Debbie and Scott were married a few weeks earlier at an intimate ceremony in Lake Tahoe.  They celebrated last week by having a photo shoot and small reception captured by Kristy Huston with Kristy Huston Photography.  The venue where these photos were taken is at Empire Mine State Park in Grass Valley, CA.  Don’t you just love the background of this gorgeous venue!

Debbie was looking for shades of pinks with black accents for her florals.

Debbie’s bouquet was created with pink hydrangea, pink sweet peas and pink lisianthus.  The dark and light pink tones just “pop” off the green backdrop!

The bridesmaids carried shades of pinks with black accents of scabiosa in their bouquets.  I think the colors look quite fun with the zebra print gowns!

And lastly, this flower girl purse is to die for!  Finished off with a girly bow and a few rhinestones, we all loved the final look!

Let’s celebrate the 4th with a photo shoot to inspire brides and groom’s tying the knot on our country’s favorite holiday!  Themed around a Sacramento backyard wedding, this shoot has details galore to pull some inspiration from!  Featured on a blog I follow on a regular basis and draw inspiration from myself, Style Me Pretty,  we were so thrilled to have been able to share this with all of their wonderful followers!  Caroline and Daniel with Tinywater Photography took these amazing shots for the feature and Amber with Platinum Planning pulled together the details and stylizing for the shoot!  Along with some of California’s finest wedding vendors listed below, this shoot was a true ode to Vintage Americana!  Awesome work team, it was a pleasure to do this one with you all!

A short wedding dress for a warm Summer evening, red high heels, deep red lipstick and a red dahlia bouquet, what girl could ask for more?

Festive red, white and blue paper adornments hang from a vine covered arbor.  The table scape: simple, garden feeling and American at heart!

We created the centerpiece out of a wooden rectangular box which I covered in antique produce labels I found at an antique faire.  I think the red and blue on the labels bring together our theme and colors very nicely.  And, with local labels, a nod to the past.  For the flowers, we were going for a wild-garden look.  I used passion vine, red dahlias, burgundy dianthus and a mixture of green foliages in varying textures.

Guest favors included locally grown cherries and strawberries each in their own personalized baskets with flag name tags to double as place cards.  Glasses embellished with cut strawberries are the perfect elixir to quench your thirst on a hot day!

The groom wore a simple boutonniere which is an antique piece we found at the antique faire.  It symbolizes George Washington chopping down the cherry tree.

Fresh cherries and whoopie pies, yum!

A milk and cookie bar was finished off with fresh fruit and cool whip for guests to enjoy!

Annie is wearing a 40’s feeling blusher-feather hearpiece we just love!  Her bouquet was created to mimic the feel of the centerpiece with poppy pods, freeform passionvine and little stem treatment to give the feel of a “picked from the garden” look.

Special thanks to:

Tinywater Photography for taking the amazing photos you see here!  Caroline and Daniel ROCK, they are super sweet and uber talented.

Amber Novey with Platinum Planning who organized and brought together the details.  You couldn’t believe all of the goodies it takes to bring together a shoot like this!

Tina Chan with The Cookie Drop who made all of the cookies you see in our cookie bar… which were later scavenged by ants!

Herdah Warner who created all of the custom labels, soda pop flags and invitations!  So festive, so 4th!

Rona Basa with Luxe Image for the hair and make-up which looks amazing!  Rona is located in the Sacramento area and is available for travel!

Wish Bridal for the awesomely cute short wedding dress!  Isn’t it lovely!

Hair accessories by Pegasus Maiden, super cute, stylish and all customizable to you!

And of course, Callie the super cute golden retriever!

So, today I am going off topic from the traditional floral post to share with you this totally cute store I happened to walk into while on my stay in Boston for the American Institute of Floral Designers Annual Symposium.  The store is called vineyard vines – martha’s vineyard, and they carry women’s and men’s “preppy” attire.  I totally love the look of the store, which has the feel of where the store was created, Martha’s Vineyard!  And, when I saw the darling array ties for men, I couldn’t help but think of these for use in a wedding! You can definitely add a little personality to your wedding day attire by finishing off your suit with one of these funky ties.  Also available in bow ties, which are all the trend right now, you can shop these lovely designs at:  Vineyard Vines Here are a few of my favorites!

