Tango'd their way in to my heart they did....

I have never seen anyone dance Tango in real life.

About as close as I got is watching
So You tThink You Can Dance

{little embarrassed, kinda blushing, is it hot in here?}
ahem.

I completely fell in love with my couple as they danced their first dance: a Tango.
They look like they have been dancing together for many lifetimes.
It was....magical. I am moved by stuff like this because it is just the ultimate display of love, simple love. Two souls dancing together.....UUGH! It almost makes me sick, lol!
Let me start from the beginning:

{A Tango Wedding}

Here are my lovely ladies drinking water. When the bride emailed me a few weeks ago asking if I would not only show up of course as her DOC, but also, if I could fill in for her florist, I was super excited because my Indie Bride wedding really left me wanting to do the flowers for another outdoor wedding and with the season fast approaching it's end, I thought I would have to wait till next year. So ever since that email I have been searching for the right flowers to encompass everything that she requested in a bouquet

• Not perfectly round
• Garden-y
• Pops of yellow
• Orchids( because her she and her husband share a love of Orchids)
• Pink, but not pale pink
• Textured, but not off the hook
• Wispy and whimsical
• Oh! and blue with a nice collar.

Whew! :)
So I have been looking around the flowermarket and finally settled on this recipe:
Yellow Billy Buttons, 4 different Statice variations and colors, Orange Vanda Orchids, Yellow Oncidium Orchids, Pink Cymbidiums, Lavender Dutch Iris, Hot Pink Fancy Roses,PInk and Blue Berries, Galax leaves, White and Purple Scabiosas, yellow and hot pink Rununculi, and Pink Altromeria.

These are two of the arrangements that would sit at the guest book table and by the fireplace.

I slid Paper Source Ribbon in "Lake" at the base of the neck to tie in the colors to the linens.

The venue was gorgeous!
I would recommend the Marin Art and Garden Center to anyone.
Here is one in action outside. Doesn't it just POP out against all the green?!

Why yes those are pink and blue berries you see. :)

Here is the Brides Bouquet sitting at the table in a Mason jar.
The best compliment she gave was this:
"I knew it was going to be good, but this is gorgeous!
Every time I look at it I see something new."
YESSS!
She got me.
That is exactly the reaction that lets me know I am on the right path in life.
If I can bring someone a bit of happiness through my expression in floral art, then I'm good.
She probably doesn't know that what she said to me will stay with me all my life. :)

I'm certainly not going to let flowers go to waste so I brought extra jars with me and after the cake lady placed what she needed on the cake I used the left overs on the back tables.Then Jen( my lovely, brave, very-hot-in-90-degree-weather assistant) and I set up the centerpeice. Lemons in a low bowl with blossoms on them. How refreshing and bright they were against the blue linens. Check out her table numbers.
Don't tell me they aren't adorable! Haha, they are so cute naming this table Orchid.

Here is her DIY guest board for the guests to sign in advice and wishes for the couple.
There also is the Maid of Honor Bouquet.

She told me to use the miscellaneous items anywhere I saw fit.

Pretty huh?
Again, using left over flowers so that nothing goes to waste. I bought a tall mason jar to use up there a few days before thinking I would put something delicate up there on the Mantle.
I love the "B: and "M"......doesn't hurt that they are my initials!


Here' s the Photobooth that was set up for the guests to take advantage of. Every time I walked by it I encouraged whoever was nearby to take a picture and would just randomly throw them that hot pink boa! They must have thought I was crazy!


So the the couple made their entrance and as they waited around up there after saying a few words they danced!

I took an opportunity to catch a glimpse of her super cute fuchsia high heels!

The day was truly divine for them, the weather started to cool down from the intense heat earlier in the day but it was perfect because it was warm enough to be outside without a sweater or jacket.
Okay.
Break in the story.
These are "confessions of an aspiring floral designer" after all, so rather than skip over it, I'll share. Maybe a bride out there or another DOC can learn from my mistake.

Yes, I know I skipped the ceremony.

But only because that sucker was fast!!!
When they said short and sweet boy did they mean it!
18 minutes people!!!!!

We met earlier in the week to finalize things and I suggested to them they run through the ceremony because I have had couples say the ceremony would run the average 45 minutes. Always 45 minutes.
Well I have some read it through and go an HOUR and some read it out loud to discover it's really only 20 minutes.
I got an email later in the week saying it was more like 30 minutes.
Ok, no prob, let's adjust to finish 15 minutes less than we planned.
Well after I made sure she made it down the aisle, I set my timer for twenty minutes to go and walk the reception area and finish the last touches and find the velum lampshades that were GONE.
I sent Jen with the instructions "Can you go see if they are still getting married?"
She comes back smiling, yes, they are!
Then about 5 minutes later someone comes over and says they are done.
WHAT?!?!?!

