All Things Beautiful

Looking Back II

2011-11-13T20:01:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful wedding day in Hershey for Samantha and Jay. Both world travellers, political event and personal travel assistants for the Obama's and one of the nicest couples I could ever dream to work for.

Samantha carried a bouquet of white Roses and Phalaenopsis Orchids.

Abu Dhabi is the happy couple's new home. I'm embarassed to say that I've heard of it, but I couldn't tell you where that is?! I asked one of my assistants and her response was: "I think it's next to Ala' Cazaam." Below are just a few of the details of the reception.

A canopy of green and white Parrot Tulips hung over the Hershey candy buffet.

Remembering Loved Ones

Other vendors of the day: Sanderson Images, Special Occasions, and Shumaker, pdt.

Looking Back III

2011-11-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

I'm having fun looking back over this past season's pictures saved in my files. Here are a couple from a black & white wedding this summer. Garden Roses, Lisianthus and Freesia for the bride.

Hydrangea, Garden Roses, Lisianthus and black-eyed Daisies for the bridesmaids.

More 'Looking Back' to come.

Summer Re-wind

2011-10-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

We're all finished for the season. A wee bit earlier than usual, but after a very full schedule of great weddings we all need a chance to re-charge. That's exactly what I'm doing right now from Florida where it's 90+ degrees and sunny, knowing that everyone else at home in PA is wishing and hoping to see the sunshine again soon.

I'm just going to post some summer pictures because I'm not in the mood for writing today. Some days I'm at a loss for words and today is one of them. Missing my mom. Wishing I had said and done more before it was too late.

Falling

2011-10-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

Not only have I fallen way, way behind on my wedding flower blogging but I'm falling short on sleep, falling over boxes (literally-no laughing!), but best of all- falling in love with these Phalaenopsis Orchids. Designed in a natural cascade with Mango mini Callas with a base of Hydrangea to support the delicate Orchids and a bit of Honeysuckle vine for a natural look.

Bridesmaids wearing burnt orange dresses carried Limelight Hydrangea with orange Pincushion Protea, Nora Brown Dendrobiums, Burgundy Cymbidiums and Honeysuckle.

This is the same bouquet in the open sunlight.

As busy as it was, we were lucky to get these pictures before we quickly loaded the vans and were on our way to deliver and set up.

All centerpieces were tall with candles hanging like a chandelier over the table. I'm hoping to obtain a picture of those for my winter blog posts. Much more to come when wedding season comes to a close for this year. I feel like falling into bed for a l-o-o-o-n-g nap. Good night.....

After the Storm

2011-09-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

It was nearly 2 yrs. in the planning and now finally it was wedding -week for Christin and Jordan. Enter a hurricane. The tent company was stalling on installing, the rain was saturating the pristine property where the reception was to take place and the florist was sweating out the arrival of the huge flower order! But this dream wedding has a happy ending. The sun came out and dried up all the rain and the happy couple had the wedding of their dreams! Enter the ceremony...........

Handmade Paper Cones of flowers lining the aisle.

Hydrangeas, Football Mums and Spray Roses

Enter the cocktail hour................................

Enter the pool...................Oh the things I get Team Beautiful to do! A bit cool after the storm.

Roses, Carnations, Hydrangea, Football Mums and candles afloat x's 2

Through the marquis and enter Reception tent.

Sweetheart table dressed in beautiful 'Peony' linens shipped in from Los Angeles.

Elegant table numbers, Place Cards and Menu cards from Renee Conners.

Bride and Groom's chair details.

...........and a Spray Rose in every single guest napkin.

And, as usual, I neglected to take pictures of the bouquets which were white and pink Garden Roses.

Vendors of the Day:

Photography by Matthew Tennison http://www.tennisonphotography.com/blog.cfm

                     (Please check out his blog for some beautiful images of the couple and details )

                   Stationary by Designs by Renee  http://designsbyrenee1.blogspot.com/

                   Cake by House of Clarendon   http://www.houseofclarendon.com/

                                              Wedding Planning and Coordination
                               PlannedPerfection  http://www.plannedperfectionpa.com/

                                      Site design by Shumaker, pdt. http://www.shumakerpdt.com/

So many wedding blogs to catch up on, which will likely happen during the slow winter months. For now we keep our little hands very busy with all the beautiful warm colors of the fall season. Thoughts of winter chill me to the bone, I wish summer would never end...........

Free Spirit

2011-08-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

That's the name of this gorgeous rose.

Christina, the beautiful bride carried Free Spirit Roses, yellow Ranunculus, lavender Stock, purple mini Callas, and white Freesia

The ceremony was held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church and reception at Lancaster Country Club.
It's so nice to just drive across the street to the reception!! Don't have to worry if I need something else.

Bridesmaids carried Free Spirit Roses, 2 shades of purple Stock, hot pink Motso Moto Asters and yellow Spray Roses

High centerpieces

Low Centerpieces

Special touches.....................

Rosie's Creative Cake is always a show piece!

Escort Card Table became a coffee bar later in the evening.

Lots of flowers all over the Country Club. On the patio, in the lounges, in the ladies' rooms, a Memory table and on both bars. Linens by Special Occasions, of course~none prettier!

Congratulations to Christina and David

Loving Orchids

2011-08-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

To0 tired to blog. Just a couple pics. this week. Don't know when I will ever get rested enough.

Mom

2011-08-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

A week ago today I said " Good-bye for now" to my mom. The second hardest thing I've ever had to do.
Still young, as age goes; an unexpected illness crept up on her and cut her life short leaving us shocked, dismayed and quickly causing me to look at how very precious and fleeting our lives are.
I understand the great value in showing those in our circle of love how much they mean to us. Simple random acts of kindness, encouraging words, lots of smiles and lots of 'face-time'. I'm talking about  eye contact, open ears/open heart - time.  I know how much it means to hear the words "I'm proud of you". Nobody dislikes hearing that.

The sudden illness sent me quickly to my mom's bedside in Florida with 2 weddings for the weekend.      Team Beautiful dropped everything to be briefed on all the details. I informed both Brides, and was on my way knowing that my business wouldn't miss a single beat.
  It was so comforting that  my flower-girl friends; Lori, Carmen and Carol  were here to fill in where needed, even though they had weddings to do themselves. Thank you friends, so very much.
As the events unfolded, I was able to return Thursday; in time to assist my team a 'little'. I made the Bride's bouquets, and delivered them. No need for me really, they had it all under control. I know the Bride's were thankful I was back, but seriously- my girls are awesome and I'm certain they could run this business without me.
One thing I found to be true is that some florists don't like working for other florists. They can spot us a mile away, I think. I walked in one shop to place an order and I could tell she didn't appreciate that I knew flowers. I didn't even have to tell her what I do. I got the cold- shoulder quickly. So needless to say I sadly walked out. Then I found a friendly flower shop. She didn't care if I was a florist- I just lost my mother and she felt my sorrow. Here is what she created for my Mom with a 3hr. notice.........

And on a happy note- We had a display of Mom's favorite activities, one being a 'Red Hatter". My Dad has such hope and a great vision of heaven that he tried to make us all smile for Mom, so he wore her hat home from the church.

All I can say is: Thank God for Mom and Dad, and for the assurance of Heaven.

Historic Church Wedding

2011-07-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

Old Zion Church in Brickerville- I could hardly wait for the doors to be unlocked, and the shutters pushed open so I could find the treasures inside. I love, love, love old churches and believe me, this one did not disappoint !

Built in 1813 this church no longer has a congregation, but is maintained by a Board of Directors which lovingly cares for this pristine historic property. They happily open it's doors for weddings and other special gatherings. It has no electricity, heat or air conditioning. I'm told that sitting atop the hill in Brickerville overlooking the beautiful Brubaker Valley with all of the doors and windows open there is always a lovely breeze blowing thru.

The original gas chandelier hangs on the balcony level. These benches will correct even the worst posture!

View from the balcony.

A window box full of garden flowers seems the most appropriate in this space.

Fans were provided to keep guests cool. The paper appeared to me to be hand-made, antique quality.

Never saw such fun directions! Hand-made, the old fashioned way.

The Bride's bouquet made of Baby's Breath, Monte Casino Asters and Majolika Spray Roses. There were no attendants. The bride wore a hand-made tea length dress with a light-blue sash, that she designed herself. I'm hoping to obtain some pictures for a follow up post.)
I would love to be a guest at a wedding at this historic church. The rental fee is a low, low $250.; though I'm told it may increase a bit in the future. I forgot to mention it has a working organ too.
For vintage styled weddings- it doesn't get any better than this!
Contact: http://www.oldzionchurch.org/

Sunny Yellow and Aluminum

2011-06-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

So I ask every bride, "So, tell me what your favorite flowers are". Answer: " I love white Daisies"; said Marita. She is the picture of beauty and grace. Born in Albania, a dentist, serving in the military, best friend of Martine Cajas, and totally and completely in love with Justin. This couple stole my heart. The pure love, their sincerity, and the true beauty on the inside and out connected me to them in a very special way.
I love flowers, I love weddings and I love working with couples like Marita and Justin. There are so many couples that have become very dear to me. Doing their flowers is simply icing on the cake of my job.

When they told me that Kris and John McElligott were their photographers I wanted to do my happy dance. Luckily, I saved that for later:) They are such a gorgeous couple and with my good friends behind the lens, their pictures will be indescribably beautiful.
Jessie took these pictures for me before we set up the wedding.

Her Maid of Honor wore an aluminum color dress with a yellow waistband. She had button accents in her bouquet.

The bridesmaids wore beautiful yellow dresses with an aluminum waist.

I had just been hoping and hoping to get to work on a wedding with gray and yellow, and this was it.

I love the color combo with all yellow flowers!

Yellow Daisies, Yellow Roses, Silver Dollar Eucalyptus and Craspedia aka: Billy Balls

Head Table

Guest table centerpieces

And naturally, Martine's House of Clarendon provided the wedding cake. We'll have to wait to see that later. Thoughfully designed for a bride who he calls his 'best friend'.

To Marita and Justin: I hope and pray all your dreams come true. Thank you for touching my life.

Liz & Vince

2011-06-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

Love Liz & Vince!

.......and love their handmade look-alike cake top!

Liz and Vince had a beautiful wedding at Leola Village last weekend. A very attractive couple; long -distance clients that I will really miss working with. They choose Lancaster County for their wedding because it's such a beautiful place to bring their family and friends from far-scattered places to relax and celebrate their wedding.

When talking about their wedding cake they asked if I had any ideas for how to finish it off without using any of those not-so-great boxed cake toppers- I had just the thing! Showing them January's blogpost of my 'Wedding of the Year' with the handmade paper cake top they said " We NEED that for our cake!".

This is the result. How fabulous, huh??

If you want one too, contact: alissa.johnson@gmail.com

We forgot to take a picture of the bride's bouquet but did get one of the bridesmaids. They wore cobalt blue and carried these:

Free Spirit Roses, Craspedia, Spider Mums, Ranunculus and Peonies.

It was such a busy wedding weekend we neglected to take pictures.

