Flowers

Bloom the Workshop

0 · Jul 11, 2016 ·

I am almost certain I’ve been living in a time warp. The days are flying by so quickly, I can’t seem to keep up on life, much less this journal. There so many events that I want to share, so much to talk about and in the blink of an eye, I’m posting content that’s well over a year old. Like this.

Last May (May 2015 that is), I was once again honored to be a part of Bloom the Workshop. There’s something special that happens in a workshop setting. There’s the collaborating and combining of artistic forces that one would see in any styled shoot, but there’s an extra energy. There’s excitement from all the attendees eager to learn and soak up every little piece of knowledge and beauty from the day. This workshop is, by all means, special.

This portion of the day took place within an apple orchard. We had hoped to catch a few lingering blossoms, but the trees had shed their petals the week before, leaving only lush greens behind. I’m a fan on greenery, so this wasn’t a huge disappointment on my end. The emerald backdrop allowed our shimmering gold and blush blooms to be the full center of attention. I adore the way the graywashed round table added just the right amount of “rusticness” against the gilded dessert, clean white plates and golden candlesticks.

Next week, Bloom is hosting another local workshop at The Felt Mansion. I will be there, along with two other amazing florists, creating a total of 3 different styled shoots all at one workshop. I can hardly contain my excitement, just dreaming of the beautiful flowers that I have headed my way for the day. Rumor has it, that there are still 2 tickets remaining so if you’re thinking of attending, don’t miss out!

This shoot was also featured on Inspired by This early last fall.

All Hail the Red, While & Blue

0 · Jul 6, 2016 ·

We’re now six days deep into July and it’s taken me this long to dig through my portfolio to find a somewhat patriotic, or red white and blue flower arrangement. While these colors might not be every bride’s dream palette, it doesn’t seem like it would be that difficult to find something with a little red in it.

This little challenge of mine has got me thinking, once again, about color. I just can’t seem to get the impact of it off of my mind. Color is everywhere.

Through this searching process, I have realized why there’s very little red, white and blue in my work. Perhaps not that surprising unless you’re part of a military wedding. But the real reason is, red doesn’t inspire me. I don’t choose to add it into my creations. After all, how am I supposed to work with a medium I’m not inspired by?

Of course I’ve had brides tell me that they’re using shades of cherry, burgundy, garnet, marsala and berry in their palette. We’ve always worked together to bring this vision to life in a way that is inspiring and artful to both of us. But just red, count me out.

Perhaps one of my favorite sources of color inspiration was when dear Mary showed me a picture of her maid of honor’s blooming dress. The dress was clearly fabulous but suddenly I was panicked, I would have to use red flowers.

And then she told me how much her and the groom love food. I started dreaming of eatible berries and olive branches and other seamingly obvious ingredients. But then, I started taking a deeper look during my weekly grocery shopping trips and examining the various tones in the produce section. Their wedding flowers were no longer about color, but a feeling and a representation of them. I began to reshape my thought process and take notice of the small details in the everyday world around me. I experienmented with wiring chilis into buttonholes and scheming of how to sneak a few apple branches from my neighbor’s tree. Trips to the farmer’s market, searching through greenhouse herbs, bay leafs, lavender, peppers, artichokes and pomegranates created a palette that wasn’t just pleasing for the eyes but really was good enough to eat. Together, we worked to find something that was beautiful to both of us – and it’s one of my favorite weddings to date.

So if you’re presented with an obstacle in your wedding planning that at first glance may seem less than ideal, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and tackle the challenge. Sometimes you just need to approach things from a different angle and not be so quick to judge a color (or venue, chair, suit, etc).

Photography: Cory Weber Photography

Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

And if you want to see my chili pepper buttonhole, pop on over to instagram – it’s red, white and blue perfection!

10 Local Flower Favorites

0 · Jun 3, 2016 ·

Once upon a time, when we used to think of usual local flowers in your décor, images of black-eyed susans and statice in vibrant rainbow colors was the first thing to pop to mind, i.e. wildflowers. Today, floral designers across the country have found a balance of collecting any wild bloom they can find with making it more purposeful and part of your color story. Beautiful, textural and local artpieces are created.

When I talk about using local flowers, most of us imagine purchasing flowers Michigan’s huge flower farms – but not many exist. While I lot that thought, in reality when I saw using local or special seasonal touches, I’m really adding anything that I did not source from one of my wholesalers. For me, gathering local flowers may be a fresh farmer’s market bunch, picking a few extra special blossoms from my garden (when I don’t kill them first!), walking through the woods or collecting roadside finds or even heading to the greenhouse to disassembled a few potted treasures (which I will then try to plant later and probably kill). Here are a few of my very favorite ingredients found throughout the seasons and how I love to incorporate them into wedding and floral décor.

Blooming Branches

Whether you’re utilizing cherry blossoms, dogwood or service berry – May brings so many beautiful branches in bloom. These delicate blossoms add so much romance and texture to the overall design of the day and also create stunning floral photo backdrops.

Coral Bells

While the dainty little blossoms are sweet all on their own, my favorite part to use of this perennial is the foliage. The veins and color variation in a single leaf makes it the perfect complement piece. However, the stems are short at times depending upon variety and maturity of the plant, so often this greenery is better utilized as in centerpieces although I love to use them in bouquets whenever possible.

Dahlias

Big and bold, dahlias are a show stopper. The color variety ranges from deep burgundy’s to brighter pinks, yellow, whites and many shades in between. They start blooming late in July, with August and September being their prime time to shine. Use them in centerpieces, bouquets, on your cakes or really anywhere you want a bold conversation starter.

Foxglove

Known as fairy’s caps, thimbles or bumble bee hammocks, these linear blooms are spotted perfection. Early summertime is when they’ll beautify our lives. I sacrificed my plant’s only bloom last week for a bouquet and it was so worth it.

Hellebore

These moody blooms capture my heart every time. They’re one of the very first flowers to come to life after a long winter and are the very voice of refreshment. Also known as the Lenten rose, they’re perfect for bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnières.

Lavender

Such a soothing aroma to calm any wedding nerves. I had a plant in my garden that produced blooms from early June until autumn brought its first frost, however most commonly you’ll find fresh sprigs in July and as a dried herb at farmer’s market throughout the fall. I love adding these into boutonnières, bouquets and using them as place setting garnishments.

Lilacs

The fragrant blooms scream spring. They are worth waiting all winter for with their intoxicating scent, they make the perfect bouquet or centerpiece all on their own or can also be paired lots of other springtime favorites making a great border flower in shades of rich plum, lavender and white.

Peonies

Everyone’s favorite, the peony has become wedding royalty. Their ruffley array of petals just cannot be matched. While the spectrum of colors can be great, most commonly you’ll find shades of white, fuchsia and softer pink locally but on occasion I’ve seen a coral or red charm. Purchase them at roadside stands, the farmer’s market or plant a bush in your own back yard and enjoy the blooms throughout mid-June.

Pokeweed

American Pokeweed grows wild and is considered a nuisance by many. It has a long smooth leaf and green berries throughout the summer which become purple in the autumn. However, these are best utilized before the color change because once they turn, the berries fall easily from the stems and will stain anything they land on. They’re the perfect filler green for all your flowering needs.

