Hope you’re loving this Friday like I am! I cannot believe half of the year has flown by already. 2010 has set itself up for so many amazing things- I almost am more excited to just look back at the end and see what unfolds. Until then, I’m hanging on with high hopes! Do the same, my lovelies!!

xoxo,

A.

P.S.- random fact- on this day, June 11, 2002- my husband and I started [re]dating! It was merely a year later when I had a ring on my finger and was planning in full swing. I remember 6/11 vividly because he asked me if we could “count it from the 10th” so it’d be easier to remember. How romantic!! ;) Here’s to never forgetting the little things!! And by the way- he’s never forgotten, 11th or not!

Shell’s Petals, don’t give up the good work!!

Happy Friday- brimming with promise and all things super lovely. Embrace the wild textures in your life today! Help them meld together to become something uniquely you, overflowing and spilling forth into this lovely world. :)

xoxo,

A.

I just 100% adore how their photographer, Zenia Photography, captured their love story!

Plus- well- it doesn’t hurt if the couple is completely gorgeous, too… right?

And now- some of the details you’ve really been DYING for…

Thanks to Zenia for the photos and for the remarkable pleasure of working together once again! Go give her a hoot and holler over on her blog!!

And, one for the road:

The lineup:

Sweet Tunes [and lighting] provided by Mike @ Carcano DJs
Rentals by Classic Party Rentals [to the rescue, I may add- thanks Gretel!!]
Design and Coordinating by [the ever-fabulous] In The Now Weddings
Photography by Zenia Photography
Cake and Flowers provided by the bride and family!

Have a dig-your-toes-in-the-mud kinda day. And don’t be afraid to get some dirt under those fingernails, either!

xoxo,

A.

I absolutely ADORE these romantically textured blossoms that grace little feathery poufs with a grey ribbon collar. If I got married again… this would be a serious contender! Thanks to Green Wedding Shoes for the inspiration [and the rest of that shoot is pretty fantastic so you should probably spend a solid 20 taking a look...], and to Aly at The Vine’s Leaf for the florals. She may be my brand new fave and I cannot, CANNOT, wait to work with her in the coming months!!

Lovely Friday to you all, my lovelies! What’s your favorite style of wedding posies? Loose, organic and wild? Tight, sleek, and slender? A bit in between? Focus on finding the you in this crazy wedding world, and when you find it- don’t let it go!

xoxo,

A.

These flowers just make me overjoyed that it’s spring here in sunny Southern California!

Enjoy your beautiful Friday and don’t forget to take some moments looking UP at the skies!

xoxo,

A.

And so Megs, this Friday Lovely is for you! Blown away by this specific image [as you can imagine, from a workshop of 70+ photographers we've got literally hundreds of images to sort through in tons of various styles], which is brought from your computer screen STRAIGHT to your eyeballs via Cindee Bae. Helloooooo, Cindee. You’ve got a career ahead of you! And of course the beyond-cute married couple, Ashley and Sean, acting as our models didn’t hurt either!

Have an inspired, garden-style weekend where you let everything go with the flow, roll off your shoulders and soak in the sun!

xoxo,

A.

This tabletop was part of my previous collection that I styled last summer, shot by Wayne Toshikazu. It’s taken me forever to go through the images and select a few favorites but now, here we are! The glorious day!

I love the play on traditional elements. At heart, I’m a gal who truly loves a good wedding. By saying that, I mean I love the classic feel of elegance and style. When I think about my personal style, as a designer, I know that I’m constantly taking the warmth of the familiar and splicing it into my modern, clean aesthetic. This table is no exception! Take a popular subtle color like eggplant and add a pop of orange to the pallet! Take a large over-wrought centerpiece and break it up into smaller portions by separating the flowers by style and color! Take the familiar old and hoist it away to bring in the flashy new.

It’s what we’re all about!

Orange Bengaline linen was sourced via BBJ Linen. Flowers were provided by the amazingly incredibly wonderfully talented girls of In The Now [and trust me, I'm saying that to THEM, not about us!]. The backdrop was provided by Stacey and staff at Shorebreak Hotel Huntington Beach [cannot thank you all enough for allowing us to INVADE for the afternoon!].

Each place setting held a mini corsage/boutonniere for the guest. Sandwiched between the flowers was a small round name tag, to designate each guests’ place at the table. I love this idea, like a lot!

