Kate Foster Productions |The Blog

Kelli & Jason

2009-09-24T19:02:00.008-04:00

I had so much fun working with Kelli and Jason. Kelli was one of the most relaxed brides ever! She has such a wonderful spirit about her, it was really an honor to be a part of this special day.
We had an AMAZING team of vendors put together for the big day that everything went without a hitch! The ceremony was held at University United Methodist Church, which is the quintessential Carolina church. It's pale blue walls echo the sentiment that Chapel Hill supports the University on every level!
The reception was in The Hill Ballroom of The Carolina Inn, my home away from home. What can we say about The Carolina Inn, that we haven't said already.....we love it there!
Cinda's Creative Cakes provided the delicious dessert, Tre Bella the unique florals, while DJ Greg Ramsey of Bunn DJ Company kept the dance floor busy.
April Sirit of Evoke Photography provided the amazing images from the day! Thanks everyone!

Pike-Senter Wedding

2009-09-01T17:42:00.003-04:00

There is so much to say about the gorgeous wedding of Lindsey and David. Which I will, but for now, video speaks louder then words.

Kate Foster Productions from Travis Long on Vimeo.

Recent Flower Work

2009-07-29T19:42:00.010-04:00

I can't believe it's almost August! So I'm on a mission to get back on track with my blogging and catch everyone up on the cool work we've been producing this summer.

So here is a quick flash look at some of the cool bouquets and bouts we've made for some of our recent clients.

Enjoy!

DREAM WEDDING GIVEAWAY

2009-05-15T13:26:00.002-04:00

Us Weekly and WeddingChannel.com have teamed up for the second year in a row to throw one lucky couple the celebrity-inspired nuptials of their dreams! Last year, Courtney Dempsey and Gary Courtney said "I Do" at the same place as Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore – while Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' wedding photographer captured the moment on film.Think you have what it takes to win? Share your inspiring story by midnight on May 26.

Common Sense Do's & Don't for your Wedding Invitations

2009-05-13T18:56:00.004-04:00

Like many parts of wedding planning, sending your wedding invitations can be incredibly stressful. With so much wedding invitation etiquette to remember, many couples lose track of what's really important when sending out wedding invitations—making sure that all of your family and friends know when and where the ceremony is, and that this vital information is delivered in a stylish and elegant way.

When you sit down to send wedding invitations to all your loved ones, make sure you follow these simple, commonsense tips for wedding invitations first and foremost:

-DO send your wedding invitations early. The sooner your guests receive their wedding invitations, the sooner they can RSVP!

-DON'T send wedding invitations to anyone and then assume they won't be able to make it. You might have to be accountable for every single person on your guest list, so make sure you plan accordingly and only send wedding invitations to the number of people you can comfortably accommodate.

-DO send response or RSVP cards along with your wedding invitations. These sleek little stationery inventions will help inspire a perfect headcount in a stylish way.

-DON'T forget to proofread your wedding invitations. Read over the information at least three times, and then hand it off to your wedding planner to do the same!

-DO remember that this celebration is all about fun and family. Make sure your wedding invitations reflect your cheerful spirit along with your sleek and sophisticated

Personal Style & Seasonal Flavor

2009-05-07T11:42:00.014-04:00

Today's wedding trends provide extensive inspiration for wedding invitation designers. From the colors of the season to the wide variety of current wedding themes, good invitation designers will match the latest wedding trends with the personal style of the couple. "Designing an invitation that emulates a couple's personal style will help set the tone of a wedding and make a memorable statement about the events to follow," says Le Papier Boutique's Stacy Amoo-Mensah.

Seasons Equal Color :

Since summer and outdoor weddings continue to be the hottest season and theme for weddings, Amoo-Mensah, whose creations are featured at online retailers, designs invitations that incorporate the color palettes and picturesque outdoor landscapes that these sizzling months offer. Amoo-Mensah recently designed an invitation for an elegant, yet modern outdoor ceremony and reception that took place in Chicago in June.

"The couple was able to take advantage of the groom's family home that was located on acres of meticulously landscaped grounds," she says. "With blush pink peonies and fuchsia roses in bloom surrounded by an endless sea of apple green grass, the bride drew upon the colors of the season for her wedding invitation and overall color scheme." It is easy for an experienced designer such as Amoo-Mensah to gather motivation from the natural colors of the landscape and the season. But she also looks at the fashion, interior design and other natural elements. As fall approaches and the citrus orange, apple green, turquoise blue and hot pink fade from Amoo-Mensah's color palette, the orange leaves of fall creep into her designs. "I start to incorporate the rich colors of nature into my designs such as chocolate brown, bamboo yellow, plum, emerald green and burgundy."

As the snowy winter months kick in, this Chicago designer adds elements of dramatic colors such as cherry red, black and ice blue to her invitation designs. Then, spring converts her palette to shades of purple, lavender, coral and latte.

