Tropical with a Tiki Twist
The tropical aesthetic can sometimes get stuck in an all green space. Incorporating color and a bit of retro “kitsch” can take the tropical vision to a playful, but still classic realm.
The tropical aesthetic can sometimes get stuck in an all green space. Incorporating color and a bit of retro “kitsch” can take the tropical vision to a playful, but still classic realm.
Bahamas Meets Palm Beach Bridal Shower
Creating with friends in mind is always a refreshing way to spend a Sunday. When Francesca of Coco Prop Shop started planning her wedding and pulling personalized details in, she knew she wanted to support local whenever possible. To showcase the personal details Francesca and Naomi so carefully pulled together, we spent a Sunday brunching, laughing, and cocktail-ing.
Creating with friends in mind is always a refreshing way to spend a Sunday. When Francesca of Coco Prop Shop started planning her wedding and pulling personalized details in, she knew she wanted to support local whenever possible. For her gift boxes she turned to another close friend of mine, Naomi of The Presence Co. Each gift Naomi curates is made with intention and benefits a nonprofit organization, making each bundle that much sweeter. To showcase the personal details Francesca and Naomi so carefully pulled together, we spent a Sunday brunching, laughing, and cocktail-ing.
Photography | Coco Propo Shop
Floral Design/Vintage Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
Gift Boxes | The Presence Co.
Watercolor | Grace Eden Art
Stationery | Paper + Palm
Styling | Forrester
A Classic Palm Beach Inspiration Shoot | The Colony Palm Beach
As a South Florida native, you may think that I would have grown tired of bright colors, bold patterns, and tropical details by now. To that I say, nope! There is something timeless and endlessly charming about Palm Beach. The Colony Hotel located on Palm Beach Island showcases all of it's whimsy and elegance in the perfect way.
When I first stepped foot in the Colony Palm Beach hotel I immediately thought: this is exactly where Cinderella would tie the knot if she chose a destination Florida wedding. It is classic and elegant, with a whole lot of whimsy. There are bold patterns and an eclectic mix of bright blues, corals, pinks and yellows that are splashed across every wall. Designing with the Colony in mind was a dream come true and allowed for us to pull in so many exciting colors, play with movement, and allow the grounds and the flowers to have a little mini love affair.
See more of this playful shoot featured on Inside Weddings.
Photography | Kir Tuben Photography
Floral Design, Vintage Rentals, and Event Design | Port + Palm Co.
Venue | The Colony Palm Beach
Cake | Johnson's Custom Cakes
Stationery | IBA Paper Goods
Rentals | Atlas Party Rentals
Planning | Wanderlust Wedding Co.
Gift Boxes | Gala Tuesday
Bridal Salon | Brittany Burns Bridal
Makeup | Eventful Looks
Petals + Paint | Social House Workshop
Petals + Paint holds a really special place in my heart. It's one of those things that can't happen without a few stars aligning and they have somehow managed to align over and over again. I can't imagine a better way to spend my wedding-free weekends, and I'm always so blown away by the incredible women who come out to enjoy a day of creating with me and Grace.
Petals + Paint holds a really special place in my heart. It's one of those things that can't happen without a few stars aligning and they have somehow managed to align over and over again. Walking into Social House on a Petals + Paint day is always so rewarding. To see a group of 24 eager to learn women dive their hands into a craft that is either new to them or something they've dabbled in over the years and keep coming back to, never grows old. Everyone has a different story and everyone leaves with a different arrangement and painting completely unique to their own creativity. I love sharing something I love with others, I love seeing my friend Grace float her paintbrush across the page, and Frankie dance around with her camera capturing sweet little moments happening all around Social House in that 3 hour period. It is a day that is full of laughs, a buzz of creativity, and the guest of honor: champagne.
Photography | Coco Prop Shop
Natural + Organic with Lovely Bride
Spring flowers have gained a bit of a bad reputation among brides looking for an edgier look. For this editorial shoot with Lovely Bride and Jeruv Garcia we were able to create a more textural bouquet that didn't feel too frilly or fluffy.
Spring flowers are my favorite, but they have gained a bit of a bad reputation among brides looking for an edgier look. For this editorial shoot with Lovely Bride and Jeruv Garcia, I wanted to highlight the gorgeous seasonal flowers available at the time and give them a bit of an edge. By incorporating less focal blooms and more branches, clustered blooms like lilac, and longer stems with flowers sprinkled and sprayed throughout, we were able to create a more textural bouquet that didn't feel too frilly or fluffy.
Kai Kai Farms Vow Renwal Inspiration
Pulling up to the sweetest farm and unloading buckets of flowers and branches into a breezy screened in pavilion is not the worst way to spend a Saturday. It is an uncharacteristically cool Florida afternoon, with no sign of storm clouds. For the next couple of hours we are able to design on a seculded farm not too far from home.
