Blue Sunday
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| We did a sweet blue wedding this weekend. I snapped this shot of the wedding cake but we will have to wait for the rest of the images form Sherri Diteman. More to come! You can check out Kati’s website to see more of her cakes at www.katiscakes.com |
Waiting for the sun..
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| This little vine is ready to go out into the garden… | as soon as the sun comes out. |
A peacock wedding
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| Lush spring bouquet or parrot tulips and ranunculous. |
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| What a beautiful couple in a beautiful city. Viva Portland! |
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| The bridal party dressed to the Nines! |
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| Powers studio shot these gorgeous images. They do such amazing work!!! http://www.powersstudios.com/ |
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| The light in the trees is perfection. |
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| Sweet flower girls. |
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| Bouts with echavaria and peacock feather. |
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| The ring bearers pillow. |
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| Centerpieces were all in spring green with hydrangea, orchids, Japanese mums, parrot tulips and bells of Ireland. |
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| Other centerpieces were little white pots of seedum and echavaria. |
The Hulda Klager lilac garden
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| Ah lilacs – is there anything sweeter? When the lilacs bloom I know that summer is finally on its way. Last week I visited the Hulda Klager Lilac gardens in Woodland, Washington. Hulda Klager moved to the Northwest in the late 1800’s. While she was recovering from an illness in 1903, she read a book by Luther Burbank, a renowned hybridizer at the time. After reading his book, she begin her own experiments with hybridizing plants — especially apples. Her interest in apples apparently came from a desire to save time making pies, she felt it took too long to peel all those little apples! And who could blame her. So she set out to develop a plumper apple and was thrilled with the tasty results. In 1905 she began hybridizing lilacs. By 1920 she had developed so many new varieties that she decided to hold an open house each spring to share with the community and was from then on was known as “The Lilac Lady”. And now you can visit her lilac gardens too! When the woodland Garden club learned that the house and gardens were to be bulldozed for a new development they stepped in. Through much work it is now a national historic site. The lovely gardens and sweet victorian home are open to the public, so go see it for yourself! |
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| Blue skies are even more delicious when filled with the delicate fragrance of lilac. |
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| This variety is sugar plum fairy. |
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| The grounds have most of the original buildings including the carriage house, water tower and propagation barn. Sadly the outhouse is gone. |
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| Oooo – and they have lots of lilacs for sale. |
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| Save the lilacs! |
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| A speckled leaf with soft yellow coloring. |
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| This variety Hulda called “My favorite”. I can see why she loved it – sweet perfection! |
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| The gift shop is just as you might imagine, A lot of china, lace and everything you can possibly imagine made with lilac. It makes me want to have a tea party in the garden complete with fancy hats and frilly dresses. My mother always used to host a tea party for my sister and I when we were girls. We would spend the morning dressing up in my mothers amazing collection of vintage clothes. We would set the table with my grandmother Isable’s delicate hand painted china and my great grandmother Ruth’s hand tatted doilies. Then the afternoon would be spent sipping tea, eating cookies and admiring the garden. Why oh why do we have to grow up? |
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| The side shade garden. |
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| Hulda’s house still has many of the families antiques. |
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| The bedrooms are cozy and it’s almost a shame that no one lives here any longer. |
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| I am just such a sucker for all things vintage and sweet. |
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| A large group of dedicated volunteer lilac ladies keeps the garden going. On our way out, the sound of piano music followed us to the porch as one of the ladies played a tune in the parlor. What a perfect day! |
The Lavish cutting garden
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| The cutting garden is filling in nicely this year. The muscari, tulips and daffodils are almost finished but so much more is on the way. |
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| Unfurling ferns…. |
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| Unfortunately dandelion is blooming like mad – but these two were just to sweet to cut. |
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| Solomons seal with their delicate little green bells and slender leaves. |
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| Ahhhhh peonies!!! |
Oh Cherry!
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| “I want to do to you what spring does with the cherry trees.” ~ Pablo Neruda |
Alexander how we miss you
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| “Alexander McQueen Savage beauty” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through July 31st |
Classic Northwest wedding at the Silcox Hut at Timberline Lodge
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| Huge rustic wooden beams, natural stone and a giant fireplace make Silcox hut a perfectly cozy place for a winter wedding. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/silcox-hut/ |
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| Small details add so much….. |
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| Live moss, stone and delicate native maidenhair fern mixed with fern curls and white tulips. |
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| Blush Bridal Events coordinated the day and helped create beautiful details. | http://www.blushbridalevents.com |
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| Eric cable was the fantastic photographer for the day. And what a day it was – the sun was out and the mountain was was absolutely brilliant. Just breathtakingly beautiful and perfect. Why more couples don’t get married in the winter I don’t know. Photographer – Eric Cable |
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| Simple and lovely bouquet of soft white callas. |
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| You even get to ride the snow cat up! |
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| Photographer – Eric Cable |
What a fun day with Champagne Events and Emily G!
