A Sizzling Hot Gardenia and Peony Wedding

J&J were married at their family's beautiful home in Napa on a HOT June day. It was over 100 degrees, but everyone (including the fragrant arrangements of peonies, gardenias, and jasmine) survived with style and grace. Congratulations, J&J! It was a joy be be a part of your lovely celebration!

Newsflash: Local Carnations Are Back!

  

Those of you who know me or follow this blog may be familiar with my obsession with the carnation's beautiful, spicy scent and old fashioned charm (gushingly discussed here). So when Neve Roses in Petaluma put their carnation program (above) on permanent hiatus, I was heartbroken and desperate to find a new local source. Finally, after months of searching and the help of many kind informants at the flower market, we've found one within 200 miles! 

So for those of you who'd like to enjoy a good carnation fix before the winter slow-down, this week's offering of bouquets at Dean & Deluca in St. Helena will feature some, along with another garden flower people seem to love to hate, alstroemeria (below, in an arrangement and solo). If you're upvalley this week, please stop by to grab a bouquet and show your support for these unjustly shunned beauties! 

I'll post a photo on Facebook once I've delivered them in a few hours. : )

 

My Sister's Wedding

Well, I'm so far out of date on the "Time Warp" series that I think I'll hold off on posting this year's Spring weddings until the quieter winter months. In the meantime, I'm picking up at about where I started to get behind . . . my sister's wedding!

The colorful celebration took place in late June, at the glorious intersection of peony and dahlia season. I had to hold some of the more unusual peonies for a few weeks in the cooler, but it worked and my sister had all the bright colors we hoped for : ). Here are a few highlights.

The bouquets . . .

The favors, a twist on the classic jordon almond in netting (we used glassine and cotton twine) . . .

The programs, which doubled as fans on the warm, sunny day . . .

The delicious and very special sparking wine, made by a family friend, and the zinnia boutonnieres in the background . . .

The silk ribbon wands with silver bells for the many children in the ceremony . . .

 

My beautiful sister taking a peak out at the gathering guests before the ceremony . . .

The cozy barn reception, with big double doors opening into the vineyards on both sides (sadly not captured!) . . .

The magnificent (and delicious!) cake made by the groom's ridiculously talented mother, decorated with my grandparents' cake topper . . .

The ceremony site, the foggy morning after . . .

Congratulations, L&C!!!