Celebrations

Mauve & Yellow Flowers for the Month of March

0 · Apr 1, 2020 ·

Yes, it’s techically April 1st and I’m just finishing up my March flower series. But since we’re all at home in quarentine, who really knows what day it is anymore anyway??? Plus these flowers will spill beautifully into the month of April as well.

My orginal plan was to create this arrangment (using my 5 flowers from the month of March – linked here in case you missed them), and then create an Easter inspired tablescape. But it was as I was finalizing these plans that the world outside got a little chaotic – schools closed, sickness showed up in our state and we were all ordered to stay home. This order extends well past Easter and so all of our traditional Easter day activities (church, Easter dresses, egg hunts, a fancy brunch, etc) have all sort of been put on hold. Onto Plan B….

I made a little video. I thought we could inspired eachother with putting together flowers that still exist, even if sourcing them is a little more challenging right now. Easter is all about the season of hope, which is what these flowers are giving me. Hope that this is part of a greater plan, afterall He’s got the whole world in His hands and if there was ever a reminder to let go and reliquish control, it’s this. None of us can truly control what’s going on in the outside world. Instead we can focus on what beauty can be found in the situation.

A quick little video of me putting this together (along with some dog barking and high speed curious facial expressions 🙂 Realtime, it took me approximately 29 minutes to put this centerpiece together, but I edited it down to just 14 for your viewing pleasure.

And then when I was all finished, I really couldn’t resist the idea of seeing what this might look like next to a placesetting. So I grabbed some mustard napkins and simple stoneware plates and played… complete with candles and gold flateware. I really should have just put together an entire tabletop because this little snippet by itself was so good!

We finally have some spring weather here in the forcast in Michigan and the last of our snow piles have just about melted. Hope the weather is doing a happy dance whereever you are as well!

A Blushing Red, Coral & Mustard Valentine’s Tabletop

0 · Feb 10, 2020 ·

Last month I started something new, a series introducing 5 flowers that I’m loving at this moment – pretty close to real time, in season varieties. It’s intended to be a project to begin cataloging flowers and reminding ourselves that 1. spring will come and 2. there are flowers available even if it is frigid outside and they’re not growing in our own yards. The second step of this was designing an arrangement or tablescape (or both) utilizing these flower, sort of a “see them in action” thought.

We’re in month 2 of that series and I’m already going to switch that up a bit. It seems necessary to show my Valentine’s tabletop this week, instead of after the fact, so next week we’ll talk in more detail about the flowers I’m featuring here. All flowers in shades of pink, red and coral – in honor of this day of love we so fondly celebrate.

These are colors that I don’t naturally gravitate towards. I was putting the recipe and flower order together with this holiday in mind but part of me was actually inwardly cringing. It felt cliché. Too expected. I don’t necessarily like to do the “expected” thing. However, I went on with my order and improvised.

So here we are with warm, vibrant hues of winter flowers. A blue wall in my dining room and a wood table top. I began shopping my house to bring all the elements together.

My first find was these sweet vintage plates my sister bought for me with delicate pink blooms and glimmering gold edges. I’ve used them before in my everyday life, but never really incorporated them into a full pacesetting. I felt they were more appropriate for a feminine tea party rather than a dinner. But Valentine’s Day is one of the holidays where those rules stretch. Plus, I always like to use something that holds a meaning and is special to me beyond just being a trendy piece of décor. This fit the bill.

I knew I wanted this to keep a somewhat modern vibe. Using vintage plates meant that I was going to have to use something with clean lines to offset the romantic florals and again fight against this feeling like a girly tea party. I pulled out my modern gold flatware – which looked great with the gold trim on the plates, layered the smaller plates with sleek stoneware ones underneath and added glassware. The napkin was a struggle. I didn’t want to use a cliché pink or red option but honestly wasn’t sure what else might work. I was thinking about my blue-ish wall and contemplating color densities and unsure of it all together. I pulled out these mustard ones quite my accident and was pleasantly surprised. They worked with the gold and drew attention to some of the warmer, more amber hues in the flowers. They seemed unexpected and modern and I love them.

My last task was making something for the wall. I imagined that I was creating a dinner party with a little bar setup and wanted a heart shaped something. The idea of a wreath was on my mind but I wasn’t sure I could create something that wasn’t tacky. I’m really not a fan of heart shaped objects. They feel a little too girly girl. I’m feminine and love flowers, but heart shaped items take things a little too far for my liking. After a little foraging and picking up some dried flowers and citrus from around my studio, I made a wreath. Fastened some Adorn silk ribbons to it and gave it my final nod of approval. Heart shaped, not totally cheesy.

Ta dah! Date night. Dinner party. Galentine’s. Whatever your occasion this week, here’s some inspiration. And if you happen to be ordering (or receiving) flowers from me this week, they’ll be in this same color palette so incorporating them into your Friday night celebration should be easy.

Real Weddings :: Sarah & Matt

0 · Feb 27, 2019 ·

Prior to this day, I had never been to Grosse Pointe. I had never met Sarah in person, despite our many phone calls and email exchanges. I was traveling alone and it was a long drive. None the less, I knew this was going to be a good day.

I drove through neighborhoods of impressive houses and perfectly groomed lawns. The gates and roadways were so well manicured and my rusty Tahoe (rest in peace old girl) stuck out like a handful of sore thumbs against the luxury sedans around me. I was like a fish out of water, a little country girl from the middle of nowhere Michigan, trying to fit into this gorgeous yacht club scene. But I reminded myself, it was going to be a good day.

Trusty Rusty may have turned some heads and raised a couple of eyebrows, but as soon as people see the beautiful blooms in your hands, any questioning looks immediately disappear. My doubts fade when I have flowers in my hands. There’s a confidence in my ability, regardless of where I’ve traveled. Flowers make people happy. And this was a happy day.

Sarah and I met for the first time that day. It was a meeting I won’t soon forget with an embrace as though we were long lost friends. The energy in the room as the girls were getting ready was contagious.

I met my team on site and we got to work, fluffing centerpieces and placing candles. Perfecting each arrangement and making sure each bloom was perfectly placed. The process included hauling marble tables up multiple flights of stairs, carrying 20 some centerpieces into an impeccably designed nautical room and building a table scape on site to be stretched down the head table. We wrap our ribbons around the bouquets right before they were to be photographed, pinned each of the buttonholes onto the guys lapels and dedicated our day to making sure set up as perfect as humanly possible. By the time I left the venue, the bride and groom had exchanged first looks, wedding portraits were well underway and the guests were due to begin arriving at any time.

