Kittansett Club Classic

One of the first jobs that I ever had was at the Marion General Store. One of the highlights to our work week would be on Saturday afternoons when we would watch gorgeous brides and their handsome grooms make their way out of the stately Congregational Church on their way to celebrate their new marriage. More often then not in Marion, they moved on to the swank Kittansett Club to celebrate. I remember thinking that I would LOVE, love to be at that wedding.

What a thrill it is for me to be working with Sarah and Ryan on their classic wedding in Marion, Massachusetts. They have hired us to do the flowers in shades of pink. The bride is a stunner, the groom, old school handsome. Surround them with my CMP flowers and we have memories that will last a life time. I am sure that I will get goosebumps as they make their way out of the church, so many memories it is hard to believe that it is more than twenty years since I stood their waiting for the bride. Soon enough I will see her again.

CMP Makes Beantown Bride | Kittansett Club Weddings | Photography by K. Photographie

Author: Kate Langenberg

Photography by:

K. Photographie

When Sarah Curran, a 28 year-old sales accountant from Danvers, MA and Ryan Garnett, a 31 year-old sales product specialist from Marion, MA, started working together at the same company, it didn't take long for a workplace romance to develop. It took even less time for Sarah to meet Ryan's family when they started dating. Of course, it was more of a coincidence than a planned get-together. Ryan chose to take Sarah to a favorite local restaurant he learned of from his father, who frequently dines there on business every other week. Thinking it was an off week, Ryan made reservations and when he and Sarah walked into the restaurant, they were greeted by his father, his uncle, and five of their business associates. Sarah says it was a "funny but awkward situation" that the staff picked up on. The couple was seated right next to Ryan's family. "We always joke that I met the family on our very first date," Sarah says.

It turns out that for this couple, the idea of family played a big role in their wedding. After a surprise proposal during a weekend stay in Newport on Sarah's 27th birthday, they started planning their wedding around some meaningful family traditions and roots. 

Sarah and Ryan's wedding ceremony took place on September 26, 2009 at the First Congregational Church of Marion, Massachusetts. "Marion is a charming town that exemplifies everything New England," Sarah explains. "The church that we were married in was more than 200 years old and was the little white church I had always imagined."

The reception was held at the Kittansett Club, also in Marion, where Ryan and his family golf. "We had always talked about getting married there when we were dating, so choosing our reception venue was a no-brainer when we became engaged. It has a breathtaking panoramic view of Buzzards Bay," Sarah says of the club. 

Sarah's dress, a strapless bodice by Something Blue from Pure Bliss in Newburyport, came with a satin sash and a skirt with three-quarter length pickups throughout and a bottom trim of lace. Her bridesmaids wore strapless Aria dresses with box-pleated skirts in navy blue. The dresses were accented with a fuchsia flower pin on the hip to coordinate with the wedding colors. The groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos with bow ties. 

Flowers were provided by Chad Michael Peters, whom Sarah raves was an absolute joy to work with. In addition to fuchsia in the flowers, some white and greens were also thrown in the mix. Cymbidium orchids and lavender Dahlias were combined to make up the bridal bouquet, with most of the blooms accented by a pearl pin. The centerpieces were low and full and surrounded by votive candles trimmed with pink ribbons. "I didn't realize I was creating another theme of ribbons," says Sarah. "In my pictures I realized that nearly every little accent had a satin ribbon in a coordinating color!"

In lieu of traditional cake, Sarah and Ryan treated their guests to a dessert buffet that served up a variety of cupcakes and pink candy. The cupcakes, from Artisan Kitchen, were presented on tiered stands while the candy could be scooped out of ornate containers of different sizes. 

Special elements significant to Sarah's family were included, too. She notes, "As a surprise for my father, the place cards and table names were all themed to his native County Kerry in Ireland. I worked with my mother to choose towns and locations that had significance to his childhood. The head table was 'Tralee,' where most of my father's family hails from."

The unique touches didn't stop there. When the couple was introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Garnett, a snare drum preceded three bagpipers playing "The Wearing of the Green."

Looking back on the big day, Sarah doubts she'll ever forget how happy her parents were. "They absolutely glowed with happiness, and I know that most of that was rooted in my choice of Ryan as my husband. They love him like their own son, and in my father's toast he noted Ryan and I are sure to form a strong branch of our growing family tree." Who wouldn't raise a glass to that?

