Luxe Love
When it comes to deep colours and weddings, a lot of brides are afraid of going too dark. Others don't know how to integrate red into their palette without ending up with the standard red rose bouquet. I love a good jewel toned palette, and while I'm not always a fan of the typical "luxurious" wedding, I think that a luxe palette of deep red and deep plum can be just what you need!
One of my favourite parts of this bouquet is how the chartreuse ribbon and bright green berry brings life and vibrancy - even better, that berry is part of the deep purple foliage and was foraged from a tree in my neighbourhood!
Bouquet Recipe:
Dahlias, roses, spray roses, ranunculus, scabiosa, bachelor buttons, ruscus, and foraged greenery.
Photos: Brittany Mahood Photography
Styling: Ashley Nicole Design
Florals: Stone House Creative
Exploring Neutrals
I love talking about colour with brides. There are an endless array of beautiful combinations that can bring a totally different life to a wedding, and today we're looking at neutrals. Very on-trend right now, the creams/blushes/champagnes will always elicit a calming, classic feel.
As a floral designer, what I love about this palette for weddings is the distinctly romantic and feminine air it creates. And despite the limited colour tones usually worked with, it's still a versatile colour palette - working with roses and hydrangea can make a dense, luxurious bouquet while spring apple blossoms and sweet pea will feel light and soft. That's just one reason why this classic will always be a classic!
Photos: Brittany Mahood Photography
Dress: Bliss Bridal Boutique
Image Styling: Ashley Nicole Design
Florals: Stone House Creative
Introducing the Stone House
I've been so excited to share this post with anyone who wants to read it. When planning for Stone House Creative, it was very important to me that my company be an authentic representation of myself - you know that quote "Be yourself - no one else is better qualified"? Today I am so happy to share with you a little bit about where I came from.
This is the house where I grew up. My mom's ancestors came to Manitoba from Scotland in 1814, and eventually settled at our farm near Stonewall in 1873. This beautiful home (the image above is from our wedding day) was completed in 1904 by my great great grandfather. All of the stone needed for the walls was gathered from the nearby fields, and a stonemason from Scotland was hired to build it. Many generations were raised here, passing from one to the next. My grandma grew up just down the road on another farm, and in 1954, she and her husband took it over from her uncle. In 1965, when my mom was a little girl, the house burned and the entire inside was completely gutted. It was re-built with much help from the neighbourhood, but those stone walls remained strong. My parents then took over the farm and the stone house in 1983.
Along with my brother and two sisters, I was raised inside these beautiful, thick walls. My mom, an amazing gardener and a lover of beautiful flowers, had a crafting and quilting business aptly named "From the Stone House." Though my dad claims I owe him royalties for the name of Stone House Creative, I could think of nothing better to represent where I come from and what I love than these words that reflect on how and where I was raised. My husband Chad and I were married on the front lawn, my childhood birthday parties were spent having hot dog roasts in the bush, and I will argue until I'm blue in the face that I grew up in the best neighbourhood, on the most beautiful road, in the entire world.
Tying all of this together, I'm so happy to share my official branding with the world! To create my logo, my dear friend Ashley of Ashley Nicole Design worked with a pen drawing by a family friend, the late Gerald Folkerts. Gerald was an amazing artist and we were so lucky that one day he had a whim to draw the house - I couldn't imagine anything better to represent Stone House Creative. I hope that you feel the sense of history and strength that lays within this home.
And to round this off nicely, I asked my friend Brittany Mahood to take a headshot of me featuring these beautiful stone walls. I'm so proud to call this place home!
A Little Inspiration
Hello flower friends! I've already shared some details and pictures from Team Flower Workshop, which I attended earlier this spring. My time spent in North Carolina allowed me to realize that my dreams for flowers and weddings were something I could actually see come to life. I thought I'd share a few more pictures of the behind-the-scenes of the workshop, to show you how truly inspiring and wonderful it was.
I was a lucky gal to be the first one to arrive at our flower home in the mountains - and for goodness' sake, for a prairie gal, the mountains of North Carolina were such a stunning place and just full of inspiration! I spent a few hours hiking in Grandfather Mountain (helloooo elevation! This chickie was pretty winded!) and was blown away by the beauty of nature. Then, I was greeted by a stunning entrance full of fresh flowers (the scent was amazing) and the week just kept on getting better.
The first few photos here are by Heather Payne, and the rest are from my iPhone. Enjoy!
How lucky was I to be greeted with all of this gorgeousness?
On the left and right, some of the beautiful flowers and supplies we were spoiled with. In the centre? The absurdly amazing view from the area where we were working! (PS - the hike up that hill alone almost killed me)
Wow, right? This is Grandfather Mountain in Boone, NC. I highly recommend the trip for anyone looking for a cool vacation that's a little off the beaten bath.
In the next few weeks, I've got some major goodies to show off. First, my new branding! I've been working with my friend Ashley Nicole and we're finalizing my logo right now - I can't wait to release it and really introduce you all to Stone House Creative and where I come from. I also just finished off a portfolio shoot with Brittany Mahood Photography that I seriously can't wait to get the film back from - I'll show you a series of colour studies that I had a lot of fun designing flowers for.
Talk soon!
Philosophy Flowers Workshop
Earlier this spring, I had the absolute pleasure of travelling down to North Carolina to attend Team Flower Workshop. It was run by a woman and florist who I totally admire and respect, Kelly Perry of Philosophy Flowers. I had such an amazing time, meeting other lovely florists and wedding planners and getting to play with beautiful blooms. It was partially heartbreaking to see stunning varieties of flowers that I know just can't grow here or ship in to Manitoba, but I fell for them anyways - who can blame me? I did try my best to only use flowers that I know I can get here easily, but of course some other other blossoms worked their way in here and there!
We were absolutely spoiled by the chance to have our portfolio shot by Heather Payne Photography. Not only is she evidently an amazing film photographer, but she's also a stellar little lady. Quite the doll, and I am so thankful for these beautiful shots! While at the workshop, we worked on our individual portfolios, designing bouquets, centrepieces, and boutonnieres and also worked on several group projects involving a ceremony setting and a tablescape.
One of our guest speakers, Kathryn Godwin of Studio Cultivate, is an incredible artist and she created the beautiful backdrop for the centrepiece image. Here are some of the snaps of my work!
