Ladies who Lunch

I recently did a ladies' afternoon tea for a Seattle Symphony donor event. Instead of vases I used cups and saucers, milk jugs, sugar pots and teapots. I kept the palette bright in keeping with the joyful theme of the event and the average age of the guests (70+) and I even made two "floral cakes" out of some gorgeous carnations.

A nice note from Marita Sheeran, Major Gifts Officer -

The flowers were a smashing success and the Founders Room looked beautiful and so different than last year’s Spring Recital Event. The centerpieces went to guests at each table whose birthday was closest to today. They loved bringing home such bright colors and everyone talked about how talented you are!

* All photographs courtesty of Ben Van Houten at Van Houten Photography*

Found Objects

Green and eco-friendly weddings are no longer a trend; they are an increasingly popular way to showcase a couple's creativity in a recession. Brides everywhere are looking to spend their budgets wisely and an everlasting centerpiece is a frugal and easy way to go.

As I was spring cleaning yesterday, it occured to me that my house is filled with items that could easily double as cheap but elegant centerpieces. Found objects in glass fishbowls, orchid plants in silver julep cups and succulents planted in Japanese noodle bowls can all be found in various nooks of my house and each of these ideas cost under $15 to put together!

As you plan your wedding or special event, take a look around your home, your garden, your local park to see what you might have lying around that can play a part in your big day. Glass lanterns in your backyard? Fairy lights in your attic? Breakfast bowls to use as vases? Moss covered branches? Baskets? All can be repurposed for your big day, stunning your friends with your creativity and leaving you a little extra money for that honeymoon...

Kay & Matt, May 2009

A small sampling from last weekend's wedding...

Bride

Groom

Bridesmaids

Groomsmen

Mothers

Fathers & Grandfathers

Ring Bearer

Spring in the City

I absolutely love springtime in Seattle. Pike Place and the farmers markets start overflowing with tulips in every color and shape (lily tulips, peony tulips, double bloom tulips... I could go on and on) and the produce pours in from the local farms and island communities. As Seattleites emerge en masse to enjoy even the slightest hint of sunshine (dressed in shorts and flip flops for a balmy 60 degree day), it seems that summer is just around the corner...

Happy Mother's Day

Cam & Alex - April 25th, San Juan Island

Only these two could plan an outdoor wedding in the Pacific Northwest in April and be guaranteed sunshine! What a beautiful weekend filled with laughter, good food, canoe trips, gorgeous flowers, great friends and wood nymphs. A perfect (and perfectly unique wedding).

Cam is an island girl at heart and a creative genius. She spent weeks searching out vintage tea cups and cake stands and put together all the reception flowers herself. She cut newspaper circles and hung strands of them around the Lodge's Great Room which together with the white lace tablecloths gave the room a decidedly Anthropologie vibe. I was honored to make her bouquet and boutonnieres which included the same silk roses that she embroidered on her dress (worn with cowboy boots of course!) The boutonnieres were fashioned from hellebore from my garden and the bouquet was filled with roses, mini callas, freesia and hellebore and surrounded with honeysuckle vine from the resort.

The ceremony included a recitation of the recipe for Pasta Carbonara (the first date and meal made for the bride by the groom) and the bride was rowed down the aisle by her father. The favors were skipping stones for the lake packaged in moss and topped off with local lavender. Truly a unique and fabulous island wedding! Congrats you two and here's to a perfect life together!