Spooktacular Birthday

 

I realize Christmas is upon us and I'm posting a blog about a design I did in October but I assure you it's not because I've been lazy about my blogging......well maybe just a little bit! I was approached by Kathy Cronin owner of KMC PRODUCTIONS who I met through a mutual bride of ours. She was planning a 60th birthday party that was a two part birthday event with coordinating themes. The first part was the cocktail hour set in a trendy club using aspects of the TV show True Blood which her client is a fan of. The second part was a rustic elegant birthday party held in Wellesley at ELM BANK. I played a very small but important roll in this SPECTACULAR event, you may not think escort cards are important but they are essential in keeping an event moving smoothly. The last thing you want is 60+ guests wondering around looking for a seat. These were no ordinary escort cards but then again Kathy Cronin is not your ordinary event planner which I quickly realized as wine barrels were being wheeled into Elm Bank to create custom display tables........oh and lets not forget about the extra large panels of old wood which would be used to create the look of barn walls. 

Kathy wanted white pumpkins with an escort card attached to the stem......my first challenge was locating enough white mini-pumpkins......who knew that this year was a bad season for white pumpkins! Each custom tag was printed on kraft card stock and attached with black ribbon, the name and table number was printed along with a black spider that was hand embellished with glitter. To give the pumpkins a dressier look and make it easy for guests to find their names each pumpkin had a glittered letter attached to the front.

As you can see from all these AMAZING images no detail was left out and when you combine the talents of multiple vendors you can achieve EXCEPTIONAL results. By far the one vendor I was blown away by was Honey McCue of Lotus Design. The floral designs used throughout this event were flawless! Eileen Saliba of Table Toppers in Newton did an incredible job with all the chair covers and beautiful table linens.....everything fit seamlessly into the rustic elegant feel of this party.

VENDORS:
Event Design- KMC Productions
Venue-Elm Bank
Linens-Table Toppers of Newton 
Florals-Lotus Design
Catering-Max Ultimate Food

Kristen & Ryan

I first met Kristen and Ryan when they came to me to design their Save The Dates for their upcoming September wedding that would take place on the Cape at the Hyannisport Club. Most design sessions consist of me and the bride-to-be talking colors and design while the groom-to-be occasionally nods with approval. This was certainly not the case with Kristen and Ryan....hands down Ryan was the most involved groom I've ever had which was refreshing! They both wanted a nautical feel but did not wants to use any nautical artwork.  Ryan loved the idea of a map so I sought out a map of the Cape and placed it throughout the words and date. Inside the "A" of "SAVE" I was able to position the map so that Hyannis was visible. I used a square backer in navy linen with the invite printed on a soft textured white called powder. The envelopes were white printed with a elegant compass and each guests address. I love how this design perfectly set the tone for their upcoming Cape Cod wedding.

The whole look and feel for the wedding invitations was subtle elegance using a muted color palette of light shimmery pinks and creams. Kristen knew she wanted to attach her place cards to a starfish so I created a starfish to be a part of the invitation design. All the components of the invitation were packaged together by a belly band and inserted into a pocket envelope printed with a custom address label wrap for each guests. Kristen sealed each one of her pocket envelopes with a cream wax seal...adding an extra special touch to the overall look of the design.

Now that you've seen the beginning components, it's time to view how it all came together.  The first peak I got of Kristen and Ryan's wedding was when she share a mini-video that her photographer Nikki Cole of Photography by Nikki Cole put together.....I was in AWE.....they had the most exceptional day weather wise and everything came together so seamlessly. I would like to give a HUGE thank you to Nikki Cole for allowing me to pick out some of my favorite photos to use in my blog. I recommend checking out her BLOG to view her work....I LOVE watching all the mini-videos she makes for her clients to preview some of their photos.....such a nice momento to share with family and friends.

 

 

Kristen and Ryan were married at Saint Andrews By-The-Sea situated on the crest of Sunset Hill in Hyannis Port Massachusetts. This site commands a view of unparalleled beauty over Nantucket Sound.

Kristen's stunning wedding bouquet, ceremony and reception flowers were the work of Karen Taddei of Lilacs Florals in Marshton Mills. Karen also custom designed the exquisite case of shells that all the starfish place cards were displayed upon.........this a perfect example of why you should embrace the little details....they truly make an impression.

