ORR Class of 1990 Reunion | Black, White and Red Fun Party Details

It is so hard to believe that it has been twenty years since I graduated from High School. Judging by the grey that has crept into my beard, I guess that it is true. When my class president, Christine called to ask me to sit on the reuion comittee it was an easy decision to say yes. My besties from high school were sitting with me, so I knew that there would be many meetings filled with laughter, chatter, wine and yes perhaps a bit of discussion on the party that we were in charge of throwing for our class of 1990 from Old Rochester Regional High School, GO BULLDOGS!!

As all of us southcoasters know there are not a lot of venues to throw a party here. There has been a bit of a renissance in New Bedford with many new restaraunts and hotels opening along our famed waterfront. The perfect choice for us was the Waterfront Grille. There is a private room upstairs which was perfect for the 70 or so guests that we were expecting. The view is fantastic, the working waterfront of New Bedford filled with many boats all bobbing back and forth.

We all had our tasks of course, but my best friend Tena and I got to work on the creative details. Her craftiness was evident in the favors that were prepared for the partygoers and our fellow classmates. She culled a collection of the top ten hits from the year that we graduated. She then packaged them into glittery grey CD cases, stamped with a modern 20 and then trimmed them with the perfect ORR red ribbon. I am still jamming to the tunes in my car.........ICE, ICE, Baby, by Vanilla being one of my personal favorites, tied with both Mariah Carey numbers that make their appearance on this very cool party favor.

My challenge in the decor was how do you make red and white look cool? Of course, my signature black snuck its way right into the party. From my company's collection of linens, I chose a fantastic black and white swirl and paisley design in satin. It was the perfect POP to the party and made all of the red accents look so chic. I filled the party with red light from my lighting collection which set the mood. It always so much easier to drink wine when you have lots of candles and mood lighting right?

I thought that my friend Gerry was crazy to drive all the way to Mashpee, Mass to get the cupcakes that we were going to serve at the party. Cupcake Charlies, she exclaimed were the very best. Old school design, but made with the best ingredients. We just had to have them. I admit I was totally sceptical. When I took my first bite, I knew that I was going to eat crow, and many more of these totally DELISH, treats. If you are throwing a party, I suggest you make your way there, totally worth it!!

The absolute highlight to the party was the magnificent old school candy bar that we made for the party. Tena and I hit it hard, culling and culling to make sure that each of our choices for the display met not only our yummy standards but fit into the color way of the party. The candy bar lay still for the first couple of hours to the party. Then when the happy buzz of wine set in, our classmates hit that candy like locusts. I was happy that they were. I knew that every Swedish fish in their bags would be one less that I would eat after the party.

The evening was perfect. We paid tribute to the classmates that we have lost with elegant black and white photos along with flowers and candles on the mantle. They looked down on us all night as we laughed, chatted and reminisced about the twenty years that had passed since we were last together. I got a message from a friend the next morning that pretty much summed it up for all of us. "We shined last night, like we always did as the class of 1990"

Erika and Mark | State Room Weddings | Photography by Person and Killian

 

Pulling off a floral extravaganza takes many, many hands. The fact that I did not have to think about my camera this past weekend as we worked like crazy to pull together this melange of floral color made me eccstatic. The photography was in the hands of Jill from Person + Killian. Knowing that she was on the other end of the lense gave me such ease and I could hardly wait to see her photography after the event was over.  This morning as I opened a zip file from Jill, I was left as I always am when looking at P + K photography, breathless and yes I admit a tear in my eye reflecting back a week ago to this amazing wedding.

The design process of my creative firm is mostly the same with every bride. It starts with discussion and the bride giving me inspiration through her throughts and images that she has gathered. From there, I get to work pulling the things that a bride likes from her images to come up with an an original design. My sketches of weddings give brides a very real look as to what the color and the scale will be to their wedding details. From there, once we have worked on the sketch we are able to go live. When Erika came in for her live demo, she loved how we pulled together a modern and romantic feel with the flowers. She asked if I could change up the color of the flowers a bit and add some purple and eggplant to the colorwary. This was such an easy request. In the end I am happy that she did request this. The pops of bright color, especially against the plum bridesmaids dresses was sensational.

As I look through all of the photos, it is her bouquet that I fall in love with so easily. The heady scent of gardenia is always a hit and I filled her bouquet with it. For a touch of sophisticated Asian flair, I added phaleonopsis orchids to the bouquet. I thought that it complemented the stunning looks of the bride perfectly.

