January 31st, 2012
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Pazzo and Vista House Wedding Pics! |
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Mallory and Eric were married in August in the super cozy wine cellar at Pazzo Restaurant in downtown Portland. Eric had proposed at the Vista House so they had the awesome idea of jetting out to the gorge for photos before the ceremony began.
For the flowers we kept the wedding party bouquets very simple and clean, and then went for a much more Northwest inspired look for the reception centerpieces. I love when people are willing to mix it up a bit!
Mallory's bouquet featured all white dahlias and calla lilies with touches of white feathers. Crystal and pearl beading were clustered down the side of the handle. |
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Congrats Mallory and Eric! We wish you all the best!
And a huge thank you to Jessica Hill Photography for all of these images! Check out her site for more lovely inspiration. www.jessicahillphotography.com
If you're considering an intimate downtown venue I highly recommend Pazzo. www.pazzo.com
And last but not least, you can never go wrong with a day trip, photo shoot, or proposal at the Vista House! ;-) www.vistahouse.com
Mazel! |
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January 24th, 2012
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Marisa and Tyler's wedding! |
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Congratulations Marisa and Tyler! We wish you all the best!
All of the photos here were taken by the talented team at Powers Studios. Check out their work at www.powersstudios.com
Also check out the sites of the other vendors that made this such a lovely day.
Zenith Vineyard- www.zenithvineyard.com
Wedding Coordinator- www.classactevents.net
Cake- www.lajaconde.com |
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January 16th, 2012
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Stephanie and Tim's Wedding! |
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Stephanie and Tim were married on a gorgeous August day at Timberline Lodge! They wanted to keep the flowers very natural and "easy" so as to compliment and not compete with the stunning venue.
Stephanie's bouquet was a wildflower inpsired mix of scabiosa, lavender, mint, ferns, blackberries, dahlias and orchids arranged loosely and wrapped with a band of white ribbon. It smelled incredible with all the herbs! |
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Congratulations Stephanie and Tim! Thank you for letting us be a part of your day!
All of the photos here were taken by Powers Studios Photography. Visit their website at www.powersstudios.com for more info! |
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Art of Weddings! |
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The Art of Weddings show is happening THIS Thursday (January 19th) from 6-9:30 at Pure Space in the Pearl! We'll be there with flowers and photos to talk with you about floral options and ideas! The first 150 brides through the door will get a complimentary gift bag so try and get there early! It's going to be fantastic.
For more info and to buy tickets online please visit www.artofweddingspdx.com.
You can also buy tickets at the door at Pure Space (NW 14th and Overton.) Hope to see you there!
photo by Powers Studio. www.powersstudio.com |
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January 11th, 2012
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Amy and Lulzim's Wedding! |
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There are certain weddings I just wish I could linger at for a while longer after the setup is complete... this was definitely one of those occasions. Congrats Amy and Lulzim! Thank you for letting us be a part of your day!
These gorgeous photographs were taken by Jessica Hill Photography. Check out her website for more info! (She books up fast!) www.jessicahillphotography.com |
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January 10th, 2012
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Flower of the Week- C is for Camellia! |
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Yesterday I saw my first camellias of the year! There are a few plants in the Post Office corner garden (a rather disheveled little garden on NW 9th and Irving) and they are just starting to show color! Camellias have always been one of my favorite flowers and I think a large reason is because they look so "springy" but bloom in winter and it's always just such a wonderful surprise to happen upon a bush covered in pink and white blossoms in January. |
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Camellias grow on bushes that are also covered with gorgeous, glossy green leaves. They work wonderfully in large arrangements and centerpieces as the the stems are quite woody and need a lot of water. As with many of my other favorite flowers (poppies, ranunculus, anemones) camellias are quite fragile and so finding a perfectly unbruised blossom always feels like such a luxury. |
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January 6th, 2012
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Anh and Huu's Wedding! |
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Here's a little end of the week treat!
Anh and Huu's gorgeous wedding took place in late August at the Abernethy Center. Anh wanted her wedding to be very romantic and glamorous with lots of fluffy blossoms, orchids and crystals in shades of white, cream, palest pink and touches of burgundy. |
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Such a stunning couple! Huu wore a white dendrobium orchid boutonniere and Anh carried a bouquet of garden roses, hydrangea and orchid blossoms. So chic! |
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White orchid blossoms and crystals were attached to ribbons and hung in the openings of the gazebo for the ceremony. White organza softened the entrance to the gazebo and rose petals lined either side of the aisle. |
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Several styles of centerpieces were featured at the reception including low arrangements of hydrangea, roses, and orchids. Tall arrangements featured manzanita branches and lots of hanging crystals. |
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A few delicate blossoms and some rose petals were all the cake needed! |
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Congratulations Anh and Huu! Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your wedding!
All of the gorgeous images here were taken by the talented team at Powers Studios. Visit www.powersstudios.com for more information!
Have a wonderful weekend! |
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January 4th, 2012
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Best of Oregon Bride! |
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January 3rd, 2012
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Happy New Year! |
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I love the New Year! I love looking back and reflecting on significant moments, learning from mistakes, and re-living happy memories. (See the post below.) I also love looking forward in anticipation of things to come and setting challenges for myself. Below are a few of the things we’ve got coming up that I’m very excited for! Happy 2012!
Art of Weddings and The Luxe Bridal Event- It’s been 3 years (YES, THREE YEARS) since my last wedding show. I’m excited that I’m getting back on the saddle at The Art of Weddings on January 19th and then will be showcasing our designs again at The Luxe Bridal Event on March 8th! These are such fantastic shows in that they're both very intimate, beautiful and each have a select group of very quality vendors… the perfect shows for people who get anxiety just thinking about thousands of people crammed inside a windowless convention center (that would be me.) For more information check out their websites at www.artofweddingspdx.com and www.luxebridalevent.com
Semi-destination Weddings- I’ve got several weddings on the books for 2012 at places like Black Butte Ranch, Skamania Lodge and Timberline. I call these weddings “semi-destination” because they’re all a ways outside of the city but still easily drivable from our studio in downtown Portland. Some of my favorite weddings have been in these types of spaces as they often feel so intimate, have such gorgeous scenery and provide for really special themes. Also, they’re a great excuse for a mini vacation!
Variety of Themes- Talking of really special themes, I’m just loving how diverse 2012 is shaping up. We’ve got everything on the books from color scheme free vintage wildflower weddings, to pure white weddings dripping with crystals and silver, to full on forest inspired Northwest looks. Having so many different color schemes and themes really lets my creativity run wild and I think we end up doing a better job at all of them!
The Red Sox- Totally not related to weddings or flowers but equally important (in my mind at least!) Seriously, without Francona, Epstein and Papelbon what is going to happen!?! Only time will tell…
New Trends- I love trends! And I always love seeing where the New Year will take us! My predictions include more color and pattern. Pantone has featured orangey hues for the last two “color of the years” and I’m thinking last year’s Honeysuckle may finally show up! No, I’m not predicting this year’s Tangerine but more like the peaches, pale pinks and champagnes that we saw last year amped up a notch... think a field of poppies. I’m also loving patterned linens and containers. Even things like white on white patterns look so crisp and chic with those warm tones. In terms of flowers I think the trend of big, flouncy blossoms will continue and designs will continue in the slightly loose style made popular by florists such as Saipua (in Brooklyn) and Flowerwild (in LA.)