Trends Beyond the Seasons:
There are several trends that transcend an individual season. Themes such as the use of chic custom "couples" monograms and the use of flowers as the main design element for the entire wedding all carry over every season. For example, the use of invitation wraps now range from simple ribbon to ornate fabrics, bright and bold color patterns and destination accents. "Whether your mood calls for a fleur-de-lis for a romantic, candlelight ceremony or fun stripes for a summer soiree," Amoo-Mensah says, "keeping to one color palette and intermixing the design elements onto all of your wedding correspondence will help to create a sophisticated, unified look."

Thank you to Wedding Paper Divas for the interview

CONGRATULATIONS

2009-04-28T13:36:00.003-04:00

Much love goes out to KFP Staff Assistant, Rachel McClure, who officially finished her last day at NC State University today!

~We are so proud of you~

Congratulations!

Happy Earth Day Ya'll

2009-04-22T17:03:00.001-04:00

In honor of Earth Day, I am asking you all to share with me how you are incorporating more "earth friendly" opportunities into your wedding planning.

Post a Comment to this thread & share!

Are you choosing your wedding flowers from our local farmer's market?
Serving organic, free-trade coffee with the cake?
Donating your leftovers to the food bank?

Tell us here!

Share with the community how you

are creating a more sustainable environment

minimizing your carbon footprint.

Here at Kate Foster Productions, we are always seeking new ways to conserve.
Help us stay green by viewing our E-Brochure

I look forward to reading all of the creative ways

our brides are saving the earth for all of us!

~Thank you~

Enhancing Your Bridal Bouquet

2009-04-16T17:02:00.005-04:00

Like most brides, you'll have a beautiful bouquet when you walk down the aisle; but there are a number of ways that you can customize your bouquet to make it one of a kind!
The bridal bouquet is typically a bit larger than your bridesmaids' bouquets, as well as a bit fancier. This is only the beginning of your bouquet's uniqueness. Adding touches to the wrapping of flowers' stems is a gorgeous way to personalize your bouquet.

Choose a ballerina wrap for the stem of your bouquet (wrapped the way a ballerina wraps his/her shoes). Use ribbon of multiple colors, sizes and types - such as chiffon - to add texture and beauty.
Add sequins, rhinestones or pearl pins
Add a monogram brooch or pin for the initial of the last name you two will now share
Tie small (postage-sized) photographs to ribbon. This is a great opportunity to include pictures of loved ones that have passed away and, therefore, cannot be there physically to share in your special day. Tie the ribbon around the stem of the bouquet
Hang or pin one or multiple charms on the stem, such as a cross, angel or any other symbolic ornament.
Tie an elegant bow with the ribbon used to tie the stem. Let the ends of the bow hang anywhere from two to 10 inches, whichever you prefer
Have customized ribbon printed with your wedding date (or you and your groom's names) on it.

The stem is surely not the only way to distinguish your bouquet. The entire bouquet can take on a whole new look, should you decide.

One spin on the typical bouquet is the pomander, a gorgeous grouping of flowers that are individually pinned into a sphere shape. The ball bouquet hangs from a delicate handle for carrying down the aisle.
Another interesting option is a fan bouquet. As its name depicts, it's an assemblage of flowers held together in a fan shaped frame. Chances are many of your guests haven't seen anything like it!
A feather bouquet is an enchanting alternative to flowers. Should you choose to use feathers, you may also want to incorporate them into bridesmaids' bouquets, centerpieces and other décor to keep the theme consistent.
For those getting married around Christmas, a holiday bouquet might be just the individuality you need. Incorporate hints of ribbon, garland, tinsel, mini pinecones, poinsettia flowers or even lights in your bouquet for a magical, delightful touch.

A more common choice is a bouquet of exotic flowers, perfect for those having a Carolina beach wedding. Suggestions for flowers to add to your exotic bouquet include (by their commonly used names) Birds of Paradise, Calla Lily, Oriental Lily, Lotus, Heliconia, Anthuriums, Amaryllis, Hibiscus and Plumeria.

Let your artistic side shine! Whether you're looking for slight enhancements to give your bouquet some personality or an entirely new twist on bridal flowers, don't be afraid to have some fun with it. Talk with your florist about your ideas. A good florist should be able to work with your floral vision (dependant, of course, on your budget) and will probably have his or her own creative designs to contribute.

The Coolest Clutches.....

2009-04-15T14:07:00.000-04:00

These clutches from Freddy&Ma are bold, modern, and - luckily for us - are categorized by pattern color on their whimsical catalog pages. I feel I should mention how adorable these would be if each girl in your wedding party got a clutch with a pattern that suited her personality in the color of your choice! If you’re looking for a way to incorporate some color into your ensemble, here’s a chic way to do it, too… and, oh yeah - they’re great if you’re only a guest, too!