In the busy flurry of the day in the big city, I loved that I got a moment to chat with the bride moments before the ceremony was to begin. I scooted into the limo next to her and she and I shared a special moment of fun chatting about her bouquet and the lovely David Yurman, purple amethst earings that her fiance had surpsied her with that morning.

I designed the flowers so we could put on a lovely display at the church and because we had a few extra hours between the ceremony and the reception at The State Room. I sent a team back to the church to pick up the flowers and to bring them to the State Room where they would be put on display for the guests. After Hauling up the flowers, linens, candles and many other details to the wedding we got organized and got ready to bust a move. No easy task with loads of staff and the bands sound check. As the band hammered out old school AC/DC, we got to work dressing up The State room. I loved how the three different designs perfectly complemented each other and filled the space and always brought your eye to the best feature of the State Room, the view.

Over the years I have built a company that can pretty much offer the best from the world of wedding design. The linens from my own rental company were lovely in a crushed ivory shimmer with an ivory bridal satin napkin looked really elegant. There is such a huge difference between ivory cotton and the more glamorous fabrics that we can provide for party table tops. I am glad that I brought this idea to idea to the bride at the demo. The linens and platinum gold chargers were the perfect palette to showcase the printed details.

The menus and table numbers from my partner Kelli at à deux: bespoke bridal paper looked modern and provided just the right pop of color to the tables. The bride and groom had asked for a something a little different with the table numbers and the menus that were to be at each place setting. I thought that adding a layered effect, white on plum, would not only provide a pop at the table, but would further tie in the brides request to add subtle nuances of color through the wedding. 

I am never anxious to see the cake arrive at the venue, especially when it is in the hands of Jennifer Williamson, from Jenny's cakes. She has been able to interpret my designs in such an incredible way. I am glad that the bride, Jenny and myself decided to add the circular detail to the cake but not to do it in the purple as I had drawn. I love how the flowers almost steal the show, just until you see two adorable french bulldog bride and groom cake toppers. Way too cute. I love the family dog made it to the wedding and then was artistically represented on top of the cake. Woof!

Lucy & Greg | Fairmont Copley Plaza Weddings

Their wedding was only three days ago, and I miss Lucy and Greg already. There is always a time of reflection for me as I look out on to the dance floor at the bride swirling in a sea of fun. I know that our time together is coming to an end, in this capacity anyway. I have made hundreds of friends with my brides over the years. And oh yes, I have made many BFF's  with my merry bridal parties that I get to know too!

This past Saturday night at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston was AMAZING! First let me start with a white gloved high five to all of the staff at the hotel. I am getting a little misty guys thinking of the high a level of gracious service that was given to the bride and groom's guests. The food, ba da bing! Forget about it, of the charts yummy. I was most impressed when a selection of entrees was prepared for me, not only to eat, but to double check the plate designs that were to be presented to the guests. Who does stuff like that? The Fairmont Copley Plaza does and I love it !

I have worked with Lucy and Greg over the past year or so in planning not only her wedding but her over the top bridal shower. She and I get each other and we worked so well going over all the details to her amazing bridal bling wedding. I too,  got to know the entire family and when I say entire, I mean ENTIRE. There were brothers and cousins and sister in- laws and nieces and uncles that all came to bits and pieces of the bridal planning process. It was always a laugh as we worked through the endless list of pretty details that go into a wedding as you see in the photos.

The family is Italian many of them speak English but many don't, including the feisty Mama de la brida, I love her. Old School, enough said. She was always very sweet to me and funny. I give her a lot of props for the life that she has lived and to be such a glamorous moment. I adored her broken English comment to me when she said, " I don't just want to dance with you Shad, I want to dance with you twice." In that moment we very well could have been Sophia Lauren and Omar Sharif. She wouldn't give it out then, but I will continue to haunt her for the recipe of La Torta de La Nona Piazza, a delicious home made lemon, melt in your mouth, covered in powdered sugar, piece of heaven that was served to the guests after their six course dinner, and espresso and an amazing Candy Bar. Those Italians put the E in eat. Yummy!

