A Fabulous Northeast Bridal Magazine: La Bella Bride
This was the website for La Bella Bride magazine, a fabulous Northeast bridal magazine that also produced three bridal events in Newport, Providence and Boston and its Blogazine. Started in 2008, the magazine was such a great idea while it lasted. It was so simple to order and read online. Later the site turned into a Blogazine. We will miss you, La Bella Bride.
The content below is from the site's 2008-2011 archived Blogazine pages.
The Magazine
In 2008 :
La Bella Bride magazine is a trend setting wedding publication offering a unique perspective for today’s “thinking woman”. Our dedicated staff, fabulous contributors and exceptional professional advertisers take pride in publishing a magazine which honors savvy couples who want options, style and sophisticated solutions while planning their wedding event. La Bella Bride honors our readers by providing a beautiful, timely magazine filled with gorgeous images and thought provoking editorial. Our publication serves as a lifestyle guide by sharing innovative ideas, practical issues, glamour and elegance in all matters of life and love.
In 2010
La Bella Bride Magazine is a trendsetting, Southern New England regional wedding publication offering a unique perspective for today’s “thinking woman”. Our dedicated staff, fabulous contributors and exceptional professional advertisers take pride in publishing a magazine which honors savvy couples who want options, style and sophisticated solutions while planning their wedding event. La Bella Bride honors our readers by providing a beautiful, timely magazine filled with gorgeous images and thought provoking editorial. Our publication serves as a lifestyle guide by sharing innovative ideas, practical issues, glamour and elegance in all matters of life and love.
We want our readers to feel confident and joyful with their decision to marry, not stressed and overwhelmed. We believe our readers will relate to the content within our pages and feel successful with their choices by knowing they have found a resource which respects and honors their individuality and intelligence.
La Bella Bride Magazine has gained admiration from both readers and industry professionals for its ability to bring interesting information, exciting versatility, easy, elegant style and impressive designs to the forefront.
A wedding is a celebration of love, and that is something that will never change. What has changed, however, is the desire to host a wedding within the context of a complete lifestyle and attitude. La Bella Bride is a publication, which does embrace every aspect of a fulfilling life.
For the Bride
Our For the Bride section collects vendor profiles to preview some of the most talented vendors and amazing venues from around the country in our Little White Book Vendor Directories, as well as tabs for fashion, listing some of La Bella’s designer picks for gowns and wedding party attire.
Don’t forget to browse our Little White Book Vendor Directories – categorized by state – to find wedding professionals in your area or the area of your destination wedding. For more information on how to become part of our Vendor Directory, please contact Katina [at] LaBellaBrideMagazine.com.
POSTS
Shelby and Matt’s time has come!- Kim and Patrick at the ICA Boston
- J. and Beth are Wed
- The Quest for an Affordable and Personal Wedding: Part I
- Contemporary Catering from Table of Contents
- Events by Sharon’s Daughter Tablescape!
- Beautiful Butterfly Tablescape!
- Raina Dawn redefines elegance with this tablescape!
- Dana Markos and the Return of Spring!
- Meet Kane and Chrissy!
Shelby and Matt’s time has come!
Shelby Rutledge and Matt Marocco would describe themselves as a pretty low key couple, which made the simple proposal everything Shelby could have wanted. “I’m personally not into big romantic gestures, so the way he proposed was perfect,” she says. “He came home after playing basketball and I was at the computer. He came into the room and asked me to turn around. When I swiveled my chair to face him, he got down on one knee, which was no easy feat considering he’d just played in a pretty physical game. He told me he’d loved me for a long time and wanted to know if I would spend the rest of my life with him. Of course I said ‘Yes!’ and then I asked him to please stand up because he looked like he was in pain!”
With plans to make it an outdoor summer wedding, Shelby knew she wanted a bright and cheery feeling to the affair, so she chose a color scheme of pink, orange and yellow. It was an appropriate pick for the fun-loving couple. The ceremony and reception were both held at the home of Michael Marocco (Matt’s uncle). “He has a beautiful home in Redding, Connecticut,” says Shelby. “It was the perfect setting.”
Shelby’s two attendants wore Lazaro chiffon halter dresses in melon, sticking with the light and airy feel of the outdoor ceremony, which was performed in Michael’s garden. One hundred guests watched as the bride’s father walked her down the aisle to the tune of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. “I liked it so much better than the traditional wedding march,” says Shelby.
