Wedding photos - love them peonies!

I had a blast arranging the flowers for this wedding, the color palate was so soft and elegant that any flowers would have looked great together. I do enjoy getting some free rein when it comes to design also! : ) The last picture is the surprise lounge table piece I created for the bride - though originally supposed to be 4 squares on one table, we had to improvise once we got the reception hall and divide up my vases for 2 tables.

The brides bouquet was nothing short of stunning. Packing in 6 inch diameter peonies as focal points and collaring them with large cymbidium orchids. Delightful!

The bridesmaids bouquets were also a combination of light pink and hot pink peonies tangled with some calla lilies and bear grass. The look was kept very simple and classy, definitely drawing most attention to the flowers and reflecting the simplicity of the bridesmaids knee length dresses.

These were originally to be all calla lilies, but mother nature threw a curve ball and grew teeny tiny white calla lilies. The addition of the peonies was a sure bet!

The super fun lounge table design. The charcoal grey river rock really complimented the grey linens for the sitting area and adding a nice contrasting background to the floating peonies and swirling calla lilies. They would have been lost on the white linens.

These would be great for a long rectangle guest tables too - for those looking for something more unique and contemporary.

More images of the wedding can be found on my website : www.intuitiveblooms.com

Since we've booked with you, what happens if...

The end of summer and fall is looking jammed packed! I'm booked solid through August, picking up in September and am booking weekends in October & November already.

It has raised a few questions about booking flower with me, that I thought I would answer - I guess it can coincide with booking with any independent florist. It's the question of "what happens if you have an emergency and can't deliver my flowers?"

I have already told my clients, that unless I am on my death bed, you will be receiving your flowers. I am very dedicated to my passion and you have to keep in mind that this is my job. It's just not a fun 'hobby', this is my profession. You should expect the same professionalism in every aspect (product, design, delivery, set up, etc.) with an independent florist as you would at a retail operation.

But, things can happen... In the event that something does happen to your florist, ask their back up plan. I myself have surrounded myself with creative colleagues that are fully capable of completing bouquets and getting them delivered to the appropriate locations.

I Do Redo Sale photos

The show was SO MUCH FUN, I had a blast meeting with everyone and sharing ideas and inspirations.

Just wanted to pop a few pictures from the show on the blog, for those unable to attend. I brought several different bouquets and my large branchy piece with orchids and roses.

I also have accumulated some fantastic resin candle pillars from the sale. They will make fantastic pedestals for guest table floral arrangements.

Long overdue : A little about myself

I figured today I would blog a bit about myself and my background. I have had many people ask, what do you do, how did you get started with this? Many questions that deserve a righteous explanation for choosing me as your florist for the most important day of your life!

I was born with an artistic ability. Seriously!, I remember friends from pre-school commissioning me with cookies and candy to draw and paint them pictures. It has of course snowballed since then! My resume for art awards is a long one, from regional to national attention at an art show & competition in Washington DC - awesome trip!

I have been dabbling with floral education and experience since 2000, where I began taking horticulture and floriculture classes way back in high school. I did not pursue this venture after graduation by going to a technical college or anything like that for my formal education, but ventured out into the art world at the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul, then transferring to a more professional and challenging curriculum at the nationally acclaimed Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in the Fine Arts.

In between my college studies, I began working with a premier floral shop in the northwest metro called Maple Grove Floral. I began there as the bucket scrubbing sales clerk and grew into the wedding consultant and then manager within a couple years.

During my time at Maple Grove Floral, I have created dream weddings for many, many brides and clients around the state of Minnesota, as well as orchestrating my design team with delivery and set up, wedding shows and other special events.

I recently decided that I wanted to become more specialized in the wedding industry and was offered a job to become assistant manager at the Little Bridal Shop in Rogers, which allowed me to freelance myself out as an independent florist.

I enjoy being independent, as I can break the boundaries with budget and design. I don't have the overhead from a retail location weighing me down any more! I launched 'Intuitive Blooms' in January 201o and it has been a dream! I'll continue to do the bridal shows and expos when I can, showing ways to break the mold of traditional design, plus show ways to break the cycle of high price tag weddings! Though I do have The Knot, practically knocking my door down to join with them (she loves my work)! I invite you to follow my blog or my facebook to keep up to speed with my designs and personal adventures!

Free Tickets to the I Do Redo Sale!

Contact me on how to receive your free tickets to the I Do Redo Sale in Maple Grove on April 17th.

There will be a ton of great vendors there from planners to linens, as well as a wedding dress consignment area with dressing rooms to try them on!

It's going to be a great time!

www.idoredosale.com

Flowers and Feathers and Horns, oh my!

I've been hearing comments about some of the floral photography, including the pheasant wings and white tail deer skulls. Granted I would not do that for any client, unless specified to (I keep thinking of a gorgeous cascading head table piece with antlers though!).

I only use my props to help accentuate color and texture with the flowers. It also compliments the softness and femininity of the flowers, in contrast to something more rigid and masculine.

Though, my main reason is to play a little homage to a great American woman artist named Georgia O'Keefe. She had a wonderful gift that could "capture the essence of [the] natural beauty". I highly respect her artwork, it is gorgeous.

If you'd like to familiarize yourself with one of my creative inspirations, visit her online museum : Georgia O'Keefe.

Daisy the Flower Dog!

My faithful little companion, helping me do some flowers. Or mostly keeping me company!

I always thought it would be so fun to do a "flower dog" collar. I have seen it done before and figured I should at least try it on my own fur ball!

The collar is basically a heavy duty lei that fits securely around the dog's neck like a standard collar would. Depending on the size of the dog, you would want something that is proportional to your own pup. Larger dogs would benefit from flowers like roses, large cymbidium orchids, gerbera daisies, while the smaller toy dogs could wear lighter and daintier flowers such as spray roses, dendrobium or mokara orchids, miniature gerbera daisies, etc.

It's important to know which flowers are going to be mildly or very toxic to your dog! I would recommend staying away from lilies, carnations, daisies and larkspur - these can cause gastro upsets (or worse) for your furry friends on your wedding day! A great website to find whether your flowers or house plants are toxic or not is from the ASPCA Poison Control.