Monday Mashups: Twitter Takes a Day Off Technology with this Sweet Pop-Up

Twitter’s experiential marketing efforts tend to target major international events, with branded spaces at C.E.S., SXSW, Cannes Lions, and, most recently, TIFF. But the social platform recently showed it also can appreciate a low-tech, surprise and delight moment for consumers. And we're into it!

According to BizBash, for Twitter's new out-of-home campaign, “Twitter Is,” the brand surprised passersby in New York with a pop-up candy shop, as well as subway and sidewalk takeovers in New York and San Francisco. The campaign is inspired by the question, “What is Twitter to you?” and incorporates more than 100 real tweets, rendered in labels at the candy shop, subway ads, and chalk stencils.

Twitter tapped experiential marketing agency NA Collective to produce the candy shop, which was staged outside of the Union Square subway station for six hours on September 10. The shop, which was free for consumers, was housed in a transparent greenhouse-style trailer. Plastic dispensers were filled with popular candies like gummy peaches, chewy fish, and fruit slices, which were arranged by color. Guests were invited to take a bag and label it with their choice of sticker, all of which displayed tweets relating Twitter to candy.

Guests could also pick up pre-packaged treats such as rainbow swirl lollipops, blue rock candy sticks, and fortune cookies, labeled with on-theme tweets; for example, the lollipop label read, “Twitter is actually a lollipop that lasts forever.”

Brand ambassadors wearing blue sweatshirts and aprons with the Twitter logo also handed out candy to passersby around the trailer. In the six hours the shop was open, brand ambassadors handed out more than 5,000 treats, and guests in the trailer filled their bags with around half a ton of candy; this included 500 gummy bear cubes, 1,000 swirl lollipops, 2,500 fortune cookies, 700 rock candy sticks, and 128 pounds of kettle corn.

Twitter shared that they may continue to execute consumer pop-ups in the future, surrounding “Twitter Is” or other campaigns, and that the brand definitely plans to maintain its presence at major events. Sometimes it's important to take a step back and learn to unplug! We're taking inspiration from "Twitter Is" and plan to devour the details of a day away from technology very soon.

Celebrating #NationalDrinkBeerDay with a Craft Beer Clash

Celebrate #NationalDrinkBeerDay with us on Saturday, September 28 from 3-6PM at Glass House in Cambridge for the first ever Craft Beer Clash! Enjoy an afternoon outdoors with unlimited beer samples, bar bites and lawn games. The best part? You, yes YOU, will crown the champion!

Whether you're into dark or light, each brewery will surely put up a fight. No beer event would be complete without a little friendly competition, right?

Indulge in beer samples and cast your vote for your favorite brewery!

Competitors:

• Cambridge Brewing Co.
• Wormtown Brewery
• Mighty Squirrel
• Bantam Cider
• Mystic Brewery
• Bent Water Brewing
• True North Ale Company
• Downeast Cider
• Wachusett Brewery
• Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

It's all fun and games until someone leaves a loser. Kidding of course! All beers and ciders are winners in our eyes.

Here's what tickets include:

• Unlimited beer and cider tastings from an assortment of your favorite local breweries and cider houses
• Bar bites (full menu will be available for purchase)
• Access to lawn games

Who will devour the details of being crowned the Craft Beer Clash Champion? Say that 5x fast, then join us Saturday, September 28th to find out! See you there!

Wedding Wednesdays: Top 5 Tips to a Perfect Wedding Registry

Ready to start your own registry? It's one of the most fun aspects of getting married—filling your home and complementing your lifestyle with gifts from well-wishers is one of the best ways to signify your new beginning. While there aren’t too many strict rules on how to register for a wedding, there are a few guidelines you should be sure to follow. And with the help of The Knot's top wedding registry tips, you’ll be on your way to creating a registry that's perfect for you (and your partner). Check it out!

1. Time It Right
One of the biggest wedding registry tips is that it’s completely acceptable, if not recommended, to create one as soon as you get engaged. This makes it easier for guests who'd like to purchase a gift for any pre-wedding celebration, like engagement parties or showers, or for those who'd just like to send something as a token of their congratulations.

2. Know Yourself
It’s okay to shy away from traditional registry lists. If you never cook at home but love to camp, it makes more sense to register for a tent than to request a crystal gravy boat. But, be open to the fact that your tastes may change in the future. Even though you can't imagine a need at this moment in your life for that gravy boat, it may become indispensable for future Thanksgiving dinners with your in-laws.

3. Take Stock
One of the most important wedding registry tips is to take inventory with your partner. Make a list of what both of you have and will keep as well as what you still need and want. Consider the need for "everyday" and "formal" versions of dinnerware, glassware, table linens and serving items. It's also important to discuss general color schemes or patterns before you begin.

4. Ask a Sales Rep
Speak up and ask: Is the gift-buying process hassle-free for buyers? How many locations does the store have? Can guests order by phone or fax? Does the store have a toll-free number? Better yet, will your registry be available online? Can guests purchase gifts online? Be aware of how user-friendly your registry will be for your guests.

5. Look for Perks
Before choosing where to register, find out what kinds of perks and discounts you might get. For example, some retailers offer what's called a completion program that allows you to purchase whatever you don't receive at a discount (10 to 15 percent off for up to a year after the wedding, for example).

