Incline Village wedding

I recieved this note with these pictures from one of my spring brides. Demetria and Reid live in another state so all of our planning was done via phone calls and e-mail. I met Demetria the first time when I brought in her bridal bouquet. The wedding took place at the goregous Saint Francis at Incline Village, NV and the reception was at The Chateau. The views were to die for!

This note is so sweet! I love my brides!

Shannon-

Here are some photos that my wedding photographer, Samuel Potter got of some of your work.

The colors and the designs were beautifully coordinated. I am so glad I have these pictures.

You were so great to work with and I will definitely recommend your work to my family and friends. You are very creative and those special touches is what made our photos come to life. Thank you so much. -Demetria-

Kristen + Garrett= Married!

Wh0: Kristen and Garrett

What: Casual and fun wedding accented with a relaxed flair.

When: July 18, 2009

Where: Northstar at Tahoe in Truckee, Ca

The best part about working with Kristen and Garrett was they let me be creative and have fun with the flowers. Kristen gave me a stack of inspiration photos and then turned me loose on the flower market.

Candle Bargins at Michael's

If you know me well you know I love to shop. I love the thrill of the hunt. I have even been known to call my brides from the store (yes- brides o' mine I have your numbers saved in my phone) when I see a decor item on clearance that would be perfect for their wedding.

Today I was at Michael's. They are clearing out their spring and summer items.

Awesome deals on pillar candles! .99 for the three inch pillar and 1.99 for a six inch pillar. All their cute spring/summer colors are the on markdown.

The picture above is from a wedding I did last spring. The bride's mother received one of my famous in-store calls. They dressed the candle up with a twist of ribbon and a pretty pin and viola (!) they had a gorgeous centerpiece.

Have Fun!!!

Image by Andrea's Images

What's in your toolbox?

I am inspired by another post I just read by Kristin over at Wedding Bee Pro. How cool to read some of the things that go into her toolbox.

I have been designing flowers for about 20 years. But still every event teaches me something new. Over the years I have learned so many tricks and tips that I could write a book! My toolbox list has developed from many, many events and many, many mishaps, problems, Oops and "Oh No's!".

Here is a look at what my tool box looks like. I like the open tool bag better than the traditional tool box because I can grab the needed tool and run. I can also see everything at a glance.

Now for the list:

FLORAL TOOLS:
2- clippers
1- knife
1- scissors
1- pliers
1- wire cutters
glue gun and glue sticks
rubber bands (great for gathering fabric)
Pipe cleaners (all purpose fastener)
Cable ties (I was once told "If it can't be fixed with duct tape and cable ties; it isn't worth fixing.")
Green floral wire
Corsage and boutonniere pins
Floral Tape
Water proof tape
Greening pins
Thin black ribbon (for boutonnieres)
Thin ivory ribbon (for corsages)
Adhesive clay (for sticking arrangements to the top of containers)
Floral glue (special glue that glues flowers with out damaging them)

CLEANING SUPPLIES:
Lint roller (Great for getting little bits of flowers and greens off linens)
Windex wipes (I am super picky about finger prints on vases and candle glass)
Polish wipes (Great for getting finger prints off metal vases and containers)
Garbage bags (flowers create and HUGE mess)
Tide to go pen (works wonders)
Clorox bleach pen
Shout wipes
Baby wipes (good for getting the dirt and grime off linens)

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES:
3M hooks (they are wonderful for hanging items and not leaving a residue)
Clamps (the rubber tipped clamps are fab for attaching fabric to structures with out damage)
White out (In a pinch White Out will cover bruising on white flower petals with out causing further damage to the flower)
Candle Stick-um (Holds candles in holders)
Suction hooks (for hanging wreaths or flowers on glass doors)
Quarters (Parking meters eat quarters)
Double sided tape
Scotch tape
Low candle holders (for when the couple forgets the holders for their unity candle)
Water tubes
Glue Dots
Long lighter
Off- set spatula (great for repairing the icing on a wedding cake)

Shannon and Jim- established 1990

Now Touch the Air Softly
By William Jay Smith

Now touch the air softly,
Step gently. One, two....
I love you till roses
Are robin's egg blue;
I'll love you till gravel
Is eaten for bread,
And lemons are oranges,
And lavender's red.

Now touch the air softly,
Swing gently the broom.
I'll love you till windows
are all of a room;
And the table is laid,
And the table is bare,
And the ceiling is reposes
On bottomless air.

I'll love you till heaven
Rips the stars from his coat,
And the moon rows away in
A glass-bottom boat;
And Orion steps down
Like a diver below,
And earth is ablaze,
And Ocean aglow.

So touch the air softly,
And swing the broom high.
We will dust the gray mountains,
And sweep the blue sky;
And I'll love you as long
As the furrow the plow,
As However is ever,
And Ever is Now.

I have always loved this poem. It is so romantic. My husband and I used a passage from this poem on our wedding invitations. We also had our officiant read the poem during our wedding ceremony. A couple of years ago I gave my husband a new wedding ring with "and ocean aglow" inscribed inside. My husband and I do not really have a "song". But this poem is certainly "ours"

Guess I am just feeling sentimental!

Get thee to Pier One....

I was at Pier One today. They are having a massive 50% off sale!

My Picks:

Top left: I love these glasses for a small arrangement of casual flowers. They would be totally at home with garden roses, antique hydrangea and Queen Anne's lace.
Top middle: Lace covered hurricane is so perfect for a vintage romantic theme. The biggest one they have is 11 inches tall. Great size for a centerpiece.
Top right: Sassy and fun- perfect for a light hearted couple's cake table
Bottom left: L-O-V-E coasters would be cute on a guest book table, candy buffet or cake table.
Bottom left: Mercury glass votives are soooo hott right now!
Bottom middle: These Margarita glasses are substanial enough to use on cocktail table- float a candle or a bright ruffly dahlia- perfect!
Bottom right: I love this for a centerpiece if your guest tables have umbrellas.

Happy Shopping!!!

Highlights from David and Sarah

I recieved a link to a highlights reel today. I designed the flowers for David and Sarah last year.

Take a look:

David and Sarah at Le Rivage

Thanks Jensen Video!