July 30, 2012

Time Warp, 5 of 17: A Jazzy Minnesota Wedding (5/19/12)


I had the honor of designing flowers for the wedding of Ben's cousin in Minnesota this May. It was a very warm spring and a lot of the garden flowers I'd counted on were finished.  So Len Busch Roses, located just outside the Twin Cities, provided the bulk of my locally grown materials. Their production continues all year in their impressive greenhouses, and includes roses, freesia, lilies, snapdragons, and many houseplants (shown here).

Supplement that with some gorgeous lily of the valley from the groom's parents in Duluth (the upside of a slow start to spring up North!), and some late Japanese lilac from Ben's mother's generous and helpful hair stylist, and you have yourself some pretty little arrangements.

I was also thrilled to find some beautiful, simple silk ribbon (which I'd forgotten to pack) at Treadle Yard Goods. Their selection of natural fiber ribbons, trims, and fabrics is outstanding, and their staff wonderful. With every visit, my love for the Twin Cities and all they have to offer continues to grow.

 





L&N's celebration felt intimate and totally genuine, and (naturally, for this music and art loving couple) included jazz performances throughout the ceremony and reception. As a guest, traveler, and florist, I didn't get any decent photographs, so I am especially grateful that the wonderfully talented and amiable Natalie Champa Jennings was there to document the day. Below are just a few of her beautiful photographs . . .










Congratulations, L&N! Thank you for including me in your awesome celebration!

July 15, 2012

Time Warp, Part 4 of 17: Mother's Day (5/13/12)

 Excerpts from Mother's Day, including peonies from Fremont, ranunculus from Half Moon Bay, phaleonopsis from Watsonville, roses from Petaluma, freesia from Pacifica, tulips from Arcata, and buckeye from Napa.




July 11, 2012

Time Warp, Part 3 of 17: A Central Coast Wedding (5/12/12)


P&D were married at Cayucos Creek Barn, surrounded by their friends, family, an ancient oak, and a grove of avocado trees (how cool is that??). I was honored to be a part of the beautiful celebration, which was especially awesome thanks to the couple's appreciation for the surrounding landscape, timeless elegance, and fun. Here are a few photos of their flowers, including roses from Petaluma, dusty miller, kale, calla lilies, and scabiosa from Pacifica, delphinium and freesia from Pescadero, lisianthus and rice flower from Watsonville, succulents from Half Moon Bay, buckeye from Napa, and peonies from Fremont.

















And for the record, I am very excited to announce that everything (9 bouquets, centerpieces, bud vases, 2 easels, 3 10 gallon buckets of flowers to fill the easels, boutonnieres, corsages, headbands, flower girl baskets, petals, Ben, me, and our overnight bags) fit in the little Transit for our trip south. Way to go little truck!

July 9, 2012

Time Warp, Part 2 of 17: Sunrae's Blooms and Bikes (4/28/12)


I'm a huge fan of stock- it's fragrant, trustworthy, romantic, and versatile. So I was especially happy to learn that Janet of Sunrae's Blooms over in Santa Rosa was growing it! Way back in April, when most stock was coming up from Southern California, Janet had a beautiful crop of crisp, flawless stems that just made these arrangements for Napa County Bike Coalition's first annual Bike Fest. Here they are with roses and viburnum from Petaluma, allium, lamium, and dogwood from Napa, freesia from Pacifica, and bulbs from Arcata.







July 8, 2012

Time Warp, Part 1 of 17: Liz and Lilac (4/21/12)

When there is lilac to be had from Wild Boar Farms, I have trouble resisting. Not surprisingly I bought too much again this year, but luckily Elizabeth was around to make use of what was leftover after several happy deliveries and a little event (sadly not photographed : (. Here they are, along with hellebores from Napa and (totally rocking) foxgloves from Pacifica.