It’s not a process to be hurried. So much time and care was spent in designing the flowers. Sarah and I spend hours communicating about her favorite blooms, imagining how they would pair with her napkins and what vessels should be used. We searched and search for the perfect shade of taper candle (which oddly enough, we swapped out on the day of, once seeing it in the room – terra cotta was exchanged for butter yellow). I stayed and styled the stationary with Samantha James Photography and moved the table numbers that the venue coordinator placed right in front of the bride’s favorite centerpiece flowers. Are these tasks that all florist do? Maybe some, but others just drop the arrangement and run. But something would be missing if that were the way I operated. The bride would feel it and so would I.

At 11:00pm that night I came back alone. I made sure all the candles were burned out and picked up any remaining flowers. I was tired. It was a long day. I had travel ahead of me still. But the smiles that remained on the bride and grooms’ faces at the end of the night instantly rejuvenated me. Because this day wasn’t about me. I knew an exhaustion I felt was all worth it. I had gotten to be a part of another once in a lifetime celebration. And it was a good day.

Photography: Samantha James Photography | Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Wedding Design: Megan Styled | Venue: Grosse Pointe Yacht Club | Stationary: Shasta Bell Calligraphy

14 Ways to Celebrate Valentines Day (and those we love)

0 · Feb 1, 2019 ·

We made it to February! January was a really great month, until all the snow storms and cold hit – shutting down what seemed like the entire Midwest. The latter part of the month dragged and while I know that winter isn’t over, there is some relief in knowing that we’ve survived the polar vortex of 2019 and hopefully there are warmer days ahead.

Days filled with love.

I work in the wedding and floral businesses. So Valentine’s Day, it’s pretty huge. I’m not doing any valentine’s florals this year (but maybe next? We’ll see how the year plays out). Regardless, I think we all should celebrate. However, that doesn’t mean I think we should all fall into the commercialized trap of Hallmark cards, overpriced chocolates and lacy little nighties – unless of course that’s what you want to do (there’s certainly nothing wrong with that!). What I am saying, is we should always take time out of our schedule to celebrate love. To savor it and to appreciate the love that we all have in our lives. That might mean a spouse or significant other, but also the little loves that bring our homes to life. We should honor each other’s love languages and create a day, or even month, reminding them just how loved and special they really are.

With that being said, I’m sharing 14 ideas to celebrate. Whether you’re actually celebrating the holiday or need to just take a day (or 2) to focus on the people who are important to you.

1. At home date night

Valentine’s Day is in the middle of the week. We all have work, kids, schedules, etc. and finding a baby sitting can be both difficult and expensive. When it comes to date night, my husband and I rarely leave the house. We spend the early evening with our girls, make them dinner and tuck them into be a couple minutes early (the advantage of having young children that can’t tell time yet) and then at 8:00pm our date night starts. We’ll make up a charcuterie board for dinner, have a glass or two of wine and sneak off to our bedroom to watch a movie, play a board game and just enjoy a meal and time together.

2. Love notes

Leave a love note for your spouse somewhere in the house. Have a note tucked in their bag/briefcase/coat pocket to find while their out in the world. Have it waiting next to their toothbrush when they get up in the morning. Wherever the placement, surprise them with a sweet note sharing how much you care and reminding them that even when their out in the world on their own, they will also come back to you.

Photography: K. R. Moreno | Calligraphy: Ciarra Claire Fine Art | Florals: Shelby of The Day’s Design

3. A note a day

This takes the idea above and stretches it out a little. In this idea, for the two weeks up to Valentine’s Day, you leave a one line note every day sharing something that you love about your spouse. By the time Valentine’s Day rolls around, they’ll know 14 (if you start today) little things that you love about them and start to feel really special. This is a really significant idea if your spouses’ love language is words of affirmation.

4. Mini gifts

Last year, my husband and I decided that instead of doing a large valentine’s gift or exchanging cards and chocolates, we were going to do 14 mini gifts – one a day for the first 14 days of February. They were small thoughtful gifts that didn’t cost much but were easy ways to say “I pay attention” and “I care.” Some examples, a package of my favorite pens, some clothes pins (along with the promise to hang a new clothesline for me once the weather turned nice), chap stick, new earbuds – we chose practical things that we recognized would make our spouses’ lives just a little better and again, it was an easy way to show how much we really do pay attention to each other’s needs. While it was fun giving and receiving something each day, it was almost more fun having something to look forward to each evening, knowing that we were carving a few extra minutes of out of our day for each other to do something just a little special.

5. Home cooked meal

Make your family’s favorite meal. It might sound like such a simple gesture, but something that’s cooked with love is going to show them love. It’s also a way to involve you children as well, giving everyone a taste of one of their favorite treats, making each person in your home feel loved.

6. Wine tasting date

We live in an area where wineries are very prevalent. However, taking the time to actually explore them is not something that we often take time out of our schedule to do. Going wine (or even beer tasting) is a relaxed and easy way to get out of the house and try something new, creating an experience together.

7. Let your spouse sleep in

Don’t we all wish for just a little more sleep? Valentine’s falls on a week day this year, so maybe on that particular day it might not be possible, but what about gifting the promise of a quiet Saturday morning, staying in bed until noon. It doesn’t get more inexpensive than that and it such a treat! You could even top it off with serving a little breakfast in bed.

8. Get dressed up

I’ve come to the point in my life where I’m constantly in my “mom uniform”. Jeans and/or leggings, big heavy winter sweaters and clothing that’s just practical for life. We rarely leave the house as just the two of us and as much as I do try to do my hair and makeup and keep myself “presentable”, it’s certainly not the extent of getting dolled up like when we were first together. So even if you’re not leaving the house, put a dress on, wear something nice and spend a little extra time to “wow” your spouse, reminding them of the of the girl they fell in love with.

8 1/2. Get More Dressed Up

We all know that lingerie and similar items are being highly promoted right now. Something new is always a fun way to grab your spouses attention. Or if you’re feeling a bit more daring, boudior photography is a gift that will knock his socks off. I’ve done it and it was a very well recieved gift. However, my piece of advice is find a photographer who’s work you love, you feel comfortable with and will make you feel like a godness. It can be so tasteful and beautifully done as a work of art. (You can read more about a boudior session I styled previously here.)

Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography

9. Wine and cheese party

While spending a quiet night alone is the usual go-to idea for Valentine’s Day, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s a day about love and maybe there are more people in your life that you’d like to share that love with. So why not host a party? Invite some close friends over, have a little wine and cheese spread, ask everyone to bring their favorite rosé or bubbly and enjoy great conversation. This is also a great way to include those single friends in your life who may often feel a little “unloved” on this day of the year – we’ve all been there.

