New Years Eve Wedding at The Taj Hotel, Boston, MA

I first met Jessica about a year ago on one of the most snowy days that I can remember. I probably would have cancelled the appointment before I drove two hours in the snow to meet with a potential bride. I am glad that I did. It was that meeting that started a client relationship that has now bridged into a friendship with many within this gorgeous bride's family. When Jessica told me that she and her fiance were planning to celebrate their wedding on New Year's Eve, I was thrilled at the opportunity to work with Jessica on the florals, decor and styling of this event. I am bummed that I did not take a chance to photograph Jessica and her handsome groom, Chris. They are a very good looking couple. I saw them just for fleeting moments through the day as my team and I worked on so many gorgeous details to not only the romantic snowy ceremony but also the lavish celebration which was to follow.

You can see from the photos below that her ceremony was something absolutely magical. For me the feel of the ceremony room at The Taj Boston was something from a Russian palace. So lovely with the creamy walls, lush drapes and absolutely stunning crystal chandeliers. LOVE, to see say the least. We were on our game that night. We had everything set up and just had to wait for the ceremony to be over before we could move the decor again to be enjoyed by the guests among the dinner table tops. As a special treat for the guests, fireworks went off just as the bride was saying her I dos. Not planned, but perfection, filling the windows of the ceremony room with joyous anticipation.We did it and it looked amazing, and we had time to spare again. I saw Jessica and Chris for just a moment as they made their way into the ballroom to celebrate with their guests. The look on her face said it all. You could tell that she was in love with her surroundings that we had so carefully planned.

She was like a vision of Jackie Kennedy on her first trip to France, regal, refined and elegant in a retro sort of way. I adored that she chose knock out earrings and skipped a necklace to show off her graceful profile and neck.

As they made their way into the ballroom, I knew that it was time to get some rest before the end of the evening surprise for the guests at midnight that came in the form of a fresh snow falling down on them as the New Year rang in. It was a scene from some sort of movie.

The whole family was so sweet and so effusive in their praise for the work that we had done, I was proud, but tired. 24 hours of work straight for CMP to produce this event. I was happy to retire to my soft and comfy bed within the hotel. I had a beautiful view of Newbury street and the drunken revelry that went on into the wee hours of the morning. I hear it all, I was too tired to sleep, to excited for my bride. Continually reflecting on the details to the day.

Congratulations to Jessica and Chris and of course to my now friends Diane and my favorite father of the bride EVA, Guido. Much love to you guys!!! My best always, CMP

Yes! We need a little Christmas | Whimsical and Grand 16ft Fresh Christmas Tree

It was an Auntie Mame sort of phone call when a dear client of mine called and told me that she needed a little Christmas. No worries, done. She also said that she wanted a BIG tree and she meant a BIG tree. It has been so long since I have had the oppurtunity to put up a really big tree. There is nothing like it right? We all don't live in the White House, where this year's Blue Room tree tops out at eighteen feet. This grand beauty that you see above comes in at a not too shabby sixteen if she stands on her tippy branches. Not too shabby! It was no easy task to get the tree up and to make sure that however it was in it's place that it stayed there. I have gotten in trouble in years past for trees that were too BIG and too worrisome. I too would have a meltdown if a 12 foot tree covered in fragile ornaments comes crashing down into the living room. It has happend. Not fun, part of the world that I love in.

Within the same home we did brighten other areas. But my favorite was the mantle in the sitting area that is just off to the left if you are looking right at the Christmas tree. It is filled with a collection of white and bisque ornaments that are part of the clients Christmas collection. When I saw the snow globes in my travels, I just had to pick out a collection that would fit perfectly on this slim mantle. They do look so lovely, sitting there waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.

