The Madrugas - Wedding and Beyond

I have been saving this particular entry until I got a new layout going on for my blog so we can take a good look at some big pictures! Jessica and Morgan are the prime example on why I love every aspect of my job. Since expanding my wedding territory to down here in the valley, I now have the potential to not only build lasting friendships out of my clients but the fun part is to continue to watch their lives grown and help capture moments through some photography.

I met Jessica sometime early 2008 when she booked our services for the flowers for her wedding. We spent endless amounts of time on her unique color palette since her wedding was the end of August not to be too summery and not to be too fall. Ivories, greens, chocolate brown, burnt oranges and touches of a deep pink.

They had over 300 guests attending so we tried to have some extra fun with the ceremony decor and the escort card tree. They also chose to switch up the centerpieces. One with a large low square vase and heavy votives and the other with a candle scape.

For the ceremony site, we hung long strands of orchid lei's about 12' long with flowing simple satin ribbons in ivory, sage green and chocolate brown with a crystal to weigh it down and strands of crystals for some extra bling. Then down the isle a thick scatter of petals in ivory, raspberry pink and burnt orange.



Our escort card display was a blast to make and was also possible due to such a large amount of wedding guests. We hung long sage satin ribbons from the tree and also weighed them down with a crystal. At the top of each row was a chocolate sparkly letter so the guest can all cruise around looking for their cards which were all attached with a cute copper swirly clip.

Reception





Now we flash forward to their future together and October 2009, I was able to squeeze in some maternity pictures just 2 days before the TWINS got here!





Now introducing....Piper and Holden!! We finally got to snap a few at 3 months.





And we then got the entire crew when the twins hit almost 8 months.








Thank you Madrugas for letting me capture moments in your lives!

Countries

The local Catholic School here in Merced did an annual fundraiser where they host wine and food booths from 10 different countries. I was asked to be a part in designing 10 different arrangements to represent each of the countries. This was a blast! I just looked up the country flags and tried to utilize flowers that represent each of these countries.

Germany - Black, Red and Gold

Nicaragua - Royal Blue and White

Portugal - Deep Red, Green and Gold

Ireland - Green, Orange and White.
I used Bells of Ireland

USA

Mexico - Green, White and Red

Italy - Green, White and Red.
I decided to go more Tuscan and throw in some Rosemary

Scotland - Royal Blue and White
I used the Thistle which represents the country.

Philippines - Red, White, Blue and Gold

Thailand - Red, White and Blue
They grow many of my orchids I design with!

Stephanie and Mitch

Last summer I decided to close my retail store front and get back to the importance of my inspiration which is always weddings. So the first couple that contacted me and wanted to have a consultation was with Stephanie, Mitch and her parents.
We did a full overview of the day because Stephanie already knew exactly what she wants...down to her awesome shoes. Over the course of the following year, everything just fell into place on details. They did all their own linens, centerpieces and set up and the place looked AMAMZING! Loved the style of the over all wedding and when you have a killer photographer like Ryan Jones, it ends up being a magical day!

Photographer - Ryan Jones

Cake - Eddie's Bakery Cafe

Ceremony - First Baptist, Merced

Reception - St. Patricks, Merced

Lisa and Steve Yosemite Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty

Smell that? It’s the smell of crisp, fresh mountain air. And it’s seeping from these photos along with an immense amount of wedding inspiration. Yosemite National Park is the grandiose setting for today’s forest wedding by Kate Miller Events. The majestic mountain backdrop for Steven and Lisa’s ceremony is complete paradise, isn’t it? And did you see him? The unexpected guest at the wedding? Yes, Mr. Deer! Just adorable. More details I adore from this wedding include the elegant black bridesmaid dresses, the tall luscious centerpieces and…oh my, that ring! More rustic wedding inspiration from this forest wedding can be found here. xoxo Chantale from La Belle Bride

















The story of today’s wedding: When Steven proposed to Lisa at the top of a waterfall in while hiking in Yosemite National Park, they knew they must return to get married amidst some of the most amazing surroundings Northern California has to offer. The regal and historic Ahwahnee Hotel, where even Queen Elizabeth II herself came to visit, became the backdrop to this rustic chic celebration. In fact, the very same waterfall would become the backdrop to their actual wedding ceremony.

Lisa worked closely with Kate Miller Events to design the wedding of her dreams – we anchored the jewel-toned color palette to the rustic aesthetic of the Ahwahnee by utilizing an Ikat pattern throughout many of the details; a testament to Lisa’s love of interior design and it’s current trends. Lisa created DIY hand sewn satin rosettes for each place setting, and Kate custom-designed menus and programs with an Ikat print that mimicked the fabric wrapped vases and escort card table runner.

Lisa also commissioned bespoke walnut stationery Luxecut™ escort cards and table numbers (to later be used for future birthday cake toppers in an eco-friendly way). A calligrapher hand wrote each guests’ name on the cards in white ink, while the table numbers were embedded into the centerpieces. For the tall centerpieces, moss vines were intertwined with moss balls, and fuchsia and purple blooms accented the curle willow branches. The short centerpieces were a cluster of square vases covered in Ikat fabric and filled with fuchsia peonies and purple anemone, surrounded by creamy pillar candles and textural moss balls.


Photography: Sarah Maren Photography / Flowers: Natalie Galasso Designs / Event Planning and Design: Kate Miller Events™ / Ceremony and Reception Location: The Ahwahnee at Yosemite National Park / Invitations: Designed by a friend of the Bride / Escort Cards & Table Numbers: Luxecuts™ / Menus & Programs: KME Paperie by Kate Miller Events™ / Calligraphy: The Calligraphy Girl / Shoes: Cole Haan / Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Hair and Makeup: Article Salon & Spa / Groom’s Suit: Ferragamo / DJ: Exquisite Entertainment / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Videographer: Red Plate Productions

VOW Award

I just received a congratulations email from a friend and vendor of the industry on my nomination for a VOW award. I called her to say thank you but what is that? So she emailed me the link and when I clicked on the voting and looked under florist, I didn't see anything and she told me to keep scanning down to the wedding consultant/coordinator of the year award. Super honored and excited! All your support is greatly appreciated.