Courtesy of inspired bride,Maddy

Some other cool services offered by Freddy&Ma:

Color Matching :Do you love one of their patterns but wish it came in a different shade? Send them fabric swatches and they will create custom color ways in complementary hues to restyle any of the thousands of prints that they offer.
Custom fabrics: Do you have an heirloom piece that you want to turn into a clutch? Unique vintage fabric to coordinate with your dresses? Send them a swatch and they will turn it into their best selling ‘hazel’ purse.
Custom linings :Want to keep your customization a secret? Go for a solid color on the outside of the bags and a different printed lining in each bag.

Top 10 Forgotten Wedding Invitation Recipients

2009-04-15T13:16:00.000-04:00

In the world of wedding invitations, some people inevitably don't make the cut — whether you run out of room on your guest list or some people simply slip your mind, there are certain groups of people who always end up left off the wedding invitation mailing list. If you find yourself in the uncomfortable position of trimming down the number of wedding invitations you can send, don't worry—these Top 10 Most Forgotten Wedding Invitation Recipients should be used to being left off the list!

1. Kids. When space and money get tight, the first thing many couples do is to limit their wedding invitations to adults only.

2. Exes. Unless you remain close friends with an ex, and your future spouse has expressly given you permission to invite them without hesitating, it is overwhelmingly considered bad form to send a wedding invitation to an ex.

3. Great aunts and uncles. Elderly extended family members might not be able to travel long distances for your ceremony, but this group is more likely to be offended if they don't receive wedding invitations. Tread carefully!

4. Second cousins. This group of relatives certainly won't be expecting wedding invitations unless you are unusually close.

5. Childhood friends. You may have promised your childhood BFFs that they would be vital parts of your wedding ceremony, but there probably won't be enough wedding invitations for all of your fourth grade buddies.

6. Neighbors. Unless you and your neighbors are particularly friendly, they shouldn't be expecting you to drop by with wedding invitations.

7. Coworkers. It would be nearly impossible to send wedding invitations to all of your coworkers, so limit your list to only those who you are truly friends with and be discrete when discussing your plans!

8. Non-mutual friends. As a couple, you share a lot of friends in common—those friends who have become a part of your joint social circle are much more likely to receive wedding invitations than those who only get along with one of you.

9. Friends' families. Although many people would love to send wedding invitations to the parents of close friends, there often isn't room in the budget to accommodate these extra guests.

10. Friends who argue with your fiancé. Let's face itfriends who argue with one of the people getting married aren't going to add to the celebratory spirit of the day! Leave these guests off the wedding invitation list for a little extra bliss on your big day.

Brought to you by Beaucoup Wedding Favors

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2009-03-18T16:27:00.000-04:00

Going "green" has so many applications these days. So I thought I would share with you a more literal example from one of my all time favorite couples, Alissa and George. I had the pleasure of providing design assistance on this Black, White & Green wedding along with producing all of the floral design.

There are so many amazing details from this wedding, which I will have to come back and post at a later time. For now, here are a few cool, green details to get you in the holiday spirit.

We LOVE saving you money!!!

2009-03-13T14:10:00.000-04:00

Alexia's Bridal Boutique will be hosting a Carmela Sutera Trunk Show from March 26th through March 28th featuring the Fall 2009 collection.

Bride's referred by Kate Foster Productions will receive a complimentary ensemble of Vera Wang Stationary from Alexia's Bridal Boutique. Be sure to use the referral code: Kate Foster Productions when scheduling your appointment during the Carmela Sutera Trunk Show.

Carmela Sutera's gowns range in style and silhouette from light chiffon dresses for a destination wedding, to lace gowns for a garden event, to Duchess satin styles perfect for an evening soiree.

Spaces are limited, so please call today to schedule your appointment.919.481.6633

Gifts I Love...

2009-02-20T13:19:00.001-05:00

I'm always being asked by friends and clients for great gift ideas, either for bridal attendants' gifts, wedding presents or parent's gifts. So I've decided to start a series on Gifts I Love to share with you all some great, cost-effective gift ideas you can use too!

This week- The Bridesmaid Gift/Wedding Gift

Check out this incredible special on Fabric Gift Bags. A fabric bag is always a functional, yet appreciated gift to give your girls. This gift set comes in two sets of assorted colors, including Primary (yellow, green, red and blue) and Pastel (light blue, pink, lime green, and lavender). The most amazing part is you get 32 Fabric Bags for only $7.95!!!!! That's .25 a piece....seriously!

For such a great price, you can afford to have these monogrammed for each girl and still have a beautiful, custom gift for less then $20! And you'll be sure to have multiple bags left over to use for future gift giving opportunities.

You simply can't beat this deal but hurry, it won't last long.

Yummy Part of The Biz....