The Presidential Election- How has it already been 4 years? What will happen?!?
The London Olympics- SUCH a great excuse to deck my home in red roses and throw a party!!! ☺
Studio Renovations- A New Year calls for a fresh paint job and some serious organizing.
More Blogging- I’ve never been great about blogging and one of my goals for the New Year is to make it a more regular habit! More posted weddings, photo shoots, informative articles and a “flower of the week” post. Is there anything else that you’d like to see? Any and all ideas are welcome!
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!
Thank you to GH Kim Photography for this photo!
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December 30th, 2011
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Winter Cravings... |
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On dreary, wet, winter days like today I long especially hard for two things. 1.) A flower market bursting with gorgeous local product and 2.) A tropical vacation. Looking at the pictures from Kerry and Adam's wedding last Spring with it's Coral Charm peonies and plummy vanda orchids reminds me of both. So, let's turn on our space heaters, pile on the cashmere and gaze away. Spring will be here before we know it. ;-) |
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The entire wedding outside of St Patrick's Cathedral. Love this photo! |
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Hanging orchids, manzanita, clear glass, candles and peonies inside Urban Studio. |
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Congrats Kerry and Adam!
And a HUGE thank you to Holland Studios who took all of these gorgeous images!!! Visit their website at www.hollandstudios.com for even more "at your desk vacations." |
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December 27th, 2011
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2011 Recap! |
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As we approach the New Year I can’t help but reminisce about my work life in 2011. In some ways it’s been a challenging year as we continue to push through the down economy and face new obstacles, but in most ways it’s been a positive year filled with truly beautiful people and new adventures. Of course, every year has it’s defining moments that I’ll remember for many, many years to come. Below are a few of the people, places and trends that made 2011 so memorable. Some of them are things that I’ll automatically relate the year to, some are very personal memories, and some are the people and places that made my job a little easier and life a little sweeter. I hope you enjoy!
Color of the year- Plum
Plum and (it’s relatives eggplant, aubergine, deep purple, and grape) were everywhere this year! Fortunately I love those warm shades of purple so it was really fun seeing how people incorporated it into their events. I think there are a few reasons for it’s sudden rise to fame including the fact that most bridesmaids look beautiful in it and it also works so well with other color combinations. Paired with palest blush pink you have a very feminine Spring look, combine it with burnt orange for classic Autumn, or feature a monochromatic look with accents of soft metallic and you’re rocking a glam, modern look perfect for more formal ballrooms and vineyards.
Accent Color of the Year- Platinum
This was the first in at least 5 years where the majority of my weddings did not use green or chocolate brown as an accent color. Instead, brides starting picking up metallics like platinum, soft gold, and bronze to accent their main color scheme. I think it makes sense this would be the natural transition since trends tend to swing between opposites and nothing is more opposite from the natural, rustic browns and greens than sparkle and shine! I also think it makes sense since people are becoming more and more accustomed to stacking chunky jewelry and adding shine to their everyday fashion… Love this trend! |
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Flower of the Year (tie!)- Garden Rose and Jasmine
I’ve always been a fan of garden roses or as some people call them “cabbage roses” or David Austen’s. The big, fluffy blossoms are so soft and romantic looking, a far cry from the stiff South American hybrid roses we’ve grown accustomed to. I picked it as the flower of the year though because this was the first year where clients were asking specifically for them AND there are more and more beautiful varieties readily available for purchase. LOVE that!
The second flower of the year for me has got to be Jasmine. I once worked for a woman who told me she wanted the guests at her events to leave having every sense delighted. I loved that thought and so I always encourage my brides (given they don’t have strong allergies) to include a touch of fragrance, at least in their bouquets. Jasmine was often a clear choice because it’s delicate, beautiful, and has a soft, very sweet smell that will make you smile every time. ☺ Our sense of smell is also closely linked to memories so I just know that when I smell jasmine in the future I’ll have a few very dear brides come immediately to mind. |
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The snacks and refreshments provided by Youngberg Hill/Café Uncorked
Let me start by saying that as a florist I absolutely do not expect snacks at an event or wedding setup. I will also admit that I’m terrible about remembering or making the time to eat on wedding setup days. This is why when we arrive at Youngberg Hill and Café Uncorked sets out a little plate piled with fresh from the brick oven bread, local artisan cheese, fresh apples and hazelnuts I am in total heaven. Seriously, it’s SO good!.. I wonder when my next wedding is taking place there?!
The late night security guards at the Portland Art Museum
One of the tough parts of my job is the late night clean ups. It’s late, I’m tired and it’s hard work. That’s why I’m so thankful for helpful, cheerful, hard working security guards like the team at the Portland Art Museum. This summer I had a couple of weekends where I was the last vendor there, I probably left around 1am, and even though I know I was the only person keeping him from going home the security guard was totally positive and helpful. He kept an eye on people on the streets while I was loading and an eye on my van while I was inside getting another cart of goods. Thank you so much for keeping me safe and positive!
The Valet at Hotel DeLuxe
These guys are AMAZING! This is one of a handful of venues I’ve worked at where the valet attendants help me carry goods into and out of the venue. It’s totally unexpected and over the top customer service. And I don’t think it’s because they’re afraid I’m going to get in the way or be a security threat, I think it’s because they’re just really nice! And when I offer them a tip they turn it down and say they’re just doing their job. I don’t know if it’s that they’re trained to perfection, if they’re just really good, hard working guys, or a combo of both. Whatever it is, well done and thank you! |
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Stargazing at The Oregon Garden
When I was cleaning up a wedding at the Oregon Garden this past July I was positively gob smacked by how many gorgeous stars were in the sky! It was incredible! I actually sat down when I was done and just stargazed for a few moments before driving home. I’ll never forget it. Moments like that are part of why I feel so lucky to get to do my job. |
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The inspirational drive to Timberline
Most likely if you live in Oregon part of the reason why is because you love how beautiful our surroundings are here. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to see and explore so many beautiful places and venues that I might never find, or bother to take the time to journey to, if I wasn’t a wedding and event florist. Making the drive to Timberline for a half dozen weddings a year is a perfect example. Seeing the mountain covered in snow in winter, then covered in waterfalls in Spring, covered in wildflowers in summer and then covered in fall foliage in Autumn is a truly inspiring thing. And then you get to the top and you walk into the Lodge built by hundreds of artisans so long ago and it’s just the icing on the cake. Beautiful. |
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December 22nd, 2011
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Interview with Wilson River Photography |
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I hope everyone has a wonderful, warm and very merry holiday weekend!