We used opaque white crushed glass in the bottom of each cylinder vase- which brought in a great modern feel. We hand-tied each mini-bouquet of flowers with lush dupioni eggplant ribbon and then finished it with copper wire to accent.

My favorite part about this table? The lady slipper orchids. I love, love lady slippers.

The idea that all of the flowers were cascading outward and pouring off the table. The vases actually sprawled across the length of the table, taking up 2 guest places. I truly adore the idea of “unconventional” positioning of centerpieces, as well as disproportional. I didn’t want something over-the-top or extravagant, but I did want something that made a statement!

Modern votive holders in varying heights make my heart melt! And one last detail shot for you of the darling plate:

And here is my commitment to you, dear readers. Here’s the skinny on what’s been up over here: we are committing to shoot one tabletop a month. Kinda amazing, right? Since we’ve already shot our January table [and dying with anticipation to show y'all], we’re off to style-to-death our February with a – you guessed it- VALENTINE theme! Can’t wait to bombard you with design in the coming months!!

Stylize your life today! Make it cohesive and beautiful in every step, with every moment… exude your style!

xoxo,

A.

Until then, how can you resist the sheer fabulousness of this bouquet?? Thanks to Jen @ Green Wedding Shoes for providing as always, the cutting edge inspiration that I adore!

A great modern twist on the iconic and sweet daisy bouquet! Mini daisy flowers with a center of billy balls goodness!

xoxo,

A.

A little preview to whet your appetites [of course, I just kinda sorta gave you that yesterday, right below, with the description of Shannon's flowers!!]:

The farm-inspired portraits, the historic site location [which was in her family!!], the large bridal party, the funky, fun, unique wedding was full of vintage glamour and homespun wedding details. Really, it’s worth the moment it’ll take to soak it in!!

Visit the Green Wedding Shoes post directly and brag about how you “knew us when”, ’cause these So Cal Event Gals are going places!!

Hoping you’re making your Friday full of lovely “features” in life of your own! Enjoy the rain- we hardly get it here and I find no reason to complain when it IS here! I’m one of those stand-outside-without-an-umbrella-and-just-enjoy-it types of gals. And I love it!

xoxo,

A.

i am LOVING this idea i stumbled upon a few weeks ago when looking into alternatives to fresh flowers at my wedding. I know, why wouldn’t you want fresh flowers, Shannon? Well our decisions aren’t exactly made just yet, but isn’t this such a creative and budget friendly DIY idea?

[sparklepant's etsy shop via sumthingblue by emilee]

you could use any type of book, printed item, or just plain tissue paper to match perfectly with whatever color scheme. here’s a neat DIY tutorial for you to try out [Flower Week: Tissue Paper Carnations]. the simplicity of these flowers is especially nice since they can be created before an event and saved for years to come!

here are some more inspiration for paper flowers for all sorts of fun uses!

[mylittlebirdie's etsy shop]

[my diy wedding day]

totally in love with these boutonnieres! [projectwedding]

i hope your friday has been and continues to be lovely! make it even lovely-er with some paper diy goodness and flower-like kisses.
xoxo, shannon

Okay so everyone… I have been anxiously, ANXIOUSLY awaiting to share these pictures with you guys. Not only because Cyn and Ron are totally beyond words fabulous to the tenth power [math style, y'all!], but because I had the honor and privilege of being not only their coordinator, but acting as their florist. Yep. You heard it. I did it. All 6 bouquets. All 10 boutonnieres. All 27 centerpieces. That just happened.

When Cynthia approached me about having problems finding a florist who got her “vision”, she literally included this picture on her email:

Yep. You guessed it. It was one of mine. Something I whipped up after having a hair-brained idea that it would be “oh-so-cute” to create a hedge from leaves, and have flowers poking out of it. Cynthia loved this simple idea and from there, it stemmed on to become a vision that complimented her long banquet tables in such a way that neither of us could turn back. How was it, doing flowers AND running the show, you ask? Terrifying. Stressful. Exhilarating. Confidence Boosting- no doubt. I think I’m more comfortable now than ever in my own skin- and I cannot thank the Ronthia enough for that! To trust me the way they did… Cynthia’s kind and loving emails to me never got old, and I hope they never will [as I KNOW we'll be pen pals for yearsandyearsandyearsandyears]. But back to their day. Their day was beyond words. And to say that I’m personally counting down the MINUTES until I see everything that Sarah K. Chen has to offer.. uggh, understatement! Okay, I’ll shut up now! PICTURES!

