Happy Anniversary E&B!

Five years ago today this wonderful, amazing woman joined our family as my brother's wife.  I enjoy seeing how they love and adore each other through life's the ups and downs.  They make a great team whether they are creating a scrumptious gourmet meal, hunting for bargains in remodeling their home, or now navigating the waters of parenthood.  Creating their table arrangements meant so much more than the usual enjoyment of being part of a wedding.  I was gaining a sister and was thrilled to see my brother smiling from ear to ear.  It was a joyous day indeed!  Congratulations Eric & Britni!  I pray you have many more years growing, living, and enjoying life's journey together.

What is Love?

Leading up to this day, the day we celebrate love on a national scale, I couldn't help but ask "What is Love?"  Is it the giddy feeling in the pit of your stomach when "he/she" walks in the room? Is it just a four letter word we use for relationships as well as our liking of bacon? Or is it more?

Warren Barfield's song, Love is Not a Fight, keeps playing in my mind. I believe he perfectly describes what love truly is... acting in the best interest of another person through thick and thin. Love is commitment.  The lyrics are beautiful...

"Love is not a place to come and go as we please; it's a house we enter in, then commit to never leave. So lock the door behind you. Throw away the key. We'll work it out together, let it bring us to our knees.

Love is a shelter in a raging storm. Love is peace in the middle of a war. And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door. No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for.

To some, love is a word that they can fall into, but when they're falling out keeping that word is hard to do. Love will come to save us, if we'll only call. He will ask nothing from us, but demand we give our all.

Love is a shelter in a raging storm. Love is peace in the middle of a war. And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door. No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for"

I will fight for you. Would you fight for me? It's worth fighting for."

So on this day, the day dedicated to love, I applaud you who have made the commitment to stand by your loved one's side through the ups and downs of life until death doth part.

Matthew & Nicole Married!

After designing Matthew and Nicole's winery engagement photo session, I had the honor of designing their wedding arrangements and actually attending as a guest! Nicole's family has been friends with my family for years, so it was a great joy for me to spend months planning all the details with her and her mom and then witnessing her commitment to Matthew.  Her vows were the most beautiful I've ever heard; she wrote them from her heart, listing out all the ways she admires and respects Matthew and commiting to love and honor him the rest of her life.  He too wrote out heartfelt vows that praised her as a God fearing woman full of kindness, love, and beauty.  I was in tears by the end of the ceremony.

Early on in the planning process Nicole became inamored with the idea of lemonade in old fashioned bottles and black straws.  This quickly became the inspiration for thier design. Bright yellow roses, cheerful yellow spider mums, and yellow saligago mirrored the sunny essence of the lemons used for the table arrangements. Using fruit for table arrangements is a great way to step out of the box design wise and has the added benefit of consuming it later. There were many batches of lemonade enjoyed after their wedding!

Personally, my favorite detail came at the end of the night when we lit paper lanterns and let them go into the night sky.  It was very reminiscent of the movie "Tangled"..... made for a beautiful view.  Sadly I don't have an image of it to share.  Sabrena of S.Carter Studios was so kind to share a few photos below. Check out more of her work on her website, you will not be dissapointed!

A Romantic Winery Engagement

Early last spring Shine with Jennifer Leigh and Aleen Floral Design teamed up to create a stylized engagement shoot for these two love birds.  We gathered old books, rustic rulers, a pocket watch, wine bottles, and furniture to set the scene for their session.  The day was full of much laughter, teasing, and well, a few kisses.  Jennifer did an amazing job of capturing the love between Matt & Nicole. 

Rich black magic roses, purple lisianthus, mustard craspedia, yarrow, and hosta leaves were chosen to reflect the warmth of the winery.

  

Pat & Misty Married!

It was a very gusty and rainy day, but Pat & Misty didn't let that stop them from celebrating the union of their lives with exhuberance.  Misty came to me over a year ago with her spunky personality and winning smile; we clicked instatnly.  She, her mom, and I spent the next 2 hours laughing, creating, and ultimately planning the floral details of her dreams.

The intentional planning paid off.... Misty & Pat's love of people was displayed vividly when I walked into the reception.  They set up a table in memory of their grandparetns, put out note cards for guests to give their two cents of marriage advice, planned a non-alchoholic bar for some guests, and put up childhood pictures of themselves on the restroom doors.  Their desire to make sure their guests had a great time showed through.  

And can I just give major props to Kristin and Glenn Startcher at likeadreamphotography.com?  They braved the wind, rain, and sand to produce some AMAXING images.  They completely rocked it!  Okay, without further ado I give you the beautiful, funny, and persaonable Pat & Misty.

Congratulations Pat & Misy may you be blessed with many years of life together!