Losing Score...

Curretn Score: 
Microsoft Windows-1  
Me-0

And that my friends, is why you have not seen a new picture on here in a very long time.  Because my computer is ridiculous and keeps crashing everytime I try to load a picture.  And pictures have I!  Scads and oodles of shots from Matt and Melissa's wedding is what I.  But instead of gracing the pages of this blog, they sit, lonely and cold on my camera, just waiting to be admired.  (Because, of course, you will have nothing but love and admiration for them when they do make their debut.  And if you feel anything other than love and admiration for my precious little fancies, you will let me down gently).

Apparently there are a few helpcenters/geek squads/tech gurus and other such experts that can fix such problems.  The problem is, I don't even have time for them.  I just also happen to have a sweet little boy who has had 3, yes count them-3, ear infections in the last month.  So, the computer wins for now.  But watch out...someday soon I will even the score and present all of you with some lovely little photos. I just really can't define "soon" at this very moment.  So you'll just have to keep anxiously waiting.  To tide you over, I reccommend you head here  for some flower fancies and a good laugh or three.

Happily Ever After

Ten years ago today, I slipped into a simple empire waist gown and tucked wax flowers into my hair. I picked up my bouquet (White roses, altsromaria, bouvardia, and white limionium accented with lots of asparagus and tree fern created by good friend and employer, Charlene of Leppell's Flowers.) and I walked down the aisle into the arms of the man of my dreams.  He's still the man of my dreams. No wonder I believe in happily ever afters...I wake up to mine each morning.

Upper Class

I would like to argue that it is the attention to details that make a wedding truly memorable and beautiful.  And, as I've said before, I think materials should and can be repurposed in creative ways.  Icame across this classy wedding today, and I must say, it just a stellar specimen of what a wedding can be....

The craftsmanship alone in this beaut is something to admire.  Note the varied colors and textures.  The careful alignment of the cans.  I can't even imagine the engineering required (especially if the cans were being emptied while said arch was being constructed.) And the attention to detail? Unsurpassed!  Tell me you noticed the stunning paper wedding bell?!  A timeless look to be sure...the kind of wedding decor your children and grandchildren would be proud to replicate on their wedding day.  Anyone wanna guess where these two newlyweds honeymooned? I will just utter one more word of mockery and then leave these two alone....NASCAR. And now I'm off to see what other gems Google can dig up for "wedding arch with peonies."

Wedding Inspiration

A few weeks ago, I met up with Chentelle to discuss some flower ideas for her fall wedding.  She has some amazing inspiration.  I might have drooled a little bit when she pulled out the picture of the birch centerpiece containers that she plans to use.  There might have also been a little more drool when she told me she was open to ALL flower suggestions.  And when she said she could best describe what she wanted as, "outdoorsy, rustic and simple," I was begging to be involved with her wedding! 
Chentelle has an awesome color pallete planned-steel blue and chocolate brown with accents in moss green and burnt orange (inspired by the fall foliage).  She loved hydrangeas and was open to all other flower suggestions...take a peek at the inspiration behind her flowers...

Friday Fancy

Spending two days checking out the creations of Mario Fernandez of Belle Fleur has definitely inspired me.  This guy knows how to think outside the box and find new uses for has-been supplies.  The first day, he shared some of his designs and tips for incorporating new foam and wire products. 

I loved theses simple centerpieces.  Queen Anne's lace and Millenium baby's breath-just used in an entirely different way!

He coined this little gem the "Mario-labra."  The candle holders were created using MegaWire. Clever?  I think yes!  I'm starting to see decorative wire in a whole new,  purposeful way!

Depending on one's definition of purposeful that is....

The second day we got our hands on the goods!  Using a wire collar (by Lomey), we designed a bridal bouquet.  Not gonna lie, when I first saw that blob of twisted wire it went against every twig and vine accenting bone in my body, buuuuuuttttt the final effect won me over! 

In fact I liked this little fancy so much, I had to pose her for a few shots...

Learned a new use for that acetate ribbon that everyone loves so much...

Pick a couple colors in two different widths (or whatever works for the size of your container), wrap a piece of precut foam and secure the ribbon with a pin.  Suprisingly, the ribbon holds up really well under water.  I'm thinking a few more pins arranged in a table number or monogram would look pretty swell.

I have to say, I think my favorite part of the class was getting a chance to chat it up with other special events florist and watch so many different styles at work.  We all had access to the same materials and had roughly the same amount of time to whip up a design. In the words of one Mario Fernandez, "It's like cooking.  Same tomato, same pasta, same onion.  It's all in the way you combine and present those elements that sets you apart."  Check out a few of my favorite variations....

Alissa + Alec

These two look familiar?? It's Alissa and Alec, the sweet couple that just got married in January.  I know I already posted a few shots I took, but I just got a peek at some of the shots Derek Pearson captured.  I was just cleaning out my inbox and came across the email Alissa's mom (and wedding planner extraordinaire) sent me the day after the wedding.  So sweet!

"The flowers were sooooo beautiful!! Exactly what I wanted. Absolute perfection!!!!!!!! Definitely the crowning touch for a perfect day. I cried when I saw them, because you got my vision so exactly right.

I am definitely prejudiced but it really was one of the nicest and prettiest weddings. Very quiet, very tender and special.

I made sure to tell everyone about this fantastic young florist I know! I will try to get my pictures posted on FB and I'll email you any that turn out well enough to use on your blog!! "

Upper Class for a White Trash Price

If you haven't noticed yet, I like beautiful things. The only problem is I also happen to be a big, fat Cheapy McCheaperson. I know I can't be the only one who believes beautiful should not break the bank.  That especially goes for a bride on her wedding day!  I think my vintage-loving bride should not have to pay Martha Stewart $59 for a single cake stand. (No offense, Martha.  I really am a big fan of your work.)  Which is why I bring you the $2 cake stand....

Gorgeous, ain't she?  And this little beaut only cost 2 bones to create.  You could go here for a step-by-step tutorial, or you could just go to Goodwill, buy some plates and candlesticks (or interesting looking goblets).  Then you could head on over to your local Home Depot, buy some Gorilla glue. Next, go home and connect said glass/silver with said glue. Easy enough, huh? Goodwill and Value Village-I have found yet another reason to love you!  Check back in May and I'll show you what I'm doing at Melissa and Matt's reception with these little fancies. (Ok, I haven't actually made MY cakestands yet, but I will. Soon.)