Some centerpieces had Blue Vanda Orchids in tall footed vases.

And beautiful pink and white Peonies floating in compotes for some tables. More pictures to come when available from their photographer, Isabel March. isabelmarchphotography.com

What a blog-slacker I have been! If only there were more than 24hrs. in each day, if only blogging didn't take me so long, if only I had a little' me-time'.....if only- if only. It's wedding season and I will have the cold dreary months of winter to wish: ' if only it were spring and wedding season again!'

Spring's Beauties

2011-05-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

A fully opened Ranunculus. I could look at this beautiful flower all day.

Pink Charming Unique Roses, pink Hyacinths and pink & white Majolika Spray Roses.

The tulip Magnolia that grows in our patio area. Nature's perfection.

Spring Weddings

2011-05-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had our first outdoor wedding of the season at Regent's Glen in York. It's a beautiful formal garden setting with a reflecting pond in the center. It was a gloomy day and threatened rain at ceremony time, but Michelle and Robby seemed so happy and stress-free, as though the weather really didn't matter-they were getting married!

The colors of the day were black, white and chartruese.

The bride's bouquet was white Freesia, white Tulips and white Lisianthus. A heavenly fragrance.

Bridesmaids wore beautiful black dresses and carried chartruese bouquets of

Green Tea Roses and mini green Hydrangea.

Centerpieces in black tulip vases with white Hydrangea, green Spider Mums and green Athos poms.

Green paper lanterns were strung like pearls and hung from the tent ceiling.

Head table centerpiece with Bells of Ireland, Hydrangea, Freesia, Tulips, Poms and varigated Lily Grass and Aspidestra.

Wheat Grass for the Escort Cards

Freesia and Lilies of the Valley from my own garden.

Love these Free Spirit Roses with pink Ranunculus, yellow Tulips and white Freesia.

Next week: Hershey Country Club.

Don't Eat This Easter Egg!

2011-04-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the couple from this week's wedding told me to give away all their reception flowers? So friends and neighbors will have beautiful flowers on their Easter dinner tables. What can I do with all the fragrant light pink Hyacinths?......hmmm.....Here's what I came up with. Smells delicious -without the fat or calories.
Have a Happy, Hope-full Easter.

Design Show Favorites

2011-04-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

To flower lovers this is breathtaking! At first glance I thought it was a Begonia. With a closer look I knew it was a Hydrangea. It's a' Japanese' Hydrangea. Yes, they're really grown in Japan and shipped to the US. They're only available for about two weeks a year and are very, very expensive; but if I were a bride again I would have to have at least one of them in my bouquet.

.........and some of these Helleborus

and a few of these gorgeous Dutch Peonies

and definitely these Coral Double Tulips

some of these Lisianthus

and lots of purple Fringed Tulips

a few more of these Coral Double Tulips- they're just so amazing,

Oh my! It might just end up as big as this bride's bouquet ~ I wouldn't be able to carry it! Good thing I'm already married :).
Wedding season is about to begin. Happy Easter everyone!

Longing for Spring

2011-03-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

Will it ever come? Little signs of spring are in my garden, but it sure doesn't feel like it. Hyacinths, Peonies and Hellebores are peeking up through the dirt. I am sooo ready for the yard work; that's how weary of winter I feel! I decided to take a short break from writing proposals and look through my files of flower pictures to make myself happy on this rainy, cold day. Here are a few from the past that I've been saving for such a time as this.

A floral pot-pourri ...................

Photo by Brooke Courtney Photography

So I spent a day cleaning, organizing, ordering supplies and anticipating the new wedding season. Even though I was cleaning I was in my happy place back in the flower shop. I'm looking forward to a design show this weekend in NJ where my need for a flower- fix will be fulfilled until my first spring wedding.

Flowers for Showers

2011-03-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Baby Shower Theme for Lindsay was Rubber Duckies. Of course we needed flowers for the centerpiece at the buffet, so I sculpted floral foam to make a duck using yellow Cushion Poms. The duckie's beak was made of craft store foam sun visors. This little duckie sat in a baby swimming pool filled with ice, party food and drinks.

Amy's Baby Shower Theme was 'Puppies'. I used floral foam iglus and sculpted foam.

White cushion poms, ribbon, button eyes and a pacifier make up this little pup. One for each table, for take home game prizes. Now that's a lot of flower puppies!

Jessie was given a few bridal showers; one of which was a 'Lingerie' Shower. So again I sculpted a few pieces of floral foam to create a bustier. It's made of Roses, Spray Roses, Button Poms, Mini Carnations and Hydrangeas.

                                               These cute invitations were handmade by Amy.

At another bridal shower for Jessie I set up a 'Flower Bar'. Somewhat like a Candy Bar at a wedding.
  A beautiful table full of a large variety of vases filled with all kinds and colors of flowers. We gave each guest a flower sleeve and said " Now make yourself a beautiful bouquet to take home with you". That was a huge hit! Everyone's bouquet looked a little different. They loved making their own take -away gift!

Now we have another very important shower to plan.........Jessie's Baby Shower! She and Doug are expecting their first son in July. Three daughters giving us three grandsons..... Yahoooooooo!
                    So now I need to come up with another idea! I will post the details later.........
WEDDING SEASON WILL SOON BEGIN AND WE'RE GETTIN' READY! Bring it On!

Wedding of the Year 2010

2011-01-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

This is Katie and Jason. Aren't they adorable?

This is Katie and Jason's cake topper.

Can you believe this is made of paper??

Here are close- ups.

The details of the wedding are even at the base of this incredible cake top.
The artist is Katie's bridesmaid. Her name is Alissa Johnson.
Contact information: alissa.johnson@gmail.com
Please email her and tell what an incredible piece of wedding art she has made!!
She may even make one for you!

The vintage books, mason jars, crocks and such that decorated the guest tables...........

Jason's Boutt.

Katie's Bouquet

Bridesmaids bouquets

The beautiful photography is by Wren and Field Photography This picture is my very favorite!

This beautiful bride, Katie McMenamin, from Philadelphia is a talented wedding photographer herself.

Her wedding, engagement and kid's photography is so beautiful too!

Please check out these websites and blog- it will surely make you smile.

Some of the images were posted earlier and were taken by my daughter Jessie. Just a little re-cap so you can see why this wedding is my choice for " Wedding of the Year". It's the personal little touches that were so lovingly handmade by her family and friends. It was Katie and Jason's personalities that I enjoyed so much, and of course the seriously remarkable cake topper that has completely blown me away!

To all the wonderful couples that we have done wedding flowers for in 2010,
I must say that each of you hold a special place in my heart, and I loved doing each one of your weddings.
Thank you, thank you for one terrific wedding season!
Now on to a New Year and we're really getting excited for what we will be doing for all the couples we've met, and are yet to meet. I hope my blog inspires you!

Pretty Maids All In A Row

2011-01-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

Alyssa

Ashley

Kari

Karen and her 7 Flower Girls

Jennifer

Katie

I spent a couple hours with my dear friend Kris McElligott of KMPhotography this week and she so generously shared with me some great images from some of the weddings that we did together.
All of these brides were pure delights to work with and I'm having a great time remembering their weddings. So often I post the wedding details and rarely get a picture of the bride and her bridesmaids- so I was very excited that Kris gave these to me.
It was an awesome year of weddings for ATB and we are so thankful for each couple that put their trust in us to make their day beautiful.
Oh how we love what we do!

A White Christmas Wedding Reception

2010-12-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Rebecca and Oscar met with me in the summer of '09 to talk about their vision for their December wedding. After attending the 'Best of Weddings' show at the Lancaster Convention Center they hired our entire design team! It was great working together on that show, and so fun working together again on Oscar and Rebecca's wedding.
The ceremony took place at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. A truly beautiful historic landmark church in downtown Lancaster.
The bride's bouquet was all white Siberian Lilies, and the bridesmaids carried blue Hydrangeas with white Dendrobium Orchids.
The pew markers were white Orchids and Italian Ruscus which was later taken to the reception and made into a large hanging snowflake for over the center of the dance floor. Large white Poinsettias surrounded the altar. (Sorry- I have no images of any of the above described.)

Vendor team was: Shumaker, pdt. for lighting, Special Occasions for linens, Renee Connors of Designs by Renee for their stationary, Kris and John McElligott of KMPhotography, Derek Dienner of Lavon Films, Martine Cajas of House of Clarendon for their wedding cake, DJFreez for the music, and ATB for the flowers and decor. What a treat to also be included as guests. We had a great time enjoying all our labors of love throughout the evening.

Silver trees were the centerpieces for the 3 round bridal party tables. The bases were embellished with glass bead garlands and snow.

The beautiful pipe and drape with blue lights and garlands twinkled behind the Bride and Groom's elevated sweetheart table.
Glass bead garlands with white Spider Mums created an icy-snowy sparkle effect to their table. Silvery white linens draped to the floor was done by Claudia of Special Occassions.

Crushed ice in footed cylinder vases with White Birch Branches, Baby's Breath and crystals for some of the guest tables.

All guest tables had cylinder vases in various sizes with snowflakes inside and floating candles.

Personalized stemless wine glasses filled with kisses for every guest.

Lights and crystals on beautiful silver trees.

Eiffel Tower vases with snowy clouds of Baby's Breath for some guest tables were lit with blue lights as well as pin- spot lighting by Shumaker, pdt.

The atmosphere was magical. Eden Resort did a first class job serving delicious wedding fare.

DJFreez kept the dance floor packed all night long.

What an awesome celebration of love on a very cold, rainy, windy winter night.

Best wishes for a lifetime of love and happiness to Oscar and Rebecca. Thank you for the privilege of being a part of your beautiful 'First Day' of marriage.

Special thanks to my wonderful 'Team Beautiful' for an outstanding job, and to Jessie for taking pictures for this blog post.

Merry, Merry Christmas to all!!!

One Last 2010 Fall Wedding

2010-12-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Radiant Images and Kristen, the bride for these pictures.

Two Doctors getting married this weekend at Cork Factory. Gotta get back to work!

Giving Thanks With a Grateful Heart

2010-11-23T21:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Thomas Beaman photography for these images.

Time again to ponder all the things that I'm thankful for. My list is very long, so if you don't like 'reading' blogs (like me), then you won't like this post. There is only one picture this time.

First of all, I'm thankful for the great life I have. The gifts of my supportive and loving husband, 3 wonderful daughters, my 3 sons in law, and my little guys Hudson and Kole. And my loving parents. My dear friend just had to say "See you later, Dad" this week and that makes my parents even more cherished right now.

To be chosen and trusted by dozens and dozens of couples to be a part of their wedding day is something I am truly grateful for. Not only is it a career that I have, but every week I am able to work with the most incredible wonders and beauty of nature. I'm blessed with very talented and hard working staff that do everything they can to follow the motto on my shop's chalkboard: "Make it Beautiful!"

