Pink and Green

So I have to admit that lately I'm feeling this blog is blah city. I use to mix it up a bit...show you some art, some things I covet and then some goodies I actually purchased. And maybe an occasional picture of my little girl. Now I am just giving you flower pics with little else.  I do have some random stuff to share. I'm just not that organized. I am actually making art again!!

Things are good and I am happy so I have little to say. In my brooding youth I filled journal upon journal with complaints, yearnings and general angst. Not that I am angst free, mind you (I live in NY for goodness sake). But maybe I am getting use to running a events business or maybe I feel more confident in my work and abilities.  Or possibly I just figured out to let go of stuff I can't control. I dunno maybe I'm just in a good mood these days.

Here are some fun florals we did for a wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. It has a very bold, happy and preppy feel. The peonies were off the charts. Enjoy your weekend.

Woodland Escape

Hello folks. I hope you are all enjoying the official start of summer today. We just strolled down to the piers and visited the military ships that are docked here for Fleet Week (you know you are getting old when the sailors are looking SO young!) but the heat drove us back inside.

On the flower front we completed two really great weddings this weekend. First up is a really sweet one at the Prospect Park Boathouse. The set up was break neck but I was able to capture some images before we scurried away. I am always a little more stressed than usual when the early to arrive guests start coming in before we are done setting up. But then again, I enjoy watching their faces light up as they take in their surroundings and greet each other.

The groom fashioned these rustic hand carved table numbers as well as collected old barn siding for the runners. We birched wrapped some vases and placed pitcher plants, furry scabiosa and pods inside. Otherwise coral charm peonies and the season's last ranunculos provided some soft color. The whole thing came together really well. It was a sweaty but satisfying day.

Scenes from a wedding...

and these too....

Purple Garden Grows

Here we are awash in purples, whites and greens. I use to tense up when I was asked to use purple flowers. Now I relish it. I love working with this juicy grape color. I was of course running around like a mad woman and did not have a chance to take proper photos before we left the studio.

Half of the tables had mixed flower centerpieces that included peonies, blueberry, hyacinth and tulips mock orange and solomon seal - among other things. For the other tables we did a trio of vases - each had a smaller mixed flower arrangement and then either black purple long stemmed tulips or allium as the tall element and then a cluster of lily of the valley or black callas for the small arrangement.

This was the morning wedding. By 4pm we were back at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to set up a whole other wedding using soft creams and blushes. I'll post that next. Enjoy your day. I am headed into a 3 wedding weekend and already I'm feeling the anxiety. BREATHE and be inspired is all I can tell myself to calm the nerves. See you on the other side.

Best Job Ever!!

Yes, working with flowers is pretty great

But this is the BEST job by far

I hope all the moms out there had a terrific day. xoxo

The Inspiration

I thought it might be interesting to post some of the inspiration boards for the Brooklyn Bride Tablescapes we worked on last year. I would create one and then forward to Adrienne. We would then gab about it, rehash and collaborate on items needed to flesh it out. Sometimes I'd go shopping for trim or fabric and that would help define the idea. Adrienne is a master at sourcing. She'd head out to all sorts of box stores as well as specialty shops...texting me images of her finds all along the way.  After each I'll show you the final result so you can see how it actually transformed.

I fell in love with the styling in an Anthropology catalogue. That got me thinking about  making an exotic luscious table. I wanted something rich in colors and textures...perfect for a rehearsal dinner or small party. I'm excited to do a slight variation on this for a fall wedding at a swank NYC hotel.

the results....

 The Alexander McQueen inspired table was super fun to design. I was so excited by his show at the MET, I could have gone bonkers overload when making the table. But I thought we kept in check. It actually ended up informing a sexy deep red wedding at Galapagos wedding last fall.

the result...

The Modern Beach wedding was what we called this table. See that image on the cover of Undecorate? I yearn to live in that photo. It's what sparked this table design. A July beach wedding is getting this treatment. I can't wait for that one.

 the results....

The next table was a sweet and cheery design for Valentines day. I saw this invite design by em & bee and it set the tone for everything else. Here's a little side note on this project. After the shoot Tory was headed out to photograph a city hall wedding. The bride's brother arranged for her to photograph the day as a surprise. We surprised the couple even further by giving them the bouquet and boutonniere! You can see the images on Tory's blog here. Such joy!

the results...

 

And last but not least - the board and table that launched the series. Still my favorite :)...I think.

Here we go!

One of these days I will photograph the whole wedding day prep and install so you can come along with me and see how we roll. Here is a little snippet of what went on last weekend. A lovely spring wedding at the University Club. 

At the studio as we build the job. Jenni looks so serious. I swear we were smiling the whole way through.

Next day before we pack up. Always relieved to see that everything looks good...another recurring nightmare.

A refined Bridal bouquet with just a touch of pink.

Eight of these bouquets for the maids in waiting....

Here...take a closer look

 For the entry table....lots of goodies in there.

 A perfect fuzzy geranium leaf

Made it to the venue. Can breath easy...somewhat. I want those babies out of the box and on the table. Long load in as we share the elevator with various club staff members.

Remember me? Here I am showing off and in place.

How is that for a ceiling!

 

Sorry not the best shot. But finally on the table!