Free Spirit

That's the name of this  gorgeous  rose.

Christina, the beautiful bride carried Free Spirit Roses,  yellow Ranunculus, lavender Stock,   purple  mini Callas, and white Freesia

The ceremony was held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church  and reception at Lancaster Country Club.
It's so nice to just  drive across the street  to the reception!!   Don't have to worry if I need something  else.

Bridesmaids carried Free Spirit Roses,  2 shades of purple Stock, hot pink Motso Moto Asters and yellow Spray Roses

                                                                     High centerpieces  

Low Centerpieces

Special touches.....................

Rosie's  Creative Cake is always a show piece!

Escort Card  Table became a coffee bar  later  in the evening.

Lots of flowers all over the Country Club.  On the patio, in the lounges, in the ladies'  rooms, a Memory table and  on both bars.  Linens  by Special Occasions, of course~none prettier!

Congratulations to Christina and David

 

Loving Orchids

To0 tired to blog.  Just a couple pics. this week.  Don't know when I will ever get rested enough.

Mom

  A  week ago today I said " Good-bye for now" to my mom.  The second hardest thing I've ever had to do.
 Still young, as age goes; an unexpected  illness crept up on her and cut her life short leaving us shocked, dismayed and quickly causing me to look at how very precious and fleeting our lives are.
 I understand the great value in showing those in our circle of  love  how much they mean to us.  Simple random acts of kindness, encouraging words, lots of smiles and lots of  'face-time'.  I'm  talking about  eye contact, open ears/open heart - time.  I know how much it means to hear the words "I'm proud of you".  Nobody dislikes hearing that.

  The sudden illness sent me quickly to my mom's bedside in Florida with 2 weddings  for the weekend.      Team  Beautiful dropped everything to be briefed on all the details.  I informed both Brides, and  was on my way  knowing that my business wouldn't miss a single beat.   
  It was so comforting that  my  flower-girl friends;  Lori, Carmen and Carol  were here to fill in where needed, even though they had weddings to do themselves.  Thank you friends, so very much.
 As the events unfolded, I was able to return Thursday; in time to assist my team a 'little'.  I made the Bride's bouquets, and delivered them.   No need for me really, they had it all under control.  I know the Bride's were thankful I was back, but seriously- my girls are awesome and I'm certain they could run this business without me.
  One thing I found to be true is that some  florists don't like working for other florists.  They can spot us a mile away,  I think.  I walked in one shop to place an order and I could tell she didn't appreciate that I knew flowers.  I didn't even have to tell her what I do.  I got the cold- shoulder quickly.  So needless to say I sadly walked out.  Then I found a friendly flower shop.  She didn't care if I was a florist- I just lost my mother and she felt my sorrow.  Here is what she created for my Mom with a 3hr. notice.........

 And on a happy note-  We had a display of Mom's favorite activities, one being  a 'Red Hatter".  My Dad has such hope and a great vision of heaven that he tried to make us all smile for Mom, so he wore her hat home from the church. 

All I can say is:  Thank God for Mom and Dad, and for the assurance of Heaven.

Historic Church Wedding

Old Zion Church in Brickerville-  I could hardly wait for the doors to be unlocked, and the shutters pushed open so I could find the treasures inside.  I love, love, love old churches and believe me,  this one did not disappoint !

Built in 1813 this church no longer has a congregation, but is maintained by a Board of Directors which lovingly cares for this pristine  historic property. They happily open it's doors for weddings and other special gatherings.  It has no electricity, heat or air conditioning. I'm told that sitting atop the hill in Brickerville overlooking the beautiful Brubaker Valley with all of the doors and windows open there is always a lovely breeze blowing thru.

The original gas chandelier hangs on the balcony level.  These benches will correct even the worst posture!

View from the balcony.

A window box full of garden flowers seems the most appropriate in this space.

Fans were provided to keep guests cool.  The paper appeared to me to be hand-made, antique quality.

