Serendipity in the Big Apple

I once heard an artist recommend his favorite way to find fresh inspiration....travel and SEE new things!  I think I would add, and meet a few new people, too!

This past week I had the pleasure of doing just that, tagging along on a trip to NYC with my husband, Doug. He kindly deferred to me for most of our leisure time itinerary, and I found SO much inspiration.

Highlights included, the Highline, a wonderful park made on an elevated train track in Chelsea. The artistry was striking. I love how plants allow a certain palette, texture, volume...so many things to feast the eyes.

The hardscape was well designed, too, leading you to look in just the right little corner, or over the railing, or out to the city beyond.

West 28th street was a delightful surprise, where wholesale florists spread out their wares.
 
Tall palms and various evergreens line the sidewalks, and show how plants in that hard city scape bring a humanizing element to the surroundings.

I loved thinking about where those plants would go, and why people need them...what is it that they do for our souls?

 These prickly gems made me think of Christmas!

The lovely ladies at I.A.M. 

The International Arts Movement office on West 39th street were great fun to meet. We were shocked at how many connecting dots we found, and we went away full of encouragment. They gave us a literal and figurative "cup of cold water".

Thankful for their work!

Visiting Saipua, which means soap in Finnish, was our next goal. I got up eager for this adventure, though Doug was a bit more skeptical. We headed off to Red Hook, in Brooklyn. 

First hint...the taxi driver wanted to know if we had ever been there before? HMM.

When he dropped us off on a cold, slightly snowy, nearly abandoned, rather industrial street with the words, "I'm done with you people now", we were a tad bit concerned!

After asking a local worker if he thought anyone was in, we sheepishly knocked on the metal door, where nothing but the number indicated we were in the right place.

Ashley cheerily visits with two lost strangers.

That courageous knock opened the door to a wonderful studio, where we met the very kind Ashley, who, though the location is really a workshop that wasn't even open to the public that day, she cheerily welcomed us in, and we had a stimulating chat about floral design and the work she and the rest of the team do there. The owner focuses most of her time on a farm near Albany, growing plants for the thriving business. We even got a few kisses from her brindled dog, and learned that Ashley is now engaged to be married! Best wishes to Ashley and her fiance!

Seeing this space was very inspiring...perhaps a future garage    somewhere will turn into my design studio!

A Time to Mourn

We could not leave New York without one last stop at the incredible 911 memorial, where architect Michael Arad created "Reflecting Absence".

Along with landscape architect Peter Walker, the two artists captured so eloquently the sense of loss. 

Even twelve years later, I could not help but weep. What affirmation that beauty heals, and we must take time to create more of it while we may.

A Few New Photos from Recent Work

I so enjoyed working with this couple, whose lovely wedding was photographed by Chelsa Yoder Photography. 

It was romantic and rustic, with a literary touch, as all they tables were identified by couples from stage, screen, or literature.

Wedding Work Perks

Two weddings celebrated over the last week; one romantic and lush, the other vibrant and focused on FUN! When all the flowers are delivered and the wedding begins, the joy of a new family beginning makes it all worth it.

                                    Wishing the very best to both couples and their families!

com laborare

in process

 

It seems surreal that just a year ago my daughter and I were enjoying the quiet interlude prior to wedding day. All our preparations were complete! Weather reports were promising. Anticipation was palpable, ripe and sweet like fall apples. Nothing was left but to pray for sunshine and stand by our motto...No fretting allowed!

How those "small" to do lists grow to exponential size, because of course this was going to be a simple family affair, is beyond me! But the great miracle is that through com laborare, working together, it really does ALL get done. 

 We had a fantastic team of friends, family and professionals who worked together with an enthusiastic can do spirit, and the whole thing was a wonderful success. It's a lot like marriage itself as I think about it...a beautiful marriage is guaranteed when each one does their best to make that relationship one worth cherishing over a lifetime!

Recently, I enjoyed collaborating with my friend, Lauren Matthews, a talented photographer (and Latin teacher extraordinaire) to capture some shots from one of my wedding previews.