2009-02-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

I'm am VERY excited to be participating in a food tasting for Rocky Top Hospitality on Monday, February 23rd. Rocky Top Catering is a division of Rocky Top Hospitality, the culinary minds behind Twisted Fork, Micheal Dean's, Red Room, Bogarts, Hive-Five and 1705 Prime!

We are extremely blessed to be the preferred wedding planner and floral designer for both their on-site and off site catering events. Monday, Rocky Top will be hosting a private tasting for approximately 60 brides who will be having their wedding with Rocky Top and Catering Director, Kathy White, has asked me to design some spring-inspired centerpieces for their table decor.

Linens will be provided by Classic Party Rentals, who have pre-selected a vibrant color palette of fuscia, mango and yellow. Drawing inspiration from the linens, I designed two separate centerpieces to complement the decor.

I'll post images on Monday to show-off our vibrant designs!

Have a great weekend!

A little about Rocky Top....
Rocky Top Catering, is committed to making your next function a memorable experience that is literally something to talk about. Our goal is perfection, one plate at a time. Whether you entertain in one of our unique restaurants or off-premise in a location of your choice, you will receive the same outstanding attention to detail and incomparable food and presentation that have won us loyal customers and rave reviews since we opened Michael Dean’s in 1998. We won’t settle for the ordinary, and neither should you.

Voted Best Caterer in the Triangle for 2006 - CitySearch.comVoted Best Caterer - National Association of Catering Executives (NACE)

Reem Acra Trunk Show

2009-02-20T11:35:00.000-05:00

My good friends Alexia and Micheal Joyce of Alexia's Bridal Boutique in Cary, NC are hosting a Reem Acra trunk show February 19th through the 21st.

A trunk show is when a designer send their newest collection of gowns, not yet avialable in most stores. Fantastic incentives will be offered with the purchase of any special order gown during the event.

A Reem Acra representative will be on site to offer style and fit expertise.

Call today to schedule your appointment at Alexia's Bridal Boutique.

919.481.6633

Only Tuesday?!?!?!

2009-02-17T19:10:00.000-05:00

I honestly can not believe it's only Tuesday. We have been busy bees around KFP this week. I've gotten to meet with my friends at F8 Photo Studios, Neil Boyd Photography and booked a new wedding with Michelle Robinson Photography just today!

I've also been working on wedding design for two gorgeous weddings this fall. This week Rachel and I designed two custom invitations with unique monograms, handmade envelops and one covered in fabric to incorporate textural elements.

We also had a gorgeous cake designed by Gregory Bingham of The Art of Cake. I wish I could give you previews of how amazing this cake is going to be, but I don't want to spoil the surprise!

I'm also working on a fabric design to drape an entire ballroom in fabric, complete with LED lighting that will change colors throughout the evening!

Meanwhile, my floral designer, Demitris is on a trip checking out a new flower grower we have found. Our initial research has shown that they carry the most incredible flowers that are quite superb in quality and size! I am hopeful that he will report back with another great resource for our clients!

Lastly, we are having some really beautiful new marketing pieces printed this week, which features some images from two phenomenal weddings from last year, both were shot by our friend Christoble of Azul Photography. Check these out:

Well I'm off to meet a group of photographers and catch up on what's new and hot in the photography industry. Just another way we are continually working for our clients. So, as you can see, it's been a busy week already. Just imagine what we can accomplish by Friday!

Until then.....

A Little Piece of History

2009-02-11T12:15:00.001-05:00

This week I visited with my friends over at All Saints Chapel in downtown Raleigh. All Saints Chapel meets a very big need in Raleigh, by providing a spiritual environment to host a wedding ceremony, without the membership commitments that almost all Raleigh churches require.

Built in 1875, All Saints Chapel has been an integral part of Raleigh's downtown charm for over a century. It's details have been perfectly restored for an intimate wedding and reception. I personally love the architectural elements of the arched windows and stained glass backdrop of the handsomely appointed sanctuary. The rich wood beams create an elegance that is warm and inviting. The perfect location for a candle light ceremony!

It was a pleasure to meet with several brides who were taking advantage of the weekly open house, which takes place every Tuesday from 4:30pm-6:30pm. So be sure to stop by and visit the ladies at All Saints. You will not be disappointed!

Versailles Comes to the Carolinas

2009-02-10T16:21:00.000-05:00

The Falcon's Hamlet is the latest event venue to be introduced into the local market. But make no mistake, this venue is far beyond anything we have ever seen in this area.

Inspired by the French architecture of Versailles, The Falcon's Hamlet is a grand palace nestled among the rolling hills of 150 acres of farmland. When I first approached the wrought iron gates, I knew instantly this was going to be something special.