Wedding Details:

Invitations:

Paper Source

Gown:

Something Blue

Florist:

Chad Michael Peters

Cake:

The Artisan Kitchen

Venue:

The Kittansett Club

Music:

House of Horns

To visit Beantown bride please click here. 

Rachel and Omar's Real Wedding makes the pages of Bride's Choice

I never get sick of looking at amazing wedding photos. It is hard to believe that it has been a year and a half since I worked on the amazing wedding of Rachel and Omar. Now, to my surprise here it is again in vivid color among the glossy pages of Bride's Choice Magazine. Rachel and Omar are just like a real life Princess Jasmine and Alladin. They could not be better looking. Certainlly their wedding day was one for the history books. Every time I see the Alex and Ani advertisements I think of Rachel, her aunt and her entire Persian Family. They run the now empire of bangles. Their style, their enegery that is within their jewelery is shown in this amazing wedding. Congratulations Rachel and Omar. I miss you guys, but love seeing you again in this magazine. Love always, CMP

 

Vintage Winnie The Pooh themed baby shower

I am not normally a fan of balloons for parties. Too cliche, too easy. However, when I saw a classic and vintage drawing by A.A. Milne of Winnie the Pooh holding on to a balloon, I knew that I hit just the perfect note of inspiration for a boys baby shower. As I do with most of my projects, I start out by researching the inspiration for what I want the party to look like. I have been so helped with the introduction of Pinterest into my world of technology. I am constantaly pinning and organzing the things that I want to incorporate into my creative, design work. Check out my inspiration board that was used to come up with this party rendering. The cuteness of babies got me on this one. I can hardly wait to see all of these details come to life in celebration of a new baby!!

Inspiration | Downton Abbey

 

It seems that I am always intrigued with things associated with the English. Perhaps it is my roots here in New England that craves to understand what it was like then. The idea of the Manor house has always appealed to me. I can recall being young and thinking if my sisters can be mermaids, why can't I be a Merbutler? In my head it was about service. I think this all came to be when the library at my school was cleaning out some old books. There in the stack to be thrown away was a 1950's version of Emily Post's blue book of etiquette. The rules of living and living well fascinated me. Trust me, we sat at the table, family farm style and dug in. We always had manners, but never footmen at our service. I have read that book many times and it still sits on my bookshelves to this day. Each chapter from how to write letters, to how to dress, to how to run a proper house. I thought that there were many people that were actually living in an environment where the upstairs maids didn't even get to sit with the downstairs maid.

I know now that the height of Edwardian Society at the turn of the century in England was really the last glowing hours of this sort of manor house living. It was then that the aristocracy of England had to start to marry into the newly minted money here in the United States. By taking title and estate and securing it with the riches of the American Industrial Revolution, English Society and Manor house living exists in some form to this day. The best example that I have seen in this come from the wonderful PBS series, Downton Abbey. Each detail is immaculate and the development of the characters through the seasons even better. I have watched all of the first season and I am enthralled. I am right back in that little cabin in the woods again reading my Emily Post, dreaming, like we all do. I follow every detail and love that this season will show manor house living during the breakout of World War II.

You might ask what does this have to do with wedding planning and design? Inspiration. Those moments in time of a grand party or intimate moments at home are for each creative person inspired by something else. In the wee hours of the night as I sit and watch my favorite shows such as Downton Abbey or read my favorite books over and over, I know that what I have seen, comes out in the sketching that I do. Not only is the gown drawn by me, the fun and flirty daisy pattern in the background is also done by me. I think that it goes so well together. I can just see lady Catherine making her way into the dining room to receive her guests. 

La Cucina Italiana and Chad Michael Peters Serve dinner for Charity

I haven't worked with Anna Wintur on a project yet. But oh man, do I ever want to. I love her dominating style, she deserves to be. Her eye, her magnificent eye has brought us cutting edge glorious fashion for years. Ok enough about my secret fantasy over Anna. This story is about an editor too. Michael Wilson, The Editor in Chief for La Cucina Italiana magazine, the preeminent magazine of Italian food in the world. Every month 350,000 readers wait literally with baited breath to see what this maven of food has chosen to present. Martha Stewart says "It's a good thing". CMP says that this is a freakin awesome thing.

