Flowers

Friday Flowers :: Flowers on Film

0 · Jul 14, 2017 ·

I haven’t arranged wedding flowers in nearly 6 weeks. After the initial exhaustion of a long, yet exhilarating wedding day wears off, the itch almost immediately comes back to create something new. I start dreaming of better combinations, new shapes, unique color palettes and ways to incorporate what’s naturally found in my world.

After my last wedding, I had some of the most glorious peonies left in my possession. These beauties were nearly the size of my head and I couldn’t bear to see them go on living without being captured. I would love to photograph all the lovely things I see around me, but my camera skills are surely lacking. Thankfully, Emily Jane Photography came to the rescue to preserve this moment in the summer when leftovers found love again, paired with local treasures and an antique glass bowl.

Peony and Iris Centerpiece | The Day's Design | Emily Jane Photography

The recipe may have started with these beautiful white ruffles, but I couldn’t resist the bold iris that were standing tall in my yard. Their muted plum and yellow tones sang to me. I suppose they must have been growing there last summer as well, but for some reason I didn’t notice them. This year they were all I could think about.

From there, I added some cappuccino ranunculas that I had hanging out in my cooler. Their dark centers and plum rims were the perfect connector. Also sourced from my yard was a few branches of mock orange. If you could smell this post, then you’d understand why I love adding these delicate little blooms into as many arrangements as possible. A couple small pink and yellow columbine made their way into this piece and then I finished it with a few roadside weeds, in shades of soft lavender and a pop of yellow.

I don’t know where the ranunculas came from, but other than those mystery blooms, this arrangement was completely American grown. Peonies from the west coast and everything else was Michigan made. My favorite kind of recipe.

Purple Wedding Flowers | The Day's Design | Emily Jane Photography

Peony Centerpiece | The Day's Design | Emily Jane Photography

Local Wedding Flowers | The Day's Design | Emily Jane Photography

Photography: Emily Jane Photography

Happy Friday!

Seeds

0 · May 2, 2017 ·

If you were to take a trip to the house where I grew up, you’d head a few miles outside of a small town. Travel down a dirt road framed by a perfect archway of oak and maple trees and land at a dusty driveway just beyond a swampy ditch full of cattails. There sits a small blue house on 2 acres, with a miniature hill (perfect for sledding), an above ground pool (with a semi-circle deck hand built by my dad) and an old aluminum swing set in the back yard. This was home.

Each summer, my mother and I planted flowers around the edge of said pool, the side that wasn’t framed by the wooden deck. This is where I learned to plant and sow, how I watch the magic of seeds becoming sprouts and transforming into beautiful blooms. I suppose this may be where my love of flowers really came from.

I have magical memories of this time in my life. Memories of collecting dandelions, wondering barefoot in the yard until the grass became too crunchy under the summer’s heat and squishing wild mushrooms beneath my shoes, despite my dad telling me not to. I still recall the scent of the honeysuckle that climbed up the trellis providing shade to our back deck’s swing. The rose bushes that were nestled beneath our bay window kept mesmerized for years.

Today I seek to recapture that magic, with my two girls by my side, we forage, plant and arrange nature’s bounty – transforming flowers from around the world into a one of a kind wedding display crafted especially for you. Moving to the country has given me this gift. We have acreage to explore and adventures to be had. This year, I’m even planting a few of my own seeds, even if I’m not exactly known for having a green thumb. I no longer have an excuse to at least try. And when I successfully grow a flower to place into a bride’s bouquet, I know that will be the highlight of my summer.

Photography: Hetler Photography

Garden plans are in the works and my seed packets have arrived, some of them are already standing tall in their starter trays. I’m so excited to share the progress (or failure!) that lies ahead. I’m going to grow some flowers this year.

Using Local vs. Seasonal Flowers :: Part 2

0 · Apr 7, 2017 ·

Recapping back to the first part of this post, local flowers are always seasonal but seasonal flowers aren’t always local. I think there’s a lot of confusion within those terms as many designers use them interchangeably (I’m guilty too!) Here are some ways that I would further like to differentiate, why I don’t rely solely on local blooms and how I use flowers from around the world, plus right here at home in my designs.

Local is Risky (and you might not get what you want)

“You can’t always get what you want… but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need.” Any excuse to quote classic rock, right? I’m pretty sure the Rolling Stones were talking about flowers when they wrote this song.

I’ve never actually seen anyone post about this. I touched on a little in part 1 of this post, but think it’s a really important point to make. If you’re getting married in June for the purpose of including peonies in your bridal bouquet, that’s wonderful. Hopefully I can find another $5 roadside stand or similarly priced local grower. But that really was a fluke incident and a stroke of luck on my part. However, if we have a cold spring they might not be ready until the end of June. If it gets warm really early, then we could have peonies the first week. Northern Michigan can be 2-3 weeks behind southern Michigan’s growing season. So when you’re done gambling on the weather and trying to figure out all of that math, realize that locally, right here, where I am, I have about a 2 week window of my own peony blooms. Hopefully that aligns with your wedding date. If not, I’m going to have to find something else or hope that someone else’s bushes are on a different blooming schedule.

Secondly, there are few large production flower farms in Michigan. Those few that do exist are definitely not near me. While farms around the country may also deal with weather affecting their crops, when I source through a wholesaler they have a network of farmers supplying their roses, or whatever bloom I need, so if it isn’t available from one grower, they have many backup sources.

For these reasons, I never promise certain flowers but always do everything within my powers to get you the most amazing blooms.

Michigan grown dahlias from Field & Florist & foraged berries

Photography: Katie Grace Photography & Videography

Where do Local Flowers Come From?

“Local” is a very generic term, meaning it could mean Michigan grown, West Michigan grown or they were grown right here in my town (which isn’t likely because as I previously mentioned, there aren’t any large flower farms near me). So, this question will be answered differently by each and every florist. Certainly, there are local flowers farms accessible across the country. I’ve gone to u-pick gardens and sourced blooms small amounts from various farmer’s markets. Some local growers even sell to wholesalers, who in turn, then sell to florist providing them with local flowers.

My approach is slightly different. It was born out of necessity and I wouldn’t say is the normal thought process from a floral designer or flower shop. My nearest, local wholesaler is an hour drive away. When you’re on a time crunch for a wedding, that two hours (there and back) adds quickly. For this purpose, I have many of my flowers flown in and Fedex sets them right on my doorstep. However, that never satisfies my floral needs for a couple reasons. First off, because I was unable to hand pick the bunches myself, sometimes colors are just a little off. Which leads me in search of a replacement. Sometimes as I start designing, I realize I need more texture. And sometimes the product arrives in poor condition so I have to find something else, quick.

So my local flowers, often come from Lowe’s nursey or Menard’s garden section. I’ve been known to cut up hanging baskets in a pinch. And often I find the most perfect tidbits growing in my own woods. The truth of the matter is, I started doing this just to get me out of a pickle here and there, but have found that this creates my favorite pieces. I’m now addicted to adding nursery plants to my arrangements and wander the greenhouses and nurseries just for fun. I’m able to add colors, textures and unique details that I wouldn’t find otherwise. My floral proposals often reference “seasonal flowers” in addition to the ruffly roses and staples that I know will be available. But really I could replace that term with local treasures or nursery plants.