Never saw such fun directions!  Hand-made, the old fashioned way. 

The Bride's bouquet made of Baby's Breath, Monte Casino Asters and Majolika Spray Roses.  There were no attendants.  The bride wore a hand-made tea length dress with a light-blue sash, that she designed herself. I'm hoping to obtain some pictures for a follow up post.)
   I would love to be a guest at a wedding at this historic church.  The rental fee is a low, low $250.; though I'm told it may increase a bit in the future. I forgot to mention it has a working organ too.
  For vintage styled weddings- it doesn't get any better than this!
      Contact:  http://www.oldzionchurch.org/

Sunny Yellow and Aluminum

  So I ask every bride,  "So, tell me what your favorite flowers are". Answer: " I love white Daisies"; said Marita. She is the picture of beauty and grace.  Born in Albania, a dentist, serving in the military, best friend of Martine Cajas, and totally and completely in love with Justin.  This couple stole my heart.  The pure love, their sincerity, and the true beauty on the inside and out connected  me to them in a very special way.
  I love flowers, I love weddings and I love working with couples like Marita and Justin.  There are so many couples that have become very dear to me.  Doing their flowers is simply icing on the cake of my job.

  When they told me that Kris and John McElligott were their photographers I wanted to do my happy dance. Luckily, I saved that for later:)  They are such a gorgeous couple and with my good friends behind the lens, their pictures will be indescribably beautiful.
  Jessie took these pictures for me before we set up the wedding.

Her Maid of Honor wore an aluminum color dress with a yellow waistband.  She had button accents in her bouquet.

The bridesmaids wore beautiful yellow dresses with an aluminum waist.

I had just been hoping and hoping to get to work on a wedding with gray and yellow, and this was it.

I love the color combo with all yellow flowers!

Yellow Daisies, Yellow Roses, Silver Dollar Eucalyptus and Craspedia aka: Billy Balls

Head Table

                                                                Guest table centerpieces

And naturally, Martine's  House of Clarendon provided the wedding cake. We'll have to wait to see that later. Thoughfully designed for a bride who he calls his 'best friend'. 

To Marita and Justin:  I hope and pray all your dreams come true.  Thank you for touching my life.

Liz & Vince

Love Liz & Vince!

.......and love their handmade look-alike cake top!

Liz and Vince had a beautiful wedding at Leola Village last weekend.  A very attractive couple; long -distance clients that I will really miss working with. They  choose  Lancaster County for their wedding because it's such a beautiful place to bring their family and friends from far-scattered places to relax and celebrate their wedding.

When talking about their wedding cake they asked if I had any ideas for how to finish it off without using any of those not-so-great boxed cake toppers- I had just the thing!  Showing them January's  blogpost of my 'Wedding of the Year' with the handmade paper cake top they said " We NEED that for our cake!".

This is the result. How fabulous, huh??

If you want one too, contact:   alissa.johnson@gmail.com

We forgot to take a picture of the bride's bouquet but did get one of the bridesmaids.  They wore cobalt blue and carried these:

Free Spirit Roses, Craspedia, Spider Mums, Ranunculus and Peonies.

It was such a busy wedding weekend we neglected to take pictures.  

Some centerpieces had Blue Vanda Orchids in tall footed vases.

And beautiful pink and white Peonies floating in compotes for some tables.  More pictures to come when available from their photographer,  Isabel March. isabelmarchphotography.com

  What a blog-slacker I have been!  If only there were more than 24hrs. in each day, if only blogging didn't take me so long,  if only I  had a little' me-time'.....if only- if only.  It's wedding season and I will have the cold dreary months of winter to wish:  ' if only it were spring and wedding season again!'

Spring's Beauties

A fully opened Ranunculus.  I could look at this beautiful flower all day.

Pink Charming Unique Roses, pink Hyacinths and pink & white Majolika Spray Roses.

The tulip Magnolia that grows in our patio area.  Nature's perfection.