Floral Centerpieces

Here are photos of the centerpieces from tonight's Wedding Tasting.

Juli

A very nice e-mail about this weekend's wedding, at the Hawthorne Hotel

Salem, Massachusetts

To: Karen Cotton

Subject: Thanks for a perfect wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Karen...just wanted to thank you again for everything. My wedding was perfect!!!!...The room looked so pretty, the service was great, Elizabeth was so helpful, everyone loved the appetizers, dinner and of course the open bar was a big hit!!!...Everything went so well. I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with you and know I made the right choice choosing the Hawthorne. Thanks to all involved in making my day so special!!!

; )

Leanne and Steve

Groom's Cakes Making a Come-back?

At the wedding we hosted this past weekend, you can see the bride and groom enjoying their 'first dance', with the bridal party in the background.

We know so many times it seems like weddings are all about 'the bride', as you can see by the term 'bridal party' in my first paragraph.

That is why I thought it would be fun to post these photos for you to enjoy, because the bottom photo is of the 'groom's cake' from this very wedding. The custom of having a groom's cake at a wedding reception seems to have nearly disappeared, but it is reappearing lately.

While this particular cake is quite elaborate as groom's cakes go, we thought you might enjoy considering this lovely old-fashioned gesture. I'd like to see more things that honor the groom in a wedding reception, so let us know what you think, what your ideas are!

Juli

The Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel

This is right next to our Ballroom, and it is a popular place for our 'sporting' guests to check out the latest score on a break from the wedding festivities. That is an important attribute for many of our wedding guests, especially those of the male persuasion.

Juli

Wedding Showcase

If you are going to be in Salem on Wednesday February 28 and you want to experience the wedding style of the Hawthorne Hotel, consider coming to our Wedding Showcase.

It will be held right here at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Tickets are only $10 per person, and you can reserve them by calling 978-825-4358, or you can purchase them at the door if we happen not to sell them all ahead of time.

We will be passing a number of hors d'oeuvres, Montilio's will be serving wedding cake, and the Chocolate Company will be offering their chocolate fountain. It will be an evening not-to-be missed.

There will be a fashion show put on by Yolanda's of Boston and Mr. Tux, entertainment, and lots to see as well as door prizes for those lucky ones among you.

I hope to see you here.

Juli

Whoopee!

When is a Wedding Cake NOT a Wedding Cake?

When it is made from whoopee pies, we would have to say it is a "making whoopee" cake. Right?
You be the judge. Here it is, along with its "owners" Jennifer and Jefferey. They got married here at the Hawthorne recently, and have allowed us to share their special moment with you.

Juli

February is the Season for Romance here at the Hawthorne Hotel

Our month started out with this sweet story. Here you see William and Jane Murphy who were here on February 1 celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. They met on a blind date, right here at the Hawthorne Hotel in our Tavern in November of 1994, and they were married in our Ballroom on February 1, 1997.

Bill and Jane come here every year to celebrate their anniversary with us, and since this was such a special anniversary, we thought we would share it with you, fair readers.

We hope that we can help you enjoy some romance in your lives as well.

Juli

An Unusual Wedding Cake

When Jennifer and Aaron got married here several weeks ago, their theme colors for their wedding were orange and green. Their wedding cake reflected that theme, and in a very tasteful and interesting way, don't you agree?

Juli

Some unusual touches to a Valentine's-Themed Wedding

The wedding photos below were from a wedding held here last weekend, with a Valentine's theme. We thought the favors were especially sweet -- heart-shaped measuring spoons with a note that says "Love Beyond Measure"




And the wedding cake topper which clearly shows 'her' reeling 'him' in. Evidently they both enjoyed the experience!

We hope to see you at the Hawthorne Hotel here in Salem, for your wedding, or for our upcoming wedding show.

Juli

The Hawthorne Hotel is a touchstone for many happy couples

 
Here are Susan and Bob Parks, who were here to celebrate their third wedding anniversary this past week. She made arrangements with our catering office to surprise him with a duplicate of their cake top, decorated just as their wedding cake had been, and served to them in their guest room.

We thought that was so sweet, so we asked if we could blog this happy celebration and they agreed! As they were visiting with us here, they were talking about this special event, and happened to be sitting right next to a couple that was here looking over our facility for their upcoming wedding reception. Overhearing this conversation made the prospective clients rethink the fact that they were considering a country club or function facility where they would NOT be able to return each year for their anniversary.

One of the nicest parts about getting married in a historic hotel is the fact that we honor and preserve memories -- something that not every business takes into consideration.

We hope to be able to help you have a touchstone venue as part of your special day. Perhaps you too need to stop by and let our professional catering staff assist you?

Juli

  

A very different guest book, at a recent Hawthorne Hotel wedding

 
 
  

Unusual Wedding Favors

 
 
One of the weddings that occured here this past weekend used these darling favor holders at their wedding. We thought you might be interested in seeing them.

Juli 

Wedding in the Library has a Special Ring-Bearer

 
Here you see Nina Vickers, playing her harp for the Johnson-DeYoung wedding which took place in our Library this evening.
 
 
 
The special ring-bearer, Zack, got to come in just in time to deliver the ring. Here you see him, with our wedding coordinator, Beth Singer, waiting for his 'cue'.

