Jessica and Rolando

All Photos Courtesy of Katharyne Dunn Photography

Blogging has been a little slow lately I know!  But I have been getting photos in from the proffessional photographers from summer of 2012's weddings and they are fantastic.

Jessica and Rolando held their ceremony and reception at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, IA.  This was the first time that I had a chance to really look at some of the beautiful rooms and suites in the hotel.  It was such a treat.  They are each individually decorated according to a theme that each room is given.  So much fun. You can take a tour of the hotel and see many of the beautiful rooms here, http://www.hotelpattee.com/ 
The day of Jessica and Rolandos wedding was a scorcher, a stark contrast the the weather the day we meet for our first consultation when it was freezing and snowing.  
The bridesmaids and groomsman all had dark purple calla lillies and for Jessica we added the purple phaleonopsis orchids. 
And speaking of photos, I love these photos by Katharyne Dunn.  Beautiful work Katharyne. Thank you for sharing your work with me. You can find Katharyne on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KatharyneDunnPhotography 

Downton Abbey Inspires

Lady Mary Crawley

    

(I adore this photo)

                                                          

I am crazy about Downton Abbey.  I must confess that I didn't start watching until just this last 6 mo.  I heard all the buzz and decided to see what everyone was carrying on about.  I downloaded season one and started watching.  By episode 3 I had downloaded season 2 and in 3 weeks I had finished them and was anxiously awaiting the start of season 3 and of course the wedding of Matthew and Mary.

I was not at all disappointed.  Watching Mary come down the grand staircase in her dress softly flowing around her and her veil trailing behind her, it was beautiful.  In her arms an understated arm bouquet of white calla lilies.

                                                      Some Lady Mary inspired gowns.

Catherine Deane

                                                                                   Naomi Neoh                                                                                      

Temperley London

Flowers that would be perfect for the modern Lady Mary.  Loose, lovely, dimensional and somewhat unpredictable unlike the more traditional perfectly rounded bouquet.  Flowers that can sway and move like the lighter fabrics like the gowns and complimenting the extravagant bead work.  And just like Lady Mary, white calla lilies have never gone out of style in my book.  A few in the arm and some soft flowing greenery.

Florals by Bows and Arrows Image by Natalie Shelton

Bridget Vizoso of Designers Co-op

Southern Blooms by Pat's Floral Design

Brandon and Kayla

When two people are one in their inner most hearts, they shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze,

And when two people understant each other in their inner most hearts, their words are sweet and strong like an orchid.

Kayla was a beautiful bride with a heart warming smile.

Checking out how the bouquet blended with the shoes. Shoes are never far from a girls heart, even on her wedding day.

                                 All photos are by Jusing Salem Meyer Photography

Pretty in Pink

It has been awhile so we have a lot of catching up to do.  The 2012 wedding season is winding down so I am going to try to catch up on all of the beautiful couples that let us be a part of their amazing day.  I have some of the pro shots from some of the talented  photographers that I have worked with this summer and I will be sharing those along with some of my own.  And as soon as the professional shots come in I will post those because if your like me you never get tired of looking at beautiful wedding photos. 

Vintage, the look of dating from the past. 

Here are some photos from a vintage wedding from this summer. Pink is such a great color and pink ranunculus are amazing. Photos by Justin Salem Meyer Photography.

Beautiful Brides Bouquet of white roses, white china mums, scabiosa pods, pink carnations, mini antique carnations, queen annes lace, dark pink ranunculus.

Scabiosa Pods and Queen Anne's Lace combined with Ranunculus and White China Mums. What's not to love. The Pink Carnations are not to be overlooked.  Carnations are so versatile and colorful. They are floral tutu's and when you mix them with some of the more premium flowers you can't go wrong using them.  

Words Of Thanks

Everyone likes to be thanked and at As You Wish Floral we LOVE it. When you deliver flowers to a wedding and hand the bride her bouquet you look for that approval, the spark in her eye and the smile that says "Amazing." When you get a thank you note and the bride expresses her thoughts and feelings like Marty did....well it just makes your day.

Brenda,



Words cannot begin to describe how amazing your flowers made our wedding! The
bouquet you crafted brought tears to my eyes. My grandmother would have been
thrilled to see her cameo used on such a beautiful piece of art. I truly felt
like a bride when I held those in my hand! Your professionalism and artistry are
unparalleled. Everyone adored the shoulder corsages. You really should post
those on pintrerest, they will get a ton of traffic and I'm sure it will stir up
some business for you! The arch stayed looking beautiful for the whole day, and
the lantern was the talk of the reception. The birds nest you placed in it
matched Ryan's boutonniere and our cake perfectly.

