A Day of Love!~

 Happy Valentine's Day from Forrester Farm!~ 

A few of our Forrester Farm wedding couples might recognize these photos 😏😊

A phrase that goes through my mind often is "what you focus on grows". Here's to hoping that at whatever stage of life you are in, you can focus on the good, the pure, the lovely in all who surround you and whatever circumstances you might be facing. 

Blessings on this day of love!~

That's a wrap for 2022!~ Looking forward to many Forrester Farm floral filled events in 2023!~

2022 held so many changes for our family. We sold our home of 23.5 years and on Saint Patrick's Day we officially moved to a farmhouse that was built by Irish immigrants in 1860. Though we immensely miss our neighbors, property, creek and our sweet little mini horses & chickens from our former home, we now enjoy beautiful lake frontage, a full time flowing creek and even a pond at the far end of our property all on more acreage. A huge blessing in so many ways!~

As we have been working hard to make our new to us home and property feel more like "home", Forrester Farm continued with business as usual, and the year was filled with so many wonderful clients, weddings and events. Though our garden area at the new house is currently smaller than what we had, for the first year in we still had beautiful blooms that brightened the yard and graced a few tables. 

We love featuring professionally taken photos following our weddings and events, but as Forrester Farm (established in 2000) begins a fresh new year in 2023, I decided to feature 23 behind the scenes Forrester Farm snapshots from this past year. 

My camera is filled with family, floral, lake and home remodeling photos, so picking just a few floral photos to share was no small task. It is always interesting to see what takes up your time and attention as you scroll through the photos of the past year!~ 

A huge thank you so all of our clients who have continued to trust us with their special events and floral needs!~ Cheers to year 23 of Forrester Farm!~

  Cheers and Blessings to you as you begin 2023!~

Team Work Makes the Dream Work when it comes to Weddings and Events!~

When March81 Photography contacted me about involvement in a stylized shoot at The Harris Building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it didn't take long for me to say "yes" to the fun shoot and to the great team involved!~ "Team work makes the dream work" isn't just a sweet saying - it is truth in action, especially when it comes to a great wedding, event or fun social gathering. 

With complete creative freedom and the only request of having both a modern and traditional theme, Tanya of Tanya Lynette Events and I began brainstorming.  Complete theme and table design ideas came together as we met with Emily at Fringe Events to decide upon linens and table settings and as additional rental items from Events by I Candy were secured. 

Total side note - Tanya and I first worked on a wedding together in 2009, but we had been friends and women's ministry planners at church prior to that.  Ben & Mindy, who own Fringe, were photographers (Studio 6.23) for some of my weddings way before they began their other businesses (The Cheney Place, Fancy Fray and Fringe). Jill from I Candy had provided print work for my husband's work long before the wedding industry caught their attention and Jill's daughter, Alex and I have a mutual love for horses (even though mine are half pints compared to hers :) ). Jason from Cakabakery, literally "rescued" one of my brides in 2010 when her cake baker went out of business, completely unexpectedly, 2 weeks prior to the wedding. Jason came to the rescue with absolutely beautiful and delicious cupcakes. I will never forget that, nor will my bride and her whole family!~ I love the connections and friendships that have been made through the years, before or because of the wedding and event industry.

Onto photos and the team that made it happen. Today, I'm featuring the "modern shoot" of the two themes that we created. 

These were just a few fabulous shots of the fun day. Will be sharing some of our "traditional theme" photos soon.

