Brad & Christie's wedding 8/21/2010

Brad and Christie were married at the Samoset Resort, in Maine. The Samoset is a beautiful place for any couple to celebrate their destination wedding. The breathtaking backdrop of the ocean with sailboats passing by is so peaceful to look at. This wedding was in production for 9 months, and when the couple first came to me to plan their wedding they had very impressive dreams of what they envisioned for their special day, and it was up to me to make their wedding dreams a reality. After hours spent on floral sketches, linen choices, band songs and all those other elements that go into the planning, we set off in the making for a romantic, elegant and very sophasicated wedding!

Their guests were traveling far and wide to celebrate their nuptials, and they wanted everyone to relax and enjoy the weekend. The resort had all the amenities that any guest could ask for, indoor and outdoor splash pools, tennis and basketball courts, a spa, and golf. We decided on tented affair using Sperry Tents made out of Authentic sail cloth with mahogany center poles that are stunning standing alone.

The days leading up to the wedding was almost round the clock work to tie up loose ends and to get the best results. I set off in my Van early Friday morning with my assistant Lisa, to travel 4 hours to the resort. I had the tent set-up early on Friday, so myself and the vendors like Chad Michael Peters the floral and lighting designer, would have more than enough time to fill the tent with pretty floral and lighting decor.

After a full day of still tying bows on the programs and getting everything ready for another spectacular wedding, the couple and their families anticipation grew stronger as they stared in awe of the tents billowing flags . We kicked off the wedding weekend at Almalfi on the water, where they guests joined for their rehearsal dinner. It was an extra special night because it was our very own brides birthday! Brad and Christie made some heartfelt speeches to their bridal party that set the mood. Everyone had such a great time eating, loving and celebrating in honor of the happy couple.

Wedding day approached fast, and I found myself waking up in the middle of the night to horrific nightmares that the brides Vera Wang gown had been stolen and I was running from room to room to find it. I finally gave up on sleep, and I was overwhelmed with excitment, and we were only hour away from show time. I ran down to to see the tent to make sure it was still standing, and I found the staff hustling around to get all the last minute details done. Then Chad arrived with his team, and started assembling the floral centerpieces. Everything was moving along smoothly. After the linens were dropped I tied up the cocktail tables and then left Chad to finish making the tables amazing.

I stepped away for awhile to gather my thoughts and tend to my brides dress, and getting her bridal suite prepared for her arrival. It almost felt like time was just going by so fast. As I hung the Vera Wang beauty from a nail in the middle of the room it hit 9 months in the making coming down to this very special moment .

I am proud to say the wedding was wonderful. Christie, looked beyond words in her dress and the pictures up above by my favorite Boston photographer Kate will tell the rest of the story...

MATT & LIZ'S LOVE STORY

Matt and Liz were married on July 17th 2010 in Newport RI at the Ocean Cliff

The happy couple dated for 3 1/2 years, and with a Christmas proposal, the couple decided on a Summer wedding. There ceremony was held at St. Augustin's Church in RI followed by a breathtaking ocean view Reception at the Ocean Cliff in New Port RI.

They spent their honeymoon in beautiful St. Lucia

My Story

I always knew I had a creative drive. It started in high school, when a counselor asked me the magic question, what do you want to be when you grow up? In some ways, I found that question offending because I already felt like a grown- up. By the time I was a senior in high school I had lived in many different towns, and had attended at least 10 different schools. I lived in my own apartment, and even worked nights. I helped raise two younger brothers and took on a houseful of chores, you could say I could definitely multi task. While working one night a woman came in and complimented on how well my makeup looked, and all of a sudden it hit me, I'm really good at this! Choosing the right colors, and accurate application just became so easy to me. I knew it right then and there, I was going to be a makeup artist! After seeking training, and making the decision that I would attend one of Boston's most sought after makeup training schools, DNI, I immediately signed up. After many months in training, I thought it was time to take what I learned, and start making dreams become reality.

I made a personal decision that I would not work in just any store, behind the counter. I really wanted to be in front of my clients, making a difference in how they viewed makeup, and wore it, my real passion was people. While attending college, and getting my degree in communications, I started freelancing for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. A makeup executive for Tarte cosmetics, saw what I could do. What do you know, they really thought I had raw talent! And, hired me to become their Boston freelancer. This experience meant so much to me, I was given a chance to visit many sights in Boston, and got to do fashion shows, perform 15 minute makeovers, and teach makeup and skincare. Fast forward. I found the man of my dreams, and was pregnant with my first child. I loved makeup so much, and during all of my freelance moments, I found myself getting a lot of requests to make a bride beautiful for her special day. The dream was born, right then and there. I knew I had to be apart of weddings somehow.

With always wanting to run my own business I started a makeup company, Art of Illusion. After four and a half years of doing this, I found myself wanting more. Every wedding I went to, I found myself day dreaming about centerpieces, decor, linens, chivary chairs, etc. After getting up close and personal with brides, watching them slip into their beautiful wedding gowns, feeling the excitement in the room, I knew I wanted to be apart of the whole process, and more. I put my makeup brushes away, and Elegance and Grace was born, along with two other daughters! I poured my heart and soul into wedding and event planning. I started off doing Bar Mitzvahas, birthday parties, corporate events, and the consensus was all the same, I had a real talent and gift. Here I am today, three years later, planning the most beautiful wedding and events, in the most amazing places.

An active member of ISES, a graduate of IWPP, and preferred advertiser on the knot and wedding wire. Every day my dreams grow bigger for what I can contribute to the wedding industry. My ambition and determination is endless, and now that I know how to blog, I can share it all with you!