  I love how she focused in on the little details; yet another parallel to a good marriage...focus in on blessing each other in the little things, and you'll end up with a glorious result!

Many thanks to Lauren for sharing her gifts, and here's to joyful, fun filled celebrations, and long happy marriages to couples tying the knot this fall.


 

Fall Wedding Previews

August is turning into preview month for my fall brides. We get together over a glass of wine and I share sample bouquets and boutonierres to confirm we are all on the same page. Here are some photos from our recent sampling:

 

Starting to think FALL WEDDINGS!

End of summer lush

 

 

 

 

As the summer draws to a close the rush of Fall weddings is just around the corner. Bride's are setting up their previews, tasting that final menu, eating one more cupcake, and looking at sample bouquets to be sure everything is just as they imagine it, or better!

For me, it's a time to try some new combinations, and I'm especially excited about adding some succulents to the bouquets and arrangements. I never realized how much subtle color variation can be found in these interesting plants.

Best wishes to all the Brides and Grooms!

They were but sweet, but figures of delight, drawn after you, you pattern of all those.

My Gardenia in bloom at last...heavenly scent!

                                            Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell
                                            Of different flowers in odour and in hue
                                            Could make me any summer's story tell,
                                            Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew;
                                            Nor did I wonder at the lily's white,
                                            Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;
                                            They were but sweet, but figures of delight,
                                            Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.
                                                                        
                                                                      William Shakespeare Sonnet 98

At long last summer arrives, full of glorious flowers and a host of weddings. 

Wondering today about flowers and weddings. Why do they go so well together? They are lovely, and full of personality and that "something special" that takes a day from ordinary to fabulous. But, though flowers grace the wedding day with their beautiful shapes, scents and colors, they cannot compare to the bride and groom in their happiness. 

Ellis and Jenny are Man and Wife! David Strauss Photography

 Loving the boot craze!  David Strauss Photography

Spring says yellow!  David Strauss Photography

Wedding flowers bring a certain personality with them...free form and fun loving, soft and sweet, bold and courageous. Folklore from all over the world gives meaning to flowers and colors that we modern folk have long since left behind. Brides today are free to explore all sorts of options.
 

Melissa and Jason tie the knot!

Be on the look out for what is in season, as well as what appeals to your sense of style. Keeping it fresh and pretty, but reasonably priced can be as easy as looking in your neighbors yard (and asking before you cut, of course!). I like Shakespeare's advice once again:

At Christmas I no more desire a rose

Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth;

But like of each thing that in season grows.

William Shakespeare Love's Labours Lost

 

Wedding days pass by all too quickly for families who have worked so hard to plan and prepare. Their beauty is fleeting. 

The real thing of beauty is that couple themselves, starting off sharing the rest of their lives together. They get to choose, each day in the years ahead, whether their life together will be a thing of beauty or not. 

When they walk along together in their later years, holding hands in quiet contentment for a life well spent together, they will have achieved something the world still finds remarkable, and oh so sweet!
 
The wedding day is only a pattern of beauty, set at the start, drawn after the true loving marriage that lasts a lifetime. Wishing that for all the lovely young couples whose vows I've witnessed this year!

Nature's Guide for Color Choices

Selecting your wedding colors can be as easy as a walk in the park if you are willing to take the time to LOOK at what is happening in nature. What attracts YOUR attention? What do you feel when you see certain colors? By looking at a simple flower, you can find the combinations that work without a lot of effort.

 

Lenten rose

 Shade, tone and a limited palette can give a gentle and elegant presentation.Notice the shades of dark green grey and the fresher greens of the new growth, and how they provide a backdrop for the flowers. Focus in on the pale yellow and greeny yellows in the center of the flower, as well as the many shades of pink and almost purple in the buds.

Most brides choose their bridesmaids' dresses first, and then start thinking about flowers, but taking a hint from nature can help guide you to a combination of colors that can be delightful, capable of creating the mood for the day that you are looking for.

Emily was inspired by this beautiful bush to combine the undertones of pink and orange with a red chiffon overlay in her bridesmaids' dresses. We used this photo when we went fabric shopping to get the correct hue.

 

 Have fun searching for that combination that is YOU!