Special Events Coordinator, Tim Kavenaugh and intern Lacey Hardee, gave my assistant Rachel and I the Grand Tour! Beautifully bred horses strolled lazily through the pastures as baby calves suckled from their mothers in the cow pastures. The barren winter trees gave us a clear view of the incredible amount of water surrounding the Hamlet from three directions.

As we approached the bustling construction site of the main building a shiver of excitement washed over me as I realized how impressive this venue will be upon completion. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this venue and it is an honor to be a part of something so special.

The Hamlet recently had a photo shoot with the talented photographers of f8 Photostudios and I was honored to provide them with the jewel toned bouquet for the shoot. Check out some of the images here.

This is inside the stables, which are an exact replica of the Queen of England's private stables.

Let's "Do Lunch"

2009-02-10T15:53:00.000-05:00

Last week I had the opportunity to have lunch with someone I consider to be one of the most inspiring business minds in this area.

I have been following the career and growth of Missy McLamb Photography for over ten years and it was such a treat to sit across from Missy and talk freely of her company's success and how it developed over the years.

Not only did I learn so much more about what her studio has to offer to my clients, but I took a lot away from a business ownership perspective. I think what stood out for me the most, was to stay focused and commited to my primary objectives and to always be prepared. You never know when an amazing opportunity will present itself, your dream bride will call or a magazine will publish your work, but you have to be ready every day. It's all about timing.

Thanks again Missy!

Image by Nick Pironio

Website Updates

2009-02-10T15:46:00.000-05:00

The time passes so quickly, but I am actively focusing on getting more and more of our beautiful weddings online.

We've uploaded 5 new weddings just this week!

Check out all of our lovely brides on our website to see some of our work from '08!

P.S. Thanks to f8 PhotoStudios for this awesome pic from Danielle and Kent's wedding.

Carolina Inn Bridal Show!

2009-01-15T16:56:00.000-05:00

We hope that everyone's 2009 is getting off to a great start! The Carolina Inn Bridal Show is coming up this Sunday, January 25th from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. in Chapel Hill. We are so excited to be able to showcase our business at this years show and we are looking forward to meeting all of the brides. There will be some great show specials so make sure you stop by our booth and our table display. The afternoon will be filled with great ideas, food, drinks, and most of all great vendors. See everyone Sunday!

Cool New Stuff for Our Brides

2009-01-12T18:02:00.000-05:00

We have so many fun new products and services for our brides this year. The first of many, is our completely customized wedding websites. Since so many of our brides and their guests are from out of town, we have teamed up with WeddingWindow.com to provide a fantastic website resource for our clients.

WeddingWindow.com offers you the greatest number of features available for a custom wedding website including:

Unlimited pages

Unlimited photos

Color & photo selections to match your wedding theme

Free email addresses

Site wizard assistant

Personal Blog with RSS feed

RSVP tracking

Customizable "Save The Date" E-Cards

Create Direct Links to other sites, such as Hotel or Gift Registries

............and so much more!

Because we want you to check out all of the features of this fantastic resource, we are offering a FREE TRIAL to help get you started. Consider this your first wedding gift from your Kate Foster Productions, wedding planning team!

Happy Planning!

I can't believe it!

2009-01-12T17:57:00.000-05:00

This is really just going to be a short burst of astonishment that it's already into January. I honestly felt like the holidays flew by in such a whirlwind that I hardly got a chance to catch my breath.
Regardless, I am so excited it is January. It's my favorite time of year, as our calendar is filling up with new clients. I love getting to meet all of the new brides and hearing about the creative and exciting events that they visualize us creating for them!
2009 is going to be the best year for Kate Foster Productions, and all of our amazing brides. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of the most special day in your life. It is an honor!

Best Wishes,
Kate

We Have a Permanent Home

2008-11-17T09:10:00.000-05:00

Kate Foster Productions is so excited to have a new permanent office and production location.

Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, our new offices boast three contemporary conference rooms fully upfitted with flat screen T.V's, presentation boards, Power-Point projectors, conference call capabilities and more! All designed to better service our out of town clients.

With our new location, comes a new office number. You can now reach us at

919.256.3678

Betty Freedle our new Front Desk Manager will be greeting your call and we are really excited about the addition of her to our team.

Information about an Open House will be out in the next few weeks, so we will keep you posted!

Kate Foster Productions, Ltd

410 N. Boylan Ave

Raleigh, NC 27603

Trend Watch: Signature Send Offs

2008-09-07T12:58:00.000-04:00

Coming up with new and creative ideas with our clients is the favorite part of my job. No aspect of the wedding is left untouched when it comes to personalizing your wedding day.

If you are a bride planning your own wedding, don't get burned out before planning your send off. This final farewell can be filled with energy and excitement for your guests as you say your goodbyes. So show your pizazz!