The wedding was a sea of amazing details from a to z. The highlights being the thousands of hand opened south American roses in five shades of Ivory, gloriously mounded into crystal vases. The calla lilies, served as the focal point to the cocktail portion of the party. The groom liked Callas, the bride Roses, hence our design. The calla for me also gave a poetic nod to the over the top wedding that I worked on for the National Production of "Hitched or Ditched", a saucy reality show that was shot about a year ago. Lucy, the bride saw this wedding, saw me, and called. The life of a wedding designer and planner, full circle.

I know that the next time I see Lucy and Greg it will be in the mist of some family joy and I look forward to it wholeheartedly. In weddings such as this, there is always a little piece of me left behind in the memories and the pictures. I can assure you Lucy and Greg that there is assuredly a bit of both of you in my heart. Kisses on both cheeks, three times to both of you. My love and Congratulations, Always, CMP

P.S. Please don't post pictures of me doing the Soul Train Dance, ah go ahead, it was a party. CIAO! Bona Sera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christie and Brad | Samoset Inn Weddings | CMP for Elegance and Grace Weddings

I met Andy Delucia, of Elegance and Grace Weddings over the phone. In that first phone call, I knew that she and I would hit it off and that working together to design the wedding that she was planning for our bride, Christie would be challenging, fun and would result in an incredible day. It was just that.

We worked together for almost a year to design floral details and decor that would perfectly match the vision that our bride had for her once in a lifetime day. We went back and forth with regard to color and how to best showcase the setting in an upscale and sophisticated way. I am happy that as part of my design process with the client includes both sketching and setting up a demo day so the bride has a chance to get as much of a real vision as possible as to what her day will look like. The tone on tone, pale taupey grey linens were a perfect showcase to the overblown blooms arranged in silver mint julip cups and mercury glass. Some of the tables had one style of arrangement and others had clusters of vases and candles sweetly arranged. The pale butter ivory roses, blown open by hand to look as if their petals are opening up in the sun of a garden, were stunning mixed in with the other pale flowers and luscisous blue hydrangea.

The days leading into the wedding were almost a round the clock production as so many details to a wedding have to get done the week of it. We headed out from my studio at five in the morning on the day of the wedding with our van jam packed with pretty. We arrived an hour earlier than we had planned, which gave us a rare treat of extra time to unload and arrange to prepare to execute this lovely wedding design.

Andy, of Elegance and Grace weddings had things well under control on the grounds of The Samoset Inn. Having had the tents set up the day before.  The lovely tent from Sperry was incomparable in it's details. The hand hewn poles varnished to a gleaming Mahogany and billowing flags high atop its architectural peaks, provided an impeccable palette of protection and taste to host this wedding.

We finished everything and then some laying out floral details, candles, lighting details and helping to futz and putz with linens and placement to make sure we got rave reviews from our guests. I knew that magic was in the making, when the mother of the bride came to visit us under the tent after spending the early afternoon entertaining guests around the sparkling pool of the resort. She choked up right away when she saw our plan coming to fruition. She smiled and wiped away a tear and told us that the bride was sure to be overwhelmed with the work that we had done.

And then there was that moment of perfection, when the candles are lit and I look around and even I find it hard to believe that this is all real. Just too pretty, just too perfect. Andy came back to the tent, pretty as a picture in her own change of outfit for the evening. I was too happy at that point to turn over the reigns of this party to her. I could picture how gorgeous the bride would be be in her Vera Wang gown against the picturesque backdrop of The Samoset Inn.

I purposely did not publish a picture of the bride and her groom wanting to give an opportunity to the official photographer to do her thing. She knows that I love to get a glimpse of the photos early so I can share them with you. In the days to come, I so look forward to showcasing her work and showing off this gorgeous bride and her family. Until then, enjoy the details of this lovely wedding. The bride, trust me, is worth the wait.

Erika & Mark | State Street Weddings | Floral and Decor Designs

I draw my sketches, not so I can see what something is going to look like. I already see it in my mind's eye. To have this talent and to use it as a tool, I have realized really helps a bride see how all of the details, their scale and color will come together for the over all look of her wedding. I had done the demo of flowers and details for the bride this past Satuday and was happy to make some adjustments to the design so it would be perfect in her eyes.