My fellow florist friends. We help each other with resources for products, share our inventory when needed, , go on field trips, have lunch to "talk shop", and even send clients to each other. Six of us enjoyed having a group photo shoot together for Lancaster Magazine. Thanks to Martine of House of Clarendon for making it all happen at Cork Factory. It was the first time I met the owners of Flowers by Paulette, Splints and Daisies, and Country Flowers. And it was great to see the owner of Petals With Style and Flowers of Mount Joy. We're all in this together and there is so much to gain by being friends. No need to feel competitive or jealous over each other's successes. We all work very, very hard to be the very best we can. We all know what it's like to pull all-nighters, and how it feels to be at the end of wedding season.

I'm thankful for the kindness of Mari Beth (Flowers by Paulette). She went right to her shop after the photo shoot and handmade a ribbon banner for me for my friend's dad's funeral. No charge, just a random act of kindness. In these days of worrying about the economy and the competition it is just so good to be a part of a group of 'wedding people' who march to the beat of a different drummer.

One more thing I'm thankful for is my blog readers. Thank you for taking an interest in what we're doing at All Things Beautiful. For making the time and effort it takes to blog worth it. I hope you take the time to make your 'Thankful List" too. Happy Thanksgiving.

Designer's Choice

2010-11-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

Purple Anemone

The Bride's Bouquet- white Dahlias, Freesia, Roses and Buplurem

Bridesmaids wore brown and carried bouquets of Amber and Circus Roses, Hypericum, Kangaroo Paws, Anemones, Mini Gerbera and Dusty Miller

Boutts. were Safari Sunset Leucadendron and Seeded Eucalyptus

The bride is a Doctor, the groom is a renown Chef. They came all the way from Colorado to be married at the Casa di Fiori near their families. When I met with the bride she said ...." Make my bouquet all white. To the Groom's boutt. add chili peppers. Use fruits and vegetables in the centerpieces, and make it bright colors- "Designer's Choice"! So the colors at the venue work perfectly for this wedding. Special Occasions Linens dressed the tables beautifully.
We added artichokes, kale, peaches, plums and white pumpkins with Sunflowers, Roses, Hypericum, Parrot Tulips, Mini Gerbera, Lilies, Hydrangea, Curly Willow, Esclepias, Anemones to name just about half of it.
What a pleasure working with a bride that gives us design liberties. Thank you Dr. Thomas ,and may God bless you with a very happy marriage ( and a lifetime of having your husband making you fabulous dinners!)

Gorgeous, Classy ,Spooky & Fun

2010-11-02T17:23:00.000-07:00

It's a Halloween wedding done in a classy, yet fun way. Melissa, a nurse and Justin, a teacher planned a beautiful traditional wedding ceremony with a fun Halloween reception at Casa di Fiori at Leola Village Inn. The ceremony took place in front of the fireplace.

Candy Corn Topiaries, made by Amy, for the Escort Card Table.

Later, Jasmine Clouser of Couture Cakery would come to transform this table into an amazing dessert and candy buffet.

Beautifully decorated lighted pumpkins line the aisle.

The bride carried a bouquet of deep dark purple Swartzwalder mini Callas, Uluhe Fern Shoots with sparkling accents, Moon Shade and Moon Vista Carnations and Cymbidium Orchids.

Bridesmaids wore beautiful gray dresses and carried bouquets of Mini Callas, Stock, mini Cymbidium Orchids, Italian Ruscus, and a collar of Mini Hearts Monstera leaves.

The bride wanted something 'different' than the traditional round bouquet.

Flower Girls carried spheres of green Poms and Tissue Statice.

Sparklers even look great before it's dark!

Justin carefully lifts all the layers of Melissa's beautiful gown into the limo.

Then after the sparkler exit, the guests exit and returned in costumes to celebrate the rest of the evening.

When Justin and Melissa made their grand entrance they were wearing crowns with Shrek ears. So fun!

You'll definitely love the images that Jeremy Hess Photographers will be posting!!!

A few centerpieces were little lanterns with moss, candles and floating Dendrobium Orchids.

The rest of the centerpieces were large silver candelabra from Eagle Rentals wrapped with a garland of Amnesia and Black Bacarra Roses, Green Mini Hydrangea, Antique Hydrangea and Orchids. The table numbers were uniquely made with cut-outs and a purple light inside to make it glow.

The gift card 'Coffin'. ..... "Deposit Souls Here", it says.

A shower gift from the Groom's Mother. The groom is putting a spider ring on the bride's finger.

Byers Butterflake Bakery-mmmmm!

Sweets and Treats by Jasmine Clouser of Couture Cakery.

Great working with you on this, Jasmine!

And thank you to Team Beautiful: Amy, Lynne, Jesssie, Joyce, and Rose Marie -3 big weddings this weekend with energy to spare!

Best wishes to Melissa and Justin.

The other 2 weddings will be posted in the coming weeks.

Brilliance

2010-10-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

Brilliance describes these fall colors. Circus Roses, Red Mikado Spray Roses, Shiny Red Hypericum, orange Mokara orchids, Green Mini Hydrangea for the Bride.

The ceremony took place between the pine trees on the lawn at Cameron Estate. Lots of orange and yellow rose petals line the aisle and a bed of petals for the Bride and Groom to stand in.

Curly Willow and orange Gladiolas.

Hydrangeas and roses in mason jars hang from the shepherd hooks.

Bridesmaids wore green dresses and carried Mango Callas tied with satin ribbon and twine.

Guest tables

Sweetheart Table

In place of a guest book- a good wishes box.

Caramel Apple Favors

Adding our good wishes to Brian and Kathy for a great life together.

Autumn's Warm Colors

2010-10-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

Time to get back to blogging. So many weddings, so little time to blog.

Here are the pictures, not too much time to write.

Oregonia, white Lisianthus and white Freesia~ this bouquet looks like a hand-full, but is very lightweight and smells like heaven. One bridesmaid told me that Kelly was holding it so she could savor it's fragrance during the ceremony. When I went back that night, she was still holding it. (smile) Warmed my heart. No way was this pretty bride tossing her bouquet!

Bridesmaids carried Lisianthus, roses, Kangaroo Paws, Spider Mums, China berries & mini Gerbs.

Reese's Pieces are the perfect fall colored candy. I loved these clear leaf -shaped favor boxes.

...............and white mini pumpkin place card holders

Pottery Barn lanterns with Wheat Grass, candles and fall flowers.

Head table with Cocoa Silk Runner from Special Occasions

Wedding Cake by Byers Butterflake Bakery

Vintage Wedding Style

2010-10-03T21:21:00.000-07:00

Katie, a photographer from Philadelphia and her fiance Jason were married in the Cobblestone Courtyard at Lauxmont Farms. They love vintage items; perfect for a rustic barn reception. So shopping they went, then brought me boxes and boxes of really old rustic crocks, blue Mason jars, teapots and cups, old drinking glasses, and tons of old, old books. Some children's books and elementary readers, some old Bibles, one titled "The Devil In Bucks County", and "Runaway Ralph". Each table was different and definitely made for interesting table conversations. So we stacked them up, and filled all the vessels with flowers in lots of colors. Katie's bouquet was white Mini Callas, Freesia and white Majolika Spray Roses with silvery-white Artemesia/Dusty Miller. I wish I had a picture of Katie in her wedding dress. She was a picture of modern/vintage loveliness.

Bridesmaids wore beautiful chocolate brown satin dresses and had bouquets with Miracle Roses, Lemon Drop Roses, mini Sunflowers, Asclepias, Motso Moto Asters, Lilies, Dianthus, Artemesia, Dahlias and Athos Poms and Mini Gerbera.

Boutts. were Craspedia (aka Billy Balls) and Kangaroo Paws

Handmade details make a wedding so personal.

One of the best handmade details I have ever seen,( of which I have a picture on my cell phone), is a cake topper made of paper. It is bride and groom that seriously look just like Katie and Jason, clear down to her dress and his suit! Whoever made that could market them and make a boat-load of cash! Truly adorable. When I figure out my new phone I'll post it, but don't hold you're breath. Not only am I not a photographer, I'm not a techie either.

Best of everything to a very adorable couple. Here's to Katie and Jason!

A picture perfect wedding day.

2010-09-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Akito Roses, Pearl-Studded Stephanotis and Orange Mokara Orchids for the Bride.

Coral Roses and Orange Mokara Orchids for Bridesmaids wearing periwinkle dresses. So pretty!

Large white Blizzard Roses with Salal and varigated Pittosporum on the pews.

Altar pics. didn't turn out- I'm not a photographer,quite obviously!

So visit Jeremy Hess Photographers blog and see more soon!

Too busy to blog much, now back to work I go!

This week we head for Lauxmont Farms Japanese Gardens.

Daisies

2010-09-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Lisianthus, White Hydrangea and Mums for one summer Bride.

A Daisy Wedding

Seven little Flower Girls with their Daisy Bouquets

Wheat Grass in Willow boxes for the centerpiece/table numbers on Citron table runners from

Special Occasions.

    Daisies- I'm not sure why, aren't so popular any more. Seemed like everyone I know that was married in the 70's had Daisies. Lots of brides have them on their list of 'flowers I don't like'. What's not to like??
"He loves me, he loves me not"...Didn't you play that game with Daisies when you were little to find out if the  boy you like; likes you? If it turns out he loves you not, you just get another one and start over till you end up with 'he loves me!' One bride used Daisies as her theme flower everywhere, and printed on all her favors and stationary. '....he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me!...we tied the knot!'

Last week's bride must love Daisies, because that's the only flower she used in the entire wedding.
Down the aisle, for her Bridal bouquet and for her 7 little Flower Girls! How perfectly sweet.

         All trends go in cycles, maybe the Daisies are starting to make their comeback?................

Thank you Jonnaysa Kirkham of Planned Perfection for sharing these images. KMPhotography and Bella Manse were also on the team. Venue: Cameron Estate

Summer Evaporates........

2010-09-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

Another summer has evaporated before my eyes and we're diving into fall weddings with deep, rich jeweltones.

Jessie loves taking close-ups of individual flowers, and I love them too. It's as if you can see the petals unfolding in slow motion. This is the bud of a burgundy Dahlia amid purple Stock, white Hydrangeas & red Dahlias

The velvety texture of Black Bacarra Roses with Green Hydrangea, Red Charlene Roses, hot pink Mini Carnations, and Buffalo Orange Mokara Orchids in the centerpieces on beautiful textured organza linens from Special Occasions, of course.

Thank you Tennison Photography for the above 2 images.

Bridesmaids wore a soft brown and carried bouquets of Coffee Break Roses, red Dahlias and Seeded Eucalyptus.

The Bride's bouquet with Swartzwalder and red Mini Callas with a collar of burgundy Dahlias & Lily Grass.

Reception was at Cork Factory. More images to follow.

Best of everything to Laura and Marco & Ashleigh and Brian

Nate and Christina at Hotel Hershey

2010-08-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day, Stunning Bride, Handsome Groom, Hotel Hershey, Planned Perfection,

The Weibners, LaVon films, Special Occasions, House of Clarendon candy and dessert bar, Stationary by Designs by Renee + lots and lots of beautiful, colorful flowers =
Dream Wedding.