Some unique send offs that we have created for previous clients included:

Feathers: Spring wedding tree & bird themed wedding

Waxed leaves in fall colors: Fall wedding with a wheat and leaves theme

Glittered Snowflake Confetti: Winter wedding with a snow white theme

Most recently one of our clients faced a unique challenge for their Fourth of July wedding when their venue did not allow for sparklers. KFP put together their own "ticker-tape parade" send off complete with noise makers, American Flags with little bells attached and Red,White & Blue confetti! The Bride and Groom were quite the stars in their own parade and it was a beautiful success!

Our New Logo

2008-08-20T16:21:00.001-04:00

We are so excited to introduce the new logo for Kate Foster Productions, Ltd. Our focus with the new logo was to announce the 1 year anniversary of our floral division. While our number one focus has and will continue to be our complete planning services, the floral division was a natural evolution for our company.

So many of our brides hire us for our creative ability to infuse personal details throughout their special day. A major part of the design aspect is floral decor and unique, affordable flowers is always a number one request. As a result, we brought on flower extraordinary, Demitris Faison, to help bring the artistic vision to life at a shockingly affordable price.

The beauty of our floral division, is that not every bride may choose to work with us from a planning perspective, but they are welcome to secure us for their floral needs.

We have worked with floral budgets from $500 to $19,000 and our portfolio continues to grow! We will continue to update our website with images from current events, so check back soon to see our incredible work.

Do you already have a florist? No problem, we are still proud to work with all of the talented floral teams around the area and want to recommend the best fit for our clients. We will be happy to point out some of the work from the artists at Fresh Affairs, Dogwood Tree Floral Design, Trebella and more on our website.

August 17th Bridal Show

2008-08-18T20:16:00.000-04:00

It was definitely a busy weekend for KFP. Rachel McClure was one of my very beloved interns working with me this summer. As a senior at NC State, Rachel was required to complete one large scale project as part of her internship. I chose the August 17th Bridal Show as her project.

Rachel underwent the challenge of working through design concepts with me and bringing the entire vision to life. I think most people would be surprised how much time and effort it takes to create a booth for a simple five-hour event. Rachel spent weeks doing research on an initial design concept that I requested, that unfortunately was simply not feasible. After starting completely over, she spent another two weeks bringing together all of the details. The final week of the bridal show, she had to devote her attention full-time to completing this project.

After all of the errand running, fabric sampling, flower ordering, sign printing, printing and RE-PRINTING, it finally all came together in what I believe was a beautiful display. Rachel accomplished the challenge of hearing a vision and bringing it to life for her "client".

All of her hard work was supported by our entire team the weekend of the show and I must thank everyone for their hard work and support. Thank you to Demitris for his continued creativity from the KFP Floral Division, thank you Lilly and Dan for your install help and thank you Melanie as well.

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to our team member, Cat Coley, who has been blessed with expecting a little one, and is experiencing the joys of morning/afternoon/night sickness :). We wish you a swift trimester and look forward to having you back with us soon!

Great work team!

August 16th Wedding

2008-08-18T20:00:00.000-04:00

Wow...what a weekend! Saturday started off with a beautiful wedding for Kim Uteson and Edward Tyndall at The Carolina Inn. Kim and Edward chose to have an this intimate ceremony for 30 of their closest friends and family in the Bryan Courtyard.

This wedding was a very special treat for me, as Kim's family is from Quebec,Canada and I was able to practice my limited knowledge of French with her niece and nephews.

Kim chose a natural color palette of sage green with ivory and champagne accents. The historic magnolia tree in the Bryan Courtyard was filled with green and ivory flower pomander balls hung from double-faced sage satin ribbon, creating a simple but elegant backdrop for their ceremony. Rev. Barbara Lodge presided over the very touching ceremony. I don't think anyone was spared from a few tears...including me!

After the ceremony and a group photo with all in attendance (shot by Azul Photography ), we made our way to the North Parlor for an incredibly romantic seated luncheon. French music played softly in the background as guests dinned on petite fillet and whipped potatoes along with several other entree options.

The luncheon concluded with an array of Southern-Style desserts including Pecan Pie, Carrot Cake, Flour- less Chocolate cake, Key Lime Pie and my favorite....chocolate fountain!

A wonderful time was had by all and we wish the Uteson family safe and happy travels home.

Kim & Ed,
Les félicitations sur votre mariage

July 20.2008 Cafe Luna Wedding

2008-08-15T13:36:00.000-04:00

We at Kate Foster Productions have been so blessed to work with some pretty incredible brides, but every once in a while, one in particular really stands out. Gwendolyn Sherman was one of those brides for us.

It was our privilege to work with Gwendolyn creating a romantic ceremony and reception design for their wedding at Cafe Luna. Drawing inspiration from Gwendolyn's love of gardening, KFP's floral division created a visually stunning environment full of roses, peonies, orchids and branches.