I had done her demo all in whites, and she had requested a touch of eggplant and deep pink within the flowers. The sketch helps show how this nuance of color will work at Erika and Mark's State Room wedding to be held in a couple of weeks. I love that she had me do this. The bride has asked me to come up with some ideas for the cake design which will be made by the talented hands of Jenny Williamson from Jenny's cakes. She and I had a chance to chat over the cake design late yestarday and she and I both agree that the modern circular motif to the cake design is cool, but it would look so much more sophisticated done in a tone on tone pale ivory fondant cake with a pale ivory motif and just the fresh flowers to be displayed in bright and bold color. I sent a a link of this sketch to the bride last night, she agreed to, loved the addition of a bit of color to our all white motif and basically we are locked and loaded ready to go. 

B & W Wedding Portraits | Regatta Place Weddings | Photography by Genevieve de Manio

 

I have loved the photography of Genevieve de Manio for as long as I can remember. I think that it was a gorgeous mound of white flowers being held by the bride in the first photo that I saw of hers. They way that the soft and subtle nuances of the flowers were dappled with light captivated me. I had been so wanting to work with her, so I was thrilled when I called to inquire about her services for my lovely princess bride, Kim and she said yes!! Yeah. Her work on the wedding held at the luxurious Regatta Place in Newport was gorgeous. She captured the rich and vibrant color of the decor and the flowers in a most perfect way. Of course, the photos of the bride and the groom were heartfelt, I could actually feel the love.

Never in a million years did I have any idea that this photographer was on the brink of world famous. In the two weeks that followed Kim's wedding, I woke early on a Sunday morning to read about Chelsea Clinton's wedding. I was thrilled to see Gigi, stretched out in one of the photos, strapped with cameras and capturing the most famous wedding of recent times. How thrilled I was for her to be the official photographer to the Clinton wedding and to have her worked published all over the world. Of course, that meant that my bride Kim's wedding went to the next level too. There are not that many gals that can say they had the same photographer as Chelsea Clinton right?

I think that it is fitting to leave you here with these four Black and white wedding portraits of Kim and her Groom, Brendan. Their smiles and the elegance of the setting along the shores of Newport Rhode Island tell the whole story to this wedding. There is no need for color here, the photos are clearly the color of love. Many thanks to Genevieve de Manio for working with me on this Regatta Place Wedding, your photography is gorgeous. I so look forward to the honor of working with you again.

I thought that I would include this great clip from E Entertainment about Chelseas wedding so you would have a chance to see the still shots done by Gigi. Click the Arrow to play.

 

To learn more about the many fabulous photographers that I work with please visit by chad michael peters photography services.

 

 

State Room Weddings | Boston Wedding Flowers and Decor

The view from the State Room at 60 State Street in Boston is without question one of the very best, if not THE best in the city. This wonderful wedding venue is sleek, slick and sophisticated and is the perfect place for my bride Erika and her groom and their families to celebrate the big day. I had a chance to have Erika and her fiance to my studio this past Saturday for a sneek peek at their wedding decor. We had long planned to do flowers for the wedding, but in the weeks leading up to the big day we decided to add some other fun design elements such as chargers and place setting decor along with a MUST, lighting. 

The demo day also allows me to make changes and adjustments according to the brides wishes. I want the process to be custom, so when the bride asked for a touch of eggplant paper and trim on the menus and if they could be done as ovals or perhaps round, I knew my print partners would be able to take my inspiration and create the perfect detail at the place setting. We also discussed adding some hints of color through the flowers in deep pinks and purples and the bride specifically asked for the flowers on the cake to be bright and bold. These are fun and easy requests and of course I am happy to make my bride happy.

Once we have the room filled with gorgeous mounds of summer white flowers including Hydrangea, Roses, Casablanca Lillies, mini callas and the star of the show, Phaleonopsis orchids, me and my team will lay out floating candles and votive candles  trimmed in crisp white and ivory and then shine spot lights on to each one of the arrangements to give them a special glowing presence within the room. The stunned smile on the bride and grooms face told the whole story. If they were a bit overwhelmed by the beauty of a single table top, I do believe that they might just freak out when they see the State Room dressed to the nines.

I can hardly wait to post the photography from Person + Killian !!!

Chatham Bars Inn Weddings | Laura and Bob | The Tasting

What a whirlwind of a weekend, every minute marked by the best weather of the year yet. Today I met up with Lauren from Person and Killian Photography for a fun filled day of wedding activities with my bride, her mom and charming fiance. Lauren took the couple out for their engagement photography. She had an incredible day at the Cape's very best five star hotel, The Chatham Bars Inn. I sent Lauren and my bride and groom out to have fun while I worked with the staff of the hotel to give our client an experience in the process of planning her wedding, that she would never forget.