10. Make breakfast

We talked about Valentine’s Day being on a week day this year. Which means a normal day of work and school for most of us. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t start the day off right with a big breakfast treat. My husband usually sneaks out the door with a cup of coffee and a granola bar or banana, if he’s lucky. Wouldn’t it be a pleasant surprise to have breakfast ready and waiting when he got out of bed that morning?

11. Light a candle

It’s that simple. Candles smell good and instantly add a relaxing, romantic glow to any room. What you do next is up to you 😉

12. Make heart shaped pizza

I have come to realize how many of these ideas revolve around food but what’s that saying – the way to a man’s heart is through is stomach?? – or something like that. Making little heart shaped pizzas is festive for him and for the little ones in your life, plus, who doesn’t love pizza?

Or try heart cookies, homemade poptarts, muffins, cakes or any other food that you could turn into a heart (I even saw a post on how to cook heart shaped bacon!)

13. Do something around the house that your spouse finds a chore

Stay with me here – this is designed around the idea of preforming an act of service for your spouse. Maybe cleaning the bathroom or taking out the trash is at the top of their list of hated household chores – so clean it for them. Perhaps there’s some nagging happening about new wallpaper or lighting fixtures that need to be hung. Can you imagine if you walked into your house after a long day away and it was perfectly cleaned from top to bottom? I’d fall over with glee – what a great gift. Can you reverse that and clean his car/garage/man cave? Think of other little gestures that might be outside of your normal scope of duties but would make a big impact on their day.

Photography: K. R. Moreno | Calligraphy: Ciarra Claire Fine Art | Florals: Shelby of The Day’s Design

14. I still do

Those 3 little words are huge. It means time and time again, I would choose my husband, regardless of what the last 8 years of marriage have held. Kel and Mel have an entire moment, with products designed to celebrate those little words. Words that at times are so much stronger than saying “I love you” because we all know people who have walked about from other’s that they love, but these words bring us together over and over again. Their website if full of sweet and thoughtful gift ideas.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate or even if you prefer not to acknowledge this holiday, I encourage you to remember love and keep it at the forefront of your mind in all that you do.

Spring Botanical Shoot Featured on Grey Likes Weddings

0 · Jul 3, 2018 ·

Sitting here in the middle of a heat wave, it’s hard to recall those cold and bleak winter days when this project was created. I refuse to complain of the heat, because I know it’s only a matter of time until the grass turns grey and the land is barren once more. It was in those days of winter when a group of us came together to create hope, knowing that spring would one day return…

These are the words that inspired me back in those winter days:

“There’s a world out there aching for spring. The grey of winter locks the doors and seals our windows tight. The stagnant air trapped around us starts to suffocate. But then, just when we think we can’t take another minute, hope, in the form of a single ray of sun shines through.

The world around me and the constant changing seasons are my forever muse. A different canvas is created each month and as an artist, I’m continually inspired to create. This made choosing The Old Art Building, complete with whitewashed wood and painting mishaps, the perfect backdrop for this project. If the walls could talk, I’m sure they’ve be filled in generations of inspiring tales.

And as each of us waiting for spring, longing for the first pops of color to appear in a cold and dismal season, so I image a bride waiting for her groom. Waiting for the perfect moment when they someday will meet, the seeds of love will be sown and blossom into a beautiful marriage.

Nature was kept at the forefront of this inspiration, incorporating fallen branches, forgotten twigs and foraged evergreen vines. Springtime botanicals filled the space with minimalistic touches on the tabletop and a living art installation serving as the hand painted cake’s backdrop.

My favorite details though are the ones you can’t plan for. The sun beaming through the venue’s grand windows, warming the day and reminding us of the beautiful moments yet to come.”

The creative team:

See the entire feature today on Grey Likes Weddings.

Shoot Simply :: Dining Al Fresco

0 · May 23, 2018 ·

Terra cotta has been my summer color crush. Whether it’s antiqued or new, on fresh patio stones or in chippy old pots, this color has been my muse.

Last year Emilee Mae Photography hosted a workshop for photographers, a simple gathering where they could come and get inspired and boost their portfolio. She asked me to be a part, decorating and adding florals to the day. When she shared the venue with me, the first thought that popped to mind was terra cotta. It’s all over the space and I’d finally have a creative outlet for my inspiration.

We decided to do two different setups in two different areas of the venue, giving photographers a better chance to photograph things that both inspire them and also align with the aesthetics of their brand. Today I’m going to show you part one. It was more casually inspired, leaning towards a slightly southwest vibe and would translate great into a dinner party with friends.

Texture was imperative in the design. I took inspiration from the patio bricks, the concrete floors and the subtle variations of brown and earthy tones throughout the venue and then added those same touches to the tabletop itself. I imagined what it might be like if the honeysuckle took over and grew into the porch. I was careful not to add too many colors into the florals or design itself because I wanted to retain the earthy and outdoor casual vibe that the space already boasted so beautifully.

Because we had so many wedding photographers on site, we incorporated things like a cement inspired wedding cake and a gorgeous couple to model. But I really wanted to think of this in the same way that I would host a dinner party on my own patio (providing I had one!) I’d want it to be causual and inviting, taking cues from the surroundings and would love to fill all those chairs with happy faces.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this workshop. Two Hats Ranch (our host venue) is actually a white tail deer ranch and fawn might just make a sweet little appearance 😉

If a Florist Wed

0 · May 16, 2018 ·

Last spring I had an idea. I was thinking about my own wedding day, how frazzled and jumbled it all I was. I was thinking about where I placed my focus and how it really could have been improved. I reflect back on tweaks and improvements for every wedding day, but my own has stuck with me a little longer.

My number one regret is trying to take on too much myself. I enlisted the help of my family and friends but never really sat back to soak in the day. I felt guilty for my family working so hard and worried that something would go wrong.

This has always been at the forefront of my mind and is one of the huge reasons that I started my business. But last spring I took this idea a step further. I began to contemplate what it’s like in general for someone in the wedding industry to wed. There’s an extra level of stress and pressure and this idea that everything must be perfect because not only is this finally their turn, but it also reflects back as an extension of their portfolio – whether they want it to or not – and perhaps I only imagine this, but somehow I think there’s an extra level of judgement or maybe critique from the guests’ eyes.

I designed this shoot to embrace what it would be like for me or any florist/planner to wed now. Knowing what I know and seeing what I’ve seen. I created this character that knew just exactly what to focus on, how to treat her guests and how to not get lost in the busyness of it all.