Here's a web address for a little interview I did with Tyler from Wilson River Photography a few weeks ago! I hope you enjoy! (ps. Why is it always SO awkward watching oneself on video???)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SYDFhaBzdE |
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December 13th, 2011
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Camp Sherman Wedding! |
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One of my all time favorite weddings took place a few years ago at a little chapel in the woods in Central Oregon. I loved the classic holiday decor of garlands, birch trees, red roses and "Christmas" greens combined with candles. I can still smell that combination of cedar, pine, beeswax and rose as it was so incredibly intimate and cozy for the 25 guests that attended!
The ceremony took place at the Chapel in the PInes in Camp Sherman, Oregon. Originally a "boxcar church" it was designed to move between logging camps in the last century. |
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Clydesdales coming for the happy couple! |
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We brought in garlands, noble firs and lots of twinkle lights to help light the exterior of the church. |
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The interior of the chapel was lit by candle light and filled with the music of local quartet Effesenden Music. |
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The bride carried a very simple and classic bouquet of red roses accented with rose foliage and a white satin ribbon wrap. |
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Guests sat at one long table featuring a lush display of red roses, pine, cedar, pinecones and natural beeswax candles. |
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Beeswax votives lined all the window sills. I LOVE how real beeswax glows AND smells! |
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Birch trees were clustered around the dining table to enhance the cozy feel. Hanging candles added even more warmth. |
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Roses, pine tips, votive candles and hemlock cones accented the cake. |
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All of the images here were taken by Bend, Oregon based photographer Benjamin Edwards! Check out his website www.benjaminimages.com for more photos and info! |
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November 22nd, 2011
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Whitney and Andrew's Wedding! |
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What a year it has been! We've been so busy around here that I've completely fallen off the blogging train... AGAIN! I am excited to start back up again with an absolutely gorgeous wedding we provided flowers for back in September in the Sunken Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum.
Whitney and Andrew are a super charming couple that I was introduced to by their coordinator Nora Sheils at Bridal Bliss. For the wedding we wanted the flowers to be lush, fluffy, very feminine, classic and clean, one of my favorite looks that I think is perfectly fitting for a wedding at PAM.
Whitney carried a bouquet of dahlias, roses, calla lilies, cymbidium orchid blossoms, snowberries and eucalyptus. I love the taupe "metallina" roses in the mix! |
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Adnrew wore a small moonstruck rose boutonniere accented with lavender tips, eucalyptus and ruscus leaves. |
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I adore the lighting and mood captured in this shot by their photographer Ben Pigao! |
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Escort cards were placed on a console table overlooking the ballroom. |
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After the ceremony (while the wedding party was having cocktails) the ballroom was transformed to the reception space! |
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Congratulations Whitney and Andrew! We wish you all the best!
Thank you also to the Portland Art Museum and Bridal Bliss for their help with pulling this event off so seamlessly.
www.pam.org
www.bridalbliss.com
And last but not least, a huge thank you to Ben Pigao for taking and providing me with these gorgeous images. Check out more of his work on his website...
www.benpigao.com |
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October 5th, 2011
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Frequently Asked Questions- Version 10.11! |
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I was recently asked the following questions for a post about selecting a wedding florist for a national blog. I liked the questions that they asked and thought it might be a good idea to share my answers with you, my readers!
What specific questions should brides ask a florist when hiring one?---
How long have you been a professional florist? (There's a big difference between providing flowers for a friend's birthday party and a complete stranger's wedding.) What kind of training have you had? When can I expect a detailed proposal? Who will be delivering/setting up the flowers at my wedding? What is the delivery charge/rate? Do you offer mockups of centerpieces/bouquets/etc? Is there a charge for that or is it complimentary? Do you have any ideas that could make the pictures I brought in better for our area/season/etc? What other services do you offer (rentals, consulting, design, etc?)
Beyond service and style, what else should a bride be looking for? --- Experience. I cringe at some of the mistakes I made in my first few years as a professional florist. To be honest, I'd be nervous to hire anyone who's been working for less than three to five years.
What other services do you offer? Event design, coordination, rentals etc? --- Event design and rentals. I think it can be very helpful to do a mockup of centerpieces before the wedding and that meeting is a perfect time to pull together the total look! Often times we'll do this at the venue so that we can see options for linen, floral, lighting, chairs, etc, in the space itself.
Other than choosing seasonal flowers, do you have any cost saving tips for brides? ---There are a few really easy things that can help to lower the overall cost of flowers. a.) Select larger blossoms. True, peonies are more expensive than ranunculus but it takes 15 ranunculus to take up the space of one peony in an arrangement. b.) Multi-purpose items from the ceremony to the reception. c.) Use multiple smaller vases, jars, and bottles for display so that each vessel only needs a few stems of flowers as opposed to something more compact. d.) Incorporate non-floral items like candles, lanterns, glassware, etc. You can even incorporate appetizers into the centerpieces. Things like upright bread sticks can add texture and help to fill in a table centerpiece.
Should brides be concerned about logistical issues as far as the flowers they have chosen getting to you? --- To me this is the biggest reason for hiring a professional florist as opposed to providing the flowers yourself (and, to be honest, it's often the most stressful part of my job. I can't imagine dealing with it the day before your wedding.) It's our responsibility to make sure the flowers arrive fresh and on time so that the bride doesn't need to worry about it. If they don't then we either need to absorb the cost to make it happen or utilize a "plan b" that our bride is comfortable with and excited for. In most cases, if we have a serious concern about either locating flowers or weather (for example a bride has her heart set on heat sensitive flowers for a July wedding) we will come up with the plan b far in advance so that the week of the wedding we can easily switch over. It's a similar concept to a rain plan. Hopefully you don't need to use it, but if you do, it's an easy last minute switch.
Care to share any other concerns that today's bride has in regards to wedding flowers and her big day? --- I feel that today's bride is more opinionated and has a more exact vision of what they want their wedding and wedding flowers to be. This has both pros and cons. The pros are that the bride is generally more excited and their is less indecisiveness during the planning process. The cons are that we have brides with their minds set on flowers that are often out of season, unavailable in our area, or just unrealistic due to budgetary concerns. Instead of finding an image that you want replicated use favorite pictures as inspiration and be open to suggestions from your florist on how to translate and personalize the look. That's a big part of what you're paying her/him for!
What floral trends are you seeing and what if any do you think are here to stay? ---It feels like styles are going looser and softer, away from the tight rose ball bouquets of the late 90's. I think white weddings will always be classic. As well as super romantic and sweet pink weddings. In Oregon (where we're based) there will always be an emphasis on regional elements like birch, river rocks, moss and twigs for woodsy looks and wine themes for vineyard looks.
Do brides come to you with defined styles or are they looking for guidance in developing the style? --- More and more brides are coming in with very defined styles. Usually we try to play with that a little bit so that it becomes even more personalized for them.
How early in the planning process should a bride have a floral consultation? --- Once a bride has her date, venue, dress and colors decided on then she can come in any time for a consult! Those four pieces play such a huge role in deciding the flowers and decor that I think it's best to focus on them first.
