September Blooms and Berries

September Blooms and Berries

~~~~~~~

We have an arrowwood viburnum growing in our horse pasture. The flowers it provides in the late spring and summer are always a welcome sight, but the berries that make their show in the fall are truly the icing on the cake. 

The berries have been lush and beautiful this year. It is always at this time, when the berries ripen to the perfect hue of blue, I think of all of the fun ways to incorporate them in floral arrangements. 

 Recently, while going through old emails, I came across the professional photos that one of my September brides had sent to me some time ago. Though I try to post photos right away when I get them, as I recall, we had an over the top full schedule at that time, and posting the photos simply didn't happen in a timely manner. With the stunning viburnum berries just starting to fade in our horse pasture, I couldn't let the season pass without sharing these fun photos now.

  

Being a part of Rachel and Tim's special day was a gift. Tim's grandparents had lived right next to my childhood home, and I had actually babysat Tim occasionally when he was young. Meeting Rachel was a treat.  She is so creative. She even made the copper flowers that we incorporated in her bouquet.

 The wedding & reception took place at Rachel's parents property in Saint Johns, MI. A perfect setting for a special day.

 Here comes even more sweetness...

 Tim's wonderful parents...

 

Rachel's grandparents are adorable. 

I love the expression on her grandfather's face in this next photo. 

Tim's dad built all of the wooden flower boxes that were filled with flowers for the reception. 

A perfect way to remember the day...

Looking forward to when our viburnum will bloom and bear berries again!~

All photos by: Jamie May Photography

Flowers by: Forrester Farm

Brides

I love working with brides.  Through the years there have been so many brides from all walks of life.  Some live right here in West Michigan, others have planned their weddings with me from as far away as California.  I've seen marriages bloom and families grow as babies enter the picture.  From coffee barristras, teachers to future brain surgeons, the brides and their styles have varied immensely and I've loved working with them all! 

Currently, I'm working with a sweet bride who is from the Ukraine.  She lives in Washington D.C., her fiance lives in Canada.  With family in West Michigan, their wedding and reception will take place in Holland, Michigan.  Drawn to locally grown flowers and a vintage rustic theme, the couple have shared a couple ideas:

Bridal Bouquets:

Boutonniere:

Bridesmaids Bouquets:

Centerpieces:

A couple additional ideas incorporating books and blue mason jars:

As we are enjoying the freshly fallen pure white snow in Michigan, I'm also enjoying the planning of colorful spring planting - incorporating what this couple and many others are requesting this year.

Distinguished, Dashing, Darling Dahlias

It is the time of year that dahlias are in full bloom in Michigan - and many fall brides love the look of them in their floral arrangements.  I recently provided flowers for a very sweet couple, and dahlias were on the list of flowers to have.  Because I didn't have enough white dahlias growing in my own garden, I had the pleasure of going to the Hamilton Dahlia Farm in Hamilton, Michigan to hand pick the blooms that would grace my bride's day.  I'm looking forward to seeing the professional wedding photos, but in the meantime, here is some of the fun that we had leading up to the special day:

Rows and rows of colorful dahlias:

Close up shots:

Farm helpers had been busy cutting for market day:

Paige, age 12, was thrilled that while mom was cutting white dahlias, she was allowed to pick up the colorful and perfectly beautiful "dead heads" that were on the ground.  Armed with a bucket full, she immediately started using her creativity when we returned home:

 

Wedding flower delivery day:

I'll share more wedding day photos as soon as I see them.  In the meantime, you might see some of my wedding day snapshots show up on the Forrester Farm Facebook Page - or here on the blog :)!