Happy Valentine's Day from CMP

Do you love pink ? I do for sure. I am working on the final details to a springtime wedding in Bermuda so I can't get the thought of that incredible pink sand out of my mind. And well, yes it is Valentine's For those of you who follow my web site and work, you know that I like to change up the look of my house, my web site and my overall digital presence. Yesterday as I sat and relaxed in my chill clothes, it hit me that Valentine's Day would be the perfect day to launch a new digital look. You know that I love to use my own photography or my own sketches as a base of design. What started as a simple little pencil drawing of flowers in a vase, came to life as what you see through my company's web presence.

The color of the flowers that I chose in the sketch are bright and happy, melons, deep preppy pinks and touches of tangerine and chartreuse, they are drawn arranged in a little beaded mint julip cup, (New Orleans Accent)" they are one of my signature vases." A bride and friend of mine, Lucy, sent me an inspiration blog post with just about the same tones of color. I thought that it was a perfect choice for her summer wedding and my winter web showcase.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone. Love the one you love a little more. Muuaahh!!!, CMP

Pencil Fashion Drawings and Wedding Designs

While I was in Jamaica last year I spent a lot of time sitting inside either waiting for the rain to stop or for the sunburn to calm down a bit before I headed back to the beach.

We only had four TV stations most of which were broadcast in Spanish from Miami. I took the time to think and to espcape to my sketchpad.

As most of my sketches evolve and had additional layers. I like the simplicity of the lines done in pencil that you see here.

 

 

 

 

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.

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Jolie and Giovanni | Four Season's Weddings | Old Hollywood Inspiration

As the New Year starts out, I have begun to get a sense of peace and excitement about the creative projects that I will be lucky enough to work on as the year progresses. Of course, my team and I  will be swirling around the best hotels in New England making pretty happen as we plan and design weddings. One of my favorite hotels, The Four Season's Boston will be the backdrop to a magnificent affair and wedding of my bride Jolie. She comes from a family that knows good things and understands quality and the process of couture. When Jolie first called me and hired me to plan and design her wedding, thoughts of Ginger Rogers swirled around in my head. I love Old Hollywood as an inspiration to a wedding. Black and white is always a crisp and stunning backdrop to the pops of red and embellishments of gold that will make up the design elements. As a special and unexpected touch, we will lay a wonderful black and white dance floor that nods to the old school looks that you might have found in the Stork Club in NYC during the 20's and 30's.

There are so many details to this wedding that there will be a second sketch showing the ceremony and the wonderful chuppah that we will create. Until then, enjoy this wonderful display of Old Hollywood Style with pops of red and gold.

Congratulations Jolie and Giovanni on your engagement. I am excited and grateful to be working with you both.

Christmas Inspiration | Decking the Halls, CMP Digital Style

I have built this web presence for my company over many years. I use my wide array of creative skill sets to put together a unique creative and marketing experience for my clients, customers and readers.  I am always trying to push the envelope, to develop different things and to give those of you who come to see what I am up to, the ultimate digital experience. It is working. I have been inspired by the likes of google, who has used creative evolvement and constant change to their company's logo to build brandy loyalty. I too, have seen many people, coming back, coming back, just to see what is going on in the creative world of CMP.  Over the past year we have had hundreds of thousands of page views by thousands and thousands of unique visitors. Pretty cool when I think back to the day that I got fifty visitors, years ago and I got chocked up. I find this all pretty amazing. The journey, the ups, the downs and the moments of shear magical perfection.

Because I love everything to be perfect, I got to my sketch pad and drew on my memories of this holiday season as the inspiration to this year's decorating theme for the company. Of course, it was easy to think of Holly. It's shiny, sharp leaves and lovely red berries make the perfect holiday statement. Of course, I could have done it a bit easy and taken a photo. Instead I chose to hit the sketch pad while I worked the phones with my many, many brides. Over the course of several days at my desk, this sketch came to life. I used my most traditional methods to draw it,colored pencils and then pen and ink. Looking at it I think back to my days in Rochester hiking out into the woods to the most majestic Holly tree to cut some strategic limbs for holiday decorations. It is appropriate and perfect.