Anything else? What else do brides need to know about what wedding florals? --- I think the most important thing for a bride to do is utilize her florist's creativity and knowledge. Most likely they've done this hundreds of times before and will know what may (or almost more importantly) may not work. And if you feel like you're not getting much of a response from your florist in those two areas then it's time to move on and keep looking.
If there are any florist questions that you're curious about please feel free to email me and I'll be sure include the answers on this post! info@blumfloraldesign.com
Thank you!
The image above is by Misha Ashton. |
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September 20th, 2011
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Thoughts on the DIY trend |
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As the 2011 wedding season begins to wind down my musings and reflections of the year begin to wind up. I feel like 2011 has been a season that included a lot of change, both good and bad. The View Point Inn (one of our most frequented and beloved venues) burned down, Shawna had a baby (!), and more "semi-destination" weddings than ever before are a few of the most obvious and ever present. Another change was that we provided wedding party flowers for more "diy" weddings than ever before... A LOT more. When I say "diy" weddings I mean that we did the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages, and the bride provided the ceremony and reception decor. Like most trends I think the "diy" wedding has both good and bad points. Below are a few things to keep in mind as you're taking on this challenge...
1. PRACTICE the task before fully committing. Most examples of "diy" on websites and blogs were actually made by professionals. It's kinda sneaky if you think about it! So, a few months before your wedding make sure to practice making whatever it is that you have in mind whether that's a centerpiece, escort card, or invitation. Keep track of the cost and the time, and obviously, if it looks the way you want it too. Then multiple that by how many you'll have to make. Then add delivery and setup time the day of the wedding.
2. If your project involves fresh flowers add 20% more flowers to your order. These are for the flowers that come in bruised, faded or any unfortunate mishaps like heat exhaustion.
3. Once you have the cost and labor (ie time) estimated I suggest going to a professional and getting a quote from them on doing the same thing for you. Do you still want to make 25 centerpieces if having a professional do it will cost you a fraction more? Only you can decide that. Also, having a backup plan in place with a professional never hurts in case 2 weeks before the wedding you get overwhelmed.
My biggest concern with diy projects is that people take on too many and miss out on simply enjoying their wedding and the planning leading up to it. If you rarely take on craft projects in your normal life then maybe providing something for the rehearsal dinner or a shower is a better way to go than doing the entire wedding.
On the flip side, if crafting and creating is something you love to do then go for it! "Diy'ing" can be a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your event! (But still follow my advice above!)
Here's a link to a "diy" wedding we provided wedding party flowers for back in July that was recently featured on Style Me Pretty! The results were pretty gorgeous.
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/09/16/wallowa-river-camp-wedding-by-tana-photography/
Happy planning!
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August 17th, 2011
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Karen and Kyle's wedding! |
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August 11th, 2011
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Bouquet Preservation |
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Oh my gosh! Where has the time gone! I can't believe that wedding season is already half over and we're approaching September! My apologies for the infrequency of posts this summer... but sometimes that happens! It's been a beautiful season so far and despite quite a few last minute changes due to the View Point Inn disaster, rain plans, etc, it's been one filled with a lot of happiness and love.
I did want to take a moment and answer one question that I've been asked quite frequently this summer and another question that isn't asked quite as frequently but I think is even more important! Both of these questions are regarding care and handling of bride and bridesmaids bouquets.
The first (not so frequently asked question but is VERY important) is how to keep a bridal bouquet and bridesmaids' bouquets fresh. For most weddings we deliver the bouquets a good 2-5 hours before the ceremony begins for pictures and then it will need to last through the evening for an additional 5-7 hours of ceremony and reception time. That means a fairly fragile (and often times expensive) bouquet may need to stay fresh and crisp for up to 12 hours, not a hard task if treated properly but if treated improperly there's no way it will look as good for the exit photos as it did during prep. Below are my top 3 tips for keeping a bouquet fresh.
#1.) We always deliver bouquets in vases with a little water. Keep the bouquet in that vase for as much time as possible. When you're traveling between sites keep the bouquet in the vase. Obviously it will need to be out of water for pictures, the ceremony, large chunks of time during the reception, etc, but for those in between times always let the flowers get a little drink of water. VERY few blossoms are going to survive out of water for 7-12 hours.
#2.) Never rest a bouquet on it's side. When you're not holding it set it back in the delivery vase (see above pic.) Whenever a blossom is rested against a hard surface it's quite likely the petals will either bruise or get torn. This is especially true for white and pale flowers as well as fragile blossoms like orchids, garden roses, sweet peas, hydrangea, peonies, ranunculus, etc. A few years back I had a gorgeous showering white phalaenopsis orchid bouquet get completely ruined because the photographer set it on a gravel path for pictures. The contrast was pretty in that one shot... the bouquet was not so pretty thereafter. It was a sad phone call to receive the next morning.
#3.) Keep the bouquet out of direct sun and in air conditioning if possible. When the bouquet is back in it's vase getting a drink set the vase in a shady spot. Direct sun will zap the moisture out of the blossoms.
The next question that I get asked quite frequently is what to do with a bouquet after the wedding. I'm definitely not an expert in this field though there certainly are some in the area. If you'd like to have a professional preserve it for you Renaissance Rose, in Vancouver, is a great source. Just a head's up, you'll need to contact them before your wedding as they'll want the bouquet the morning after. If you want to give drying the bouquet a shot yourself then I recommend contacting Michael's (or a similar craft store) and talk with their floral departments for advice. Different blossoms react better to hanging upside down, silica gels, etc. Again, contact them before the wedding so that you'll have all the materials on hand. You need to start preserving flowers before they're actually dead to maintain the shape and color.
Last but not least, I still think the best way to "preserve" your bouquet is through the photographs. The vast majority of photographers take gorgeous closeups of your bouquet that you'll be able to keep forever.
I hope those tips are helpful! Happy wedding season! |
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July 13th, 2011
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Mandi and Darren's Wedding on SMP! |
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WOW! We have another wedding featured on Style Me Pretty today! This one is of my good friend Mandi Wiley's wedding at Pure Space last November. Mandi is one of the owners of Champagne Weddings and Event planning so you KNOW it's a good one!
Check it out!
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/07/13/portland-wedding-by-yasmin-khajavi-photography-laura-marchbanks-photography/ |
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June 21st, 2011
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Brooke and Mike's Wedding on SMP! |
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Mike and Brooke's gorgeous View Point Inn Wedding has been featured on Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book Blog!
Check it out!
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/06/21/viewpoint-inn-wedding-from-bridal-bliss-blum-design-in-flowers |
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June 20th, 2011
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Jayne and Armando's Wedding! |
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Jayne and Armando were married March 5th, 2011 at Vista Hills Vineyard. The ceremony took place upstairs in the "treehouse" room and the reception followed in the wine cellar. I absolutely adored the feel and look of this wedding... cozy, vintage and very romantic.