Following the ceremony, a cocktail hour was held around the pool where guests sipped watermelon martinis and champagne. After enjoying drinks and a variety of appetizers like mini cheeseburgers, stuffed mushrooms and crab cakes, everyone moved into a nearby tent for the reception. The tent was adorned with hanging raspberry and orange colored Chinese lanterns, while raspberry hued linens with a sheer shimmery ivory overlay brightened the tables. The dinner menu included citrus boneless chicken with ranch drizzle, a rubbed sirloin and wood grilled vegetables, among many other choices. “We wanted to have a buffet style dinner because we wanted people to be up and moving,” says Shelby. “We had guests from all over the country at the wedding and we wanted everyone to meet each other.”
For dessert, the couple chose a cupcake tower instead of the traditional wedding cake. “We selected two different flavors for the cupcakes—lemon cake with a raspberry frosting and a red velvet cake with a traditional butter cream frosting,” notes Shelby. “The red velvet cupcakes were wrapped with a wide pale yellow ribbon with a thin orange ribbon over it and the lemon cupcakes were wrapped with a wide yellow ribbon with a thin pink ribbon over that. It was all delicious and so pretty!”
After a perfect wedding and reception, the couple honeymooned in St. Lucia at the Sandals Regency for nine days, and then returned to their home in North Providence, Rhode Island. Looking back, Shelby says the wedding was everything she could have wanted. “But I would have to say the best part of the entire day was being able to share it with all the people we love most,” she says. “We had guests from California, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in attendance and the fact that they were willing to travel such distances to share the day with us was truly wonderful.”
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Kim and Patrick at the ICA Boston
The ICA was a perfect setting for this non-traditional wedding. The space was transformed with in house lighting and the tremendous work by the team at Winstons. Long, Tuscan style tables with multiple composite style, all white arrangements decorated the space. Each item from the linens to the flatware were painstakingly selected by the bride and her mother, who is an interior designer. An unusual color palette of orange, gray and blue were carried throughout the night and the different spaces used. The ceremony was held outside on the waterfront under a chuppah.
Cocktail hour with lots of lounge furniture and bright arrangements preceded dinner in the waterfront space. Dinner and toasts took place upstairs, while the traditional first dance, horah and incredible all blue dessert buffet were saved for the downstairs space. Guests ended the night dancing away to a band from Philadelphia, sampling sweets, gelato and a very non traditional wedding cake – which mirrored the “window like” mirrors on display at the ICA (can be seen in the photo of the band) on various dessert displays. Unique from start to finish!
Vendor Contacts:
Wedding Consultant: Unique Weddings by Alexis
Reception & Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering
Photographer: Dave Robbins
Flowers: Winston Flowers
Entertainment: Urban Guerilla Orchestra
Rentals: Party by Design
Ice Sculpture: Brilliant Ice Sculpture
Cake Designer: Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes
Chocolate Supplier: The Chocolate Truffle
Gelato: Firenze Gelato
Hair Stylist: Frederic Fekkai NY
Makeup Stylist: Katrina Hess Makeup Studio
Transportation: Able Limousine & Foxy Travel
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J. and Beth are Wed
This story is a continuation of “The Quest for an Affordable and Personal Wedding“.
The best laid plans may go awry, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time.
For all our worries, June 12, 2010, turned out fantastic, and went by too quick. There was some last minute stress, for sure, as the weather was not cooperating, and therefore, we had to cancel the use of the outdoor space at Slater Mill. But, as it turned out, having everything in one place was great. The ceremony was short and sweet, so no time was lost transitioning from one location to another. We exchanged vows, kissed, exited down the aisle and into the “party” area of the Pawtucket Armory and started a reception line, which the guests really liked. Then the party really got started.
Jack and Deb Falvey at Jack Falvey Associates were there before noon to start lighting the massive drill hall. They did a fabulous job, and even helped set up a last-minute stage and trellis for the ceremony. The simple white “frame” of the trellis set the scene for the event, and coordinated well with our simple black, white and teal color scheme.Warm lights were set on the floor and bounced off the dramatic ceiling and a long 8′ tall divider of blue fabric was set up to divide the space for its two functions, and also to make it cozier, as the hall was much bigger than we needed. Jack and Deb set up a lounge area with couches in one corner, while the bar and DJ was set up in the other. More accent lighting was added around the perimeters and dance floor to make the space feel more like an exclusive dance club, which it quickly turned into.