You clearly have an ability to understand a couples vision and put it into your
craft. You were easy to work with and flexible when the weather didn't play
nice. I appreciated your prompt email responses and positive demeanor. Thank
you, thank you a million times over! You made our day perfect and oh, so
special. You clearly have found your calling in life! Best luck to your business
in the future. Thank you so very much.


Our gratitude is immense,
-Marti Payseur and Ryan Ogren

October Purple and Red Inspiration

Shades of Coral

Wedding season is in full swing in Iowa and for As You Wish Floral.  Looking at the calendar last night I saw there  was just a short time before the wild ride of April, May and June takes off.  April holds weddings and proms.  May maintains that pace with weddings and graduations.  I have a graduation and open house of my own to plan for this may.  Our youngest son Brendon is graduating.  Such an exciting time for him.  And a time of many changes for us as we have had children at home for 32 years now.  But there are new things to try and more challenges to come.  I am ready for this new era.  Now back on track with June which is jam packed with weddings.  Amazing colors like hot pink, yellow and grey, blue, purple, green, the colors in peacock feathers are just a few of the hues we are working with this season.  And there is one color coming on strong, the color coral.

                         Some pictures of coral from the As You Wish photo archives

 

 

Theres a New Babies Breath in Town

This morning I meet with a bride for her final consultation along with her mother and her mother-in-law.  We were going over the details and we were discussing the bridesmaids bouquets.  Each of the bouquets is made of Babies Breath.  Since this was the future mother-in-laws first time to hear the details she was some what surprised at the use of Babies Breath.  I fully understood.  I have a secret to share with you.  I never liked babies breath....ever, until recently.  Todays babies breath is not what she and I grew up with.  Not at all.  There are several new types of babies breath that are amazing.   A couple of my new favorites are Overtime and Millionstar.   The new varieties are full to overflowing with bright puffs of white. 

                                              Would you use babies breath in your wedding?

                         

                                    Bouquets of Babies Breath have a Lacy and Delicate Look

                                                    Wonderful for Tall Centerpieces

                                                                    Boutonierres

Wreaths for Doors or Aisle Decor

 

                                                          Used in mass as a Single Flower

                                                            Submerged and Iluminated

Photo 1: Real Simple,  Photo 2: Pacific Weddings,  Photo 3: The Wedding Chicks  Photo 4: Wedding Chicks  Photo 5: Pico Soriano Designs  Photo 6: Wedding Bee

Candy Bars

A Little Eye Candy For You To Feast On

DIY Custom Color Vases

Love these DIY custom color vases.  This was a project that the mother of the bride did.  She collected vases from different thrift shops.  None really matched but they were all clear glass vases.  She bought paint in a color that matched the wedding colors.  Making sure that all of the vases were clean and dry inside, poured the paint into the vases, swirled it around and poured the excess back into her paint container.  Turned them upside down to let the paint drain and wiped the rim often the first our.  Wala!!
New eclectic vases for the reception.  I loved them.  She filled them with the striking orange asiatic lilies and she had wonderful centerpieces for her daughters wedding.
Here is a link for you with more complete instructions.  Happy vase hunting. http://www.marthastewart.com/268444/bottle-beauty

Haley and Greg

Brides Bouquet
LOVE this photo

                    

                                                 Colors really pop against the black bridesmaids dresses

I loved working with Haley and her mom.  Genuine and loving people.  I actually met Haley at another event where we were both volunteering.  We had a great conversation that stuck in my head for a long time.  I remember thinking what an amazing girl.  About 4 months later she called and had become engaged and wanted to talk flowers for her wedding.  Haleys wedding was beautiful.  When we met for her initial consultation she said something that I believe is  key in having beautiful flowers.  As we were looking at different flowers in her colors I asked her what she liked and thought of the ideas.  She said that she was going to leave that to me since that was my area of expertise.  Whenever you give someone that kind of creative freedom you will have something unique to you.  Haley did this in many areas of her wedding and the results were fabulous.  

So what is the moral of this story.  When you meet with your florist or any of your wedding vendors have some ideas of what you like then let creativity take its natural route.  The blending of textures, color, shape, tone and materials is an amazing and wonderful process that when combined is unique to each bride.  It is what your wedding is all about, reflecting, you!

White Speaks of Fresh Beginings





 I enjoyed meeting Yvonne and talking to her about her wedding.  Classic and vintage all wrapped up in one beautiful package describe Yvonne and her style.  We used some classic and full bloosomy blooms to bring those words to life and the combination was a success.  

Yvonne wanted white and cream flowers so we used Cremones, Majolica spray roses Lisianthus and white glad blooms. We added some grey and silver vintage jewlery to finish off the delicate white blooms.  

Congratulations on new and fresh beginings De'Angelo and Yyvonne

Photography by Justin Salem Meyer