Melissa & Blake at Barr Mansion. April 21, 2012.

Melissa and Blake were married at Barr Mansion on what was quite possibly the most glorious Spring morning in the history of Texas.  I love morning weddings.  The day is fresh and I always imagine the bride and groom spending a leisurely evening snuggled up somewhere reliving every moment of their wedding---it makes the magic of the day stretch just a bit further. Though with a 17 month old cutie pie, these two seem to have plenty of magic in their lives already!  And the rest of their family and friends were so warm and gracious and full of joy for these two (three!) to tie the knot.  Barr Mansion is a lovely venue, and lends itself well to Melissa's desire for lush, soft flowers.  Here's what we did:

Peonies, garden rose, champagne rose, and the most delicious ranunculus you ever did see.

 Bridal party goodness:  flower girl baskets, maids, flower girl wand, bride (in gold mason!)

Centerpiece design 1

Centerpiece design 2

 And one more shot of that luscious ranunculus!

Laura & Barrett's Sweet Spring Wedding

Spring in Austin hits full force in March.  In floral-world, it is one of my favorite times of year because of the truly "seasonal" items which become available for a seemingly fleeting period of time.  Yellow, in particular offers up a wealth of beauty in the Spring, and as luck would have it, it is a color this couple likes!  They wed at the beautiful Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Austin (which they walked across the street to from the Omni hotel where they got ready-- how fun & easy is that!) And then headed to Mercuy Hall for their reception.  They made the lovely wishing tree which sat ontop of the family's dining table they brought from their home.  The lovely side board adorned with the most delicious looking treats from Blue Note Bakery was also a family piece--and I haven't yet gotten the story behind the collection of vintage plates, but aren't they just the sweetest things you ever did see??  Surely there is a story there too!  

Laura liked the idea of incorporating some vintage books, and we also added some simple, cedar disks as a nod to Barret's family's tree farm roots.  It all came together in a cozy, fresh, spring-y way that felt very warm and sweet.  Take a look:

Flower girl wand

 Daffodils--classic spring.

taller pieces with mossy branches

Forsythia!

Craspedia=cute.

Acacia-- a Spring time fave.

Head table.

 
plates!!!  LOVE.

Valentine's Day in Review

Valentine's Day is one of those holidays which elicits many emotions from people.  There are the hopeless romantics--wooed by every romantic endeavor and heart shaped confection.  There are the scoffers---the anti-consumerists, the non-believers, the folks who groan and roll their eyes at such fancy.  Me, I suppose I've hit every part of the spectrum at some point in my life.  Currently, I'm being influenced by a six year old girl enamored with glitter, sparkles, tulips and the color pink.  Valentine's Day around here has become more of a "party of 3" family event filled with sweet love notes to Dad, and an overload of chocolates.  

My working life, however, is a different story.  I've been lucky enough to have the clients who are after something special and beautiful because they are the believers and dreamers and sappy-eyed romantics who want to please the person they adore and let them know how happy they are to have them in their life.  There is a code of ethics involved in floristry you don't often hear about that is akin to Doctor/patient confidentiality.  You see, I write the love notes attached to the blooms I send out.  I've blushed, laughed and gotten choked up writing them.  But that is all I can reveal ;)

On my end, all I can say is, flowers--like people--have personality.  For Valentine's day I gravitate towards a mix of hushed, blushing tones and deeper mysterious ones.  Delicate, papery flowers, and lush blooms with hidden layers.  Lots of touseld greenery, because--hey, in floral world that's how you do sexy, right?  So, take a peek at our lovely, sexy, gorgeous, romantic pieces which went out to a bunch of women who embody those very qualities themselves!

 

Stock the Bar shower!

Surely this fabulous idea for a couples' shower was invented after my own wedding--because I cannot think of a single reason why WE DIDN'T DO THIS! What a great and fun idea--stock the bar!!! Forget about the pots and pans--give us top shelf booze and fabulous glass wear with all the fixin's to go with it!

Check out the pictures below of the cocktail table pieces we did at The Side Bar in downtown Austin. If you've been there, you know this little spot is tucked right around the corner from the infamous sixth street and all its debauchery. Things are a little more mellow at the side bar, but its got just enough of an edge to it (note the graffiti on the table in the first picture). Between the flowers, candles and gorgeous spread the hostesses put out, we really took the back patio to a whole new level.

A martini with button mum "olives" and mokara orchid garnish

lime mum Shaker with mokara orchid

martini glass with dusty miller, wine colored mums and white cymbidiums

fuschia gerber margaritas

vendela rose champagne glasses