Anna & Gary's Wedding: October 9, 2011/ 1705 Prime, Raleigh, NC

Fall 2011 was a busy time for weddings!  So much has occurred over the past few months that it will take a few blogs to cover all of the exciting changes and news.  The business is growing and I have been so pleased with all of the events that were such a great success this summer and fall.  With a bit of downtime to occur in December, I will be posting more blogs.

This was such a lovely fall wedding at 1705 Prime.  Thank you to Lauren Mann, photographer, for always being so prompt with getting me her fabulous images. 

 I love the fern curl accents in the bouquet and the boutonniere.

 One of my favorite boutonnieres!

 The lanterns lining the walk give a subtle touch of glow.

 Centerpieces were simple: a trio of cylinders with floating candles and rose petals.

Juliana & Andrew's Wedding, July 2, 2011: COBBLESTONE

 Awesome wedding for Juliana & Andrew!  Their reception was held at the very cool downtown location: Cobblestone.  http://www.cobblestonehall.com/

Thanks to James and his staff at Cobblestone.  You are the BEST!

The space was cool and crisp in sage linens and white chairs.  Perfect for a HOT July day.  I love the cool colors of white, green and blush pink.  The tall arrangements are great for the big space and the lower arrangements provide a more initimate style for the round tables.  Plus, lots of candle-light glow...even for a day time even, it sets the romantic mood for an afternoon reception. 

Tall vases with flower toppers comprised of hydrangeas, roses, orchids and stock are perfect to compliment the height of the space.

Small vases and votives surround the base of the tall vases.  Spray roses and white 'Akito' roses are perfect accents.

A 'quatro' of vases each with their own type of flower is a stunning look for a more contemporary centerpiece style.  White hydrangeas, white roses, white tulips and white callas.  One of my personal favorites.

A third centerpiece style was simple and elegant; vases filled with white hydrangeas.  A simple leaf wrap inside the vase hide the stems.

My new favorite for cake flowers are spray roses.  The 'Green Arrow' spray rose gives a bit of color while not detracting from the beauty of the cake design.  Cake design: Sweet Memories http://www.sweetmemoriesbakery.com/

This is a gorgeous bouquet and it smells fantastic.  The garden roses are a big hit with most brides because of their aroma, the lush look and the array of colors. 

The bridesmaids carried a smaller version of the bridal bouquet.  However, blush pink spray roses were subsituted for the garden roses due to their petite size.

This is a lush look for an 'Altar' or tall arrangement.  White and green hydrangeas, spray roses and dendrobium orchid sprays. 

Bridal Show at 'The Oaks at Salem', June 26, 2011

 I want to thank April Mannes, owner of The Oaks at Salem, for inviting me to their first ever bridal show.  There were about 30+ vendors who showed off their talents.  The brides and families that came through the space were wowed by the new venue.  I was so pleased to be invited to the event!  It was a great success with some very positive leads and wonderful feedback. 

 I was situated next to this gorgeous two-story fireplace, so I could not resist adding a bit of florals and other flare.  A simple garland of magnolia leaves, sunflowers, peach roses and crystal strands softened the wood mantle while large glass vases with floating candles strengthened the height of the space.

This bouquet of mini callas, peach roses, and hypericum berries would be perfect for an early fall wedding.

Thank you's also go to Craig with Luster Studios.  Craig was one of the vendors, too.  Craig was so kind to take great photos of everyone's table set-up.  Plus, I just loved my specialy linen from CE Rentals.  The 'Gold Coin' linen was just breathtaking!!!!  Thank you Wil at CE Rentals.

 I love this design.  Manzanita Branches were spray painted gold to highlight the gold and peach/orange theme.  I even got a bit brave by spray painting real sunflowers gold, too.  At the show I hung silver mercury votives from the branches for extra candle-light glow.

This is a very popular look for centerpieces.  Use different size vases/ shapes with a single type flower in each.  Depending on the size of the table, use two, three, four or five vases.   Orange Celosia, Peach Tulips, Peach Roses and Green Hydrangeas make a great combination.  

