HOLIDAY INSPIRED NUPTIALS

 I feel that there is no better time for a wedding than the Holiday season. Everyone is in the merriest and celebratory mood than any other time of the year. On the other hand, this may only be true to mild weathered states and tropical regions of the world.  The Bay Area for example has a spring like fall and a mild start to winter. Well, depending if it is a "La nina" or El nino" year . Hawaii is another popular destination wedding place and is  the unofficial " go to get married at" for the Japanese market. (on a short vacay years ago in Oahu, I probably saw 7 brides one weekend carrying an RTW bridal bouquet.) I don't recommend the latter.

Recently I had the opportunity to really mesh Christmas and wedding into one floral center piece that  speaks both Holiday and romance. Flocked branches, roses, crystals, pine cones , holiday greens and we have an arrangement worthy of an event 8 days before Christmas.

Here are a few images:

FROM CUPCAKES TO FOOD TRUCKS

Everything changes and evolve with the times and with it is a small unconventional group of innovators and trend setters. Just a few years back Cupcake was a fresh idea and considered edgy (for lack of better word) as it replaced the traditional wedding cake. Now,  it is a practical, pretty and has become quite a common, delicious and well accepted alternative.

Well, besides the cupcake revolution, there is another reception option that is gaining popularity, which I personally think is cool, trendy and quite unexpected simply because it is such a nouvelle concept. (for a wedding reception that is ) FOOD TRUCKS and as it is popularly known  "TACO TRUCKS!!!

Gourmet taco trucks , food trucks or  mobile food eats have become very popular in the last year or so with the OTG (Off The Grid). Mobile eats and a few others organizing  food truck events all over the bay area, where several food trucks are gathered  giving the people several selections ranging from pizza, to banh mi, gourmet cupcakes to all ethnic versions of a taco.After talking to a few of the truck operators , I realized that these  latest ventures are extensions of established catering companies that have taken to the road to reach a market yet untapped.

I just booked my first Food truck catered wedding reception next year and I couldn't be more excited and looking forward to it.

Should  you consider the idea, the process I tell you could be fun and yummy. Best way to go about it is to research food truck events in an area near you. Sample dishes from trucks whose menu and food offerings appeal or intrigue you and believe me, you will not easily run out of food ideas and options.You might want to go to several, as there are many to choose from. Once you have selected your favorites, grab their card, call the office or visit their websites for more information. Some do full catering service and some can park their trucks at your reception venue where your guest can order, well, just ask for what they want. Nice huh?

Here are a few info in their own words..

                         PACIFIC PUFF- YUMMMM - Tried their chocolate chocolate puff - I die!!!!!

CHAIRMAN BAO BUN TRUCK

PEONIES AND SPRAY ROSES AT VILLA MONTALVO

IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO OR SHOULD I SAY ONE CAN BE INSPIRINGLY CREATIVE WITH AN EVENT THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE MUCH YET STILL DEMANDS THE ELEGANCE AND SOPHISTICATION ALL BRIDES DESERVE ON THEIR SPECIAL DAY. WELL ,THE GROOM AS WELL. THE ANSWER: USE THE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER, CLASSICALLY BEAUTIFUL BLOOM  WITH AN ENTICINGLY SUBTLE FRAGRANCE THAT LEAVES ONE WANTING MORE, THE UNOFFICIAL QUEEN OF BRIDAL BLOOMS: PEONY

PEONIES HAVE ADORNED AND INSPIRED FLEMISH AND RENAISSANCE ARTIST'S RENDERINGS. AS WELL AS ARTISANS FROM THE SUNG DYNASTY (960-1279) YUAN DYNASTY 1271-1368 AND THE YUN DYNASTY IN THE 17 CENTURY. THAT ENCHANTING ALLURE HAS LASTED TO THIS DAY AND THE MILLENNIUM., CAN YOU SAY "CLASSIC"?

JUNSHIEN INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY HAS BEEN VERY GENEROUS IN SHARING THESE AMAZING IMAGES OF LINDA AND RICAHRD'S WEDDING SHOT AT THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS  OF VENUE VILLA MONTALVO , IN SARATOGA.