First, I felt ultra special to have the entire grand ballroom of the hotel and a special table (the same exact table where my husband and I celebrate our anniversary every year) as a private getaway tasting lunch at this my favorite of all hotels in the world. How can you not fall in love with the charming and devoted staff and the timeless elegance and class of this tony hotel and resort? The table and presentation sideboard laid with an eclectic and controlled mix of glass, crystal and antique silver trays was the perfect backdrop to the THREE tasting cakes that the pastry chef of the hotel specially prepared for the day. My bride wants to skip the cake, but I beg, please, please the raspberry cake is DIVINE. Bobby and I hold a majority now, and I think I might just be able to sway my lovely lunch date, the boss and mother of the bride. Of course, we must serve the highlight of my lunch the lemon doughnuts with sage sugar and blue berry  coulis. Every morsel, every presentation, every sip of wine was thoughtful and perfectly presented and prepared. Even I am totally and completely impressed. Chatham Bars Inn job well done!!

We ended our tasting and Bob and I escorted our dates across the beach and to the south lawn of the property and discussed many other details for the wedding. Champagne glasses in hand and a warm glow of the day capped off for me, a new level in five star wedding planning. 

A very special thank you to my friend Lauren Killian of Person and Killian Photography for capturing these elegant details. I love keeping my camera in it's case and anxiously awaiting to see your glorious perspective. Of course you never disappoint and continue to amaze and inspire me with your photography. To Rentals Unlimited for their continued commitment to my work and their undying support in the course of this journey that I am on. To my husband for getting up a four this morning to get me the exact flowers I wanted, to my friend and personal assistant for the day, Missy who was delighted with the bride's invitation to share in the day as an official cake and champagne taster. She deserved it after getting her hustle on all day long.

I look forward to working toward an absolute perfect day for my bride and her family.

 

Wequassett Weddings | Maria & Jim

 

Last night, with weather from the gods, my bride Maria was married to Jim at the posh Wequassett Inn and Resort inn Chatham, Massachusetts. Defining "Cape Cod" luxury this boutique resort sits on the beach and has about one of the best views and backdrops to celebrations anywhere on the Cape, or in the world for that matter. The bride and groom looked as if they had stepped off of the pages of Town and Country Magazine. She in vintage beaded couture ball gown with an elegant silhouette and train. The bride carried a world class bouquet fluffy and softly scented peony and the rarest of the rare, Japanese sweat pea. She was radiant and conjured up images of timeless elegance, romance and Grace.The groom was not too shabby himself. He and I had a chance to get to know each other when, as part of my work, I accompanied him to shop for his wedding attire. His classic Armani suit and the new shirt, and melon tie perfectly complemented his strawberry blond hair and ice blue eyes.

Maria and I worked for some time in the planning of this wedding. She has excellent taste so it was easy for us to banter over ideas. She first came to me with a motif of "Modern Birds of  Feather Flock Together". The simple nods to this design esthetic come together to form a sophisticated wedding palette. Of course this is only possible with many, many details coming together in a symphony. The flowers were the chatter of the wedding. Their bold color and sophisticated design looked unbelievable against the stunning ocean blue backdrop of The Wequassett.

Every wedding that I have ever worked on is so much more work that I ever expected it to be. I am always prepared for that and love that adreniline rush as we push to the close of my work. The candles are lit, the tables perfectly set and the scent of heavenly flowers fills the air. There is that magical moment when the fire of a party takes off and last night was no exception. The bride and groom's entrance was enchanting as the swirled and dipped around the dance floor with Gene Kelley and Ginger Rogers flair and it was this moment with the crowds roaring cheer and effusive praise of the wedding, that it was time for me to slip into the background and begin to think about what I would write and what photo I would publish. Of course, Maria in her gown, with the bouquet and feather in her hair would be "my" cover shot. Are you kidding me? GORGEOUS!!!! I worked until midnight to get these photos first, to my bride as a special way to remember her day and our work together.

Maria and Jim, I will always remember your wedding. Of course, we will be friends for life. Congratulations!

A very special thanks to my friend Jenny Williamson, from Jenny's cakes. Collaborating with her is always a thrill and her work is always impeccable. The sugar paste birds in the branches, I can see in many magazines. It is about the cutest cake "topper" that I have seen. Thank you Jenny. It was nice to see you, as always.