Sweet Peas

These little pink blossoms start late June and grow almost everywhere that reaches the sun. So much beauty is added to the side of Michigan’s highways and the color lasts through late July. These hardy little vines are great in centerpieces and bouquets alike.

Photo credits:

Slideshow 1: Blooming Branch Cake, Ashley Slater Photography | Coral Bell Foliage, Bradley James Photography | Cafe au Lait Dahlia, Hetler Photography | Foxglove Bouquet, Bradley James Photography | Hellebore Boutonnière, Bradley James Photography

Sideshow 2: Spray Rose & Lavender Flower Crown, Kelly Sweet Photography | Lilacs, Ashley Slater Photography | Peony Bouquet, Kelly Sweet Photography | Pokeweed Centerpiece, Bradley James Photography | Sweet Pea Centerpiece, Bradley James Photography

A version of this post was originally published on Simply Blue Weddings, you can see it here.

Happy Flower Friday!!

Friday Flowers :: Airemiss’s Flower Crown

0 · May 14, 2016 ·

Photography: Kelly Sweet Photography

Yes, I am a day late in this post. However, we can pretend it’s still Friday, I only got 2 hours of sleep last night so it feels like one continuous day and we’re going to stretch the rules of this Friday Flowers post. It’s wedding season, it all blurs together anyway.

I’m pulling this one out of the archives because even though it’s nearly 2 years old, it’s still one of my favorite weddings. There were nine people who celebrated in the misty rain, in the middle of the woods. It was pretty romantic location as far as wedding ceremonies go.

I designed a really awesome tabletop and some beautiful florals throughout the decor, but one of my favorite pieces was Airemiss’s flower crown. It was so simple and yet it’s still one of my favorite crowns that I’ve ever made.

Her favorite flower is a white rose. That is what she requested her bouquet be made of but she wanted it assembled in a way that made it feel like it could have been just gathered and tied together right there in the woods. White roses don’t exactly grow wild in Michigan’s woodland settings, but I think we managed to capture that essence quite well.

When it comes to creating a flower crown, I think about 4 main things.

The environment which it will be worn in. Should it be clean and chic like a city setting or contain tidbits from the surrounding fields?
The outfit it will be worn with. Obviously I don’t want colors to clash and then again should it be polished and chic or more boho and carefree? Romantic, whimsical – what’s the overall feel of the attire?
The hairstyle it will be worn with. Will it partially be tucked into a bun? Should it be worn to one side? Long hair? Short hair? Do we want the blooms or the hair to show more?
Other flowers in the scene. This would mostly pertain to a bouquet or other fashion accessory but could also think about the environment, if you’re in an apple orchard, I’m probably going to try to include a few of those dainty pink blossoms. But even more importantly I do strive to make sure it looks amazing paired with your bridal bouquet. The two definitely need to pair well together.

So taking those 4 points into consideration, this halo of flowers was born. It was to be worn in the woods, so a little wild would be alright. It would be worn with a white Vera Wang wedding dress, which had white roses trailing up the front. Those parts were pretty straight forward. Next I had to consider the bride’s sweet little pixie cut. I couldn’t place an enormous flower on her head that would completely take over. I felt like she needed more of a headband of blooms, bold and stylish but not overwhelming. Finally, it had to match her white rose bouquet.

The main ingredient I chose was white majolica spray roses. These sprays are one of my go-to’s that I use time and time again. They’re like a safety net for me. But I love them. They have the tiniest tinge of pink and they open so beautifully to reveal their centers. I feel a little bit like a traitor loving South American roses this much, but I’ll get over it. They’re just so ruffly for being “standard” and were the perfect size for this crown.

Myrtle is a symbol of love and a Hebrew symbol for marriage. It was significant to be Aphrodite and Demeter in Roman mythology. It was very important to Airemiss that it be included in her flower arrangements and I couldn’t think of a better place to include the green than around her head.

Just a couple springs of agonis were added in to add a little extra color and depth. It’s actually a type of willow myrtle, so I felt like it was a very appropriate compliment to the crown.

The final ingredient was fresh lavender. I love including lavender whenever possible. At our old house, I planted some lavender in my tiny garden and it produced blooms all summer long, I wish I still had this plant. The lavender for their wedding came from my garden. It’s fragrant, earthy and sweet, adding just a touch of color in a very subtle way.

If you’d like to see the entire wedding day again, you can see it here. Have a great weekend!

Mattie & Nick :: An Autumn Engagement

0 · May 11, 2016 ·

I remember this autumn day – not because I had much to do with the planning or even tagged along with Mattie and Nick’s engagement session, but rather because it was glorious. It was the kind of October day that every bride dreams of. Blue skies, heavenly temperatures and most majestic display of colors.

If I were planning my own wedding day in the autumn, I’d want it to look just like this. It would be casual, with hints of burgundy and brown. The soft glow of sunset would warm each and every photo and add that extra layer of romance. And this field absolutely takes my breath away every time I see it, its so far beyond words I can’t even grasp a way to accurately describe it.

The evening would be treasured as we all would know that winter was on its way and the feeling of the warm sunshine upon your skin will become only a memory. We should never take these days for granted, you never know what lies around the bend.

The custom dyed silk ribbons have been ordered. The flowers are being prepared. And in three day’s time, Mattie and Nick will be walking down the aisle in celebration for their love of one another.

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Flower Crown: The Day’s Design | Bride to Be: Mattie of Spark & Wildflower

A Creative Voice

0 · May 3, 2016 ·

Wedding Design | Naked Wedding Cake | The Day's Design | The Cakabakery | Weber Photography

Photography: Weber Photography | Cake: The Cakabakery | Floral Design: The Day’s Design

Last week kicked off the start of my wedding season. I haven’t unpacked all my boxes yet from the move, my studio space isn’t anywhere near being set up and it was my biggest wedding of the entire year. I had knots in my stomach for days.

So last Tuesday morning, instead of trying to organize a little more or prepping my flower buckets for the impending blooms, I decided to color some terra cotta pots with chalk. They just looked too fresh to house my little cactus friends and they needed a little “distressing”, if you will.

I was rather enjoying myself when suddenly I realized how ridiculous this was – I had a to-do list 3 miles long and I was coloring pots. Pots that 90% of the wedding guests probably wouldn’t see and who knows if I would receive any appreciation at all for my efforts.

I started thinking about all the silly little details that I have stressed about throughout the seasons – I’ve added gold leafing to planters, spray painted animals the perfect shade of rose gold, I’ve visiting slews of nurseys and greenhouses in hunt for the perfect connector flowers. I’ve shopped high and low for white ceramic pots, silky ribbons and copper charger plates. I’ve painted, built, crafted, diy-ed, hunted, gathered and blown my floral budgets to bits all because “good enough” is never enough for me. I’m constantly seeking my version of perfection and knowing that I can do more.

Often you’ll find me straddling the line between madness and brilliance, trying to find my creative voice in this industry. I would like to announce that I think have finally found it. I finally know what it is I want to create. I have found my style, my niche and my flair in what seems to be an oversaturated market. It’s taken years to get here and it wasn’t easy. But it’s this line that I’m willing to cross that makes me unique and the realization that I might not do things the way others do or even in a way that would be considered “correct”. But it works for me. I’m willing to cry tears of exhaustion to put a smile on a bride’s face. And I will shop my heart out.

