stealing from friends

A few weeks ago (not sure how long exactly, been a busy summer) I ordered flowers for a bridal show while I was working on a 4 wedding weekend. Of course the brides come first, so when the flowers came in for the show I looked at what I ordered and thought to myself "my God, what have I done." After I calmed down I realized I saw several of my brilliant florist friends in the selection of flowers. The designs are not copies of their work, but their influence is hard to deny. 1st is a clutch bouquet inspired by Arthur Williams, owner of Babylon Floral (a genius with texture, visit his site, he's an experience.) The bouquet is of; grevellia, orange magic roses, lantana and succulents. A petal ready flower girl basket made of wire, and a Jr. bouquet of lantana. Next a clutch of pink garden  roses and dusty pink spray roses with a few support pieces (a beautifully scented crowd pleaser.) Next a cascade bouquet inspired by Frankie Peltiere and Beth O'Riley (God bless bless 'em.) A lush, floor dragging bouquet of; Mambo lilies, Sweetness roses, calycina and cymbidium orchids attached to wire (totally knocked ' em out, thanks guys!") The last 2 images are inspired by Hitomi Gilliam, a river cane structure  built on a stand given to me by Frankie, here used as an altar piece (or truth be told a stop here piece.) 7 ft. of river cane, lantana, free spirit roses, with birds of paradise lashed to the structure. Thank you my friends, this presentation killed.

Nataleigh Reuter

Natalie Reuter, my last June bride this year and a fine way to end the month. Looking absolutely flawless in 100+ heat carrying a bouquet of the beloved David Austin garden roses, lavender Ocean Song and peach Osiana. A romantic bouquet of roses with a scent that can only be described by with words like ooooh and mmm. It seems to be a natural reaction to close one's eyes while experiencing this.

taking tiger mountain

For some reason this piece this made me think of Brian Eno's "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy," The rock like container, the colors of the zinnia and lantana and the low to high movement just made the title pop in my head. If you don't own any of Eno's music I strongly suggest you get some.

pink romance

A lovely romantic bouquet in pinks. Lisianthus, sweetness roses, white freesia, calycina and white freesia.

Central Missouri Bride 3

 

 Another great shoot for Central Missouri Bride Magazine. For this session the staff went a with a more ''world feel, inspired by India" every bride is not only beautiful, but completely herself. Hair by Catherine Crumm. the bouquet : orange dubium, croton leaves, gloriosa lilies, viburnum  and lily grass. The "altar piece" is  made of river cane with with blooms tied onto the structure. Wait till you see what Travis Duncan did with this session. Beauty! 

Ashley Azmeh

 Ashley Frost and her flowers looking great in serious Missouri June heat. Her bouquet: Vandela roses, sweet pea and stephanotis. Maid of honor bouquet: anemones, daisies, montecasino, solidago, white lisianthus and queen anne's lace. Her sister's bouquet: yellow daisies, crespedia, solidago, montecasino and queen anne's lace.

Danielle Peltonen

Danielle was a treat to work with - sweet, funny, organized and hell-bent for happy. Looking lovely and carrying a bouquet of: white peonies, peach stock and green cymbidiums. The maid of honor bouquet is made of; Osiana roses, purple stock and calycina.

hot pink

1st - a bridal bouquet of: hot lady roses, spray roses and garden roses collared with cymbidium orchids. 2nd - maid of honor bouquet of spray roses and cymbidiums. 3rd - monobotanical bridesmaids bouquets of roses and spray roses. 4th - a simple pew marker of carnations and calycina. Photos 2, 3 and 4 by Rachel Bader.

Emily Clark

One of the hardest parts of writing this blog is coming up with new ways to say how beautiful these girls are. Here is the gorgeous Emily Clark rockin' red roses and eggplant calla lily realness. The bridesmaids are carrying red roses, purple stock and green hypericum berries that are perfect with their dresses. Great Mom, bride and girl posse. Happy brides help me sleep the sleep of the just.

Teresa Marie Galli

A few of my favorite images from Teresa's wedding. They're beautiful, happy and Teresa you were gorgeous! She's carrying a peony bouquet with pink ranunculus - strawberry sherbet.

Mindy Baker

Here we have the pretty and sweet Mindy Baker carrying a frothy mix of; white peonies, queen anne's lace and green button mums, Her bridesmaids carried peach "twilight roses and queen anne's lace. It makes my job so gratifying when I show up with flowers and the girls are so exited to grab their bouquets! Just look at those genuine smiles!

submerged tulips

Some tulips from the yard.

back to the backyard

First florissimo post of all flowers from the garden this year! Beautiful foxglove, snapdragons, iris, spiderwort ans sweet william make up the cool color palette.  

cherry blossom

Curly willow and plum blossom branches help to make a decorative armature for a single lacy peony in this cube vase deign.

Sheila Carnett

Dr. Sheila Carnett with an abundant bouquet of peonies and tulips. Below her "stand up gal" (matron wasn't cutting it) with pink and purple tulips that compliment her dress.

Jill and Aaron Juckette

A beautiful wedding for my beautiful friends, Jill and Aaron. I knew them both separately and was overjoyed when they got together. This wedding united some of my favorite people in Jefferson City, the friend and family network of this couple can't be beat. Jill's bouquet was a scepter of calla lilies and cymbidiums with an antique brooch (which she rocked,) the altar pieces were calla lilies and roses, some great decisions by Jill transformed a couple of banquet rooms into a truly elegant event - with fireworks!

parallel lilac

Another river cane structure design (I'll stop when I get it really right) with lilac and freesia. The stem insertions are all parallel to the structure which really helps to give it a growing look.

peonies and ranunculus

A familiar, pretty combination of peonies and ranunculus. If a flower, style or color story is particularly relevant It will show up here more often, it helps both brides and myself be more trend conscious. The bridal bouquet is of; pink peonies, white ranunculus and green button mums. The bridesmaids bouquet is a monobotanical arrangement of white ranunculus.

Happy Easter!

Daffodil topiary with some dianthus and columbine. However you celebrate (or don't) enjoy this day, and remember flowers love you!