Simply Abundant Blooms

Riley Wedding at The Terrace Club on The Knot

2009-09-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Andrea and Mike's Wedding has been submitted to The Knot for votes. They were such a sweet couple and I so enjoyed getting to know them while planning for their wedding at The Terrace Club. I loved the color palette of orange, hot pink and green. The colors make for such a fun and vibrant display. Nothing boring and run of the mill and I LOVE that! If you get a chance, go vote for Andrea and Mike's wedding.

My Real Wedding from The Knot and The Nest.

My Real Wedding from The Knot and The Nest.

My Real Wedding from The Knot and The Nest.

Riley Wedding 6.6.09 at The Terrace Club

2009-06-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

4.18.09 McNeill-Henney Wedding at Memory Lane

2009-04-19T21:18:00.001-07:00

I just loved the color combination for this wedding. I can't wait to get the pictures from their photographer since we didn't get a chance to take pictures of the bridal bouquet. It included pink peonies, pink roses, pink lisianthus, pink ranunculus with a hint of greenery wrapped in an ivory shantung silk ribbon with pink pearl details.

This picture is a close up of one of 22 table centerpieces.
To give variety to the table centerpieces, we created two different styles. 11 where done in pink glass vases with orange roses, orange ranunculus, green button mums and greenery.

The remaining 11 where created in 5" glass cubes. These lush arrangement consisted of pink roses, pink ranunculus, pink anemone, pink lisianthus, greenery and a hint of orange from ranunculus and roses.
I just love the way the bridesmaid bouquets turned out. The color combination is perfect.

Here are all 22 table centerpieces before being placed on the tables.

Soape Wedding on February 14, 2009

2009-03-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

Photos by Carli with Inked Fingers Fotography.

2009 Bride's Choice Award

2009-02-03T05:22:00.000-08:00

Simply Abundant Blooms Press Release

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Simply Abundant Blooms has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™! In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Simply Abundant Blooms is one of the very best Event Florist. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews. “We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.” Simply Abundant Blooms would like to thank our past clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!

Bridal Extravaganza Jan. 2009 Show Pictures

2009-01-12T07:33:00.001-08:00

I just want to thank everyone who visited my booth this past weekend. Here are some pictures we took on Saturday and Sunday. Please forgive my lack in photography skills. :)

I was very please with how the booth turned out. My style is to use natural material and let the flowers speak for themselves so I believe the simple display showed just that. The show was full of some very talented floral designers with some very grand designed booths. I hope that people were attracted to my booth for it's simplicity in such a chaotic setting. If you visited my booth, I would love to hear your comments!

Website Redesign

2008-12-16T16:26:00.000-08:00

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???

2008-11-29T06:51:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-11-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-12T06:19:00.001-08:00

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...

2008-11-12T06:16:00.000-08:00

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....

2008-09-07T18:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-17T17:48:00.001-07:00

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

2008-06-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-25T20:39:00.001-07:00

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

2008-01-16T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-03T17:10:00.000-08:00

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!

Harper Wedding at Enchanted Chateau

2007-12-17T07:14:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how beautiful flowers look when they are photographed by a professional photographer. I am really excited because there is talk about Chavaun's wedding being featured in the Austin Wedding Day magazine sometime in 2008. Here are a few of the wonderful pictures taken by Whitney Lee Photography.

Hamilton Twelve Open House

2007-12-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of arrangements I did for the Hamilton Twelve's Open House. The first one is one of the table arrangements using dahlias, Black Magic roses, artichokes, Safari Sunset, berries and moss. It has a low profile which makes it perfect for a table CP. The other picture is of the arrangement that dressed up the bar area. It has everything the table CP has plus sweet peas, hanging amaranthus, purple callas and bells of Ireland. I love the textures and the richness of the deep reds and purples together.

"Wild and Crazy" Corsage & Boutonniere sets

2007-12-01T10:06:00.000-08:00

Dripping Springs High School is having a winter formal tonight. I was asked to create two sets of corsages and boutonnieres. I was told the dresses are black and white and the Mom wanted me to create something "wild and crazy". This is what I came up with keeping in mind that it is a "winter formal" and due to the choice of dresses the girls wanted to be sophisticated.

Henton Wedding Flowers

2007-11-25T15:26:00.001-08:00

Kathryn's wedding was this past Sunday at Wild Rose Hall. This is a wonderful venue just down the street from our shop. I am blessed to become their recommended florist as Marissa (part owner of Wild Rose Hall) has decide it is too much on top of everything else she does to prepare for the weddings.

Kathryn conveyed to me the style of the wedding was to be contemporary. She emailed me several pictures of bouquets she liked and so I used that as inspirations. Her bouquet consisted of approximately 12 each of Black Magic and Friendship roses with a little Ruscus greenery. The handle was wrapped with a chocolate satin ribbon.

The bridesmaid bouquets consisted of 3 Black Magic roses, 3 Friendship roses and Leucadendron wrapped in the same chocolate satin ribbon as the bride's bouquet.
The corsages consisted of a Black Magic rose, raniculus, bauble berries, ruscus and leucadendron leaves.
The groomsmen boutonnieres were created to match the bridesmaids bouquets using the Friendship rose and Leucadendron.
The grooms boutonniere was created with a Friendship rose, bauble berries and Ruscus leaves.

Luz & Vic's Wedding Flowers

2007-11-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

Luz and Vic's wedding was a simple affair held in Austin this past Saturday. Luz's favorite colors that she wanted to include were Hot Pink and Baby Blue. Their original desire was to use locally grown flowers so naturally I contacted Pamela with the Arnosky Family Farms in Blanco. It turns out late November falls too late or too early for their crops. So we had to rethink the plan for Luz & Vic's wedding flowers. Luz did express a desire to use calla lilies so that was the spring board for the new design.

I decided to create her bouquet with cream and hot pink callas, hot pink stock for their wonderful fragrance, blue limonium, cream lisianthus, white hydrangeas and wrapped it in a wonderful light blue satin ribbon.

In Vic's Boutonniere, I used a cream calla, cream lisianthus, blue limonium and wrapped it with light blue ribbon to coordinate with Luz's bouquet.
Here is a side view that shows the beautiful ribbon and the Ti leaf collar.
Below is a small bouquet I created for their offering to the Virgin Mary, a cultural tradition for their families. They also decided to use this bouquet during the reception on a memorial table for Vic's father.

Bee Cave City Hall Event

2007-11-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from last weeks City of Bee Cave VIP event at the new City Hall.

European Wedding-Table Centerpiece

2007-10-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite wedding table arrangments I have done over the last couple of months. The bride was getting married at a castle in Fredricksburg. She desired that her flowers match the overall European flavor of her wedding. I used hydrangeas, veronica, poppy & scabiosa pods, dahlias, berries, modern & antique roses. The end result was a very romantic CP. My desire is to use each flower's own beauty to dictate the style and form of each arrangement I create here at Simply Abundant Blooms. Each flower is so vastly different so why shouldn't each arrangement be just as different!

Crazy Week

2007-10-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

This looks to be a crazy week at Simply Abundant Blooms. The week starts out with four arrangements due for the Grand Opening of the Hill Country Galleria Tuesday. We have a tentative event on Wednesday and a buffet arrangement due Thursday. Friday is the craziest day with 16 arrangements due for a VIP event at the new city hall in Bee Cave. Saturday holds another smaller event for a caterer we work with along with a meeting with a prospective bride. I will post pictures of some of these arrangements next week.