Bedford Village Inn Winter Destination Wedding

 

Today I got to do two of my favorite things, shopping and.....shopping. For wedding dresses no less. Most of my brides don't get dresses. They get gowns. Over the top affairs call for them. The bride is the center of attention and should be dressed accordingly. My bride is throwing a lavish destination wedding in the middle of January. I can hear the soft jingle of the horses as they make their way through the snow with my bride in sparkling white and my groom in a tuxedo and mittens. We have chosen the Bedford Village Inn as our choice to entertain her guests and to celebrate the wedding.

It is quintessential New England, charming in it's architecture, lovely in its appointments. We have had many discussions regarding the wedding although it is still a year away. But we do have to remember that this is a destination. Meaning everyone including the west coast bride and groom are flying in for this event. So needless to say there are a lot of details that need to be taken care of.

Today it was about dresses and the look and color way of the wedding. All went well as we chattered away over lunch. So many details to take care of and now we have decided that we will move forward with a rehearsal dinner on site as well. I was lucky that the vast majority of my appointments today were on Newbury Street. I even had time to pop in on my favorite Back Bay Blonde, Lauren Killian, from Person + Killian Photography. She has been hired for this event and I can hardly wait to work with her on this frozen inspired engagement shoot and of course the wedding.

It is no wonder why we start working on weddings sometimes two years before the event, man there is a lot to do. Hey there is still time to dream a little bit. I think that I will take a moment to do just that. To picture what my bride might look like as she triesvon on the most amazing collection of gowns. I know that within,  her gown is there. Just which one? Will she wear the long elbow gloves that I suggested. Of course you won't know until I publish pictures from the event in some time from now.

You can tell that I am thinking that a winter bride needs to steal the show. I want her to have a gorgeous silhouette to her gown along with enough embellishment to wow, but not so much that she ends up looking like a Russian Princess. (Think Dr. Zivago)

We will find a way to work in all of the winter classics that one would expect from this sort of wedding. West Coast is going to represent of course. We have planned to have a regional selection of wines and cheeses from the west coast so guests can experience a bit if where the bride and groom are coming from.

There will be more of course, for now the look and my nervous anticipation as to my bride and her gown.

I just want to hum, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

 

Kara and Adam | Tented Wedding at The Captain Heman Smith House | Cape Cod Wedding Planning


Kara never stops smiling, she is always up for a good time, a shared laugh and to have fun. I can see why she is a successful nurse and why her groom Adam fell in love and married her. I have known both she and her family for some time. Of course you read below in her wedding sketch that I had worked with her sister and brother in law in the planning and design of their stormy and fabulous wedding day. So I know these girls. So many of the bridesmaids has been at the same wedding because they worked for the groom, the owner of the most popular and fabulous restaurant, Antonio's. All of that leads up to my job being so much easier. They all listen to me and know that I too love to have fun, but at the same time I am there for the bride to make sure every one of her wishes come true.

The location always determines the style of the wedding. The Captain Heman Smith House is a stately compound on the waters edge in Eastham, MA. So you don't have to hit google earth, think the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown. Now come back two towns and you have the historic and charming Eastham. The location and the weather yesterday could not have been better. Many felt like they had stepped into a chic hamptons setting. Kara did not disappoint. She looked amazing as she stepped off the back steps of the house she was staying at. She really did glow just like an angel. The sun caught the shimmer to her gown and the sparkle of her ocean blue eyes. I personally handed her bouquet moments before the bridal party was to head off to the church, just minutes down the road.

All of the ladies looked like they were out of the pages of a bridal magazine, so pulled together, shoes, bags, make-up, jewelry tied in perfection with a bit of bohemian flair. A perfect reflection of the bride. I cued the photographer Kim Reilly that she had about eight minutes before my bride and her father were to head out in an vintage 1950's Rolls Royce. The white walls got me, reminds me a bit of white spats that the gents used to wear in the day. There is no other day in the world that riding in a classic car, then the wedding day. I was happy to get my bride and her dad into the car and headed to the church. Her picture above, in the back seat of the car is one of my favorites. You can see where Kara gets her sparkling eyes.

