What a beautiful couple - Mr. and Mrs. Al Arrington.

Once again, the weather played a marvelous role for a perfect wedding at Fountainview.  There was nary a cloud in the sky the whole day as the couple shared their vows surround by over two hundred guests.  The couple chose the beautiful pool deck with the guests facing the magnificent rear of the mansion as the backdrop.  Every wedding holds special memories for me and for this wedding, color was the operative word. 

The stunning cornflower blue color of the bridesmaid's gowns was a perfect tie-in with the garden venue.

The bride chose for her focal color a gorgeous shade of periwinkle/cornflower blue for the eight bridesmaids.  The thirteen groomsmen wore black tuxes with periwinkle blue vests and bowties creating a magnificent color palette especially around the pool. 

The rehearsal dinner was held on Friday evening at 6:00 PM with a slightly different color palette utilizing a beautiful sage green crush fabric for the linen with ivory napkins.  The delicious menu was provided by Christine’s Gourmet for both the rehearsal dinner as well as the reception.  The beautiful strains of harp music filled the garden as guests were seated in the garden.

Following the beautiful ceremony performed by Dr. George Mathison, the guests segued immediately into a wonderful reception beginning with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres of mini shrimp cocktails in miniature martini glasses.  The guests loved it!  The linens for the reception were  marvelous shade of cornflower blue in a crinkle sheer fabric.  This particular linen reflects light so beautifully.

The precious and memorable father daughter dance.

Reception music was provided by the wonderful local band, Kidd Blue which is always a huge crowd pleaser.  With lead singer, Tim Chambliss, the music was enjoyed by all ages. 

Following the staged departure, the bride and groom returned to Fountainview for their first night together in the Carlisle Suite while other family guests stayed in the guest rooms in the main part of the mansion.  This allowed them all to enjoy a wonderful breakfast together before all left on their various journeys home. 

The large wedding party poses for a formal portrait in the formal living room at Fountainview Mansion which provides a sense of scale for the magnificent room.

Erin and Al, thanks so much for being such a delight to work with.  Please keep in touch!  God bless you both.

The bride and groom share a "William and Kate" moment; the fabled balcony kiss at Fountainview making a memory that will last a lifetime.

Another stunning sunset at Fountainview for a beautiful couple. God bless you as you begin your new life together.

The radiant bride and her dashing groom after being pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Lynn.

What a glorious day it was on May 15^thas Jessica Horsefield and Spencer Lynn were united in marriage on Sunday, May 15^th.  What a delightful couple.  The dynamic duo met during their time playing in the Auburn University Marching Band.  Throughout the four years at Auburn the couple had many magical memories even being able to go together to the championship game in Arizona earlier this year.  It may sound coy, but these two do make beautiful music together.  They’re a perfect fit. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Lynn pose in the magnificent Fountainview Mansion foyer.

It was also wonderful working with the bride’s mom and dad so closely.  Captain Horsefield is a career military officer in the Navy where he faithfully serves our country as a pilot.  He and the bride’s mother are stationed in Belgium.  Yet, it was no challenge whatsoever to plan the ceremony and other events for the wedding thanks to the electronic convenience of e-mail.  I was fortunate to be able to assist the family in nearly every detail of planning including DJ booking, string quartet booking for the ceremony, floral design services, and many other facets of wedding planning to lighten their loads.  That’s what we do best.  It’s the Fountainview difference.  In addition to the wedding ceremony and reception, the bridesmaid’s luncheon and rehearsal dinner were all held at Fountainview – all with completely different color palettes and themes.

The bride's delightful parents, Captain and Mrs. Horsefield. Thanks for your service to our country, Captain.

The rehearsal dinner featured fabulous moss green crinkle taffeta linens with black napkins placed on gold chargers.  It was an elegant but very masculine look.  Florals featured a decidedly masculine look including curly willow, a wide assortment of mosses and foliages, lotus pods, and other unique natural elements.  It was a great look.