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| Today I worked with Emily G Photography and Mandi from Champagne events on a photo shoot. Here’s a sneak peak but we’ll have to wait to see all the beautiful images from Emily…stay tuned! |
A little party at McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse
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| Figs and hydrangea with deep purples and blue on butter cream. Mmmmm! |
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http://www.mcmenamins.com/CPR |
| I just love old barns and the one at the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse is amazing. We created a welcome arch with native salal, willow and masses of hydrangea in greens and earthy brown tones for a casual feel. |
Oh so lovely!
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| Such perfection! I just now discovered the most amazing ceramic artist – Nathalie Derouet! Go to her site!!! http://www.nathaliederouet.com/ |
A beautiful day to visit one of our most favorite nurseries – Xera
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| I will have to wait for this little lady as Xera is still in the process of cultivating this wonderful Solamon seal. |
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| Columbine – oh columbine – how I love you! |
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| This epimedium is a close relative to our own native variety |
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| Who knew glads could be so perfectly delicate |
http://www.xeraplants.com/Xera/Xera_Plants.com.html
3 tiny pieces and one dancing lady
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| My favorite flower frog of all time. |
Two hikes in the gorge in search of Wild frittilaria
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| Little brown mushroom just one of about 5,000 different varieties found in the Pacific Northwest |
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| We didn’t find any chocolate fritillaria but we did come across these lovely Yellow bells – Fritillaria Pudica |
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| These purple beauties are commonly called Satin flower. Clark said of them ” a slope covered with these sprightly bells, sensitive to every whisper of wind, is one of the floral delights of early spring” We missed the similar Blue eyed grass which looks like a miniature iris by only a few days. |
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| Manroot is a strange plant that later in the season produces “wild cucumbers” on delicate reaching tendrils. |
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| Arrow leaf or Balsam root is just beginning to open but in a week or so the entire hillsides will be covered in gold. |
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| Lichen in a splash of striking blue color. |
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| Shooting star is one of my most favorite flowers. Its Latin name comes from a Greek word meaning protected by the Pantheon. I can see why the gods would cherish this diminutive little flower. |
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| I had an giant patch of wild fawn lily in my home in Leavenworth. When I moved I couldn’t bare to leave them behind so I brought a few with me and now every spring they come back and remind to to get out into the mountains for a walk with their sisters. |
Gorgeous event at the Nines
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| Michelle from Artistique Photographie just sent over these amazing pictures from a wedding we styled last summer at The Nines. |
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| Classic bouquet of callas, roses and orchids. |
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| The Nines Hotel is pure elegance… |
artistiquephotographie.comPaper flowers
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| Here is a little sneak peak of some paper flowers that we made for the next issue of Portland Bride and Groom. The color theme is camel with little accents in white, yellow and earthy green. |
Floral offerings in spring
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| In celebration of the first day of spring I thought I would share some images from a trip we took a few years ago to Thailand. I was so moved by the simple perfection of floral offerings and sacred gardens in the opulent temples of Bangkok. |
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| What a gift – lotus blossoms |
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| No shoes in such a place of reverence |
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| Offerings of gold shimmered with the slightest breeze sending rays of light dancing into the courtyard |
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| A clear perfect balance is seen everywhere in the gardens simultaneously conveying a sense of control and a giving in to the whim of natures pure line and form |
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| She seems so happy to receive this tiny garland of fragrant blooms |
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| This giant tree was covered in the most curious blooms |
Late summer romance
This gorgeous wedding was held at The Reserve Vineyard and Golf Club last Autumn. The venue is just stunning with rolling hills, and amazing views in any direction. The early evening light seemed to be perfect for Jenni Carmon from j carmon photography to capture these exquisite images. Visit her lovely blog to see more of her talent! http://jcarmonphotography.com/blog/
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| Photography: J Carmon PhotographyHair: Magnum Opus Dress: Allure Bridal Bridesmaid’s Dresses: White House Black Market Ceremony: St. Paul Lutheran Church Reception: The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club Cake: Beaverton Bakery Videographer: A Niko Productions Dj: Steve Strain with Rose City Mobile Music Rings: Kassab Jewlers, Tacori Accessories: Nadri Rehearsal Dinner: Meriwether’s Restaurant |
New Photos from Emily G Photography
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| What fun! I love to work outside of the box. And finally I found a bride who was excited to try something new! Maybe we’ll start a whole new tradition with this unconventional bridal bouquet. If you can dream it up, we can bring it to life. |
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| Emily has an eye for the subtleties of light and this image captures her aesthetic so beautifully. |
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| Ah, Alberta – my beloved hood! |
http://www.emilygphotography.com/blog/
Soiree boutique Party this Friday and Saturday
http://www.soireeboutique.com/
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| Come join us for an open house at the new Soiree boutique in Sellwood. Soiree will have lots of Portland wedding vendors to inspire your day. |
Winter garden
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Once more I am the silent one
who came out of the distance wrapped in cold rain and bells: I owe to earth’s pure death the will to sprout. Pablo Neruda (1904 – 1973)
Source: Winter Garden |
Lavender dream
This beautiful wedding at the Oregon Golf Club was photographed by Jos from Jos Photographers. Go to his site and check out the beautiful “moments” that he creates for his clients. Sometimes I go to his site just to live vicariously though his amazing destination photo shoots. Take a little journey yourself!