Yesterday we designed a destination wedding in Paso Robles, California which turned out gorgeous, and just about a month ago, we were out of the studio at another destination wedding in Malibu, California.  I was just able to get my hands on some amazing photos Sarah Maren, of Sarah Maren Photography took of that Malibu wedding and I just couldn’t wait to share!

Aimee and Jarrod are such a lovely couple, and I was more than honored to work with them on bringing together their decor and flowers for this hip and trendy wedding full of family, friends and the most amazing details!  Their wedding took place on a gorgeous sunny afternoon at the Malibu West Beach Club.  The ceremony was held on the patio which later tuned into a glowing lounge thanks to the talented Sonny Gallardo with Exquisite Events and Entertainment.  {See photo, bottom left}  The ceremony was filled with bright florals, a crystal strung backdrop with hanging orchids, and a mixture of lounge and traditional furniture for guests to sit and watch the couple marry.  Turquoise-teal glass added a pop of color with fun and bright florals to liven up the outdoor setting.

As guests entered into the reception area, the feel was “cabana chic.”  Thick black and white striped runners which the bride’s grandmother made were placed across the tables.  Turquoise glass was filled with white phalenopsis orchids and other white blooms to add to the stylish decor.  A dessert bar created by the talented Carissa Jones of Sugar and Spice was filled with colorful treats to match the decor of the wedding day.

Get the Look….

Photography:  Sarah Maren Photography

DJ:  Exquisite Events and Entertainement

Desserts & Cake:  Sugar and Spice

Bridal Dress:  Miosa Couture

Hair and Make-Up:  Image Provocateur

Videography:  Acti-Video

Invitations and Paper Products:  Stephanie J Designs

Floral Designs:  Botanica Floral Designs

A couple of months ago we participated in the Glitz and Glamour Wedding Showcase out at Scribner Bend Vineyards.  I love wedding shows because it gives me an opportunity to create something not every bride comes to me with a picture of.  An all rose bouquet has been done thousands of times… I thought we’d liven it up a bit with this lovely design.

This bouquet is a bit rustic, but still very elegant! The look was designed for an outdoor- casual wedding.  It was a show favorite of the brides with the preserved cotton bolls, soft lamb’s ear, ‘Sahara’ roses and green hanging amaranthus.  I also finished it off by adding a few rustic branches throughout the flowers to add some movement.  The stems were treated with a layering affect of brown freshwater pearls of various sizes and styles.

Not necessarily a bouquet a bride would come to me and ask for, but now maybe a little interest has been peaked?  Of course we do the traditional designs, but this had to spark more thought and creativity and when you take a look at this in person, you say, “yeah, I like… no, I love it.”

What things are you interested in seeing in a bouquet?  I’ll take on the challenge and surprise you to create something any bride would be proud to carry, all while staying elegant and stylish for your wedding day.  Let’s hear from you??

Our 101th post on our new blog, and do we have some eye candy to feature today!

When Carmen of Carmen Salazar Photography decided to put together a photo shoot that was Spring-Inspired, we were more then excited to participate!  Today, you can view the creative ideas Carmen Salazar Photography, Kristina Smith of Wish Bridal, Shelley Larkin of Pizzazz! Event Planning and yours truly came up with!

We’ll be featuring more of the detail shots later on down the road, but can’t resist to share the feature linked in the photo below!  Thanks SMP!

Special thanks to all of the vendors who made this come together:

Sweet Cakes By Rebecca

Ryan Douglas Custom Clothier

The Flower Farm Inn

Those delectable treats, oh my!

A few insider tips from wedding flower expert, Audrey Gardemeyer! Today we are teaching brides {and bridesmaids} how to properly hold their bouquet{s} so you look awesome as you walk down the aisle. Check it out and let us know what you think! If you are a wedding vendor, check it out and share with your brides!

When Aimee with 2Chic Events and Design asked me to create a beach inspired centerpiece for the NACE tabletop contest, I was thrilled!  Having grown up near the beach most all of my life, I truly miss being so close to the ocean.  Aimee’s color palette centered around a modern twist to the beach feel, utilizing steel gray, metallics and whites.  It turned out looking, clean, crisp and oh, so chic!

The centerpiece was created in a metallic container Aimee chose, we filled it with white flowers from phalenopsis, stock, tulips, ranunculus and tall white manzanita.  The table was accented with starfish and sand dollars which stood out perfectly against the gray pin-tick linens.

