Let it Raina.

As we reflect on our year, it is the friends and partners we collaborate with who make our job rewarding and well, just plain fun. We are continually impressed with how many creative and ambitious entrepreneurs are drawn to the wedding industry.

Many have had former commercial + corporate careers in their given industry (photography, event planners, florists, catering) who have evolved to put their own signature spin on a given market. They possess 'boutique-minded' philosophies and upscale sensibilities and launch out on their own to demonstrate how bigger is not always better. Great companies are built and true friendships evolve.

Raina Dawn of Raina Dawn Events is one of those entrepreneurs. A born and bred New Yorker with a former career in photo editing for Conde' Nast and other high end publications, she has a incredible eye for all things beautiful and elegant, with the ability to ensure every fine detail appears to be effortlessly in place. Plus she has a real knack for throwing a good party! From clambakes to black tie dinners whether hosted in New York, Newport or DC (and some pretty fantastic destination weddings...) her events and the relationships she builds with clients and vendors are truly special.

This photo of Raina {far left in the photo above} captures the dedication and pride she carries as she guide couples through the planning process and the moments she helps shape. Her big smile and thumbs up from behind the scenes as Michelle and John are being introduced says it all.

Raina recruited Buzz Media Company to film Michelle + John's weekend from start to finish. You may remember the short film from our planning weekend in the Spring for an engagement shoot. Raina pulled in the artistic talent from around the region. It was so much fun to collaborate with the funny and super talented new friend Mariah Ashley of Snap Photography. Her photojournalistic style and flair for vintage images is fantastic.

Take a peek at Raina's work in this short film from Buzz where she orchestrated the look, feel, location and mood for the Rehearsal Dinner at the Eisenhower House in Newport. All of the events from the weekend were distinctly different to give the mostly out of town guests a truly memorable wedding weekend. The whimsy and fun in this quintessential Newport Clambake welcome dinner was the ideal kickoff event.

More short films from this gorgeous weekend to follow.

Event Coordination and Planning: Raina Dawn Events

Photography: Snap Photography

Design and Rentals: Richard Carbotti of Perfect Surroundings

Catering: McGrath Clambake

{mike+erica}