Lovely Lilacs at Ray’s Boathouse

There is a perfect time of year for purple, and it has everything to do with lilacs. When those gorgeous blossoms start appearing on the streets and in the market, I start looking for any  excuse to design with them. (Any excuse to smell them, really.)

This spring, I didn’t need more of an excuse than Kara and Bruce’s purple-hued ceremony at Ray’s Boathouse. Lilacs found their way into the playful pomanders hanging from the altar area, as did spray roses, ranunculus, boronia, and dianthus. The way the light bounced off the water and onto the pomanders was primo — nature as the ultimate lighting tech.

The folks at Ray’s do such a great job of creating a warm, welcoming environment for their guests, and I was so happy that Affinity Photography was on the scene to capture the details.

Oh lilacs, until we meet again next year!

Pomanders create a lovely backdrop at the altar

They do!

They still do….

A Salish Lodge Fairy Tale

Admittedly, the notion of a “fairy tale wedding” is a cliché. But at a recent Salish Lodge ceremony and reception, those were the only words going through my head.

Ryan and Lele were romantics through and through. The ceremony took place on a small lawn overlooking the waterfall, like one of those fabled hidden clearings. We draped the altar arch in white silk, then garlands of pink and white roses, lilies, and hydrangea. We lined the aisle with petals, and hung posies from the ends of the three sweet rows. All the while — I kid you not — birds chirped, occasional mist found our faces, and the harpist and fiddlers went about their tunings and strummings. Fairy tale!! I really felt like I’d see Snow White caper through the drapery every time I turned around.

For the reception, Lele requested cascading phalaenopsis orchids from tall centerpieces. The room was intimate, gorgeous, and a perfect continuation of the romantic vibe on the lawn. Small weddings are so lovely. And why not go all out when you’re honoring your nearest and dearest?

Once upon a time…

A walk to the altar

Lele’s bouquet of all ivory calla lilies

Vintage buttons adorn the stem wrap

Happily ever after!

A sweet halo of flowers for the flowergirl

Calla lily with hypericum and galax for the groom

Hydrangea posies for the aisle do double-duty as accent pieces on the reception tables

Tall centerpieces with cascading phalaenopsis orchids

Azzura Photography worked their magic in capturing these scenes. Rev. Mary Calhoun lent her sweet charm to the officiation. Choice Linens provided the beautiful linens and chair covers.

A Nordstrom Breakfast Club

When I was in 6th grade, my friend Nancy had a Breakfast Club themed birthday party. I was assigned the Basketcase character. Superscore. Filled my hair with hairspray so that I could shake the flakes out over my meal. Scowled through the party. It was pretty much totally unlike me — and It was the best!

Last week I had a similar superscore, when my friend Kate Rielly asked me to help her create six bridal bouquets for a Nordstrom web video.  The purpose of the video:  to show the role of accessories in transforming a bridal look. One bride, one dress, six looks. As Art Director at World Famous, Kate’s job was to help imagine who these six characters might be — and then to populate the shoot with all the right stuff. Flowers included, of course!

In the partial words of Anthony Michael Hall:

You see us as you want to see us… In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a trustafarian boho bride…and a type-A professional  …and a Southern belle…a swingin’ 60s Twiggy… a Hollywood starlet…and an ethereal Aquarian.

Who do you want to be today — and what will your flowers say about you?

A demure peek-a-boo from the Southern Belle

The Southern Belle prefers a more decorous version of “gardeny”

Red “Piano” garden roses for the Hollywood Starlet

Red roses stand out, even in the backdrop

Sea-inspired textures for the Ethereal Bride (and yes, mixing elements is totally okay!)

She will drift to the altar

Craspedia and football mums convey 1960s bold, bright design

That’s me on the lower left

Our trustafarian boho bride (check the video for a shot of the bouquet!)

Sleek calla lilies for this hard-working and elegant career woman

Kate took these photos on set; we can’t wait to see the video!

Update, 6/25/13:  The video is up and available for viewing here!