Swartzwalder Mini Callas, Uluhe Fern shoots (monkey tails) with sparkle, Black Bacarra Roses that look like velvet and Charlene Rose are what Christina, the bride carried.

Bridesmaids dresses were the color of the stem wrap: rich, dark red.

Cool Water, Black Bacarra, White Majolika Spray Roses, Osiana Roses, lavendar Sweet Peas,

Swartzwalder mini Callas and Chocolate Cosmos.

The Rock Garden Ceremony Site

White Hydrangea marked the rows and the petals of 300 Roses used to line the aisle.

Purple Dendrobium, Stock and Roses for the high centerpieces designed by Jessie and I.

2 Antique Silver Candelabra with Roses, Stock and Amaranthus designed by Joyce for the Head Table.

This is only a small part of the Candy and Dessert Bar set up by Martine and his assistant of

House of Clarendon

Special chocolates from a York Chocolatier were mixed among Christina and Nate's childhood favorites.

This is the epitomy of 'Eye Candy'. It just can't get any better than this. Sugar Paradise.

Half of the Guest tables had Compotes with Crimson and Fuschia Stock, Green Hydrangea, red and lavendar Roses. All placed on perfectly beautiful linens from Special Occasions

Many thanks to the excellent staff at Hotel Hershey for being very accomodating, helpful and friendly.

What a great day!

Best wishes to you Nate and Christina- it's been a delight!!

Color Trend: Purple and Green

2010-08-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

I can't even begin to count how many weddings we have had this season with these colors. It seems that green is the color of the decade, and I don't think it's going anywhere for a long time. This chartruese green makes all the other colors more vibrant and looks great with purples in shades from lavendar to eggplant.

The bride's bouquet was made of purple Stock, lavendar Hydrangea (which appears blue with my camera), Cool Water Roses, Hypericum and Pittosporum.

Bridesmaids carried green Hydrangea and Spider Mums.

The couple collected wood frames, sprayed them silver, loaded them with all sorts of votive candles and I added Stock blossoms and green Spider Mums. A picture of the couple was added to each table.

Cute cupcake display by Flour Power Bakery, Lititz.
Venue: Brandywine Manor House

Gorgeous Garden Roses

2010-08-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Carmel Antike Garden Roses

Salal garland with Spray Roses and Blizzard Roses

Pink Garden Roses, Lemon Meringue & Akito Roses, Snow on the Mountain and Freesia for bridesmaids.

Sweetheart table. Linens by Special Occasions

Centerpieces with Hydrangea, Carmel Antike Garden Roses, Blizzard Roses, Cream Stock.

Cocktail tables with Romantic Antike Garden Roses and Blizzard with Snow on the Mountain.

Gift table with Phaelanopsisi Orchids & Roses

Bride's Bouquet with Hydrangea, Patience Garden Roses, Polo Roses, Gardenias and Freesia

I loved working with a few of my favorite colleagues at this beautiful Country Club of York wedding:

KMPhotography

Lavon Films.

Thanks for doing a great job Amy, Jessie and Lynne.

And to Jessie for the blog images.

Best wishes to Alyssa & Caleb for a lifelong very happy marriage.

Like Watermelon and Sunshine

2010-08-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

I'm crazy about this bright summery color combination, and this bride wasn't afraid to mix bold colors for her 8 bridesmaids with a pastel palette for her bouquet. The colors and flowers just make me smile.
There are so many beautiful berry and watermelon shades to pick from, and Ashley had Gerberas in mind, so we went for bright, bold Mini Gerbera. Loops of Bear Grass added some whimsy and texture to the bridesmaids bouquets. Coral Roses, light pink Freesia and lemon ice mini Gerbera made up the Bride's Bouquet. Thank you http://www.mattnnat.com/ for kindly sharing some images with me.
Reception flowers were cylinder vases that were filled with colorful daisies and a watermelon -colored band of ribbon around it for a finishing touch. ( No pictures yet.)
Beautiful Bride, beautiful attendants, beautiful colors, and a beautiful day for a very, very, very special couple.

Next week we're at Country Club of York and excited to work with KMPhotography, Lavon Films and a gorgeous couple from Texas.

Rainy reception at Lime Spring Farm

2010-07-31T22:13:00.000-07:00

Lime Spring Farm's tent site has a solid floor so on this very rainy day this reception was

still nice and dry.

On the bride's list of favorite flowers were Sunflowers and Hydrangeas. She came to me with linen samples they had chosen with her uncle Mark, a DC event planner. My job was to figure out how to make her favorite flowers work with her favorite linen choices.

This linen from Special Occasions, called 'Fiesta' was just right for Sunflowers. We added swirls of gold wire to the vase to replicate the design in the linen.

This linen called 'Indigo Crush' was just right for the Hydrangeas.

The other linen was called 'Ice Blue', which you can see in the background. It was a silvery blue. With those we used tall silver Mint Julep vases with Bells of Ireland and cobalt blue Delphinium called Volkenfreiden.

(I can't find that image) Those 3 linens together with green napkins all around made for a very colorful reception, which was enhanced with special lighting by the pros at Shumaker, PDT.

High- five to Amy, Lindsay G. & Jessie for doing terrific work in the pouring rain and ankle- deep mud on 2 big weddings, and all with a great positive attitude.

A total of 66 tables between the 2. Girls, you are the best!

Photographer for the day was Daniel Mast

Lemon- themed reception at Landis Valley

2010-07-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

A rainy Saturday wedding at Landis Valley. It seems rain is in the sky and mud is on the ground every single time we have a wedding there. Amy and I in our flip-flops and Jessie and Lindsay in their cute little 'Wellies' came already soaking wet from the first wedding that day at Lime Spring Farm. ( I'll post those pictures next week). The next day Jessie came over with a gift of my very own cute little pair of Wellies for any future wet Wandis Walley weddings.

Above are a few details of an otherwise very lovely wedding. The bridesmaids wore blue dresses and carried yellow Mini Callas. The Bride's bouquet was all white mini Callas. So rainy I forgot to get pictures of bouquets!

-First is the Ring Bearer's box. We painted a wooden box black and covered it with yellow button Mums and tied it up with black ribbon.

-The next is 2 buckets of rain- no just kidding...... it's floating flowers and candles placed at the beginning of the ceremony aisle. The wedding was to be held in the grove, but because of rain it took place in the barn; therefore the candles couldn't be lit. You must hire a 'candle-watcher' from LV because of the historic value of the barn.

- The couple came to Landis Valley from West Chester and brought with them the catering company called appropriately, "Limoncello". The centerpieces called for yellow Lilies, and of course Lemon slices.

We had to get out of the rain before the favors were put out, so we have no pictures, however they were bottles of homemade Limoncello liquer made by the couple themselves.

- Yellow Gladiolas and Curly Willow branches are set in place for the Bruschetta/ Anitpasta tables, as well as tall footed cylinders of Lemons and Lilies and button Mums for buffet tables in the barn after the wedding.

Congratulations to Tony and Julia! I know the rain didn't spoil their wedding day one bit!

Vintage Style

2010-07-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

Mixing it up a little bit with reception pictures first.

My assistant Lynne loves the assignment to be on "the hunt" for wedding related items. This time she was 'head over heels' excited to be hunting down Milk Glass for vintage styled centerpieces. She found so many beautiful pieces that she just couldn't pass a single one by.... so guess who has a 'boat-load' of great milk glass!? Centerpiece flowers were South American blue Hydrangea, and local blue Hydrangea with green Hypericum.

The 'Quilled' table numbers, a vintage art, were handmade by the bride and her mom.

The Bride's bouquet was designed with green Hydrangea, White Lisianthus, and white Majolika Spray Roses and green Cymbidiums.

Bridesmaids carried bouquets of blue Hydrangea, green Cymbidium, Dendrobium and Hypericum.

3 Beautiful sisters: Haley, Kelsey and Whitney

Thank you for the privilege of doing another Brown family wedding. Always a pleasure!

Another gorgeous cake by Rosie Rohrer

Just a few minutes

2010-07-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

No time to write tonite with 2 huge weddings in the morning, but wanted to post some images that
Nicola Herring sent to me of Carrie and Chris' wedding 2 wks. ago.
The bride carried white Ranunculus, Majolika Spray Roses and Viburnum.
Bridesmaids carried Cool Water Roses, pink Majolika Spray Roses, and Alchemilla.
Groom's Boutt. was a white Ranunculus. More later, whenever I find some free time!

Thanks for staying with me, I'll catch up someday soon.

Hot off the press.

2010-06-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

Here are the Knot magazine pages. Thank you to Matthew Tennison for great photography, Shumaker,pdt for awesome lighting, sound and for rigging & uplighting my hanging Tulip canopy over the favor table!

To Jonnaysa Kirkham and assistant Marah for wedding planning perfection, Rosie Rohrer for gorgeous, delicious wedding cake, and to the Beck's for lending us their antique pick-up truck named 'Nellie' for the wedding gifts. And the biggest thank you to God for bringing this happy couple together.

Many weddings, little time to blog

2010-06-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thank -you blog watchers for taking the time to read my posts. I have been sooo busy that I have had so little time to blog the past 2 wks. four weddings. Blogging takes lots of time, but I will catch up soon.
One fun bit of blog-worthy news is that Jessie and Doug's wedding was just published in the latest issue of
The Knot magazine. We've had several pictures of our work in the magazine in the past, but there is nothing like the thrill of seeing my own daughter and son-in-law in there. Thank you to Matthew Tennison for submitting his images!

Wedding Story

2010-06-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

I just had a wonderful mini vacation in New England with my best girlfriends, and now back to work this week on some great weddings. While I'm not doing weddings, I'm still thinking about them everywhere I go..........
Sailing along on a Schooner in Newport, RI on a beautiful, sunny day I'm noticing white tents at many of the beautiful clubs along the coast; one of which was the site of the JFK wedding. I tried to imagine being a guest at the wedding and how beautiful it must have been. The sails taking us gently across the water was so very silent and peaceful, until the boat leans so far it feels and looks like we're going to tip over!

The ship had a captain and 2 mates, one big strong sailor- guy who loved to tell stories of the rich that owned the mansions on the hill; and a petite, but strong young 20-something girl who could handle the sails as well as a man. Noticing a wedding ring, I felt compelled to asked if she was married at one of those exquisite resorts up there, and that's when I heard a wonderful wedding story. ......................