We feel better already! Take The Knot's tips to heart and devour the details of a perfect (and stress-free) wedding registry!

Nantucket Hot Spot The Nautilus is Opening a Location in the Seaport

Boston.com just shared the best news...a little slice of Nantucket is coming to the Seaport next year!

NP4 (Nautilus Pier 4), an offshoot of The Nautilus in Nantucket, is scheduled to open in a 4,827 square-foot space at the Seaport’s Pier 4, a nine-story boutique condo from development firm Tishman Speyer. While the restaurant won’t open until the second quarter of 2020, the original concept already has a strong following.

Open since May 2014, The Nautilus has racked up accolades for its New England-rooted, globally-influenced fare, landing on Boston magazine’s Best of Boston list in 2018 and making appearances in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Travel + Leisure. At the helm is chef Liam Mackey, beverage director Clinton Terry, and sommelier Stephen Bowler, all of whom also own and operate another Nantucket standby, restaurant and music venue The Gaslight.

While details of the menu at NP4, which will be a stone’s throw from the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Harbor Walk, haven’t been announced, a press release indicated that menu favorites from Nantucket would be coming to the Boston outpost — which means diners might find dishes like tempura east coast oyster tacos, Vietnamese beef tataki salad, and lobster tostadas. Terry’s cocktail lineup at the Nantucket location is a balanced mix of classics and creative inventions, like Clinton’s Lost Loves with bourbon, purple basil, lemon, and spicy ginger, while Bowler’s wine and sake menu is a fun list broken down into categories like orange juice and skin ferments, sparkling pet nat, and “wines from people and places we love.”

Joining NP4 in the Pier 4 space is Woods Hill, a farm-to-table restaurant from restaurateur Kristin Canty, who currently runs The Farm at Woods Hill in Bath, N.H. Earlier this year, Canty shared her excitement with Boston.com, saying that Pier 4 is “an iconic space,” and that the restaurant will focus on organic, sustainable ingredients used to create family-style suppers and shared plates.

We can't wait to try all that NP4 has to offer! But in the meantime, we hope you'll join us as we head to the island to devour the details of The Nautilus food and drink menus a few more times!

Monday Mashups: Looking Back On Summer Like...

According to BizBash, St-Germain is known for delivering a whimsical garden fantasy at its events. At the start of summer this year, the French liqueur elevated its usual aesthetic—literally—by unveiling a floating elderflower meadow.

For the third annual Maison St-Germain in New York, the brand’s summer solstice celebration, St-Germain debuted the meadow at Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn. The installation was revealed at a V.I.P. event on June 20, and was then open to the public from June 21 to 23, a first for the brand’s normally exclusive fete.

The 12-ton meadow spanned 1,200 square feet, nearly the entire length of the warehouse, and featured 1,000 elderflowers, highlighting St-Germain’s tagline of having 1,000 elderflower blossoms in every bottle. The suspended installation cascaded upward and also featured a colorful floral installation, recalling the look of the previous two editions of the event.

To execute the project, St-Germain partnered with Williamsburg-based exterior design and landscaping firm ManscapersNY, which conceptualized the idea, and experiential design company the Gathery, which helmed production and design. ManscapersNY co-founders Garrett Magee, James DeSantis, and Mel Brasier are also the stars of Bravo’s Backyard Envy. Additional partners included Bednark Studio, which handled the build and engineering, and Ellen Robin Rosenberg and her team at FlowerCult, who created the elaborate floral installation.

Gathery co-founder Nicky Balestrieri, the installation’s principal designer, said the goal was to engage St-Germain’s bon vivant audience, create an installation that people had to see to believe, and create something beautiful in an unexpected place. The past two editions of the event were held in Manhattan, so this year, St-Germain brought the event to Brooklyn and, more specifically, an industrial setting where flowers normally don’t grow.

Balestrieri said the installation took two and a half days to install. Fabrication partner Bednark Studio installed the base rigging structure, which consisted of a 20- by 60-foot gridded structure, along with attached cheeseborough pipe, bent steel, and a net of chain link fence. Then, ManscapersNY created the upper tier, which featured the actual elderflower meadow.

After the structure was suspended in the air, Ellen Rosenburg and her team at FlowerCult created the floral installation with blooms such as pink delphinium, light yellow achillea, amnesia rose, and lavender. The structure was then elevated in the rear, allowing guests to observe the meadow, but also discover the floral “underbelly.”

The installation also had special meaning for the Gathery co-founders. Balestrieri said the design idea came to him when he was separated, literally, by time and space; the New York-based designer had recently been in Los Angeles working for an extended period of time. For him, the installation alluded to a space in between time and space, where he felt he and his lover could meet and find common ground, when it felt like they were living in “two alternative planes of existence.” And co-founder Luigi Tadini nicknamed the installation "Gloria," which became the installation’s go-to term.

The meadow was the centerpiece of the event, but wasn’t the only experience for guests. A day before the V.I.P. event, the Gathery created flower graffiti “growths” nearby that served as a mysterious physical path to the venue. After entering the venue through an unmarked, French-inspired door, guests walked through a floral hallway, which led to the main experience.

After observing the meadow, guests could drink St-Germain cocktails from pop-up bars in the venue and also enjoy French bistro-inspired food and a pour-over cocktail station from Pinch Food Design. Following the installation's run, all of the flowers and portions of the remaining meadow were donated to Green Thumb, a nonprofit that supports community gardens.

