Katherine & Shaine’s Sun Filled Wedding

Although the day started with an epic downpour, the rest of Katherine and Shaine’s wedding day was dappled with glorious pops of autumn sunshine.

Their wedding was held at the historic 1740 Duportail House in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania. And photos are by the brilliant Lauren Driscoll. I hope you enjoy the images of their autumn wedding as much my team and I had pulling it all together.

Wondering what my team and I do to pass the time while waiting to break down an event? Check out the video at the end of the gallery. This is how we ‘break it down’. Oy vey.

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Moss Place Card Holders With Felted Wool

Natural moss is often my inspiration when creating floral arrangements and crafts. It is so incredibly soft and magical in its natural setting. Honestly, a feeling of guilt comes over me when I harvest this green gold. Yes, you can buy it in bags from various sources but it’s never quite the same as a freshly picked batch.

In an effort to recreate nature’s wonder and to tread lightly on Mother Nature, I whipped up these felted wool moss-inspired place card holders.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Felted wool – I used Dimensions Brand Felt Works found at Michaels craft store
• River rocks
• Dish-washing detergent or soap
• Craft glue
• Razor blade
• Card stock paper

With the exception of the dish-washing detergent, you can find all of the craft ingredients at any craft store.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Select the approximate size of the moss cap you want to create by pulling the felt apart.
2. Form it into a ball or oval and add one drop of dish washing liquid onto the felt. Then, while running it under warm water, roll the felt into the shape desired. The dish washing liquid helps form the shape when it dries. Be careful not to add too much soap.
3. Form the wet felt over a rock and let dry overnight.
4. When the felt is dry, remove it from the rock, place glue under the felt and glue it to the rock. Let dry completely.
5. Using a razor blade, create an incision on the top of the felt moss and insert a place card.
6. You’re done!

Here’s to adding magic to your next event or wedding…happy crafting!

Pretty Tea Cup Favors

Happy Sunday! If you’re looking for a unique favor for your next event, why not repurpose some orphaned tea cups. There are a gazillion uses for these lovelies but I think they make the perfect vessels for tiny plants and look so charming. They’re perfect for give-aways at weddings or events!

You’ll need:

• Tea cups – your cupboard, flea markets and antique stores are perfect sources for these lovelies
• Tiny plants like ferns, succulents, violets, and orchids – the selections are endless
• Moss – any craft store will carry this item
• Paper, twigs, and all-purpose glue for a place card pennant (optional of course) – again, craft stores have tons of paper options and your back yard can most likely offer up some twigs

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Simply repot the plant of choice directly into the cup. It’s important to have plenty of soil around the root system of the plant.
2. To conceal the dirt, add moss around the base of the plant.
3. You’re done! OR you can add hand-made place cards like I did. Cut paper to the desired size and shape, write your guest’s name on the card then glue it to a tiny twig. Poke it into the cup and you’re done!

Happy crafting!

 

Pink…Feminine, Soft, Sweet

Last August I had the honor and privilege to design and create the bridal party bouquets for the sweetest of brides. For Tina and Miguel’s wedding, Tina requested pink for her bridal party. For me the hardest part of her request was focusing on the perfect combination of flowers and since there are a gazillion to choose from, I needed to create the perfect recipe for a perfect pink bouquet. Anyone who knows me knows well that I’m a gigantic mess before any wedding or event. This wedding was no exception and ultimately, Tina loved the bouquets….phew!

Tied with pink fabric remnants from the bridesmaid dresses, Tina’s bouquet recipe included:

Pink Garden Roses
Dusty Miller
Calla Lily
Pink Dalia
Deep Pink Cockscomb

Tina and Miguel you are beautiful and thank you Candid Moments Photography for providing these stunning images of their special day.

Styling & Planning a Wedding

Creativity is a drug I cannot live without. — Cecile B. DeMille

Last fall, I shared a blog post about my dear friends wedding. As with any event, I was honored to have the opportunity to help plan and style Jessica and Ryan’s special day. Since there are so many moving parts to wedding celebrations, planning can sometimes seem challenging but with great resources, creativity, fantastic and dedicated helpers (who I love and adore), and many, many to-do lists, events like this all come together.

Jess & Ryan recently shared ALL of their wedding photos with me and I pulled a select few to share with you. The photographer, Farid Widjaya, brilliantly captured every magical moment. Enjoy!

Jessica’s bouquet, sunflowers, thistle, craspidia, spray roses, scabiosa pods, white hypericum, silver brunia, and ferns

Birch slabs painted with chalkboard paint.

Sweet little Cora.

We’re ready for our closeup Mr. DeMille.

Vintage cobalt blue bottles under a glass cloche. These were the table centerpieces.

A Fall Wedding for Jessica & Ryan

About a year ago I was asked by my dear friends to help plan and style their fall wedding which they were planning to have on the magical Rodale Institute Farm.

The day was perfect. All of the prop hunting, hard work and support from my loving friends and family, coupled with the beautiful Jessica and her dashing husband Ryan, made for an absolutely enchanting day. And, Rodale Catering & Events‘ fried chicken, mac & cheese, and scrumptious pies and desserts were to die for.

Enjoy a few snaps shots from Jess & Ryan’s special day.

The altar by the pond.

Guest seating by the pond.

Vintage church pews and comfy pillows.

A special wedding guest.

Bar menu in vintage encyclopedia.

Bar menu in vintage encyclopedia.

Scrumptious organic apple pie.

More scrumptious organic pecan pies.

The beautiful couple.

One of two giant photo display tables in the barn.

Saturday Flowers

Recently I provided the flowers for a Garden of Hope event hosted by the Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley. It was an outdoor event filled with inspiring stories of courage, hope and inspiration from a cancer survivor and a Salsa performance by Lehigh Valley Salsa.

The flowers I used were a few of my favorites: golden rod, hydrangea, chrysanthemum, voodoo roses, zinnias and hosta leaves to line the interior of the clear glass vases.

This little fella was still feasting and wasn’t quite ready to give up its tasty meal.

And here are the creations.

Happy Saturday!

Birch Log Table Numbers

A contractor friend of mine cut down an old birch tree and was kind enough to give me a stack of the sliced logs. Knowing I’d find some creative use I tucked them away for a weekend project. Here they are in their new life as chalkboard table numbers.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Sliced logs.
• Sand paper.
• Foam paint brush.
• Rust-Oleum chalkboard paint.
• Chalk.

With the exception of the logs, you can find all of the project ingredients at a craft or hardware store.

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Sand them.

2. Paint them.

3. Create!

Happy Saturday and happy crafting!