The wedding reception took on a completely different color palette but repeated the theme of the elegant crinkle taffeta linens but this time in a magnificent shade of deep purple. 

Fabulous, luxurious linens and dramatic contrasting chartreuse linens coupled with elegant florals created an ambience of Southern romance and elegance.

 This was a lovely tie-in with the bridesmaid’s gowns in a luscious and unique shade of dusty plum.  Complementing the deep purple linens were fabulous chartreuse green beaded chair ties which added a dramatic contrasting color against the rich purple.  It was stunning!

The bridesmaids await their procession down the magical Fountainview aisle in the dusty amethyst gowns. It was an amazing and unique color.

Florals were done by Fountainview and featured a wide variety of the bride’s favorite flowers.  For her bouquet, the bride selected ivory gerbera daisies and green hydrangeas for a simple but elegant Southern look.  The maids featured an assortment of purple hydrangeas, green mini cymbidium orchids, green hypericum berries, and other seasonal flowers for a dramatic and rich color palette.  The site of the ceremony near the antique gazebo feature bowers of flowers in large garden urns with the focal point being a beautiful cross completely covered in flowers; roses, hydrangeas, and many other seasonal flowers. 

The dramatic and elegant bridesmaids bouquets.

A gorgeous buffet arrangement for the Horsefield/Spencer reception provided a harmonious color palette and exquisite fragrance to the room.

The bride and her daddy, Captain Horsefield, prepare for her long-awaited trip down the aisle to become Mrs. Spencer Lynn.

Jessica and Spencer, we wish you both all the best.  We know you’ll continue to make beautiful music together.  Thanks for allowing us to be such an integral part of your wedding, bridesmaid’s luncheon and rehearsal dinner.  We didn’t want the weekend to end.  Thanks for beings so delightful to work with. God bless you and your precious families.

Presenting for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Lynn. God bless you both!

( Read more. )

It was another perfect day at Fountainview on May 7^th as Julie Meeks and David Mallard were united in holy matrimony.   The 6:00 PM ceremony was held in the garden setting under the antique gazebo witnessed by more than two hundred guests. 

The bride selected a very tone on tone color palette with white brushed satin linens accented with champagne lamour table runners.  The bride selected two tents.  The 20×30 tent on the left side of the garden housed a parquet double dance floor as well as space for the DJ which provided a beautiful and functional space for energetic dancing.  The same size tent was selected for the right side of the garden housing a marvelous fry station featuring fried green tomatoes and other delectable Southern treats.  It was a huge success with rave reviews by the guest.  Hats off to the chef, Billy Lee, with TerraCotta for another great job.

Cakes were done by our personal favorite, Robbyn Fowler, with Sonshine Cakes. 

The classical elegance of the bride's cake by Sonshine Cakes.

As you can see, the groom’s cake provided a perfect touch of whimsy for the groom who is so passionate about hunting.  It was a perfect choice to meet his personality.

The groom's cake; a perfect reflection of his passion for hunting.

Every wedding is so special to me.  It’s always a special treat when I have the joy of working with a client more than once.  This was the case as I worked with the Miles family.  We had already had the joy of working with them on creating their son Carter’s rehearsal dinner two years earlier.  It was a memorable event, especially due to the memorable weather…..  Even though that weather was far from perfect, still the bride had a very special place for Fountainview in her heart as did her family.   In addition, the bride’s mother Vickie as provost to the registrar of Troy University has hosted numerous staff retreats at Fountainview.  It was like family coming home for the weekend.  We also had the privilege of working with the groom’s family on the rehearsal dinner.  What a delightful experience!  Working with two fabulous families like this make event planning such an absolute joy! 

Ashley sings to her groom. What a beautiful and poignant touch.

The rehearsal dinner featured a luxurious sage green crushed shimmer fabric paired with classic ivory cloth napkins.  The floral arrangements were done in vintage looking containers and contained a wide array of florals in white, ivory, and hints of pink and chartreuse green.  The look was classic elegance through and through.   

