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

J & G | Art Deco Inspired Wedding at The Four Season's Boston

The night of a wedding always seems to me like a runway fashion show. Of course, the star is always the bride, typically in white, veil, amazing flowers and accessories that complete the fantasy fashion look. My bride Jolie comes from a family that has built its business reputation working with the elite of the high end world of jewelry and accessories. They have worked at the manufacturing and production with such design luminaries as Jay Strongwater and Judith Leiber, both designers noted for their amazing use of crystals and gems. Can you say sparkle?

It was so many years ago now that I received a gift a small jewel encrusted frame with the mark of Jay Strongwater. I adore it and it sits among my miniature collectables gathered through my years here on this earth. I covet these little things, they bring me joy and always bring back the memory of the special time that they were collected.

Who would have guessed that my bride and her family produce these fabulous little things? It is a small world.

My bride had a very clear visionas to what inspired her and what she wanted her event and the details within to look and feel like. The sleek feel of art deco nuances were always on our minds. We all wanted cohesion, exuberance but both with a sense of restraint. We started on the journey together and together we remained through out. AMAZING!! to say the very least.

Each detail of the wedding was thoughtful and reflected the bride perfectly. She looked amazing in her Priscilla of Boston beaded and embellished gown. She even wore a blusher, which I personally love. Thank god I was with her just as she was about to head down the aisle. She had both parts of the veil over her lovely face. God, you could hardly see the poor thing. We fixed that and fluffed her up.

She took that feather trimmed red bouquet and worked it so beautifully as the star of my little design show. Perfection among the details.

There are so many people involved in a haute couture event such as this. I just have to list some of my favorites and let them know how much I appreciated their commitment to five star excellence.

Philip Dechamps of The Four Season's Hotel. Merci, Merci. Hats of to you and your amazing staff.

Dave Lebeau of Lightworks Productions, our exclusive lighting partner.

Kelli at A'Deux Bespoke Bridal Paper

Jenny at Jenny's Wedding Cake

Larry Chan for his amazing work on the Calla Lilly backdrops that you see within the photos

Table Toppers of Newton

Ali @ Peterson's Party Rental

Jay Strongwater frames and accessories

Judith Leiber, ladies bags

Baccarat Crystal: Bride and Groom Toasting Flutes

Nightshift, for rocking the house!!!

and of course the many, many hands and creative minds that make up my creative team here at CMP. As always, you guys rise to the occasion to help me produce what my minds eye sees. For this I am more thankful than you could imagine.

Take a moment to watch the video that I put together to catch a glimpse of all the beautiful details. They will never do it justice. The magic of the evening will always be shared by a small group of people who helped to celebrate this magnificent wedding. Mazel Tov Jolie and Gio. Congratulations and much love always, CMP

Person and Killian Industry Party | Winter Wonderland Theme Floral Decor

As I look out the window of my office, there is about two feet of snow on the ground. I am feeling a bit of cabin fever setting in now that the holidays are over and the weather keeps us in the house. I LOVE having something on my calendar to look forward to. When I got the call from Lauren and Jill of Person + Killian Photography, asking if I would "do" the flowers for their annual industry soiree, I was, as always honored. If you have read my style blog over the past couple of years, you will know that Lauren and I are BFF's. She also happens to be 1/2 of a world class photography duo. We have worked together many, many times. Not because they are my friends, but because their work to me is nothing short of divine. I love the glossy, fashion edge and rich digitally saturated color that has been their namesake look.

Of course, we love to party. Last year I was lucky enough to create a floral showstopper in the Person + Killian signature red. This year, the official planner of the party, Amy Kimball of Amy Kimball Events has designed a Winter Wonderland themed party. I can see it now, clear chairs and slick white furniture along with stunning linens from Rentals Unlimited all in shades of stainless steel and many shades of grey, white, and blue. As I do for most of my projects, I have put together this sketch to show the style, scale, color and details to the fresh florals  that will be the finishing touches to the winter wonderland look that Amy has envisioned.

This year the party is taking place at The Boston Public Library. The grand architecture will serve as an awesome backdrop to all of these "cool" details. I am going to find a white cashmere sweater to wear with my fur hat. I can hardly wait!!

Congratulations Person + Killian on another amazing year at the top of the Boston Bridal circuit. I look forward to celebrating your success.

 

Lucy and Logan | Boston Public Library Weddings | Summer Floral Designs

When I think about flowers for a wedding, I first off want to know what the bride is wearing and where she and her guests will celebrate. The dress, IN the setting of course defines the look. Lucy is a chic and stylish Back Bay Bostonian who lives blocks from The Boston Public Library, one of the city's great architectural treasures. Designed by the famous firm, McKim, Mead and White, this majestic building with loads of classical detailing is a national treasure.  Anyone who is lucky enough to celebrate within the hallowed halls should count themselves as lucky and part of history.