Styled Photo Shoot with Renee Sprink Photorapher at Haywood Hall Gardens, June 15, 2011

I had the amazing experiece to be a part of Renne Sprink, photographer, styled photo shoot for one of her couples that just got engaged.  The couple wanted something special.  The vision to create a beautiful retreat in the Haywood Hall/ Gardens of downtown Raleigh was so cool.  Siver lanterns hung from the pergolas, dinner and cocktail tables set with flowers, branches, feathers, crystals and lots of candle light made the space just glow. 

As the night grew dark, these silver lanterns hung from the pergola just shined in the moonlight.  White twinkle light strands strung within the grapevines just to added the beauty.

Crisp white sheer fabric panels softened the white pergola.  The breeze added a nice touch to the soft fabric.

Here are some of my personal photos of the centerpieces used for the photo shoot.  Garden style was a must with a few suprises such as the white feather accents.  Hydrangeas, green roses, peonies, silver foliage, orchids and variegated ivy were tucked into a classic white glass vase. 

Another look was this grouping of silver bud vases filled with a variety of flowers that replicated the ones used in the larger centerpiece.   I can't wait to see the "real images" from Renee!  I will post her photos soon....

Faith & Adam, April 30, 2011

Ahhhh.....April 2011 is over.  What a wonderfully busy month for weddings.  It went by in a blink and now May 2011 is in the past, too.  Here is a quick nod to an April 30th wedding.  Faith and Adam, one of the most relaxed couple...ever.  Sweet and simple.  When I met Faith, all she wanted for flowers were sunflowers.  I asked, "That is all?".  Yes, that is all.  Okay....

  Well, I was so pleasantly surprised by the outcome that I found a new love for sunflowers.  Although the resiliant flowers have a mind of their own...They truly only want to point their heads one way.  But, I triumphed!  Enjoy this sampling of images provided by Live View Studios.  Live View Studios captured the mood and the beauty of the couple, the event and the stunning setting of Barclay Villa.

Abby & Nam, April 16, 2011

 Abby & Nam's wedding was eventful not only because of the beautiful couple that they are but also due to the fact that Raleigh was hit with tornadoes that same day.  With power out in all of downtown Raleigh, the wedding still went on with a few changes.  The bridal party and guests still found the strength and 'humor' to make the most of the special event.  The venue, Marbles Museum, was still fantastic even as the sun set in the evening.  Candles gave the space a romantic vibe!  Laura Mann, photographer was gracious to send me these photos of the wedding.  So many thanks to Katie Dunn with La Fete for her wonderful planing skills...she made it all work!

 White Anemones, Tulips, Roses and Star of Bethlehem filled Abby's Spring Bouquet.

 Deep Red, Black & Burgundy flowers filled black glass containers.  Flowers included; Oriental Lilies, roses, tulips and Ti leaves.

 Super Tall black Eifel Towers (36" ht. vases!) were topped with black foliage, red Oriental Lilies, Mokara Orchids, and Red roses.

 A simple trio of cylinder vases with floating candles were surround by a scattering of red rose petals.

This was a very unique and cultural idea for displaying guests' table markers.  Gorgeous ivory lace fans from Polynesia were hung from Black Manzanita Branches and also scattered on the table.  Red Gerber Daisies gave a pop of color to brighten the display.  A wonderful look and a nice gift for guests, too.

Allison & Ryan' Wedding, April 2, 2011

April was an amazing month for me.  Every weekend was full of weddings and events.  Even the crazy weather could not slow me down or put a damper on the special days.  I love that every bride had such unique colors. And, Allison and Ryan's wedding was no exception.  The hot pink and deep orange just glowed.  Tammy Wingo, the photographer, was so kind to share her fabulous images with me!  I just got them today and I was amazed at how well a professional image looks compared to what I can take...oh well, I guess I will stick to the flowers.