My alarm never went off because it had only been 18 minutes since she got to the aisle.
I have never not been there for my bride when she came back down the aisle.
I ran over there like a bat out of hell to find them in the area we talked about them running off to so we could get her bustled in.
I have never been in that situation and I cannot tell you how mortified I was.
I sincerely apologize with my entire heart to the bride and groom.
WAHHHH!

So anyhow
Happy Thoughts, Happy thoughts!
We will move onto dinner.
Since we were ahead of schedule, everything slowed down a bit.
So while the rest of the food made its way to the buffet table.
The couple danced!
I stole a picture of them. I'm like a little spy with my camera, no?
Sage Catering had excellent food! The staff was wonderful!

Then the MOH made her speech during dinner as well as the best man.

Let me tell you about the Best Man.
I always keep my eye on them because they seem to always forget their drinks and are usually scrambling to get something in their hands when they finally finish and say:
"To the Bride and Groom!"
So I'm watching him and sure enough, he realizes he's up, he takes a swig, stands up, claps his hands and takes off without his drink. So I beeline to his table to get his drink and as I am walking up there towards him, he cracked a joke saying
"Hello my name is BestMan and I'm an alcoholic!"
Just as I am within 3 steps from him and so I shove his drink in his hand and keep walking.
He looks down at his hand and at me and at everyone laughing and he starts cracking up!
So thank god he said something funny because usually it's just really uncomfortable for me to just walk up to the BM to give him his glass. :)

Then we moved on to the cake that was decorated so beautifully!
Sally from Forget Me Not Cakes
I cued the bride to change into her pretty tango dress.

Forgive the lighting.

While the cake was whisked away to be cut, the groom explained to the guests that they were going to dance a tango to a special song. I won't botch up the story by attempting to recreate it, ya just had to be there.
I love her expression:
I just married the love of my life......

Then, they started to dance a tango like I have never seen before.
I tried to take pictures, but I couldn't capture the look on their faces.
Eyes closed.
Moving gracefully across the floor, like they have been dancing together all their lives.
Small smiles in the corners of their mouths, faces serene with love one moment, scrunched up with passion the other, peaceful on certain notes of the song.
It was a beautiful display of balance, passion, trust, and love.
Beautiful.

I kept turning around to smile at Jen and say did you see that? After the third time I thought, okay, you look like a little kid. After the fourth time I thought, I don't care. This is sweet.

Then when the song was over they invited the best man and maid of honor for a dance and when the music started they made the crowd laugh by dancing Boy/Boy and Girl/Girl, hehe.

Then it was time for me to pack it up and leave.

I thanked the Couple and said goodbye.


{And they lived happily ever after}

Tango Part Two: They did!

What a beautiful wedding! I am so happy for the lucky couple, they are both really nice people and together they are super cute and perfect for each other*sigh* I just totally almost lost it when they did their Tango number as their first dance. It was the ultimate display of affection, at least to me, the expression and small smiles in the corner of their mouths as they danced with closed eyes across the dance floor. It was like they were the only ones in the room and we were allowed to glimpse in on their love, their souls.

***Swoon***

Here's a sneak peek at their florals and colors for the day.
The day was gorgeous but it was a tad bit warm at 91 degrees!

At least it was if you had a fever of 101.....
Holy moly! Was I hot. Okay, let me rewind.
I was slowly starting to get sick on Friday and I was in straight denial.
I told my friend that came over to help with the flowers that I thought that I was allergic to one of the flowers I was working with and that I was sneezing due to allergies.
That I don't have.

Mind over matter, right?

Well by the time I got home to crawl into bed I had a fever. The next day I literally had to drag myself to the shower to try and cool down. I spent the next 5 hours trying to finish the florals and ribbon and day of stuff( the handles on the corsages, bouts, and bouquets) and pumped myself with Dayquil.
So as I was running around everyone must thought I was burning up from the 90 degree weather. The groom at one point asked me if I had water and I quickly sputtered something out but inside I was thinking if he only knew I'm sweating like a pig from this fever and I can barely hear anyting because my ears are plugged and I have taken waaaay too much Dayquil to stop my nose from running.
Haha! I can laugh at myself now but yesterday was no joke.
So forgive my lack of posting I will try and get my pics up tomorrow night. I still have to blog about this wedding and the two I have next weekend.
I have been a bad bad blogger.....

