Joseph + Richard= {Married}

Who: Joseph and Richard

What: Renewal of their marriage vows before their friends and families. Colors were a cool blue and classic white.

When: June 27, 2009

Where: Grand Island Mansion, Walnut Grove, Ca

Wedding decor A to Z- Budget

Series of topics about wedding decor, planning and trends categorized A to Z.

B is for Budget- Everyone has a budget. Budgets can be large or small, realistic or unrealistic, do-able or "No way!!" But I do not want to delve too deeply into the budget topic in this post. It would be too looooooong a post. Instead I thought it would be fun to offer some ideas for "fooling" the eye when it came to your floral budget (No- I am not going to tell you to choose flowers in season because haven't we all heard that little gem once too many??)

Have Fun!! Really- choose designs that are different, playful and interesting. Often times you can get a lot of "Wow" with out too much "Ow" when you are creative with your flower designs. Submerge flowers in a clear vase (pictured left) and float a candle on top. Instead of corsages give the all the honored women rings accented with flowers. Use candles floating in water instead of the more expensive pillar candles.

Recycle- Ask your friends and family (and friends of family) that were recently married if they have vases, candles or other items you can use in your wedding decor. Often times they are happy to get rid of the boxes and free up space in their house. If not, just guilt them into giving you the stuff.

Reuse- I love to re-purpose the flowers from the ceremony to decorate the reception. Some of my favorite ways to do this is: Use arch decor on the head table, use aisle flower clusters in posy cones to hang from wall sconces, aisle clusters can also be placed in short vases and used to decorate around the reception room, place large ceremony arrangements behind the cake table or head table. Pick up every single rose petal from the aisle and re-use them on the guest tables. Oh come on- I am just kidding about that last one. :)

Color- Use high impact color combinations. Hot pink, orange and lime green are going to give you a lot more visual decor than a room full of ivory and white flowers.

Image by Allison Stahl

Gosh- I am blushing!

Ubloom.com's blogger did a write up about our recent wedding flowers for Jonathan and Christy. I didn't even pay her to say such nice things about me!

By Lisa Luck

uBloom

uBloomer, Shannon Cosgrove-Rivas (Flourish) strikes again! This time, she created an exquisite, summertime wedding filled with fragrant English Garden Roses in pastel and muted tones, mixed with layers of unusual textural elements (some I had never seen before) that created interest and enhanced the ruffly roses and outdoor feel of the wedding.

Of course, I HAD to ask Shannon some questions about this wedding because I needed to know MORE about the elements she used to decorate the venue in an amazingly soft, lush and romantic style.

Shannon, tell me a little bit about the "look" and feel you were trying to create with this wedding for Jonathan and Christy.

The bride requested a really soft summery look with a touch of a vintage feel. When I think soft and vintage I think of ruffled and fragrant garden roses. I used Juliet and Patience roses (grown by Green Valley). Side note: When my usual Fed-Ex driver delivered the roses he comment on how good the boxes smelled. The roses have such a gorgeous scent.

You used some unusual elements in your designs, I’m really curious about them.

The wedding took place on the grounds of a private Victorian home in the small town of Clarksburg, Ca. The home overlooks vineyards and an off-shoot of the Sacramento river. My goal was to bring the surroundings into the floral designs. I ended up using quite a few field flowers. Fever Few, Tree of Heaven (the light green seed pods), Seeded Eucalyptus, Dusty Miller and Scented Geranium lent garden textures to the designs.

Share some of your thoughts on this wedding.

Christy was awesome at communicating the look she wanted. When we met she had put together a document with pictures showing flowers and designs she liked and a few she didn’t like. Once she knew I grasped what she was envisioning, she pretty much let me run with the flower choices. I love a client that trusts me. It really frees me up to do some of my best work. I am able to cruise the market and choose really fun flowers and textures to go with the wedding’s theme.

One of the things I really love about Shannon is that she has a natural talent and the enviable ability for coordinating floral materials, colors and textural elements to create an atmosphere that perfectly complements the brides dress, venue etc. Shannon interprets the brides vision in flowers in such a way that never ceases to WOW and AMAZE me (and many others). Her designs are full of well thought out details that make her work extraordinary and I LOVE how she takes many different floral elements and effortlessly arranges them together so that they always look perfectly natural, elegant and yet, always surprising.
To experience the "Flourish" style and a bit of summertime romance…check out Shannon’s Vintage Rose Wedding gallery.

Thanks Lisa- I love you (and uBloom), too!

Wedding Decor A to Z- Artistry

First in a series of topics about wedding decor, planning and trends categorized A to Z.







(A) is for Artistry- It is so important to hire professionals that have a passion for their chosen careers. Artistry comes from passion.

I love what I do. I love designing flowers. I have so much fun choosing just the right colors, textures, accessories and patterns that combine to make an event memorable. Every time I walk into the flower market I am excited by that week's offerings. Finding just the right flower to offset the chosen colors of an event is thrilling.