For the flowers Jayne wanted to keep them fairly simple and accent with beautiful vintage touches. A perfect example is her plum calla lily bridal bouquet wrapped in champagne silk ribbon and studded with antique broaches that we found at an antique shop in the Pearl. |
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Petite "ice buckets" were hung from the chairs along the aisle with loops of burlap ribbon. Hyacinth, lisianthus, cymbidium orchids and sweet peas continued the rich plumb color scheme... and the hyacinth added some lovely fragrance to the small room! |
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Muscari, succulents, rocks, moss and miniature pinecones were "planted" around the unity candle. |
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LOVE this photo by Misha Ashton! |
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Guests were seated at long tables covered in ivory linens and a burlap runner for an intimate family style meal. Mason jars in various shapes and sizes were filled with hyacinth, lisianthus, orchids, sweet peas and muscari. |
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Each place setting featured a single stem of muscari tied with a twine bow. |
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Jayne and Armando's "Wishing Tree!" |
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Congratulations Jayne and Armando! We loved being a part of your beautiful day!
Jayne and Armando's event was coordinated by Mandi at Champagne Weddings and events. All of the images here were taken by the incredibly talented Misha Ashton. I'm a HUGE fan of photography that evokes the exact same mood that is in the air the day of the wedding. Misha matched it perfectly.
www.champagnenw.com
www.mishaashton.com
www.vistahillsvineyard.com |
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June 6th, 2011
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San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers |
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Poppies are one of my favorite flowers! I love their hairy little stems, saturated colors and the way they really do "pop" open. So happy to see them all around the outside of the conservatory! |
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Inside the Conservatory. Little did I know that SF's Conservatory is the oldest in North America! |
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My attempt to be a great photographer with my little point and shoot camera. ;-) |
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I would LOVE to do an uber modern water garden themed reception or party. Just imagine rectangular tables featuring long, low, plexiglass vases topped with waterlilies, duckweed, water hyacinths and the like. I'm thinking it could be AMAZING at Pure Space but any space will do. ;-) |
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Be sure to check out the conservatory on your next visit to the Bay Area!
www.conservatoryofflowers.org |
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May 24th, 2011
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Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival |
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Before Spring turns to summer I wanted to be sure and share a few shots I took at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Oregon last month. I'm a HUGE fan of flower festivals and feel so lucky to have so many close to home!
I went to the festival on a very rainy, very Oregon day for several reasons. The first reason was I needed blooming hyacinths and the Portland flower market was sold out. The second reason was I hate traffic and lines. Going on a rainy Wednesday is the perfect solution. ;-) The bonus was since there were NO other visitors there (literally no one else) I got in for free, they gave me a discount on the hyacinths and MAJOR BONUS gave me a private guided tour of the grounds! |
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Inside one of the many greenhouses.
Before this year I'd never seen the inside of the greenhouses at the Tulip Farm. AND I'd always been under the notion that the majority of their business came from bulb sales, not cut flowers. I was so wrong! These crates are full of bulbs that had been cut up for the use of the fresh cut tulips. The farm sells 2 million greenhouse grown tulips a year and 6 million field grown tulips. That's a lot of tulips! |
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This is the machine they use to bundle the cut tulips. |
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One of the coolers filled with cut and bundled tulips. Those were growing in the greenhouses that morning and were delivered to Safeways the next day. The Wooden Shoe Farm supplies almost all of the seasonal tulips for Safeway as well as to the big Easter Seals tulip sale in downtown Portland. |
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I just can't resist taking a pic of a John Deere tractor parked in the mud in a tulip field. ;-) |
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Daffodils at the festival.
In case you missed it this year be sure to check it out next year! You can find info at www.woodenshoe.com
Next up on my flower festival itinerary is the big Peony Festival at Adelman's this next weekend! The Classical Chinese Garden in downtown Portland will also be hosting a peony festival starting on Friday.
www.peonyparadise.com
www.portlandchinesegarden.org |
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May 4th, 2011
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Favorite blogs! |
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Like most creative professionals and wedding enthusiasts out there I've definitely developed an appreciation and love for blogs! Long gone are the days of anxiously awaiting by the mailbox for my seasonal issue of Martha Stewart Weddings to arrive as most of my fave blogs now update multiple times a day! Below are a few of my faves. Some are blogs by independent florists, some are wedding oriented and some are more design/lifestyle. Happy browsing!
Flower Wild- www.flowerwildevents.blogspot.com
This is one of my absolute florists sites as the owner has such a beautiful, lush, approach. Plus she features a TON of images by Jose Villa- not bad!
Preston Bailey- www.prestonbailey.com
More oriented to wedding and event professionals than consumers Mr Bailey's website offers up loads of advice regarding booking, design, contracts, and other common industry questions.
Style Me Pretty- www.stylemepretty.com
The epicenter of all things wedding on the web, Style Me Pretty is my absolute go to for wedding inspiration! We've also been honored to be a part of their very edited "little black book" since 2008!
Style Unveiled- www.styleunveiled.com
Similar to Style Me Pretty but a little more modern in some of their wedding selections. I love how this website has links to regional sites including Portland, Oregon! We're also a member of their invite only vendor section.
Cup of Jo- www.joannagoddard.blogspot.com
This is my favorite "lifestyle" blog. Joanna Goddard has the most interesting links regarding fashion, art and weddings! This woman must spend 23 hours a day searching the web for interesting articles for us to look at! Amazing!
Vogue- www.vogue.com
Everyone knows I love Vogue. I consider "The September Issue" to be one of the greatest documentaries, umm, ever. In terms of flowers and decor I love checking out the background of pics in the parties section to see what the uber fabulous New York elite consider chic. Love. |
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March 25th, 2011
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Bunn Salarzon's Blog! |
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I'm so honored to be featured on Bunn Salarzon's blog today! Bunn and I first met last summer when I provided a bouquet for a portrait session she was photographing with makeup artist Nicole Wagner. Different photographers definitely have different strengths so I'm always very excited to meet someone who has that special something when it comes to photographing flowers... Bunn is a perfect example! Thank you for all the kind words Bunn! I look forward to working with you again soon!
Check it out! www.bsalarzon.com |
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March 17th, 2011
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Mandi and Darren's Wedding! |
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Mandi and Darren were married in November at Pure Space in Portland, Oregon. This was an extra special wedding for me as Mandi has become one of my good friends over the years and is also one of the owners of Champagne Wedding and Event Coordination. I completely trust and respect Mandi's taste so having her ask me to do the flowers for her wedding was such an honor...and also a lot of fun!
Pure Space is a very modern, urban venue that opened last year. Cement, white walls, high ceilings and lots of windows allow for pretty much any theme. Having worked with the bride many times in the past I wasn't at all surprised when she told me she wanted a "country meets city feel." LOADS of candles, punches of strong color contrasting against white, and rustic elements like handcrafted signs and mason jars created the look. Roses, tulips, peonies, hydrangea, sweet peas and anemonies in simple arrangements gave the space some softness.