She and her husband were actually from the California coast, but employement brought them to Rhode Island. Her husband is a ship builder, and she a sailing mate. In California; unlike Lancaster, engagement parties are the norm- and expected. Big engagement parties with formal invitations and large guest lists, and are hosted at great places.
This couple was having such a difficult time with planning the wedding because they just wanted to keep it simple and personal with lots of sentiment. Everywhere they looked, it just didn't feel quite like what they wanted. Then it came to them! They decided to create a wonderful surprise. They contacted their minister, told him their idea and he was in favor. Then they called the DJ they hired for the engagement party and he gladly jumped on board. Then the bride needed to tell her mom their idea, fearing she would be against it. Much to their delight she was very supportive and very excited. Now keeping the secret was the hardest part. The only other person she finally told was her very best friend.
The night of the engagement party came and the atmosphere was charged with fun and excitement as all the guests arrived and greeted the couple. Music was very light and happy, guests were mingling, eating, drinking and dancing. They didn't seem to notice that their hosts had slipped away.
Then music stopped and changed completely to a very romantic slow song. Through the crowd comes the beautiful bride in her wedding dress with a bouquet of flowers and her dad holding her hand. The guests step aside as she passes, with tears running down their faces, gently touching her as she passes by. Her groom comes from the other end to meet her in the center of the room. Right there in the Museum they were married. No bridesmaids or groomsmen. Just their friends and families as their witnesses. The music changes again and they immediately have their first dance as husband and wife. Butlers immerged with trays of champagne and caviar. Then a beautiful wedding cake was wheeled out and cut. The guests were stunned and the celebration went to a whole new level. The photographer caught every special moment. With so much love surrounding them they would not have changed a thing about their wedding.
" So no wedding gifts?", I asked.........
Wedding gifts continued to arrive at their home for many months following with thank you notes to the couple for making the experience so meaningful to them.
Now, who doesn't just love a good wedding story like this!?

Happy color, Happy day!

2010-05-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

The setting is a beautiful property where the bride grew up. Leslie Gilbert photographed the day.

The bridesmaids wore 'Raspberry Lipstick' colored dresses, so the bride chose purple and raspberry flowers. We used Stock and hot pink & Red Peonies.Colorful centerpieces using oranges, grapes and all sorts of flowers went so well at Casa di Fiori at Leola Village.The bride's bouquet was hot pink Peonies, Orange Mokara Orchids, green mini Cymbidium Orchids, red Spray Roses and purple mini Callas.

The aisle was lined with daisy heads. The flower girl carried a sphere of white daisies. Lots more pictures to follow later.

Two beautiful outdoor weddings.

2010-05-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

Wedding One was in Mechanicsburg at the Orris House Inn.

The bride carried a bouquet of white Peonies, white Sweet Peas and Champagne Roses.

It was a vintage style wedding, with no attendants, just simply the Bride and Groom.

Kate brought me a vintage brooch that her grandmother allowed her to

"borrow for something blue". Her cake is the last picture at the bottom with the Peonies on it. Next, to the Cameron Estate for

another outdoor wedding. The bride carried a bouquet of white Roses, Angelique Tulips, Sweet Peas, white Dendrobium Orchids, and Lilies of the Valley.

Her bridesmaids wore light pink and carried bouquets of Miracle Roses, Angelique Tulips and Privet Berries. Bridesmaids bouquet stems were wrapped in natural leaves and bound with silver wire.

Dear friends, Kris and John of KMPhotography were documenting the day; lucky for Kari and Kyle!

Wedding planner Lori Hemphill took care of all the details.

I don't know who to give credit to for this beautiful cake at Orris House Inn, (but Jessie put the Peonies on).

More pictures to come later.......

Thank you to Amy, Lynne and Jessie for 2 jobs well done! Oh, how I love what I do!

Till next week................ta ta for now.

Spring Wedding #3

2010-05-02T19:31:00.000-07:00

The Bride carried Yves Piaget Garden Roses, Sweet Peas, Ranunculus, Parrot Tulips, Lilies of the Valley and Daffodils.

Lime Spring Farm was the location for Katie and Nick's beautiful May Day wedding.
The bridesmaids wore J. Crew dresses in my favorite color: ........coral
My workshop had the fragrance of heaven with Sweet Peas, Daffodils, French and Parrot Tulips, Garden Roses, Freesia, Lilies of the Valley, Ranunculus, Hydrangeas. Katie chose all my personal favorite flowers, and colors.

The bride and her dad planted Daffodils together around their home since she was a little girl; dreaming of someday having those very daffodils for her wedding day. Well, they bloomed about 3 weeks too early- so in a desperate effort to save those flowers; Katie, her mom and I spent an evening cutting, wrapping and refrigerating those unbloomed stems in hopes that in almost a month they would still have enough life in them to bloom for her wedding day. Well, some of them did make it. Enough for a bridesmaids bouquet, some for Katie to carry, some for her mom to carry and a couple for each centerpiece. We were elated that it worked! It was sentimentally very important to Katie.

We hung spheres of flowers with long ribbons on either side of the ceremony pergola. Rose petals lined the aisle, and a large "V" for their new last name was written in rose petals.

Each bridesmaid carried a different color and flower. Pink Ranunculus and Lamb's Ear, Orange Parrot Tulips, Purple Sweet Peas, and Yellow Daffodils.

KMphotography was there to document the day. Katie and Nick will surely LOVE their wedding pictures with Kris and John behind the camera!

House of Clarendon provided the wedding cake- which hadn't arrived when I left, so I didn't get a picture, but I'm sure it was beautiful.

Vivian Lando of Premier Planners was the wedding coordinator.

Special Occasions supplied the luxe linens.
Shumaker PDT provided special lighting and pole coverings for the tent.

(before) Cosmos

Mother of the Bride bouquet.

Blog break next week- It's Mother's Day weekend- and I get a little break. Next wedding is May 15th at Cameron Estates and Orris House Inn.

Orchids and more Orchids for Spring Wedding #2

2010-04-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

The gorgeous Phalaenopsis Orchid, otherwise known as Moth Orchids. What could be more beautiful for a bride than these?
This week's wedding took place at St. John Neumann Church with the reception at the Historic Strasburg Inn. I'm excitedly waiting for Jamie of Epic Photography to post all the pictures.
Bridesmaids wore bright blue and carried white Dendrobiums, Altar arrangements- also Dendrobiums. Centerpieces were both Dendrobium and Cymbidium Orchids- all in white.
Congratulations to Amy and Mike. What a beautiful couple!

Next week's wedding will be very colorful and taking place at Lime Spring Farm. It's gonna be gorgeous!

First Spring Wedding

2010-04-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

Cork Factory weddings are so warm and intimate. With it's brick walls and lots of natural light, it can wear any color palette you would like for a wedding. Harry and Kathy have a great love of nature; so elements of that were seen all over the room. The cake stand made of a slice of a large tree, and the table numbers were made of slices of smaller trees. Lots of candle- filled lanterns added an amber glow to the rooms.

We used moss and pebbles and turkey feathers (compliments of the groom!).

Bridesmaids wore moss green dresses. A nature inspired all green and white wedding for our first one of the season. With the fragrance of lots and lots of Tulips in my shop, I didn't mind working a single bit!

Photography compliments of Thomas Beaman in Harrisburg

The wedding cake and cupcakes were made by Jasmine Clouser of Couture Cakery. in Camp Hill

Wedding Coordinator was Leah McMaster of Fashionable Affair

The Bride carried a bouquet of white Hydrangeas, white Tulips and White Lisianthus with green Hypericum.

The Bridesmaids bouquets were white Tulips, Hypericum and Curly Willow tips.

Best wishes for a lifetime of married bliss to Kathy and Harry!

Let the 2010 Wedding Season Begin!

2010-04-14T04:39:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for this week since Christmas was over! Time to get my hands on all the beautiful flowers that this year's brides have carefully chosen. I haven't had time to post blogs in a long time because
consultations, quotes, contracts, orders, shopping for new items to offer....on, and on.
Yesterday was like opening Christmas packages as the gorgeous white Tulips, Hydrangeas, Roses and Lisianthus arrived. A breath of Spring, and my studio is happy once again! This week's wedding is at the Cork Factory Hotel; the hottest new venue where we LOVE to work. We'll be there several times this season. I'll be posting pictures and you'll be able to see why so many couples are having their reception there.
On a personal note: My little grandson Hudson is 2 years old today!! He's quite the little man already. He has re-named me "Gig-ee". I'll post his birthday pic. tonite after the party.

My what a good birthday!

Consultation Tips

2010-02-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

It's been a very busy week of consultations in preparation for the upcoming wedding season. I'm very excited about all the beautiful weddings we are privileged to do this coming year, and quite frankly- I can't wait to get my hands on all the gorgeous flowers!
I love bringing couples into my home, getting to know them and their style in order to help them create a beautiful wedding. I want you to see my surroundings and get to know me and my style to determine if you can trust me to bring flowers into your wedding day that you will still remember and be proud of on your 25th wedding anniversary.

Many Brides ask before they come...." what should I bring with me?"
Answer: If you have the time; first do your homework. It will make our consultation time very productive.
* Ask your fiance to discuss with you the type of wedding that would best discribe your personalities and style. Would you like it to be dramatic or understated? Do you picture it being formal, casual, modern, traditional or eclectic? The flowers and designs you choose will set the tone and atmosphere as soon as your guests enter.

* Think of the colors and flowers that you like; as well as dislike. (ie. baby's breath, Carnations)

* How about the style of bouquets? Do you like round hand-tied bouquets, wildflower-tied bunches, cascading bouquets, tightly bunched solid flower bouquets, or loose & whispy bouquets with greens?

* It's always helpful to know your flower budget. Flowers can range drastically in prices. If you discuss your budget with your florist she can guide you toward the flowers that will fit within your budget, saving you both the time and frustration of coming up with a 'new plan'.

* Be flexible. You may find a picture of a bouquet that you love which includes very pricey flowers.
Trust your florist to know what flowers can be substituted to acheive the same color story using less expensive flowers, but still giving you the 'look for less' that will photograph just as lovely.

* Complete my pre-consultation form. When you book an appointment with me I will send you the link to my online pre-consult form. Completing this form allows us to skip all the basic information, and get right to the fun part of choosing flowers.

I want a Bride to leave our consultation really 'feeling good' about what she has chosen. If she does, then I've done the first part of my job well. If not, I will honestly say that perhaps I'm not the best fit and I will recommend she meets with someone else.
After all, I only get one chance to make your wedding day a beautiful one, and I do not want to fail!

Knot AGAIN

2010-02-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

Once again my wonderful photographer friend Kris from KMPhotography submitted one of our weddings to the Knot Pennsylvania magazine. Her work is so incredible that it gets chosen month after month. We're just fortunate to get our work published along with it. Thanks again, Kris!

Vendor Team: KMPhotographyweddings.com-Photography

Plannedperfectionpa.com -Wedding planner

Rosiescreativecakes.com- Cake

Favorites of the Year-with more to come.....

2010-01-04T19:30:00.000-08:00

I think of all 777 images of Jessie and Doug's wedding this one is my favorite. I get to relive that happy moment when she stretched across a puddle to give me a kiss right after coming back down the aisle. I'll never forget the happiness of this day. I love that Matthew Tennison had his camera glued to his eye and didn't miss a single precious moment. I also love seeing a man holding a bouquet.

Jessie and Doug adore their 5 little nephews. Just look at those cute little faces.

THE Matthew Tennison, our hero-and Sondra say cheeeze.

The perfect bridal party picture.

............what's on his mind?

He's checking out the bling on the bouquet stems!!

There are so many more fun pictures, but that's for another time.

Happy New Year everyone!

