Website Redesign

I finally got around to updating my website. Awhile back I took out a lot of pictures of my event designs in order to simplify the look. I have added them back in slide show mode under "Events". The only frustrating thing is it takes them a little time to load because there are over 70 pictures between the three categories. Hopefully one day, I will get that fixed.

I took the opportunity to choose a different more colorful format because that is really my love...LOTS of COLOR! I have also added more information along with samples of some of my proposals done in Power Point.

Attention to details....the restroom???

Most of the time, the restroom is never even thought of for an event. However, every single one of your guest will visit it at least once during your special day. If you are getting married in a hotel, they probably already have fresh flowers in both the Men's and Women's however if you are getting married anywhere else the chances are the bathrooms are left bare. Why not treat your guest to a unique arrangement of fresh flowers providing beauty and nice fragrance while they visit the restroom. The arrangement I created above would be perfect for a restroom that is used by both men and women. Architectural yet sensual.... So the next time you are planning flowers for your wedding or event, don't forget the restroom. Your guest will definitely feel special and think you have thought of every single detail.

Petals down the aisle...

I just LOVE the aisle sprinkled with rose petals. In my opinion, it is much more romantic than the runway look (sprinkled on either side of the aisle). I know it seems like a frivolous expenditure but if you really want that magical feeling when walking down the aisle you need lots of rose petals. A bag or two really only gives a few petals for every square foot. If you can only afford a couple of bags of petals, consider sprinkling them at the alter instead of down the aisle. This will still give a romantic feel while saving on the pocketbook.

An interesting side note, do you know where the tradition of sprinkling petals down the aisle came from? I didn't until recently when I was reading from The Perfect Wedding Reception by Maria McBride-Mellinger. One of the newest wedding books in my library. It apparently started in primitive cultures that believed demons lurked underground. They scattered petals along the bridal path, using beauty as a weapon to ward off the evil spirits, to protect the newlyweds. Funny how often we do things that we have no idea where the origin of the idea came from!

Matson Hoppe Wedding-Nov. 1st at Vintage Villas

Here are some pictures I got back from Emily's photographer, Robert with Fuel Photography. I just LOVE his style. Definitely not your run of the mill pics. Very artistic and creative!

The table centerpieces were created in some of my favorite vases I have, cast iron urns. They lend themselves so well to whatever floral material the design calls for. The romantic garden style wedding is definitely by far my favorite style to do.
Emily's bouquet is the top one wrapped with raffia. The bridesmaids bouquets consisted of more daisies with a hint of sunflowers to tie in with her bouquet. I just love the way they turned out.

Sorry about below...

Sometimes you just have to rant but please forgive my post below. I had come to my wits end and was so frustrated back in September. I guess that is what happens when you create for 32 weddings in one year mostly by yourself. :)

Things I Have Noticed....

Over the last several months, I have noticed a rather upsetting trend...at least upsetting for me. We now live in a world were everyone wants everything NOW. With Internet & cell phones, your expected to be on call 24/7. But what this fails to take into account is the possibility that the person you are trying to reach might have a family who loves them and needs to spend time with them or that they have other booked clients lobbying for their time. There's no grace allowance any more. Everyone wants unique but wants the convenience of mass production. Unfortunately, you can't have it both ways. My floral design business consist of one person, me. That is what keeps my design from being cookie cutter. However, it also means there is only one of me and I can only do so much in any given day. It has given me a much greater understanding when I need to contact someone. If the company is really small then I expect it to take a while because they are only human. If I am calling a huge company (IE WalMart, Microsoft, Amazon) then I expect service quickly because they employ hundreds of people just for that purpose. So the next time you are calling for anyone in the service industry, PLEASE be patient if you know the company is tiny. We really want to talk to you and help you out but it just may take us a while. We got into this industry because we have a heart to serve.

June 7, 2008~ McDermid Wedding at Vista West

I just loved creating these arrangements. When the antique roses arrived at my studio the fragrance was intoxicating. I just love using them in my arrangements.

Table centerpieces arranged in rosemary covered terra cotta pots.

Parrot tulips for the cake

Arbor decor
These next two pictures are of the sign in table grouping. The tall vase had submerged parrot tulips and curly willow, the mid height vase contained antique roses and curly willow and the low vase contained hydrangeas and curly willow. The effect was fabulous.

Head table centerpiece

June 7th, 2008~McMillen Wedding at Hamilton 12

Here are a few shots of the table centerpieces I created for Lisa & Steven's wedding. Lisa wanted something pretty and Steven wanted succulents that the guest could take home with them. This was what I created to accomplish all that.

Cadillac Primavera Event at The Domain in Austin, Texas

I had so much fun creating this arrangement with my kids. I was blessed to be offered the opportunity to participate in the 1st annual Cadillac Primavera event at The Domain. This event has been going on at the Houston Galleria for 20 years and now they are branching out to other Simon malls in Texas.

This arrangement was created as an expression of my style and who I am as a designer. I really enjoyed watching my girls as they used their creativity to add their touch to it. I had wanted to create the "HOPE" part of this for the ISES CulinArt fundraiser but the size restrictions prevented it from working out. I love doing things that are different from the status quo.

Amaral Wedding at Creekside Pavilion

I was recommended to Fernanda by her photographer, Michelle Loconto. Fernanda was so sweet. She struggled with what she wanted for her wedding floral arrangements and it took use several months to get it all finalized but in the end it all worked out. Here is what she wrote to me after the wedding and a few pictures from Michelle Loconto Photography.

Hi Morgan!!!
No words to say how happy I am!!!!
Thanks for
doing that great job!!! The bouquet was exactly the picture I gave you...
We loved everything you did!
Thank you so much for being part of this, I will
never forget!!!!!
Happy New Year!!! Fernanda
12/31/07

My Time at the Bridal Extravaganza

This was my first time to have a booth at the Austin Wedding Guides Bridal Extravaganza. I spent several weeks fearing the unknown but after all is said and done, I had a wonderful time. I met a bunch of fabulous people in the industry and all the bride's I spoke with were so sweet and kind. Here are some pictures of some of the arrangements I had in my booth after it was over. The letter and the ring bearer pillow were both a HUGE hit.

RJ & Mary's Wedding at Vista at Sewart Hill

Mary came to me by way of her bridesmaid, Michelle, who is Vintage Villas off sight event planner. Michelle contacted me two weeks prior to the wedding because the florist they originally had went on maternity leave. The florist replacing her never called them back so they chose to find someone else. I had met Michelle at the Hamilton Twelve open house where she had seen some of my work. I was really glad I was able to help them out in a pinch. Here are the wonderful photos taken by Dave with DCM Photography. What a blessing a professional photographer is to conveying the beauty of the flowers!