The ceremony was held in the sanctuary of Auburn United Methodist Church.  The reception immediately followed at Fountainview.   Linen were classicly elegant ivory damask which was paired with an exquisite latte lamour napkin.  By far, this is the most luxurious napkin we’ve ever used here at Fountainview.  Guests can’t help but comment about the rich feel of this fabric.  Since the bride been passionate about dancing her entire life, one of the focal points of the reception was the tent set-up which covered the dance floor adjacent to the illuminated pool with the pool deck covered with a elegant black and white checker board dance floor.  A custom monogram was created for the couple and illuminated the exterior ceiling of the tent which provided an elegant and platinum touch to the setting.

One of the showstoppers though was the magnificent groom’s cake; a custom creation of Samford Hall done by Robyn Fowler with Sonshine Cake.  Cakes this magnificent are a wonder to behold and this was by far one of the most creative and intricate cakes we have ever seen at Fountainview.  Not only was the architecture captured beautifully.  The landscape featured flowers, bushes, and other landscape elements all done with painstaking detail as only Robyn can do.  Well done Robyn.  For the best cake you’ve ever put in your mouth, book Sonshine Cakes.  They are a work of art as well as a delight for the palette.

The incredible groom's cake of Samford Hall by Robbyn Fowler of Sonshine Cakes. It was an absolute work of art!

Even the back side of the groom's cake was done with painstaking attention to detal including the appropriate number of windows, fire escapes and event landscaping materials. It was unbelievable!

Catering was done by Maestro 2300 with Chef John Hamme featuring a highly creative and unique menu.  Passed hors d’oeurves included Saffron Risotto Balls, Beef Satay with Marcona Almond Glaze, Syrian Lamb Pate on Pappadam, and Tarragon Chicken in Phyllo.  Buffet selections included Garden Vegetable Salad with Creamy Oregano Dressing, Cucumber, Tomato, Feta, Olives and Egg, Grilled Marinated Vegetable Display, Red Bliss Potato Salad with Bacon and Onions, Sautéed Summer Vegetables, Roast Fingerling Potatoes with Bacon and Onions, Poached Stuffed Flounder, White Wine Sauce, and Whole Roasted Mandarin Orange and Honey Glazed Chicken, Natural Jus.  What a fabulous menu!  Great job, John.

Thanks so much Godwin and Miles families for the joy of working with you.  I wish you had more children to plan wedding for.  What a delight!  God bless you all.

Mr. and Mrs. Miles and their daughter-in law join the bride in singing to the groom welcoming him to the family. The Mile's son played the guitar completing the family presentation. It was so heartwarming. Well done!

There’s something about a Spring wedding and when it’s on Easter weekend, it’s even more perfect as a symbol of new beginnings.  This wedding was extra special for me due to our connection with the family through our music program at Auburn UMC. 

Guests arrive at Fountainview Mansion in anticipation of Kellie and Dave's wedding. Note the picture perfect blue sky. What a glorious day for a delightful couple.

 The bride’s grandmother is a very faithful member of our music ministry as was the bride’s grandfather in previous years.  Having that personal connection makes a wedding extra special.

Kellie poses with her mother and grandmother in the Buckingham Suite shortly before the wedding. Grandma Bracking played a pivotal role in introducing the couple.

The bride chose a beautiful shade of blue for her maids.  Some might call it pool blue.  Others might call it tiffany blue.  Whatever the name, it was a gorgeous look on all the girls.  

The entire wedding party poses in the Fountainview garden.

Florals selected for the wedding featured a plethora of spring flowers including tulips, iris, hyacinth, forsythia, and peonies in soft shades of cream and pink. 

Floral designs produced an explosion of Spring.

The luxurious arrangements evoked an elegant theme of Southern elegance.  The ceremony site on the raised pool deck featured large urns filled with a plethora of pink and ivory flowers further enhanced by the focal point of a beautiful floral covered cross. 

The beautiful floral cross featured a wide array of roses, Easter lilies, freesia, hydrangeas, forsythia, and oncidium orchids.