All of the images here were taken and graciously given to me by Yasmin Khajavi. This was my first experience working with Yasmin and it was such a pleasure to see her bubbly personality at the wedding and the vast variety of shots I had to choose from soon after. For more of her work check out her website. www.ykvision.com |
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Originally we were going to use a very classic palette of whites, creams and ivory for Mandi's bridal bouquet but she changed her mind after having her bridal portraits taken. I'm so glad we did! The peonies, roses, lisianthus, tulips and anemonies in bold shades of purple, blue, deepest pink and burgundy were so striking! They were also the only colorful flowers at the wedding which I loved! |
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Candles lined the aisle of the ceremony and Mandi and Darren were married beneath a very simple birch pole chuppah. |
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Mandi's hair and makeup were done by the extraordinarily talented Nicole Wagner. Her dress was by Jim Hjelm from Ania Collection.
www.nicolewagnermakeup.com
www.aniacollection.com |
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A few of the adorable rustic accents! |
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I loved these centerpieces! All of the guests were seated at long tables for a cozy, family feel. A navy runner was laid down the middle and we then loaded them up with mason jars containing flowers and candles. Simple and lush. |
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Mandi's cake was by Judy Reece at Dreamcakes. The simple cake helped carry on the urban feel while the rustic cake stand topper accented the other details at the reception. So yummy! (I know because I had TWO pieces. ;-) ) |
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I'm not going to lie, I love a good bouquet toss! It's just about that time of the wedding where I'm beginning to get excited and ready to party! Sadly, I've never actually caught the bouquet! I thought for sure this would be the night... (that's me scheming with the bride on the right!) |
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Missed it! I guess it's only fair that someone else get the flowers. ;-) |
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Shawn Whittemore and the rest of the Event Team kept us dancing and entertained throughout the evening!
www.eventteament.com |
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My favorite. So in love. So happy. :-) |
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Congrats Mandi and Darren! We wish you all the best!
Last but not least, be sure to check out Mandi's company's website (Champagne NW) to learn about how they can help with your next event! They have different packages as well as an "a la carte" menu to help cater to your exact needs. I can say with absolutely confidence that you won't regret it!
www.champagnenw.com |
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March 15th, 2011
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Lily and Rodin's Wedding Pics! |
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Lily and Rodin were married August 1st, 2010 at the First Congregational Church. A reception immediately followed just across the Park Blocks at the Portland Art Museum.
We wanted the flowers to have a look that was glamorous and romantic but at the same time slightly modern. To do this we kept the colors very soft, the flowers lush, and the shapes clean. Garden roses, cymbidium orchid blossoms, dendrobium orchid blossoms, gardenias, and sweet peas fit the bill perfectly.
All of the images here were taken by the extraordinarily photo team GH Kim out of Seattle. I think the images themselves as well as the editing fit the theme and feel of the wedding perfectly.
Check out their site for more info! www.ghkimphotography.com
And for even MORE pictures, info and to read an interview with the bride check out their feature on Style Me Pretty. The link is below! |
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March 10th, 2011
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Lily and Rodin's Wedding on Style Me Pretty! |
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Lily and Rodin's wedding was featured yesterday on my very, very favorite wedding blog Style Me Pretty!
Be sure to check out the gallery for more images of the flowers, along with tons of other beautiful, fun shots taken by GH Kim Photography!
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/03/09/portland-art-museum-wedding-by-gh-kim-photography/#comment-208394 |
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March 1st, 2011
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Blog LOVE |
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It's always so exciting to be hopping around the internet and happen upon our flowers on other vendors' websites and blogs... and it happened THREE TIMES for me yesterday! Yay!
The first was a few pics from Mai's wedding last September on Elizabeth Dye's blog. Elizabeth Dye is an extraordinary fashion designer who owns the local boutique the English Department. If you've never been there to check out the dresses you must go! Not only do they have wedding gowns but also bridesmaids dresses and exquisite, girly accessories.
The second website is Yed Omi's jewelry blog! Naomi is the creator of Yed Omi and does beautiful jewelry designs... some of my faves are delicate pieces out of fresh water pearls and silver. Delicious! We participated in Portland Bride and Groom's wedding show together this past weekend and she posted a few pics from the event.
The third sighting was on Oregon Bride Magazine's website! We provided flowers for a fashion shoot at the Hotel DeLuxe last fall that was featured in the current Spring/Summer issue. Little did I know that it would also be on their website! Note- The bouquet featured is actually dahlias, snow berries and garden roses (NOT peonies.) I guess it's evidence that when people want peonies out of season garden roses really are a great substitute!
Last but not least I'm SO excited to announce that we'll have a wedding featured next Wednesday on Style Me Pretty! If you're not a Style Me Pretty follower you must do so at once. They have some of the most exquisite vintage inspired weddings on the web that can lend fantastic ideas and inspirations.
Happy browsing!
http://elizabethdye.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-mai.html
http://yedomi.blogspot.com/2011/02/post-silverado-pics.html
http://orbridemag.com/stories/glamorous-bridal-fashion |
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February 25th, 2011
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Portland Bride and Groom Wedding Show |
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Come visit us this Sunday from 11-4 at Portland Bride and Groom's "Very Engaging Bridal Event!" The event takes place at Bridgeport Village with a vendor or two inside almost every store! We'll be in Silverado (across from the movie theaters.) I think this "show/event" is such a brilliant idea! There's no charge to enter and you can multi task by shopping and wedding planning at the same time! Hope to see you there! |
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January 7th, 2011
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Angie and Ryan's Wedding! |
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Angie and Ryan were married December 4th, 2010 at Saint Mary's Cathedral in NW Portland with a reception following at the Governor Hotel.
I'm very excited to share a few pics from this wedding as it was one of my favorites of the year! Orchids, hydrangea, roses, crystals and LOTS of candles made for a clean, somewhat modern look in two very classic Portland venues.
Congratulations to Angie and Ryan! Thank you for letting us take part in your special day. We wish you a lifetime of happiness together!
All of the photos were taken by Paul Rich. Paul is such a talented photographer and also a really fun guy to have around. It's hard to not smile when you're in his presence (a great trait in a photographer!) Check out his work at www.paulrichstudio.com
Marilyn Storch of Portland Wedding Planner helped to coordinate the day and fine tune details. www.portlandweddingplanner.com
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December 13th, 2010
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Event and Wedding Styling! |
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We're so excited to announce that beginning in 2011 Blum will not only be providing gorgeous floral decor but full styling services for our wedding and event clients!
What does this mean? This means you can come to us and we can help you sort through the thousands of options out there to find the perfect linens, chairs, and details to give your event a very cohesive and personal feel. It also means less appointments and fewer vendors to have to coordinate with since we'll already know each other and be meeting to talk flowers!
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you! Summer 2011 wedding dates are still available but going fast!!!
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November 15th, 2010
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Timberline Wedding! |
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Jaime and Steve were married in July at the incredibly beautiful Timberline Lodge. Their wedding was definitely one of my favorite, and most memorable, of the summer as the entire event had such a wonderful energy.
For the flowers and decor they wanted to keep things very natural and woodsy to work with the historic Oregon theme. Punches of orange, persimmon and teal brightened the color scheme and the room.
