The Petal Press

On a sunny day this past Saturday the Haute Horticulture crew and I set up a very happy wedding. The couple Stephanie and Jacob could not have been more adorable and this bold color fit their personality to a tee! The day was a bit hot (and I jokingly say "Haute" too) but when the sun started it's path toward the horizon, the bride and groom were married under the wooden Chuppah hand crafted by Mike, Stephanie's stepfather. I am still kicking myself for not taking photos of that beautiful structure. I also missed the bridesmaids bouquets, the cutest flower girl in a tutu carrying a flower wand, and the bride and groom! - So I will just have to wait patiently for Christen Jones to work her photography magic.

As for the reception, Gail and Mandy (bride's family) were fully supportive and uber creative when it came to all the details. I was along to help, but was speechless when I opened a package that revealed such things as custom tissue boxes with photo covered sides (made by Kleenex!). There were just too many great ideas to mention in one blog.

Stephanie and Jacob had a sweet bar which was absolutely stunning in those vivid yellows, blacks, and whites. My favorite candy: Black wax mustaches! I'd better get mine out of my purse before I lose it.

While guests were enchanted with the endless activities, such as writing a message for the couple and hanging it in a wish tree, they enjoyed the amazing catering services of Delectables. There were fabulous fruits & finger foods, tiny milk shakes and desserts, freshly spun cotton candy cones, and the southern necessities of lemonade and tea. It was nearly impossible to resist eating some of their treats so I instead distracted myself by manning the DIY photo booth; complete with damask background and a trunk full of props and hats. I think I had as much fun as the guests striking silly poses!

The reception also boasted the most beautiful ruffled cake by Myra of Designs in Sugar, while the tent itself became a magical backdrop with the hard work of Mahaffey Tent & Party Rentals. Team Mahaffey hung the lanterns, pitched tents, and set up the rentals that tied whole event together. (Thank you for the help Clint!) When I arrived to the venue it was nearly unrecognizable with the structures and decor. Mahaffey truly transforms everyday spaces into extraordinary places. - Ooh, maybe I have just come up with a new slogan for them.

Finally, a huge (H U G E) thank you is owed to Kate and Melissa who worked so hard and without complaint in the 95 degree heat of the day, (and in all black clothes no less). I could go on and on about the wedding and the people who made it a success but I will simply let the photos I do have speak for themselves.

-Congratulations to Jacob and Stephanie!

Posted in: Colors, Haute Clients and Events on Monday, May 24, 2010 at at 6:37 AM 3 comments  

Every Day I learn something new in life and flowers, so when my neighbor asked me this past weekend to help her wrap a $500 flower in cellophane I was ready and curious! She had long ago learned a technique to make roses out of paper currency and created a $500 rose for her daughter's UT graduation. What a great idea and what a lucky recipient! Here is a phone photo of the most expensive flower I have ever wrapped. Enjoy!

PS She promised to teach me when I have the time. I can't wait to try it!

Posted in: Crafts on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at at 9:59 AM 0 comments  

Last Tuesday I had an amazing day! We worked at the Hunt-Phelan House downtown Memphis to create stunning photos for Premier Bride's August issue. This was by far one of my favorite photos shoots. The proofs are now being processed by the capable and talented Annabella Jackson from Asian Bees Photography. She posted these delicious photos on her blog shortly after the shoot and just had to share them with you. They only make me hungry to see all of the carefully planned details involved in the day. More to come...

All of the vendors involved Hunt-Phelan, Premier Bride, Classic Party Rentals, Cakes by Mom and Me, Amy Miller Weddings, Asian Bees Photography, and our four talented models.

Posted in: Featured In on Monday, May 10, 2010 at at 10:27 AM 0 comments  

When approached by a client to make a few arrangements for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fundraising Banquet, I was more than happy to be a part of their event. While setting up the flowers I was given genuine heart felt thanks from the team members of this organization and just felt good about the experience. I only wish I could have hear the encouraging words and life's story from the University of Georgia's head coach Mark Richt as he was their guest speaker. In honor of Coach Richt, UGA colors adorned the head table in Red, White, and Black. I hope he liked it!