Linda's bouqet as featured at:

http://peonyhotline.com/index.php/About-Us/peonies-in-designs.html

HOW TO TRANSFORM/CUSTOMISE IN THE MOST SIMPLE WAY...

WEDDINGS ARE ALL ABOUT DETAILS, DETAILS AND YES, DETAILS. THEY DO LOOK  GOOD IN PHOTOS AND COMPLETES A THEME COLORWISE.. HERE IS A SIMPLE WAY TO TRANSFORM AN RTU ( READY TO USE) FLOWER GIRL BASKET.

STARTING WITH A GENERIC SATIN FLOWER GIRL BASKET

TAKE THE RIBBONS OUT AND REPLACE THEM WITH YOUR THEME COLOR RIBBON

WRAP THE HANDLE WITH RIBBON

   DOUBLE STICK TAPE THE BACK OF THE RIBBON

 AND ATTACH TO THE MID BASKET TO REPLACE

THE LACE THAT WAS TAKEN OUT (ALSO TO COVER THE GLUE

THAT WILL SHOW AS YOU TAKE OUT THE ORIGINAL LACE EMBELLISMENT

AND MAKE A SIMPLE PRETTY ARRANGEMENT ON THE PLASTIC

LINER THAT COMES WITH THE BASKET.

THERE YOU GO, A SIMPLE DIY TIPS TO PULL EVERYTING TOGETHER WITH COLOR, RIBBONS AND DOUBLE STICK TAPE.  ;-)

FILOLI SPRING FLOWER SHOW 2011- MOTHER NATURE

SOMETIMES THINGS HAVE A WAY OF BECOMING, SYNCHRONICITY AT IT 'S BEST. THIS YEAR'S  FILOLI  FLOWER SHOW 2011 'S THEME WAS "MOTHER NATURE"
TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION AND GALA NIGHT , I VAGUELY HAD AN IDEA OF WHAT I WOULD DO. MONDAY OF THE WEEK OF THE THURSDAY OPENING NIGHT, AT MARKET I CAME ACROSS THESE PRE -HISTORIC LOOKING GIGANTIC FIDDLE HEAD FERNS.AND WITH THAT THE IDEA WAS BORN.OF WHAT WAS TO BE CALLED "THE ENCHANTED FOREST": THE ARRANGEMENT WAS COMPLETED WITH SUCCULENTS, MOSS, CRASPEDIA, ROSE GERANIUM, RIVER ROCKS,  ARABACUM AND 4 FEET CURLY WILLOW.

FILOLI GROUNDS

WITH KATHY V. YULO

AUBERGE DU SOLIEL.. INDEED !! KRIZIA CALIWAG - MARK BOYER WINE COUNTRY ROMANCE

It was pouring rain that morning, Everything was wet and gloomy. But when we arrived at this wine country hideaway, famous for its cuisine as much as it is for its romantic and seamless eclectic fusion of "Rustic California/French Country" interiors, Aubgerge Du Soliel (INN OF THE SUN) the sky started to lit up. Perhaps the venue was just living up to its name.  But I feel, that Krizia , our ever so lovely Bride and Groom Mark Boyer with GQ models looks, are truly a blessed couple, because not only did the sky turned blue before and during the ceremony and when guest started to arrive, as they kissed the sun literally came out and the ray of sunshine touched the newly weds then spread to brighten the whole valley as if on cue. It was a moment I witnessed , mesmerized by and will never forget, "Incroyable"  

Krizia, our bride, who has known of my work from a friend who overheard them talking about not having a florist two weeks prior to their wedding day, recommended they talk to me. That same  morning we met, discussed preferences, with Aunt Doris and very enthused cousin, Justin helping seal the deal. We were set with magenta, creams, chartreuse and of course, peonies.

The event turned out to be current, sophisticated with a hint of shabby chic that so reflects the aesthetics of our Bride, who, in spite of a 2 week long intensive OCD-ness was exceptionally calm and displayed the ultimate in graciousness, sophistication and impeccable taste in pulling every detail together. It was simply a joy working with her.


KRIZIA CALIWAG BOYER, YOU'RE A GEM.....

                                                                 AUNT DORIS

                                                                COUSIN JUSTIN

.