All of the images here were taken by the very talented Jessica Hill. Thanks Jessica!
timberlinelodge.com
jessicahillphotography.com
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Each of the bridesmaids carried a slightly different bouquet made up of dahlias, gerbera daisies, roses, mokara orchids and/or hypericum berries.
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November 2nd, 2010
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Eat. Drink. Marry! |
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Please join us NEXT THURSDAY for a boutique wedding event in Lake Oswego. We have a team of amazing wedding professionals ready to dress up Maher's Pub as an elegant wedding reception with gorgeous details to inspire you for your own BIG DAY!
- See 2011 Wedding Trends
- Meet your local creative business owners all in one place!
- Win fantastic prizes (personal training package, Please Be Seated gift certificates, lengerie items, Bravo! planning binders, Portland Bride & Groom Magazines, groom's cake...just to name a few! SEE BOTTOM FOR A LIST OF THE PRIZES!!) - there's some great stuff in the mix!!!
- Beer, wine, good eats & CAKE....
- An old fashioned photobooth (for save the dates?!)
- A present chock-full of goodies for you!
Grab a friend, fiance, mom, and head over to the pub!
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Eat. Drink. Marry! is a unique event for engaged couples to meet and see the work of local “hand picked” vendors. The evening is designed to inspire, educate & ENJOY in a quaint, cozy environment.
Unlike a bridal show, the vendors will showcase their work by their contribution to the event – an intimate & interactive approach towedding planning. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with the vendors, while enjoying the ambience, good food, wine & beer, music & treats.
Event Admission: $8 Per Person or $15 Per Couple
At the door: $10 Per Person
For more information, please visit: eatdrinkmarrylo.com
OR
contact Nessa Sander at 503-953-4056/nessa@card-girl.com
We hope to see you there!
Cardgirl Invitations . Heidi K. Papers
Champagne Wedding & Event Coordination . Blum Floral
KGK Floral . Brandon Perron Photography
Portland Bride & Groom . White Rose Bakery . Liu Liu Designs
Sugar Me . Party Place . Event Team . Bravo! . Venue Pearl . Lori Raines Calligraphy . Dosha . Anna's Bridal . Please Be Seated . Kim Stout, Personal Trainer . Kelly's Jelly . The OriginalPhotobooth . Focal Point Digital Media . Emily Hu, MD
JUST A TASTE OF THE PRIZES...
Portland Bride & Groom Magazines for Everyone!
Goodie Basket from Sugar Me (...bikini wax & cute panties?!)
Floral Centerpiece by Blum Floral
Gift Certificates to Please Be Seated
Kelly's Jabanero Pepper Jelly
Letterpress Note Cards by Cardgirl Invitations
30 Picture Photo Montage by Focal Point Digital Media ($125 value!!)
Bravo! Wedding Planners
Personal Training Sessions with Kim Stout
Personalized Stationery by Heidi K. Papers
Calligraphy by Lori Raines
Album Pages from Brandon Perron Photography
Old Fashioned Photobooth Strips by The Original Photobooth
................................................
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October 8th, 2010
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Molly and Dan's Gorge Wedding! |
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Molly and Dan were married in July at the beautiful View Point Inn in the Columbia Gorge.
For the decor of the event they wanted to capture both the refined classic feel of the Inn along with the natural beauty of the gorge. To create the feminine vintage feel we used mercury glass for all of the containers and focused on extremely delicate, old fashioned flowers like sweet peas, garden roses, scabiosa and dahlias. Tucks of maidenhair ferns, fern curls, twigs, moss, river rocks and birch throughout the decor added the natural, slightly rustic elements. I loved the combination of styles as it not only represented the venue that day but also bits of the places that Molly and Dan have lived- Boston, Anchorage and now Portland.
All of the images here were taken by Paul Rich. Paul's not only an awesome photographer but a really fun guy. I'm always happy to see him at a wedding setup as he brings such a positive, relaxed energy...Not to mention he's a Red Sox fan!
Check his site out and talk to him about your next event! www.paulrichstudio.com
And, as always, be sure to keep the View Point Inn in mind for your next event or even just a special luncheon. (I also know from experience they'll help you pack an AMAZING picnic!)
www.theviewpointinn.com |
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Inside the main reception room at the View Point Inn. |
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Each table was slightly different with different arrangements of vase shapes, sizes, flowers and candles. I think the simplicity and charm of these purple sweet peas make this my fave centerpiece at the wedding. |
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October 3rd, 2010
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Rachel and Anthony's Wedding! |
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Another classic shot from Jessica Hill! |
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The ceremony was held on the roof of the Eco trust building. I love this space at night when the stars begin to sparkle and you feel all nestled in amongst the city lights!
For the decor we kept it very simple again with manzanita branches and hanging candles on the fireplace hearth creating a sort of natural chandelier. |
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The mother's each carried petite nosegays in lieu of a corsage. |
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Because of the threatening rain the wedding reception was moved indoors. I actually really like the indoor room there though! It's so cozy and warm!
Blue hydrangea continued to reign as flower of the evening for the centerpieces there. :-) |
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Congratulations Rachel and Anthony! We wish you all the best! |
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September 27th, 2010
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Best of Portland Wedding Photography |
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Mike and Brooke's View Point Inn Wedding! |
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Brooke and Mike were married August 28th, 2010 at the View Point Inn in Corbett, Oregon. Their wedding was one of those really, really lovely events that felt classic, romantic and also full of energy from the family and friends that gathered together.
For the flowers we wanted to use soft, garden flowers and keep the shapes of the arrangements fairly clean so that the look was contemporary as opposed to stuffy. Hydrangea, dahlias, garden roses, sweet peas, jasmine, blackberries, herbs, ferns and scented geranium provided the fragrant, lush palette for the event.
All of the images here were taken and generously given to us by Holland Studios. You NEED to check out their site! www.hollandstudios.com
Nora Sheils at Bridal Bliss coordinated the event and made sure that all the details came out flawlessly. www.bridalbliss.com
Last but not least, the next time you're wanting a fun day trip or a special place to take a special someone for lunch head up the gorge to the View Point Inn. It's only 30 minutes from downtown PDX and absolutely stunning! www.theviewpointinn.com |
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July 28th, 2010
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Ben and Jen's June Wedding! |
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Jen and Ben were married June 26th at Zenith Vineyard in Salem, Oregon. For the flowers they wanted a truly classic, romantic early summer feel. We used a lot of peonies, hydrangea and garden roses in shades of cream, pink and green to compliment the plum color the bridesmaids were wearing. I thought the effect was beautiful!
The day went off without a hitch thanks in large part to the great team of vendors the couple had chosen. Honeysuckle Photography shot the wedding and provided all of the wonderful photos here. Rachelle and her team at Champagne NW coordinated the event. Nicole Wagner did the girls' hair and makeup.
www.honey-photo.com
www.champagnenw.com
www.nicolewagnermakeup.com
www.zenithvineyard.com |
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Congrats to a wonderful couple! We wish you all the best!!! |
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July 20th, 2010
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Style Unveiled |
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Have you checked out the Style Unveiled blog recently? Well, we're excited that our flowers have been featured on the national blog today and Portland's regional version yesterday!