Beth with True Love Photo says I look like a five year old proudly presenting my treasured macaroni creation when I am giving the bride her bouquet. Truly, it feels that way. I love my designs and I hope my clients can see the artistry, passion and love I put into everything I create.
Image by Christa Hoffarth

Jonathan + Christy= Married!

Who: Jonathan and Christy

What: Beautiful summer evening event infused with vintage elements.

When: June 20, 2009

Where: Stunning Victorian house on the Delta in Clarksburg, Ca

I received this note from the Mother of the bride the day after the wedding:

Dear Shannon,

I am still reflecting upon the beautiful images you created for each of us who were fortunate enough to attend Christy and Jon's wedding yesterday. The table center pieces, floral decor both on and around the cake, bridal and bridesmaids bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, and aisle candles with lovely ribbons chosen by the bride were elegantly gorgeous--all done with seasonal flowers.

We also appreciate you for working with our budget and reusing the bridesmaids' bouquets to adorn some of the tables and for giving us the option of returning the rented items ourselves. You and your team added so many little touches to the areas of the ceremony and the reception and artfully engaged our senses along the way.

We are already hearing back from our guests about the spectacular flowers you provided. One person described it as one of the loveliest days we've ever had. Another commented upon the beautiful flowers -- it was all breathtakingly lovely. I can't improve upon their descriptions, so I'll send these along so you can enjoy what feedback we've received on the fruits of your labors.

With much gratitude,Gabrielle

The etiquette of boutonnieres and corsages

I am often asked who should receive boutonnieres and corsages at the wedding. Here is a list in order of importance:

Boutonnieres:

Groom

Best man

Groomsmen

Ring bearer (if he is at least three years old)

Fathers

Grandfathers

Ushers

Friends helping at the wedding (officiant, guest book attendant, musicians, readers)

Special family members and sponsors

Corsages:

Mothers

Grandmothers

Friends helping at the wedding (officiant, guest book attendant, musicians, readers)

Special family members and sponsors

Of course this list is a complete list of everyone who could recieve a body flower. But you should adjust this list based on personal preferences, cultural issues and budget. Very often the bride and groom choose not to give out flowers to anyone beyond the bridal party, parents and grandparents.

A few etiquette notes:

Step parents: Your wedding day is not the time to let the world know how much you dislike your new step-mother by giving her a smaller corsage or not giving her flowers at all. Step parents should be honored in the same fashion as your blood parents. Better to keep the peace.

Everybody or nobody: If you are going to give a boutonniere and corsage to your God parents make sure you do the same for the groom's God parents. The same goes for aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings.

Personal preferences: Some people really, really dislike wearing a boutonniere or corsage. Ask your family what they would like. Women can wear a pin corsage, wrist corsage, hair flowers, flowers on a purse or they can carry a posy bouquet. Men are limited to a boutonniere. But if your wedding is especially casual and the men are not wearing a jacket with a lapel you can choose to omit the boutonnieres altogether.

Let them choose: If your mother would like a pin corsage and the groom's mother wants a wrist corsage it is okay. They do not need to match. Let them choose whatever makes them most comfortable.

It goes as it grows: I cannot tell you how many times I have seen corsages and boutonnieres pinned on upside down! Just remember-it goes as it grows. If there is a ribbon it goes at the bottom of the corsage.

Image by: Lydell Photography

Cutie Pie!

Don't You just love this little one? She was on of the flower girls in a wedding I designed last year.

Image by Andrea's Images

Making it personal

Adding family mementos is a wonderful way to personalize your wedding. Your parent's cake topper, a family heirloom rosary, your Grandmother's brooch or your Grandfather's cuff link can be a great way to add that special touch to your wedding decor.

Images by: Kirsty Edwards, True Love Photo, Rachelle Photography and Lori Makabe

How to be a Florist by Evan

My seven year old son, Evan wrote the following passage for a project in his second grade class. It makes me smile every time I read his sweet take on what his Mom does every day. I plan on framing this and hanging it in my office.

How to be a Florist

First you need whatever kinds of flowers you want. Next cut off the thorns and put them in the garbage. Then wrap tape around the flowers. Finally, put a diamond on top and then you are ready to deliver the flowers.

Gorgeous.

These images are from a wedding I designed last year at Grand Island Mansion.

images by Cooper Carras

Pink Blossom List

I was interviewed for the fabulous blog Pink Blossom List. Check it out here!

Susan + Richard= Married!

Who: Richard and Susan

What: Wedding with a colorful Asian feeling

When: May 16, 2009

Where: Silverado Country Club, Napa, Ca

Images by Richard Wood

Lovely.

These gorgeous pictures are from Genvieve and Dave's wedding at Wine and Roses in April.

Stunning images courtesy of the talented Kirsty Edwards. Thanks Kirsty!