Kara's bouquet was a gorgeous mound of white Dutch hydrangea, english garden roses, anenomes in jewel tones and then as an over the top touch was studded with the most rare of orchids, the purple Macarra. As she and the bridal party headed off to the church to get married, I stayed behind at the Smith Compound to lay out the finishing details to the wedding. Kara and I had worked to find the perfect container that we could fill with sand and then place all of her hand lettered star fish place cards. In the end there was not a container that fit the style of the day. SO.....I put the sand right on to the table. I have never done this before and in the end I found it to be a really charming and innovative way to display your guest's seating. You can see that I also drew (picked) from the local landscape some fluffy heads of fall Hydrangea as the base to the look Along with an antique bird cage for cards and a placard of charitable donation, the entrance table seemed to delight guests. Like an adult sandbox.

I was being a bit neurotic and had the time so I had one of my assistants comb the beach shore for native shells. You can see that they are laid out at the front of the preppy and capey place card display.

I think that it is tough to describe how good purple and pink look with orange when it comes to flowers. I think that it is clear to see that with that Kara's choice of flowers not only does it hint at fall, but is hints at summer which is just weeks behind us. The bridal party made their way back to the compound and only had a few more photos to take before their official duties were done for the day and they too could hit the raw bar and enjoy a cocktail, or two, or three, four? How many did my tipsy groomsman have? I am not sure, but we barely made it through the formal photos with Kim before I had to call a wrap. They were over it and it showed. I know, it can be a bit of a pain in the butt. I knew that they had already gotten great shots and that it was time.

Kara and Adam look sublime out on the far end of the dock. The look of love is all over her face. I love this photo!!

The cake by Meredith at Artisan Kitchen in Rochester, MA was delightful. There seems to be a trend with the old fashioned dollopy look to the frosting. Kara wanted it, so we got it. It would have been a bit plain, but the flowers took it from off the rack to couture. I worked with Meredith and her assistant to arrange the bridesmaids bouquets at the base of this elegant cake. I also picked a few key blooms (macarra orchids) to apply to the cake as the final touches. It really was so pretty. AND TASTY!!! Yes I did have three pieces as I stood in the dark and watched all of the guests having a blast roaming around this dreamlike setting.

The band was made up of friends of the groom and was AWESOME! The rocked it old school and I was right in my element. I knew when they busted about with The Fresh Prince of Belle Air, Jazzy Jeff, and Michael Jackson that these guests were going to hit the dance floor hard. I managed to see some amazing thriller moves right up until a young lady really did hit the dance floor, hard. The party was over for her as she headed via ambulance to take care of a very nasty cut to her leg. She would be all right, bummer though. I always tell the bride and groom that these are the moments that make your wedding your own.

We got the fire pit going just as the sun was setting. By the time it did set, I had laid out the lovely hand cut luminary that one of the bridesmaids was so nice to have cut and cut and cut. Their spacing and being all lit is the key and here is the photo to prove it. It took a while for the wind to die down, but it did. The lines of luminary, of all things was the talk of the night. I overheard one of the guests proclaim that it was not really a wedding unless there were paper candles......maybe he is right.

So many details came together beautifully. Russ Morin and his catering team, as always did an amazing job with the food and the service. Thank you so much for putting aside a take home treat for me. I can believe that I forgot it in the fridge of the main house. Hey I am going to see you guys from Morin's this weekend at Eastover Farm in Rochester. I am sure that it will be another amazing night.

Congratulations Kara and Adam. I thought of you guys all day. Loved seeing my brides among your guests. Wonderful, chilly, fall cape cod night. Thank you for having me as part of your wedding. I will remember it always. Love, CMP

 

Kara and Adam | Captain Heman Smith House Weddings | Plum and Marine wedding colorway

 