This little number is filled with roses from my California wholesaler along with foraged autumn olive and begonia clippings from a potted plant.

Photography: Samantha James Photography

Foraged Flowers are Free Flowers

If I’m able to pick flowers or greenery for free, it should be really cheap to work with a florist who takes this approach, right? Sorry to say, this is not the case and here’s why. Foraging takes a ton of time. As does sourcing flowers from various local farms because chances are, unless you shop at a wholesaler market, you won’t find all your floral needs in one place. So either I have to allot enough time in my own personal schedule for special treasure hunts and foraging adventures or I have to pay an assistant to do it for me. I did that once, it was all going well until she saw a snake. Game over and I had to go do it myself. Because of all the extra time, care and planning the benifit of using foraged gems is the variety, the texture and how creations became truly unique. It’s not used as a cost saving technique.

Incorporating foraged ferns into Crissie’s bouquet made it feel right at home in the woods of Northern Michigan

Photography: Samantha James Photography

I’ve used the terms local and seasonal flowers so often that they almost seem cliché. Its trendy right now and so everyone is doing it, even if they’re just grabbing a few local blooms via their wholesale markets. However, my hope is that this will help you understand where flowers really come from and why they cost so much. Regardless of how you get them, love and care is taken in crafting each recipe, each bouquet and in delivering them to you on your wedding day.

Using Local vs. Seasonal Flowers :: Part 1

0 · Apr 4, 2017 ·

Flowers are shipped to us from around the world. We’re often educated by wedding blogs and others in the industry about cutting costs by using local flowers and making sure we’re choosing flowers that are in season. But because we’re able to source flowers from so many different places, the idea of what’s “in season” becomes a little clouded. If we solely relied 100% on local flowers, I think that could result in a really stressful time for brides, everyone wants some idea of what they’re getting and often Mother Nature has ideas of her own. Any flowers we purchase are “in season” somewhere, but the question is where? While I’m certain that it’s not the intent of any one writer to misinform their audience when it comes to floral knowledge, we must realize that every area and growing season is different but there are a few misconceptions that I’d really like to clear up.

Local versus Seasonal

Right now, there is a large variety of flowers available on the wholesale market. The Japanese ranunculus and sweet peas are stealing the show and poppies are making me weak in the knees. I would say these are all “seasonal” products. However, they’re certainly not local.

In January, I saw the return of lilacs to my supplier’s list. They’re Dutch lilacs and they’re very nice. Within the last week, I saw California lilacs added which are a far superior product in my opinion. The bunches are larger which makes them more than worth the price. I still have another month and a half to wait for Michigan lilacs, which for obvious reasons are my very favorite, but by then, my wholesalers are going to tell me that lilac season is over even though I’m cutting them locally.

Living in Michigan means that our growing season is shorter and behind the schedule of much of the country’s. Often I mix both local and wholesaler flowers because it’s less risky. If I’m relying solely on local peonies and we have a late spring, they might not bloom in time. Or if it rains really hard the week before your wedding, the petals may all fall off. For small quantities and accent flowers, I use local whenever possible but I have to have a backup plan in place.

This bouquet is made up of hand picked local lilacs, plus South American quicksand roses, spray roses and scabiosas sourced from a Grand Rapids wholesaler.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

Seasonal Products aren’t Always Cheaper

We’ve been told time and time again that if we use flowers that are in season, they’ll be cheaper and we can save our floral budgets. But this isn’t necessarily true. For example, this time of year, Japanese and Dutch products reign high, as do their price tags. These flowers are being shipped from continents away, to wholesalers in New York, California and then there’s a very limited amount that makes its way to my local, Michigan wholesalers. I am often able to source these products and love doing so, but I have to accommodate for all those extra traveling adventures those flowers are on. So unfortunately, just because these blooms are in season, there’s not a cheap price tag attached to this very premium product.

On the adverse side of that, last month I paid $6 a stem for peonies. That was wholesale price, which I then had to mark up to turn a profit and well, you can quickly see why peonies bouquets are often so expensive. However, last June I was driving along and saw a roadside stand selling the same flower in bunches of 8 for $5. Local was cheaper by a long shot. So in this case, local and seasonal peonies were the best option.

This bouquet is made up of local blooming branches, hellebores from the local nursey and seasonal peony and tulips blooms from my California wholesaler.

Photography: Samantha James Photography

The second part of this post is going to focus more on local flowers and my love/hate relationship with them. Alright, there’s really a lot of love just some challenges that get presented to sourcing them. If you have more questions regarding choosing the right flowers, local, seasonal or otherwise I’d love to hear them and hopefully provide some answers. Maybe we could even turn this into a 3 part series. Stay tuned!

Art in Bloom at GRAM

0 · Mar 22, 2017 ·

I’ve had a fairly busy month of March so far. Actually, it’s been surprisingly really busy but really good. And wrapping up my busy month is an event I’m really excited to be a first time participant in, Grand Rapids Art Museum’s Art in Bloom.

19 floral artists have been asigned paintings or works of art in which they are challenged to interpret with floral ingredients. This is a little out of my comfort zone, but trying new things is good, right? So I’m busy with my last minute scheming for my installation but wanted to invite anyone in the Grand Rapids area to attend.

GRAM Art in Bloom 2017

My piece is especially outside of my usual tastes which is making the challenge all the more interesting. And suddenly I realize how different each artist can be and beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. But more on that later, since I want you to come and see my piece in person, I won’t give away many more details here.

For the full schedule of events, head to the Grand Rapids Art Museum website or their Facebook page here.

Bloom the Workshop :: The July 2016 Styled Shoot Edition

0 · Feb 28, 2017 ·

For the past three years now, I have been honored to be a part of Bloom the Workshop, helping other creatives chase their passions and providing lush florals to be photographed in the most picturesque settings. While Ashley and Michaela travel across the country and spread their talents with the world, I usually stay a little closer to home and have participated in their more local workshops. This year, I was a part of their July workshop at the historic Felt Mansion in Holland, Michigan, which is one of my absolute favorite wedding venues.

This year, they let me choose the color palette for my designs and it’s funny how daunting that can actually be when I have no limitations. Usually there’s a client providing me with some sort of parameters that I need to stick within. But with ivory linens and gold rimmed plates the only confirmed details, I was living in an open ended dream. I decided to use smoky purples and aubergine and pair them with an unexpected apricot hue. And we brought on Silver Fox Calligraphy to really bring the designs to life with her graceful gold calligraphy displayed on the most luxurious Froufrou Chic ribbon and her perfect watercolor invitation suite.

We created a table scape, an exquisite ceremony design which was in the middle of their pond (can you really imagine a more romantic place to get married??) and of course a stunning bouquet with flowing ribbons was a must have feature.

You can see previous Bloom the Workshop events I’ve been a part of here, here and here.