http://www.josphotographers.com/
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| This bouquet was made with over 4 dozen Ocean Song roses. We individually wired most of them so that it would be light to carry and easy to hold – so rich and luscious! |
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| I giggle every time I look at this picture – happy little girls with flowers in their hair – perfect! |
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| The Huppah was strung with delicate ribbon and strands of iridescent white orchids that danced in the soft breeze. |
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| Lovely day…. |
Justn and Meagan Wedding
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| Jos Photographers shot this beautiful wedding at The Oregon Golf Club |
A lovely project with Sherri Diteman and Sonia Kasparian
Last summer we did a photo shoot with the amazing photographer Sherri Diteman and Sonia Kasparian from Urchin Redesign.
Sherri has a beautiful eye for detail and has always captured our weddings with the most subtle grace. Her images simply radiate beauty.
Sonia creates lovely dresses and jewelry from vintage pieces that are repurposed into magical whimsical gowns that reference the past.
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http://studioditeman.com/
http://www.urchindesign.us/Haley and Ross
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| What a perfect day for a perfect couple! |
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| All the flowers we uses for Haley’s bouquet were locally or organically grown: scented geranium with soft romantic caramel antique garden roses, poppy pods and ranunculous. |
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| The reception was held at Ecotrust http://www.ecotrust.org/ – one of our favorite venues and a wonderful advocate for sustainability. |
Love this new floral fabric from The Whole Nine Yards
For anyone who has not known the joys of The Whole Nine Yards – go visit them! They always have the most sublime fabrics. Wonderful textures and exquisite patterns. Go see them – it’s the perfect little bit of brightness on a dark winter afternoon. w9yards.com/
Lovely Summer Wedding at Bridal Veil Lakes
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| One of our favorite weddings, Amy was absolutely stunning in her vintage inspired gown and soft pastel summer bouquet. We used fragrant Romantic Antique roses, sweet peas and clematis vine to create whimsical hand tied bouquets. Peach and salmon hues were just perfect with a touch of bright blue. Carmen from Ella events planned this beautiful wedding day and the amazing Jessica Watson was kind enough to send us these gorgeous images. http://jessicawatsonphotography.com |
Janet and Charles Wedding
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| The photograpers for this beautiful wedding were Lauren and Lincoln – a husband-wife team. you can visit their website at www.laurenbphoto.com |
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| A monogram with thistle, echavaria, roses and orchids. |
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| Amy Nutman from Blush bridal planned and coordinated the lovely details for this event. | http://www.blushbridalevents.com/ |
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| Chocolate cosmos with peonies, hydrangea, scented geranium and wisps of new ivy. |
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| Beautiful details from Barcklay events http://www.barclayeventspdx.com/ |
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| Modern accents |
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| Ahh the view at Youngburg Hill Winery http://www.youngberghill.com/ |
Amy and Andy
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| Exquisite Picassa calla lilies were the perfect choice for Amy’s bridal bouquet. |
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| A little rain didn’t slow down the happy couple. |
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| Molly from Soiree was the planner for this event and boy did she really work to keep everyone happy and dry! She always goes the extra mile to make sure sure all the details for her parties are taken care of. http://www.bonsoiree.com/ |
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| Even though the rain made it impossible to have the ceremony in the original location in the garden. Amy and Andy made the most of their day and even commented on how the soft rain enveloping the tent created a very romantic and special moment for the couple and their guests. |
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| The Allison is such a spectacular venue! http://www.theallison.com/ |
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| Soft candlelight added such an intimate feel. |
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| Those wine colored dresses were stunning especially accented with those rich deep violet dahlias, dendrobium, garden rose and calla bouquets. |
Photographer Karen Wise http://www.karenwise.com/