I titled this piece, “If a Florist Wed” with the following thoughts in mind…

Imagine a quiet morning, the dew is still on the grass and the birds have just started to sing. There’s an anticipation in the air as guests will mingle and celebrate in the countryside, as one woman and one man will pledge their love eternally to one another.

But before the celebration comes the preparation. So in the dawn of the day, final arrangements are being made. She’s a florist, who’s been a part of hundreds of weddings days. She’s seen too many stressed brides and is committed to focusing only on the things that really matter.

An arbor of foraged greens is constructed in the woods as the backdrop for their vows. Local lilacs are inserted into her bridal bouquet. And a wide brimmed hat is worn to keep the sun off her face as she gathers her last minute blooms.

Potted plants lined the long table at which her closest friends and family will gather. Simple placecards and candles add to the no-fuss vibe. But she’s forever tempted to play the hostess, serving wine and cake to her guests and making the day just as unforgettable to them as it will be to her and her groom.

This is the serentity I wish I might have found on my wedding day. A peaceful morning. The setting of the story is in our very own back yard, it just seemed liked the perfeect venue with it’s natural and overgrown appeal. The perfect place for a bride to go foraging (as I so often do!)

This project was also featured on Trendy Bride Magazine. You can see it here.

I’m not planning another wedding for myself personally, but I would love to plan more outdoor dinner parties here soon. Very very soon!

Real Weddings :: Racheal and Steve’s Treehouse Soiree

1 · May 2, 2018 ·

Getting married in the trees, suspended above the city. Doesn’t that sound romantic? I’ve worked at the Bissell Treehouse before and after being back for my third time, I still have to say I’m in awe of this space. It’s a clean and modern slate just waiting to be personalized.

I began working with Racheal and Steve almost 18 months prior to their wedding date. When you start planning so far in adavance, it seems as though the day might never come. It’s like a never ending coversation with friends, you keep dreaming and chatting and then suddenly out of nowhere, the grand day actually arrives.

The ladies began getting ready at Racheal parent’s house by the water. Delivering flowers in the morning is always one of my favorite parts of the day. The anticipation in tha air is thick and everyone is giddy with excitment.

I remember one of the first times I ever drove threw Grand Rapids, my mother telling me of it being nicknamed Little Jeruselum, and how breathtaking all the majastic church steeple were. I was only about 8 year old, but I still feel that way today as I drive over I-196 through downtown and see them standing proud. Of course at that time I had no idea that I would one day call Grand Rapids home much less be planning weddings in one of these holy places.

And now we’ll whisk you away to a reception amoung the trees. Soft touches of dusty blue and muted citrus tones are sprinkled amoungst the vibrant green foliage. Boxwood bars, custom signage and chesterfield lounge furntiture was all brought into the space creating an air of elegant relaxation as family and guests dance and celebrate the night away.

Featured :: If a Florist Wed on Trendy Bride

0 · Mar 13, 2018 ·

Last spring Kelly Sweet and I created with this imaginary vision with these thoughts in mind, and today you can see the entire feature on Trendy Bride.

Real Weddings :: Ryan & Jessica’s Equestrian Celebration

1 · Feb 21, 2018 ·

Country weddings can be low key and elegant, simple, rustic and still beautiful all at once. Bright white spaces can be filled with color and smelly old horse barns can make the most stunny reception venues. This wedding proves all of that.

Jessica has freelanced with me for the past 3 wedding seasons, and last year it was her turn. She chose to get married in March, which made me so happy because late winter and early spring are amazing times for flowers. Obviously we weren’t utilizing many local options but the Japanese and speciality flower markets are out of this world. The ranunculus in her bouquets, where nearly as large as peonies.

Her family owns a horse farm and spent the months leading up to Jessica and Ryan’s nuptials renovating the upper level, white washing the walls and making over the space to be the most perfect “at home” wedding possible. Jewel tones and greenery popped against the muted canvas and soft shades of smokey blue were the perfect accent. Plus we can’t forget about the church, which was filled with more flowers than I’ve ever put in one santuary before – and I want to recreate this scene again and again.

Photography: Katie Grace Photography & Videography | Ceremony & Personal Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Ceremony Venue: Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan | Reception Venue: Rusty Spurs Equestrian Center | Invitations: The Woolberry Press | Cake: Pastry Chef Dana Wilmer Lucas

I also wanted to note, because Jessica is so fabulous, she designed the entire space herself as well as tackled arranging all of her own centerpieces. I simply jumped in for a little designing consult and to tackled the ceremony florals and the personal arrangements… plus hauling all of the ceremony arrangments to the reception site to repurpose (which was not an easy task!)

Congratulations on almost 1 year of marriage! I wish you both all the love and happiness.

Real Weddings :: Justine & Devin’s Glamorous Gala in Downtown Flint (Part 2)

0 · Jan 18, 2018 ·

Sharing the rest of this wedding day has been a long time in coming. It has been featured in The Knot Michigan and I shared part 1 awhile back (you can read that here). But what I would like my readers to know is that I always respect my bride’s wishes, and it was at the bride’s request that I hold off in sharing this.

However, I now have the green light and I cannot wait for you to feast your eyes on this gorgeous wedding day. In full disclosure, this is my sister’s wedding. So I am playing favorites when I gush about how this day was my favorite, but I feel that it’s rightfully deserved. The junior bridesmaid was my niece and my very own Gretta was the world’s cutest flower girl, no contest there.

Part 1 of this day shared all the pre-ceremony fun. The romantic first look. And all the charming details. We’re now entering the ceremony site, which was the historic lobby of The Durant Hotel. Natural light lover’s, this is one of the best venues in existance. There’s so much charm and history here, we could have left the entire area completey undecorated and still had a breathetaking backdrop. We’re extra thankful for the lobby’s beauty as it started to rain just as we were hoping to do a few outdoor wedding party portraits. However, this wasn’t even an issue when you find a place this pretty.

As we move into the historic ballroom (complete with the orginal grey and white tile floors – which might just be my favorite detail!). I need to share a quick public service message to all brides, take a minute to see the room before it’s filled with all your favorite people (ie, you’re guests). Brides spend months agnoizing over the little details – silverware, place cards, ribbons, linen textures, etc, but sometimes never get to see the way the room sparkles the way your guests do. Allow yourself time for a room reveal, you won’t regret it.

The guests were greated by an 8 foot escort card display, which was adorned with southern smilax, florals and wax seals. We used a mix of round and long tables, to add a little variety, alternating the linens as well. The bride and groom chose to sit at a non traditional table, with the best man and maid of honor (me!) and our significant others which allowed other wedding party members to sit with their dates and also created a really intimate experience for all.