What could be more perfect for two Christian families celebrating a joyous occasion on Easter weekend?  It was perfect for them.

Kellie and her handsome dad, Mike, pause for a moment together before proceeding down the aisle to create a moment they will cherish for a lifetime.

The elegant bridal bouquet featuring an elegant mix of roses, hydrangea, white lilac, peonies, freesia, and the bride's personal favorite, gerbera daisies.

The bride and groom cut their beautiful and colorful cake created for them by Robbyn Fowler with Sonshine Cakes surrouned by their family and friends.

Following the reception, the couple was whisked away in the Fountainview limo in a “stage departure” and later returned to the mansion for additional sunset photos and a stay in the luxurious Buckingham Suite. 

There's truly no sunset view like sunset at Fountainview. What a magical memory for this precious couple as they embark on their new life together!

Another fabulous sunset shot by Jack Bentley of Infinity Photographers.

The iconic fountain at Fountainview with the gorgeous sunset beyond. What a perfect ending for a perfect day.

The couple’s honeymoon was a 10-day trip to Hawaii.  What a great way to begin life together.

A special thanks to Jack and Lisa Bentley for providing all these beautiful images.  What a great photographic team!  Thanks again Jack and Lisa for being so wonderful to work with.  You’re awesome.

God bless you Dave and Kellie!

What a fun weekend!  I first met Ben and Sarah over a year ago when they reserved Fountainview for their ceremony and reception.  From the moment I met, I knew this couple was going to be an absolute joy to work with.  What fun taste they had.

The festivities began on Friday at noon when the bride and her bridesmaids and other honored guests joined for the bridesmaid’s  luncheon.   Following the luncheon wedding participants began checking into their luxury suites at the mansion for a weekend of fun and special memories.  Following the wedding rehearsal, the groom’s parents hosted a delightful rehearsal dinner for nearly 100 guests complete with a live band which added to the fun and festivity of the evening.  The evening featured a Western theme and guests were encouraged to dress casually in Western attire if they chose. 

The brides dress for the rehearsal dinner was fashioned by the bride from her mother's wedding gown. What a fun and creative idea. It was awesome and perfect for Sarah!

The custom table linens created a classy yet whimsical approach to color and texture.  The base linens were in alternating shades of bright yellow and red and topped with custom burlap toppers.  Florals by Fountainview’s design team featured unique arrangements of sunflowers as the focal flowers.  Many of them were artistically and creatively done in cowboy boots to the delight of the guests.  It was definitely one of the more unique rehearsal dinner looks we’ve ever seen here at Fountainview.

Custom floral arrangements in boots completed the unique theme for the rehearsal dinner.

The completed rehearsal dinner set up in the Grand Salon of Fountainview Mansion. No two themes are ever the same. The rehearsal dinner can look completely different from the wedding which shows the versatility of Fountainview Mansion.

The creativity of the rehearsal dinner was but a prelude to the unique and creative setting created for the reception.  The couple chose deep purple (eggplant) for the main color inspiration and to my delight, zebra print.  The bride had always been very fond of zebra print and this proved to be a perfect match with the purple.  The couple’s invitations were actually the inspiration for the entire reception as they featured the zebra print paired with the purple.  It was so unique and delightful.  The base linens were the elegant purple lamour with custom screen printed zebra table runners to carry out this important design element for the bride.  Florals for the guest tables were created in low black design dishes and featured unique tropical foliages, mosses, and several sprays of purple dendrobium orchids and purple tulip anthurium.  Dramatic height was provided by an extensive use of curly willow.  What a fun and creative look.  Tropicals were flown in from Hawaii especially for the couple.  Amazingly, tropicals can be an extremely good value so if you like the drama and luxurious look they provide, don’t be afraid to explore this unique possibility.

The unique arrangement designed for the wedding combined beautifully with the custom zebra print table runners to creat an exotic and dramatic look as well as a creative touch of whimsy.

A dramatic buffet arrangement features a plethora of dendrobium orchids, tropical foliages and willow to combine with the zebra motif desired by the bride and groom.