Can I describe my perfect day to you? It goes a little something like this: Exiting the highway and entering a long stretch of road flanked on either side by farm land that seems to go on for eternity. Pulling up to the sweetest farm and unloading buckets of flowers and branches into a breezy screened in pavilion. It is an uncharacteristically cool Florida afternoon, with no sign of storm clouds, and music is being excitedly played through various speakers. For the next couple of hours I'm installing branches and vines overhead, putting the final touches on a poppy-filled centerpiece, creating boutonnières with accents of broccoli flower, and filling vintage ceramic bud vases with textural bits such as astilbe and astrantia. The day is topped off with a little photo shoot and a delicious meal is served up as part of an on-going Farm Suppers series. Flowers, open air, a cool Florida afternoon, a gourmet meal, wine, and a full day shared with close friends. Yep, I'd say that perfectly describes a perfect day.
See more from this day featured on Ruffled.
Photography | Jessica Bordner Photography
Floral Design | Port + Palm Co.
Planning | Desiree Dawn Events
Venue | Kai Kai Farm
Tent, Chairs, Lighting | Sperry Tents
Linens, Glassware | Classic Party Rentals
Vintage Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
Music | Keith Michaud
Farm Suppers at Kai Kai Farm
Spending a day on Kai Kai Farm in preparation for the first Farm Suppers event was one of those moments that will forever stick with me. The day was spent designing and furnishing the farm alongside some of my favorite people and the evening concluded with delicious farm inspired treats. A day spent on the farm elbow deep in flowers fed my soul, and the evening spent sipping wine and diving into a delicious and gorgeous supper fed those tired feet and happy heart.
There are some events that just feed your soul. Of course, most of my days are spent working as a self-employed floral designer and I certainly have one of the most fulfilling jobs out there. My clients are gems, on a Sunday evening when my feet hurt and I reflect back on that weekend's event my soul is definitely fed, happy, and fueled up for the next one. But there are some moments that stand out. Some evenings that you may have dreamt of, but didn't think would actually come to life anytime soon. Spending a day on Kai Kai Farm in preparation for the first Farm Suppers event was one of those moments that will forever stick with me. The day was spent designing and furnishing the farm alongside some of my favorite peeps (Desiree, Libby, the Sperry Tents team) and the evening concluded with delicious farm inspired eats from Chef Jason of District Table and my sweet friend Anna from Love Well Baking Co. A day spent on the farm elbow deep in flowers fed my soul, and the evening spent sipping wine and diving into a delicious and gorgeous supper fed those tired feet and happy heart.
On the drive home after the dishes were washed, the lights were turned off, and the flowers were packed up, all I could think about was how much I love what I do and the people I get to do it with.
See more of this gorgeous event featured on The Palm Beach Post
Photography | Libby Vision
Planning | Desiree Dawn Events + Libby Vision
Floral Design | Port + Palm Co.
Venue | Kai Kai Farm
Tent, Chairs, Lighting | Sperry Tents
Dinner | District Table
Dessert | Love Well Baking Co.
Wine | Mariya Kovacheva
Cocktails | Bob Higginbotham
Music | Keith Michaud
Rentals | Classic Party Rentals
Vintage Rentals | Port + Palm Co.
Coral Cove Inspiration Shoot
There's something so sentimental and classic about a beach wedding, and this shoot was no exception. We wanted the florals to be loose and romantic while still speaking to the natural beauty of the ocean and it's surroundings. Every creative involved truly embraced the vision and brought so many beautiful moments to the day.
True collaboration can be hard to come by. To me, collaboration is finding a group of people who challenge and influence you, working together to find a vision everyone can stand behind, and then letting that talented collective do what they do best. Of course there are the hiccups, the unexpected rain storms, the near meltdowns, and the sore muscles. But when you find a group of people who can look at you sweaty and near tears, jump right in and offer a hand, and even a hug, you walk away feeling so fulfilled and grateful.
For me, this Coral Cove inspiration shoot is a perfect example of how wonderfully a collaboration can work. I was first connected with Teresa of Jose and Teresa Photography through a few of my fellow Social House members. She was looking to rebrand her website and was hoping to pull together a collection of photos that spoke to her own style.
I love how every detail came together. The florals were loose and romantic while still complimenting the natural beauty of the beach. The table top accents reminded me of my favorite parts of the beach - whispy pink clouds, fragmented bits of sea glass, and found treasures. My favorite floral detail has to be the clay-looking eucalyptus pods used in the arbor's design. They offered the perfect amount of natural contrast against the more romantic blooms used throughout the bouquet and centerpiece.
Beach weddings don't need to be full of starfish and sea shells. I love how we as a group were able to showcase a fresh and romantic approach to a beach wedding that allowed the natural beauty of the beach to act as a soft and complimentary backdrop.
Photography | Jose and Teresa Photography
Floral Design | Port + Palm Co.
Rentals | Coco Prop Shop
Planning | The Golden Pineapple Event Co.
Stationery | Every Little Letter
Bridal Gown | Wildeflower Boutique
Models | The Hip Suburban
Cake | Cloud 9 Bakery
Hair + Makeup | Beauty by VM