Again, I could go on and one about the details of this day but alas I’ll just share one more. The placecards, this might have actually been one of my very favorite wedding touches ever. As soon as Justine & Devin were engaged and decided on a color scheme, I started pressing forget-me-not flowers from my grandma’s property. They were the perfect color and I knew I’d find a perfect spot to incorporate such a personal detail. We attached them to the watercolor place cards and each guest got to be a part of my grandma’s garden.

2017’s Top Nine

0 · Jan 4, 2018 ·

If you follow The Day’s Design on Instagram, then you may have seen me share 2017’s best of nine. These are my nine most loved posts from the year by my followers. As I was looking through those 9 little squares, I was actually pretty facinated by the results. There were posts and moments from the year that I had completely forgotten about. Then I started thinking about what my nine favorite moments would have been from the year. Maybe they would be things that I’ve shared publically or maybe some that I’ve kept to myself. Perhaps a camera might not adequately capture the special essense of a particular moment or maybe the picture is more than words could really even say. What if the results weren’t based on my audience’s favorites but rather my own? How would the results change?

Thinking back, these are 9 things that stood out in my mind this year. I numbered them, but try not to get too hung up on the order (except for maybe number 1 &2, I think they need to stay near the top). These were moments of victory, overcoming doubt, joy and serving myself, my family and my clients well. 2018 will certainly be a contiued journey, full of growth and adventure and lots of love.

9. Jessica’s Wedding

I don’t think I’ve ever had a bride that I didn’t love working with. Each and every celebration is special in it’s own way. But this one, it had an extra dose of celebration because, Jessica. She’s freelanced with me for the past 3 wedding seasons and even become a friend. So clearly that makes this day amazing because 1. weddings + friends are the best and 2. she loves flowers as much as I do and I got to pick some of the best products March has to offer (I mean, look at those blush ranunculus!).

Photography: Katie Grace Photography

8. Cadillac’s Ceiling Installation

Tents provide a blank canvas. Sometimes white space and the open air is a really good thing, but sometimes, especially if the venue has a permanent tent, it can feel too big and empty because sizing isn’t always 100% correct for the number of items going into the tent, which calls for a little extra finess. This was my first ceiling installation in a tent and I loved how it turned out. My husband helped me build a structure, which we then hung over the head table making it the centerpiece of the room. We adorned it with greenery and hops, which was extra perfect because the groom is a beer blogger! More fun installations for 2018 please!

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

7. Sarah’s Smile

I loved this wedding for many reasons. The flowers came together perfectly, the colors, the venue, the seersucker bridesmaids dresses, the list really could go on. But my number one favorite piece of this day was Sarah’s smile. Smiles like these are the reasons I do what I do and this wedding was just a thankful reminder of why I love my job. There was so much joy and thankfulness present on this day and it was contagious. I had never met Sarah in person until the wedding day, and she treated me like a long lost firend. She is joy. I can’t pick a favorite moment or try to perfectly depict it one little square on Instagram but just know it was an amazing day.

Photography: Samantha James Photography

6. Racheal’s Escort Card Display

One of my goals for 2017 was to think outside of the box more. I wanted to take designs beyond just centerpieces and bouquets, and the most commonly thought of wedding pieces. This escort sign which I was able to bring to life with Ciarra of Silver Fox Calligraphy, did just that. We purchased linen fabric in the same hue as the table cloths, Ciarra used white calligraphy on acrylic squares and we fashioned it all together, of course adding florals around the edges. The behind the scenes construction of this was one of my top nine Instagram posts for the year and for good reason, this display was one of my favorites ever.

Photography: Cory Weber Photography

5. Tinge Workshop

I have been a long time fan of Tinge Floral. There are lots of florist who’s work I admire, but she’s definately near the top of my list. It was about this time last year that I was debating whether or not I should attend her workshop, there was one seat left. I wanted to so badly but travel with kids is hard, its expensive and I wasn’t sure it made sense. But my husband said, go. So with shaky hands I typed my credit card numbers in and that was that. I went. Attending the Color Theory workshop was the right decision. I came home inspired, ready to create and vamped up my workflow as I lost a piece of the self doubt that I didn’t even realize I was holding on to.

Photography: Ciara Richardson Photography

4. Backyard Photo Shoot

This was just a little dream of mine. I love nature and our country home and will show off this space whenever possible. I often dream of dinner parties at our home and when I began thinking about this photo shoot, I knew this was the space to host it. Someday, I want to see the seats at this table filled with laughter and smiling faces, but for now I’ll share the scene that waits for friends to come.

Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography

3. My Sister’s Wedding featured in The Knot

My sister got married back in 2016, but her wedding was featured in The Knot Michigan ins 2017. This definately goes on my highlight reel, for a whole lot of reasons. (You can see part one of her wedding day here, I know know, part 2 is soon to come!)

2. Anniversary Photos

Always look for a reason to celebrate. This year, we celebrated 7 years of marriage. That sounds like such a long time and yet no time at all. Our wedding photos have become dated and it’s getting harder and harder to find time for just the two of us. But we took a night and parked the occassion because part of key to a sucessful 7 years of celebrating the milestones and making time for one another.

Photography: Samantha James Photography

1.I Still Do

This is a moment that I’ve kept pretty quiet about. It was a special moment that I’ve just let soak in. I don’t have any pictures (yet!) so I suppose no one really could have possibly voted it as part of my best 9. After 10 years together and 7 years of marriage, we still do. My husband chose me all over again and re-proposed in the same location that we hosted our wedding reception. He had my ring reset (it’s been unwearable for the past 2+ years) and got down on one knee in front of a giant Christmas tree. Cory Weber was hiding in the background and captured the whole thing!

Just a little 2010 wedding day flashback for you from Shannon Scott Photography until I get a few pictures from that December night back!

2018 is going to be a good year, I can feel it. I’ve got some projects and ideas up my sleeves, I’ve got some dreams that I’d like to make realities and I do still have some openings for floral and wedding planning clients, so inquiries are welcome. And in case you’re wondering about my best of nine 9 chosen by The Day’s Design’s Instagram followers, here you go:

Happy New Year!

Autumn’s Queen

0 · Oct 31, 2017 ·

This feels a little mystical, a little magical and maybe even a little spooky – which clearly is perfect for today. When I was younger, I always wanted to dress up like a princess or fairy, I was a girl who drempt of unicorns and magical far off lands. My mother had a more grounded perception of a little girl’s life, and I was forced to wear “cute” things like a little kitty (wearing a sensible fuzzy sweatpant suit while my bff got to wear her form fitting dance leotard with pointed cat ears). Or the year I was a bunch of balloon grapes – which I’ll hand it to my mom, in the days before Pinterest, this was pretty creative costume and thankfully in those days 4 year olds did not have to sit in carseats before their trick or treating excursions.