You see Michael, is a son of very good clients of mine. Over the past two years we have worked together to arrange and present their amazing and eclectic assortment of furniture and decorative accessories. With bold and historic colors as a backdrop, the house and its meticulous environment set the stage for a very special dinner to benefit The Nativity Prep School in New Bedford. The Wilson's donated the services of their son, Michael and their home and of course all of the work that goes into a dinner party like this. I stepped in and brought flowers, style, candles and finishing touches to the home. I knew that when the music started that it would be The Three Tenors at The Baths of Caracalla that David would choose as the final piece of drama for the evening. The table lay set with the most amazing china and crystal that you have ever seen. The flowers formed a long and lush mound in shades of deep red with touches of white. I chose roses with the name Italian Duchess and paired them with Casablanca lilies.

I knew that our hosts and our famed and acclaimed chef Michael Wilson would laugh when I presneted my idea to wow the guests at the entrance to the party. I wanted David's new red Ferrari out in the center of the drive. I wanted spot lights on it and I was going to surround it with hundreds of candles, Italian Altar style as a homage to Italian Culture. The did laugh, but they let me do it. When guests walked in, they loved it. How many times in your life do you get to see and touch the hottest car in the world?

As the Ferrari (no detail overlooked) sparkling wine flowed the guests were seated and prepared to indulge in the most sublime meal personally prepared by Michael and his parents. I knew those people at the table, I knew them well. Most of them are like family to me. They were wowed. I was wowed. It was most magnificent. AND Michael Wilson should be on the cover of every magazine in the world. Not only is this guy the preeminent authority on Italian food, he is hot, stylish, cool and chic. He is going places, probably in a freakin Ferrari. I am happy to call him a friend. I can hardly wait to dump his parents the next time that he is in town with his brother to show them the real South Coast of Massachusetts. Sorry Mary and David, kids only on this next one.

I look forward to doing it again. Same crew, different season. The bond between us all that night was something that I never will forget. A night in Italy all for charity. So sorry Martha, but that was a freakin awesome thing.

Ciao!

Chad Michael Peters to appear in Hairspray | Zeiterion Theatre July Productions

I guess when they say that you can't stop the beat, they mean it. Man, oh man. I never saw this one coming. When the phone rang and the director from The Festival Theatre, Armand Marchand was on the phone, I nearly fainted. I have been offered and have accepted three roles in this summer's production of Hairspray. It has been a dream of mine. This whole Hairspray thing. Edna Turnblad. But Mr. Pinky. Freakin Mr. Pinky? Pinky Perfect! I am tickled pink. I am going to be in the most amazing production of Hairspray. Measuring the bust of the one and only Edna. I knew it, I could feel it in my heart. Who knew that it would happen this way?

The glasses. Myrna knew, it was the glasses.

I AM IN FREAKIN HAIRSPRAY. Pinch me.

Cape Cod Style Wedding Invitations | Chatham Men's Stripe

The process of design is two sided. I need the input from the client on the finished product. I want what we do for them to be better than the best thing that they could ask for. You saw last week that I worked on a wedding stationery suite for a client of mine. In it I introduced the Chatham Stripe pattern which is filled with pink and had touches of sea blue to compliment. When I spoke to my client she seemed kind of afraid to tell me that it was just too much pink. Not to worry. She wanted more green, more sea, less pink. I thought about it for a day or two and then finally sitting down last night at my computer I was able to draw out this pretty compliment to the Chatham Collection, The Chatham Men's Stripe. I could see this as a men's dress shirt, or lining to a summer suit of linen. Very English, very Cape Cod, very my bride and groom.

We were able to produce this suite on budget for the bride and will also compliment it with custom postage for both the outer envelope and the return envelope with the response card. So cute with the little botanical scallop and quahog shells. We did recommend an additional card for information on travel and a separate invitation to the reception given that it is a couple of hours after the ceremony. If you did not include this, I can assure you that your guests would be lingering, waiting for the bar to open and the food to be served. This way there is time between the wedding and reception for them to relax and to enjoy the beauty that is seaside in Chatham.

