Saturday, January 14, 2012

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.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Tick tock, it's a clock!

Clocks.  I don't know what it is about them that just draws my attention.  I counted.  We have 16 in our house.  That does not include watches, but does include cell phones.  Having 16 clocks in the house does not necessarily mean that we are on time to all of our commitments either (I do hear some of you laughing).

I think it all started when my husband worked in engineering for Hekman Furniture and decided that he would like to use his "sister company discount" to purchase a Howard Miller wall clock that caught our attention.  It has graced the walls of two of our homes now.


When we were moving from one home to the next, my husband decided that he would build a huge clock.  Yet to be finished, this one is 5 feet in diameter.  Though unfinished, it makes quite a statement behind the loveseat in our office.


I found this little bargain at the Allegan Antique Market with friends this past summer.  I call it "grandma's clock" because based on my memory, it looks exactly like the alarm clock that sat in my grandma's bedroom for all of the years that I'd known her.  There might have been a few sibling fights over who got to "wind it" next!  It makes me think of my sweet grandma every time I see it (in my kitchen).


Knowing our affinity for clocks, my sister bought this tree ornament for us years ago.  It hangs on our Christmas tree every year.


The Howard Miller clock shown at a different angle.  Paint colors have changed in the house, but the clock remains the same.  (A few flowers were on display after we participated in a local bridal show).


At the same time that my husband designed the 5 ft. clock, he had made faces for 3 ft clocks.  Our cousins loved the supplies and finished the project - sending us a photo of the finished project.  Love it!


The other day, my husband mentioned wanting to finish this one.  He designed the hands at the time that he designed the clock.  I can't wait to have it finished, but in the meantime, curling up right here with a book when I don't have to pay attention to the real time is just a gift!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Gathering Eggs in Style....

If you had told me years ago that we would be chicken owners, I would have laughed the comment away!  No way could I ever imagine such a thing!  Horses - YES, I've dreamed of owning horses since I was 5.  Chickens - NEVER!  Ha, as it turns out, we have been blessed by both horses and chickens - and ducks!  And I wouldn't trade it for anything, especially if you can gather eggs with such fine accessories.....



The most rewarding part of owning chickens? Sharing the colorful delicious eggs with neighbors, family and friends! 

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fall Wedding Extravaganza

The 2011 wedding season is winding down for Forrester Farm.  (Although 2012 wedding planning is in full swing!).  There is still always so much to do at this time of the year, and I always look forward to seeing photographer shots for the season.  For today, enjoy some previous year's wedding photos.

 First 3 photos by  Studio 6.23




Following 3 photos by John R Ziemann Photography




Following 4 photos provided by Single Moments Photography




I look forward to sharing this season's fall wedding photos with you soon!  Enjoy the season and all of the color that it brings!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your weekend~

(bridesmaid's bouquet)


(2 photos of the Bride's bouquet)


It is going to be a BEAUTIFUL October weekend in Michigan, and I can't wait to see my bride's face when she sees her flowers tomorrow.  Months of planning coming together and absolutely fabulous weather!  Blessings Lauren and Mike!

Friday, September 9, 2011

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 :)!