Wedding Art

2009-12-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Jessie and Doug received yet another beautiful wedding gift on Christmas Day:

A painting of their wedding begun on-site by artisit Nancy Perotti. We were so pleased with what she chose to paint and how wonderfully they turned out; what a treasure.

Jessie and Doug really love art, in fact they first met in a high school art class, so they really appreciate this.

Lighting their candle in prayer is a great reminder of the spirtitual significance of their marriage.

I love how Nancy captured the details of pansies down the aisle and the hanging vases of flowers in trees.

In the shadows we can see Erika and Jessie's new sis, Sondra.

Nancy surprised us with another painting of the parade of children.

When I asked Nancy about the concept of painting on site during a ceremony she was excited about the idea, and agreed to do that for us. The dampness in the air that day made it difficult to do, but she certainly didn't disappoint us. She finished her work from photos she took while there and the end result was beyond what I imagined. It meant a lot to me that she was willing to do that, and the best part is that Jessie and Doug will always have a piece of art to remember their wedding day.

Want to contact Nancy Perotti to paint your wedding?

sunflowergallery@yahoo.com

2009-12-20T16:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to My Home this Christmas

My intention was to get pictures of all my holiday decorating and starting with the back porch door, invite you in. (Don 't they say back door guests are best?) However I am a very, very poor, photographer and I couldn't get any lighting right with my little digital camera, so this is all I have. Even this isn't good, but I wanted all of you blog watchers to know that I would've loved to welcome you into my home this Christmas to have a cup of coffee and some homemade sugar cookies and a little inspirational 'wedding talk'.

This is the time of year that I really enjoy switching gears for a short time and focusing on the wonderful Christmas Season. Then in January I'm diving into all my new wedding books (that hopefully will be under the Christmas tree), signing up for design seminars and looking for new ones to attend this winter. I take some time to sift thru all of the pictures I've tried to take of our work-and decide which are going to make it onto the website or blog, as well as gathering from my photographer friends some of their fabulous images of our work.

I also love to have some of my 'wedding friends', over for lunch to chat about all things wedding. Last year we took a 'field trip together to NYC to a big Bridal Show, which was great fun!

And best of all I spend lots of time meeting with brides, grooms and moms to plan their wedding flower decor.

It's been a great year and I'm so thankful for each wedding we were blessed to do. So in closing on this last blog before Christmas (well, maybe I'll do another one-) I leave you with an image of this inspirational carved frame I have in my home. It's one that makes me stop and think- and try hard as the New Year approaches, to remember to apply these things to my life. Hope you get something out of it too.

Merry, Merry Christmas

Best of Weddings Show 2009

2009-11-24T19:47:00.000-08:00

Well, it was the wedding show of my dreams! No cramped 10x10 vendor booths and a maze for the crowds to push thru. It was wedding eye -candy to the max!!! Such tremendous attendance and so much wedding buzz that it made all the hard work and expense so worth it.
Jonnaysa Kirkham gets the credit for Wedding Show perfection! You wanna talk about passion, energy and attention to detail???....she had all the bases covered and was relaxed, calm and smiling all day long.

This was the Spring Display using Tulips swirled under-water with a floating candle and lovebirds.

Couples with a tight wedding budget appreciate the simple, yet unusual centerpieces.

Leslie Gilbert just sent me a few shots she took of our team's Heritage Ballroom on the third floor of the Lancaster Convention Center. Check out her blog for the 2nd floor team's display.

This was a guest table in our Winter display. We used white birch branches in our footed cylinder vase with crushed ice and white tulips. Tulips are one flower that continue to stretch and grow in the warmth of candles and the lighting in the room. These tulips definitely stretched that day!

In our Fall display we used a giant artichoke for the center of long tables that formed an X. It was filled with purple artichokes, Scarlet O'Hara Peonies, Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, Purple Intergrefolia and Parrot Tulips.

It would be ideal for a small wedding where all the guests sit at one large table for a wedding feast, or as an over-sized Head Bridal Table.

And then of course the purple Cauliflower.

It was fantastic working with a first-class team of Central Pa. wedding vendors.

If you want to see Jeremy Hess' pictures then log onto: www.pictage.com/758759

The event key will be: November22

As of today, Tuesday the 24th, they are still being prepared for publishing. But keep checking back in.

More images will be posted when I receive them.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Let's be mindful of all our blessings.

Would you believe... Purple Cauliflower?

2009-11-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

On my weekly trip to one of my many favorite 'happy places', which is downtown Lancaster's Central Market, I saw something that inspired me for one of the 4 Season's table displays at the Best of Weddings Show.
If you come to the Show, find me and mention that you saw this on my blog and you will have your choice of flowers from any of my 4 displays at the end of the show.

The Halloween Wedding

2009-11-08T18:55:00.000-08:00

The couple planned a hot air balloon wedding but the weather didn't allow for the balloon to launch, so the wedding took place at the Eden with just the closest family members.

The Bride's favorite holiday is halloween so she wanted her flowers, centerpieces and wedding cake to reflect it.

I designed her bouquet with Orange LA Lilies and black raven feathers. The stems were wrapped in black ribbon with orange button details.

Centerpieces were hurricane globes with lots of spiders crawling over it and black candles. Flowers used were orange mini Gerbera, Pumpkin tree, Japanese lanterns, Kangaroo Paws and Curly Willow tips.

The wedding cake was made by Renee of Bella Manse. Notice the 2 little bats flying against the moon!

Only 2 more weeks until the biggest, best wedding show around:

http://www.bestofweddingsbridalshow.com/

Are you coming???

Catching up on a couple recent weddings.

2009-10-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

From the first wedding at the Cork Factory. Green Mini-Cymbidiums

Kristi was a wonderful bride to plan wedding decor with. She had so many decorative elements that she really loved and wanted to somehow have all of them.

The elegant reception was held at the new Marriott in downtown Lancaster.

The beautiful bride carried an all white bouquet of Hydrangeas, Lisianthus and Freesia.

Bridesmaids wore gorgeous black dresses, and carried hot pink and light pink Roses with pink Hypericum .

Rehearsal dinner centerpieces made of Spider Mums in black vases did double-duty on the credenza in the pre-function area.

A classy display of Manzanita branches with Good Wish cards to hang and rose petals was the first taste of all the good things awaiting inside the ballroom for the guests.

The Head Table was a grand size with a gorgeous lacey, sequined overlay that sparkled like diamonds under the professional lighting done by Studio Jenz, a local event company. One hundred -twenty white Super Dendrobium Orchids were bursting out of our new footed cylinder vases and placed down the length of the extra-long table. If you look closely at the head table, you'll see the place cards are those folded paper finger games we used to make when we were kids to guess who we would marry. Kristi loves the details....my kind of bride!

An elegant pink candy buffet was being set up by Marriott staff when we were leaving. (Sorry, no picture )

Wedding Planner Jonnaysa Kirkham and her team were as always, a delight to work with.

Beautiful wedding cake by Rosie's Creative Cakes

Leslie Gilbert Photography documented the day. Her blog slide show is amazing!

Congratulations Kristi and Jeff. We loved being involved in such a wonderful day in your lives. ATB wishes you a happy lifelong blessed marriage.

Next post: A Halloween Wedding!

Next big event for ATB

2009-10-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

This is a' must-see' for all of those in the beginning stages of their wedding planning. Each of 3 ballrooms at the Lancaster Marriott will be fully dressed for several themed wedding receptions that will blow you away!

The 3rd floor ballroom is where we are teaming up with Stationer Renee Connors, cake designer Martine of House of Clarendon, Jeremy Hess Photography, Event Designers of Shumaker pdt, Occcasions DJ's,
Events Central rentals and Special Occasions, linens. This is our big chance to pull out all of our very best, most creative ideas for each of the Seasons and work as 'design teams'.

More than that, there will be a fabulous fashion show, food, entertainment plus gift bags for registered brides and giveaways.
Register in advance online soon for discounted admission.
http://www.bestofweddingsbridalshow.com/

Fall Weddings

2009-10-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Casa di Fiori at Leola Village Inn was the venue of the day. After 3 days of gloomy, rainy, cold weather, we were happy for all those couples getting married today.
I forgot to take bouquet pictures, but we got a few of our reception centerpieces. The bride wanted earthy items and fall colors of oranges, purples and greens. The head bridal table was a large square for 16, so we filled the center from corner to corner with moss, orchids under glass and succulents with lots and lots of candles, plus large vases of Curly Willow branches with Cymbidium Orchids hanging from them.

Some tables had unique candle holders that we added Circus and Black Bacarra Roses and Orange Freesia with Green Hypericum. One table had all Freesia, one had all Orange Dahlias, one had all Green Spider Mums, and one with Purple Picasso Callas. All centerpieces were on a bed of moss with roses and candles.
The wonderful staff at Casa Di Fiori with Stephanie Lambert and Scott Hengst made it easy for us to work creatively on this unique wedding. We were given 'design freedom' by the bride and that is always so enjoyable, but it takes a great venue and staff to allow us to do our creative best.
My 'Team Beautiful' designers Joyce, and daughters Amy and Lindsay did me proud today-thanks girls!!!
It's always a pleasure to be teamed up with Jonnaysa and Diana from Planned Perfection.
Special Occasions provided the gorgeous linens.. they always do a great job suggesting the perfect linens for the venue. Thanks Cynthia !
And our best wishes and congratulations to Jessica and Greg. Wishing you a whole lifetime of love, health and happiness.

Later I'll blog our first 'halloween wedding!

The New Cork Factory's First Wedding

2009-09-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

It's Lindsey Dukeman's wedding day! Lindsey is the friendly face of Hamilton Ballroom, and now also of the new The Cork Factory She's been assisting with hundreds of weddings in the past few years, and today it was her turn to be a beautiful happy bride, marrying Brad.

Lindsey and Brad's invitations had lovebirds on them, and she used them throughout the decor

on the table numbers, cocktail tables, little salt & pepper shakers on the sweetheart table, and on the wedding cake. Just enough, not overdone.

Beautiful linens from Special Occasions.

Below Rosie Rohrer assembles and finishes another cake masterpiece.

Lovebird details.

It's so exciting to have a another beautiful venue in Lancaster County. It's a great historic building and has been beautifully restored and enhanced. The Powder Rooms are a must-see!

To make an appointment to see the Cork Factory for your wedding reception go to:

http://www.hamiltoneventsinc.com/

Wedding season is winding down in the next couple months, and we're looking forward to putting on the best wedding show EVER, the Sunday following Thanksgiving.

Patriot News Wedding Style Magazine

2009-09-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

My husband 'just happened' to pick up the Harrisburg Patriot News at work and noticed a nice full-page feature on wedding planner, Jonnaysa Kirkham of Planned Perfection. He had no idea the picture of the flowers was our work, he was just so excited to see Jonnaysa in the magazine, so he put it on the kitchen table for me to discover this morning. What a nice surprise to wake up to. Kris of KM was the artist behind the lens. She always wows me with shots of the details. Thanks both of you!

This week Lindsey, of Hamilton Ballroom is getting married, and we're designing her flowers!! Her wedding is the first to happen at the new 'Cork Factory' venue. I'll be sure to be posting some detail pictures. (That is if I can get any decent shots!!)