Why should you hire an event designer verses just a florist? For all those reasons above. It goes beyond centerpieces, beyond garden roses and bouquets. It’s not about wholesale South American roses verses local wildflowers. It’s about you. It’s about using my create vision to capture the essence of you as a couple, as a client, as a bride. From signage, to invitations, to linen selections, table runners, seating options, room layouts, mariachi bands, favors, lighting, flowers and knowing when to add an extra sprig of greenery to your cake, I’m here every step making sure this celebration is a reflection of this remarkable couple in front of me on their wedding day.

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Friday Flowers :: Spring Seaside Bouquet

0 · Apr 15, 2016 ·

Spring Beach Bouquet | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

As it so often happens, last spring I was eager to make something pretty. I wanted to stretch my wings and create. I needed to dust off my flowering skills. Editorial styled shoots are one of my favorite ways to quench this yearning.

The story was inspired by the sea. The tablescape was to appear as if it had just been washed ashore. I easily sourced driftwood and nautical touches but we all know that the flowers sometimes make the greatest impact in the overall design. You may remember the entire feature with Ashley Slater Photography here.

I remember putting the flower order together. When it’s been months since you’ve seen and touched real live blossoms, you can start to feel overwhelmed with the whole order process. I wanted it all. And I always make it a point to order something new, especially with styled shoots – that’s the perfect opportunity to try something new.

Poppies. That was my new source of inspiration. I placed an order for lots of Matilija poppies to be the star of my bouquet. There’s something about them that remind me of sea anemones. Their petals are dainty and paper thin. And in my imagination, sometimes I see them living under the sea.

The day before my flowers arrived, I was informed that my precious poppies were not available. A quick change of plans and I substituted Bowl of Cream Peonies and other gorgeous variety with a cheery yellow center – both flown in from California.

Eucalyptus is another favorite of mine to use by the beach. The blue green tinge compliments the water in the background so nicely. I’m always cautious of using too harsh of a green tone against a blue backdrop.

California grown Caramel Antike Roses (the beigey, gold garden roses seen above) are some of my go-to;s. You’ll see them in my work time and time again. The perfect neutral.

But the piece that really pulled this whole bouquet together was the blooming branches foraged from my own neighborhood. I stopped early morning to trim a few flowers and as soon as I started working with them, I realized I needed more and more. I sent my husband down the road with hedge trimmers and told him to grab as much as he possibly could. He returned a short while later with a massive pile of branches. I thought there was no way I would ever use that much, he argued that I had told him to get ask much as he could. Very true. I think I ended up using all but one small branch. They were amazing. I’m sad I don’t have a wedding the first week of May this year – although I’m not longer living in that neighborhood either.

I added gold ribbons that complimented the stamens in my peonies, as well as the touches of glimmer in my other decor, and blue ribbons to match Lake Michigan in the background. Silk ribbons are your best friends in the breeze. I can’t get over how they glide in the wind.

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Friday Flowers

0 · Apr 8, 2016 ·

I put a ton of emphasis into selecting the right flowers for each and every event. I give my brides a few visuals and ideas of what varieties I plan on using, but in the end, plans change. Sometimes I get inspired by something else. Sometimes the color, size or movement is just off in the bloom that I choose. And sometimes I kill flowers. Yes, it happens.

I love to take the time to focus on each and every bloom that passes through my hand. But when it’s wedding crunch time, I have to admit that often the focus is more on just getting it done rather than making it perfect. It’s for that reason that I make the most visual pieces first. And I do like to save the pieces that I’m most excited for until the end, this way I ensure I will stay excited throughout the entire creation process rather than becoming too weary of flowers. However, I’m very cautious about this approach.

I think it would be really neat to be able to tell the bride the story behind each and every blossom. Yet anyone who’s been a part of a wedding knows that this is completely unrealistic, the bride clearly has other things on her mind that day – even if I do not.

So I quickly hand off the bouquet, finish my delivery and then start plotting out my next event.

But I had an idea. I could share the stories here. I could tell where the flowers traveled from, how certain varieties came to be in my hands and some of the thought process that went into the selection. It would be an open and honest discussion of my flower journey. You’d know of my ordering mishaps and maybe even a couple wasteful tales. But I think in the end it would be fun to reflect back and maybe even I would grasp a deeper understanding of myself and how I work through the creative process.

Peony & Pinecone floral recipe | The Day's Design | Katie Grace Photography

Photography: Katie Grace Photography & Videography

As much as I love local flowers and talk about a lot the advantages of American grown blooms, it’s pretty amazing to think that some of your flowers have traveled half way across the world. A single bouquet could easily represent a number on continents and I’d like to start tracking that. It’s like philosophy, geography and flowers (I think they call that horticulture?) all in one little post.

And because most Fridays I either have flowers in my hands or wish that I did, this will be my version of Friday Flowers. More next Friday 😉

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Style Me Pretty Bouquet Breakdown :: Nautical Lake Michigan Wedding

0 · Mar 21, 2016 ·

Building a bridal bouquet is so much more than just gathering a handful of flowers and binding them with a silk ribbon. It’s an artful composition of design. It’s a process of sourcing the right ingredients, crafting the perfect recipe and then weeding out any blooms that don’t quite meet the cut. And then the labor of love truly begins.

I remember the day that Becca send me a gorgeous, white mounded bouquet with the caption “this would be a dream”. I would never copy another artist design – there are a number of logical reasons behind this, but for the most glaring of those is because I wouldn’t be true to myself, I would be relying on someone else’s creativity and it might actually rob not only the other artist, but also the bride of having a piece that’s a one of a kind treasure that’s designed solely for her. The bridal bouquet is an artist’s floral interpretation of each bride, their story written in flowers.

So I asked, “What is it that you love so much about the bouquet?” After a little thought, she determined that it was the way that it was white, and yet had the tiniest tinge of pink scattered amongst the petals. It was so subtle and barely noticeable, and yet, there it was.

Becca was a very elegant and chic bride, so her bouquet was designed to be a reflection of her. It was just a touch nautical, perfect for a beach wedding. The blue hint in the greenery blended with Lake Michigan’s shoreline and the wild dune grass which prevalent all around. Then a couple anemones were added to tie in the nautical navy of the men’s suits. I chose to make the clematis and its silky smooth petals, the star of the garden rose infuse bouquet. This provided a resting place of the eye to naturally fall and also nodded to Becca’s appreciation of simple, clean lines.

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography

You can read more about the individual floral ingredients and inspiration behind the bouquet here, as it was featured on Style Me Pretty over the weekend. You can also see the full St. Joseph wedding here as well from its feature back in December.

Flowers Made with a Mirror

0 · Mar 7, 2016 ·

Building a Bridal Bouquet | The Day's Design | Helter Photography

Photography: Helter Photography

I finish every single bridal bouquet I make in front of a mirror.

