{ jaydee and josh } march 15

Who would have guessed that this spring would be so gorgeous.  We were out at the lovely Borba Ranch for a family wedding this past weekend.  The grounds were so beautiful, the tent amazing yet none of that compared to how radiant the bride looked!    

I loved making these muslin fabric rosette wands for the flower girls.  Finished with tooling, satin ribbon and rhinestone gems - they made the perfect gift for the young ladies.

Chippy paint doors stood guard as the bride ascended from the home - they made a nice simple divide from the ceremony beyond.

Instead of the traditional candle lighting ceremony I came up with this new idea... a David Austen rose bush was placed at the alter area where the bride and groom combined soil in their unity ceremony.  These same roses were used in the brides bouquet - this sweet bush can now be planted at their new home and enjoyed for years to come.

{ linens by Expo }

{ menu cards designed by Julie Gomes }

{ wolf lakes park bridal show } march 8

It's official... the wedding season is upon us!  It was so fun to see many of our Wolf Lakes Park clients with their families and friends out tasting food and enjoying the wonderful weather, at the annual Open House.

{ sandwich chalkboards are available for rent... this one even  fit on top of our table display }

This year we added a touch of rustic glam to the Lakeside aisle with soft greenery, wood stumps, hydrangeas and fresh oranges from the ranch.  Trying some new ideas always gets me so excited!

We used our barn wood columns with the natural dark lanterns for the aisle entrance.

Up at the alter, our arrangement sat on one of Wolf Lakes wine barrels - our dark cast iron urn was filled with lush spring florals and finished with gold mercury votives and oranges.

Hanging lanterns and dainty bottles with blooms completed the decor in the pergola.

heirloom dishes for the bride and groom

We are so fortunate here in California to have spring in the air.  My heart goes out to those of you that are still up to your eye balls in snow.  Take heart, warmer weather is on its way.

We are working on displays for an open house at Wolf Lakes Park this weekend.  For that show I made this arrangement and thought I'd use it for a quick photo shoot in my barn.

I had a fun idea a few weeks ago that I thought I'd share.  I was trying to help a bride think of a meaningful way to decorate her sweetheart table for her wedding.  This bride and I both value things from our families that have history and meaning to us.  I suggested that maybe she and her husband use their wedding china at their wedding - how sweet would it be to know that they ate from their own china at their wedding in years to come?  Here is my wedding china... still going strong as I prepare to celebrate my fifteenth year anniversary to my rock, "the leader".  Have a great weekend...I pray you are able to glimpse one small sight that will give you hope that warmer weather is almost here.  Love, Amy

{ gifts from the garden }

Very often the most beautiful gifts are simple and uncomplicated.  Here is a sweet little nosegay bouquet I made this morning using things from my garden.  Cypress, rosemary, orange leaf, cream wax flowers, helleborus, white freesia and dried lavender (sweet gift from a neighbor and friend).

I am still counting God's Gifts to me.  Yesterday's prompt, by author Ann Voskamp,  was to find three gifts that are "seen as reflections".  I wasn't sure what those would be.  The sun was slowly rising to bright pink clouds and millions of tiny almond blossoms.  I ran outside with my camera to capture the moment - nothing magical or beautiful was captured - being the less then amazing photographer that I am.

However, on my way back in I took a quick picture of these amazing black privet berries that I rescued from the Pack Leader's chainsaw.

When I reviewed the photo closely my breath caught as I glimpsed my twinkle lights shimmering in the background - I hadn't seen them when I took the photo - but there they were just for "me" - reflections of light.  God' Gifts are all around us - they are usually not flashy but simple and uncomplicated.  Keep your eyes open for your own gifts today.  Love, Amy

{ new goodies }

February is a notoriously slow time for weddings in my neck of the woods.  So, this week I thought I would share some new items that I picked up this winter for the coming year.  One of my favorite pieces are these adorable clear chunky vases with dot details - a perfect choice for that vintage feel.  Mercury glass continues to be so popular - I especially like it mixed in with other pieces.

We also have found some fun wooden lanterns with metal details - a gorgeous high/low mix.

Chunky silver candle sticks will work great with elegant taper or pillar candles.  I think we are going to  line these up - down long tables - maybe add in some crystal pieces for a very fun wedding coming up in June.

All items available for rent.  Enjoy!

{ flower love...wedding bouquet }

I know I'm not supposed to have favorites...but this bouquet stole my heart last fall!  I loved making this special bridal bouquet for the lovely Rachel Graves.  God Bless.