Very exciting upcoming wedding event-not to be missed!

2009-09-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

Birght Colors for a wedding at Stoudt's Black Angus

2009-09-07T18:58:00.000-07:00

Bridesmaids wore dark blue and carried bright colorful bouquets of Sweet Akito Roses, Hot pink Motso Moto Asters, Orange Babe Spray Roses, Bright Blue Volkenfreiden, yellow Waxflower and purple Alstromeria. Designed in color groupings rather than scattering them throughout so each flower is highlighted.

Bride's Bouquet was made of hot pink mini Callas, Mango mini Callas and yellow Sun City Spray Roses.

The Head Table for 16 was a large rectangle. Three pilsner vases, (very fitting for a brewery), had Curly Willow branches, orange Lilies, Volkenfreiden, and green & yellow Spider Mums. Cylinder vases with floating candles and purple Hyacinth bean, and lots of votives filled the length of the table.

Two kinds of Guest table centerpieces .....

Purple Hyacinth Beans were added for a bit of interest to the low centerpieces. Oranges and limes added to at the Groom's request.

Fun House Mirrors are in the entry to the venue. What a hoot, especially for those that have had a few drinks! Jessie and I looked like munchkins with cone-heads!

Strands of crystal beads with light pink spray roses attached for a backdrop hung at the ceremony area.

Five Grandmothers carried a tiny colorful bouquet. Colorful handmade programs made it very personal.

~Congratulations to Tabitha and Jason. Wishing you a lifetime of blessings and love.~

Chocolate and Pink

2009-08-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

Each bridesmaid carried a different shade of pink roses. Left to right: Light Orlando, Topaz,
Esther, Espirit and Aqua. Looks so pretty with chocolate.

Bride's Bouquet was Engagement Roses, white Mini Callas, and Alchemilla. Fall wedding season is soon here and we have some exciting ones coming up; 2 of which are at the new Marriott/Lanc. Convention Center, then the Best of Weddings on Nov. 22.

An all B & W Wedding

2009-08-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Bride's Bouquet of White Peonies, Tulips, Mini Callas and Viking Poms. This wedding will be in the Knot soon. http://www.kmphotographyweddings.com/ shot this one in Harrisburg in May and submitted her work. This is 'our shot' of the bride's bouquet. I'll be posting when the issue hits the stands. Kris' photography is always being chosen for publication, we're just the lucky ones to have done the flowers! Thanks Kris, again......... and if you can book her, let me tell you; you're one lucky couple to have her document your wedding day!

Each bridesmaid's bouquet was a single kind of flower, and each centerpiece was a different white flower and that's how each table was named rather than numbered.

Here's a simple idea for high top cocktail tables................ .... mini Cymbidium Orchids in a wide cylinder vase. So many colors to choose from. You could float a candle on top too.

And now to show off my little birthday boy Kole. He has such a happy heart and will wear any hat you put on him. We'll probably be in trouble for the fuzzy birthday crown in a few years, but he's GG's boy!

Hudson is 16mos, going on 3 yrs. . He's adventurous, curious and calls me 'Gig-ee' These little guys "melt my heart like a popsicle on the 4th of July",

( as quoted by Darla in the 'Little Rascals').

Busy wedding week. Hope I get chance to take pictures of flowers, we'll see......................

New Postcards and other random good stuff.

2009-08-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

Jessie and Doug's thank you postcards just arrived. Matthew added the 'Thank you' to the image. www.tennisionphotography.com

Thank you to all my blog -followers for your nice comments and emails. And thank you for still reading my blogs even when they are still peppered with my own daughter and son-in-laws' wedding pictures. I have so many that I love that I will probably eventually have posted all-777 of them!....just kiddin.

My new postcards http://www.kmphotographyweddings.com/ took this shot of Jessie's bouquet I made for her pre-bridals. Orange roses, yellow Ranunculus and pink & white Sweet Peas. This is one of my personal favorite bouquets of all time. It's the colors I love. The Ranunculus and Sweet Peas were no longer available at wedding -time, so Jessie was very happy to have them at least for her pre-bridals. Kris added my logo and made them into my new postcards.

Centerpieces from last week's wedding. South American blue Hydrangea and green Spider mums.

The Knot magazine

Hershey Gardens and Hershey Country Club.

This image board was chosen to be published in the Knot magazine. Kris's photography (KMphotography), and our floral designs. Thanks again Kris. Not sure what month it will be in, but it's our 4th time to be in the magazine. The bride, Amy chose a very light pink colored rose called 'Sahara', and white mini Gerbera daisies. We add crystals to the centers. Some tables had 3 vases of flowers in orange, purple and green. The bar had a 24" cylinder vase full of limes, and purple Gerbera daisies. Thank you Kris!!

So much good stuff coming up for us this fall. That's the up-side of summer winding down!

Peace.

An Eden Resort Reception/Rewind a few weeks.

2009-08-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

It was a wedding at Highland Presbyterian church with

a Bride & Groom

a Flower Girl and a Ring Bearer.

No bridesmaids or Groomsmen.

Very simple but very beautiful.

110 Guests

All white flowers.
The bride, so classy and elegant.

An antique Bentley.

Jeremy Hess and assistant Nicola to document the day.

Showing a very small portion of the Head Table flowerscape. We used Jumbo size white Phaleanopsis Ochids, Green and White Dendrobium Orchids, green Mini Hydrangea, garlands of glass beads and pillar and votive candles running down the length of the large square table.

Elegant linens were provided by Special Occasions. http://www.specialo.com/

Guest Tables with our brand new 24- inch footed cylinder vases we're now offering for rental.

South American white Hydrangea, white LA lilies, white Dendrobium Orchids, Green Mini Hydrangeas and Aspidestra. (very poor quality picture, I'm not a photographer!!!)

Jeremy Hess will be posting much better images soon-check it out!

http://www.jeremyhessphotographers.com/ Two of the tall cylinder vases from the ceremony at the church were placed in the windows of the Presidential Ballroom at the Eden Resort.

Can you guess who made the cake??? Rosie Rohrer, of course! This bride is from the south, so Rosie made gum paste Southern Magnolias. Beautiful! http://www.rosiescreativecakes.com/

I wish I had bouquet pictures, but we were so busy that I delivered it to the bride before I remembered to take a picture. She carried white Akito Roses, white Lisianthus, white Cymbidium Orchids accented with crystals.

The flower girls bouquet was white Lisianthus.

As always, it was pure pleasure to be working at the Eden Resort. Thank you to first-class staff leaders of Mike and Cindy for making our job there so pleasant and convenient.
www.edenresort.com/weddings/overview

Thank you too, to my "Team Beautiful": Amy, Joyce, Lynne, Lindsay, Denise for 2 jobs well done.

The other wedding (Lauren and Brian's -in Mount Joy, with a Hamilton Club reception is now posted on www.lesliegilbertphotography.com/blog

I'll post a few shots of ours in a few days.

Rewind: August 1

The couple is from London, and came all the way to be married at Lauxmont Farms to be near the bride's family.

The bride loved the aqua colors in the ceiling of the rotunda, so she wanted to work with it, along with her favorite colors : Coral and orange. It was a unique combination; but I really loved it. The groom was born in South Africa so the bride wanted to carry the Pincushion Protea, as it is the National Flower. It also included large green Cymbidium Orchids, and orange Nora Brown Mokara Orchids.

Bridesmaids carried blue and white Hydrangea, orange Pincushion Protea and Coral Movie Star Roses. The stems were wrapped in aqua ribbon coordinated with the dresses.
Centerpieces were Hydrangeas, Movie Star roses and Pincushion Proteas.

This wedding business is so great, meeting people from all over the world and the thing that makes every single one alike in one huge way is : LOVE How awesome is that!

More Wedding Details

2009-08-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

We planted hundreds of white Pansies and Impatiens to create the aisle. If you ever need best quality garden flowers for you wedding~ Eve's Garden, just a few miles past Millersville in Central Manor is the place to get them. Eva Diller, the owner has the healthiest most beautiful garden flowers. She will custom fill your garden pots or grow flats and flats of the flowers you need.

Fruit, cheese and bread sticks butlered in wine glasses. Jessie's Grammy Rosie and I handmade 300 chocolate cigars wrapped in foil and finished with a personalized cigar band. They were displayed on a table in cedar cigar boxes of all types with personalized yellow match boxes. An appropriate favor since their name is 'Smoker', huh?

Jessie found a vintage -type initial pin and some blingy brooches to imbed in the buttercream layers.

Bands of sugar crystals were at the base of each layer. Rosie Rohrer asked her to bring a paint sample of the color she wanted the cake to be, and she made it a perfect match!

http://www.commonwealthcaterers.com/

The fantastic catering staff is serving dinner in the 'kids tent'. They had very their own menu of chicken fingers, tater tots, mac 'n cheese, applesauce and juice. They loved it! They could color, wiggle and have fun while mom and dad had dinner under the big tent. After they were finished they had a 'Bug Hunt' with their favors of bug nets and bug boxes, a candy scramble and a scavenger hunt. Then they posed for pictures with the banner that said ........."and they lived happily ever after'.

When asked what their favorite part of the wedding was, Asher and Sophia said" gettin' babysitted!!" A zillion thank -you's to Stephanie Fisher and her assistant for the babysitting services. She did a terrific job keeping the little guys safe and very, very happy!

Call me for her contact info. if you need someone to make it extra fun for your little wedding guests!

Strings of paper flowers hung from the top of the kid's tent. After dinner they are working on making a special book for the bride and groom, which was so cute.

The special tent ceiling lighting with the leaf pattern similar to the invitations, and entrance fabric draping was done by the crew from http://www.shumakerpdt.com/

They also worked out the mechanics for my hanging tulips over the favor table. They are the ones to talk to for all of your sound and special effects needs. They also project light patterns on the dance floor. What they did really made the difference between a nice tent and a beautiful tent! And speaking of tents: http://www.tentrentalservice.com/ owner Ron Sparks was terrific. They have beautiful sheer sides and pole covers that really make the tent look finished.

Maid of Honor and Best Man, Erika and Brian passing thru the draped tent entrance. Thanks Louise from Shumaker, PDT. http://www.shumakerpdt.com/

This was the seating card design that we came up with to keep extra paper clutter off of the tables. The patterned paper was strung on colorful ribbons and hung from wrought iron rods and hooks and anchored in the ground. This hung outside of the tent entrance.

We preferred long tables and natural wood chairs rather than white ones for the outdoor setting.

Matthew Tennison took 777 pictures, and I'll never post them all on the blog, but seriously we couldn't have been any more delighted with his work.

Choosing the right photographer for your wedding .........priceless!!!

http://tennisonphotography.com/

Ahhh, vacation....

2009-07-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

We had a much needed break this week so I don't have any new wedding pictures to post, however I wanted to brag a bit on Joyce and Lynne. Together they created 2 of these beauties for Doug and Jessie's wedding. We had lots of unused flowers when I made my exit from our on-site flower shop to get ready for the ceremony, so I told my girls to have fun with what was left -and they did a fantastic job surprising me. These were massive floor arrangements placed outside the tent entrance. I was so impressed and as always, Wowed! Great job girls!! LOVE IT!