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Real Weddings :: Olivia & Carter Wed at Monterey Valley

0 · Feb 8, 2017 ·

I’ve gotten to know Olivia over the years as we’ve collaborated on several photography projects as she’s the most gorgeous model. But there’s nothing quite as sweet as working on a real wedding.

Since she had been exposed to so many pretty projects, Olivia had a great eye and knew exactly what she wanted. Simply blush blooms, vintage gold details and a rustic barn setting. It was perfect.

The only down side to a wedding in mid July is the lack of peonies. Their availability is few and far between. Those that you can find had a hefty price tag and we just couldn’t make them a reality until Carter stepped in. About a month before their wedding I received the most romantic of requests from Carter, as he had learned of Olivia’s desire for peonies and he wondered if there was any way he could surprise her with an arrangement for in her dressing room. Of course I obliged and was even able to sneak a few extra blooms for the arrangement into Olivia’s bouquet.

So as the sun shown down on a hot Friday in July, Olivia and Carter became Mr & Mrs – surrounded with gorgeous countryside, the love of family and friends and of course, beautiful blooms by their side.

Photography: Katie Grace Photography & Videography | Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Venue: The Barn at Monterey Valley | Cake: Pastry Chef Dana Lucas of Clifford Lake Inn

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Friday Flowers :: The January Edition

0 · Feb 3, 2017 ·

Each month has a birth flower. Similar to a birth stone, but in floral form. I find the history, tradition and meaning behind flowers really interesting. So I thought it would be really fun to focus a post and arrangement each month on the corresponding bloom.

The only snag in my plan was that I was completely uninspired for the month of January. We’re already 3 days deep into February and it’s taken me this long to work on my January centerpiece. I’m going to go ahead and say, better late than never. I really wanted to find “ordinary” flowers. Things we see every day that aren’t flower specially flown across country and considered extremely high end. I think I overly challenged myself with this because I simply could not get inspired until I saw these mauvy, magenta carnations and paired them with their terra cotta counterparts. Suddenly, my palette sprung to life.

January Birth Flower | Carnations | The Day's Design

If you haven’t guessed it by now, the carnation is January’s birth flower. I love these humble little blooms. They’re sturdy and ruffly and come in lots of interesting colors.

Also in this arrangement, you’ll find a standard white rose that just happened to open up in the most unusual tulip-like, cup shape. Some sweet and timeless spray roses and calla lilies. I’ve never used calla lilies before, most brides tell me they’re too formal or they don’t like them. But I found them a rather intriguing addition to this combination. I loved the color and shape that they added. This entire combination feels very Valentine-esk, which is alright with since that time of year is approaching this is about as mushy as I’ll get for the occasion.

In the summer, I rarely purchase greenery for my arrangements unless I have a need for something really specific. I decided I wanted to take this approach with this piece too. But foraging is a little more challenging in January. What I discovered, was that if you really stop to examine the world around you, there are lots of interesting textures to be noticed. I knew I would be focusing more on browns than greens, which was just another reason that I loved the addition of the terra cotta carnation, it blends so well with these brown undertones.

I put on my snow boots and went for a walk. I have about 4 different types of dried grasses in this arrangement which added the right shape, movement and lines to the composition. The full list of ingredients and their amounts are listed below.

January Flower Recipe | The Day's Design

Valentine's Centerpiece | The Day's Design

January Flower Recipe | The Day's Design

Carnation Centerpiece | The Day's Design January Flower Recipe | The Day's Design

Valentine's Centerpiece | The Day's Design Carnation Centerpiece | The Day's Design

Ingredients used:

12 Carnations (6 of each the terra cotta and magenta colors)
3 Calla Lilies
4 Tibet Roses
6 stems Celestial Spray Rose
Dried Goldenrod
Foraged Grasses
Foraged Ivy (which was dead, just living in an old planter outside but still had a nice green/brown color)

For February, I have the choice of primrose or violets. I’m not sure which I’m going to chose, but either one will be a challenge! Is there one you’d really like to see?

Friday Flowers :: Shelby’s Autumn Bouquet

0 · Jan 27, 2017 ·

First off, I need you to take a look at this gorgeous scenery…

Mistry Farms Ann Arbor | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

These are the views that would surround Shelby and Paul’s guests, making them fall in love with this wedding day even more. And as a designer, I couldn’t imagine creating something that could complete with this natural beauty.

I knew this would be a day spent in the sun, with all of creation singing with glory. Cowboy boots, wheat grasses and cool fall tones inspired me. Autumn’s textures were abundant and I wanted Shelby’s bouquet to fit right in with this breathtaking backdrop.

Fall Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

This bouquet was filled with lots of goodness. Roses are always a standby in my recipe making, I chose to us Vendela Roses for their slightly off-white and creamy appearance. I paired them with White cloud garden roses, which often have just a tiny kiss of pink or at least a warmer white hue. Shelby had specifically requested cotton, which I was happy to deliver and added in some tallow berries to accent the woodiness of the cotton stems. I always like to add at least one linear item to the design and chose tuberose for this bouquet. Again, it has a white appearance but the ends fold into a mauvy blush tone adding a little depth to the muted palette. We had talked a lot about using wheat throughout her wedding design, but wheat just didn’t have the right movement, so I opted for pampas grass which would give a similar color but swayed nicer in the wind. I then added a couple of grasses that I plucked from the side of the road which had a similar size and scale to the wheat. My bouquets always require a pinch of green, especially since I knew there would still be plenty in our stunning autumn background, so I added snow on the mountain, which would serve to act as a bridge we transitioned from the greens to white. Lastly, I added in one single hydrangea. It was trimmed from a plant that I had bought earlier in the season and it served a couple of purposes. One, it filled a whole that was daunting me during the design process. Two, it added a little more depth the pale color palette. And three, I knew there was an amazaing hydrangea bush on property with similar tones and I had high hopes that the bride would be photographed in front of it. She was.

Autumn Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography Fall Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Oh the places the bouquet traveled that day, it was such a dream.

Autumn Bouquet Recipe | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Venue: Misty Farms in Ann Arbor, Michigan | Floral Design: The Day’s Design

A New York Flowering Adventure

0 · Jan 18, 2017 ·

It was almost a year ago that I skipped off to New York for a little flowering adventure. The revival of poppies and citrus colors in my world has reminded me of my trip. The weekend was a reunion of my first flowering workshop with Team Flower and it was inspirational, I cannot believe I waited this long to share my journey with you.

I am not a city girl. This weekend last January reconfirmed that. I once had a fantasy of living in an old brownstone and donning city fashions, it would be fabulous, but it’s just not home. Upon arrival into the city, I nervously connected with Uber for a ride and was transported to a hotel that was way too trendy for my own good and very hipster, city esc. The room was small, with slate colored walls, the most adorable retro fridge and gold faucets with the perfect amount of patina. And if I remember correctly, there was a tiger – or maybe it was a lion – either way, there was a jungle cat mural that took up an entire wall. The beast’s eyes were nearly the size of my head and I was intimidated.

And you remember winter storm Jonas last year? Probably not. I certainly wouldn’t remember it either if it hadn’t shut down the streets of New York City during my travels. Others voiced their concerns about my travel arrangements prior to my departure, but I brushed it off. I’m from Michigan, I can handle a little winter weather.

