2011 has been a great year to us…. we worked hard and we played hard. I’m ready to say goodbye to a great year but I’m definitely ready for 2012 …. out with the old, in with the new. What a better way to get ready to start anew than to cleaned out and organize the studio.  Lots of good things happened in 2011 and I can’t wait for all the good things that I will make happen in 2012.

Cheers to all newly engaged couples! Give us a call when you are ready to talk about decor and flowers

Looking  for inspiration for the last couple of weeks for all my couples for 2012. I keep coming back to white anemones but they are not that easy of flowers to find. Well, I should rephrase that. They are easy to find when they are in season, but white anemones with the black centers take a serious beating during transit so getting blooms that are in pristine condition from the bunch is a little challenging… maybe that’s why I like them so much.

They are in season right now and will continue to be for a couple of more months.

Join us and other fantastic vendors at the Love at Breathtaking Heights on Friday January 6th, 2012  at the Metropolitan Club at the Willis Tower for cocktails and for d’oeuvres before visiting the Ledge. The event begins at 5:30PM to 8PM. RSVP to nora.narkevic@ourclub.com or call 312.993.2529. Tickets are $10 if you pre-register and $15 at the door.

Kelly and Ryan got married at the Chicago History Museum this past November. Kelly was looking for a lot of clean lines, yellows (woo too Hello Billy Balls!!) and charcoal greys. Kelly was our no no fuss, clean lines and contemporary bride of the year. We loved working with her too!

She carried a bridal bouquet of yellow cymbidium orchids, yellow football mums, craspedia (or billy balls), yellow mokara orchids, yellow finesse roses, and yellow callas with touches of silver brunia and dusty miller. Ryan wore a boutonniere made out of yellow callas and billy balls.

Her maids all carried monochromatic bouquets hosting the same kind of flower Kelly was carrying. I have to say it was a lot of fun finding out what each bridesmaid picked as their chosen bouquet. Her maid of honor picked out that billy balls bouquet! It reflected her fun personality. Kelly also happened to have her brothers alongside her at the church. loved that she kept them by her side.

In keeping with Kelly’s clean cut and modern style we used our new mirrored light boxes. Perfect for the Chicago History Museum as no candles are allowed.  The pilsener vases trip hosted yellow callas, yellow mokara orchids and yellow dendrobium orchids.

Congratulations Kelly and Ryan!!!

Photo Credit: Fig Weddings

This past summer we got to work with the lovely Kristen and her delightful Mom Carrie. It was a pleasure to work with them… her Mom would make me breakfast during our meetings at their home.

I would describe Kristen as the traditional bride with a little bit of eclectic flair and gorgeous heirloom touches. Kristen and Sam chose the Danada House to host their ceremony and reception.

Kristen carried a gorgeous bridal bouquet of white peonies. We wrapped the bouquet handle with a soft vintage lace we found on our March trip to New York City.

She kept things soft and classic during the ceremony and for the reception added a black sash to her gown for that Great Gatsby look. One of the heirloom pieces that Kristen wore was her Mom’s veil. The veil was in mint condition, even after Kristen told me how she used to try it on all the time as a little girl and even wear it as a costume for Halloween. That is what I call an heirloom piece that can be passed down to other family members.

Her maids carried bouquets of white hydrangeas, white lisianthus, white polo roses, white stock and white gerbers with black centers. The maid of honor carried a smaller version of Kristen’s bridal bouquet.

In keeping with the great gatsby theme the centerpieces featured white casablanca lilies, hydrangeas, dusty miller, white stock and white alstroemerias. We wrapped the stems with black ti leaf and added black ostrich feathers to the centerpieces.

The Wedding Cake!

Congratulations Kristen and Sam!

Photo Credit: Janet Johnston Photography

We had the pleasure of working with Bonnie and John at the Loft on Lake. Michelle Durpetti from Michelle Durpetti Events had created an inspiration board for Bonnie and John with lots of bold colors, candles and peacock feathers. Bonnie, the bride, was not afraid to use bold colors. Her colors were white, teal, saffron orange, hot orange and touches of yellow.

Bonnie carried a gorgeous bouquet of white dahlias, yellow cymbidium orchids, unique orange roses, white peacock feathers along with flamed mango calla lilies and touches of seeded eucalyptus. Bonnie’s gown had a beautiful rhinestone buckle at the waist so we decided to add an adornment to her bouquet handle to match. There is nothing wrong with a little sparkle.

The bridesmaids wore teal dresses therefore we decided to do lots of unique orange roses, flamed mango calla lilies and seeded eucalyptus. The bouquets popped against the teal dresses.

John was such a fun groom so we decided he would be the perfect guy to wear a peacock feather within his boutonniere. He wore a saffron mokara orchid along with a peacock feather.

Bonnie and John wanted an intimate feel to their ceremony. MDE suggested a ceremony in the round to give guests a front row seat to the action and surround them during the ceremony.  Bonnie also had a vision of paper lanterns to soften the room and give it a warm glow in the evening. In addition, we draped the backdrop in white chiffon fabric to hide the built in kitchen (which was hiding the cake and sweet table) and also serve as a way to frame the ceremony with our two tall arrangements of james storei orchids.

Paper Lanterns Galore in Yellow, Orange and White

In keeping with Bonnie and John’s love of bold colors we decided to add peacock feathers, hot orange asiatic lilies, white  dahlias and pincushion proteas along with yellow alstroemerias to the the orange unique roses.

Tipsycake provided their dainty and delicious cake

Congratulations Bonnie and John!

It was a pleasure to work with so many talented vendors: Michelle Durpetti Events, Tipsycake, Phil Stefani Catering and the Loft on Lake

Photo Credit: Loft on Lake and yours truly.