Real Weddings: Elizabeth and Josh, Kansas City

Elizabeth is a DIY kind of gal, so for her wedding she just need a few personal flowers, and she handled the ceremony and reception decor.  A classic fall bouquet went perfectly with the simple black bridsmaids dresses and black tuxes.  We added in fun textural elements like green trick, and billy balls, and the giant orange dahlias were simply beautiful.  Photos by Lindsay Pierce Photography and emmy-ray.  

Thanks so much to Elizabeth and Josh for letting us be part of your day, and to Lindsay for the the referral! 

xo - Emily

Cory and Josh's Kansas Real Wedding, June 2012

Cory was one of the most laid back brides I've ever worked with.  We started planning her wedding while she was out of town, exchanging e-mails and inspiration, and then I sent her a proposal without ever meeting her in person.  She wanted something fun, and just a touch rustic/wildflowery to match the surroundings of her wedding in Olathe, Kansas.  Bright sunshine yellow and a bit of ivory were the perfect compliment to the teal blue accents that ran throughout her event.  Like Cory the reception space was decorated in a laid back manner, and we used our vintage screen as a backdrop for her outdoor ceremony. Pictures by C R Photography, and emmy-ray.  

And a rare peek behind the scenes into our Jeep loaded up with all the floral goodies, and my lovely assistant/mom.  

Thanks so much for having us Cory and Josh!  

xo ~ Emily

For the Love of Flowers: Shanna and Michael, May 2012

I met Shanna when I was setting up another wedding at Californos last year.  It's a common occurance, and I love Californos just for that reason (and many other reasons).  When we met for our consult she brought along a posse, including her sweet daughter.  From the start she was so open to ideas, and I absolutely LOVED the custom grey and white linens we created for their tables.  The set-up was a decor-a-thon, including a backdrop for their outdoor ceremony, sheer curtains for the entry way, and tons of white lanterns, lights, and hanging flowers over the dance floor.  A fun little tid bit: Shanna set her bridal bouquet down before the ceremony and someone placed it behind the bar for safe keeping, but failed to tell the bride.  When it came time for the ceremony no one could find it, so Shanna rolled with it, and subbed in a bridesmaids bouquet.  Now that's a laid back bride.  Thanks for letting us be part of your day Shanna and Michael, and also thanks to Melissa Lin Ellis for her lovely pics of the couple!

xo ~ Em

Inspiration: Cynthia Rowley Bouquet Recipe

Fashion Week was last week, and it inspired me to finally use this amazing Cynthia Rowley ribbon to create a bouquet.  As soon as I saw it at Jo-ann Fabric and Crafts, and I just had to have it.  The colorful confetti look makes me want to drop everything and party!  The natural choice for flowers was a mix of lots of bright fun colors, and being a texture lover I grabbed lots of fun novelty stems like green trick, thistle, and celosia!  Hope everyone had a fabulous fashion week, I love living vicariously through all your style pics and runway shows!

xo ~ Em

Yellow Pom Poms and Butterflies

Right now we're in the depths of wedding season, busy, busy, busy, but back in February and March things were a bit slower.  When I haven't had a chance to work with flowers I always get the itch.  I went to the market and did a little flower shopping grabbing some bright colore orange ranunculus, and lots of textural elements like heather, acacia, and thistle (does anyone love acacia as much as me?)  I added a few little butterflies for a bit of pink and wrapped it all up with a sweet bit of grosgrain ribbon from Paper Source.  Ah, this little bouquet definitely did the trick! (Click "Continue Reading" to see more).

xo ~ Em

Floral Friday: Gold Leaf and Sherbert

When KC Weddings does their bouquet photo shoot they contact all kinds of different floral designers around Kansas City.  Usually there's a theme in mind, for instance I made this bouquet for the last shoot which was all about using items other than flowers.  This time the challenge was to create an inexpensive bouquet to show budget brides that they can have beautiful flowers without spending a fortune.  I've been really loving the soft pastel color palette that's been so on trend for next year, and of course I had to throw in a few bright touches with sherbert colored zinnias as well.

The flowers that I chose are what most people traditionally consider filler flowers such as carnations, stock, chrysanthemums, and baby's breath.  However used in a similar color palette, and lots of them they make a big impact, and a charming display.  I also added in some dusty miller leaves, and home grown zinnias from my own backyard, and wrapped it all up in grey satin ribbon with a vintage trim of gold leaves.

 

Here's the final shot in KC Weddings.

Don't you just love that amazing mantel and silver tray?  A big thank you to KC Weddings for asking me to take part in the Spring/Summer Issue!

xo ~ Em

Floral Friday: Trader Joe's Bouquet DIY

For today's Floral Friday post I'm sharing with you a little video that I shot last week.  This video was a bit of a test of my new camera's capabilities (can you belive it's a digital point and shoot?).  I was at Trader Joes, I saw these lovely peach roses, and got inspired.  I love working with flowers, and I think sometimes people believe it's a much more complicated process than it really is.  I thought this DIY would be great as a sweet little bridesmaids bouquet, or a Valentines day gift for someone special.  Hope you like it!

 

For the Love of Flowers: Sarah and Brian

Oh boy, I can hardly contain myself and my excitement for today's post.  First it was one of my favorite weddings of 2011, and two it was for my dear friends Sarah and Brian.  There's a lot of pictures here folks, so bear with me (although they're all full of sweet wedding inspired goodness, so it's definitely worth it).  

I've known Sarah since college.  The weird thing is that we didn't become good friends until my very last semester, but I'm glad we did.  She's creative, generous, and I truly enjoy traveling back to visit her.  She definitely found her match with Brian.  They're such a complimentary couple, and when they're together it's easy to see how at ease they are, and how much they love each other.  

xo ~ Em

 

Sarah loves fall, so she definitely wanted to celebrate the colors of the season in the decor for the wedding, without making it stereotypical.  We went with lots of textural blooms in oranges and reds, and then added in some peaches and golds to soften things up.  She's also collected milk glass for years and years, so it was an easy choice for the containers.

For each table we mixed in ghost pumpkins, gourds, candles, and succulents for a multi layered effect.  Sarah is a talented graphic designer and created all the escort cards and table numbers herself.

For the personal flowers we used the same mix of flowers, but without any of the greens except a collar of dusty miller.  I wrapped the bouquets in off white silk ribbons and jute.  The men wore boutonnieres with a golden spray rose, billy balls, succulents, and dusty miller.  

I also created some bridal accessories for Sarah including her birdcage veil that she wore for the ceremony, and then a headband with pleated silk pinwheels for the reception.  She even had a dress change (I told her she was like a celebrity).

I absolutely loved their cake, isn't it gorgeous!  They held their event at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs.  It was an amazing old hotel that is supposedly haunted.  As lovers of all things vintage it was the perfect spot for Sarah and Brian.  They had their ceremony in a beautiful chapel in the middle of the woods.  

I snagged this sweet picture of my friends Shad, David, Maria, and Vladin right before the ceremony.  Miss hanging out with these guys...

A big thank you to my friends Sarah and Brian for letting us be a part of your guys big day.  We had such an amazing time!

xo ~ Em