A Vineyard Wedding...Kerry and Andrew

Jennie Fresa and her team did such an amazing job on beauty!

Yumiko, Hana Floral Design, blew me away with the floral!

Jordan Caterers rocked the food with creative presentation!Chocolate Creative Design (Miss Wesson) wove all of the details through the paper, gorgeous stuff!

Power Posse knows how to rock the party!

Toria Dolce designed the cakes with ruffly details, they were little pieces of art.

Saltwater Farm Vineyard glowed well into the night

I am so sorry I have been so mia from blogging the past few months! This season has been truly memorable, exhausting at times, but really amazing! We have been so lucky to have worked with the most fabulous couples this year and continue to finish out the season with a few that I am so excited just thinking about.

I was thrilled the other day when Justin and Mary released images from a wedding we worked on in July. The detail and design woven throughout the wedding from the paper to the linens, to the pillows, couches and vases, flowers, favors and dresses, no detail was missed. This wedding is one that still makes me smile, we had so much fun working together in the process. Congratulations Kerry and Andrew!!

Collaboration:
Event Design/Coordination: True Event
Photography: Justin and Mary Marantz
Floral: Hana Floral Design
Hair/Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Paper: Chocolate Creative Design
Calligraphy: Neither Snow
Catering: Jordan Caterers
Cake: Toria Dolce
Music/Lighting: Power Posse Productions
Videography: Buzz Media Company
Rentals: Rentals Unlimited (Lounge Furniture, AFR Furniture Rentals),Party Rental Ltd. (Linens, China, Flatware, etc.)
Transportation: Newport Wedding Trolley
Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard
Attire: Kleinfeld's (bride's dress)

The Persistence of Yellow...

Today I walked into the Red House, to my studio to find a pretty little present sitting on my desk, that instantly brought a smile to my face. I have to admit my birthday is one of my most favorite days of the year. And for everyone that knows me you know that I love to celebrate not just one day but an entire month. So when I walked in after having a completely crazy morning, to this fabulous shiny package sitting there it made me so happy. Inside the silvery wrapping paper and pink bow was a bright yellow book, that was oh so fabulous! The Persistence of Yellow, a book of recipes for life! It really is the perfect gift, and from one of my most treasured friends, Miss Jennie!

You will find the book sitting beside me at my desk perched on a pedestal for all to pick up when you visit me in my studio. Inside on every page are tidbits of wisdom that are surrounded by bright, sunny, happy, energetic yellow!

Two of my favorite pages:

On Tuesday she woke up and realized she had forgotten the definition of the word Impossible. She decided it must not have been important. #230

" And what does it feel like?" we asked. "Well" she said, leaning over to us like a secret "it feels like a gust of wind blowing inside your heart. It feels like bright yellow paint." #81

New digs and a waggily tail....

image: chocolate creative design

The past couple of months have been super duper wonderfully crazy busy at Chocolate Creative Design. With a collection of custom designed Save the Dates, Wedding Invitations, Moving Announcements, New Branding, New Studio , New Websites and a fabulous photoshoot on the way, I have deemed the next 2-3 weeks as showcasing all the new work and amazing clients that I have had the priviledge to work with. Recently, we added Adobe CS4 to the mix (how did I ever wait so long???) and now have the rock star capability to start working with my old friends, pen and ink, pencil and paper. So let's start with one of my favorites...

The oh so talented Miss Jennie Fresa has not only been a friend for years but a client as well. Last year, she gave me opportunity to create a logo for her new makeup line. Honestly, how cool is that?! I absolutely love working with her because it is always a collaboration as well as a very trusting relationship. I trust her to color my face and she trusts me to be as creative as possible. So, when I heard that she and her sweet as pie hubbie Doug, had finally purchased their first house after years and years of searching, I simply had to impose myself on designing a moving announcement card for them.

