If I was getting married again,,,this is the venue of my choice and you all would need to be there, the cool warm breeze bringing in the smells of lavender and rosemary…. the glow of the candles lite and the laughter of people mingling

this was romantic and timeless with hints of the San Juan Mission behind us

{the bells ringing in the background as the Bride and Groom are presented}

Just lovely and sweet

 

 

We setup all day, took our time, enjoyed the surrounding beauty of the plaza and found it hard to leave when we were done.  I always have that problem…..wanting more,,,,wanting to be part of the party that is about to take place. 

{I love to hid in the back someplace and watch the Bride enter…and just when she sees her Groom…I slip away…I cant help it….that’s why I do what I do. I love those moments…they are like pictures captured in my heart.}

 

 

 The center fountain is huge…much larger

than what it looks like in photos, with it’s gentle sound of dripping

water pouring over our garland made of eucalyptus, queen anns, amaranthus and olive leaves. Beautiful hanging chandeliers and bobble lights…just seemed to cast nothing but loveliness.

 

 

 

 

The Bride and Groom where such a beautiful couple…sorry, I don’t have any photos of them…just take me at my word, they are stunning and smart.

Some people have it all…don’t they?

 



Pink Peonies and Scabiosa pods

 

I created this box made from old barn wood…I loved that it was irregular and not perfect.  It sat upon the sweetheart table in all its imperfection glory

Like many of us….wondering…how did I get here, how blessed am I to be part of the party – its the imperfections that make a statement

of who we are and Who has offered us a place in this world.  I don’t want to get on my soap box and preach it…but this is what I mean:

 

 We take ourselves to serious, we make excuses to why we cant come in…im too shy, im not dressed for it, im not pretty enough, its awkward…we need to let those mind traps go and  dance, sing with arms in the air…swinging like a fool without a care and know that we are loved by God and He has prepared a way for us to enter in,,,,to see and sit in His Glory,

through the love and gift of His Son, Jesus.

Come on…go!

{ALL ARE WELCOME HERE!}

 

 

 

The Bride and her Maids

 

I had the joy of inviting my Bride and all her Maids to my shop at my home to teach them the art of bouquet making.  It was a clamoring of girls-all excited for their bestie getting married the next day.

We laughed and chatted and I listened all day with a smile on my face, a woman full of wisdom as to, what it takes to make a marriage, the struggles of seeing it through tough times and the honor of being a wife…listening to these fresh faced naive girls and all the promise and joy that was before them gave me a kick in my step and many memories of Jim and I as we first started out together
.

They will figure it all out just as I have…hahaha

Each bouquet was different and fun just like each wedding that I design and each marriage, commitment and vow that is given

….I had a blast:)

 

 

{photo by Chelsea Maras Photography }

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{A clamoring of two}

the loud hubbub

{me and my hub……:)}

Our home is a hubbub of clamoring kids, adults, friends, neighbors, dogs, homework, ministry, drama, boyfriends, computer clichés, movies & good food….we are just a loud group…we are not Italian…but for some reason,,,we speak loud, laugh loud & yes, I love to sing opera while cooking in the kitchen…doesn’t everyone? good acoustics? good for the neighbors? & it makes the food taste better??? Right?

to my ears…I think I can hit a note or two, but according to my family…. i would send Placido Domingo

screaming through the streets in town gasping for mercy

As if he would even be in my presence….ppffff

{no!! not even if he was here…we {my fam}are telling you,,,

he would be screaming in the streets of his own town! from Italy!}

Nice..:(

Well, anyhoo…

There..
. at the moment, is a calmness and quietness filling our home.

All seems to be bearing down, preparing for the storm of the wedding season to explode and all the action that takes place.

I have this great little space called the hubbub where all the action and magic happens for weddings and events and Ive been moving furniture around…in hopes of making more room in the hub…. collecting vintage treasures, whatnots, beauty to only me things,,,is so much fun and such an outlet of design and creativity…ive used a few pieces for a couple of the weddings last year….hopefully, they will also cast a look at some other weddings or events coming up.

Its all in a days work and the clamoring of getting things done.

I cant wait to start this wedding season and watch what

each Bride, Groom, Mother, Father, Friend & Neighbor will be clamoring and hubbubing about as they celebrate….LOVE… of two very special people, about to commit to each other and create their own type of

 hub & bub

{a voice that holds a note might help}