What an extravagant kind of display! Get inspired and devour the details of a St-Germain-inspired aesthetic for your next event!

There Ain't No Laws, When You're Drinking Claws

Listen up fam, this is a judgement free zone.

Ok, so maybe you own twelve pairs of identical Lululemon leggings. Maybe your Starbucks order is just a little bit complicated. Who REALLY cares if you rock AirPods and a denim jacket on the daily? Your Instagram feed still slays. Feel attacked yet? Don't be, you're not basic, you’re on trend—and besides, there ain’t no laws when you’re drinking Claws.

Come embrace being extra with us and Anthem Kitchen & Bar at the first ever Brunch by White Claw this Saturday. Yes, Brunch and White Claw, we know it's legit your two favorite things. Us too! They'll have White Claw inspired food specials and cocktails, plus v fun swag and giveaways from Anthem's friends at White Claw. Please note: White Claw will be on-site starting at 11am and they will only have a limited amount of swag - once it's gone, it's gone!

Insta-Worthy Food Specials
*inspired by the best White Claw flavors

• Grapefruit Mango Salmon Salad - local greens, granola crunch, soft-boiled egg & citrus-mint vinaigrette
• Short Rib & Sweet Potato Hash - chipotle lime hollandaise, fried eggs
• Mango & Orange Glazed Cinnamon Buns

CLAWtails

• It's Lit Spritz - Aperol + Mango White Claw
• FOMO Mule - Vodka + Ginger Liqueur + Lime White Claw
• Hundo P Paloma - Tequila + Lime Juice + Grapefruit Juice + Ruby Grapefruit White Claw

Plain Claws for the 'Mom' of your Squad

• Black Cherry White Claw
• Mango White Claw
• Lime White Claw
• Ruby Grapefruit White Claw

Make your reservations in advance, get your lawyer on speed dial, and devour the details of a White Claw Brunch with us this Saturday at Anthem Kitchen & Bar! See you there!

Wedding Wednesdays: What Does Where You Wear Your Ring Mean?

Wondering about the traditions behind the wedding ring finger, and whether or not to buck that custom and try something new? Here’s everything you need to know about how to wear your engagement, wedding or promise ring according to The Knot.

Ring Finger Meaning
The tradition of wearing an engagement and/or wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is a romantic one—but the meaning is totally untrue.

Kristen Lawler-Trustey, a spokeswoman for jewelry brand Forevermark, explains that the ancient Romans believed this finger had a vein that ran directly to the heart—the Vena Amoris, or "Vein of Love." So of course, couples in love should wear the symbol of their love and devotion on that lifeline.

Today, we know there's no such vein (although we still love the story!), yet the tradition of wearing the engagement and wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand continues here in the US. But there are some countries, says Zaven Ghanimian, CEO of Simon G Jewelry, where the ring finger of the right hand is the more popular choice for brides and grooms to wear their rings, like in Russia, Greece and Colombia.

Wedding Ring Finger
Wedding rings are a sweet symbol of eternal love throughout history.

"The tradition of wedding rings came about in Egypt, about 4,800 years ago," Ghanimian says. "The circle symbolizes eternity, with no beginning or end. What most people don't know is that the hole in the center of the ring also has significance—it's not just space, but rather a gateway or door. When you give a woman a ring, it signifies immortal love."

A bride and groom typically exchange rings during their wedding ceremony, placing the ring on each other's wedding ring finger—the fourth finger of the left hand—after saying their vows.

There are no rules on which metal your wedding rings must be made of, or whether or not they should match. You can opt for simple bands or more elaborate ones with stones or designs. Some couples choose to have their wedding date or a romantic phrase inscribed in their bands.

Engagement Ring Finger
It wasn't until more recently that engagement rings appeared on the scene.

"The first recorded use of a diamond engagement ring occurred in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a ring featuring hogback diamonds (modern-day baguette diamonds) arranged in the shape of the Gothic letter M," Lawler-Trustey says.

His engagement ring choice then sparked a trend—for more than one reason.

"Diamonds have long been an unwavering symbol of a couple's eternal love and commitment to one another," Lawler-Trustey says. "A diamond is the hardest and most durable naturally occurring substance found on Earth, making it the perfect choice to represent enduring, everlasting love and the promise of forever. Each diamond is also incredibly rare and unique. No two diamonds are alike, just as each couple's love has its own unique story."

Still, diamonds aren't a requirement for an engagement ring. They can have other gemstones, or whatever else suits your sense of style. For example, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has a blue sapphire, Carrie Underwood has a canary yellow diamond and Jessica Simpson has a red ruby.

Tradition also has it that a man proposes and women are typically the ones who wear engagement rings as a symbol of their acceptance. But there's no rule that says a man can't wear one as well.

Which Finger Do You Wear Your Wedding Ring On?
If you're planning your wedding and looking down at that sparkler, you're probably wondering how you'll wear your engagement ring on your wedding day. The first thing to note is that married people typically wear their wedding bands closer to their hearts—in other words, below the engagement ring.

Probably the most popular way to swing this is to move your engagement ring to your right hand for your walk down the aisle. That way, your fiance can slide your wedding band onto your left hand, and you can then later place your engagement ring on top of it.