In our current home setup (which is only last for a few days more…) I begin collecting flowers, arranging all the beautiful blooms in my hands, painstakingly spending minutes which quickly turn to hours, agonizing and arranging. And then I stop what I’m doing, walk to the other end of the house and hold it in front of our full length mirror.

Then I tweak some more.

The mirror is also conveniently located at the end of our hallway, which gives me the luxury of being able to practice walking down the mock aisle – giving the bouquet a full test run and enables me to see exactly what everyone else will see on your wedding day. It’s fascinating to me how a shift of perspective can completely change the look of a bouquet.

Sometimes I completely start over. Sometimes I just adjust a flower or two. But inevitably, there always seems to be a pile of loose petals and random leaf trimmings that migrate down the hallway and into this area of my house.

My husband tells me to put a mirror in the dining room, aka my flower studio, “condense your steps,” he says. I think in reality he would like to suppress the spread of flower trimmings. He also gets upset that we have so many mirrors in our house. Seems a bit contradictive if you ask me.

This weekend I began to wonder where I would put my “bouquet mirror” in the new house. I was thinking I should find something full length and pretty fancy – since I will not be taking the gold and black trimmed, faux marble mirror that is glued to our hollow core wood door with me, such a shame. And then I realize flea market season is just around the corner. A mirror with a little aging and patina would fit the bill just right.

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Nancy & Andrew’s Love Story

0 · Mar 2, 2016 ·

Every day has a story. I don’t just mean wedding days, or fancy celebration times but literally every single day. Some tales are bit boring while others are a bit more momentous. Some stories are disregarded by the next morning. Some have a narrative that would rather be forgotten while others want to be relived continuously throughout time.

I don’t know the number of days or how many stories Nancy and Andrew have shared together. I don’t know how he proposed or what their wedding will look like. But I can surmise that their tale will have a happy ending. I can imagine that the day that Ashley followed them around Downtown Grand Rapids on this crisp autumn morning was a happy one, one that will remain in their hearts for years to come.

When an author writes a book, they are then tasked to find the perfect artist or illustrator to portray what the imagination cannot visualize on its own. In the same way, a photographer must tell the story of love, of engagement and then on to the happily ever after – the wedding day.

I will only play a small role in the overall plot of their lives. I’m merely an extra in the background or a set designer, supplying a couple props for the day, whether it’s a halo for engagement photos, a flower for a special occasion or a cascading showpiece for a bride on her wedding day. Photography: Ashley Slater Photography | Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Location: Downtown Grand Rapids

When people ask me how many weddings I do a year, I would rather tell them how many love stories I’ve had the privilege of being a part of. I’m merely helped set the stage, designed the set or illustrated a page where the romance will come to life.

Wedding Planning Services

0 · Jan 8, 2016 ·

Wedding Planner Services | Job Description | The Day's Design | Ashley Slater Photography

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

Somewhere between pretentious corporate event planner and “I planned my sister’s wedding so now I’m an event planner” – on the side, is where you’ll find me… with a bouquet of flowers in my hands. I am a small business owner and boutique wedding planner, specializing in one of kind celebrations. I have a degree in event planning – or as close as I could get (Bachelors of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis is Event Planning – yes, that’s a mouthful). I plan, design and floralize weddings for a living.

However for me, business isn’t really about the title, it’s about being able to do what I love. While The Day’s Design didn’t necessarily start with flowers, it was born out of my love for design. Pulling together all the individual details for a wedding and forming one cohesive event makes me so happy. I love finding the perfect napkin that matches your invitation that pairs perfectly with your bridesmaids dress.

FLORAL DESIGN

But often the element that speaks loudest in that design scheme is the flowers and since I am so passionate about this aspect too, they naturally became part of my service offerings. They are a tangible component that everyone can see. The floral selection for any event says a lot about a person and the impact is huge. This is what draws most people to my work. And then we bond because they fancy blooms almost as much as I do.

I can’t seem to quench this thirst for floral knowledge. Colors, varieties and bouquet shapes fill my imagination…

WEDDING DESIGN

At times, the conversation ends with flowers, but more often it continues on, circling back to that design discussion and dreaming of all the decorative possibilities from escort card displays to making sure each place setting is arranged with a perfectly graceful ribbon draped on top. My sketch pad is full of doodles from blooms, to ribbons to invitations and the possibilities are endless. My creative mind is always on a wild quest for more. We’ll fashion an entire mood board and sketch out designs for the day. Together, we’ll visualize all the various details, big or small, and the roles they play in the overall tone of your wedding. If you hire me to design your wedding, I’ll be a part of every aesthetic facet working with your other creative vendors and then onsite that morning making sure that everything is perfectly placed and spotless. I may even help your photographer style a few photos if our paths should happen to cross and your timeline allows.

EVENT MANAGEMENT/DAY OF COORDINATION

Since I am there anyway, event management becomes a natural step for me to take. It’s a little more work for me on the front end of things (with a stellar team of assistants in tow), but so worth it to any bride who is considering whether or not to do everything herself. I’ll help build the entire itinerary for the day, making sure there’s a planned arrival time for each and every vendor. You won’t have to worry about whether or not the cake was delivered or the linens are set on your tables in time for the caterer to begin their part. The bridal party will know where they’re supposed to be and when to start walking down the aisle and I’ll straighten out your train before your grand entrance. Concerns about whether the photographer is in the room when the best man makes his toast or when husband and wife dance for the first time are eliminated as it will all be scheduled and well thought out, flowing as if it were all just naturally meant to happen.

FULL SERVICE WEDDING PLANNING

Then there’s the bride that needs help from the very beginning. The number of inspiring vendors in her area seems daunting and the idea of figuring out a budget is tedious. I become the friend that’s planned a million weddings and a liaison between practical, glam, organic and what your mother wants. I’m the voice of reason and inspiration, guiding the couple through each step of the planning process. Our journey together may begin with a location, a venue, finding the perfect caterer, tasting cakes or drinking champagne after he first proposed. Having a wedding planner doesn’t mean that you lose out on planning your wedding, but rather you have an experienced hand helping you along the way and any dull tasks that you don’t want to do, you can have someone else take care of. Everything stays orderly, on schedule and remains fun, after all wedding planning is supposed to be fun. It’s a celebration!

Regardless of contracted services, each couple is special to me. Each event is one of a kind and deserves its own contemplation and creativity. Being engaged is a once in a lifetime experience and I want to make it the very best for you. But most importantly, I wish all of my clients a marriage far more beautiful than any wedding I could ever help to create.

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2015 :: The Highlights, Goals & Lessons Learned

0 · Dec 31, 2015 ·

At lot can happen in just 365 days. Sometimes it hard to believe we’re even the same person that we were when the year began. From a business perspective, the growth I’ve seen has been unbelievable – both in clients and in personal strengths. I feel like this year was the year that I finally found my way. I’m feeling more confident than ever and excited to look back on the steps I took to get me there.

But it wasn’t just from a professional standpoint that I experienced change. There were lots of individual adjustments in life this year as well. I considered splitting my review up, posting from both a business and personal outlook, but there’s so much overlap and it’s hard to really figure out where each one really begins. Anyone who owns a business I’m sure can relate.