The snow started late Friday evening. We spent the night sharing flower tales and enjoying the city. We made a trip to MJ Trimmings which is a ribbon lover’s paradise. I still have a bag of precious silks and crushed velvet streamers that I have yet to find the perfect use for, although I finally have an idea brewing.

On Saturday morning’s itinerary was a trip to the New York flower market. We woke up to about a foot of snow, maybe a little less. Not everyone in the group was up to venturing out in the storm, but we were a mere two blocks away and I wasn’t going to let a few flurries ruin my trip, even it several of the suppliers had decided not to open.

It was completely worth the trip. The Michigan markets can’t even begin to compare. The products, colors and varieties were unbelievable. I cannot imagine how my work might evolve if I had access to a scene like that more regularly.

The snow continued to rain down, impairing visibility and diminishing the paths of the sidewalks. The streets officially closed at 2:00pm and traffic ceased with in the city. And that’s when the adventure really began.

There were few places that remained open that afternoon. And walking was required to make it to any of them due to the travel ban. Snowshoes would have been most helpful. We spent the afternoon in a bridal shop, surrounded by luxurious textures and draping fabric. The owner was the designer I cannot think of a more personal shopping experience than this. One of my new flower friends was engaged and she was gracious enough to invite us all along for this once in a lifetime experience. We watched her model-like form try on the most romantic gowns and transform into a graceful bride.

It’s hard to express how eerie the streets of New York are without the hustle and bustle of a crowd. On our return journey, the snow was still pouring down and street lights were our only guides home. The shops were dimmed and the restaurants had closed their doors. We abandoned the sidewalks in favor of the roads which were much more passable. I’m sure I’ll never again be able to dance in the middle of Park Avenue without a chorus of horns shoeing me on. It was truly unforgettable. It reminded me of a scene from The Day After Tomorrow, although I was hoping I wouldn’t fall throw a glass roof.

Sunday morning we found skies of blue and blankets of white. The city began to dig out and we had a floral class to attend. We headed to Brooklyn. It was my first time and I was surprised and how cheery and charming it really was, it had such a different feel than Manhattan which may be old news to many of you but I’m not much of a world traveler.

Little Flower School was hosting a citrus class. January transforms our world into a monochromatic palette of brown, grey and white. Gloom can start to set in and I, for one, start yearning for spring. A burst of citrus was just what the doctor ordered. Translucent poppies, joyful shades of apricot and salmon and the cutest little kumquats greeted us as we opened the doors to the crisp white venue. Sometimes I think we forget home much color affects our world and pay too little attention to the choices that we surround ourselves with.

Listening to Nicolette (of Nicolette Camille Floral) and Sarah (of Saipua) talk about flowers was so inspiring. It so amazing to think that there are so many concepts, ideas and different approaches to floral design that will all lead to breathtaking results. It’s just a reminder that there’s no one right answer to each flowering question. It’s okay to find your own voice and define your own style. I think that’s one of the things I’ve taken away most from this last year of learning. It’s a gut feeling and while I love the principles and learning about the underlying “whys” of how design works – movements, lines, color theories, blank space, etc. Ultimately we need to make each arrangement and piece of art our own.

And from that explosion of color, I created this…

The rest of the trip was spend exploring fashionable flower boutiques, fancy little French bistros and nearly missing my flight home. This trip however reminded me that by getting out of your element and comfort zones, sometimes we give ourselves new perspectives and liberties. New York is fascinating, but at the end of 4 days, I yearned for the quietness of my own street. I saw and coveted how others create with these big fancy floral markets but they don’t have access to the glorious weeds that grow in my back yard. And this is what makes us all unique and why I think it’s important to travel and stay continually inspired.

Photos are a mix of cell phone shots and pretty flower captures from my new flower friend, Nikelle of Wylde Flowers.

If you’d like to read more about my adventures with Team Flower, you can do so here, here and here.

5 Perfect Gifts for Your Flower Loving Friends

0 · Dec 21, 2016 ·

Christmas is only 4 days away. I can scarcely believe it! I thought I was so ahead of the game this year, I had all of my personal shopping done and gifts wrapped by December 5th. It seemed like I was right on track. But December has once again sped past and here I am, again, trying to send out a few last minute holiday cards and notes of joy. It seems like there’s always just one or two little things that you need to finish…

Photography: Samantha James Photography

So if you’re like me and have a flower loving friend that you’ve yet to find the perfect gift for – fear not, I’m sharing some of my very favorite gifts I’ve ever given or received and I think they’ll love them too.

Flower Books

People who love flowers are very visual and we love books with pretty pictures. Not only are they great for personal reference but they also look really lovely on your coffee table. My two personal favorites are Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature and The Flower Recipe Book.

Botanical Prints

I love botanical prints and have so many favorite artists. But I think my favorites are from Wildfield Paper Co. Her work is so real, her attention to detail and the way she uses color just blows me away.

Esther Clark Botanical Calendar

I have some of Esther’s prints hanging in my kitchen and they’re so beautiful. Her botanical calendar is just the same – only there are 12 gorgeous images to fall in love with.

Floret Flower 2017 Planner

With tips for planting, harvesting and growing – this lovely little planner is perfect for those of us who refuse to make everything digital and use an online calendar. Floret Farms also has a book that is now available for pre-order, which would make another great gift.

Florist Tool Belt

The florist tool belt from Wheeler Munroe. This is a life saving product. My husband got me one last year for my birthday and I think it might be my favorite present I’ve ever received. I stopped wasting so much of my time going “where did I put my clippers??” and now always have my clippers, scissors, cell phone and usually a pen close by. Plus, she’s pretty awesome to work with.

Happy Shopping!

This is a non-sponsored post with product images borrowed from each individual product page. Direct links can be found in each of the descriptions above.

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A Winter Glamour Shoot

0 · Dec 9, 2016 ·

The reasons behind creating a piece of art vary from time to time. Sometimes it’s to stifle a creative itch. Sometimes its the cure for boredom. At times, it’s simply to experiment with a new flower or design. And at times, it’s just for beauty’s sake.

During the slow winter months, dreams of miraculous blooms dance in my mind. I long to touch petals and play with the green of leaves. I eagerly wait in anticipation for that first little pop of chartreuse to appear on the grey trees. And I always forget how overcome with busyness I was in the previous summer season.

There was a moment of quiet last winter. A moment when I was asked to contribute to a glamour shoot happening at Kellie Hetler’s studio. She has the biggest heart and was seeking to pay it forward, offering a free glamour session, complete with hair and makeup, to a few deserving women. We also brought in a bridal model to stand in front of a simple backdrop I fashioned with a few winter vines.

I met some really amazing women, all with their own stories to tell that day. It just reminds one of how precious life is, how unique we all are. And how we should never take life for granted.

Photography: Hetler Photography | Floral Design & Styling: The Day’s Design | Makeup: Beauty by Katy | Hair: Diane of Cutting Edge Hair Studio | Sequin Dress: Badgley Mischka via Rent the Runway

Have a safe & warm weekend!!