Passion flowers always inspire!

Flowers; How to Get the Look you Love

Let your personality shine!

Bridesmaids have a slightly toned down version

Helping a Bride select her flowers is one of my favorite parts of wedding planning. I love working with all that variety in greenery and flower types, and there are so many wonderful resources for inspiration, especially Pinterest, that allow brides to hone in on a design that reflects their own personal style.

Keeping things organized makes distribution easy

Though flowers are certainly NOT a requirement (one friend recently walked up the aisle carrying a few favorite books!) they add a gracious softness and a unifying element to the entire event. 

A limited palette is an elegant choice.

During the exploration phase, think about colors you love. As you view the photos, note whether you are drawn to open and loose bouquets, or more symmetrical versions. Do you want a variety of color or a more limited palette? Focus on your bouquet, and all the other arrangements can play off of that.

If you are hiring someone to do this work for you, they should be willing to give you a free consultation, and if they are a sole proprietor, get them to create a sample of their work using flowers that you prefer. Flowers can eat up the budget pretty quickly (figuring $100-$150 for your bouquet if you hire a florist), so determining ways to cut costs is really important if your budget is limited. 

Sample arrangements for the next Bride in our family

We were able to do all the flowers for Em's wedding for about $300. This included flowers from friend's gardens, borrowing some beautiful jars (remember if you ARE doing them yourselves that will be part of your cost). One friend borrowed teapots from friends and used flowers from her family garden. Keep your eyes open for beautiful FREE greens. We had five bouquets, two or three large arrangements, twelve small bottle arrangements, 10 or so quart sized jars, boutonnieres and corsages.....but doing the work ourselves really saved us. Doing the same thing through a typical florist would have cost around $1600.

Arranging Flowers by Martha Stewart is a great resource for creative ideas and floral how to's. You really CAN get a team of folks together to do this. Make it a party! And enjoy the fruits of your creativity!






 

Having a "particular set of skills"

I love Liam Neeson in just about any movie, but this line from the movie Taken is one of my favorites:

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career"

Emily's bouquet photo by warstoweddings.com

Have you ever thought about the fact that each one of us has a very particular set of skills; skills aquired perhaps over a long "career" of observation, trial and error, and experimentation? When these God given inclinations are nurtured and given the soil of encouragement, they flourish and grow and become our own "particular" way of loving and serving others. 

Lenten roses from the Richmond garden

I've always enjoyed flowers. My grandfather loved to grow tea roses, and my dad kept up the practice. There seemed to be fresh flowers on our table all summer long, and drinking in that heady scent was one of my childhood pleasures. My own gardens have helped to fill my home with little nosegays and bouquets that remind me of the beauty God creates.

When asked to create flowers for my daughter's friend's wedding, (lots of lavender roses I recall!) I jumped at the chance. My first foray into wedding flowers proved I had a LOT to learn. Who knew that the bride usually does not throw her own bouquet? I watched in horror as flowers went sailing out of my lovely arrangement, as single girls clamoured to catch what was left of the poor pathetic thing! This friend and her husband got a good laugh from it, as did I!, and they now run a thriving wedding photography firm,  elisabphotography.com

one of the arrangements I enjoyed making at TFC

Large arrangements became a fascination when a dear friend got me to join the flower guild. This wonderful mentor taught me the little details of  creating a large arrangement, and coached me along until she thought I was ready to go solo. I must say I got so much pleasure out of those quiet mornings in the musty old historic church, polishing the silver, and laying out the flowers, often with the organist rehearsing. For several years I served in this way, and learned so much, developing my very own "particular set of skills".

One of many table arrangements for E&E photo by elisab

When it came time to create flower arrangements for Emily's wedding, I was ready and happy to dive in. And I had wonderful friends and family who helped, as well. How fun to find out that those unique skills and interests I had  been developing over time would allow me to bless the people I love so much!  Here's hoping you are using your particular skills to do the same thing, whatever those skills may be. 

Flowers express so much personality!

Later this week I will post how we made the decisions and organized the work of crafting so many luscious displays of the work of our Master Gardener.