This was a very personal and special wedding for me. It was my dear friend Vanessa who was the bride. It was an honor to be both a bridesmaid and her florist, as well as a challenge. Let me say this if you're thinking about doing your own flowers - DON'T DO IT. I tell you this as a florist and as a friend. I'm a professional and I almost died trying to be in the wedding and be sure the flowers were exceptional. Ok, it wasn't that bad, but y'all know I have a dramatic flair ;) But I am not exaggerating when I say that Vanessa and RC had an insanely beautiful wedding!
My dear friend Vanessa and I clicked after first meeting and have been close ever since. She has a wonderful eye and has studied fashion and marketing and it shows in everything she does. She took an old lace dress and turned it into something spectacular, all the details, the venue, the food reflected her and RC's fantastic taste and fun spirit.
Not only was Vanessa's photographer, Karen, was a blast to work with - her images are AMAZING. Check out the rest of the photos here.
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| My beautiful friend in her perfect dress |
When Vanessa and I exchanged emails about her flowers, I saw one major theme: She wanted something both romantic and unexpected. I wanted to pair things together that normally you don't see. Protea and David Austin roses, succulents and veronica, ferns, willow and stock. By keeping the colors fairly neutral, I was able to work in a ton of product and it stay romantic and lovely. The first time Vanessa and I met she was telling me about her love of sticks and how she wanted to get a huge tree branch for the wall of her bedroom. I had to put a touch of willow in for her. It wouldn't be truly hers without it.
I didn't have complete carte blanche, but she trusted me to do my thing. I had to make a few adjustments as a few flowers didn't come in. I put in a lot of flowers we didn't talk about but I felt that it helped 'make' the bouquet. Having freedom does wonders to creativity. Make sure you trust your florist (and any other vendor) to just do their thing. If you don't trust them, don't hire them. If you give freedom for them to be creative, you'll probably receive their best work.
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| Anderson Creek Lodge, Bellingham WA |
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| I think here she was laughing at the stupid faces I was making at her. I couldn't hep it. She was supposed to be serious and I had to test her poker face. :) |
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| We had a lot of fun waiting for RC to take his first look. Now I know where my daughter got her nose crinkle when she laughs... |
Glen Echo Gardens is pristine. The most beautiful garden I've ever seen. Such an amazing venue!
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The centerpieces were fairly simple, 3 jars and/or bottles filled with hydrangea, stock, dahlias, lavender, willow, ferns - really whatever. I wasn't able to stay behind and do all the centerpieces myself, I had to get to the lodge to get ready. I was already 2 hours behind and was a hot mess when I got there! But the little worker bees did a great job. Thanks guys!
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| The bridesmaids bouquets we kept lush and romantic with hydrangea, dahlias, veronica, stock and succulents. |
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| Don't you love her ring? When she first tried it on I knew it was the one for her! |
Each boutonniere was custom and had a different succulent and foliage and was wrapped in twine. They were so fun to make. Each had its own personality.
My sweet lady and I enjoying the party. The blurry face in the foreground is my wonderful husband. Love ya babe :)
| My sweet Zoë Raine. Isn't she the cutest? I might be a little partial though... |
Congrats Vanessa and RC!