"Usually people have slightly larger ring sizes on the right hand, but as long as it is within a quarter of size, this should work," Ghanimian says. If the engagement ring is too big or too small to do this—or you just don't want to take the engagement ring off (and risk losing it!)—it's okay to put your band above your engagement ring. Some brides even have the wedding band soldered to the engagement ring, so it becomes one piece of jewelry, and represents the marital bond.

After the wedding day, wear your engagement and wedding rings however you like them best. Again, the most popular way in the US is to have them both on the ring finger of the left hand with your wedding band first, but you can separate them and wear them on opposite hands, or you can wear your wedding band solo.

"Many women are wearing their wedding bands solo as an excuse to start a collection of bands that they then stack on their right hand," Lawler-Trustey says. "Some women are even receiving more than one wedding band on the day of the wedding to surround their engagement ring. Another trend we've seen is forgoing the traditional engagement ring altogether and requesting a beautiful diamond eternity band."

Ghanimian agrees that breaking engagement ring rules makes your choice even more unique.

"There may be traditions, but there are no rules!" Ghanimian says. "Everyone can express their personal preferences individually through wedding jewelry."

Promise Ring Finger
Unlike engagement and wedding rings, the promise ring is a tradition dating back to the 16th century that's commonly misunderstood, since the ring used to signify the promise that an engagement would ensue. Now, that's not always the case, since some couples might not be ready for impending marriage, but want to show their commitment somehow.

Today, a promise ring can have any number of personal meanings; typically it's a symbol of an exclusive relationship and/or of love. It can also mean the couple has promised to one day get married. Or in the case of purity rings, they may have promised to remain virgins until their wedding day. Some believe a promise ring is a pre-engagement ring—and while it isn't always, it can be.

So, on which finger does a promise ring go? There's no hard and fast rule here. Some couples use the same finger as the engagement and wedding rings—the fourth finger of the left hand—but since this isn't an official engagement, others opt for a different finger.

If you wear your promise ring on your left hand, once you get married, the tradition is to move the promise ring to your right hand ring finger, Lawler-Trustey says.

Who knew there was so much meaning behind where you wear your ring! Take on tradition or start your own and devour the details of the symbolism that works best for you with the help of The Knot.

Boston.com's Guide to an Awesome Apple Picking Season

With so many options and so few weekends, it’s hard to know how to optimize your apple picking experience. Here are a few questions — and answers from Boston.com — about apple picking that should help you plan your very best outing.

When is apple picking season?
Apple picking is unquestionably a fall pastime, but most orchards have been open since well before the autumnal equinox. Chelcie Martin, a member of the family that owns the very popular Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, told Boston.com that they typically open for apple picking in the middle of August and remain open through Veterans Day weekend.

August is usually a bit hot for apple picking, and most varieties aren’t quite ripe yet, but some farms offer other fruits to pick, as well. In the case of Honey Pot, there are peaches, pears, and blueberries, though blueberry season ends this weekend.

If you decide to hold out until November, aim for a farm with plenty of hot cider.

When is the best time to go apple picking?
Picking the perfect apple picking weekend can be a difficult exercise, with factors like weather, crowd size, and apple selection all playing a factor. Martin said that the crowds at Honey Pot tend to be busiest the last two weekends of September and the first two weekends of October. So if waiting in a line hundreds of people deep for cider doughnuts sounds like a nightmare, try to avoid those weekends.

That said, if you wait until late October or early November, you risk missing out on peak ripeness for some varieties of apples. In the case of smaller orchards, you might even find yourself piecing through barren trees, where low-hanging fruit has already been snatched by eager hands.

According to Martin, some apples tend to have longer seasons than others. Despite their reputation for turning brown and mushy, Martin said that McIntosh apples, or “Macs,” have a long peak, usually from mid-September until the end of October.

What types of apples should I get?
Some people go apple picking for the the hayrides, the cider doughnuts, the farm animals, and the general camaraderie and are happy to pick whichever apples are around. Others have specific preferences for their apples, and seek out orchards that specialize. We wouldn’t dare attempt to legislate anyone’s personal tastes, whether they run sweet (Honeycrisp) or tart (Granny Smith)!

What else is there to do along with apple picking?
For the aforementioned orchard-goers whose interests lie beyond collecting the tasty orbs, many places feature diversions like hayrides, farm animals, cider, and cider doughnuts. If you want a few that offer slightly more unconventional experiences, try these three on for size.

For the wine lover: Nashoba Valley Winery, Bolton
After you’re done picking your apples, you can enjoy a bottle of vino atop the winery’s sprawling hilltop, stop by the winery’s restaurant, or buy your own gourmet picnic supplies at the gift shop.

For the most outrageous activities per acre: Connors Farm, Danvers
It’s safe to say that apple picking is not the main attraction at Connors Farm. That’s not a bad thing when said farm has enough activities to resemble an amusement park. There’s pumpkin tetherball, a zip line, a mechanical bull, pedal carts, and an area where you can shoot apple cannons at targets.

For those not quite ready for summer to end: Russell Orchards, Ipswich
Yes, apple picking is a fall activity through and through, but if you catch a particularly warm day, wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy your apples with your toes in the sand as you look out on the Atlantic? Russell Orchards is one of the most popular orchards in the state, with the added bonus of being a 5-minute drive away from Crane Beach, one of the nicest beaches on the North Shore.