Another slice of our enjoyable life here at the Hawthorne Hotel. We hope you enjoy this peek.

Juli 

Some lovely wedding details

We loved some of the details that the Whelan-Merchant wedding chose to use this weekend.

The combination of the pin dots on dark, rich chocolate icing, and the lovely, large fondant bow and ribbon, go so nicely with the bows on the chair covers and the satin stripes on the tablecloths.

We adore the tall brass centerpiece holders, which add height and elegance in our two-story ballroom, as well as a much friendlier view across the table at one's dining companions.


Most fun of all was this couple's use of their two adorable labs' photos as their table numbers. You can certainly tell the personal touch is in evidence here.

I hope you enjoy seeing these little slices of wedding life at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli 

Bridal Lecture Series -- Open to the Public

Presented by

H A W T H O R N E H O T E L

and

PEM
Salem, Massachusetts


Please join us for a series of fun and informative lectures to help you get ready for your big day!

Join bridal couples from the Peabody Essex Museum and the Hawthorne Hotel for tips to make sure you are ready for the big day and looking fantastic - make-up techniques for the brides and bridesmaids, tips on getting is shape and being healthy plus insight on posing for pictures.

Saturday January 13 – Laura Lanes of Laura Lanes Skin Care
After 13 years on Boston’s Newbury Street Laura Lanes relocated her aesthetics practice to 242 Essex Street in Salem. In December of 2003 she opened a day spa specializing in facials, waxing, massage therapy, makeup and a full line of skin care products and cosmetics. Laura will be giving advice on how to care for your skin so you’ll look radiant on your wedding day plus a make-up demo with tips to look spectacular at the alter and in all your pictures.

Saturday February 3 - Brandi and Steve Dion of B&S Fitness
Brandi and Steve created B&S Fitness Programs LLC in the spring of 2004 offering professional quality adult fitness programs on the North Shore. They are going to motivate us to get into shape and provide information on being healthy and fit. In April the Salem Park and Recreation Department will be offering a Bridal Boot Camp where Brandi and Steve will get us outside and make us work! Boot camp is an exciting total-body conditioning fitness program and is designed to meet the needs of just about any individual – from novice to the ultra athlete.

Saturday March 3 – Shannon O’Donnell of Derby Studios
Shannon is the Studio Manager at Derby Studios here in Salem. Derby Studios have been awarded a number of accolades from their peers and the industry. They are well known for their ability to connect with their brides and grooms and as a result their photography is simply breathtaking! Shannon will share tips on keeping your day on schedule to make sure you get all the pictures you’ve dreamed of, as well as tips on what poses look most flattering and suggestions on how to choose photos to put in the wedding album you’ll treasure forever.


All lectures will take place from 12PM-1PM at the Peabody Essex Museum.
Stay after to mingle with other brides and grooms as well as to enjoy coffee and snacks from Hawthorne Catering from 1PM-2PM.

Please RSVP by e-mail to: bridal-lectures@pem.org.
Come alone and make a new friend or bring your bridal party!

We hope to see you soon,

Natalia Laskaris, Peabody Essex Museum ~~~

~~~Amy Jacobson, Hawthorne Catering

A New Year's Eve Wedding

Tonight's wedding was so beautiful to behold, I thought you might like a peak at the wedding party that I snapped in the lobby as they were posing for their photographer.

As I spoke to our guests tonight, some were surprised about the idea of a New Year's Eve wedding, but when I explained that we normally did host a wedding virtually every New Year's Eve, and that it was a great excuse for a party on a night when people were already in a party frame of mind, those same guests nodded vigorously in agreement.

I hope you enjoy this little look at a slice of life here at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Massachusetts.

Juli 

A Summer Wedding Turns "Christmas-y"

We received this Christmas card from one of our couples who got married here during the summer. They turned their photo into a holiday one, and we thought you might enjoy seeing it.

Happy Holidays and "Married Christmas" from the staff of the Hawthorne Hotel, and from Paula and Arthur.

Juli

An Interesting Wedding Website

If you are looking for someplace to go to find some more information on having a unique and interesting wedding, you might go to www.elegala.com. There is much inspiration and information to be gained from this site.

Juli

The Winter Holidays Lend a Festive Air to the Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom

Touches of sparkle add a decidedly festive look to the Hawthorne Hotel Ballroom. Here you can see the wreaths and window box dressings sparkling in the windows, while the chair covers, with their burgundy red bows have just the right touch of sheen. A lovely look for a winter wedding!

 
 
 

Juli 

A Lovely Couple. . .

. . . and what we thought was a unique photo. This is Heather and Peter, who got married on December 2, and had their wedding reception here at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem.



When you are thinking of a venue for your wedding, many factors come into your decision. One thing you may want to consider is whether or not the place where you celebrate will be around for your 10th or 25th or 50th anniversary. When you have your reception in an Historic Hotel of America, you know that the property is dedicated to preservation.

While it's not a guarantee, you are much more likely to be able to come back and celebrate those milestone dates right here. Should you choose a country club or a reception hall, there is no place to stop in for those in-between special dates, like there is right here at the historic Hawthorne Hotel. Not a big thing, but something to think about.

We hope you will plan to share your special day with each other, right here at the Hawthorne.

I look forward to meeting you.

Juli