The white tallow berries will be making a few appearances in my 2012 wedding season. For the record, they are not from the garden. I hoarded them last fall/winter when they were available. They are dry and keep well. I used them here in February. I like them because they remind me of the delicate, light blue porcelain berry. Ok, so the tallow berries are not completely round or blue, but they both bring to a bouquet, table center or boutonniere the same light, interesting texture.
And then the garden. The peas we planted are coming up and so is everything else in the cutting gardens. I love the last photo. This tree peony looks like she is folding her hands over and ready to say “peek!” This is what she looks like in bloom.
These pretty little details are brought to you by the amazing Emily Steffen from the workshop ‘The Art and Business of Wedding Photography’.
Location: Minneapolis Photo Center see here for their class schedule
Photographer: Emily Steffen
Concept and event styling: Lisa of Simply Fabulous Events and Design
Floral: Ashley Fox Designs
Paper goods: 120 Water Street
Hair & Makeup: Breanna Sturgeleski, Simonsons Salon and Day Spa
Linens and place settings: Linen Effects
Gown: Simply Fabulous Events and Design
Models: Real life couple in love
I had the incredible opportunity to be a sponsor at ‘The Art and Business of Wedding Photography’ workshop led by the talented, sweet and genuine artist Emily Steffen. She taught a number of eager students the this and that’s of how to be a wedding photographer, so to speak. From what I overheard, as I was setting up, the class was amazing and the students learned so much in the two day session.
I have so much respect for photographers for so many reasons. One is the way they can be present to take a photograph to capture a moment, but not really be seen by their subjects. Art. Or the way they can get just the right angle to capture the natural light that looks best on a subject, whether it is a person or flowers. Art. You photographers amaze me.
Location: Minneapolis Photo Center see here for their class schedule
Photographer: Erin Bell Photography attended the workshop and is an amazing photographer! Thank you Erin!
Concept and event styling: Lisa of Simply Fabulous Events and Design
Floral: Ashley Fox Designs
Paper goods: 120 Water Street
Hair & Makeup: Breanna Sturgeleski, Simonsons Salon and Day Spa
Linens and place settings: Linen Effects
Gown: Simply Fabulous Events and Design
Models: Real life couple in love
Today the nominations were announced for MN Bride Magazine Best of 2012 and for the second year in a row, Ashley Fox Designs, is in the running for Best of Floral! I am so thankful for all of the votes from brides, family, friends and other wedding vendors. There is nothing else in the world I would rather be doing than designing flowers for weddings. (ok, maybe I would like to be taste testing new goat cheeses for a farmer in France somewhere, but that gives me something to do in retirement)
Also today,
I noticed the first flower in my garden bloomed, a daffodil. The kids and I planted peas. We should have a nice, early crop this year. Then it rained really hard tonight for the first time in I don’t know how long. We sat at the window for 20 minutes, or more, and watched the lightning flash and the rain come down.
images by Red Bird Hills & flowers by Ashley Fox Designs
Where have I been getting inspiration lately? Check out these east and west coast ladies… wowsa.
Amy Merrick in Brooklyn, NY
and
McKenzie Powell in Seattle, WA
I learned to love purple during the planning of this shoot. I am usually more attracted to the warmer shades, but found this experience with purple to be quite nice. They said “do whatever you feel like” which is always fun. I started with the vintage, dyed green ostrich feathers and a dark, smokey, plum color in mind and the designs grew from there.
Many thanks to all of the ladies below who made this day possible. Everyone worked together like a well oiled machine, were so creative, funny and energetic.
Accessories: Bridal Accents Couture and personally owned
Models: Ava & Chrissy
On the inside, I was screaming like a teenager. On the outside, I smiled, kept my eyes and ears wide open and worked with some very pretty flowers alongside 10 other students and our teachers Sarah and Nicolette from Saipua and the Little Flower School. (who were so kind to sign my Martha mags)
My time in Brooklyn was short and sweet. In the 72 hours I was in NY I stayed with very kind friends and soon-to-be-parents, Scott and Kate, ate at nice restaurants, walked, almost finished a book and actually finished a scarf I started crocheting over a year ago. I laughed a lot, learned even more and bought some Saipua soap.
I am so excited to share what I have learned by providing amazing flowers for my clients.
People have asked me to describe what I learned, how I felt, or what it meant to me to take this class. My descriptions and answers have really been coming up short. Maybe in another blog I will tell you after all of this has sunk in. One thing is for sure, I want to go back next year.
Also, Fort Defiance Cafe’ serves the BEST bacon in the world.