However, with this project I got to enter a fantasy world. This was a place where autumn’s wonder collided with gilded crowns and tulle dresses. A milkweed pod became a septor and velvet settee one girl’s throne. As the sun sank into the background, the leaves danced into the night twinking in shades of bordeux and plum. The seed’s white fuffy strands twirled through the air like woodland nymphs, which added to the magic and splendor of the October evening.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Floral Design & Styling: The Day’s Design | Hair & Makeup: Glam by Sarah | Dress: Elizabeth Dye | Ring: Susie Saltzman

Happy Halloween!

Real Weddings :: Shelby & Paul’s Autumn Farm Wedding

0 · Oct 20, 2017 ·

Upon my very first visit to Misty Farms, I was immediately greeted by a sheep and the most outgoing of all tortoise haired kitties. The sweet country air, the fragrance of fresh cut grass and 19^th century barns with their hand sawn boards were the perfect host to Shelby and Paul’s celebration.

Shelby herself is a country girl with refined tastes. The color palette stayed simple with cool autumn tones, drawing inspiration from the wheat fields in the distance, the cotton and milkweed pods and the fading hydrangeas. I shared their mood board earlier this week, but in case you’d like to see it again, you can do so here.

The open air also inspired the day and we took a huge risk by opting to not have a tent in Michigan in October. A very unorthodox approach that paid off big time as we were graced with warm sunshine and 70 degree temperatures. We were very mindful not to upstage our surroundings, so we kept the décor very simple lining the tables with vignettes of pumpkins, pears, budvases and candles. The curiously strong winds did alter our plans a touch, but it added to the charm of an outdoor wedding as we quickly bound together the napkins and forks and weighed down breezy table runners with additional pumpkins and marble cutting boards.

The ceremony by the pond was one of my favorite parts. Nestled back in a private cove of the property, quaint wooden chairs were set in a semi-circle arrangement and cotton rag rugs served as an aisle runner. Crates, plumes grasses and pumpkins clustered together framed the couple as they said their vows, while not disturbing the glorious views. With a watercolor artist present to capture her interpretation of the day as it was to unfold.

As the sun set, the celebration moved from the open air into the barn with dancing and donuts waiting inside. Guests were given blankets as favors to combat the pending chill that inevitably comes with a clear night sky. Candles and bistro lighting added the perfect amount of romance. And true to the simplicity of country life, a single musician kept the dance floor packed all night.

This wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty earlier this year, you can see it here.

Real Weddings :: Melissa & Tim’s Three Oaks Celebration

0 · Sep 29, 2017 ·

This is a wedding day that I was secretly hoping would never come. Not that Melissa and Tim don’t deserve each other or that I could ever image sending anything other than well wishes their way, but rather because I knew that once this wedding was over, I would miss Melissa and I’s monthly, and then weekly phone calls. I would miss scheming behind Tim’s back to line up a several surprises and I would simply miss planning this wedding.

Melissa and Tim have a contagious joy. Everything they do puts their other half at the forefront of their mind. This wedding day was filled with sparkling details, industrial romance and champagne. But it’s Melissa’s thoughtfulness, and the meticulous care that was placed in the little details that will have the most lasting impression on my mind. Champagne is Melissa’s signature drink, it welcomed guests before the ceremony and flowed the entire evening through. The table numbers doubled as notebooks for guests to share their best marriage advice, which will then be read on the corresponding year of marriage. Melissa DIYed drink stirrers, as a surprise for Tim, who collects them. The list of incredibly thoughtful ideas runs on.

We wanted the entire day to feel very romantic and soft against the contrasting backdrop of Journeyman’s industrial space. We incorporated layered tones of blush, champagne and ivory textures and accented it in rich greens to pop against the warm neutrals. The venue is a very large room and can accommodate both a ceremony and reception setup simultaneously, which was our plan. However, we did not want the wow of being ushered into a glittering room after cocktail hour to be diminished by guests’ wondering eyes curiously intrigued during the wedding ceremony, so we hired The Rental Company to create a draping wall, which would serve not only as the ceremony’s backdrop, but also as a room divider.

After the ceremony concluded, we quickly moved the chairs over to the guest’s tables, clearing the space and making way for cocktails and mingling. Upon the conclusion of cocktail hour, the draping was pulled back, revealing long harvest tables mixed with round seating, a expansive space for dancing and an 8 piece band.

The best surprise though came at the end of the night, Melissa took a cue from one of Tim’s favorite pastimes, and surprised him with live karaoke—which blew Tim and all the guests away. The bride joined the band on stage, serenading Tim in song and the mic was then opening to others wanting to participate.

This wedding is also soon to be featured on Wedding Day Magazine, so stay tuned for that. Melissa and Tim, I’m sending all the best wishes you’re way and hope you have a lifetime full of happiness.

Real Weddings :: Justine & Devin’s Glamorous Gala in Downtown Flint

0 · Aug 29, 2017 ·

I’ve been wanting to share this wedding for some time now. But every time I sit down to tell the story of Justine and Devin’s the words elude me. I don’t where to start.

I could start with the tale of a girl who has triumphed over the less fortunate happenings in her life. She forever holds my admiration. Or I could tell of a boy who’s wanted to marry a certain girl since the 6th grade, which is probably the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard. I don’t really know where the love story began, but I’m certainly glad to be a part of it.

You may remember my sister’s Cinderella inspired proposal, which was one of my favorite days ever (you can see it here). Devin really is her Prince Charming, welcoming her daughter and her into his heart as a true gentleman.

As this wedding touches me on such a personal level, the job of narrowing down photos and pieces to share is nearly impossible, so I decided it was actually worth 2 posts. Anyone who’s gotten married knows there are two parts to the wedding day. There’s the pre-wedding – the time spent pampering yourself with your closest family and friends, focusing on the joy to come and preparing to commit yourself to one another forever. While this time can be beautiful and relaxing, there’s also an electricity in the air and everyone around can feel it.

Part 2 of the wedding day is the post wedding celebration. There ceremony takes places. Vows and promises are exchanged and suddenly everyone can celebrate. There’s a cloud of, well I hate to call it stress but for lack of a better word, stress, that lifts and there’s even more joy, if you even thought that was possible.

