I am taking an online floral arranging course with Chelsea Fuss and our first assignment was a hand-tied bouquet. I made this bouquet from a few grocery store flowers and some greens from my yard. Normally I purchase my flowers from a wholesaler and they have a huge selection of blooms. This weekend being Mother's Day, my choices were very limited at the store.

Despite that, I was happy with how it turned out. We'll see what Chelsea says!

sparkle

My bride this past weekend wanted some extra sparkle on her bouquet.

.winter elegance.

David and Melinda were married in December.
I loved working with Melinda. David was a surprise in her life and she hadn't
anticipated planning a wedding any time soon.
She was peaceful and calm all the while radiating a quiet joy.
She wanted flowers that were muted and elegant and we agreed it would be fun
to include succulents since David is from Texas.
I loved the geometrical element they added to her bouquet
as well as the silver accent they provided against the creams and soft pinks.

Melinda looked absolutely beautiful!

I used cream hydrangea, lisianthus, pale pink roses, pale peach roses, silver brunia
berries, dusty miller and eucalyptus.

Work that camera, girl!

David looked quite dapper himself.
I used white lisianthus, brunia berries and dusty miller for the boutonnieres.

The bridesmaids carried smaller versions of Melinda's flowers.

David and Melinda, I am so happy that love found the two of you!
I wish you all the best and thank you for allowing me to be part of your day.

.simple beauty.

Raienne is one of those girls who is just effortlessly beautiful.  I think you'll see what I mean.

I love her simple classy style.

For her flowers, she wanted coral to compliment the bridesmaids green dresses

 and because she wanted fun color.

I absolutely love it when the bride chooses to have color in her bouquet.

It always looks so stunning contrasting against the white dress.

Hello, beautiful people!

For Raienne's bouquet I used coral roses, peach gladiola, a few mini

white calla lilies and variegated pittisporum with bear grass for the greens.

I also loved how the rose in her hair complimented her simple style.

The bridesmaids carried a smaller version of the bride's bouquet

but also included some orange/coral carnations.

Soooo pretty and perfect for an August summer wedding.

Congratulations Jason and Raienne!
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your special day.

.silvery cream.

I loved Melinda's bouquet for her December 1 wedding.

The soft muted colors and the pretty succulent turned out so lovely together.

I can't wait to see more photos from the wedding.

.more magic.

Couldn't resist posting a few more photos from Kristen's 

amazing wedding.

photos by Shannon Lee Miller

.fairy tale.

I got the email from Kristen titled, "flowers for a fun August 9,2012 wedding?"

and my heart did a little skip.

I've known Kristen from afar since she was a little girl

and over the past few years have watched as she has blossomed into

an amazing wedding photographer.

As someone who is "in the industry", Kristen has been exposed

to all sorts of weddings and I knew she would have something pretty special in mind.

And I also felt very honored that she would trust me with her flowers.

Well she did have something very special in mind and when

we started exchanging emails and finally met at her house so she

could show me what she was envisioning, I was so excited.

Kristen's theme for her wedding was "vintage Disney".

Lots of color, milk glass vases, antique tins, BIG bouquets

and many types of flowers - but only certain ones.

Kristen definitely had her list of flowers she didn't want me to use.

While I love it when a bride doesn't have anything specific in mind and lets

me get creative, I love it too when a bride has a very specific vision and 

has thought it out in great detail and is passionate about it. That was Kristen.

 For the reception, which was outside under a huge tent,

there were 12 long tables and each table had 11 little centerpieces.

Six milk glass vases of all shapes and sizes and some antique tins filled with succulents.

 The vases each held a single type of flower.

The overall effect with the sparkles and glitter and colors was like a bright, happy fairy tale!

While Kristen wanted lots of color in the bouquets, she

also wanted the overall feel to be pinky/coral.

For her bouquet I used peach garden roses, peach stock, purple anemone,

blue delphinium, billy balls, seeded eucalyptus, salal leaves, coral coxcomb,

orange ranunculus, coral zinnias and dark pink hydrangea.

It was beautiful and just what she was hoping for.
Wow - isn't she a gorgeous bride?!

The bridesmaids had smaller versions of Kristen's bouquet and they

looked gorgeous with their champagne colored dresses.

Kristen and Caleb make such a beautiful couple

and I was so honored to help make their day magical.

Here's to a sparkly,wonder-filled life together!

photography by Shannon Lee Miller