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When Should You Carry Your Bridal Bouquet?

3 · Nov 15, 2016 ·

It seems like a pretty straight forward question and answer. As a bride, you have a bouquet and as a floral designer, I’m going to encourage you to have flowers around you as often as possible. But even with something as simple as a bridal bouquet, there are logistics and moments of practicality to consider and moments that you might truly want to have it by your side, even if you hadn’t previously thought about it.

When to Carry Your Bridlal Bouqet | The Day's Design | Bradley James Photography

Photography: Samantha James Photography

Getting Ready Photos

I like to drop off the bouquets sometime during the getting ready process rather than having the bouquets waiting at the ceremony location. I do this for a couple of reasons. First off, many photographers like to photograph the bouquet right away, along with the other accessories. So many of the photographers I work with start the day off with “detail shots” – meaning photographing the bride’s jewelry, veil, shoes and dress before she puts it on. The bouquet normally falls into this category and also adds some extra charm into these pictures. Secondly, bridal party pictures with maids in matching robes and fun styled photos like this have gained so much popularity in recent years and often bouquets are also incorporated in as well. And thirdly, if you’re doing a first look, sometimes locations have been known to change last minute due to weather or lighting or perhaps even running behind schedule. Having your bouquet there and ready for you makes one less detail that needs to be re-coordinated if there should be a timeline modification.

First Look

I am a huge advocate for having flowers with the bride for this moment. And I know not everyone agrees with me on this issue, but so much time, care and money spent on choosing the perfect blooms (or floral designer to choose the perfect flowers) and this is a highly photographed time so I think it’s only right that said blooms should be treasured and held in the bride’s hands. Furthermore, immediately following the first look is usually a small photo session of just the two of you and I really believe you’ll want your flowers accessible for this.

Wedding Party Pictures

Again, this seems obvious but the bride and her maids should have handfuls of blooms readily available for when their time in front of the camera arrives. A couple of helpful hints with this – make sure vases of water are kept nearby and certainly make sure the entire bridal party is aware of all the happenings of the day so they’ll know to keep their bouquets handy for the most important moments of the day. One of the most common questions I hear from the bridesmaids on a wedding day is whether or not they need their bouquet at any particular time and it can be challenging to communicate this especially with larger wedding parties.

The Ceremony

Smack me on the forehead and say “duh!” right now, because we all know the bride carries a bouquet during the wedding ceremony. But the reason I bring this up is because often with modern timelines of the day (i.e. – doing first look and all bridal party pictures prior to the actual wedding), this becomes one of the last opportunities for the bouquet to be photographed however most brides find it the most important and they’re fearful that it will be wilted from all the activity earlier in the day. In all honesty, this time isn’t normally about photographing flowers, and your guests notice your bouquet but don’t dwell on it. This is the time to capture emotion and focus on the sanctity of marriage. This is the time for you and your groom to shine, accessorized by the décor but not overshadowed by it.

Sunset Photos

Yes yes yes! Of course you need to see your flowers shining in that glorious golden light. But if you’re thinking you’re just over carrying the bouquet around all day, I encourage you to take it along anyway. You don’t have to hold it for every single picture, but I think you’ll be glad that you have it within reach for at least a few.

If all of the above holds true, you’ve just held your bouquet out of water for nearly 4 hours or more on what might be a really hot day. Here are a couple of extra tips for you to make sure that your flowers stay at the peak of perfection for as long as possible.

Keep a vase of water nearby, for both you and your maids. Replace the flowers into the vases whenever you have a break from photos – touching up makeup, groomsmen photos, etc. Do not just ditch the bouquets on a nearby table and do try to find a shady spot.
To help with that first tip – have each bridesmaid carry her own vase of water (which I’m sure it was delivered in) or if possible, designated one person to carry the entire box or basket of vases (I always deliver mine in a basket with easy carry handles). Transport that box/basket with you from getting ready location to photos to ceremony. This is a great job for that extra person who really wanted to be involved with your wedding but you just couldn’t find the perfect task for.
Appreciate the beauty while it lasts. Many of my favorite flowers actually shine the brightest in the moments before death. They open the fullest, find the perfect drape and shout romance. Embrace the fact that your bouquet will not look exactly the same at the end of the night as it did upon delivery. And that’s okay, it’s just the beauty of nature.

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Feminine & Romantic Boudoir Editorial

0 · Nov 9, 2016 ·

I don’t do many boudoir projects. With them being so personal in nature, I think clients try to involve a few vendors as possible. And then there’s the question of what to do with the pictures? Do you create an album or gift box for your husband? Is it appropriate to hang them as wall art?

I personally think it’s a really beautiful gift. I think they can be romantic and raw, delicate and feminine and something that doesn’t even necessarily need to be given or displayed to anyone, it’s alright to keep treasures like this to yourself. It’s a way to remind yourself that you are all woman – not just a mommy, career warrior or housewife. There’s a romantic side buried deep inside just waiting for the confidence and occasion to be unleashed.

Ashley approached me with this project over a year ago. We wanted to create something beautiful that would hit home with both brides and married women alike. We wanted to bring the outdoors in with greenery and florals. Candlelight added some romance. Plus a hand painted blue backdrop was the perfect amount of artsy detail.

But my favorite part was the deconstructed settee. The stitching had started to fall loose and the fabric had seen better days. But the curvature and lines were ideal and the wood was warm and welcoming. Adding some ferns enhanced the outline and made it seem as though it had been sitting there longing to be sat on long enough for the earth to take over and reclaim what’s hers.

There’s a lot of focus right now about not being stuck in a man’s shadow. Women want to show how powerful they are – we can do anything. But I don’t think a woman needs to be “in power” to show how influential and mighty she really is. We are strong and capable. However, we were designed to be unique. We get to experience the world in a way that will forever remain a mystery to the male population. And this a really good thing. We need to embrace the joys of being female and always keep it classy.

This editorial was also featured on 100 Layer Cake earlier this spring. You can see the feature here.

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Friday Flowers :: Olivia’s Burgundy & Blush Summer Bouquet

0 · Nov 4, 2016 ·

Olivia’s bouquet was to be completed after what had already been a full week of flowering. It was an unbearably hot day in the middle of July and I was feeling the burn – quite literally. I don’t like leaving such an important piece until the end of the day but unfortunately in this instance, I had no choice. Flowers are such a perishable items and these needed to be in their prime.

Burgundy & Blush Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Bethany Small Photography

I’m guessing it was about midnight when I finally gave up. Try as I may, I couldn’t make the flowers flow right, there was something missing and I simply wasn’t satisfied with the results. I had the most beautiful burgundy charm peonies, some stunning red spray roses, burgundy scabiosa and some Talea roses in the palest shade of peach.

It just wasn’t enough. It felt lackluster and boring. Olivia had gushed over Good Seed Floral of Oregon and their gorgeous design work and mine was failing dreadfully in comparison. While I never try to replicate another artist’s work, I knew my results would never do. Her bouquet needed to be a piece of art marrying burgundy and blush shades in perfect harmony while capturing the essence of Northern Michigan and the pristine beach where she would be wed.