Each of the maids was allowed to select her own shade of purple for the wedding.  The look was fabulous with colors ranging from soft lavendar, to plum to violet, aubergine, and eggplant.  It was marvelous and allowed each maid to select something that fit the theme while also suiting their individual personalities and skin tone.

The bride and her maids pose at Samford Hall at Auburn University.

The entire wedding party at Samford Hall. War Eagle!

The bride and groom joyfully glide down the aisle following their ceremony at Fountainview. Note the sunglasses which had been especially created in purple especially for the wedding for the entire wedding party. It was another touch of fun for this joy-filled couple.

One of the most delightful elements of the reception was the custom created bride's cake topper. It was an adorable likeness of a precious couple. Note that even the bride is taller than the groom and the bride's gown was even copied for accuracy. It was outstanding! It was the perfect topper for another perfect cake designed by Robyn Fowler of Sonshine Cakes.

At breakfast the morning of the wedding, all the maids joined in the dining room with the bride for a sumptuous breakfast attired in the custom created purple robes.

Ben and Sarah, thanks for being such an absolute delight and joy to work with.  God bless.

It was a perfect Spring day with the azaleas dressed in all their finery as approximately one hundred guests joined in wishing this delightful couple from Smyrna, Georgia their best wishes.  The 5:00 PM ceremony took place poolside under a flawless blue sky and a perfectly comfortable temperature.

The bride and groom pose for photos on the grounds of Fountainview Mansion.

The bride’s gown was so perfect for Maxine.  It features exquisite lace in a tailored style which was aan exquisite choice for her.  The creamy ivory color palette of the bride’s gown set the tone for a very rich and elegant vintage look.  

The stunning bride prepares for her magical trip down the aisle.

While the bridesmaids were elegant and sophisticated in their black gowns, the accent colors said Southern romance and featured a soft color palette of ivory, blush pinks and peaches.  Featured florals in the bride’s bouquet were creamy vendela and champagne roses, cymbidium orchids, white freesia, and white lilac for the ultimate in classic bridal elegance.  It was definitely soft, elegant and romantic.  The bridesmaids’s hand-tied bouquets and featured predominately pinky peach tones accented with ivory and champagne. 

The delicate strains of a harpist filled the garden with exquisite music for the ceremony.  What a lovely touch!  Live ceremony music, strings, harp, or trumpet creates such a beautiful ambience for a ceremony. 

The linen choice was the beautiful lamour fabric in a beautiful shade of champagne which provided a perfect backdrop for the elegant florals in footed vintage containers.  Lamour is such an elegant fabric.  Linen choice does such a great job of creating and carrying through a wedding’s theme.  The details do make a difference.  Fabrics don’t have to be extremely expensive to leave a lasting impression.

We were thrilled to host many of the couple’s family members over the weekend which creates a perfectly relaxing destination wedding sort of a feel.   Having family members spend the weekend together is such a great way to join two families providing lots of time for conversation and sharing the journey together.  In addition, it’s so fun for the wedding participants to see the entire wedding progress from behind the scenes while not having to lift a finger.  This is another way for our brides and grooms to create a very relaxing and memorable weekend right here in Auburn.

Following the “staged departure” in the Fountainview limo, the bride and groom returned to Fountainview to spend their first night together providing them an opportunity to enjoy a full gourmet breakfast with their special guests who also spent the night at the mansion.

Allen and Maxine, thanks so much for the honor of working with you on your special day.  We wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.  God bless.

The bride and her groom share a special moment for the cameras.

The classic elegance of the bride's cake; another artistic triumph for Robyn Fowler of Sonshine Cakes. There are just not enough superlatives to describe her delectable creations.

The Fountainview gardens were all decked out in color with the coral colored azaleas in full bloom just in time for the wedding. It created the perfect backdrop for the color palette selected by the bride and groom.

The newly married couple at St. Michaels in Auburn.

The beautiful bride and handsome groom on the grounds of Fountainview Estate - the quintessential perfect couple on their blessed day!