I began the year pregnant. I’m not one who enjoys pregnancy, so for me that wasn’t exactly a highlight. But of course then little Willa June was born and everything changed. It’s hard to even imagine what life was like before she came along. Gretta has adjusted well and it’s as though she’s always been a part of our family.

I was a little nervous about the start of wedding season. I had played with a few flowers for my maternity shoot back in January, but prior to that, my sister’s wedding in November had capped off my 2014 season and I was a bit apprehensive to get back into the swing of things. And then of course there was the additional pressure of having two children in tow.

I like to start the season with an inspiration shoot. It’s just seems to help get the creative juices flowing and if I’m a little rusty, my mistakes are made on my own accord and not at the expense of one of my brides. So Ashley and I headed to the beach – she was itching to create something pretty as well after a long winter. The shoot was moody and ethereal (and freezing – 39 degrees in May!), and the results were just as I had imagined it and I realized I just need to get out of my head create. I achieved another goal with this editorial, having it featured on Magnolia Rouge.

Photo Credits (left to right, top to bottom): Ashley Slater Photography | Ashley Slater Photography featured on Magnolia Rouge | Ashley Slater Photography, Design: Michaela Noelle featured on Inspired by This | Kelly Sweet Photography | Hetler Photography | Ashley Slater Photography, Dress: Spring Sweet featured on Magnolia Rouge | Ashley Slater Photography, Calligraphy: Kaitlin Parisho | Ashley Slater Photography, Invitation Suite: Wildfield Paper Co featured on Magnolia Rouge | Kelly Sweet Photography

I officially started the wedding season in May with 2 beautiful celebrations. Both brides had complete trust in me and gave me lots of creative freedom. I was able to choose blooms that I loved, worked with vessels they loved and had lots of local and foraged ingredients. Blush and pale pink color palettes were a reoccurring trend for me in 2015. I learned that while I am completely capable of doing multiple events in a weekend, it’s not a trend that I will continue. I’d much rather give each bride her own individual day and full attention.

Once again I was honored to be a part of Bloom the Workshop. I can’t say enough to really convey how lovely Ashley and Michaela are. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the very first Bloom they held over a year ago and in May I floralized their 3rd full day workshop to held in West Michigan. Michaela always dreams up a gorgeous tablescape and I love working with other creatives to help bring their visions to life.

A couple years ago, I had set a goal that I’d like to be featured at least 4 times a year on a major publication. The shoot with Bloom was featured on Inspired by This back in August, and was feature #4 for the year. While this isn’t my main focus of business by any means, it makes me feel pretty good to check this off my business goal list.

Photo Credits (left to right, top to bottom): Jamie & Sarah Photography | Bradley James Photography, Plates: Debby Does Dishes | Ashley Slater Photography | Clary Pfeiffer Photography featured on Style Me Pretty | Jamie & Sarah Photography | Jamie & Sarah Photography | Clary Pfeiffer Photography featured on Style Me Pretty| Clary Pfeiffer Photography featured on Style Me Pretty | Bradley James Photography, Invitation: Minted

In July, I received my very first order from Rose Story Farms. To some this might seem like a really strange item to highlight, however, if you’ve ever held one of these delicate little blossoms in your hands, you’ll understand their beauty. My love local blooms will always exist, but when they’re not Michigan made it doesn’t get much better than California grown. The chartreuse green of their little leaves just makes me so delightfully happy.

I worked out of a hotel room for the first time. Again, strange thing to highlight but it was an interesting experience, to say the least. It was at the same time that I experienced leaky containers, bouquets that were fastened with faulty tape, scorching heat and a whole wave of other obstacles. Give your florist a hug and tell your wedding planners thank you. They may have bled, drove across the state or stayed up all night making things happen that you’ll never be aware of because they’ll never tell you. My strength and endurance have been tested more than once this year and I’m stronger person and wedding planner because of it.

Thinking back, I remember the day that I longed to have one of my weddings or inspirations shoots featured on Style Me Pretty. It seemed like such a distance and lofty goal. In 2015, I was featured on their blog 3 times and I feel like someone should probably pinch me.

Also on my list of goals is to be see my work in print, in an actual magazine or a place that I can physically hold in my hand. Last month I received the news that not one, but 2 of my weddings will be featured in The Knot Michigan next spring. I am so honored to think that once upon a time I was just a college graduate with a little dream to be a wedding planner. And now here I am, living this dream and being recognized by some of the biggest names and publications in the industry. The icing on the cake – it was my bride’s fantasy to be featured on The Knot too, it’s so special that I could help make that a reality for her as well.

But it’s not just the recognition, I definitely don’t do what I do for fame or hoping someone will give me a huge pat on the back. The people I’ve meet along the way is the most rewarding piece of the journey. I love my brides, my vendor friends and some lifelong relationships have blossomed from working in the wedding industry.

Autumn brought with it more engagements, golden hues and many colorful celebrations full of love and the most amazing couples. And lots of dahlias. I truly hope to do more fall weddings next year as the scenery in Michigan is simply breathtaking that time of year. And I’d even like to add a couple of winter celebrations to my 2016/2017 calendar.

2015 was The Day’s Design’s third full time wedding season, the year Gretta turned 3 and will be the last year in our current home. It was the year of designing flowers in my dining room, storing them in my garage and keeping the rest of the treasures in my basement. It was the year that we tested my Tahoe’s strength, air conditioning and storage capacity. Moving forward is a sign of progress and a little bittersweet.

There’s a part of me that thinks I should have kept a tally of how many times I bled, how many times I wanted to give up, the hours of sleep I lost, the times I wanted to do a happy dance and high five (only to realized I work most days alone), the number of times I witnessed “the moment”, the walks up and down the aisle, the steps I take on a wedding day, the trips to venues, caterers, flower markets, greenhouses and down the road foraging for treasures. I need to keep track of it all so I can remember. So when 2016 rolls around and I can’t hardly function because I’ve pulled an all nighter before one of my fabulous brides’ big day – all I’ll have to do is see the expression in her eyes as she sees her groom staring back at her so in love. I want to remember why I love this job so much and never forget. My mother has mentioned on several occasions that there must be an easier way to make a living. Of course she’s right, but they’re not my passion, my drive or what I want to be doing. This is right where I want to be.

Cheers friends! Have a happy 2016!!

The Sand & the Sea

0 · Dec 16, 2015 ·

December’s weather here in Michigan has been a little abnormal, to say the least. The amount of foggy and rain filled days have been unheard of and I’ve hardly had the need to put on my winter coat. This morning, once again, I woke up to a thick of cloud that hung in the air. It’s such a dense and gloomy feeling.

It actually made me think back to this day in May. The temperatures were oddly similar although this spring day was far windier. Ashley Slater and I had been dreaming up a beach shoot. We wanted it to be natural, ethereal and chic all at the same time. We wanted to combine a classic black tux and a streamline wedding gown with driftwood and other neutral touches found on Lake Michigan’s glistening shoreline. We dreamt of a very sun kissed, yet earthy and grounded day with the decor seeming as though it had been washed ashore from a shipwreck.