I keep saying to myself that I am not going to publish my work without some sort of story to it. It is hard, but here I am taking a break in my busy creative day to launch this cute little couples design rendering for their wedding. The bride, who I know through her family (did her sister's wedding in a big storm a few years ago), told me that I did not have to take the time to do my traditional sketch for her wedding. It does help me and my staff execute and produce the designs that I have so carefully planned with my brides. My bride was pretty clear that she wanted an elegant wedding, on the shore, in a tent. While there is a lot of water here on the cape, there are few venues on the water with tented weddings. She was actually the one that came to me after finding the most amazing spot for her wedding at the Captain Heman Smith House in Eastham, Massachusetts. The site sits right on the water and has an amazing expanse of lawn which extends from the back of a historic Captain's house. I love the widows walk and can imagine the late Captain Heman Smith's wife nervously watching the sea to see if her husband would make it back......dangerous business out there on the water in those days, hence the widow in the widow's walk.

Taking hints from the sea I have worked with Kara and her groom adam to come up with both a seasonal and marine look using shades of the ocean and pops of bright white, purple and orange flowers. Of course there has to be Hydrangea being on the cape and all. I will fill in the low floral designs for the table top with David Austin Roses, Stock, Lisianthus, Dahlias and many other seasonally appropriate flowers. The flowers are just the beginging to the beautful details that will be laid out under a huge white tent. Tables dressed in crisp white cotton will have white glass chargers at all of the place settings along with a strie of blue napkins. Of course the tables will be fully set for this elegant buffet reception. I can't stand just a napkin on the table.

With the tables all set, we will be ready to turn it over to the very talented hands of my good friend and partner Russ Morin of Morin's fine catering. I am always flattered that he, himself shows up and works right beside, getting the catering job done, in style of course. The menu will be divine. Adam, the groom works within the food service business and he has used his leverage to procure amazing steaks and seafood for his wedding. With Russ and his talented staff on the scene, I am not worried at all about the catering details and I can hardly wait for the smell of yummy grilled steaks to fill the air.

This wedding is tomorrow and the weekend looks like it is going to be the quintessential New England fall day. Perfect day to gussy up a bit and to celebrate and Oh Boy these guests will do just that. Congratulations Kara and Adam. We are going to have an awesome day tomorrow!!! My best and Love, CMP

Amy and Nick | South Coast Waterfront Tented Wedding

Photography: Chad Michael Peters

Venue: Private Beach Association, Marion, MA

Planning and Coordination : Bride and Groom along with consultations from CMP

Flowers and Decor : Chad Michael Peters

Tenting: Sperry Tents

Rentals: Chase Canopy

Linens: Chad Michael Peters

Food: Matt's Blackboard

Wedding Stationery: Bride and Groom DIY Project

Wooden Cupcake Stand: Custom Made by the Groom

Entertainment by: Rebecca Correira

Bay Club Mattapoisett Member Welcome Party | Champagne Theme

I have been a friend to The Bay Club and it members in Mattapoisett for nearly ten years now. It all started with their grand opening party filled with so many fabulous details. They still talk about it to this day. Over the years we have worked together to provide five star service to our members and friends. It is a relationship that just works. I have always loved the club and what they have done out there in the woods of Mattapoisett.

Each year we welcome new members to the club with a casual party to showcase the food and fun social scene that the club is known for. Of course they are also known for their Brad Faxon award winning golf course......Trust me, I like the social scene so much better. However, I can hold my own on the course. I level off with two tequilas and get better and better with every beer that I drink. My stories on the course are worth the round alone.

This year Champagne was the theme for our party. Not only did we bust out some fabulous vintage champagnes, we also served cocktails laced with the bubbly libation. For decor, I brought in my friends from Ten 31 Productions for their human golf statue. I have used them before for a wow and each time they deliver far beyond what I could imagine. The human statue was the hit of the party!!! Of course the flowers and other decor looked great and I got a ton of compliments, which I am always grateful for. I got a moment to chill and chat with my fun and fabulous friends from the club. But alas, all too soon the moment came when I had to tuck my head in for the night as two weddings called for the next day.

Thank you Bay Club. Our friendship is something that I cherish, the friends I have made, I adore. I look forward to many more. My best and love always, CMP