What a joyous celebration took place at Fountainview Mansion on March 26th as Kate and Jack celebrated their long awaited blessed event. Every client brings a certain sense of wonder and excitement in the planning process. But since the first day I met Kate and her mother, Lucia, we were a dynamic trio. Every planning meeting was such fun and charged with such creativity. During the many months of planning, we really jelled as a design team to create a very unique and creative celebration.

The ceremony took place at St. Michaels Catholic Church in their beautiful new sanctuary.

What a gorgeous sanctuary for a wedding mass. While the weather forecast for the day wasn’t the best (100% chance of rain) the results proved that planning for inclement weather is always a good idea. But in the end, miracles can still happen. There were some showers in the morning and a slight cloudburst around 4:00 PM which gave way to one of the most beautiful rainbows I’ve ever seen at Fountainview. It was as if it was a symbol of hope for this beautiful and vibrant couple that while storms can come and go, hope always springs eternal. The entire evening went off flawlessly.

The festivities actually began on Saturday morning as the bridesmaids joined for brunch at the mansion. The luncheon was hosted by the bride’s maternal grandmother who was also an absolute delight to work with. It was obvious from the first meeting the Southern charm and grace abounded in this family. The luncheon was held for 30 guests at 11:30 with a magnificent menu by TerraCotta’s chef, Billy Lee. It’s no wonder this family hit it off so well with him. The bride’s grandmother chose linens in a fabulous shade of salmon crinkle taffeta and elegant ivory lamour napkins. Every time I feel this fabulous fabric I’m reminded that there is a major difference in fabrics. Guest do notice the touch, feel, and color of beautiful fabrics. Combined with the gold charger plates, the family used the house china, a classic white china with a gold band which is always a timeless and elegant choice. Following the luncheon, the girls proceeded on to the Buckingham suite for hair styling, make-up, and dressing.

Kate chose one of the most unique and striking gowns I’ve ever seen here at Fountainview. It’s no wonder; it was a Priscilla of Boston, one of the icons of the wedding bridal gown industry. One of the things I loved most about it was it’s elegant simplicity. Yet, with the pewter jewel accents at the hip, it had a stylish flare that evoked shear class. Of course it doesn’t’ hurt when the bride is as beautiful as Kate. What a lovely young lady, inside and out. What I also noticed about the gown is how well it moved on the dance floor. So often gowns can be cumbersome, but this one literally floated on the dance floor. It was shear elegance.

The maid’s gowns were in a stunning shade of pewter which then inspired the color of the linens and floral design scheme. The pintuck linens carried out the rich elegance of the pewter color with florals in a predominately monochromatic color scheme of cream with just a few hints of blush peach for contrast.

Following the nuptial mass, the wedding party and 325 guests joined for an evening of some of the best dancing music we’ve ever heard at Fountainview. The reception set-up featured extensive tenting which is always a good idea for a larger reception such as this. The 40×80’ main tent contained the custom stage and large dance floor as well as some guest table seating and a bar. Soft lighting was provided by beautiful wrought iron chandeliers on dimmers as well as white twinkle lights surrounding the perimeter. The tent on the left side of the pool held guest table seating as well as one of the hits of the evening; a photo booth. The booth was provided by a friend of the family. With the creative map provided by the family as a backdrop and a plethora of fun costuming materials which had been assembled by the bride’s mother, Lucia, the photo booth was definitely one of the hits of the evening. The other tent on the right side of the pool featured a magnificent food station with fried green tomatoes and other delectable Southern treats. As always, Billy Lee with TerraCotta hit the ball out of the park delighting the guests with a widely varied menu with something for everyone. Both side tents also featured a tent liner which created such a warm and elegant feel. The clients had found some beautiful lanterns with some of the best LED candles I’ve ever seen. The lanterns were suspended from the ceiling of the tent at random heights by soft peach satin ribbon which further enhanced the ambience of the side tents. Florals selected included an abundance of hydrangeas, roses, stock, freesia, Casablanca lilies, tulips, iris, lilac and peonies which provided an aura of shear class and Southern elegance.