Pink Stargazer Ikebana Wedding

I am going to finally get my pink wedding. I have been looking to complete my portfolio with a pink wedding and it has eluded me......but! Noe I get a chance to have a pink AND an Ikebana style wedding. Yessssss! I of course had to mock up a few arrangements to show my wonderful clients and took the opportunity to show my sensei, Soho, the arrangements so she could give me some feedback.

Here are two samples of the brides maids bouquets placed together.

One is mixed with pink and a deeper shade of pink for more depth.

This one is the same all around for a monotone massed look.
{look at the flowers/color minus the buds, I couldn't bring myself to cut them off just yet.}

EEK! I like them both, what do you think???

Here is the first centerpeice idea for a pink Ikebana inspired wedding.
Very simple arrangement of pink stargazer lilies and a touch of curly willow.

I didn't have a clear glass vase and I'm afraid to fall in love with this perfect green vase, but it was the perfect size.

Here is the one in a black container.
It has a small Kenzan and after talking with Soho about it, it actually is better off in foam for a day of event. It has Pink stargazer lilies, a bit of pink larkspur, and horsetail.


Here they are side by side for comparison!

Vertical Upright Flowers

Wait.
Can you have vertical flowers that aren't upright? DO I even need to *say* they are upright?
Inquiring minds want to know.....
ANyhow.
Here is my vertical floral arrangement!


The recipe is:

• Leather Fern
• Purple Veronica
• Green Kermit Mums
• Green Hypericum Berries
• Purple Hydrangea
• Wine Carnations
• Pink Snowberries
• Magenta and Purple Stock
• Fuchia Yarrow
• Bells of Ireland
• Purple Liatris

Here's an extra one that Jen made. I love that it screams "Spring"!

Happy Birthday Florals

{Happy Birthday}

I made a birthday floral of Fuchsia, pinks, and blues.

I absolutely adore blues and hot pinks together! I am dying for a bride that will let me make her a blue Bella Donna and fuchia pink peony wedding bouquet.

Flowers pictures:
bella donna, delphiniums, hot pink roses, snap dragons, pink stock

Orchid Wedding Accessories

I made a white and silver Phalaenopsis, more commonly known as Butterfly Orchid, hair piece for a wedding or anniversary. Ok you could also rock this at a baby shower or engagement party. Where ever you decide to wear it, boy does this sucker last!!!

I'm telling you, I could strap one of these into your hair and it would so hold up for the entire day. Through I do's and hugs and kisses and dancing....I think I would go back and wear one myself knowing how sturdy these are. :)

Here is my Pretty in Pink contemporary Orchid and Stephanotis corsage.
It's the bejeweled version, lol!


It has a Mauve Orchid, 5 Stephanotis with pearl centers, pink jewels and pink molded wire and green Ming Fern.

Ikebana Update {Month One}

Holy Moly this semester is going by fast!
I cannot believe how far behind I have fallen in my Ikebana posts. I am in a waaay advanced class, with a lot of seasoned pros and people close to getting their teaching credentials and final diplomas.
Great for inspiration, but intimidating at first. :(

I condensed them down to these favorites, some are mine, some are my instructor Soho's, and the rest are my classmates. Enjoy!

These look fluffy in pictures but only the purple alium are fluffy, the lime green and red ones are hard, like prickly pears!

OMG! How cute are these mini pineapples???

A Different Kind of Celebration: A Life

I don't only make arrangements for weddings and baptisms. I make arrangements for all of life's celebrations and this one happens to be for the celebration of a young man named Joshua who died last week. He was 18 years old and although his death devastated his family, I think today will be a celebration of his life.

I was asked to make a simple arrangement to take to the mass and then later to the burial site. I just love the colors of white to symbolize something pure and divine and then red to symbolize strength and vibrancy. A cross seemed fitting since he will be buried catholic I believe.
Here is my funeral arrangement in white carnations and red roses with a touch of curly willow.

The red fancy roses kinda look like red rununculas, no? BTW I started seeing rununculas in the market this week! I love me a rununcula :)

Here's a little background on the piece. You can buy the foam made in practically any shape you like or you can mold and sculpt yourself. I bought a ready made cross and totally got the wrong size( Hello?! I guess I was still asleep at 5am). So instead of this taking about 1 1/2 dozen red fancy roses and about 70 or so carnations. This puppy took a full two dozen roses and 100 carnations! Wow. I'm not going to make a skimpy arrangement though, so I had to go back to the market to buy some more carnations. Extra little things like this can cost you a pretty penny in time, cash, and GAS!
So be careful out there, plan accordingly D.I.Y.-ers (sp?)