flower crown

Friday Flowers :: Airemiss’s Flower Crown

0 · May 14, 2016 ·

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

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.

Sharing Thanks

0 · Nov 26, 2014 ·

It’s Gretta’s birthday today (can you believe she’s 2 already!? Flashback to her 1st birthday here) and I’m busy making cake, wrapping a quick present and packing to head out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday but in the midst of it all I’m going to totally be cheesy and cliché here and share a few of the things I have to be thankful for.

No doubt this has been a year of trials and struggles, I feel like a broken record as I’ve said that about the last few years in general. There’s been loss and heartache, ups and downs and challenges for sure. I cannot deny that life is full of struggle. I am hardly the eternal optimist.

Never the less, I am thankful for this space where I can share little tidbits and advice, tips on wedding and life planning, creating beautiful blooms and parts of my heart. I am thankful for you who continue to read the random thoughts that I choose to blog about. I’m thankful that you don’t criticize and critique me too much.

I’m so thankful for all the couples who have hired me to be a part of their 2014 celebration. I finished my last wedding of the season this past weekend (yes, I know I said that at the end of October but I snuck one more in there – more on that later!). I’m ready for a time of rest and refresh until next year which will undoubtedly be my busiest yet, it’s looking seriously fabulous and I can’t wait to celebrate with my 2015 couples!

And I’m thankful for my family. They’re crazy, and often annoying and pushy and intrusive and completely loving, supportive and the greatest people ever. The definition of family is constantly changing for me as people seem to come and go out of my life. There’s the pain of loss but on the other end, we also celebrate the joy of new life.

This joy will be celebrated again in 2015. We’re excited to announce that our family of three will soon be four, with our newest addition set to arrive mid-March. And we’re thankful for that.

So may you all be blessed and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Lastly, I cannot forget all the vendors who have supported my creative talents and ventures, including the incredibly talented Kellie, of Hetler Photography, who took the above photos and who has had constant faith in my abilities. Thank you!!

flower crown

Footer

Instagram