This time of the year I always get sentimental. It is hard not to, the journey of my life right up to the very minute that I am writing this has been nothing short of amazing. My family, my friends, my fans and many supporters have made the sucess that we have had as a company possible. I am thankful for that. Very, very thankful. I know that there are only 52 more days until Christmas and it might be a little early to start decking the halls. Couldn't help it, when the spirit strikes, you move with it. I look forward to shifting gears and showcasing my company's work through this merry holiday season. The digital halls are decked now time for the fun stuff. Hauling out the decorations!!! Merry Christmas Everybody!

 

Kirby and Mike | Chatham Bars Inn Weddings | Pale and Sophisticated Spring Pallette

Sometimes it takes longer than I want it to to get "the sketch" done. They are done by hand and take me many hours, literally at the drawing board. I am happy to show off the design for my dear Kirby's wedding that will be held in May of 2011 at The Chatham Bars Inn. I was just there Saturday night for a wedding. Knowing that Kirby's is up on the docket has me very excited.  I love her checking her lipstick in the mirror of her groom's Harley Davidson. So cool.

Marriott Copley Plaza Events | MCPHS Harvest Ball 2010 | Fall Floral Decor

It looks like the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences really know how to party. They are gathering 1000 of their students and colleagues for their annual Harvest Ball at The Marriott Copley Plaza, in Boston, Massachusetts. There are not many places in the city to host a part of this scale, 1000+ people. I know that my friend Tara who is also a CMP, (Certified Meeting Planner), is the perfect person to organize all of the details and staff needed to make this a magnificent event. The flowers are in my hands, literally. As a company we will begin production on an event that has had quite a bit of planning done leading up to it. I worked with the event coordinator to come up with five different designs in a plum harvest theme. Using seasonal flowers such as hydrangea, rose hips, stock and English garden roses, my team and I will create close to 100 table arrangements in varying styles to provide the perfect fresh pop of color to the huge ballroom. We don't like to surprise our clients, part of the design process for my firm is of course the original rendering that we create to show the different designs to a client in paper form. From there we try to always do live demonstration day, literally bringing the flowers to life so the client has a chanceto see what their flowers will look like prior to the big event.

Thank you Tara and The Mariott Copley Plaza for thinking of me and my company for this project and many thanks to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for calling on us to party with you.

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. 

Tess & Erik | Destination Wedding Planning | The Fairmont South Hampton, Bermuda

Settling in to my sketch pad for me is a great escape. I can put all my worries in this world at bay for hours as I sit, visualize and start the design process of a gorgeous wedding. The past couple of days I have been working and working on the design for Tess and Erik's springtime Bermuda wedding. God, I got so close the day before yesterday until I started to draw the grooms face and head. Oh boy, that sketch was ruined. I could have done some Photoshop magic, but the process I like to keep a bit more pure than that. So with that practice under my belt, I was able to hit the pad again and to work on the "finished" sketch for this project. My bride is in love the color of the water in Bermuda. How could you not be ? It is a rare turquoise that I have not seen in my many travels to warmer weather. It is a perfect inspiration to this fun and elegant destination wedding. I chose to fill in the back of my sketch digitally and of course I just had to get the perfect shade of Bermuda pink to compliment the details. It seems that everything at The Fairmont Bermuda is Pink, for a gay guy it does not get much better than sippin' swizzles under a pink and white stripped umbrella. That is mostly a fantasy, like the sketch I guess. I know that I will be running all around, and of course taking the trolley, to make sure that everything that we have planned and designed is perfect!! With a design map in place, we can get to work on the Save the Dates and finding a perfect bow and pearl necklace for the ducks.

Boston Weddings | Fashion Editorial | Setting the scene

Today, when the Fall / Winter edition of Boston Weddings Magazine was delivered to my office I knew that my work on this project would be over with the publishing of this story. As they say, "all good things must come to an end". Creative projects begin for me with inspiration and evolve through the design and planning process. This project for the premier wedding magazine of the northeast was no different. I worked, prior to the shoot with the creative director and editors of the magazine to tell the story of a Boston bride from the beginning of her day, through the scenes of a wedding. Each scene, the same stunning model was styled into the inspired look and setting that I designed and created. From a Victorian Romantic, to Chic Retro, each setting and photo shoot of it was magic in the making. That magic is real today and in print. Prior to that, I had only my vision and the sketches that I draw as a means of trying to show what I was thinking in my head. While the finished looks differ as a result of tweaking and finessing, you get a really good idea as to what is coming by looking at the sketches that I have published above.

 You will have to buy the magazine, on newstands now, to see the real thing.

Thank you Boston Weddings Magazine, thank you.