What I love about designing custom pieces is the story telling. My world has always consisted of (thanks to my mother) training my eyes to search for the unusual and now with my monster being obssessed with Where's Waldo and I Spy books, it finally made me realize what my true creative style is. I love for people to have to search out the elements. I never want it to be right there. By allowing them to think and use their eyes makes me the happiest artist of all.

So my friends pen and paper finally came out to play....By knowing both Jennie and Doug, it made it very very easy. They both love to create with their hands. Doug loves gardening, Jennie loves makeup and Ellie, well Ellie loves her pink collar, sitting in the sun and bones...

So here is the fruit of our labor and hopefully you can SEE their story....

image: chocolate creative design

image: chocolate creative design

A HUGE thanks to the Fresa/Jackson family for allowing me to have SO SO much fun!

May your new home be filled with laughter, love, song, friends, good food & wine and a waggily tail!

LSW

First Look... Kerry and Andrew

Where we started, First Inspiration/Color Board:

Final Inspiration/Color Board:

Kerry and Andrew are getting married this summer at Saltwater Farm Vineyard and I couldn't be happier for them! When we first started working together we built a design board inspired by the bold colors of the eye of a peacock feather and rich jewel tones. We have since refined the design to be softer, more romantic, incorporating vintage details of lace and ruffles, while still playing off of the exotic texture and design of the peacock feather and palette of colors.

Recently Kerry and Andrew got together with the Marantz's and Jennie Fresa (part of our rockstar team for their wedding) to do their engagement session at Pepe's Pizza, on historic Wooster street in New Haven, which is where they had their very first date! You can see the full collection of images on the Marantz's blog. Congratulations Kerry and Andrew can't wait til the wedding.

Let your imagination grow..mine....

Image by Corinna Raznikov

There is a quote by John F. Kennedy that goes, "One person can make a difference, and every person should try." These are very powerful words...Yet they are very true and I am very lucky to have met such a person in my life.

New doors open all the time in one's life..some good some bad..But I have learned to always open them no matter what, because you never know what lies on the other side...treasures and gifts may be there waiting for you..

Without knowing it, she has inspired and changed the face of weddings on the Connecticut Shoreline. She inspired me to open Chocolate Creative Design. Without her..there wouldn't be a True and Wesson or a Wedding Row...So This is MY story of how it all happened....

I know exactly when this particular door opened...September 2003. First it was a phone call, then an email, then a phone call...We were renting at the Island as our beloved house was being renovated, the Monster was 3 months old and I was very hard to track....I should have known then that her powers transcend..She finally found me. She wanted to know EVERTHING about the Island..most importantly..the availability. However, she couldn't give me a date or even a year as when this momentous occasion would happen...she hadn't received the ring yet..Then, she left as quickly as she came...3 months later, another email.."Was it rented yet?"...No..but we crossed our fingers and there was hope that she would receive the ring over the holidays...but it didn't happen. Finally, May 24, 2004..it happened..I think, I was in the top five to get the news....this is how our relationship began..

I had been planning and designing weddings for a few years and then it happened...the Monster came. During my pregnancy and after, I was unable to doing anything creative...my mind was in a fog and sadly it was hard to even pick up my beloved camera. I was almost ready to take a break from weddings...until she came. Ours was a creative collaboration from the start. It was a collaboration filled with laughter and imagination. She was as crazy as I. She gave me back my voice, my mind and my creativity. Her energy was infectious. As coordinators/planners/designers, we really are like Mary Poppins...We carry our creative bag of tricks, make everything better with a spoonful of sugar and then we leave with the wind, umbrella in hand...This time..she was my Mary Poppins..but with a pink umbrella. Her bag was a pink and green grosgrain ribbon clutch and her songs of choice were from Neil Diamond. She is the only bride that has ever wanted it to rain the day of her wedding. This is because she had an amazing song she wanted to sing..