Bridemaids wore black dresses of the same fabric (J. Crew) and picked their own most flattering cut (this also meant that they have a greater possibility of wearing them again). Groomsmen wore black suits and shoes – whatever they had in their closet that fit them well – and the groom got them all matching ties. Flowers were prepared by the mother of a friend and came out great. Simple again was best here, with yellow and orange roses and bits of blue and green accents.
As soon as the reception line died down, Glenn Place and his catering team over at Tom’s Market started passing hors d’oeuvres and they continued for the next two hours. We selected an assortment of recognizable favorites – like stuffed mushrooms , spanikopita, grilled pizzas and mini cheeseburgers with bourbon ketchup – to an array of more adventurous finger food, such as California rolls, seared ahi tuna, mini Indian pakoras, crab cakes and pulled pork topped with cole slaw served in phyllo pastry shells. The guests loved the selections, and we anticipated for a heavy serving of about 12 to 15 pieces per person, which filled everyone as much as a sit down dinner would have… but with more variety, and in a more social atmosphere.
Deb at The Pour People provided the bar, and we decided to do a limited one hour open cocktail hour for the guests. This worked out well and the prices were all fixed a head of time. We’ve been to other weddings with open bars all night, and not only can it get expensive, but sometimes it encourages guests to drink more than they ought to. With our scenario, we felt like everyone was having fun without drinking too heavily too quickly.
For dessert, Tom’s Market provided coffee service and The Cupcakerie provided three varieties of delicious gourmet cupcakes. We chose our flavors and provided almost twice as many cupcakes as we had guests. The folks at The Cupcakerie provided a beautiful display stand and made the dessert table really shine. towards the end of the night, Tom’s Market staff even helped pass them around the crowd to make sure everyone got one.
Our DJ was a friend of ours who plays in bands and DJs local night spots around Providence. His style is mostly 50s and 60s surf rock, “tiki” rock, Rock-a-billy and vintage classics, which made for a great party atmosphere. We didn’t have to worry about watching our grandma dancing to The Humpty Dance… instead, young and old got up and boogied to the quick beats and fun sounds of The Colonel. He was also a great personal choice for us, as when Beth and I were dating, we frequently one of his nights at a bar downtown that has since closed. It was like we re-created a moment during our courtship.
A friend of ours, Pete Reinhard, took the photos, which also worked out great. He’s a pro, and since he knew everyone in the hall, he blended in perfectly and captured some great shots. A photo booth from RI Photobooths in the corner also added to the party atmosphere, and there was a line for it all night. it was a little on the expensive side, but it was important to us, as it was also something from our dating past.
All in all, we’re so glad for our family and friends… they helped make the night lots of fun. Dancing, sing-a-longs, congo lines, photo booth photos… it was really a great time and it came together well. We were lucky to be able to make all the personal choices that we wanted, and even though we went a little over our initial budget, it was all worth it. Thanks to everyone involved, and we hope these ideas might help you plan your special day.
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Confessions of a Former Bridal Magazine Junkie
"I love perusing bridal magazines. I was particularly taken by the 2011 issues of La Bella Bride with the fabulous pics by Sara Zarrella Photography. It was a disappointment when the magazine disappeared, although there will always be more bridal magazines being published. But I used many of my religiously saved back issues of La Bella Bride when I was planning my own Hawaiian wedding on Maui, on a gorgeous beachfront setting. The plan was to put the wedding party up in a luxury Lahaina condo rental next to the beach - modeled after one ceremony I found in Labella. Maui and especially Lahaina are forever ingrained in my memories and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to celebrate in that wonderful place. Don't have time for hours looking through bridal magazines, now it's child rearing magazines." Punki Zahn
More Background On LaBellaBrideMagazine.com
LaBellaBrideMagazine.com served as the digital home of La Bella Bride Magazine, a distinctive and stylish regional bridal publication that operated primarily throughout Southern New England. For a number of years—from its founding in 2008 into the early 2010s—it offered wedding inspiration, vendor directories, editorials, and real-wedding features that resonated strongly with modern couples seeking elegance, creativity, and thoughtful perspectives on planning one of the most meaningful events of their lives.