Today, I’m telling of the prewedding. Thinking of the flowers that were placed, the moments spent zipping a bride’s dress and Great Grandma’s pearl necklace that was worn by my mother and myself on our wedding days, and now by my sister as well. There’s the first moment that a groom see’s his bride and know’s that she’ll forever be by his side.

It’s as though I could share something significant about each and every one of these photos, however I do think that would disrupt the overall flow of this post. But even now going through all of these, I can feel the anticipation rising. Even though they decided to see one another prior to the ceremony, you’ll see when I share the rest of the wedding – part 2 of the day – that nothing was lost and the emotion and significance of the ceremony was all there. This was just the teaser, the celebration is yet to come.

Justine & Devin :: The Inspiration

0 · Aug 15, 2017 ·

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared an inspiration board on here. It’s not because I haven’t been creating them, because I certainly have. They’re an amazing tool to help keep your planning on track. Sometimes the process of wedding planning can become so overwhelming and there are so many ideas out there, and directions that decor and styles can take and after a year or more of preparation for your big day, the final results can deviate so much for where you orginally wanted to be – this can be either really good or bad. I like to think of these as modern magazine clippings all compiled onto a one page summary of your day.

Photography: Samantha James Photography

On the other hand, Justine and Devin were engaged in May and wed in August (you can see their super romantic proposal story here). It was quick, and there was very little room for debating all the various design options. So we created a mood board to help set the stage and made sure that everything stayed on track with the initial concept. If something felt out of place with this “summary” their wedding day, then it was vetod and we moved on.

There’s a beautiful ballroom in downtown Flint that would play host to the day. It has thick white trim, orginal early 1900s grey and white tiled floors, marble accents and gold chairs. This was our canvas for creating. The next layer of design was the bride’s desire to add dusty blue touches and glittering sequin bridesmaids gowns. Elegant and glamorous where key discriptive words, and since she’s my sister I know her sense of style pretty well, which meant I also knew we needed to add in some frills and girly charms.

This is the condensed version of our design, as the actual design plan went on for 5 pages detailing every aspect of their glittering wedding day. There was much focus on flowers and end results were too good for words and I’ll be sharing the entire day soon.

Image sources (top to bottom, left to right): Photography: Heather Payne Photography, Bouquet: Philosophy Flowers via Team Flower Instagram | Quicksand Roses | White Majolika Roses | Gold Chiavari Chair | Helga Piaget Roses via Peterkort Roses | Photography: Heather Payne Photography, Floral Design: Philosophy Flowers via Team Flower Instagram | Minted Invitations | Faith Roses | via ModWedding

You can also see an expanded Pinterest board that helped inspire their celebration here. The results of their beautiful wedding are coming soon!

Real Weddings :: Olivia & Zach’s Leelanau Love

1 · May 17, 2017 ·

Twirling. That’s what comes to mind every time I think back to Olivia and Zach’s beautiful wedding day. I think of Olivia’s sweet spirit and beautiful nuptials on the shores of Lake Michigan. I reminince about the hot summer sun warming the weathered board walk that lead to a romantic beach location. I can still see the sunlight dancing across the gentle waves and the chiffon blowing in the breeze – a breeze that I was so thankful for on that hot July day.

Leelanau Wedding | The Day's Design | Bethany Small Photography

But most of all, I picture Olivia twirling between the vines in the most perfect blush dress, fit for a princess. Once again, I love Northern Michigan weddings because you really can have it all from the sun and the sand, to the breezes that accompany the waves on the shore, the woodland settings and the sprawling vineyards. It all adds up to the most perfect place to say “I do.”

To see an up close look at Olivia’s stunning bridal bouquet (seriously, it was one of my absolute favorites!) you can revisit her bouquet recipe here.

Featured :: Jarvie & Hank’s Tuscan Sun Wedding on The White Wren

0 · May 12, 2017 ·

Jarvie is a city girl with heartstrings tied to Northern Michigan. Hank’s heart is linked straight to Jarvie. His passion for her is evident in the small smile creeps across his lips while she speaks, the stolen glances he casts her way while she’s not looking and the strong silence that stood beside her as we eagerly planned the magic of their wedding day.

Jarvie once told me that she wanted her wedding to be just like the one at the end of “Under the Tuscan Sun.” After watching that movie, I realized I never once noticed the bride’s bouquet, what the centerpieces looked like or the color of the table linens. It was all about the mood, the hospitality, family and closeness that was portrayed. There was so much laughter and joy, it was the conclusion of a fabulous journey with even better things to come. This is also how I would describe Jarvie and Hank’s wedding day. A picturesque setting with thoughtful details and celebration in the air as all the guests around them knew that this was just the beginning of their amazing life ahead.

Although I’ve previously shared this beautiful celebration on my blog, it’s absolutely worth seeing it again and today it’s featured on The White Wren.

Happy Friday!

Real Weddings :: Crissie & Mike’s Fern Infused Frankfort Wedding

0 · May 10, 2017 ·

Oh the woods of Northern Michigan. They’re magical, poetic, rustic and elegant all at the same time. They form a picturesque backdrop, allow beams of enchanting sunlight to pop through and form the most natural carpet of ferns and forget me nots on their floors. The dancing leaves host the perfect celebration.

This quiet morning began in the family’s cabin in Frankfort, Michigan. A scenic little drive and cozy cottage perched on a hill. I would have been content to stay there all day with the bride’s two little dogs and delightful family. However, the progression of the day certainly did not disappoint, as the ceremony lead the guests to a chapel in the woods, The Meeting House. Oversized windows letting in the most perfect breeze and rustic wooden benches filled the space, Crissie described it as an enchanted fairy hideaway. An chuppah adorned with Grandpa’s prayer shall and native ferns signified that Crissie and Mike’s home and hearts will always be open to the ones they love.

The day’s festivities then moved a little closer to the lake. Crissie drew inspiration from all her environment, from the ferns of the forest, to the white birch trees to the cool purples and blues of the lake. The tented reception at Elberta Lifesaving Station added touches of art deco and a watercolor display. While they wanted the woods and nature of Northern Michigan to very much be the focus of the day, they also wanted to remind guests that it’s not a completely rustic and unpolished place, but rather it’s enchanting and organic.

So many personal details surrounded this day. Crissie did all the calligraphy herself and hand-painted the signage, place cards and escort cards. One of my personal favorite details were the dinosaur escort cards and table numbers, which surprisingly felt right at home in Northern Michigan. This whimsical little touch was in nod to a conservatory garden in Chicago (where they currently live). This garden has a fern room. It’s explained that ferns are an ancient plant and have been around since the time of dinosaurs. As you make your way throughout the fern room, one can find small plastic dinosaurs hidden among the plants. There was such a huge focus on the ferns for this day that the dinos migrated from Chicago to Elberta and I dubbed this the “Ferngully Wedding”.