Get the Look:

Table Design:  2 Chic Events and Design

2 Chic Events and Design provides day of to full-service wedding planning and design for the Sacramento area and beyond.

Photography:  Kristy Huston Photography

Kristy Huston Photography is based out of the Sacramento area, but available for worldwide travel.  Amazing, modern, and fresh!

Check out this photo shoot featured on Kristy Huston Photography!

Linens:  Mimi and Company

Mimi and Company has the most luxurious linens, custom options and wide range of looks for any event or wedding.

Rentals:  Classic Party Rentals, Sacramento

For the bride or client looking for a one-stop shop, Classic Party Rentals can put up a tent to finish off the details on your table tops.

Paper Products:  Bella Vita Invitations

Looking for the most exquisite invitations, Sara with Bella Vita will create something perfect to match you and your fiance’s style!

Venue:  Le Rivage Resort and Hotel

Located on the riverfront of the Sacramento River, Le Rivage will treat you and all of your guests like royalty!  From the amazing Scott’s seafood, to the in-hotel spa, be prepared to get pampered!

Flowers:  Botanica Floral Designs

As many of you know, we do weddings all over Northern California, and lately, all over the state!  We’ve recently been down to Malibu, we have a wedding in the San Luis Obispo region in a few weeks, and this featured wedding comes in from the delightful town of Murphy’s, California.  The couple was married at Broll Mountain Vineyards, a gorgeous winery about an hour East of Stockton.

Get the Look:

Wedding Planner:  Paige One Events

Photography:  Angel’s Photos by Jeannette

Wedding Flowers:  Botanica Floral Designs

Shayne’s floral colors ranged from deep purple to hot pink and lime green accents.  We used miniature calla lilies, lisianthus, fiddlehead ferns, pink gerbera daisies, ‘Hot Lady’ roses, dianthus, and green dendrobium orchids.

I can’t believe I am posting this!  Yes, that is me with my first arrangement I ever created.  Gotta love how my shirt matches it!  I was in the fourth grade, and while my arrangement looks scary now, I’d like to think I’ve come a long way!  Hope you get a laugh, I think it is pretty funny!

Most people don’t know that I started designing flowers over ten years ago when I entered high school, started judging cut flower quality and designs in FFA {Future Farmers of America}.  I participated in a Statewide competition which my team won and further participated in Nationals, placing 7th in the Nation and individually, placing 4th overall.  My agriculture teacher, Mr. Jones, now Dr. Jones was a huge influence on my career now.  Hey Dr. Jones!  He taught me one of the lessons I live by:  ” if you take what you love and make it your job, it will no longer be a job, and you won’t ever have to work.”  Isn’t that so true?

Upon graduation I went off to study to become an ag educator, and with a change in major I knew that my decision to study horticulture was the right choice.  I transferred from Fresno State to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where I learned everything horticulture. From floral design, to studying plant materials, plant physiology and cultural greenhouse and landscape practices, the “learn by doing,” philosophy taught me hands on what the horticulture and floral industry is like.  Studying under inspiring and supportive floral artists, such as Melinda Lynch, AIFD and many other industry leaders, I was lucky enough to participate in more National Competitions, even earning the title of  the countries top Floral Crop Evaluation team and individual champion.  Managing the on site floral shop on campus, working with wedding professionals on the Central Coast, and keeping industry ties all had such a positive impact on where I am today.

Here I am with Kim {left} and Pam {right}, both AIFD designers that I worked with at A Secret Garden Florist in Clovis, CA.  In this photo we are at the Rose Parade where we were contracted to work on the floral designs for the floats!  If you’ve never attended, you’ve got to, it is AMAZING!  Thanks ladies for all you’ve helped me with!

It’s easy to do something you are passionate about.  As I look back over the years of all of the events, people and wonderful things I have been a part of, I feel so lucky and blessed to be loving what I’m doing and doing what I love.  With all of my industry exposure, there is a lot to say about apprenticeship in this industry.  I have been so lucky to what seems like “meet the right people at the right time,” but I think it is more than just coincidence.  It’s passion, It’s finding what you love and living it!  I’m going to keep doing what I love and loving what I do, hopefully you’ll do the same.

What are you passionate about?  What drives you?  I want to know, what makes you get up and do what you do every day?  Is it for the money, or is it much more?