michelle and ken

typically when i meet with a client, they bring me photos that inspire them to show me the vision they have for their wedding. when michelle and ken met with me, they had a very different approach to casting their vision. instead of images that portrayed their style, they brought along passages from the book, "the count of monte cristo."  the imagery spelled out in the text conveyed more than a style, it really evoked an ambience and mood that would come to life in their wedding. michelle didn't necessarily know exactly what she wanted her wedding to look like, but she knew how she wanted it to feel. So with that in mind, I built up and designed her wedding.

this wedding with its european garden flair, was lush and abundant forming an air of regal formality, yet boasting cheerfully bright colors, was also warm, inviting and approachable.  

peonies were so important to this bride, because her late grandfather had loved them and grown them. She wanted them to be part of her wedding in remembrance of him, and as a way to honor him. the problem was that her wedding was near the end of july, and peonies had been out of season for several weeks. we had arranged to have some of her grandfather's paintings of the peonies at the wedding to remember him that way.

2 weeks before the wedding, i went ahead and ordered peonies just to see if i could get lucky. i was shocked and thrilled when my wholesaler arrived with buckets and buckets of them. i don't know how she managed to make it happen, but i was so happy to present michelle with her bouquet that incorporated the flower that meant so much to her.

michelle's dress was from luly yang. it was perfect for the style of this wedding. her look was completed with the vintage diamond jewelry she was loaned for the day. this picture below shows me pinning a brooch onto her dress.  i was trying hard not to jab her with the pin. fortunately, for both of us, i was successful.

the bride's bouquet consisted of peonies, lavender roses, garden roses, burgundy, orange and eggplant calla lilies, green, white and purple hydrangeas, mini alium, mambo spray roses, peach hypericum, folded variegated flax leaves and twisting clematis vines. i cuffed the bouquet in silk and attached a vintage brooch accenting the teal component of the wedding.
  

the tent decor was comprised of boxwood spiral trees, moss, oranges, crystal chandeliers, gold framed mirrors, lush flower centerpieces, tuscan candelabras, custom runners, soft seating and a cake i designed inspired by michelle and ken's new china.

michelle and ken, i hope the love, happiness, excitement and joy that I (along with your guests) witnessed and experienced between the two of you on your wedding day, can stay with you a lifetime. i loved planning and designing your wedding, and bringing the text that inspired you to life.  i wish you all the best, wherever life may take you. 

vendor notes:

photography:  michele m waite

venue: semiahmoo

rentals: abc rentals

cake: market street catering