Gwendolyn and Sean exchanged heartfelt vows, led by the Reverend Ed Sansbury. The ceremony and reception featured some beautiful musical selections, played by Mel Manning of Bunn DJ Company. Much of the music and other details of the wedding were a tribute to Gwendolyn's grandparent's wedding in 1945. No one captures the important details quite a well as the photography team of Cara and Jonathan of F8 Photo Studios.

We wish Gwendolyn and Sean all the best!

July 4.2008 Carolina Inn Wedding

2008-08-15T13:23:00.000-04:00

We had the most amazing time at the wedding of Jena Kluegel and Seth Cogswell. This couple is truly full of life and love, which was embodied by the incredible friends and family at their wedding. It says a lot about this special couple that so many loved ones would come out on a holiday weekend to help them celebrate.

The lighting was perfect in the Bryan Courtyard for the outdoor ceremony at The Carolina Inn.

After a relaxed cocktail hour, guests were directed to The Old Well Room for an evening of incredible food and dancing. Ken Holmes of Bunn DJ Company kept the party going all night, while creating smooth transitions and event highlights throughout.

Chris Perez of Azul Photography captured beautiful and creative images all day.

Thanks Jena and Seth for letting us be a part of this special day! We wish you a lifetime of happiness together.

WE ARE BACK!!!

2008-07-01T21:47:00.000-04:00

Well, it's not perfect, but after almost THREE WEEKS, we finally have our website back up and running! Thanks to everyone who emailed and followed up with us via phone regarding the website.
As you may already know, our server who hosts our website "accidentally deleted" our entire website and backup! Not great. So we are rushing to get the entire website put back together as quickly as possibly, so you may notice some changes and improvements along the way.

In the meantime....things continue to move forward in the wedding world despite the obstacles. Last week we had a very full schedule. We enjoyed an amazing food and wine tasting with the Executive Chef and Sommelier at the Washington Duke Inn for the Brosnan-Cramer wedding in November.

A Sommelier, or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, commonly working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service. The role is more specialized and informed than that of a wine waiter.

We were incredibly impressed by the knowledge and expertise demonstrated at the tasting and were excited to select the perfect pairings for every appetizer and entree course, in addition to champagnes for the dessert course and a specialty martini bar featuring some of Tommy's signature drinks. Tommy is the head bartender at the Wa-Duke Inn, and if you haven't had one of Tommy's Lemon Drop martinis you are missing out...they are the best!

We also assisted one of our favorite brides on her bridal portrait shoot. Cara Galati of F8 Photo Studios did such a fantastic job on this shoot. We LOVE working with F8 and this was no exception. Cara came up with several creative environments which let Danielle's natural beauty stand out.

Danielle's dress turned out GORGEOUS and fit her to perfection thanks to the talents of Victorian Rose Bridal in Raleigh. We have a ton of clients who shop with Victorian Rose and they consistently provide exceptional quality at an affordable price.

We are excited about this weekend's wedding and we will have lots more info later this week!

Modern Bridal Fair Follow up

2008-04-01T00:03:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Modern Bridal Fair in Chapel Hill. Overall we were pleased with the experience, but more importantly, we were happy to participate in an event to raise money for such a great cause, The Family Violence Prevention Center. The mission of the Family Violence Prevention Center is to prevent and end family violence in our community through direct services and community education.

Modern Bridal Fair

2008-03-26T23:07:00.000-04:00

Kate Foster Productions will be at the Modern Bridal Fair this Saturday from 2pm until 5pm. The Bridal Fair will be a the University Mall in Chapel Hill. Come and experience fresh, new ideas from numerous bridal vendors in one convenient Chapel Hill location. Smell fragrant bouquets, taste fabulous, elegant cakes and hear inspiring music.

Discover breakthroughs in skin care, see live modeling of designer gowns & jewelry, and much more! Learn innovative ideas from our Speed Sessions, scheduled every 30 minutes, with topics including Design your Own Ring, Wedding Cake Trends, Undo your Tattoos, Bras & Low-Lights, Your Bridal Registry, Mother of the Bride: Ten Graceful Tips and Your Wedding Website.

University Mall 201 S. Estes Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-929-7876

Vera Wang Trunk Show

2008-03-24T19:37:00.001-04:00

My good friends Alexia & Michael Joyce of Alexia's Bridal Boutique are hosting a very exciting trunk show this weekend. Our brides love working with Alexia's and love their dresses even more. Even if you can't make it this weekend, be sure to give them a call to schedule an appointment. Here are the details for this weekend...

The Vera Wang Salon at Alexia's Bridal Boutique will be hosting a Vera Wang Trunk Show from March 27th through March 29th. Alexia's Bridal Boutique features the largest selection of Vera Wang gowns from all three of her collections in the Southeast. The trunk show will feature gowns from the Spring 2008 collection that are not yet available in stores as well as exclusive gowns from the New York showroom.