The delectable cake by the incomparable Robbyn Fowler with Sonshine Cakes displayed some of the most intricate detail of any cake ever displayed at Fountainview. The most amazing thing about Robbys’s cakes is that no matter how extensive the design elements, the texture and flavor of the cake are even better. We can always tell when Robbyn has done the cakes at Fountainview; there is never any waste. This is another lesson for brides. If you’re going to spend money on a cake, make sure you and your guests will not only love how the cake looks but also be thrilled with how the cake tastes.
The cinematographer (videographer) was Dustin Blake of Indy Productions who did some of the most amazing work I’ve ever seen. For a sample, go to www.indyproduction.net and check out Kate and Jack or click here for the trailer: http://vimeo.com/21986034

The photography by Alea Moore was also amazing. You can see more at Their work is outstanding.

Kate and Jack, we wish you all the best and a lifetime of happiness. Thanks to you both and to Lucia and Grandma Fitzmorris for the privilege of working with you on your special day. God bless you all.

Since Fountainview Mansion is also a full service florist for their client, we are usually asked to do the florals for most of the brides who marry here.  It’s an especially high honor when we’re selected as the florist of choice for a wedding held off site.  Such was the case when Emily Price married Caleb McElroy at the Event Center in Opelika on March 12, 2011 at 6:00 in the evening.  While we had worked with the family almost exactly a year ago for the family’s firstborn daughter, Abby, sister Emily did not wish to try to mimic her sister’s wedding or appear to be copying her sister’s dream wedding.  This is one of the most precious and loving families I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.  It made it very special for me to be a part of the second Price wedding.

Emily and Caleb McElroy share a memorable dance together.

The bride’s inspiration for floral decor came from two basic design elements; black and white damask and hot pink gerbera daisies.  While I had used quite a few gerbera in my daughter’s wedding back in May of 2008, I’ve never utilized so many in one event.  There were hundreds of them.  The biggest challenge for the floral design was the large scale of the room.  Normal sized arrangements would have just not worked in the space due to ceilings nearly 30′ high and a ballroom which can seat nearly 600 guests.  Our challenge was to bring color, warmth and intimacy to the space.  To achieve this, we utilized many “props” the family had been collecting for many months including plaster columns and black and white damask hat boxes to elevate arrangements, a lovely collection of mercury glass votive and candle holders, as well as numerous black picture frames holding engagement pictures of the bride and groom.  We developed 4 basic table scape designs and spaced them throughout the large room to provide as much height contrast and color impact as possible.  The room was further enhanced by soft pink uplighting on the walls, large holly trees trimmed with white lights, and a plethora of large and opulent buffet table arrangements for additional color.

All the arrangements featured the brides personal favorite, the hot pink gerbera daisy, hot pink peonies, freesia, snapdragons, larkspur, gladiolus, green amaranthus, green hypericum, hydrangeas, and hundreds of hot pink roses (Topaz), and pink oriental lilies and fuchsia stock which both provided fabulous fragrance.   

One of the most dramatic focal points was a huge hanging basket to create the look of a floral chandelier suspended over the bride’s cake.  Sonshine Wedding Cakes provided the unique design which reinforced the look of tone-on-tone damask.  

 The bride’s colorful bouquet featured white peonies, white and hot pink roses, white freesia for fragrance, and several hot pink gerbera daisies for color impact.  While gerbera daisies are often referred to as more “informal” flowers, when coupled with the peonies, roses and freesia, they still provided a look of elegance and formality to complement the brides stunning and formal gown.  Each of the bridesmaids was dressed in black and carried a custom hand-tied nosegay in vibrant shades of hot pink wrapped in black and silver damask ribbon.  Against the background of the black dresses the colors were truly dramatic and electric.

One of the many buffet station arrangements which provided color and elegance to the space.

Price family, thanks so much for the honor and privilege of working with you on your second daughter’s wedding.  How I wish you had 10 more daughters!  We cherish your friendship.