It was through her that I met and collaborated for the first time the following ladies: Beth Chapman from the White Dress by the Shore, Christine Toner from Stonington Design and Paperie, Anna Lathrop from Gourmet Galley and Yumiko Fletcher from Hana Floral Design...thus the "team" was born. She challenged us, allowed us to do what we do best and now five years later landed a spread on Style me Pretty. Looking back on it today, I can't believe it was that long ago...it has certainly become a timeless wedding..

Images: Corinna Raznikov

Modern Mary Poppin's clutch...It was the color inspiration for the entire wedding.

Image by Corinna Raznikov

A little something Blue...Fabulous Louboutains'..I think she even wears them to bed..

Image by Corinna Raznikov

Peonies...That's all she ever wanted..even to this day..

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

Before the wedding, we sent this crazy homemade book and an invitation to Martha Stewart in hopes that they would come...At MSW, is was known as the "Green Book".

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

Image by Corinna Raznikov

After the ceremony, people arrived slowly over the causeway and were greeted by these handsome gentlemen underneath the apple trees.

Image by Corinna Raznikov

She was the perfect mother of the bride...full of grace, a sense of humor and pure love for her daughter..

Top image: Corinna Raznikov, Bottom image: Sarah Crawford

It is a tradition in the "Island Family" to have a flag made for the couple getting married. It was the first time that I had ever been invited as a guest to a rehearsal dinner...I was to present it to them then..Unfortunately I was so choked up that my husband had to do it...Months later I received this image from them on their boat...it was certainly well loved..

Images by Corinna Raznikov

Top image found on Brides.com

She was obsessed with adirondack chairs, so she decided to make them their guest book.

Pans filled with grass and miniature chairs held beautiful escort cards designed by Christine Toner of Stonington Design and Paperie.

Images by Corinna Raznikov

She wanted everyone to be included in the event. Her Sister and Brother-in-Law own Zavalas Restaurant in New London and Milagro in Stonington. Both restaurants have the best margaritas EVER...Hibiscus Margaritas..Yum!!

Image by Corinna Raznikov

With those tasty margaritas and a honeymoon set for Cabo San Lucas,,,how could you not have a mariachi band?

Images by Corinna Raznikov

The paper was delicious...Christine Toner of Stonington Design and Paperie certainly out-did herself!!

Images by Corinna Raznikov

Peonies fillled vintage milk glass compotes and vases that she feverishly collected and borrowed from family. Flowers were by Zuzu's Petals.

No cake for this couple..just miniature fondue pots at every setting filled with chocolate and adorned with fruits and pound cake..

Image by Corinna Raznikov

It was the most inspiring, fun wedding weekend ever!!

So the pink umbrella was here to stay....I took a break in 2007 and she designed, produced and coordinated 2 of the most beautiful weddings ever on Island Farm.

This is when Chocolate Creative Design opened (inspired by her) and then Ms. True walked into our lives..Shortly thereafter True and Wesson began..

It was at these weddings that Sarah True and I met the super talented Miss Jennie Fresa...who has forever changed my life with false eyelashes..

Images by Craig Paulson & Sarah Crawford

Ashley & Elliott

Flowers by Hana Floral Design, Paper by Stonington Design and Paperie and dresses by The White Dress by the Shore.

Images by Jamie Collins

Alice & Brennan

Flowers by Hana Floral Design, Paper by Stonington Design and Paperie and dresses by The White Dress by the Shore.

So she had to leave as quickly as she came...her job was done for now...she had a new one coming..one that involved 8 paws, 4 hands and 4 feet...

Images by Corinna Raznikov

And the pink continues....

Images by Corinna Raznikov

I miss her every day and I am eternally grateful for her gifts...

And who knows, maybe the pink umbrella might just make another appearance again...and if it does, I will surely let you know..as it always brings laughter, song, creativity , inspiration and imagination...

Love to the Crawfords..Sarah, Chris, Phoebe, Charlotte, George and Loo-Loo.

LSW