Hanging votives lit up this focal point of the room
Amy Campbell, from Angela Anderson Photography, was sweet enough to send me some flower images she shot from Heather and Greg’s June 2009 wedding. I was left breathless by her vision and had to share!
I so enjoyed working on this wedding. First, because it was a GE team effort (Alicia was the planner and I was the designer/florist….which always makes for a super-fun event). But also, because our beautiful bride, Heather, pretty much gave me her budget and told me that she wanted beautiful, bright colors and the height of her venue (The Keene Barn) addressed in the design. I love having some freedom to create.
Four of these large arrangements were used on the outdoor patio for the ceremony, to create an altar focal point.
Colorful rose petals led the guest eye's down the aisle to the floral altar.
Her flowers included the luscious Black Magic red roses, Vendela ivory roses , Hot Princess pink roses, Toscana pink alstromeria lilies, Honey Bell yellow alstromeria lilies, Belles of Ireland, Castellanro hot pink carnations, white hydrangea, beautiful green pittosperum….and fields of curly willow!
A favorite current trend is using different heights on centerpieces. It keeps your guests’ eye moving around the reception. Being kissed with beauty at every level. For Heather, we did one large center focal point (below) with every flower imaginable at the mouth of the vase and hanging in the super-tall willow branches, adding hanging votive candles to create romance.
Then did medium size arrangements (below).
And my favorite, the short arrangement, but still managed to “lift” it off the table by using a lift vase with coordinating pieces artfully placed at the bottom of the lift vase. This is a treat for guests seated at the table and is often met with….”well, look at that” as they enjoy their dinner. Something new they did not notice until seated.
Curly willow and alstromeria lily blooms grace the bottom of the vase lifts.
A sweet finish! Amy, your photos are amazing! Thank you!
Heart & Stroke Ball 2010
We are committed supporters of the American Heart Association. Their 22nd annual Heart and Stroke Ball was this past Saturday night at the Bluegrass Ballroom in the downtown Lexington Center. This is our 4th year designing the decor for this prestigious black-tie event for over 450 guests.
With a keen eye on the goal of using fundraising dollars for saving lives, we took a modern streamline approach to decor this year. First, we chose a royal blue pintuck tablecloth to match the blue chairs (what else can you do, if you can’t cover them, you have to make them work!). Then we brought in red (of course) flowers: orchids, tulips and….yes… over 1000 carnations. Don’t cringe at carnations! They can be beautiful and fun when used in amass.
We had custom labels made for our vases to echo the event’s logo. The great thing about these is they are static-based and can be used again.
We mixed up the heights of centerpieces using medium submerged tulips and tall submerged orchids. All pieces featured either floating candles or submerged lights in them. The below orchid pieces sat upon light bases to illuminate from the bottom of the piece.
Check this out (below)…….
The above design (with the flowers coming out of the top of the vases) was inspired by Jeff Leatham, who hosted Flowers Uncut last year on TLC. He is one of my favorite NYC designers! Everything he does is unique and artful!
Jeff Leatham and his signature design
Now, I know we are in Central Kentucky but I thought people would really get this design. During set up, I had a couple people ask me if I wanted them to drop the flowers down in the vase (as if I was not tall enough to do so and they were trying to help me….awww…don’t you love KY…we are so nice here!). Anyway, it was comical to hear offers to help and “are you going to put those down in the vases”? Eventually when we finished the set up of the room, they got it. They liked it. And I smiled. See NYC….you got nothing on us!