I absolutely love the wedding blog http://www.stylemepretty.com/ In fact, I'm a member of the

I read it everyday before hitting the hay. Here is something from SMP that I thought was such a cute favor idea for the fun, colorful, party-type reception. Gumballs!! Love that!

And...starting to plan again for the "Best of Weddings" Showcase at the Lancaster Convention Center/Marriott.

I'm so excited about all the plans that our team of designers have, and we're getting pumped about putting it all together. We are very fortunate to be teamed -up with

Shumaker PDT, House of Clarendon, Special Occasions, Jeremy Hess Photographers, Event Central, Occasions DJ's, and Designs By Renee. We are designing together for the Four Seasons.

It's going to be FABULOUS on the 3rd Floor /Heritage Ballroom!! No rows and rows of individual booths of vendors! You'll be stepping into professionally- lit, fully-staged reception areas with music, cake and floral decorating ideas to make your little heart skip a beat!!

New Date: November 22. Same Time, Same Place. Get your tickets online early for great gift bag giveaways. This truly will be the Best of the Best wedding showcases.

IT WILL NOT BE POSTPONED AGAIN BECAUSE THE Lancaster Convention Center and Marriott IS NOW OPEN!!!

Amanda and Tyler's wedding

2009-07-19T04:42:00.000-07:00

Amanda's color paltette was charcoal, orange and red. So she chose green Hydrangea, orange and red mini Gerbs and Mango mini Callas for her bouquet.

Each bridesmaid chose her own her own style dress in charcoal. We added a pop of color to their bouquets by adding Moonshadow mini Carns.

The popular Unity Sand table at the Altar.

Thanks to Stumptown Mennonite Church's wedding coordinator, Janet Groff for sending these pictures to me!

Their reception was at Leola Village Inn's Casa di Fiori. There we floated Standard Gerberas in orange and red. No pictures-forgot my camera!

Yesterday we were at Hershey Gardens and Hershey Country Club. Check out the http://kmphoto.bigfolioblog.com/ for those images soon. Did I take pictures? Of course not... left the camera in my office once again! Good thing I'm not a photographer, huh???

New Camera?!?#&*%@!#! (not supposed to blog bad words)

2009-07-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

http://drumoreestate.com

So my husband Jerry bought me this nice new camera as a surprise, and since I'm not so technical, especially at midnite, nor do I have the time or patience to read the whole entire manual tonite to figure out the crazy thing, I'll just let you tilt your head if you want to see them.

But Amy and I were seriously blown away by how absolutely gorgeous the Drumore Estates venue is -boasting perfectly manicured formal gardens with statuary and fountains everywhere you look.

Karyn and her husband are the owners of this lovely property and they just love weddings at their home! They are such delightful people. Jonnaysa and Marah asked to be adopted by them:)

Shawnee is a stunning bride! Just look (sideways) at how happy she is.

I think the bridesmaid in the back is laughing at me!

Her bouquet was Siberian Lilies and blue South American Hydrangea. ...................... the centerpieces

The 7 girls carried white South American Hydrangea and Esperance Roses, collared with Salal. (aka: lemon leaf).

Her Flower Girl loved modeling her fairy wand and roses clipped into her hair for Amy.

An outside shot of the back side of the reception tent and cocktail area.

So much to enjoy at Drumore, you just HAVE TO SEE IT in the summer time to be able to really appreciate it.

I'm really hoping to get this thing figured out before my next post.

And more pictures of the details of Jessie and Doug's wedding will be coming soon!

TTFN~Kelly:)

J&D Engagement Story and Wedding Trailer Post 4

2009-06-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

Derek Dienner along with Matthew Tennison have produced together Doug and Jessie's Engagement Story that was shown at their reception.
Derek has since produced a 3o second trailer of the wedding video to come.
Both can be viewed here:

http://lavonfilms.com/blog/

****click the pause " button to fully load the video for uninterupted viewing.

Thanks Derek and Matthew for giving us such wonderful memories to re-live over and over again. These two guys are terrific at what they do, not to mention the nicest guys in the world.
(Next to my new son in law!)

Jessie and Doug's wedding-post#3

2009-06-19T18:49:00.001-07:00

Jessie is just beginning her walk down the aisle with her dad, biting her lips to keep from crying when she sees Doug standing there waiting for her.

Click here to view the slideshow : http://tennisonphotography.com/061309/

I think I've watched that slideshow at least 20 times in the past 24hrs. Thanks Matthew, this mom really needed that!

Now for some random, out-of-order pictures.....just because...

Thanks to my friend Steff for taking these shots. Close-up of Erika's bouquet and some random flower pictures.

Doug's sister, Sondra on the left, and roomate BJ on the right (scratching her nose:) Lisa is in-between. Their cute dresses are from J.Crew. Yeah, these are candid shots from my friend; not Matthew's work, but I still love them. Also Jacob, Doug's nephew, and our little friend Asher at the wagon. Mike and Hudson in the background.

'The Smoker's' Post #2

2009-06-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

This is where it all begins. Doug's dad and I spent 3 hrs. planting 12 flats of white pansies to create an entrance for the Bride and her bridesmaids as well as the parade of children. We would later hang flowers in little jars in the trees above the bride and groom.
We obtained beautiful wooden benches for our ceremony from Central Manor Campmeeting Assn. Camp meeting is a special childhood memory for Jessie. The benches look better than chairs in this setting.

This is my mom and dad enjoying the chocolate cigars we made as a gift from the' Smokers'

Our sweet little flower girls enjoying some appetizers while waiting to go to the children's tent for a kid's dinner of chicken fingers, mac n' cheese, tater tots and applesauce-then off for a bug-hunt, a scavenger hunt and a candy scramble. These little girls said that Stephanie Fisher was the best babysitter they ever had!!
More pictures coming soon.

Check out the slideshow that Matthew Tennison has posted!

http://tennisonphotography.com/061309/

Post #1-Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Doug Smoker

2009-06-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Don't they look so happy???

Thank you Matthew Tennison for supplying some of these images to me. They are pure gold!

Please look a his blog for more at: http://www.tennisonphotography.com/

Jonnaysa is checking on the Bride and Groom to see if there is anything they need before they sneak away to their little getaway spot for some time alone before the reception.

Jonnaysa Kirkham and assistant Marah- http://www.plannedperfectionpa.com/- wedding planning

Matthew Tennison and assistant Steve- http://www.tennisonphotography.com/ -photographers & video photography

Rosie Rohrer- http://www.rosiescreativecakes.com/ - fabulous wedding cakes

Claudia Himes and staff- http://www.specialo.com/ -beautiful linens

A small part of the head Bridal Table decor.

The parade of children that Jessie and Doug love.

Kole, Hudson and Max, pushed by Eli

The person in the background is artist Nancy Perotti painting on- site

something special for the Bride and Groom.
Jacob and Asher pull the wagon... then the little flowers girls are

carefully dropping petals before the Bride. They all did a great job!

That's all for now. Much, much, much more to come!

We're in the Knot again!

2009-06-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Melissa and Rob Banta and Amanda Kraft photography for submitting to the Knot this beautiful wedding at Lauxmont Farms Sunken Garden. Melissa was such a beautiful bride. Everything was a beautiful sky blue, including the cake which was made by Rene of Bella Manse. We had South American blue Hydrangeas everywhere................so pretty! This was also a feature in the wedding blogs www.stylemepretty.com and www.theprettywedding.blogspot.com
a few months ago.

Computer is Fixed, Yay!!! Catching up on Posts

2009-06-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

This bride loves the rich fall colors but her wedding was in the spring. So we added some purple and coral and it worked perfectly for the colors at Lancaster Country Club. Epic Photography http://www.epic-photos.com/ did an awesome job and shared these images with me. Jonnaysa Kirkham of Planned Perfection http://www.plannedperfectionpa.com/ made sure everything went smoothly. Isn't this one bunch of beautiful girls????

Place Card Table

Bride's Bouquet

Head Table

Need to back-up a little bit. Here's the image of the DIY Lingerie Shower invitations that Amy made for Jessie's shower.
And for the sake of those that didn't see the rest in a previous post..........

The Centerpiece

The Cake Bra and Panties Cookie Favors

So much fun!
Anybody wanting to borrow these cookie cutters just call me, but here's a little warning.........They take endless hours to make!!!!!!!!!!!! But worth it. They're yummy!

One of our Spring Tulip Weddings.

I Love these colors!

Well, only 10 days from today, June3rd, till Jessie and Doug's wedding. I can't believe it's here, and I get to be the Mom this time. My wonderful 'Team Beautiful' consisting of Amy& Lindsay-my daughters, Joyce, Barb, Lynne, Bailey, Lindsay G. will make sure the flowers and details are beautiful, And the wonderful team of Jonnaysa and Marah will make sure everything goes smoothly while I relax and watch them work their magic. What a team!

I have nothing in the world to worry about on this one! I won't be taking pictures, but I'm sure lots of others will be. Check Jonnaysa's blog for the first ones. That girl blogs right away-sometimes the very same night!! Is she passionate about her work or what!?!?!?

Technical difficulties......rrrrrrr

2009-05-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well, the big excuse for no new posts in weeks is that
No. 1-my daughter is getting married very soon.
No.2 I've had lots of big, wonderful weddings and
No. 3- I have no time right now.

But.....when my computer problem is fixed and will upload pictures again, boy do I have lots and lots to post! ..................................But that won't be until after June 13th!
Happy holiday weekend everyone!

A Lingerie Bridal Shower

2009-04-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago the bridemaids, sisters and moms held a Lingerie Bridal Shower for Jessie.
Since the theme of the shower was lingerie I just had to try to make a bustier all made of flowers.

Kathy at Oregon dairy did a great job at making a bustier cake. Yummy!

I made the take -home favors of Jessie's favorite shortbread cookies, all decorated like fancy bras and panties.

Boy did she get some nice gifts! She's all set for the honeymoon! The party food was healthy and we laughed so much that none of the calories and fat in the cookies or cake mattered! Erika even made blue martinis and created some really fun games, then Lisa arranged for all the girls to spend the evening together at Spa Orange. How's that for a fun theme bridal shower?

Wedding season has begun and we're really happy about that....especially Jessie and Doug's in only about 6 weeks! Yikes!!!!

The first Spring wedding

2009-04-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Amy and I both made the comment that it's so good to be back in the flower shop. We had a few weeks break after lots of winter weddings, and we're happy to be back into the flowers again.
This wedding features all Tulips. So bright and colorful they just make you smile. Thankfully this couple had a gorgeous day for their wedding.

Bride's Bouquet was pink, orange yellow and white Tulips

Bridesmaids carried orange and yellow Tulips.

Toss Bouquet below using yellow Spray Roses and Mini Carnations with varigated Pittosporum. Just had enough time for a few bouquet shots. Centerpieces were all Tulips in tall square vases in 4 different colors. Lots more Spring weddings to come!...............................................