Carrie and Jeff - Vibrant Vintage

Like most Yosemite couples, Carrie and Jeff planned their wedding from across the country. When she had first contacted me, we were able to discuss a variety of ideas that she had in her head for the overall look and feel for her wedding. The key points began with colors, wanting to do some fresh, bright bold hues of pinks and purples with some contrast of the spring green. They wanted a black tie affair with a vintage feel to tie in with The Ahwhanee Hotel so we accented her pieces with silver footed urns and ivory lace runners. Although they ended up enduring a rainy day in June, it was such a gorgeous event. Below are a couple images I was able to grab before departing to the venue of her bouquet, bridesmaid bouquet and one of each style centerpiece. All of the following gorgeous images were captured by the amazing Patrick Pike! Ceremony and Reception Venue and Catering - The Ahwahnee Hotel Photography - Patrick Pike Hair and Makeup - Carol at Bellissimo Brides

When it comes to think of how to title my various blog entries, its a pretty basic process....name the couple along with the style or theme of their decor. In the wedding inspiration world there are no such words to give this entire wedding, from venue down to the placemat, a proper description without jumping into the broad category of "rustic," so I choose to leave it as I have been left....speechless! Sharon and Daniel are both so amazingly talented and creative, they put the term DIY to new levels begining with their website that they designed and created. That entire style was the heart to each detail that went into this event. They were introduced to me through a previous creative and awesome client Courtney from Lucky Plum . I loved her style and artistic eye so much that she helped brand my company and created my logo! When Sharon first contacted me, I was a few weeks away from giving birth to my 3rd baby and when I looked at the link to the venue, Union Hill , Columbia, that they were to have their wedding....I melted!!! Where has this hidden jewel been all my life? A few months and a newborn later, the team of us vendors met onsite to get a first hand look into what their day will be like. With it being an October date it was hard to plan for an outdoor reception and after walking the grounds, it would be amazing no matter what the weather. The photos from the wedding day I had a chance to grab is just a small snippet of the variety of spots around the entire grounds. The little cottage where the groom and groomsmen get ready is a restored chicken coop, the bridal house is decorated in a shabby chic Victorian style and you go through a little trellis tunnel lined with distressed white old windows, small vineyard, an old cabin/barn house that has a large wooden table in the center with tall vaulted ceilings and tons of various paintings up and down all the walls. This is where there was a kitchen of amazing desserts being made by the grooms sister for the couples old fashion dessert table. Sharon tea dyed and stamped each napkin to blend with the pattern of the wedding. Incorporated hand painted signage and sewn flags for "Here Comes The Bride," utilized bare wood rectangle tables for a family style dinner and at the center of each table was a large flat picnic basket. In the basket was a collection of vintage china in various shades of pink and the silverware for each guest to grab and then dish up. The placemats were found through BHLDN. They carried their personalized logo throughout as well all the way down to their custom made stamp for their guest favors of homemade biscuit kits. The isle was lined with large mason jar arrangmenets which were then turned over to use in the sea of mason jars that were filled with flowers and candles that created the runner effect for the centerpieces. Her color choices were unique and blended together amazingly. The touch of the plum foliage, a soft pink accent some bold spurts of goldenrod and some over all rich fall hues and textures fit perfectly like all other details. The ribbon was supplied from The Ribboniere in San Francisco for the bouquets and boutonnieres and to highlight some of the mason jar florals. Sharon and Daniel also chose their bad ass boutonnieres which was my favorite part to design for the wedding. So excited to see the actual wedding photos from the incredible One Love Photo but in the meantime....enjoy.

The Metcalfs - Wedding and Beyond

Welcome to my second installment of my experience with relationships built at the start of planning to become a team member for the wedding and it flourishing into friendships that allow me to become a part of a past couples futures.
Meet Shannon and Josh.
Shannon is the longest member of the event planning team at the University of California, Merced. My shop was just a few doors down from her office. I can't remember which came first, professional needs for events or her inquiry about her wedding being held later in the year, October of 2008. Over the course of the next few months we met to discuss her wedding floral details. She has exquisite taste and I was swooned over her details and her romantic vintage theme. The wedding took place at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, CA. Her colors were deep reds, rich green foliages, with touches of a burnt orange. To add to the vintage touch we used cut crystal votives and footed urns. All wedding images were done by one of my favorites....Joel Flory!






After the wedding, I began getting to know Shannon more with our professional connection. She allowed me the opportunity to be a part of Michelle Obama's UC Merced Commencement in May 2009. It was the most unforgettable weekend of my life. We had 4 weddings already booked, over 55 centerpieces for the various events on campus as well as the podium decor, my then 6 month old daughter cut her first tooth and it was 116 degrees. I was given a plaque from the Commencement and it hangs next to my desk as a reminder... if I can make it through that, I can do anything. Shannon and staff did an amazing job with the amount of events, details, guests, etc they had to pull off in just 5 weeks of planning!! Since, we've worked on countless events from both me providing the florals for the UC and also the other way around. Shannon has an event planning business, Shannon Metcalf Events, which she has been able to coordinate weddings along side me.

Now we flash forward to the day after Thanksgiving, 2010. I'm 38 weeks pregnant and I believe judging at her cute belly, she was approx 28 weeks and her and Josh were expecting their first baby! These are a few of my favorite photos from their maternity session.




May I now present you to the sweetest, most alert newborn I've met. This is baby Case! Mom and Dad are sure going to have their hands full with the phone ringing off the hook from the little ladies. He's one handsome little boy...









Shannon and Josh, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of and capture glimmers of special times in your lives!