However, as it so often happens, the weather changed our plans. One of the biggest lessons I have learned it to just roll with it and let the story be a part of your day. Since this was a styled shoot, we had the option to reschedule when the weather was chilly and less than ideal. But we moved forward despite the misty and fog. And one of my favorite outcomes of the day was the moody tone that the beach set. The sky mirrored the muted watercolor lines of Wildfield Paper’s custom paper goodies. The whitecaps and the wind whipping through Caitlin’s hair were perfection. We decided not to fuss with curls, a tie and other formalities. It turned into a wild, barefoot and carefree celebration.

This shoot was also featured on Magnolia Rouge, you can see the post here.

Real Weddings :: Ryan & Jen

0 · Nov 20, 2015 ·

Peonies, black and white stripes, gold accents… and that’s just the start of Ryan and Jen’s stunning day. Jen is so stylish, chic and GORGEOUS, making her day beautiful was a piece of cake. And I love how even though their celebration took place in a classic club location, the way it was photographed almost makes it seem like they eloped into the woods – with 22 of their closest friends (the largest bridal party I’ve seen to date), but when you’re as sweet as these two, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular, they just radiate love.

Cheers to Mr. & Mrs. Reidsma!!

Photography: Katy O’Dell Photography | Floral Design: The Day’s Design | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Thousand Oaks Golf Club | Bride’s Dress: Bianka Bridal

A World without Flowers

0 · Nov 18, 2015 ·

Photography: Ashley Slater Photography

Do you ever feel small? There’s this world out there that’s full of hunger, heartache, tragedy, anger and defeat. And then there’s me, siting here warm in the comfort of my own home stressing about minuet details such as flowers and home decor. Hardly a world crisis. It makes me feel little and worthless.

When I began my flower journey I struggled with the concept of fresh flowers because it isn’t something that would last. I felt like maybe I was wasting a plant’s potential by plucking it’s blooms and placing them in a vase where they would only last a few days. And then they would be forever forgotten.

A shift in perspective from an another designer made me realize that by picking that flower and bringing it inside, I can now enjoy it for numerous hours at a time, valuing the beauty it brings to my table for those few precious days. If I had left it in the field, I may have seen it for a couple minutes as I drove by every now and then – but even attached to it’s roots, it will too eventually wither and fade away. We need to appreciate beauty while it lasts.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with trying to add a little beauty to the world around you. I think we all need that moment of peace and refreshment. Can you imagine what the world might be like if artists stopped creating? What if Monet had never picked up a paintbrush because it was frivolous? Or think of all the great architects, what if they’d never hand carved and crafted anything and all the buildings around us were just square boxes? And what if there were no flowers?

What would it be like if we lived in a world without flowers?

Style Me Pretty Bouquet Breakdown

0 · Nov 5, 2015 ·

A couple month’s ago one of the awesome ladies from Style Me Pretty reached out asking if I’d mind breaking down and sharing all the ingredients to Christina’s lovely autumn bouquet (you may remember Tim & Christina’s wedding was featured on their blog here last spring). It was so special being asked, as I feel like Tim and Christina’s wedding was a break out moment for me and I will forever think of their wedding day with the warmest memories. I had done other floral arranging, I done other weddings but I knew in my heart of hearts that theirs was something special. They entrusted an incredible amount of faith in me. Their wedding wasn’t only going to be the start of something incredible and new for them, but it was going to be the start something big for me as well.

I was right.

This was my big break and the largest scale event that I had tackled to date. My love affair with flowers grew. And it continues to grow. I stretched my wings and did something scary and reaped huge rewards. I proved myself worthy – not to the world – but to myself. So when I was asked to describe this bouquet and the flower it… it was hard to know where to even start. Their wedding was a beautiful finale to the end of the 2014 wedding season.

It was my first time using Peterkort Roses. It’s a bit nerve wrecking any time you use a new supplier. Simply put, I had nothing to be nervous about. Their roses do not disappoint. As always, I had set aside my favorite blooms as I was processing and unpacking flowers. Special blooms for a special bride. Her bouquet was one of the last projects I tackled late that Friday night. I think that was my biggest bucket of “favorite blooms” I have ever collected.

It was dark and quiet in my Grandpa’s garage. The rains fell on the red tin roof and the wind was roaring outside on that cold October night. But what I remember are the flowers, the awe, and how I loved each and every stem that I placed.

Friends, here’s the bouquet (captured by the ever amazing Kelly Sweet Photography) and here’s the recipe, you can read more about it all these magical romantic roses over on Style Me Pretty.

7 Stems of Helga Piaget Garden Roses
5 Stems of Romantik Antike Garden Roses
3 Stems of Champagne Roses
2 Stems of Talea Roses
3 Stems of Pink Majolica Spray Roses
2 Stems of Pee Gee Hydrangeas
2 Stems of Peach Stock
Italian Ruscus Foliage
Variegated Pittosporum Foliage

Enjoy!

Real Weddings :: Tina & Chris

0 · Nov 4, 2015 ·

It’s now the time of year when I’m wrapping up wedding season, summer days have gone by and I’ve started to embrace that cozy late autumn (and even Christmas!!) mindset. My flipflops have been traded for tall boots and my t-shirts have all been tucked away. At the same time, I’m chatting with brides who are gleefully planning next years weddings and I have to revert back to that springtime frame of mind. I’m starting to look for inspiration but my world – craft and decor stores, wedding blogs, Pinterest – is filled with autumn foliage and donuts (not that I mind a good donut!)

So I’m going to pretend that I’m posting this pretty spring day in hopes of inspiring one of next May’s lucky brides. If nothing else, I’m always happy to reminisce about foxglove and peonies.

Tina and Chris were married at Witt’s Inn in Lowell. It was my first time visiting this charming little barn and beautiful gardens. It’s rustic and what one might picture when they think of a barn wedding, until you look up. Chandeliers. Beautiful rows of chandeliers. That sparkle goes straight to a girl’s heart.

Speaking of a girl after my own heart, Tina hired me to take charge of her floral decor and dropped off 65 mismatched gold, brass and copper vessels for me to fill with blooms of my choice – just somewhere in the blush, pink or coral color story. It was so much fun sorting through each vessel, finding the perfect table mates and making each arrangement completely unique.

So I filled my floral buckets with tulips, roses, ranunculus, lilies, foxglove, peonies, clematis and wild honeysuckle. I foraged a few greens and added some delicate silk ribbons. The way they paired with the soft blush underlay of Tina’s dress was perfection. And everywhere you looked, there was a different bloom, a different arrangement and the prettiest all greenery bridesmaids bouquets.

Dear Tina and Chris, I hope you two have loved your first season together and have many more full of happiness to come.

Prettier than Planned

0 · Oct 12, 2015 ·

Photography: Katy O’Dell Photography

I’m often asked to detail all the flowers clients will see at their wedding – outline for them each little bloom. I don’t do that. And it’s not because I’m afraid of them stealing my floral recipe or divulging my deep dark secrets, it’s really because I don’t know. It’s that unknown that makes for your unsurpassed wedding floral story.

The floral consult process normally starts months before your actual wedding date. At that time I soak in all of your lovely ideas, start thinking about your color palette and suggest a few key blooms that will most likely be in season. The month before your wedding day I’ll revisit these notes. I’ll focus on what product has been awesome so far this season and then really analyze the color story and the overall feeling of your wedding day. I’ll choose the best varieties from across the country, sourcing from often several wholesalers and reaching out to some of my favorite local spots.

