Winter Wedding

Theses pictures are actually of a wedding from last winter--

I just found the photos while looking for something else.  Hurray! :)

I love the bouquets we did for this wedding.  Each one is different. 

 I worked closely with the bride to come up with designs that were unique and personal. 

 She had sewn the jacket that she is wearing in the picture and had some left over material which I used to fasten her bridesmaid's bouquets.

A close-up of one of the boys' boutonnieres. 

A Celebration of Christmas

It can be a real challenge to dress up a large, utilitarian space for a festive occasion.  

My tactic is usually to make the decor BIG and pretty.

Easy Winter Centerpiece

I've always been a big fan of using twigs and ornaments in winter flower 

arrangements, however, my creations of that kind usually tend to be huge.  

I got the idea for this smaller  arrangement from

 my last issue of Organic Gardening of all places.

I used two square vases:  one nested inside the other to hold the twigs in place,

 then the inner vase can hold a votive to add light and sparkle.  

I made this arrangement as a prototype for one of my brides to see as an 

option for her centerpieces.

Just a few more Purple Flowers

This diminutive arrangement just makes me smile so I had to share.  

Double tulips, green Bechtol crabapples, dark purple mums, 

Blue Muffin viburnum berries and 

yellow-green fall leaves make a stunning combination.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is my sister, Ruthie.  She owns Petals Floral Design in Simi Valley, California 

and she taught me a lot of what I know about arranging flowers.  

   

This year we were able to spend Thanksgiving together at my parents house.

We always love to collaborate on the floral decor when we get together for a holiday or event.  This year Ruthie brought all the flowers and foliage--some of which she had foraged from parks near and far from her home (the acorns actually came from Disneyland!)

I did this arrangement and the one below in Asian containers that belonged to my Nana.

The green spider moms will always remind me of her.

 My sister did the gorgeous centerpiece below for our dining room table--it was full and lush and just the right height for conversation.

Bride's Bouquet in Purple and White

We made this gorgeous bouquet for Keena's bridal shoot about a week ago.

I love the white anemones and star of Bethlehem with the dark centers, 

and the double purple tulips are stunning.

I'm looking forward to the wedding reception at Noah's in December--

Urban Flowers with be providing more bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, 

and a big, beautiful centerpiece for the buffet.

Fall Arrangements

Just thought I would share some of my favorite arrangements from this Fall before Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are on to Winter.

Wedding at Big Sky

Mercedes and Bradley were married at the Big Sky Golf Club just before sunset on a beautiful but very windy October day this fall.  Mercedes colors were pale pink, grey, and cream.  Her hand-tied bouquet consisted of pale pink David Austin Roses, grey dusty miller foliage, and seeded eucalyptus fastened with vintage lace and grey satin ribbon.

The bridesmaids each carried a different combination of flowers in pale pinks and creams.

I love how the cake turned out.  The birds were made by the bride's mother then fastened to a sprig of seeded eucalyptus before being positioned on the cake.

This vintage desk and set of shelves served as the guest sign-in area.

I loved the quicksand roses and snowberries we used in the corsages.

Above and below:  two of the bridesmaid's bouquets

We used multiple vintage glass vases throughout for centerpieces.  This is a shot of the head table.

A close-up of the quicksand roses and some dusty miller.

The bride's bouquet became part of the decor for the head table while she was eating and socializing during the reception.

The fireplace behind the head table was decked with tall pewter candle sticks, a graceful flower arrangement, and a banner with the names of the newlyweds.

I love how this arrangement for the buffet turned out--simple but elegant.

Bouquet of the Week in Purple

I'm getting a lot of requests for purple this fall and winter.  

Here is one of my favorite bouquets in this color group--

a combination of eggplant mini callas, Maritime roses, 

lavender button mums, dusty miller and purple lace elderberry.

I always say that if a bouquet doesn't elicit an emotional response, don't bother.  

I think this one fits the bill, don't you?

Garden Wedding