The main hall of the library serves as the area where guests are typically served dinner. Rows of hand carved tables flank the long room with militaristic precision and the graceful balance of proportion that is the very definition of the architecture of Mc Kim, Mead and White's. Of course when you in a setting such as this, you must have not only good, but great food. The Boston Public Library has made a special arrangement with the incredible catering firm of A Catered Affair to provide food and beverage service at the venue. I think about the different elements of the room when I am decorating them. There are classic sets of emerald shaded library lights which are on each of the tables. It would be a mistake not to use the elegant and oh so now color as an accent to the bright and sophisticated summer palette of colorful flowers that Lucy and I are planning for the wedding.

Linens and decorative elements are also a bit of a challenge in this historic place. We are planning to place a classic gold beaded charger at each of the place settings with perhaps a lovely green napkin. I think that these linen and decor rentals from my collections will look fantastic with the flowers, the catering team's crisp white china and the setting as a whole.

I can hardly wait to see the belle of the ball, Lucy in her stunning couture gown. I am not showing it here. Instead taking a cue from it , I have been inspired and designed what I think Lucy would wear on her wedding. I know that we are creating a very special setting for Lucy, her groom Logan and the entire clan of families that will be with them on the night of their wedding. When the guests move from the grand hall of the dining room up the grand stair case they will party to the sounds of a live band in a softly lit room. Lighting is key in this setting as it is filled with old world paintings and can be dark unless lit with a collection of LED lights......I always have to keep in mind, no candles at the BPL. No worries, we will give em' a wow with flowers and the lighting, they will never even stop to think about candles.

Congratulations Lucy and Logan. I am flattered to be involved, to consider you both friends and to share in this very special time of your lives.

.

Boston Weddings launch party at The Boston Public Library

I don't go to many industry social events, I guess that I should, I always have fun. Believe it or not, sometimes I would rather just be home watching the Real Houswives. I get invited to all sorts of parties, I am flattered of course and try to make it to some of my favorites. Of course, Boston Magazine is always at the top of my social calendar list. The are the epitome of good taste and showcases from the bridal world here in Boston. There is always something new, fresh and exciting. When the most recent edition came to my office, I flipped right open to the page showing photos from the launch party of the magazine, which I was lucky enough to be invited to and to attend. It was an AMAZING night of bridal fashion, yummy food and catching up with some of my besties in the biz. How fun that I am pictured with Lauren Killian of Person + Killian Photography ! Loved seeing my friends DJ Raffi, Donna Garlough and Danielle of the magazine while I nibbled the BEST, the very BEST cake from my gal pal, Jenny from Jenny's wedding cakes.

I got to meet a lot of new people that night as we wound down with a final sip of champagne at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, which is right across the street from the Boston Public Library. My favorite introduction being to none other than the very talented Kelli Parker of à deux : bespoke bridal paper. It was nice to see you all that night. Even nicer to see on the glossy pages of Boston Weddings.

Praez does peacock inspired invitation with Chad Michael Peters

 

Peacock feathers like anything else can provide a inspiration to a party or a wedding celebration. Here my partners at Praez Occasions and I worked together to create this wonderful peacock inspired invitation to a wedding that is coming up in three weeks. You ask why are the invitations going out so close to the wedding? Well, a couple a weeks ago when my brides flew into town to meet with me and to discuss their wedding, we all decided that their original plan of having a wedding in Provincetown was crazy. It  is way too cold to head down to Provincetown to throw a destination wedding in February.

No worries for me, my dreamteam can pull off anything under anytime frame. We all bravely marched through zero degree weather through the streets of Boston until we got to one of my favorite new hip spots in the city to throw a party, The W Hotel. I saw the look on their faces right away and knew that this hotspot in the city would be where we would host the wedding.

So, when you change your plans, you gotta change a lot of other things too. No worries, given that this is a small wedding and everyone in the wedding party is already booked to come. I am so happy in the end that we made the changes that we did to throw the wedding in Boston. This peacock inspired wedding is going to be enchanting. Wait until you see what I have up my sleeve. 

A special thanks to my personal friends and business colleuges, Zeb and Rae at Praez Occasions, who hand delivered this amazing printed art to my doorstep. Once again we have worked together to bring world class to these invitations. My brides are lucky that you are part of the mix. We are going places and I am enjoying the ride. Cheers Ladies!!