In situations like these, I do what any good florist would do – I take a trip to the hardware store. I fell in love with one bendy stem of speckled foxglove. I grabbed some coleus, yarrow and chocolate poke weed. And then some lacy, red, unidentified annuals off of the clearance rack.

Burgundy & Blush Bouquet Recipe | The Day's Design | Bethany Small Photography

Photography: Bethany Small Photography

These were the magic missing ingredients. Her bouquet few together in mere minutes of time and was one of my very favorites this season.

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Autumn Mantle Decor

0 · Nov 3, 2016 ·

I almost began this post with fall is underway… but quickly realized that it’ November 3rd and fall is almost over. We’ve already seen an inch of snow here in Big Rapids, winter will be here at any moment. In Michigan, we see lots of “transition” months – month’s that aren’t sure what season they truly belong too and November is one of those. Some years, it’s more like winter – bitter, blustery and cold – while other months it stays mild, bidding autumn to stick around a little longer.

But regardless of the weather, I start getting into the holiday spirit around this time each year. I hold back on my urges to rush out and buy a Christmas tree but it’s time to kick the jack-o-lanterns and black cats to the curb.

The next major holiday gathering is Thanksgiving so I’m starting to mentally think of how décor should seamlessly flow from autumn to December. And I finally have a mantle of my own and it seems like the perfect place to start.

So I went into the woods and started gathering. I have loved the abundance of autumn olive around our property this year and the silvery green color is the perfect complement to my living room. I had some leftover plumes grasses hanging out from an October wedding and then grabbed some crumpled autumn leaves. I threw together a quick arrangement that would not only add a little interest to my fireplace but also stand up to the threat of kids and cats (translation: I won’t be heartbroken if something should happen to it since it’s just a bundle of gathered ingredients from my yard). I can easily keep this base if I chose when December rolls around, replacing the leaves with some cedar and various other evergreens.

Happy November!!

Real Weddings :: Shayla & John’s September Celebration

0 · Oct 26, 2016 ·

When Shayla and I started discussing her design and color scheme, the first things she did was show me this beautiful autumn sunset photo that was the source of her color inspiration. It’s an image that I quickly burned into my memory. And while I seldom referenced the actual photo, the memories forever served as my reference point with its vibrant colors transitioning from rich shades of burgundy, bittersweet, blush and golden rod then fading into traces of teal finally settling with a deep midnight blue.

As a couple, Shayla and John are bubbly and full of life. Their joy fills a room and they love donuts – so obviously we quickly became friends. For almost 18 months we worked together filling in details and making sure their wedding was a dream filled with rustic touches, vintage details and a little glam. The setting set the stage for all things rustic, but adding a few sprinkles of gold and glittering linens against the worn wood tables and chairs created the perfect contrast. The bright blooms and flower crowns gave Shayla the slightest boho edge and classic pearls and lace rounded out Shayla’s love of various wedding styles.

The month of September serves as a most stunning backdrop for a wedding day. The warm breezes followed by the cool evening chills, the touches of autumn that have started to fill the air and the apples that dance on our palettes. While we might all be glad we live in a world where there are Octobers, don’t let it over shadow the glory of September.

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The Day’s Design Flower Studio :: The Inspiration

0 · Oct 6, 2016 ·

I’m probably a little premature on this post. Perhaps it’s a little bit of a dream yet to think that I might actually have a completed studio space in the near future. But my new flooring came in, so right now I’m going to live on a hopeful note.

I don’t have it all figured out quite yet, other than to say I have a space. The loosely outlined plans are to turn my bland basement into a working studio area. Flowers seem to take over my home, and for once, I would like to prep for a wedding and keep the mess contained to somewhere besides my kitchen.

In my imaginative mind, out basement is sort of shaped like an “S”. it’s a walkout basement, so there’s an entrance off the garage and also a couple of windows which provide some extra light. Now imagine dividing that “S” in half – one side (the half with the entrance) will be a sitting area. I have an antique sofa to reupholster and I’m looking for some other beautiful yet functional pieces to fill the space. The other half, which I like to refer to as the back half of the basement or the bottom of the “S”, will be my flowering area.

Some items for my shopping list there – an old wooden work bench or possibly kitchen island as my main prepping and designing space, shelving shelving and more shelving for storing containers, wheeled carts/shelves for completed centerpieces and a few miscellaneous pieces of furniture for storage and additional counter height creating area.

My timeline for this project is still very much unknown. For anyone who’s ever remodeled a room or house, you know that things just never go as planned. Everything takes twice the expected amount of time. And if you’ve read my blog for any amount of time then you really know how drawn out my projects always are. Throwing two little girls into the hustle with a husband who’s in the height of his busy season is just a recipe for chaos. I’m not even going to pretend that I have a deadline in reachable sight. But my special order flooring has arrived, so that’s a step in the right direction.

I’ll leave you with just a little glimpse of the inspiration behind my space. Again, this is a really loose interpretation, but it’s at least getting me headed in a direction.

Photo Sources (left to right, top to bottom): Hetler Photography | The Beach Studios | Perfectly Imperfect Blog | Wildfield Paper Co Instagram | Greetings of Grace

And if you’d like to see more, check out my Pinterest Board which is keeping me inspired for this project.

Real Weddings :: Mary & Nic’s Foodie Celebration

0 · Oct 5, 2016 ·

Do you remember how hot it was last Labor Day? I mean, Labor Day 2015 – not this past year. That’s how far behind I am on blogging gorgeous momeries of days gone by.

Anyway, it was the hottest day I experienced all summer. I remember so distinctly because I was beyond thankful for the garlands my bride has chosen to line her tables and how she had also shared some concern about having a September wedding and the potential for a good fall chill to join the night air as the sun departed for the day.

This did not happen. I thought for sure I was going to melt into a puddle and the beautiful dahlias along with me.

The days leading up to Mary and Nic’s celebration were filled with trips to the farmer’s market, foraging excursions and finding the most succulent edible treats to add into their décor. As I sat down with Mary discussing her wedding florals she gave me only two parameters – they love food, so herbs and other edible delights were welcome (and vary much a MUST) and then she showed me her maid of honor’s dress, which I should use for the color palette inspiration.

So instructions were followed, with artichokes and apples placed into the bouquets. Bay leaves and olive branches were woven into garlands. Pomegranates, persimmons and potted herbs decorated the tables. And at the end of the night, I realized that someone thought the centerpieces looked so good, they actually took a bite.

They were wed at The Felt Mansion, which is one of my favorite venues in West Michigan. The classic architecture and the brick, the charming pond and perfect getting ready space. It’s all perfect. The mansion’s front door served as the backdrop to the ceremony, with cocktails following in the lawn and a tented dinner. Desserts were then served in the parlor with Love’s Ice Cream cart placed just outside.

And then we must talk about the dancing. These people knew how to dance. Mary and Nic start the night out in style with a very nontraditional first dance songs and an ode to one of my favorite movies, “Kiss the Girl”. The entire scene was made complete with a guest joining in with an impromptu Scuttle impersonation in the background. It set the fun tone for the entire night. While some late night weddings I like to find a place to disappear into the shadows, this was a evening of pure entertainment.