Fall is practically upon us! So put on your flannel, grab your friends and devour the details of the best apple picking experience with the help of Boston.com. Enjoy!

Monday Mashups: Displaying a Different World

Bands, comedians, or magicians might be the standard for live entertainment at corporate dinners—but employees at a recent company celebration were treated to a meal with a side of projection mapping - a way to display a different world.

For Amway’s 60th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, more than 1,300 people, all of whom were designated top Amway business owners of the multi-level marketing company according to BizBash, experienced projection mapping on their place settings during a private dinner at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. The company tapped event agency Wilson Dow and projection mapping company Skullmapping to create 1,312 audiovisual displays that each consisted of three customized stories. The event set the Guinness World Record for the "Most Projection-Mapped Displays at a Single Venue,” which is the first of its kind.

Foregoing static decor or standard entertainment, Amway chose to use technology to push the company's thematic message of “future forward,” offering three stories that related to the brand's history, the attendees, and the food that was served.

The first animation welcomed attendees to the event and displayed historical footage of the company, followed by Vegas-theme imagery and a message from two company executives. The second animation involved a ceremonial pin that recognized the achievements of the dinner attendees. An iron maker took viewers to a workshop and forged the commemorative pin, revealing the design for the first time; as the final product was revealed, projectors dimmed and attendees were given their pin in real-time.

The final animation was related to food served at the event. A culinary artist traveled through a chocolate river, wafer house, and peppermint fields to create a dessert that was made for the event by the venue’s lead chef; servers then replaced the projection with the real dessert.

According to a Wilson Dow spokesperson, the project took more than two years to produce, from concept to execution. Set-up preparation included rigging 224 projectors and multiple day-of rehearsals with the hotel's banquet team.

Amway’s weeklong celebration took place in late spring, drawing 4,462 attendees. The Guinness World Record was made official on August 26. Can you imagine? We can! Take a look at the projection mapping here and devour the details of this different display at your next event!

Legal Sea Foods 11th Annual Oyster Festival

Starting today,  Legal Sea Foods’ will bring half-shell hedonism to mollusk mavens and oyster newbies during their 11th annual Oyster Festival. For four weeks, a sequence of in-restaurant menu features and a special event will celebrate everything oysters and all are invited who share the belief “the world is your oyster.” Uh, count us in!

Bivalve specialties will be available for the duration of the Oyster Festival, through October 9, and include Fried Oysters (three for $12) in four preparations (buffalo, BBQ, sriracha lime and BLT); Baked Oysters (three for $14) available in a quartet of options (lobster spinach, crab & cheese, scampi and scallop-mushroom); and the Legal Sea Foods teams will shuck seasonal standouts at their raw bars daily for those who opt to go au natural. Legals also suggests washing it down with the official drink of the 2019 Oyster Festival, the Deadrise, with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, muddled cucumber, lime and grapefruit bitters ($12).

On September 14, Legal Sea Foods’ al fresco Charles Terrace will host their annual “Shellfish Shindig” event that has shucked oysters by the bushel for only $1 per slurp.

The Oyster Festival is celebrated at all Legal Sea Foods locations throughout Massachusetts, with the exception of airport venues. Get ready for a schucking good time and devour the details of the last bit of summer with Legal Sea Foods now until October 9! See you there!

Wedding Wednesdays: Top Transportation Tips from The Knot

Like the song says, you're going to the chapel to do you-know-what. But how's Mom getting there? Or your bridesmaids, or for that matter, your fiancé? And just as important, how's everybody (wedding guests included!) getting from the ceremony to the reception…and then home? Unless you plan on beaming up to your destination, it's time to work out some wedding transportation logistics. Start with the help of The Knot's expert guide!

When Should You Book Your Wedding Transportation?
When there are between four and six months to go, it's time to think about your transportation…aka when you've long settled on your date, ceremony and reception sites and wedding party size. If you're marrying in April, May or June—prom and graduation season—high-class vehicles will be in high demand, so you'll need to book your transportation even earlier. Pro tip: Make the final reservation in person so you can inspect the vehicles and ask which one(s) you'll be getting.

Who Should You Transport?
Your first step is to take a headcount for immediate family and VIPs. For many weddings, that means the couple, their wedding party, both sets of parents, siblings not in the wedding party and grandparents. Some couples also provide wedding transportation services for close relatives, out-of-towners or all guests. So where do you draw the line? The decision will probably come down to budget, but you should also consider the following:

Distance: If your ceremony and reception venues are only a short distance away from each other, you're in the clear. But there's a cutoff—if they're more than 30 minutes apart, you should definitely consider providing transportation for all wedding guests so you don't inconvenience them with Uber charges and long, tedious drives. Keep other distances, like the miles between your wedding venue(s) and the hotel where you've booked room blocks, in mind too.

Location: If you have lots of people coming in from out of town (who might not have cars with them) and/or have a hard-to-get-to or hard-to-find location, you should also consider booking transportation for guests.

Special needs: Think about anyone who might otherwise struggle to transport themselves and organize a travel plan for them—for example, asking your brother to pick up your 90-year-old grandma who isn't comfortable behind the wheel.