There are also many special incentives for all gown purchases during the event that are not normally available.All Brides who purchase a gown at the event will be entered into a raffle to win a second gown up to $4,000 in value! How exciting would it be to wear one dress for your ceremony and then shock your guests with a completely different second dress for your reception.

The Vera Wang Salon at Alexia's Bridal Boutique will also be offering a "trunk show" discount on the gown purchase that will only be available during the event.Lastly, all Brides who purchase a gown during the event will receive a free Vera Wang veil worth $400 in value to accompany the dress. Spaces for the trunk show event are limited, so please call today to schedule your appointment.

Bridal by appointment only
919-481-6633

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T19:54:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful day for Easter Sunday. Regardless of how you are celebrating the day, there is something miraculous about the change in seasons. Budding branches show new life, and flowers exude a multitude of colors.

All of the change makes me reminisce for the simplicity of my youth and the time spent with family. I am blessed to have my very large family here in town and appreciate our frequent Sunday dinners. So as I spent my afternoon unpacking my last boxes in the office, I was inspired by one of my favorite songs, Home by Michael Buble. You can listen to it here.

Tomorrow looks to be a great day. We have a design presentation with clients Ashley & Ian. We will be presenting a creative event designed around her chocolate brown and robin's egg blue color palette. I will post some inspiration pics from that soon. Happy Easter!

The Move

2008-03-21T17:52:00.000-04:00

I don't think there is anybody that enjoys moving, but it seems particularly stressful when you are moving your business. As I'm sitting here on a Friday evening, surrounded by piles of boxes and stacks of un-organized papers trying to figure out where to begin, I can't help but feel grateful.

I'm grateful for my interns, family and friends for helping me with the actual packing and lifting, which was NOT easy (thanks Stefan and PJ for being my "muscle"). Despite the fact that I moved half my office into storage and the other half into a 2nd floor office (no elevator), no one complained once!

I'm especially grateful for my beautiful new office suite and my new "roommate" Joe Bunn. You may "know Joe" as probably THE most successful (and good-looking, I might add) DJ's in the Triangle. In my opinion, his company sets the standard for success in the wedding business and is an inspiration for all entrepreneurs. He not only rocks the best weddings & parties around town, you can grab a beer with him every Thursday night at Hi-5 downtown.

So as I spend my weekend un-packing, I'm going to begin looking forward.

Forward to all that this exciting new location will offer and a year full of new opportunities for us as a company. Despite the challenge, I will hold close the motivational words of Alan Cohen,

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power

So here's to moving and maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get a few spare moments to watch a bit of basketball! Cheers.....

Website updates

2008-02-20T12:20:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I haven't quite gotten the hang of this "blogging" thing quite yet, but I'm working on it! One thing I can handle though, is my website. I love changing the pictures and playing around with all the amazing images from our weddings and events.

Today we added some awesome new music from the Deanna Jones Orchestra from New York, who we are really excited to work with this year. Deanna's group has performed for some of the most famous celebrities and polititians from around the world. It's truelly an honor to get the opportunity. So log on to http://www.katefosterproductions.com/ and turn up the speakers to hear Deanna's original song Very First Dance which is available on their self-titled debut album.

While you are on the website, check out Gallery 2, Blythe & Ben. We just added the images from this beautiful wedding shot by Rierson Photography. The ceremony at Duke Chapel and reception at Greystone Mansion in Durham.

We worked with Blythe for almost a year providing complete event design. Highlights of this green & pink garden themed wedding included, custom designed invitations, an all white outdoor lounge area, specialty pink linens, a custom designed tent liner with pale pink hanging lights created just for Blythe & Ben. The floral design was something I took special pride in, also. We selected a palette of flowers that was whimsical, yet elegant and featured sparkle dust throughout the bouquet with a rhinestone & beaded bouquet handle. For the centerpieces, I brought in shallow copper trays to run down the middle of the eight-foot table pods. Each copper tray was filled with a different pink and green flower combination and sat in a bed of river rocks, rose petals and votive candles. The effect was by far, one of my favorites!

This event was tailored in every single detail to accent the style and taste of our couple. The end result was gorgeous! Congratulations Blythe & Ben

Welcome.......

2008-01-31T23:58:00.000-05:00

Thanks for checking out my new blog, where I look forward to sharing great stories about our wonderful clients, tips and tricks for making your wedding an even greater success and personal anecdotes.

A huge THANK YOU to photographer Andrew Bryant for graciously introducing me to the world of blogging! Andrew treated me to a wonderfu lunch this week at Firebirds in North Hills.

Andrew is unique in that he is not only an amazingly talented photographer, but he has a genuine spirit as well. Be sure to view his impressive portfolio at his website http://www.andrewbryantphotography.com/ . I look forward to working with him soon!