The week before your wedding the blooms begin to arrive. Boxes upon boxes land at my doorstep and I begin to unpack. It’s better than Christmas as I pull each and every bunch from its plastic sleeve and compare how the blossoms will look together, really envisioning your bouquets and centerpieces and how beautiful your wedding will be.

And then I get to that one box. The one that sent me peachy orange instead of coral blooms. Sometimes the pink is more purple and less cherry. And sometimes things just feel off.

This is where I get creative. This is where the unknown inspires me. One of my favorite examples of this is the untold story of Jen’s bouquet. When I unpacked her gorgeous flowers I was in love. She wanted a blush and berry palette that would stand bold against her black and white stripe and glittering gold accents. All was in order except for a few bunches, which were half the size of their usual selves. Half the size means half the product which meant I was surely going to run out. I began working anyway hoping that maybe I could stretch it, maybe I had ordered too many somewhere else and maybe something would all work out in the end. It became clear that it would not.

I wanted to get the key pieces put together. Bouquets are of the utmost importance, especially hers. So I worked tirelessly on them. Then on to her bouquet. I put it together once. I put it together twice. I tweaked and rearranged. It just didn’t feel right. Something was missing and after 2+ hours, I took a break.

Taking a moment to yourself is important. Stepping back can help so much. So I set out to solved my shortage problem and found myself wondering the aisles of a local greenhouse. There sat the most beautiful Wine and Roses Weigela bushes. The deep shades of merlot were so rich and perfect they nearly jumped in my cart and drove themselves home. They were the most impeccable addition a designer could ask for. I happily purchased my plants and made my way back.

With the addition of the berry colored blooms, Jen’s bouquet fell together in 5 minutes flat. The missing ingredient was found and my day was made.

However, it’s not something I could plan for. Often I just stumble across plants that scream “perfection”. Sometimes the search takes a little longer. Being creative and open minded is what is so enticing to me about floral design. No two bouquets will ever be identical, not two flowers are every exactly alike.

Sometimes things just turn out prettier than planned.

Ribbon Selection

0 · Jun 24, 2015 ·

Photo: Ashley Slater Photography

I love ribbon. It’s actually really embarrassing how much ribbon I have stashed away in my basement. I could wrap Christmas presents for years before running out. But as with most things, my styles and preferences change and so I find myself favoring one particular type at a time, leaving the others behind.

Beyond wrapping presents, my obsession is really focused on bouquets and finding the most perfectly delicate spools to flow freely from your handful of gorgeous blooms. The right ribbon will complete everything, blow perfectly in the wind and continue the color story beyond where your eye naturally stops at that bottom petal.

As I’m designing with my clients I find that most either have a very strong preference on the type or color of ribbon used throughout their event or they really don’t care much at all, which leaves that detail up to my choosing (which puts a lot of pressure on me… but I love it!) So here’s a little more on that subject, the most common places that ribbons are used throughout designs and how to make the best selection for each of these areas.

The Bouquets

I’ll start with the most obvious. Regardless of what service my clients hire me for, the subject of ribbons for the bouquets always comes up. And the conversation runs much deeper than just popping into Hobby Lobby to pick up a 50% off spool. There’s so much to consider.

Do you want long, flowy ribbons or do you prefer nice, neatly trimmed and shorter tails? Would you prefer multiple layers? Do you want your bouquets tied with a bow? It is necessary for your ribbons to match your blooms or dresses? What other elements are including ribbon throughout the design?

My preferences lean towards long, flowy trailing ribbons on each and every bouquet with multiple layers. I like big bouquets so I think a large amount of ribbon seems appropriate to balance that. Most weddings I’m a part of have a least a portion of the day outside or plans to have portraits taken al fresco and the sight of ribbons freely blowing in the wind makes me weak in the knees, so I like lightweight options that will make that fantasy a reality.

A fairly common practice is to tie the bride’s bouquet with a big, beautiful bow. While I do occasionally accessorize the bouquet like this, more often, I just loop a couple of ribbons together which I will then pin on the front of the bouquets once on site, as not to get them too wet during transport. It’s a slightly more casual approach, but no less elegant and I don’t agonize over creating the most prefect bow (which I am way too picky about!) Whether I choose loops or a bow, I always tend to place them slightly to the left. I’m asymmetrical in nature, so bridesmaids always get the “how to carry a bouquet” speech from me as I’m handing them out. I don’t want them facing that main ribbon straight forward therefore showing off the side of their bouquets.

Color also needs to be considered. In a perfect world, the ribbons should accent the flowers, stand out from the dresses and still blend with the overall design of the day. Just because your colors are navy and white, does not mean you need to use navy ribbons, especially if your girls are wearing navy dresses – you’ll never even see the streamers hanging down. Select a color that will compliment – perhaps silver or gold or white, or another neutral. Then as the bride, you could choose to use navy ribbons if you want a bold, different look or you could also stick with the more neutral tone of the bridesmaids’ ribbons, just keeping in mind what they’ll look like in front of your white dress.

Stationary Pieces

It really pains me when people put all this thought and care into choosing the ribbons for their personal flowers (or allow me to put all this time and effort into choosing) and then just make a willy nilly selection when it comes to choosing what will be accenting their invitations and/or menu cards. This is the ribbon that people are actually going to touch. One day someone came over and was poking through my goodies and found one of my silk ribbons “It feels like butter!” she exclaimed and she couldn’t stop touching it. What if all of your guests had that reaction? Wouldn’t that make your paper goodies seem that much more luxurious and special?

A couple other thoughts, watch what the ribbons will be placed up against – paper colors, napkins, etc. Then consider the texture of the ribbon and how it might tie. If you’re making bows, does it form one easily or do you really have to fuss with it? Do you want to fuss with 150 bows? Or is it really pretty just casually knotted? How will it look after it’s been crammed in an envelope for 3 days before your guests open it?

Styling Pieces

A great way to style details and add a little extra flair is use the same ribbons throughout. Having extra scraps for the photographer to style the invitations suite with, tie the chair back signs or simply have flowing across the cake table. These small details really do make a huge impact.

Obviously there are a 100 other places you can use ribbons and you have to consider the cost and amount of ribbons you need. Save the most special and luxurious pieces for the places it will be most noticed – highly photographed portions of the day and places where guests will touch it. Most importantly – focus on what details matter most to you.

Real Weddings :: Tim & Christina

0 · Jun 16, 2015 ·

I have something that I like to refer to as my Wedding Bucket List. This basically means that there are certain vendors that I long to work with, venues that I’m dying to design in and floral combinations that make me so weak in the knees that if I were able to actually hold them in my hands and create with them my heart might actually leap out of my chest because it cannot hold the excitement.

Last June I received a phone call from the lovely Christina and she started telling me about her wedding this upcoming fall at The Willowbrook Mill in Northport — had I heard of it? Seriously!!? Not only had I heard of it, it was at the top of my list! For me this venue has so much history and meaning, I remember going there as a little girl back when it was an ice cream parlor and listening the Da Yoopers sing The Second Week of Deer Camp and dancing with my grandma as the song played on a beat up old jukebox. Now years later the building has been recreated and is a beautiful wedding venue and combines everything I love about Northern Michigan. And it meant I got to travel up north, working in pretty much any venue in Leelanau County is a dream come true for me.