(The photos are not my usual as forgot my camera that day!!! )

If you are interested in the FCA Memphis click here:
Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Posted in: on at at 10:15 AM 0 comments  

The DoubleTree Downtown:

A gem that not everyone may know about, the DoubleTree Hotel is conveniently in Downtown Memphis near the RedBirds Stadium, Rendezvous, and an array of unique things that our city has to offer. The staff at the DoubleTree is SO wonderful! What an amazing eye opening experience. We were all treated a southern inspired but Asian updated lunch menu and I ATE EVERY BITE. The new Executive Chef, Kaia Brewer created an array of mouth watering food sculptures on dinnerware. From the berry salad, to the pork chops and Asian potatoes, to the "Strawberries Three Ways" we ate so well that there wasn't much talking. That's when you know it's good! As dessert came out so did the camera phones and that's when you know it's beautiful too! The facilities at the Doubletree are perfect for weddings and large meetings and we learned about their in house staff for lighting and catering.

Luckily Jay Johnson of Jay C. Johnson Photography and Ande Demetriou of Gemini Multimedia were among the guests so we have photos and videos of the whimsical decor I provided as well as my shabby phone pics of the afternoon's fun.

As for the Flowers: There were over 500 mini Narcissus each bunched and leaning out of white ceramic rectangles, and at the center of the four tables was a display of Forsythia. All of these flowers are very dear to me because of their seasonality. I won't be able to work with them again until next March. Good thing I had an excuse this Spring!

A Special Thanks to the following people for making this possible:

All of the Fabulous DoubleTree Staff

(who were so friendly and helped me set up and clean up my flowers)

Social Butterflies

(for coordinating and making Haute Horticulture a key partner of the Luncheon and Jaime for providing my entertainment as seen by my phone pics of her)

Classic Party Rentals: Linens

Gemini Multimedia: Luncheon Video Check it out!

Jay C. Johnson Photography

Posted in: on at at 8:04 AM 0 comments  

When the Social Butterflies asked me to help the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with their 40th anniversary Promise Ball on April 10th, I had no idea how close to my heart it would become. After the meetings and designs and deliveries were all said and done I was honored with an invitation to celebrate the charity, their cause, and help raise donations that make it possible to fight against Type 1 diabetes. Diabetes is scary, it is real, and it is something that alters not just the diabetic, but their entire families lives forever. And for one night those families and children were able to come together at the Historic Peabody and be embraced by the people of Memphis. It was very touching and I will never forget it.

The theme of the party was the Super 70's and since JDRF was founded in 1970 the peace signs and groovy decor was very fitting. Even some of the guests showed up in the hippest of hippie-wear. Here are a few amature photos I took before the evening began. The HH team consisted of me, Kelly S., Kate G., Melissa L., and Molly who tirelessly worked on the flowers and volunteered their time and energy (on a Saturday no less!). Behind the scenes, my husband and Bluff City Refrigeration expertly installed our newest walk in cooler to keep the flower-power going. Thank you ladies (and gentlemen) for being a part of the success that JDRF had. They were able to raise over $360,000 that evening.

Some of the Sponsor Partners for the evening include:
Social Butterflies, Mahaffey Tents, Cort Furniture, and The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation. For more information please click here: JDRF Keeping the Promise

Posted in: on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at at 1:06 PM 0 comments  

There was so much going on in my world as well as Haute Horticulture this past month. So much in fact that I wasn't able to blog as often as usual. This is part 1 of my Spring recap.

Asian Bees Photography: Photos with the Family We had the pleasure of having our family portraits taken by Annabella Brandon in March at the Botanic Gardens of Memphis. We had the perfect day with just enough sun through the clouds as our family walked through their fields of Daffodils. I had brought my own bouquet just for kicks and even dressed the 'boys' in coordinating colors and yet my son loved the entire adventure. Annabella had great suggestions and went with whatever the mood called for. The images she captured will be treasured by my family forever.

Posted in: on at at 9:52 AM 0 comments