Although the magazine eventually ceased publication and shifted into a “Blogazine” format before going fully inactive, the archived content reveals a vibrant publication with a clear identity, a loyal readership, and a deep influence on the regional wedding landscape. The website today acts largely as an archive, preserving its photographs, vendor features, and editorial voice.
This comprehensive article explores ownership, popularity, location, history, features, press, audience, cultural significance, and the many details that defined LaBellaBrideMagazine.com.
Ownership and Leadership
La Bella Bride Magazine was led and published by a small, dedicated team that emphasized creativity, style, and authenticity in wedding planning. The user-provided archival text discusses the magazine’s “dedicated staff, fabulous contributors and exceptional professional advertisers,” indicating that the editorial leadership valued collaboration with regional experts—from florists to photographers to event designers.
The magazine maintained a strong editorial identity built on “honoring today’s thinking woman,” suggesting a publication that positioned itself as forward-thinking and intellectually attuned rather than purely commercial or trend-driven.
While the archival content does not directly list the full leadership structure, it is evident that the magazine was independently owned and operated, with its mission guided by experienced regional wedding professionals and editors.
Geographic Focus and Location
The publication identified itself as a Southern New England wedding magazine—connecting directly with couples in:
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Rhode Island
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Massachusetts
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Connecticut
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And nearby Northeastern regions
Its events and editorial content frequently highlighted locations such as:
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Newport, Rhode Island – one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in New England
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Providence, Rhode Island – known for arts, culture, and historic venues
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Boston, Massachusetts – where the magazine also produced bridal showcases
This geographic focus gave the magazine a strong regional identity. It was not trying to compete with national magazines; instead, it showcased the unique style, vendors, and venues of New England—one of America’s most elegant and historically rich regions for weddings.
Mission, Goals, and Editorial Philosophy
La Bella Bride Magazine’s mission and ethos were articulated clearly in its own description:
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It was “a trendsetting wedding publication offering a unique perspective for today’s thinking woman.”
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It emphasized options, style, and “sophisticated solutions.”
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It aimed to honor “savvy couples” who value individuality, intelligence, and personal style.
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The magazine wished to not overwhelm its readers, but instead help them feel “confident and joyful with their decision to marry.”
Its editorial philosophy embraced the idea that a wedding is more than an event—it is part of a complete lifestyle. The publication positioned itself as a lifestyle guide, offering both inspiration and practical insight.
Magazine Content and Notable Features
La Bella Bride Magazine offered a wide range of sections, each designed to help couples plan a wedding filled with beauty and meaning. Some of its most significant features included:
For the Bride
This section collected vendor profiles and previews of talented wedding professionals. It included:
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Designers
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Venues
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Wedding planners
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Caterers
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Florists
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Photographers
It also maintained the Little White Book Vendor Directory, organized by state, which allowed brides to browse regional wedding experts. This directory became one of the magazine's essential tools—especially for couples planning destination weddings within New England.
Fashion and Style
Fashion coverage featured:
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Designer gown picks
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Wedding party attire
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Seasonal color inspiration
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Accessories and design trends
The magazine approached fashion with a balance of glamour and practicality, helping brides consider both aesthetic and comfort when selecting attire.
Real Weddings and Love Stories
The publication showcased beautifully written and photographed real-wedding features—each filled with:
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Personal anecdotes
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Vendor details
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Décor inspiration
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Ceremony descriptions
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Reception highlights
Stories such as Shelby and Matt’s wedding or Kim and Patrick’s modern ICA Boston wedding demonstrated how the magazine celebrated individuality. Whether showing intimate garden ceremonies or large-scale city weddings, La Bella Bride focused on authenticity and heartfelt storytelling.
Tablescapes, Décor, and Design Inspiration
The website frequently highlighted imaginative tablescape creations by recognized designers. These posts celebrated creative vision:
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Butterfly-themed displays
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Spring floral interpretations
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Modern designs using color blocking
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Catered décor concepts
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Event planner showcases
This emphasis on artistry set La Bella Bride apart from more traditional bridal magazines.