A snap of their centerpieces, and here’s the sweetheart arrangements, below:

Cyn’s color scheme was classic and simple: black, white, and an emerald green SO detailed and perfect that the bridesmaid dresses were hand made [and inspired by the exact color seen on Kiera Knightly in Atonement]! Because of that, we kept nearly all of the decor black and white, and let this deep, warm red in for just a few pops of color and spice!

Their event took place at the gorgeously historical Craven’s Estate in Pasadena. Could it get ANY better?? Seriously? The ceremony was out front, with the elegant, stately front door setting the backdrop, white the reception was hosted on the back patio and backyard area. With the lower level hosting our cocktail hour and dance floor… this event was dripping with history and originality!

Props to me. I’m a perfectionist and I took about 5 solid minutes tying that bow and cutting the tails at the top of the aisle. I’m intense. And it’ SO worth it. Also, here you can see that we re-used 10 of her centerpieces down the side of the aisle. It was SO perf. We trickled petals in between and voila! Amazingness squared [math joke AGAIN- were you not prepared this time either??]!!

A preface: I get really into bouquet wraps. This one was my favorite so far. Heart shaped buttons are no laughing matter!!

OH how I love bridal bouquets. I made little minis for the moms! Here are their nosegays:

I told C&R that they just HAD to jump into their photobooth PRE vows. Such cute pictures and even better memories!!

Thanks to Cheesy Photobooths for being consistently fun! Now, some post-vow photos:

My favorite moment of nearly every wedding is right after the ceremony. When the bride and groom are delirious and in disbelief and have that split second to themselves to share in the enormity of the entire occasion. That is where the love happens, people. That is this moment. And C&R shared it beautifully. Perfectly!

“Did we just….?” “Yep. We did!”

Some reception shots, before the chairs were moved back around:

And some details by nightfall:

[These are the lanterns that inspired it all!!]

So, C&R are not the traditionalists. There was no cake. There was no bouquet toss, no garter. And they tried- OH how they tried- to get out of their first dance. But the crowds would not have it, and revolted. So, for the few moments that Cynthia and Ron agreed to step out onto the dance floor and share their moments with the world… I had the honor of snapping as best I could.

And of course, my favorite pictures of the whole event. The post-party:

Me and my girl!!

We SO get each other. Meant to be. :)

Newlyweds!!! Cannot cannot CANNOT believe it! To be quite frank: I’m thrilled. Honored. Sad. Changed.

Guys- I am CHANGED by your love. Your kindness. Your genuity. Your patience and humbleness. Words can’t describe how it was for me to be able to be a part of your lives. You are so apparently in love. So apparently going to be able to ‘go the distance’. It’s with marriages like yours that, one by one, the world is changed. Thanks for being you- and SO SO SO much for letting me be me. I love the way you love one another in a way that allows me to love my babe more. I hope that through your video and pictures, you remember and cherish each and every moment of this day for the rest of your lives. I know, beyond a doubt, that I will.

xoxo,

A.

Easter has always been a special day for my family and I. For as long as I can remember, my mom was the host of her famous “Easter Brunch”. More like breakfast [because it started at 8am and was over by 10am], but it is such a fond memory for me. We’d wake up just before dawn, attend the same Sunrise Service every year, listening to the core of our faith with a million other people and freezing our butts off on the freshly dewed benches, and then come home. By 8 in the morning, we were home. As a family.

No eggs. No hunt. No chocolates. Okay, a few chocolates. We had love in abundance. Faith in abundance. Laughs in abundance. And memories. We had those, too. This year is different. For so many reasons- ones I won’t get into in this arena just yet. But as I think of my Easters past… I’m infinitely happy. Here are some quick pictures of a bouquet of flowers I whipped up [literally, mind you... be kind] for my grandmother yesterday:

Roses, tulips, and waxflower. Isn’t deep warm pink and light aqua such an enchanting combo?

I can’t wait to see her today and give them to her. And of course, the “afterthought” bouquet, which is nearly always my favorite.