Even if you decide not to book transportation for certain guests, you can still throw them a bone. In your invitation suite or on your wedding website, do provide information about public transportation. This can include where to catch a cab, phone numbers of (reputable!) local services, and estimates of how much each option will cost (that way, no one will have to worry whether they have enough cash on them). Another thoughtful option is providing discount codes for rental cars.

Also, check with the hotels you've reserved rooms at to see whether they provide any sort of airport shuttle service; if they do, definitely clue in your guests, then cross another task off your list!

How Should Everybody Get To and Fro?
There are actually three routes to consider besides your walk down the aisle: the trip to the ceremony, the ride between the ceremony and the reception (if they're not in the same place) and the getaway. You'll need to figure out who needs transport where before you actually book anything.

Transportation for the wedding party and other VIPs:
The ride to the ceremony: Brides and grooms often travel separately to the ceremony with their respective attendants in tow, though you may opt for a ride with your parents, or to rent a trolley or shuttle for the wedding party to ride in together. The average stretch limo seats around 10 people, limos seat about 6, and most town cars hold 4, including the driver. (A full-sized coach bus, on the other hand, has room for around 50 passengers!) Try to save a seat for the photographer too: Candid, wide-angle or paparazzi-style shots are a surprising favorite.

The ride to the reception: After the vows, it's traditional to duck into a dream ride for the jaunt to the reception, either à deux or with the honor attendants. Meanwhile, your parents, wedding party, and anyone else who hitched a ride with you earlier in the day will also need a lift. If your budget allows, parents and attendants can ride to the reception in the same vehicles that brought them to the ceremony, while the couple takes a private car. The whole group (or select members) can also pile into a guest shuttle, if there is one. Otherwise, parents and attendants can ride to the reception with relatives or friends. Just make carpooling plans well in advance, and communicate with everyone involved.

The postwedding getaway: Like every other aspect of your wedding, your getaway mobile should complement and match your sense of style as a couple (not to mention that this is how your guests will remember you and your honey—pardon the cliché—riding off into the sunset). Do you see yourself waving goodbye in a horse-drawn carriage or convertible red Mustang? Departing in a classy Rolls-Royce or rock-star stretch limo? Though the options are many, choose something that fits your budget as well as your personality.

Transportation for wedding guests:
Do you have to provide transportation for wedding guests? No. Is it an awesome perk? Yes. If you do decide on providing transportation for wedding guests, see if your venue or hotel offers shuttle services. Alternatively, you can rent vans (which usually hold anywhere from 8 to 20 people) or go with something more festive, like a streetcar.

It's thoughtful to accommodate guests on their way to and from the ceremony and reception. While you're not responsible for every individual guest making it home safely at the end of the night, if your guests are imbibing, it's courteous to furnish them with options. That doesn't necessarily mean booking them something; again, you can always provide a cab number or encourage everybody to download a ridesharing app.

What About Parking?
Granted, some guests will be shuttling themselves around, so keep parking in mind. Talk to the reception site manager and find out what your options are, plus who handles the arrangements and staff. In the event that you may have to hire an independent service, tailor it to your needs. You can choose a full-service valet team, which will park your guests' cars and retrieve them at the end of the night, or opt for parking attendants that merely direct traffic, hold signs, and guide drivers to empty spaces. Either way, expect to pay an hourly rate per person, plus a 15-20 percent tip (usually tacked on to your total bill). Figure five valets (or 3-4 parking attendants) for every 100 guests.

Helpful hint: A massive guest list, meager to non-existent parking facilities, and a complicated location will require more help and add to the cost. Before getting a price quote, make sure the parking service manager scouts out the location to see how many attendants you'll need.

How Else Can You Prepare for the Big Day?
Create a call sheet with the names of guests and all pickup and drop-off addresses and times, and call to confirm these arrangements with the car company the day before or morning of the wedding. Drivers should have all this information in advance, including detailed directions to the ceremony and reception sites. It's also a good idea to give passengers a copy of the directions with an emergency contact number in case the driver gets lost. And we recommend choosing a transportation point person (be it your wedding planner or a close friend or family member) to oversee logistics on the day of and handle any issues.

Don't fret over transportation! Devour the details of a smooth ride with these tips from The Knot!

Ready for the Renaissance

New England’s longest-running renaissance fair is back for another season of jousting, juggling, and costumed 16th-century fun.

According to Boston.com, King Richard’s Faire, which has brought costumed merriment to the woods of Carver, Mass. since 1982, opens its doors this Saturday, Aug. 31, and will be open most weekends through Sunday, Oct. 20. There’s plenty of new reasons to visit this year, including contortionist duo The Accidental Acrobats, specialty cocktails, and a new King Richard, ruling over “Carvershire” with his bride Queen Anne and visiting princesses. And then there’s the old standbys, like the thrice-daily jousting exhibitions, whip master Jacques Ze Whipper (played by WBUR anchor/reporter Jack Lepiarz), and a raucous mud pit.

For those who have never experienced the Faire before, here are some quick tips on how to make the most of your time there.

No costume? No problem!
Most people don’t bother with donning a costume when visiting, given that there are plenty of professional performers in period dress to go around.

Check out the big cats
A regular feature at King Richard’s Faire, “Big Cats of the World” showcases a different mix of large felines each year.