Cape Cod Style Wedding Stationery | Chatham Stripes and Shells

It is tough to come up with new ideas for a sea side wedding. I hate cliche, it is not what I do. I want something to be new and modern, yet always in some way there is a nod to the past. I have always adored French botanical prints from the 17th century. These I guess, are the first real capture of what plants and animals looked like. Drawing them was the only way three hundred years ago. I used the antique botanicals along with a custom designed stripe to incorporate a sophisticated sea side flair. The bride loves just a touch of pink in her wedding. Through the use of one of my favorite flowers, stargazer Lillies (I like all white ones!!), there will be a lovely addition of color to the palette of nature and the sea which is right outside of the windows at Wequasett Inn and resort in Chatham, Massachusetts. I have used the variant of color that exists within the flowers petals, mixed in some seaside color, and voila, Chatham Stripe is born.

I think that this collection is whimsical, classic and fun all at the same time. It certainly says seaside, but like fashion, it does it in a new, fresh and most importantly, pretty way. (Thank you Michael Kors for that line.....I live by it every day)

I do love to get the details right down to the last bit. In this case the postage is a bit of an issue as many of the guests live over seas. There are quite a few printed cards that will go into this suite so it is impossible to tell what the postage will be until we have all of the components in hand. Custom postage will be too late by then. So what I suggest is to ask at the local post office for a selection of stamps that the U.S. postal service sells. These are decorative stamps for items just like this. For the love of god, please do not choose the two rings or the doves. I know my bride won't, but you might think that it is cool. I would suggest anything natural inspired, of course I would, that is what I always suggest.

Ok with the proof and production ready on the printed suite it is time to get to work on the flowers for this wedding. We have talked about it, now I have to hit the drawing board to put together the final look of this New York City meets London wedding.

 

Branding your company | CMP Digital Public Relations

I am known for a lot of things I guess. I am not one thing, never have been, probably never will be. Many of you do not know that I work on many different levels of digital media. I have long used these methods in the production of my events, weddings and even interior design. While I spend a lot of my time with individual clients, I do work with a lot of companies on their business planning and corporate image.

Pulling together the idea of a company's public image is more difficult today than it ever has been. The reality is that it probably will get more difficult before it becomes any easier. Not only do you need to think about your physical business presence, but you also have to pay attention to your digital business presence. What does your web site look like, do you have facebook? Do you know how to use it along with twitter to engage your fan base to follow your business story.Today more than ever a fresh digital business face is the key to success. I can almost bet that before a customer hires you, they are going to look at your web site. What do they see when they get there, a project from 1983? OR the freshest and hottest content from your business. People want to learn what it is that you do, how do you do it and what services and products you offer. Through the use of blogs you are able to not only tell the ongoing story to your business but you also provide a wonderful perspective of your business to your potential customers and clients.

As a company I am proud to have developed and distributed my brand to a broad audience. I am even more pleased that as we continue to evolve as a company, we can offer these digital public relation services, not only to individuals but companies as well.

I have long worked with my friends at Kitchen and Bath Details. They too know that they key to any business, especially a design oriented business, needs a digital showroom to compete and enhance any physical presence that the business may maintain. Of course, they have an incredible showroom located in Mattapoisett, you should visit it, amazingly good taste. But we are talking digital here. With the latest launch of their web site, I have included not only a fresh take on their logo and color, but have also added more social media outlets and better exposure through out the site of the blog stories that they write on kitchen and bath design. Behind the scenes we have further maximized brand exposure through an e:mail marketing campaign, search engine optimization and further coordination of social media outlets. A freshen up would not be complete without some new stationery to send out thanks to clients and colleuges but also some fun branded products to add just a bit of brand enhancement to their business.

Of course when it comes to public relations, a business can not forget physical advertising. We will be sure to coordinate a physical mailing to clients that ties in with the new and updated look of this fantastic company.

Of course the work never seems to stop. Owning a digital house can be like owning a physical one. There is always a list of things that need to be updated, deleted and distributed through the wonderful world of the web. Off to change the main landing page of their site. THEN on to the addition of static HTML code. Don't ask, but it will look pretty.Thank you Kitchen and Bath Details for working with me over the years to bring your on:line presense to life. It has been a joy, just like our friendship.

Put the power of CMP Digital Public Relations to work for you.

What does YOUR business look like?