Laura Robinson of The Pink Polka Dot in Falmouth designed the table names, menu cards and place cards as well as handled the day-of coordinating. I thought it was a fabulous idea to use the map as the background for the table names, bringing a piece of their Save The Date into the wedding reception......nice touch ladies!

Some of my favorite pieces of this wedding were the favors.....Ryan actually made the beer and the labels were designed online. The custom beer glasses were from Advance Embroidery in Hyannis. This is perfect example of a DIY project gone RIGHT!

I'm such of fan of CAKE DESIGN.....LOVING the simplicity of their two tier white and navy cake by Michael's Creative Baking.

Congratulations to Kristen, Ryan and their families. It was such a pleasure working with the two of you and I appreciate you picking me to be a part of your special day. I wish you a life filled with happiness and love.

VENDORS:
Invitations/Save The Dates: BeeCustom Design
Venue: Hyannisport Club
Church: Saint Andrew's By-The-Sea
Photography: Photography by Nikki Cole
Cake: Michael's Creative Baking
Flowers: Lilacs Florals
Groom/Ushers Attire: Vineyard Vines
Brides Attire: Watters (dress Alexandra)
Bridesmaids Dresses: Lynn Lugo
Favor Glasses: Advanced Embroidery
Paper Accessories: Pink Polka Dot

Day of Coordination: Pink Polka Dot

Lobster Bake Bridal Shower

I can't think of a better way to close out the summer then with a blog about a recent bridal shower I designed invitations for. You couldn't have picked a more beautiful evening to sit on the deck at The Ipswich Country Club over looking their perfectly manicured golf course. This bridal shower was anything thing but typical but after knowing and working with MOB Lisa I would expect nothing less. Lisa and Kate's bridesmaids put so much thought and effort into planning her bridal shower which is evident by the attention to detail shown here.

While meeting with Kate and Lisa to discuss the invitation they both fell in love with the lobster used on a recent wedding invitation. I wanted the design to be different so I created a lemon and placed it between the lobsters claws so that it acted as the "O" in "SHOWER." The font is one of my recent favorites......I LOVE how whimsical it is fitting perfectly into the overall design. For the invitation card stock I used a long navy backer, the invite was printed on a textured white and paired with a kraft color envelope. The lobster was hand embellished with red glitter and the lemon with clear glitter perfectly setting the tone for this unique bridal shower.

 
I often talk about "details" theses are the little things that will make your event standout and your guests take notice. Kate's bridal shower was filled with so many exceptional "details" but let's start with one of my favorites, the lobster claw place cards! I found a template for the claw online at Martha Stewart Weddings which was perfect. I printed each guests name and table number on yellow paper bands wrapping them around the claw so they look more realistic.

At most bridal showers the bridesmaids usually collect all the bows from the gifts creating a bouquet for the bride to hold during the wedding rehearsal but these ladies had a different idea. They wanted to create a bouquet for Kate made out of real brooches. I designed a round scalloped paper button sent with the invitation that read "We ask that you bring a sparkly brooch to Kate's Shower. It can represent your own personal style or maybe just a delicate flower." They had a beautiful board when you arrived to pin the brooch and paper tags to write who it was from......such a nice detail.

My next FAVORITE detail was the favor, each guest was given an apron printed with the lobster from the invite and a message that read "Marriage is messy."  If you've been to a bridal shower then you know it usually includes a few games, Lisa wanted to do sometime different so she created a "Wedding Jeopardy" board and had two wooden boxes constructed using photos of the couple for the beanbag toss.....so fun! Check out the Jeopardy categories.......my pick "To debt do us part."

The outdoor setting was just stunning.....the table linens coordinated flawlessly with the invitation colors. The floral arrangements designed by Gordan's in Ipswich were so vibrant perfectly accenting each table. Even the cake designed by Topsfield Bakeshop fit into this lobster bake theme.

 

I personally LOVED so many of the details but one of the most thoughtful was when it came to opening the presents. Most often than not the bride sits up at the front and opens each gift one by one thanking each guests but it can be hard to see and acknowledge everyone. Lisa thought it would be nice if Kate opened each guests gift at their table in front of them allowing her to personal thank them.............LOVE THIS!