Sweet nostalgia in form of a fragrance, the aroma of bay leaves filled the tent and instantly took Nic back to boyhood memories of his days in California. I like to think that there will now be a new memory paired with this fragrant little leaf, a recollection of the day he and Mary started their happily ever after.

This wedding was also featured in the current issue of The Knot Michigan.

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Flower Friday :: Christina’s Springtime Bouquet

0 · Sep 30, 2016 ·

To some it may seem crazy that even 18 month later, I can still remember what ingredients I put into a bridal bouquet. Mentally, I spend so much time on each of these artpieces that it makes it nearly impossible for me to forget.

Christina’s bouquet was extra special. She wanted a little touch that I’ll never forget. Loosely tucked into the backside of her bouquet were two tulilps. These tulips were each adorned with their own silk ribbon and were meant to be plucked out and presented as a gift to both the mother of the bride and the groom’s mother as Christina made her way down the aisle.

This was one of the sweetest gestures for one’s mom I’ve ever heard. And while I didn’t actually get to see the moment take place, I can still imagine mom wiping a tear from her eye and cherishing that tulip for the rest of it’s blooming life.

There’s a meaning behind each flower and while I don’t always get into the historical significance of each bloom, I do find it really interesting. Tulip represent perfect love. This type of love is an enduring love between family and partners. I made this choice untensionally, but love how perfect that symbolism is.

Beyond these extrodinary tulips, there where a bunch of other flowers in her bouquet as well, which made it so textural and luscious.

In building the bouquet, I used a couple different varieties of eucalyptus to create my base. I love the soft, blue green tones paired with pink. I seldom stick to only one variety of greens, so I also foraged some wild honeysuckle from my neightborhood. It was at the height of perfection and added leavy green texture along with it’s delicate, honey sweet frangrant blooms.

Foxglove was included next. It adds the perfect linear illusion and also an element of fun with it’s polka dotted little hoods. I had this flown in from California as Michigan’s wasn’t ready quite yet.

I started layering in some focal flowers, including ranunculus, quicksand roses and lilies. Lilies sometimes get a bad rap, but I really like them. They’re bold and showstopping. They transform throughout the day, opening more and more and making your bouquet so differnent from morning to night. I love that. And quicksand roses are my go-to’s, the perfect shade of beigy pink.

As I was layering these ingredients in, something was missing. It just wasn’t “wowing” me. Then I remembered I had two white peony blossoms left in my cooler. These flowers were from a photo shoot earlier that spring and nearly 3 weeks old. But sometimes peonies are magical in that they just seem to last forever. They were perfect.

A couple of clematis and draping tulips around the edge and Christina’s bouquet was complete.

Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography

You can see more from Tina and Chris’s Witt’s Inn Wedding here. I won’t be playing with any flowers this weekend, I’m off to other adventures. Happy Friday!!

4 Things You Need to Know about the Whimsical Wedding Bouquet

1 · Sep 13, 2016 ·

I love a loose, asymmetrical, garden style and sometimes even unruly, bouquet. Letting flowers be unbound and fanciful makes me ridiculously happy. Yes, I believe that there’s a time and place for structure but for the most part, I’d rather live my life wild and free which is how I want my flowers living theirs as well.

Most brides I come in contact with are right on board with this philosophy. They too have an appreciation for texture and natural design. But it’s not only flowers themselves that are nontraditional, it the approach to the entire bouquet as a whole. There are a few contextual details you need to know before holding that luscious bouquet in your hands.

Dahlia Bouquet | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

The Stems

Less structure to a bouquet also means less structure to its stems. The arrangement as a whole is shaped like an ‘X’. Generally, if I want flowers to be hanging down more on the right side, the stem will them be angled more to the left. And vice versa. So when you look at the linear outline of the bouquet a cross, x or even teepee pattern has been created. Because of this, most of my bouquets will stand on their own, which I personally love.

On the downside, it can be a bit more challenging to contain those stems into a vase. I very rarely utilize the clear, cylinder vases that florist so often deliver their bouquets in. My bouquet generally don’t fit and I must find more creative options.

The stems also aren’t wrapped all the way down, but only at the crossing point of the ‘X’. And in order to keep the blossoms and streaming ribbons the main focus, I normally keep the stems very shortly trimmed.

Red Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

To Have and to Hold

As far as the approach to holding a bouquet of this nature, let’s go back to the ‘X’ reference and discuss the spot at which the stems are wrapped. At this location, I place 2 or possibly 3 layers of tape and then cover it with ribbons. The bouquet is very sercure. This wrapped point is also your handle. Stems should be held loosely in your hand to keep with their more whimsical intention. If you hold them further down the stems and squeeze, the shape of the overall design is drastically altered and your bouquet will appear tighter and more petite.

Autumn Wedding Flowers | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

Perfectly Imperfect

Sometimes it’s the imperfections in life that make things most beautiful. There may be a missing leaf, a petal with a different shape or color tone or one stem that simply insists on pointing opposite direction of the rest. Nature isn’t perfect so I have learned to leave well enough alone. Every bridesmaid bouquet may not be 100% identical. There may be a leaf that some little bug took a nibble of. But there’s a reason I incorporated that branch. Perhaps that was the best shape, the color was a rare find or the texture was simply unmatched. I find beauty in one of a kind, imperfect finds.

Of course I strive to keep a certain sense of continuity and would certainly never use an intentionally diseased or crumbled piece of foliage, just remember to look at the picture as a whole verse analyzing each and every little bit of an arrangement – because trust me, I already have.

Asymentrical Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Cory Weber Photography

Photography: Cory Weber Photography

Moving Blooms

Movement is key when creating one of my bouquets – both in a design sense as well as the fact that flower will actually move. From a design standpoint, movement means creating natural pathways for your eyes to lead from one area of the bouquet to another. Sometimes these pathways lead up, or dramatically to the left or right or possibly even trailing downward. Blooms in these area aren’t as supported by other branches or flowers, which means they will wiggle, bounce and shift. The pictures I’m often shown of inspirational bouquets don’t depict how petals will blow in the breeze or the way a stem subtly bounces as a bride makes her way to her loving groom.

Sometimes this movement takes brides and her maids by surprise. They become fearful of their bouquets and are unsure of the longevity of their blooming life. Be aware that the transformation throughout the day is part of the beauty of the process. From each angle, the flowers look different and take on a different shape and flow. A flower might bend little more at the end of the night than it did at the beginning of the day. But that’s part of what makes it so special. Things don’t forever, treasure them in the present moment.

I always recommend that you schedule your day so a photographer can capture your blooms early, or perhaps while I’m still in the area handing them out to your lovely ladies. I also try to do a quick little tutorial on how to carry the bouquet for the bride and her maids before leaving the site. And of course the key to keeping the flowers fresh and beautiful is water and keeping them in a vase for as much as the day as possible.