As the planning went on, I knew this was a girl after my own heart. It wasn’t just the rustic wood floors, the glamorous sequined linens or their love for the most stunning California grown garden roses that made me fall in love with this couple, but their love for one another, the way they cherish their family and how God was at the very center of their marriage celebration – that is what truly made this one for the books.

From the bottom of my heart I wish Tim and Christina all the happiness in the world. Thank you for allowing me to be such a grand part of your celebration, designing a day of love.

Something Blu Shoes | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Getting Ready Photos | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Northport Wedding | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Love Letter | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Groom | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

First Look | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Bride and Groom First Look | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Boutonnieres | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Autumn Wedding Party | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Blush Bridesmaids Bouquet | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Flower Girl | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Letterpress Wedding Invitations | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Immanuel Lutheran Church Leland | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Weddings at Immanuel Lutheran Church Leland | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Leland Wedding | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Grand Exit | Immanuel Lutheran Church Leland | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Classic Get Away Car | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Fishtown | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Garden Rose Bouquet | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Fishtown Wedding | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Vintage Wedding Car | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Autumn Wedding | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Leelanau Wedding | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Willowbrook Mill Wedding | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Calligraphy Table Number | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Willowbrook Mill | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Pinecone Place Card Holder | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Head Table | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Wedding at Willowbrook Mill | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Wedding at Willowbrook Mill | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Phtoography

Sequin Cake Table | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Cake Cutting | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Head Table Garland | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

First Dance | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

Vintage Wedding Limo | The Day's Design | Kelly Sweet Photography

This wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty last month, you can see it here.

1 Recipe… Endless Possibilities (Part 2)

0 · May 15, 2015 ·

I think today calls for another dose of cheery blooms. So I’m sharing what I learned from Kaci with Damsel Floral Co about creating a more traditional, or formal style bridal bouquet (here’s the post from last week talking about looser, more asymmetrical bouquet styles).

We stayed true to the original nature of this project, further proving that just because we’re using the same flowers, it does not mean we’re going to yield identical results. In fact, far from it. There’s so much to factor into the equation but the major influence is the designer’s eye and personal preference. This is an art form, you wouldn’t expect 2 painters to paint the exact same painting or two sculptors to sculpt the same statue. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. And no two flowers stems are the same.

To create a more traditional bridal bouquet, we’ll start from the inside and work our way out. Pick a cluster of blooms that will be the central focal point. In a circle pattern, startarranging around that focal point, one blossom at a time. Keep the stems in a tight and in a spiral pattern.

As you work, startadding a few textural tidbits and accent flowers into the bouquet. This will soften the overall look and add more visual interest. Once the bouquet is complete and has reached the right size, perfect it by adding a few more greenery touches and even out any gaps making sure the bouquet is aesthetically pleasing and balanced.

An extra tip: Pay attention to the natural curves of each flower’s stem. Blooms with straight stems fit better towards the middle of the bouquets and those with a slight curve or angled flower head make better border flowers.

My final results.

And Kaci’s beautiful bouquet… while I struggled a touch, she whipped this up effortlessly.

I loved seeing all the completed bouquet (minus one we had to disassemble due to running out of flowers!). They were all so different even though we had used the same ingredients.

Photography: Hetler Photography | Floral Design: Damsel Floral Co and The Day’s Design

Featured :: Style Me Pretty Michigan

0 · May 14, 2015 ·

Talk about sweet surprises, I knew this day was coming but I didn’t know when. So when I saw this gorgeous wedding pop up in my feed it just took my glum morning and turned my busy frown up side down! I LOVED this wedding. And I know that I’m not supposed to play favorites, but this one totally has hold of my heartstrings and seeing it again today on Style Me Pretty makes so so excited for all the lovely in store for this coming wedding season.

Kelly Sweet captured the romance with absolute perfection and the video from Coastline Studio is not to be missed. Northern Michigan, I can’t wait to come back home!

Here’s the feature which shows full vendor credits and I’ll also be sharing more in the future… this is a beautiful blog post in the making.

1 Recipe… Endless Possibilities (Part 1)

0 · May 7, 2015 ·

Yesterday I received the most amazing flower order. I think I literally squealed when I opened the box – they were knock-your-socks-off pretty, oh my! And even though I’m the one that placed the order, it’s still like Christmas when they arrive. I don’t always remember exactly what’s in the box or sometimes I just flat out forget how pretty certain flowers can be.

Pulling out each gorgeous blossom made me think back to this fun project that Kaci of Damsel Floral Co and myself put together. As flower friends, we like to learn from one another, there’s always more to know and I love finding different ways of doing things. We were inspired by bouquet recipes — you see them across major wedding blogs, on Pinterest and always accompanied by a picture of a really gorgeous bouquet. However, I think they’re misleading sometimes. For the DIY bride, she now knows exactly what flowers to use meaning she should be able to duplicate that picture. For the less DIY inclined, they should be able to take this recipe to a florist and have them create an exact replica as well, right?

I’m going to compare it to a food recipe. You can give me a list of ingredients. You can even tell me how much of each ingredient to include in my dish. But if I’m not give any instructions with it, I won’t know when to add what and how long to cook everything. While I might be able to use some common sense and come up with a decent meal, the results could also be disastrous.

Back to flowers, if the person creating the bouquet doesn’t understand the basic style and composition, then the results might not be exactly what you hoped for. You might create 2 bouquets with the exact same ingredients and yet yield completely different results.

This was the point that Kaci and I hoped to demonstrate. She gravitates a bit more to a more classic or formal style bouquet and I tend to like mine looser and more reminiscent of the garden (although I’ve seen her create some amazing “loose” bouquets and I should probably watch out, I might have some competition!). We both use the same flowers and yet we created completely different looks.

We started the day my way, meaning I showed Kaci the basic steps I take for constructing a looser, more relaxed style bouquet. My methods usually involved starting from the outside and working my way in. So I begin with usually 3 pieces to build a frame, either line flowers or greenery, and create a tripod type shape. From there, I start to fill in with secondary blooms keeping in mind what I want my focal point to be, which is usually a giant face flower. That focal flower, which in this case were the lilies, are added towards the end and once they’re in place I will start to adjust and add a few more blooms as needed.

Fun facts: I’m always very scattered while making a bouquet… very thoughtful and purposeful, but scattered. Flowers get flung in every which direction until I find the perfect bloom and it often looks like a tornado tore though a flower shop after I create just one bouquet.

And I always keep a mirror nearby. I have to see what it would look like if I were carrying it down the aisle. I never create something for a bride that I wouldn’t carry myself.

Part 2 of this post will be coming to you next week, we’ll see Kaci demonstrate how she takes a more formal approach to a bridal bouquet using the same flower recipe. And of course more gorgeous photos from Kellie of Hetler Photography.

Photography: Hetler Photography | Floral Design: Damsel Floral Co and The Day’s Design

Flowers

The Bouquets

Stationary Pieces

Styling Pieces

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