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Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry

"And it was all yellow"

I will admit that if asked a year ago I would say yellow was (to quote a very cute 8yr old) "my enemy color". I am happy to say that we have reconciled our differences and made peace.

I've had the privilege to work with this happy sunny color a few times this year. When paired with the right accents this color can be both chic and elegant while keeping a fun fresh atmosphere.

My favorite was a wedding I did at the Como Zoo and Conservatory. The bride wanted lush large blooms but not a traditional look. We combined the large Victorian blooms in a clean line design in both the centerpieces, cake and place card table.

We did 2 designs for the centerpieces. This low impact piece included Roses, Stock, Acacia and China Mums.

This is a composite centerpiece made up of different shape vases and different yellow blooms such as Hydrangea, China Mums, Roses, Gloriaosa Lilies and Oncidium Orchids

The place card table was accented with a simple line of bud vases and China Mums

China Mums also accented the cake in a non traditional style.

I also designed for the Center of the American Experiment. In this event They Style Laboratory combined a black white and yellow color scheme which we accomplished with amazing linens from Linen Effects, crisp yellow orb centerpieces and bowls of lemons. The McNamara Alumni Center provided the perfect back drop for the style and feel of this event.

Yellow Carnations on black and white damask

Bowls of lemons with yellow Vanda Orchids and below simple black votives also with an orchid accent

Lime Greenery

This past weekend I had the privilege of working with a great couple at both, a venue that's a favorite and one that was new to me.

Bethany and Rod were married at the Como Lakeside Pavilion last Saturday with a reception at the Campus Club. Green and blue were the color's chosen and the result was a very cool refreshing look that complemented the hot sultry weather...

The stage was set with two garden arrangements of Hydrangea and Bells of Ireland on top of columns that couldn't have matched the columns of the pavilion better if they were custom made.

Bells of Ireland lined the aisle with their squirly shape, making them some of my favorite "pew" decorations yet.

At the reception it was all about the limes. I used 3 different style centerpieces to accommodate the different sized tables. This tall cylinder filled with limes added just enough height to the room with out taking up to much surface space on the smaller round tables.Multiples of these were lined down the center of the long rectangle tables. Side point, the sliced limes smelled delicious in the room!And last but not least, a sea of blue and green. This wide cylinder took up just enough space on the larger round tables and looked refreshing enough to jump in for a swim!Let them eat cake! Provided by Woullets Bakery

Where is my Season?

With the unusually cool weather, my sickness and stint in the hospital, and just being to busy; I feel that I have lost this Summer completely! I'm feeling sad today because it feels like it's almost over and I haven't even had a back yard BBQ yet! So to cheer myself up and anyone else who is feeling the same way I wanted to post some pictures of the most Summery fun centerpieces I've done so far. Just looking at these amazing photos from LaVie Photography makes me happy!

These were designed for and event last month at Solera. The clients wanted a whimsical garden look but not too messy. It was all based around a red, ice blue, green and white color scheme.

Enjoy and may the warm weather, BBQ's and beach still come!

Ouch, 2 months!?!?!

You know that feeling when you need and want to do something but you just haven't gotten around to it and then a little while becomes a long while? Yeah... I started this wedding season with excitement and optimism which is all good, I just wish I would have been more prepared for complete exhaustion and loss of time.

That being said, my sincere apologies for my blogging absence. But boy do I have weddings to talk about!

I'm going to start first with a wedding that kicked off 20 min from my home town of Sauk Centre. How random to get hired for a wedding so close to home!

Beka and Ben came to me by referral from the photographer Ezra James. The couple was very cool and easy going. They knew they wanted to have an interesting wedding, but with enough traditional touches to keep the mothers happy. Ezra did an outstanding job with the photos, giving it the look of a photo shoot rather than just photo journalism.

The colors Beka chose were purples, lavenders and steel blue. I used a lot of interesting texture with thistle and berry's and combined it with the classic calla lily, roses and lilacs. I think we pleased everyone;)

Enjoy the pics!

The Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry Fleet

I'd like to introduce you to the transportation for Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry...

First we have the truck...(aka "the flower hauler") This already has been invaluable for it's size and comfort. Only 2 short months into it's position with the "Fleet" the truck safely delivered us and the flowers all the way to Chicago! The outside looks nice, but unfortunately the inside is already full of water, stem and petal stains. And so it goes...

Next I'd like you to meet the newest/oldest member of the "Fleet". Our 1974 VW Bug. It was decided that a more fuel efficient car was needed for all of the short trips around town for consults etc. What a fun way to be "green"!

So if you see either on the road honk, wave and smile! I'd love to say Hi!

Featured in MN Meetings+Events

OK, I'm going to try and be modest here, but I AM SO EXCITED about the article in Minnesota Meetings+Events Magazine Summer 2009 issue!

I really can not believe how well everything is going and I truly feel blessed! Again, this is not something that I could have EVER done with out the help of my friends, family, associates and clients. A huge thank you to MN Meetings+Events magazine for noticing my company and giving me the ink!

I foresee this as being a busy, exciting and exhausting Summer and I'm ready for it all! I've been known to make the statement "fun is fun" and I'm thankful that at the moment "work is fun"...