This wedding was also featured on Grey Likes Weddings, you can see that feature here and you can read a little more about the inspiration, including the beautiful poem Crissie sent me as her first source of inspiration here.

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Featured :: Shelby & Paul’s Picturesque Autumn Wedding on Style Me Pretty

0 · Apr 28, 2017 ·

It is really interesting working with a bride who shares your name. All day long I kept hearing, “Shelby!” but no one was talking to me. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I answered and then was immediately embarassed. This day was not about me. This day belonged to another beautiful bride.

While I have yet to feature Shelby and Paul’s wedding here on my own blog, it was featured last month on Style Me Pretty but unfortunately I somehow missed it and am so sad that I’ve delayed in sharing the most picturesque of autumn days. This October day was one that will reign in my memories for many years to come. The colors, the warm sunshine and the barnyard animals that surrounded this 19th century barn made my heart sing. I’m getting tingles just thinking about it, which means you should probably head on over to SMP right now to see catch just a glimpse of the magic that I witnessed that day.

Real Weddings :: Erin & Dan

0 · Apr 5, 2017 ·

Willowbrook Mill is one of my absolute favorite venues. I love the whitewashed walls, the quaint chandeliers and the stone fireplaces are amazing. I’m pretty sure I’ve shared the story before of how I used to come and get ice cream here as a girl, prior to it being an amazing event venue. It had old iron parlor chairs and a jute box. Someday I think it would be fun to recreate a wedding based on that memory in that venue, however I suppose not everyone is filled with the same sense of nostalgia as I am. But really, who doesn’t love ice cream?!

Needless to say, whenever I receive a wedding inquiry siting Willowbrook Mill as the reception venue, I get a surge of excitement with Erin and Dan’s celebration being no exception. The decor was muted and understated and absolutely perfect.

This was also one of the first wedding in quite some time that the couples didn’t do a first look prior to their ceremony. I almost always recommend that bride and groom find an alone moment early in the day, it usually just makes sense to get the most of our their wedding day timeline. But I have to say how much I loved the anticipation and secretly sneaking the bride in the back door and tucked her safely away from the groom’s curious eyes. Plus, it turned out to be pretty convenient that the church was located right across from beautiful cherry orchards in full of fruit – the perfect post ceremony escape.

Congratulations to Erin & Dan! You’re wedding was a dream and I wish you all the happiness in life ahead.

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Real Weddings :: Cassie & Jim Wed at Two Hats Ranch

1 · Mar 31, 2017 ·

Every now and then I browse through trend reports and glance at what the “experts” are expecting to be big new fads for the upcoming wedding seasons. I read one such article not too long ago that mentioned that the influx of animals into weddings and wedding photography was going to be huge in 2017. And I thought, what an interesting but sort of fun, trend. Then I realized how ahead of the curve my brides actually have been on this note. I had a zoo wedding awhile back, in which the goats tried to eat her bridal bouquet. There was a gorgeous celebration at Misty Farms where I was greeted by a sheep on my first visit, a cat sat on my lap and the bride rode bareback on a horse (this one’s coming to Style Me Pretty soon, so stay tuned for that!). Finally, there’s the one I’m sharing with you today at a whitetail deer ranch, complete with all sorts of horses and hunter’s delights in the woods of northern central Michigan.

I love small and intimate weddings. While I absolutely understand the need for something on the larger scale, small really capture my heart. There were just under forty guests who gathered at the family owned ranch. Chairs were placed in the woods as guests were greeted in southern style with sips of refreshing sweet tea. Vows were exchanged under an arbor of foraged greens while the bride’s father sat with her bouquet on his lap, which was a moment I simply loved.

From there, guests mingled inside the ranch as the rain started pouring down. Dinner was served on a covered patio with bistro lights, seersucker napkins and lots of candles and lush blooms. I shared some of the behind the scenes of this wedding earlier this week here. The results were a perfectly casual, yet joyful air to the entire day with laughter and love lasting long into the night.

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Cassie and Jim :: The Inspiration

0 · Mar 27, 2017 ·

Wedding at Two Hats Ranch | The Day's Design | Emilee Mae Photography

Photography: Emilee Mae Photography

Cassie and Jim approached me a mere six weeks prior to their chosen wedding day seeking my expertise. They had a venue, a photographer, she had her dress and a date chosen but that was it. It was up to me to wrap up those final details. Some might find this scenerio stressful, but I really like short engagements. There’s less to to second guess decisions and I’m forced to make and plan and stick to it.

One of the things I loved about working with Cassie and Jim is how easy going they are. They had full confidence in my planning abilities and left the details to me. The venue chosen was their family’s white tail deer lodge, Two Hats Ranch. It was full of earthy, browns and wooden details with barn doors and clean rustic appeal. This was the design start point.

From there, I focused on what seemed natural to not only the surroundings, but also to them as a couple. Her family has Texas roots and they’re rarely seen without either cowboy hats or boots, but most likely the men are wearing both. There are horses on the property and antlers everywhere. Wildlife is abundant.

We incorporated gingham, seersucker and linen fabrics all in nod to those southern origins. Guests were greeted with a signature sweet tea. And as a last mintue descision, we swayed from our orginal vision just a touch adding some soft pink tones into the design which then lead us to adding some floral linens, which softened the very masculine space.

Cassie & Jim Mood Board | The Day's Design

Image Sources (top to bottom, left to right): Photography: Taylor Lord Photography via Brides | unknown | unknown | Photography: Fondly Forever Photography via The Wedding Chicks | Photography: Kacie Lynch, Bouquet: Tourtelle Floral via Burnett’s Boards | Photography: Birds of a Feather Photos via Style Me Pretty

This was merely the mood board setting the tone for the celebration. Later this week, I’ll be sharing the full results of how we brought the day to life.

Celebrations

1. At home date night

2. Love notes

3. A note a day

4. Mini gifts

5. Home cooked meal

6. Wine tasting date

7. Let your spouse sleep in

8. Get dressed up

8 1/2. Get More Dressed Up

9. Wine and cheese party

10. Make breakfast

11. Light a candle

12. Make heart shaped pizza

13. Do something around the house that your spouse finds a chore

14. I still do

9. Jessica’s Wedding

8. Cadillac’s Ceiling Installation

7. Sarah’s Smile

6. Racheal’s Escort Card Display

5. Tinge Workshop

4. Backyard Photo Shoot

3. My Sister’s Wedding featured in The Knot

2. Anniversary Photos

1.I Still Do

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