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 | 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

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

Ashley and Mike | Fall wedding at The Chatham Bars Inn | Sherbert and Sky Colorway

 

There is an art to planning a wedding. We want to make sure that we review and design every detail. They must coordinate, have a conversation with one another. But not match. That is just too easy. I remember one of the first weddings that I ever went to. There were tons and tons of flowers, however, each arrangement that I saw as a guest was exactly the same as the one that I just saw. Bouquets, the church, cocktails and the reception. All just the same. Boring.

Each element of the wedding day should allow expression of the bride, groom and their families. It is this understanding that allows to work with our clients, often over the course of years to plan some of the most extraordinary events both here on the east coast but often in far away places such as Las Vegas, Washington D. C. or even as most recent Bermuda.

It is so important the details not only reflect the bride and her family but look appropriate to the setting that they are in. Big city flashy looks odd along the sand dunes of The Chatham Bars Inn and vice versa. I never get sick of that hotel, how could you. (high voice) FAAAAAbulous!!

I am lucky again to be working with Ashley and her family to plan her fall wedding. Most brides want to be married on the great south lawn of the property. But at this time of the year the leaves start to turn and the cool of the season sets in. So, we decided to create an intimate setting within a separate building on the property's sprawling grounds. The bride, who I (high voice) AAAAdore!! and I have chosen a soft white, cream, green and soft apricot color way for the ceremony decor. From there, deep greens and rich apricots will look (high voice) AMMMMaaazing in the South Lounge of the resort's main building.

For dinner, we take it to the next level with soft linens in shades of Ocean Steel. The linens and decorative elements to the dinner tables will provide a neutral and sophisticated palete to the exhuberent displays of seasonal flowers highlighting luxurious orchids as a final touch.

Each time I meet with Ashley, her groom Mike and their family. We have a blast. Ashley's mom and I share a special bond since we, together first shared a glimpse of Ashley's amazing, couture wedding day look. I know there will be tears on the wedding day, they are brimming already as I write this story. I think Ashley's dad looks at me like I am Frunk from " Father of the bride". I can also tell he knows that he, his daughter and their guests are in very good hands with me. I always enjoy seeing them all.

We are kicking butt and taking names in the planning process. AND my bride passed the bar, YEAH!!!! We are set to check off the rest. I will keep you filled in, you know I will.

Congratulations Ashley and Mike.

 

Shades of Melon

 

When one of my BFF's from high school called me to help with her wedding, I was flattered and so excited to see her again. I also knew Jill's best friends from our high school would be in the wedding and that I would have a chance to be among so many crazy friends.

Jill chose the soft and summery shades of cantaloupe and honey due melon as the cue for her wedding. I worked with her to scale back her budget for fresh flowers and to add soft, shimmery linens to hide the hideous chairs and to drape the tables. In the end I think that the look is so clean, pretty and fresh.

Congratulations Jill and Chuck. And to all my ORR peeps that I cut a rug with that night great to see you all ! My best and love guys !

Many thanks to Imagemakers for their awesome photography of this special day. For a link to view the rest this wedding please click here.