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!

Laura & Marc

I have been waiting FOREVER to be able to blog about Laura and Marc's Boston Waterfront Wedding outside at Sam's at Louis. Ironically I never actually met Laura and Marc and didn't even know what they looked like until I saw their wedding photos by Steven Michael Pugliese of Wedding Perspectives. I received an email from Laura early winter about needing invitations for her June wedding, normally I meet with perspective clients in person but for Laura and Marc it was a phone consult as they were in the process of moving to London for Marc's job. After our initial phone chat we switched to email which worked out great. Not all weddings have a theme but there is nothing more FABULOUS then a LOBSTER BAKE June wedding on Boston's Historic Waterfront.....it doesn't get anymore New England then that!

The wedding color palette was hot pink and green mixed with various shades of pink. I designed a logo that incorporated their names into a scrolled frame and continued the use of that frame throughout the rest of invitation elements. The invitation was a square portable pocket in a shimmery hot pink paired with an apple green envelope. Laura did not want to do a typical reception card, she wanted a timeline using various artwork. I did a knot of rope for the ceremony, a drink glass for the cocktail hour then for the Lobster Bake I built her a lobster in Illustrator which was then hand embellished with red glitter. For dancing we used shoes then a boat for everyone to sail on home.....so fitting considering they were on the water.

My favorite part of this design was the FAN that acted as the wedding program. LOVE when my brides like to take the road less traveled.......You may not have noticed but SHOES are HUGE in the wedding industry. Brides are no longer wearing your traditional white but opting for something fun, colorful and usually sparkly or embellished. Instead of just listing the names of those in the wedding party we used stilettos for the bridesmaids, ties for the groomsmen, bows for the flower girls and a bow tie for the ring bearer. I am happy to share that Laura and Marc's invitation design was  recently featured on  the Wedding Lovely Blog.

When I began blogging about my designs it only included my work but in order to really see the entire vision I found it is best to show all the details of the wedding. Recently, I have been reaching out to my bride's photographers and have had such a wonderful response. Laura's photographer Steven of Wedding Perspectives did an incredible job of capturing all the beautiful details that truly make a wedding. I contacted Steven a few weeks before the wedding and he could not have been more gracious about allowing me to use some of his images for my blog. Before writing this I was on his website and found my way over to his BLOG, which I instantly LOVED! He not only shares the images but the story behind them and how they came to be. Out of all the vendors associated with weddings I would say photographers have it the hardest. Since the invention of the digital camera everyone thinks they're a "PROFESSIONAL" photographer. While in college I had to take a photography class as a part of my degree by the time I finished I had learned that photography really has little to do with the camera....it has to do with the eye behind the camera; the ability to see something that most do not. It's a God given talent..........you either have it or you don't and just in case you are wondering I was not given that eye which is obvious by looking at my photos verses Stevens:)

Laura had not found a floral designer yet so I recommended Gregory Costa-Saint John of Flouer and was thrilled when I found out she had hired him. Gregory is truly a gifted floral artist and I am always blown away by his work. It is pretty obvious that all the arrangement and bouquets where stunning but the stand out piece was the arch of flowers that Laura and Marc were married in front of.....seriously beautiful.

Laura did such an incredible job with the details of her wedding......her color palette was seamlessly carried out throughout the entire wedding. The New England Clam Bake theme......was flawless, from lobster cracker favors for all her guests to the newspapers for table linens. This couple may reside in London for now but it is evident from their New England Wedding that their HEART still lives here in Boston.

Thank you to Laura and Marc for allowing me to be a part of their day, it was truly an honor. Best of luck across the pond.........!

Wedding Photographer: Steven Pugliese of Wedding Perspectives
Venue: Sam's at Louis
Flowers: Gregory of FLOUER
Brides Dress: Melissa Sweet, altered by Andy Piccos in London
Flower Girls: Lela Rose