The Blogazine
As the print magazine began to slow its physical production, LaBellaBrideMagazine.com evolved into a Blogazine, blending:
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Editorial-style articles
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Vendor features
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Real weddings
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Trend pieces
This hybrid format allowed the publication to continue engaging readers digitally even after print distribution declined.
Bridal Events and Regional Influence
One of the magazine’s key strengths was its ability to organize and host regional bridal events, particularly in:
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Newport, Rhode Island
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Providence, Rhode Island
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Boston, Massachusetts
These events featured:
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Fashion shows
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Vendor showcases
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Wedding planning demonstrations
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Designer exhibits
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Catered tasting experiences
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Photography installations
The events served as a bridge between couples and wedding professionals, reinforcing the magazine’s reputation as an important regional hub in the New England wedding industry.
Audience and Popularity
La Bella Bride appealed to “today’s thinking woman”—a demographic that valued:
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Stylish but realistic planning
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High-quality imagery
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Original editorial ideas
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Vendor connections that prioritized authenticity
Readers appreciated the magazine’s:
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Elegant design
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Thoughtful articles
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Regional focus
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Personalized tone
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Balance of inspiration and practical advice
This approach allowed La Bella Bride to gain admiration from both readers and industry professionals, who praised its ability to bring “exciting versatility, easy, elegant style and impressive designs to the forefront.”
Cultural and Social Significance
The magazine’s cultural value extended beyond aesthetics:
1. It Captured a Moment in New England’s Wedding Culture
La Bella Bride documented weddings during the late 2000s and early 2010s—a time when:
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DIY weddings were rising
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Digital planning tools were emerging
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Wedding blogs were expanding
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Social media was beginning to influence bridal fashion
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New England was becoming a highly sought-after destination for luxury weddings
The magazine’s archives preserve these trends and moments.
2. It Promoted Inclusivity and Individuality
The editorial mission emphasized respecting the individuality and intelligence of readers. This helped shift industry conversations toward:
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Personal creativity
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Thoughtful planning
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Lifestyle-driven wedding choices
3. It Elevated Regional Vendors
By spotlighting local talent, La Bella Bride strengthened the visibility of:
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Independent photographers
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Small florists
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Boutique designers
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Local caterers
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Event planners
Many of these vendors benefitted from features that introduced them to a broader audience.
Real Weddings: A Glimpse Into La Bella Bride’s Storytelling
The archival content includes numerous detailed wedding stories. Here are examples illustrating the magazine’s style:
Shelby and Matt’s Wedding
A bright and cheerful outdoor wedding set in Redding, Connecticut, featuring:
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Pink, orange, and yellow color scheme
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Garden ceremony with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as the processional
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Poolside cocktail hour
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Buffet-style dinner encouraging mingling
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A cupcake tower instead of traditional cake
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A honeymoon in St. Lucia
This story highlights the magazine’s attention to emotional storytelling and personal touches.
Kim and Patrick at the ICA Boston
A modern, non-traditional wedding with:
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A waterfront chuppah ceremony
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Tuscan-style long tables
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Sophisticated in-house lighting and floral design
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A unique orange, blue, and gray color palette
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Lounge-style cocktail hour
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A creative all-blue dessert buffet
This feature demonstrates the publication’s ability to highlight modern, cutting-edge urban weddings.
Why La Bella Bride Magazine Remains Beloved
Although no longer actively updated, LaBellaBrideMagazine.com is remembered fondly for several reasons:
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The quality of its imagery — elegant, beautifully curated photography
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Its independent voice — offering authentic, less commercialized wedding inspiration
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Its regional expertise — capturing the essence of New England weddings
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Its creative editorials — showcasing artistic tablescapes and innovative event styling
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Its thoughtful tone — speaking to couples who valued both beauty and meaning
Former readers even describe using saved issues for their own wedding planning years later—a testament to the magazine’s influence.
LaBellaBrideMagazine.com stands as a meaningful piece of New England’s wedding-industry history. With its stylish editorials, thoughtful writing, regional vendor features, and innovative bridal events, it served thousands of couples in the Northeast with guidance that was elegant, intelligent, and genuinely heartfelt.
Even though the magazine no longer publishes active content, its archive continues to inspire. The world of weddings evolves quickly, but publications like La Bella Bride leave a lasting imprint by representing not only a region but a moment in cultural creativity, personal storytelling, and modern bridal identity.