A huge shout out to all who participated to make it all happen!~

~~~~~~~~~~

Photographers: March81 Photography 

Michael & Jennifer Miller
michael@march81photo.com
Instagram @march81photo Facebook @march81photography
www.march81photo.com

Venue: The Harris Building

Kelsi Gaunt - Director of Event Operations
events@theharrisbuilding.com / kgaunt@theharrisbuilding.com
Instagram @theharrisbuildinggr Facebook @harrisbldggr
www.theharrisbuilding.com

Videographer: Unnamed Films

Scott Hoek & David Garrett
scott@unnamedco.com
david@unnamedco.com
Facebook @unnamedfilms Instagram @unnamedfilms
Unnamedfilms.com

Wedding Dresses: Magnolia Mobile Bridal Boutique

Morgan McRay
Instagram @magnoliamobilebridalboutique
Facebook @magnoliamobilebridalboutique
https://www.magnolia-bridal.com

Accessories: Diane Marie Bridal Design

Instagram @DianeMarieBridalDesigns Facebook @DianeMarieBridalDesigns
dianemariebridaldesigns@gmail.com

Tuxes: Bunny Tuxedo

Morgan McRay
Facebook @bunnytuxedos Instagram @bunnytuxedos
www.bunnytuxedos.com

Hair & Make Up: Sarah Baughn

Sarah Baughn
Facebook @bluebeara Instagram @pinupandpole4life

Spray Tan: Sandbar Spray Mobile Airbrush Tanning

Hannah Campbell
Facebook @sandbarspraytanning Instagram @sandbarspraytanning
https://sandbarspraytan.com/

Florist: Forrester Farm

Ann Forrester
Instagram @forresterfarm Facebook @ForresterFarm
www.forresterfarm.com

Stylist/Wedding Planner: Tanya Lynnette Events

Tanya Lawrence
Facebook @eventsbytanyalynnette Instagram @tanyalynnetteevents
tanyalynnetteevents.com

Cake: Cakabakery

Jason Kakabaker
Facebook @THECAKABAKERY Instagram @thecakabakery
Thecakabakery.com

Rentals/Table Settings: Fringe Events

hello@fringe-events.com
Facebook @fringeeventsgr Instagram @fringe.events
http://fringe-events.com

Rentals: Events by I Candy

Alicia Lutz
Facebook @eventsbyicandy Instagram @eventsicandy
https://eventsbyicandy.com

Bar Cart: Popping Bottles

Danielle
Facebook @poppingbottlesllc Instagram @poppingbottlesllc
https://www.poppingbottlesllc.com

Custom Hangers: Bride & Bow

Nick
Facebook @BrideandBowWeddings Instagram @bride.and.bow
http://www.BrideAndBow.com/

MODELS

Couple #1 - MODERN
Andrea Lautenbach & Michael Lautenbach

Thank you so much for jumping in and having fun - and for helping with the tear down after the shoot!~ You two are awesome!~

Vendor Social Media Quick List

INSTAGRAM

Photographers @march81photo
Venue @theharrisbuildinggr
Videographers @unnamedfilms
Wedding Dress @magnoliamobilebridalboutique
Bridal Accessories @DianeMarieBridalDesigns
Tux @bunnytuxedos
Hair & Makeup @pinupandpole4life
Spray Tan Artist @sandbarspraytanning
Florist @forresterfarm
Stylist & Wedding Planner @tanyalynnetteevents
Cake @thecakabakery
Rentals/Table Settings @fringe.events
Rentals @eventsicandy
Champagne/Bar Cart @poppingbottlesllc
Custom Dress Hanger @bride.and.bow

FACEBOOK

Photographers @march81photography
Venue @harrisbldggr
Videographers @unnamedfilms
Wedding Dress @magnoliamobilebridalboutique
Bridal Accessories @DianeMarieBridalDesigns
Tux @bunnytuxedos
Hair & Makeup @bluebeara
Spray Tan Artist @sandbarspraytanning
Florist @forresterfarm
Stylist & Wedding Planner @eventsbytanyalynnette
Cake @THECAKABAKERY
Rentals/Table Settings @fringeeventsgr
Rentals @eventsbyicandy
Champagne/Bar Cart @poppingbottlesllc
Custom Dress Hanger @BrideandBowWeddings

Pure Wedding Joy in the Midst of Crazy Covid Changes

This past year, we had so many wedding couples change and adjust their plans as covid took a toll on just about everything in our big and wonderful world. As couples changed plans, dates, locations and more, Forrester Farm adjusted right along with them as much as we possibly could. All of our 2020 weddings and events were affected somehow or another. All of our 2020 couples handled the necessary changes with grace and made the absolute best decisions that they could in the face of the pandemic. 

The amount of grace and flexibility that I witnessed in our couples was extraordinary. Believe me, I saw and heard the tears, disappointment and frustration over not being able to move forward with weddings as they were initially planned, but as couples made plan B's, C's and even D's, it was oh so evident that nothing could stop love!~ 

We loved being a part of Lindsey and Niquo's wedding this past year, providing the floral for the ceremony and reception. After several reception location adjustments following covid guidelines, Lindsey and Niquo were offered a private property that would ultimately be the perfect solution for their celebration. The pandemic influenced re-planning and adjustments had not been a picnic and by the time the wedding date arrived, they were just so ready to really enjoy their special day.

I recently saw the professional photos of Niquo and Lindsey's wedding day, and the joy that was evident just looking thru the photo album was contagious!~  Elizabeth of Elizabeth Berghuis Photography absolutely captured the joy of the day perfectly. The beautiful shots, the beautiful moments, the beautiful memories. 

All photos in this post by:

 Elizabeth Berghuis Photography.

All floral by yours truly,

Forrester Farm.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

 Forrester Farm turned 20 in 2020. 

It seems odd to even say that. What started out as a desire to grow flowers to share with others has become a wonderful business filled with blooms and amazing clients.

As I looked through so many photos of weddings, events and social gatherings that we have been a part of thru the many years, I am just so thankful.

Seeing the smiles and photos full of joy is simply priceless!~

Whether we are creating flowers for big weddings and events or small bridal or baby showers, each event is special.  In the years that we delivered our bouquets to Whole Foods and Pulp & Stem and participated at local art fairs, farmer's markets and even our own Garden Room events, it was always so enjoyable. We have grown, changed and evolved though it all and I'm thankful for each of those experiences.  I'm especially thankful for the fabulous people (couples, clients & customers) who made it all so much sweeter. 

Cheers to 2021 and a new decade for Forrester Farm!~

(many more photos available to view on our Forrester Farm facebook page)