My sister makes a lovely model.
[...and don't think the sweater matching wasn't planned. It's mine and it's perfect!]

That’s right, Bex… exactly where you held your bouquet for my ENTIRE wedding ceremony…

:D

Hope you are all enjoying your own Sunday. Easter festivities or not, I truly love Sundays. They always seem to warm my heart and refresh my spirit in the right proportion needed to start my week. Not too too much, just enough. Infinitely happy.

xoxo,

A.

Now, about the prom dress…

You get that, right? I’M OFF.

I’m flying the coupe!

I’m leaving the nest!

I’m running on empty!

[Wait. Did that last one work?]. What I mean to say is that I’m going out of town. Out of state. Out of country, actually! Yes, that’s right. You’re ever-present, ever-available coordinator is exploring this great world by going to Athens, Greece and Paris, France. I cannot believe it myself. My mom has had this trip in the works for her, my sister, and I for a while now. But, it all just came together sorta last minute and we’re actually LEAVING. Tomorrow!!! I’m so excited I could pee.

That’s not true.

It is. It isn’t. It is.

Either way, I had to let you all know. We’ll still be blogging- lots of engagement sessions for fabulous couples, a few other special things that I’m putting Alicia in charge of sending your way, and of course some fun Grecco updates if I have anything to do with it. Just wanted you all to know that I love and dove you all dearly [dove meaning peace and happiness and calmness in the midst of wedding planning, right? It makes sense, rhymes, and is cute. I heart that].

I’ll have an auto-response on my email but please feel free to email Alicia should anything urgent come up. She’ll be responding to all of the pressing matters at hand and everything else will be responded to upon my return April 6th [or 7th, or 8th, or 9th... bear with me, I don't travel much!!]. I know you all will understand because you love [and dove] me as much as I do you. I know that because you tell me. And for that, I’m so greatful. So, pop by and enjoy the eye candy, the heart candy, the brain candy that we’ll be providing you in the next two weeks and don’t miss me too much! Two more of those delicious mixed ranuncs….

Kisses and misses!!!!

xoxo,

A.

I whipped this up last week after one of my trips to the flower market. 3 packs of ranunculus, 1 pack of anemones and a pack of those grey pod things. Anyone know what they’re called?? I love it. it’s simple, it’s perfect, it’s still alive.

Sorry for my lack of breathing on this blog lately- I have been so SO busy with new weddings, old weddings, current weddings and more than that… a tabletop session! YESTERDAY was the big day and I am so relieved and equally excited. I can’t wait to show you all what I’ve been pouring my heart in to. I pray that it can inspire some of you to have the best versions of your wedding possible… and more than that, hoping they include ME!

I have so much to blog in the coming days so keep checking in with me! If you’re craving a little wedding eye candy, visit my post on Elizabeth Anne Designs, which is going up later today, that features one of my awesome 2007 couples. YAY to their eye-candy-filled wedding.

Love to all my little birdies who are taking flight with their own big plans!

xoxo,

A.

That’s me. I’ll be honest. I’m up front about it! I’m no florist, I’m no photographer, but I AM in love with all things art. So, it lends itself naturally to sucking me in during different seasons of my life. Lisa has been sweet enough to take advantage of this- as well as another client or two who shall be revealed at a later time- by allowing me the opportunity to do some fun and funky flowers for her.

The theme: peacock. Her wedding colors are kelly green, teal, and black with ivory as the base [and not white]. Since, for flowers, the selection is bleak, I played up the funky factor and went full force. A quick, ROUGH trial of what she’ll be seeing coming her June wedding…

Blue stem-dyed vendelah roses, lush deep fuscia dahlias, kermit mums, plum calla lillies, and purple mokara orchids. YUM in a word. Mix in a few peacock eyes and a black glass vase and we’re in business.

We’ve decided to go with a smaller size vase than this, so that we can PACK the flowers inside instead of arranging them a bit more sparse-like, as they are in these photos. Like I said- a rough trial!

Luckily, the venue is providing us with these kickin’ teal linens, which will tie in all of our colors easily. SO fun. Seriously.

