Archive for the ‘fun photos’ Category

I took a trip down to Hildene in the spring for a site visit for a wedding {by the way you can see Beth & Danny’s Wedding here} and whilst I was in their super fun gift shop I could not resist buying this “Perfect Arranger” which is what I’d describe as a newer version of a floral frog.  The weave of the stainless steel coils allows for stem to easily be maneuvered inside of a bowl or low dish and submerged in water.  I think they’re pretty cool.  They’re rust proof and dishwasher safe so ✔check and ✔check!

I know what you’re probably thinking…I’m such an experienced designer that flowers must bow in submission at the mere sound of my clippers…what would I need with a floral frog?!  This is the kind of tool that can help transform a silver candy dish or gravy boat into the perfect flower vessel.  I look forward to using it in many different ways!

I’m Selling My Soul this week and I am soooo looking forward to it.  Don’t worry, I haven’t gone off the deep end right before my busy wedding season kicks into high gear–I’m going to meet some sexy, sassy, business savvy-to-the-max women in NYC this week for Selling Your Soul.  Danielle LaPorte + Marie Forleo have me all psyched up about being authentic in my business + the inherent value in bringing all of me to the table.  ‘Cuz as Danielle would say, “Self Realization Rocks.”  To sum up…It’s gonna be awe-wait for it-some.

I recently finished Danielle’s Fire Starter Sessions and if you’re an entrepreneur (or Solopreneur much like myself!) you are guaranteed to find several gems of insight that you could quite possibly turn into pure gold.  If you already rock, you can learn to rock harder.  If you’re doubting the direction of your venture, you’re bound to find a compass.

I’m excited to hear what Danielle and Marie have to share and I’m stoked to hear what the other 139 soul sellers in the room want to know, too–their burning questions are sure to be interesting to me–BUT in truth, I am probably equally pumped to wear my fave pair of heels.  This may sound shallow, but in Vermont the opportunity to wear fabulous heels is few and far between and besides, when the weather is nice enough for open-toed shoes I’m either setting up a wedding or wearing my cowboy (or girl?) boots.

You can get your very own copy of The Fire Starter Sessions HERE!  Light your fire, baby.  It may very well be the best $150 you’ll spend.  Seriously.

And…here are those fab heels I told you about.

Check out Marie Forleo’s site (Where Women Entrepreneurs Live Rich, Happy & Hot) and Danielle LaPorte’s (White Hot Truth:  because self realization rocks) for sagacity and do-it-today, do-it-now biz tips that will get your mojo risin’!

Photo shoots, movie weddings and other fantasy design opportunities can be a great source of inspiration.  For a wedding designer a “fake wedding” can also be oh-so-much fun.  I’ve always loved soap opera weddings.  They often have the best flowers and lots {and lots} of them.  Like an almost obscene amount of flowers, but hey, it’s a soap after all and they always lay it on thick.

Brenda & Sonny got married on General Hospital last week and I definitely approved of the floral choices and overall wedding style.  {Brenda’s bouquet was a little blah for her dress and I thought it could have been a little bigger and more lush, but I digress…it’s inspiration nonetheless.}  Flowering branches, tulips, hydrangea, roses and icy, snowy details defined their floral style and I could easily see this soap opera wedding in a Vermont setting.

Back to the real world…Prepare to Wed had a photo shoot at The Round Barn in Waitsfield, VT on Wednesday and a handful of Vermont floral designers did a little fantasy wedding designing of our own.  I can’t share pictures of my tabletop design, but here’s a little sneak peek behind the scenes on the day of the shoot.

Make-up artists, models, photographers, florists, bakers and more took over The Round Barn.  Tweed River Video was there to talk to some of the vendors.

Another nod to honeysuckle with pink roses, tulips, ranunculus and godetia.

What’s your favorite fantasy wedding design idea?

Five years ago I worked with my friends on their Vermont wedding at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe.  Jackie and Tim are wonderful friends and seeing them grow over the years (and their adorable baby girl, too!) has been a special part of our lives.  There is usually lots of wine, laughter and good food when we get together.

A traditional gift for the fifth wedding anniversary is wood which is meant to signify the strength of the relationship.  I think a nice piece of furniture or a wooden salad bowl is a good gift…or perhaps a new fence for your yard like my friends put up this summer!  I’ve also seen suggestions to plant a tree and toast to a future where your love continues to grow and prosper like that tree.  I really like that one!

Jackie and Tim’s fall-inspired flowers featured Leonidas roses as well as deep red roses and hypericum berries for an “Autumn in Vermont” feeling, although the weather that day was more like a perfect end of summer day that happened to have some marvelous fall foliage.  Here is a picture of the bride’s bouquet which featured 3 shades of callas & 3 shades of roses. 

In addition to flowers I also helped create welcome baskets, invitations and drew up some images for their save-the-date cards which we printed on recycled paper, of course!  Below are the images I drew for the front and back-side of the cards with a couple of characters I made with the words “Jackie and Tim” and an apple tree as a nod to the season with their initials in the tree.

It is a privilege to work with couples on their wedding plans, but working with dear friends is a particularly special honor.  Happy Anniversary, Jackie and Tim!  May the next five years be even more blissful than the first five!  Cheers to you both…and to our next dinner date together.