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Friday Flowers :: Lilacs

0 · Aug 19, 2016 ·

I don’t know if it was the change of scenery that brought about my whole new perspective on lilacs or perhaps I finally learned to open my eyes to the world around me – but either way, it seemed that the lilacs were unbelievable this year. It seemed like every time I turned around, I saw another bush, they were lining the highways, I was coveting someone’s yard and I stayed in complete awe of these breathtaking, purple blossoms.

Ashley Slater contacted me toward the end of May for one of her couples looking for a bouquet for an engagement shoot. Building a bouquet like this is one of my favorite tasks. With a small floral order, I am able to source flowers and approach the creative process in a much different way. I didn’t new mass quantity of flowers, just a handful of each bloom.

I instantly knew that lilacs would be my starting point. They were at their height of perfection and I couldn’t pass them by. The only problem was I don’t actually have a lilac bush, I just see everyone else’s as I’m driving down the road. And unfortunately I couldn’t find anyone selling them roadside or at the farmer’s market.

I did, however find what appeared to be vacant property on a low traffic area of road that had a glorious bush. I pulled over and helped myself. I don’t call this thievery, I consider this saving a flower from an underappreciated life. (And if this happened to be your property, I do apologize but know that your flowers lived to their fullest potential and made one bride-to-be very happy plus I’d be really happy to pay you for the blooms).

I let these Big Rapids lilacs steal the show, keeping the rest of the flower recipe pretty simple. I added a few Quicksand roses – which are one of my absolute favorite shades of blush and a few Little Silver spray roses. Both rose varieties are South American grown because sometimes you just need to represent the other half of the world with your floral compositions. A few California grown black Scabiosa were added in just a little extra depth to the bouquet. And finally, I purchased Jacob’s Ladder plant locally, which I trimmed a few pieces from for some added texture.

The icing on the cake, however, was when I got the pictures back and realized that the photo session took them to a lilac grove and there was a blooming fuchsia tree in the background which added the most perfect shades of pink to complement Mucki’s bouquet.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, don’t be afraid to add a bouquet into your engagement session. There’s no such thing as too many flowers. And nothing brings a smile to a girl’s face like a bouquet of beautiful blooms.

Cinderella’s Proposal

0 · Aug 17, 2016 ·

My little sister just got married. But before the merriment of “I do’s” there is a story to be told. It’s a lovely story, a tale of two people who have fallen in love. It’s a story of friendship and longing. It’s story of patience and dreams that do come true.

A little birdie whispered in my ear that a certain someone was going to propose. The first step was finding the perfect ring. I found myself honored enough to assist with the jewelry shopping. He chose a ring with the style name honored our grandmother, Margaret, and then had the design tweaked just a touch to make it fit my sister’s tastes. It is a light blue sapphire (her birthstone) in a yellow gold setting and diamond accents. It is stunning.

Each spring I like to put together an inspiration shoot. It helps me to dust off my flowering skills and stir up some creative juices. But as of late, I have found them to feel rather “empty”. It seems like putting together these mock parties is wasteful, even frivolous. And I was stuck looking for an idea.

The knowledge that Devin was going to propose was not new to me. In fact, it was a secret that I had tucked away for nearly 6 months as my sister was searching for a new apartment, moving forward with her life and doing pretty much the opposite of what every newly engaged woman should be doing – all while we were off shopping for the perfect jewel. But I kept quiet, my lips were sealed. As I was mulling all of these things over and helping my soon to be brother-in-law brainstorm an amazing proposal, the idea struck me that we could combine both my inspiration shoot (which I had no ideas for) and his proposal (which he was also trying to make extremely memorable).

One of my sister’s all time favorite movies is the 1965 version of Roger & Hammerstien’s Cinderella – and if you’re not familiar with that version, stop reading this and go watch it. It’s simply the best version of Cinderella known to man. He had taken her to see a live version for her birthday, they had watched the movie together and it seemed like a very appropriate source of inspiration.

Under the guise of a small inspiration shoot, I asked my sister to model for me and proceeded to get her all dolled up. She had a pampering salon day at Cheeky Strut, she picked out a beautiful gown at Spring Sweet and we made her feel like a princess, she needed a real life Cinderella moment. Now if only she had a pair of shoes…

Spring Sweet’s store closed and we made Justine walk down to the main store level to find her shoes. The trip just so happened to take her down a beautiful wooden staircase which Spring and I adorned with blooming branches and greens. On the treads of each step were gold calligraphy letter from Lief Design spelling out Will You Marry Me? “10 Minutes Ago” from Roger’s and Hammerstien’s Cinderella started playing. And at the bottom of the stairs stood Prince Charming, holding her shoes and an engagement ring.

And don’t miss the video which I shared a couple weeks ago. Their proposal story was also featured on The Wedding Chicks last month. I can’t wait to share pictures from the wedding!

Buttonholes vs. Boutonnieres

0 · Jul 26, 2016 ·

My distaste for the word boutonnière is no secret. I despise second guessing myself and having to spellcheck every single floral proposal, blog post and email confirming their numbers. I’ve heard them referred to as buttonholes – which to mean holds a sweet, old fashioned sing-songy charm. Not to mention the obvious, it’s much easier to spell.

Photography: Ashely Slater Photography

And then I began to wonder, do I really have any right to call them buttonholes? No one else does and perhaps there was a reason for that. My mind began to wander, pondering why men where these in the first place. I started questioning their purpose and history. Where they worn to ward off evil spirits? Add a touch a fragrance to one’s label? What is the story behind this manly little bloom?

It was off to Google I went – isn’t that the answer to all of life’s little questions? I easily get sucked in by history and tidbits like this are no exception. The answers were so much more romantic then I had ever imagined. I had actually started to think the tradition of these little guys was a little unnecessary. And I learned that I do have the right to call them buttonholes.

Boutonnières, not surprisingly is a French term. I am very clearly American and while someday I would love to travel to Paris, I’m planted pretty firmly on American soil. For that reason alone, I should defiantly be calling them buttonholes.

The name however, comes from something else. Ever noticed a little hole in the lapel of a fancy mens’ jacket? The hole without a button which is a bit of a strange fashion phenomenon. The mysterious buttonhole.

I read a sweet story about Queen Victoria presenting her Prince Albert with a little bouquet on their wedding day. Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that make the most impact. As a true gentleman, he made a small slit in his jacket for the flowers to be placed. And henceforth, all of his jackets were made this way.

Royalty has always dictated the actions of society. Society has followed suit like lost children. I believe a lady should gift her beau with a little blossom on a special occasion. Flowers are part of nature, nature can be both feminine and manly. Earthy and romantic. Buttonholes are the perfect example of this contradictive world and a sweet little tiding to wear on your wedding day.

Flowers

Local is Risky (and you might not get what you want)

Where do Local Flowers Come From?

Foraged Flowers are Free Flowers

Local versus Seasonal

Seasonal Products aren’t Always Cheaper

Flower Books

Botanical Prints

Esther Clark Botanical Calendar

Floret Flower 2017 Planner

Florist Tool Belt

Getting Ready Photos

First Look

Wedding Party Pictures

The Ceremony

Sunset Photos

The Stems

To Have and to Hold

Perfectly Imperfect

Moving Blooms

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