It should be VERY stressful and simultaneously VERY fun. I definitely have a passion for floral work but taking on multiple weddings at this point in the game is -as Josh continually tells me- unwise as I don’t have the space and conditions yet to accommodate this passion. :)

Once I do- trust me, you’ll know. Until then, enjoy the arrangements I make for my own personal fulfillment.
Hope you loved this as much as we did.

xoxo!

A.

I absolutely am SO into the banquet table idea right now. I love it for a group of 50 or so, in an intimate setting. But more than that, these fresh, simple ketchup-colored buckets with large white pouffy dahlias are the best thing I’ve seen all week! I’ve been cleaning out my photo program on the old laptop and stumbled across it and threw it into my “inspiration” folder [we all need one, right]- but I have NO clue where I found it! Anyone happen to know??

Hope that your weekend is fresh, simple, and full of blooming love!

xoxo,

A.

BUT- I do love flowers. I love them so much. I love them more than anything. And knowing how to arrange them for your life, your home, your family, your wedding… is so so gratifying. SO- learn! I suggest it. If you’re crafty at all, you will love it. There’s not a better forum than this to do it!

Summer over at Grey Likes Weddings [a fabulous new inspiration blog] is throwing a fun D.I.Y. workshop for floral design! You don’t need to be a pro but you DO need to have a fun attitude to go to a thing like this. Summer’s a GREAT floral designer and has done the wedding flowers for her 3 sisters [two this past year] and friends so far. Her florals are always lush, romantic, and beautifully arranged. I’ll bet if you attend, you won’t regret it! Now at $120 per person [or $140 for two people should you want to share supplies!], it’s not a “steal”- but taking home a fresh arrangement PLUS snacks and drinks while you’re there… so worth it! Sign up now- registration is now open!!

Go HERE to sign up and get more information about this great workshop opportunity! And for a little visual inspiration of Summer’s work [and a little 6-degrees-of-separation for you, too]:

This is the sisters, at Hayley’s wedding above, a few years back. Hayley [2nd from left] is married to Travis Ryan. Travis leads worship at Saddleback Church’s San Clemente Campus. This is where Josh plays bass every Sunday. They’re BFF.

This is Brooke and Trever’s wedding from summer of 2008, shot by the ever-fab and personal fave Michael Norwood. Not only was Michael a groomsman in this wedding, but Trever is the one who took the STUNNING photos of my Josh for his new EP [see the photos by clicking HERE... seriously EPIC status].

Summer, Hayley, Brooke, and Brittany all grew up as family friends with Michael Norwood, so he also shot Brittany’s wedding at the end of 2008. Some of Summer’s insane florals from that day:

I know, I know… they’re all gorgeous! BUT- look at the flowers, too! What a great gal to learn from, am I right?? Don’t delay- sign up today! If enough of my clients want to go [email me and tell me if you've registered], I’ll join you guys for the evening! Any excuse to hang out with my B’s for a night, right? What?? Oh, B’s means BRIDES you silly readers!!

xoxo,

A.

In case anyone is curious, my list of “favorites” about poppies is threefold:

1. Before the bloom, they look like little hairy toothless grandpas and I couldn’t love their little “faces” ANY more!

2. They’re wildflowers, so you just get a mixed bag of surprise colors when you buy them. The delightful randomness is tickling!

3. When they bloom, the reach their petals towards the sky as if it were their last dying breath. It’s incredible, encouraging, metaphorical, inspiring… I could go on.

xoxo!

A.

These luscious florals are compliments of Dandelion Ranch located in Culver City [temptingly close for any of my weddings...] and they came to my birdie friend via Green Wedding Shoes.

Ranancs are my ULTIMATE favorite flower [soft stems, ugh, I LOVE them]. So of course I almost lost it when I saw these!

The garden feel to these dahlias and more above, is epic to me. I absolutely adore it. And you knew I had to throw in one more with Rananculus in it!

Enjoy the weekend and make it a GOOD one. Remember, “good” and “productive” won’t always go hand-in-hand. Make it good the way YOU need it to be, as a couple.

xoxo!!

A.

The bridesmaid bouquets:

Cocktail centerpieces [but our linens will be aqua crushed satin]:

And now, for the centerpieces!!

Rumor has it the manzanita branches will be painted aqua to match the runner. Yippee… and moreover, we’ve got crystals to hang from the branches. I know in their venue, this is going to be so fabulous. YAY! I can’t wait for wedding season to start!

xoxo,

A.