasonal availability direct from farms. Options range from pre-order bulk buckets of mixed varieties, individual stems, single variety bunches, or first-come, first-served bouquets. Instagram is a great resource for weekly crop updates and you can scroll back through farm feeds to see offerings in the weeks before and after your scheduled event date. The selection at different farms will vary depending on the farmer’s personal taste, what grows best in their climate, and what sells well in their market.

Bloom Service

If DIY is not your thing, choose to work with a florist who specializes in local blooms and regularly sources from a network of regional farms such as The Floral Reserve on Sims Avenue. Hot tip: Florists who are consistent supporters of farms and buy a variety of material all season long have the best access to local blooms! Inspirational wedding designs emerge from the mutually beneficial collaboration between florist and farmer as there are always unexpected surprises from Mother Nature. Trust in your chosen floral professional is required (if you need to see an exact sample, this is not for you), but the results of truly embracing local and seasonal flowers are breathtaking and will be completely unique to your wedding. Learn more about Jill Rizzo at WildSeasonFlorals.com

Coastal Accessories

Goods to add a nautical nod to your nuptials

Rhode Island is a state brimming with coastline and history, so why not represent a bit on the big day? Sparkle with pieces handmade locally in what was once the Jewelry Capital of the world, or carry a bouquet of blooms made from sea shells. Nestle rings in oysters or even procure a bit of sand from a beach with special meaning to be filled into rings. Whether gift-giving or seeking something new, this seaworthy assemblage is sure to delight.

SEASHELL FLOWERS BOUQUET

SeashellsInBloom.com

CUSTOM FISH HOOK CUFFLINKS

Darrien S. Segal, WildCraftedJewelry.com

WEDDING COUPLE GOLD OYSTER SHELL RING DISH BackyardBeachDecor.com

BEACH SAND ROUND STACKER RING BeachDashery.com

DE LA MER EARRINGS

LorenHope.com.com

WEDDING VOWS BOOK

RagandBoneBindery.com

Bridal Shops

A to Y independent shops to find the dress of your dreams

ANA’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE East Providence, AnasBridal.com

BRIDAL GARDEN

East Greenwich, BridalGardenRI.net

BRIDAL FINERY NANCY RODRIGUES East Greenwich, BridalFinery.com

BRIDAL SHOPPE & FLOWERS Warwick, TheBridalShoppeRI.com

INFUSION BRIDAL & PROM BOUTIQUE Warwick, WeddingPageantPromGowns.com

IVORY, A BRIDAL BOUTIQUE East Greenwich, IvoryBridalRI.com

LADY SYCAMORE BRIDAL Wickford, LadySycamoreBridal.com

LOVELY BRIDE Providence, LovelyBride.com

LUCIA AGUIAR BRIDE East Greenwich, LuciaAgwuiarBride.com

MELISSA ASHLEY BRIDES

Westerly, MelissaAshleyBrides.com

SIMPLY DAINTY Cranston, SimplyDainty.com

SPARK BRIDAL OUTLET Cranston, SparkBridal.com

STEFANIA’S BOUTIQUE

Cranston, StefaniasBoutique.com

SUENO Greenville, 401-949-0054

YRIS BRIDAL DESIGN

West Warwick, YrisBridal.com

If we missed your favorite, please let us know. Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com

Think Outside the (Cake) Box

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There’s nothing like capping off a magical wedding celebration with some superb sweets. Many of these local bakers create traditional multi-tier cakes, but if you want to treat your guests to something a little different, here’s a few ways to put a delicious and delightful spin on the dessert course.

Dessert Bar

Dessert buffets or bars are a popular twist on the old Italian tradition of having a cookie tray table at the reception. I’m a fan because it’s always nice having options, and the folks at A Piece Of Cake just get it: cake pops, cookies, cupcakes, and how does a mini cherry pie sound? It’s a wonderful way for guests to satisfy their sweet tooth. Warwick, APieceOfCakeRI.com

Gourmet Apples

How do you like them apples? Very much, thank you – if they’re from Amy’s Apples & Devilish Delights. These are not the messy treats you remember from childhood. Amy’s gourmet caramel apples are covered in chocolate (white, milk, or dark) and decorated to dazzle. For the kids-at-heart couple, there’s also dipped rice krispies, pretzels, Oreos, and more. Smithfield, AmysApples.com

Cake Pops

Avoid the tradition of cake applied to face with dainty and scrumptious cake pops from Bake. Eat. Love. No fork or plate necessary! You, your significant other, and attendees can savor these bite-sized treats on sticks, crafted with love by JWU grad Crystal Sparkman, that taste as incredible as they look. Pawtucket, BakeEatLoveRI.com

Frozen Treats

You can now bring the vintage charm of soda fountains to your wedding thanks to Clara’s Cart by Green Line Apothecary. Named for Clara Barton, the nurse who founded the American Red Cross, this fountain on wheels is stocked with their scratch-made ice cream and soda popsicles, motored over in their classic 1949 Chevy delivery van. Wakefield & Providence, GreenLineApothecary.com

Donut Wall

Though it started as a trend, it sure looks like the donut wall is here to stay. KNEAD Doughnuts and their crew are experts at bringing this eye-catching and delicious grab-and-go display to your big day. Schedule a tasting to create custom flavors – in full-sized, mini, or donut hole varieties – for your big day. Providence, East Greenwich & Westerly, KNEADDoughnuts.com

Macaron Tower

Have your guests saying “ooh la la!” when they see a colorful (and delectable) macaron tower built by The Perfect Sweet Shoppe. Choose from four di erent sizes (including a three-tier version with a cake on top) and up to 12 different flavors, or let guests bring home a tasty souvenir of the night with petite macaron favors. Warren, ThePerfectSweet.com

Italian Cookies

Over 100 years in biz and counting, the iconic Scialo Bros Bakery in Federal Hill is your onestop shop for old-school Italian pastries and cookies. Enlist their expertise when planning your post-ceremony feast, and they’ll put together trays of rainbow, butter, sprinkle, and almond cookies and biscotti that would make anyone’s nonna proud. Providence, Facebook: Scialo Bros Bakery

Cupcakes

Incorporate the cupcakes you love from Silver Spoon Bakery – the charming cafe and cocktail bar – into your wedding day. Choose from a vast list of flavors, from crowd-pleasing Cookie Dough to celebratory White Champagne (with bubbly icing), or design a menu to complement a theme or color scheme. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available. East Greenwich, SilverSpoonBakery.com

Ice Cream Cake

Take your love of ice cream cake to the next level with a frozen confection from Udder Delights – a delicious chilly surprise especially for a summer wedding. Their cookies and cream is a customer favorite, but far from the only option, with plenty of flavor combos and designs available, including heart shaped, beach themed, and beyond. Coventry & Cranston, UdderDelightsRI.com

Cookie Stack

Pretty-in-pink Portuguese bakeshop Victoria’s Sweets & Bakery makes amazing custom wedding cakes, including a mouthwatering one featuring alternating layers of cookie and frosting. Their stacked cookie cake is sure to make all your wedding dessert dreams crumb true. West Warwick, Facebook: Victoria’s Sweets