Jousting is a must-watch
The fairgrounds house dozens of costume performers, but one definite highlight is the jousting exhibitions. You’ll have three chances to watch jousting showcases each day, and each performance is different.

The Faire has some adults-only fun as well
King Richard’s Faire offers fun for all ages, but it also has events that cater to the 18+ crowd. Beyond the alcoholic beverages, there are knife-throwing and ax-throwing stations that are aimed at adults each day. And while most of the themed weekends offer all-ages fun, like the popular Harry Potter Fan Fest weekend on Sept. 21, there are also some slightly risqué events that aren’t for the younger set. On Saturday, Sept. 7, the fair will host a cleavage contest, with prizes for most buxom wench, most daring neckline, and most authentic 16th century renaissance dress revealing cleavage. And on a “Game of Thrones” day on Sept. 29, both the costume contest and the anything-goes “battle for the throne” will be 18+.

Hungry? Grab a turkey leg
King Richard’s Faire boasts a large, varied menu that caters to many tastes, but the quintessential menu item is the giant turkey leg, which pairs well with an ear of corn and a beer.

For more information visit the King Richard's Faire website. We're so ready for the renaissance! Join us now through October for an experience unlike any other and devour the details like the true king or queen you are. See you there!

Monday Mashups: A Supersized, Sleepable Sand Castle

To celebrate National Sandcastle Day, Booking.com unveiled the ultimate beach house—literally. Constructed from almost 100 tons of sand, according to BizBash, the “sand”-sion was designed to look like a modern-day mansion with a faux pool, beach accessories, and the signature Booking.com mailbox.

Located at Luna Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, the sandcastle was available for guests to book for $29 per night. The overnight stays took place August 23 and 24, and both nights sold out within 30 seconds of going live on the site. Booking.com provided 24/7 on-site security for the overnight guests. And even though Luna Park is open to the public until midnight, the structure was located in a private area of the park where the public could not approach.

The booking also included dinner for two on the Coney Island Boardwalk, sunrise beach yoga, and Luna Park V.I.P. passes.

Booking.com worked with both the City of New York and Luna Park to secure permitting for the structure, which was created in conjunction with the 29th annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition. The event is produced by Brooklyn Community Services and the Alliance For Coney Island, with support from sponsors that included Booking.com.

The “sand”-sion, which measured eight feet tall and 18 feet long and wide, was the largest sand sculpture ever constructed in New York City and took eight days to build. Master sand sculptor Matt Long, who’s known as the “Sandman,” oversaw the project.

Inside, a geodesic dome-type structure featured a queen bed, a bar cart, and other accoutrements like flip-flops and sunscreen, as well as beachy decor. But there was no room service or bathroom. Guests had access to a separate bathroom with showers outside the sandcastle.

The seagull’s-eye view of the ocean was free of charge, though. What a dream! We hope this unique brand activation inspires you to devour the details of your next marketing efforts!

Wedding Wednesdays: Five Wedding Sneakers Perfect for the Modern Bride

Say 'I do' to some sweet and sparkly sneakers too! Kick your heels off and get ready to get down. From velvet wedding tennis shoes to glitter bridal sneakers, these kicks will make you want to show off your fancy footwork all night long. (And you'll be comfy enough to do it!)

Blue by Betsy Johnson

These luxe, satiny wedding tennis shoes read "bride" across the top. Need we say more?

Stuart Weitzman Women's Decor Sneaker

You can also opt for pearl embellishments—these ultra-fancy slip-ons are decorated wih them.

Sand J Bargain Vault Personalized Wedding Tennis Shoes

Changing your last name? Celebrate your new title as "Mrs." with these custom wedding tennis shoes.

Ash Nikita Sneaker

Gold sequin hearts make these wedding-white bridal tennis shoes anything but ordinary.

Rebecca Minkoff Women's Stacey Stud Bow Sneakers in New Acai Velvet

Luxe velvet is a glam touch to these bow-adorned bridal sneakers, which scream "fall" or "winter wedding."

For additional wedding kicks, check out The Knot's full list! Comfy feet can't be beat...devour the details of dancing all night long with these sneaks!

Here's Where to Go When You (and Your Pup) Need a Place to Stay in Boston

Traveling with a dog is special, but it can be tricky for any pup to stay in a new place that’s far from home. If you’re traveling to the Boston area, here are five hotels where your pup — and you — can truly relax according to Boston.com. Be sure to check each hotel’s pet policies for complete details!

XV Beacon

At this discreet boutique hotel, canines and their human companions are greeted with equal respect. The concierge will help out-of-towners with the lowdown on pet-friendly establishments, and peanut butter treats and a plush dog bed await in the rooms. Four-legged friends are allowed on the warm weather roof deck or by the lobby fireplace. One-hundred percent of the suggested $25 pet stay donation goes to animal charities throughout Boston. A few steps from the hotel, Boston Common includes an off-leash dog area.

The Liberty Hotel

This historic hotel matches its human nightlife array with a night out on the town for dogs and their humans. The complimentary Yappier Hour is held in the enclosed private outdoor courtyard every Monday and Wednesday, weather permitting, and it includes dog treats from local animal boutique Fish & Bone. When it’s time to retire, a cozy dog bed, bowls, and a bag of treats from Dog Eat Cake make for sweet doggy dreams. For walks, head over to the Charles River Esplanade.