First up was Kami and Brett's wedding at the Unitarian Church in downtown Portland with a reception following at the World Forestry Center up in Washington Park. They wanted the flowers to be bright, colorful and fun with no one color scheme. Jessica Hill Photography took the vibrant photos. I particularly love the shots of the couple as they took the Max from the ceremony to the reception site. Such a fun idea! Check out the images and interview with Kami at http://styleunveiled.com/portlandrealweddings/kami-and-brett.html.
Today's entry was all about succulents... those yummy little textures that we use so often in bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces and as accents tucked in to moss, rocks and candles. Check out a few of the images from a past photo shoot with Brandon Perron Photography and Champagne NW Event planners. http://styleunveiled.com/blog/2010/7/20/make-your-wedding-day-more-succulent.html
Happy blogging! |
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July 15th, 2010
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BEST IN PORTLAND! |
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July 14th, 2010
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Anniversary Shoot with Nicole Wagner and Bunn Salarzon |
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When Nicole and Steve were married 7 years ago they were young and could not yet afford a "real" photographer so they didn't have any professional photographs of the day. Nicole is now a well known (and insanely talented!) makeup artist and Steve is a photographer. And they were finally able to have some beautiful photographs of just the two of them taken by a professional... in this case the also insanely talented Bunn Salarzon.
When Nicole came to me and asked for a petite bouquet for the shoot we both agreed that needed to be non-traditional, non-bridal, colorful and fun. The result was a delicate handtied bouquet of yellow ranunculus, purple astrantia, mint leaves, hosta, succulents and twigs. I thought it played off of her dresses and the overall feel very well! Plus, the mint smelled delicious!
For more on Nicole's services check out her site at www.nicolewagnermakeup.com
And for more on Bunn check out her site at www.bsalarzon.com.
Cheers! |
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June 29th, 2010
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Oregon Bride Magazine Best of Party |
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June 22nd, 2010
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Wish Upon a Wedding |
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June 14th, 2010
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Dahlias! |
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As peony season comes to a close (sigh...) I remind myself that another one of my favorite flowers is finally about to re-enter the market. That very special flower is the dahlia and it will be coming into season in the next month and stay with us til Mid-October.
At Blum we use A LOT of dahlias. I have several reasons for my love of the dahlia. The first is the GORGEOUS array of colors they come in. From white to plum to palest pink to deep orange they're available in a huge range of deeply saturated tones. Another reason is the variety of shapes from flattened round "camellia" (the most common here in the studio), to tiny balls to huge "dinner plate" dahlias. Other reasons for my love affair include the fact that they are so easily available locally and fiscally friendly.
All of the above listed reasons for my love add up to some incredible flexibility when playing with dahlias. A mosh posh of just dahlias in all different colors, shapes and sizes in a Ball jar, clear glass cylinder or ceramic pitcher is a classically vintage look. Incorporate dahlias into a more monochromatic look with other structured flowers and it can become much more modern and clean.
Below are a few images from Ahna and Kyle's wedding last September at the Portland Art Museum. Although the wedding was not entirely focused on dahlias they certainly played a big part in the decor and look.
If you have any questions about dahlias or your upcoming event please email us for more info on the "contact us" page.
Cheers!
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Rust colored dahlias combined with burnt orange calla lilies, spicy orange roses and green bupleurum to create the hand tied bouquet. |
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A single large dahlia floating in water added a simple touch of rich color to hi-top bistro tables. |
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I like big fluffy flowers when decorating cakes of this style. In the winter we'll often use hydrangea, spring it's peonies, summer and fall it's all about dahlias. |
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Ahna and Kyle's wedding images were taken by the incredibly talented team at Artistique Photographie. www.artistiquephotographie.com |
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June 1st, 2010
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River rock, ferns and moss, oh my! |
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Trends fascinate me. Who starts them, how they develop, and how some trends eventually become classic or even iconic is a bit of a mystery that I love trying to figure out. As a wedding florist I am constantly aware of patterns and trends in my biz and with my clients. I think it's both important and fun. Some of the trends I've watched have DEFINITELY faded (thank goodness) while some have stood the test of time (yay!)
One such look is the "Northwest feel." The first time I really dipped my toes into that look was at the Bravo wedding show a few years back. I was paired with Class Act Events in the Grand Ballroom at the Governor Hotel. For some reason both the coordinator and I had the exact same reaction to the room and thought the same thing that an over the top natural look that still oozes elegance would be perfect. Quite honestly I'd never seen the Northwest look done the way I wanted it to be done so it was a real treat for me to play with.
For the decor I wanted it to feel like guests were sitting along the banks of a stream bed in an old growth forest (more than in a country farm yard.) By incorporating lots of lush green ferns and fresh mood moss the look became rich and colorful. Chunks of slate, marble, river rocks and pebbles from a nearby rock yard lent texture and added to the stream bed look. Tulips, lady slipper orchids and fern curls provided color and let you know a florist had really been there. The final touch was LOTS of clear glass cylinders and column candles. To me candles are essential in transforming a setting and the candle holders themselves can totally alter a mood. I wanted an elegant look so the contrast of the slightly more modern straight sided cylinders worked best. If we'd wanted an even more rustic feel Ball jars would have been perfect. The linens, chargers and printed materials added the finishing touch to the look.
Since I first put these images on my site I've had countless clients come in wanting to incorporate a touch of the Northwest to their wedding decor. Sometimes it's as simple as incorporating a few sprigs of maidenhair fern and twigs, often it's replacing more traditional rose petals with moss and rocks. This summer it feels like the natural look is taking a more feminine turn with incorporation of more terrariums and delicate flowers. Whatever it is I LOVE it because I love the idea of sharing something you love (in this case our home in the NW) with the people you love. Plus, it's just fun to be a little different. :-)
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May 25th, 2010
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Peonies! |
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I love peonies and I'm definitely not alone! These big, fluffy, gorgeous flowers are probably my most requested blossoms from brides and friends alike.
Unfortunately peonies are difficult to come by most of the year but for those lucky brides getting married mid-May through mid-June (think of it as rose festival season) peonies are available locally from our amazing farmers and growers. Buying peonies locally mean the quality is SUPERB and the prices are incredible. Peonies are also available in the fall but the prices tend to be higher as we ship them in from New Zealand.
If you're looking for more inspiration, a source for planting peonies in your garden or even just a fun day trip I recommend checking out Adelman Peony Garden's website. www.peonyparadise.com
One of my favorite organic flower growers, Dancing Moon Farm, also has a great site for checking out their selection of peonies. www.dancingmoonfarms.
Below are pics from some of our favorite peony weddings. Enjoy! |
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Images provided by Jasmine Photography, Joseph Milton, and Holland Studios. Thank you! |
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May 21st, 2010
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Portland Style Unveiled |
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