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.

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.