The Desert in Spring :: Flowerwild Workshop, Palm Springs

I think learning is important, and I love learning.  I'll never stop exploring or asking questions.  There are so many interesting things in the world.  So many people to meet and exchange ideas with.  

I also love being a grownup.  I love having the whole world as my oyster, and I love the internet and how it can transport us to another place and time and in an instant.  Thanks to the internet I learned about this workshop.  And I'm glad I did and that I went.  Learning can be expensive, but I'm convinced that the money invested saves you mistakes that cost money (and time and reputation) in the future.  

Kate is a creative genius, her eye is developed and I just liked watching her work.  I think it's always fascinating how different people go about things in different ways and the result is so beautiful in both scenarios.  I liked meeting Jose and looking through his camera lens.  He lives in a magical world full of beauty because that's how he sees life.  You can live there too if you decide to.  

Enjoy the photos and the beautiful work of all my sweet workshop friends.  Friends are always my favorite take-away.  

Attendees & Designers Behind the Bouquets Pictured Above:

Kim Sanders of Art With Nature Design 
Kathy Burnham
Chelsie Perez & Jackie Perez of Jackie's Flowers 
Erin Benzakein of Floret Flowers   
Kelly Perry of Philosophy Flowers  
Abany Bauer of Abany Bauer Styling & Flowers  
Nikki Begg of Petals Burmuda 
Amanda Temple of Amanda Temple Photography   
Whitney Hardin of Whit and Wiley  
Ashley Bond of Spread Love Events  
Elizabeth Durels   
Ashley Fox of Ashely Fox Designs  
Gretel Adams of Our Sunny Meadows  

Additional Credits:

Creative Direction by Kate Holt of Flowerwild
Photography by Jose Villa 
Prop Styling and Rentals by Jeni Maus of Found Vintage Rentals
Hair and Makeup by Mar Romero of Team Hair and Makeup  
Workshop held at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, California

For information on future Flowerwild Workshops visit flowerwild.com

This event was featured on Once Wed 

The Biltmore Inspiration Shoot :: On Magnolia Rouge

I'm thrilled to have the Biltmore project featured on Magnolia Rouge today!  Kate started her blog five years ago and it has grown to be an internationally recognized hot spot for inspiration in the wedding world.  It's amazing what you can accomplish when you just keep moving forward each day.  People overestimate what they can do in one day and underestimate what they can do in a lifetime.  Onward friends!

Check out the full feature here and scroll down for more images from this shoot on our blog!  

Out of a Dream — Kristin & Marcus in Inspire Weddings & Marriage

I'm tapping my toes to a little tune from Boonetown Story's website.  Is it funny that sometimes I go to Nicole's website to listen to whatever snappy song has her attention?  I always like it.  :)  The bridge from today's tune is "something out of a dream" and I laughed and smiled because that is exactly how I felt about these pictures I was arranging.  

A week before Kristin's wedding she looked at me and said, "what if we just scrapped all the plans and I told you to do whatever you want?"  This was the first out of a dream moment.  We had planned shades of purple.  Most people feel most comfortable with monochromatic color palettes.  Nothing wrong with that!  I was the same way when I got married.  But one day I discovered this floral designer in Seattle that does an awesome job mixing colors that stuck with me.  I noticed that a little bit of yellow makes the centers in every other flower shine and some white makes the silhouette pop.  A little burgundy with purple isn't common, but it works.  It's quite rich and royal.  And those were my impressions about Kristin.  She was rich in all the right things — love, thoughtfulness, and royal — a princess.  So all of a sudden the color palette became a little more complex and interesting.

The second out of a dream moment came when I was walking by the completed reception table, "Is this really happening?!" I thought to myself.  Then I got one of those secret teary-eyed moments that resonate in your soul and you never forget.  I just knew in that moment that I was doing what God made me to do and He was happy about it.

The third came when Stephanie told me she wanted this wedding to be a part of her magazine — Inspire Weddings and Marriage.  She said she just saw Kristin and knew.  

And I imagine Marcus thought the same thing about this royal princess — he just knew.  Marcus looks at Kristin with eyes so full of love, and with love that encompasses patience, kindness, goodness and grace, this marriage will go down in the record books as a legend.

It was all so beautiful — like a dream.  But far better because it was 100% real life.  Things like trust, vulnerability, thoughtfulness, kindness, love and light made it happen.  I wish for all of these things to fill your heart and spill out of your eyes like sunshine.  I wish you eyes that can see beauty every day.

Photography: Boonetown Story  // Flowers & Styling: Philosophy Flowers  //  Venue: Twickenham House //  Event Planning: Day of Your Dreams //  Catering: Reid's Catering  // Hair Stylist: Heather Rogers, Haircut 101

Published in Inspire Weddings and Marriage Magazine, available today in Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million in North & South Carolina