Fairmont Copley Plaza

Walk through the splendid Gilded Age lobby of this commanding Back Bay hotel and there, by the check in, is a fittingly magnificent, large sofa-style dog bed where Carly Copley holds court. Like her sister, the late Catie Copley, Carly spends her days presiding over the lobby, giving the place a warm, homely feel. Canine guests receive comfy dog beds of a less sofa-like stature and plenty of treats. Guests may eat with their dog, just off the main restaurant. Walk in Copley Square, which is adjacent to the hotel, or take a longer walk to the Public Garden.

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street

Boston’s newest luxury tower is dog-friendly to all sizes. And what beds! Like the sleeping-on-a-cloud mattresses for humans, the dog beds are custom-made for the hotel. Dog bowls are provided, and freshly made peanut butter-topped dog biscuits are provided by the kitchen. A quick spin around the nearby Christian Science Plaza’s reflecting pool offers a fun reprieve. Centrally located, long walks in the the Back Bay Fens, the Public Garden, the Boston Common, and the Esplanade are only about 10 minutes away, too.

Kimpton Marlowe

At the main doorway off Marlowe’s circular courtyard, bowls of water and biscuits await dog guests, whose names are written on a blackboard. Comfy beds, food and water bowls, and treats from Boston Barkery in Rowley are waiting in the rooms. Dog-friendly nighttime pop-ups are held in the courtyard, and doggos can sit with their humans during the nightly complimentary Kimpton wine hour in the lobby lounge. All Kimpton Hotels have no size or breed restrictions. Your pup will also enjoy walks along the Charles River nearby.

Find the perfect place to stay with your pup and devour the details of your next trip to Boston!

Monday Mashups: How One Hamptons Institution Reset Its Summer Benefit

Coming off the heels of a grandiose celebration marking its 25th anniversary, this year’s Watermill Center Summer Benefit pressed ctrl+alt+del on the founding roots of the East End organization that nurtures and promotes independent artists according to BizBash. To wit, the event was titled “Tabula Rasa,” a Latin phrase often translated as “clean slate.”

Conceived of and designed by founder Robert Wilson, along with event director Elise Herget, event manager Wainwright, and installation curators Ivan Cheng and Noah Khoshbin, this year’s colorfully loud soiree, sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels, raised $1.7 million.

Held a week after the record-breaking heatwave that enveloped the Northeast, guests, including Maxwell Osborne, Nicole Miller, Damian Loeb, Peter Marino, and Isabella Rossellini, all turned out to honor Carrie Mae Weems and Katharine Rayner—but not before exploring the nearly-three dozen art installations sprawled across the 10-plus acre property.

While each year the Watermill Center team focuses on something different—be it video or large-scale walls and facade works—there was a noticeably emphasized presence of interactive art along with more pronounced use of sound. It was a sensory, auditory experience meant to challenge guests and take them out of their comfort zones.

Despite the increased interactivity, the overall vibe felt cozier—raising the levels of stimulation and, at times, terror. In one corner, couples were rolled up in Saran Wrap in a piece entitled “It’s All in Your Head” by Humberto Diaz while, nearby, three performers in red feathers with their faces obscured by red stocking caps sat on a roof, dragging their daxophones against wood. The noises were sinister. Farther down a path lit by tiki torches, naked models in Plexiglas boxes sat in piles of sand, seeming to drown in it—the stuff of Mad Max nightmares. Deep in the woods, meanwhile, an untitled work by John Margaritis and Wilson saw two young women, one dressed as Dorothy, the other as the Tin Man, circling a rotating bouquet of rusty basketball hoops for the duration of the two-hour cocktail portion of the evening.

As guests made their way into dinner, they were greeted by a troupe of mimes and a performance by Bianca Casady of CocoRosie who, along with Ira Anufrieva, created an immersive performance and installation. Guests were greeted by performers in drag sauntering down a runway underneath a chandelier of red high heels, as other drag performers lounged on tables covered in fishnet-wrapped fruit. The excitement continued with an auction led by Simon de Pury, as well as the night’s two special recognitions.

To accommodate a new stage setup, the orientation of the dinner tent was changed. A catwalk with a raised platform replaced the simple center stage of years past, morphing into a performance space where the awards were later presented. Dinner, catered by Bite Food, continued to be served family style. But rather than focus on singular composed dishes or bites, attention was drawn to the ingredients themselves.

Passed hors d'oeuvres came in the form of elaborate beach-theme 48- by 18-inch trays that featured small bites intrinsic to the event's Hamptons environment. Pond, Garden, Ocean, and Backyard were some of the themes: Meadow, for example, featured allium blossom, fennel, and wheat frond decor alongside fried baby artichokes, quail eggs, parmesan shards, honey apricots, and semolina croustades, while Beach featured little tin pails and white stones and shells with skewered scallops, crispy clams, bacon rashers, multi-color melon balls, and sweet corn croquettes. The nearly-all vegetarian dinner menu consisted of family-style servings ranging from wild morels and chilled jicama to ginger pho broth and red coconut curry.

Guests departed with gift bags containing a cold brew by Illy Caffe, perfume by Diptyque, and a book courtesy of Shamoon Marketing Communications—not to mention a renewed outlook toward the next 25 years.

That's one way to reset an experience! Take it from the Watermill Center and devour the details of a clean slate for your annual benefit!