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A little about what's happening in our big flower world...

Yountville Wedding with Moody Winters Hues & Texture | Yountville, CA

Brian & Jonathan are such a fun-loving, sweet, and stylish couple. When we first met, they said they had no clue what kind of flowers, table decor, and staging they were looking for. Just a few mood boards and blog reviews later, we settled on a palette of moody winter hues combined with mustard-colored candles, mixed metallic vessels, natural leather accents, and graphite grey linens. The overall feel was modern and unique with a touch of to mystic whimsy.

Their exchange of vows were held on a cool and rainy evening this past January at the Ad Hoc & Addendum culinary garden. Their sweet ceremony was followed by fine dinning (including Ad Hoc's famous fried chicken) inside the restaurant. Brian & Jonathan invited their closest friends & family to share in their celebration for an intimate event unlike any other.

We were also asked to design for their welcoming reception and rehearsal dinner on the night prior to the wedding. We filled the beautiful Groezinger Estate at Villagio Inn & Spa. White, crisp flowers in simple glass vessels adorned the bar, dinning room, hearth, and welcoming area.

Photography of their special weekend was captured by the groom's exceptionally talented friend & photographer Chantal of Pasagraphy (http://www.pasagraphy.com/)

Enjoy!

Welcoming Dinner & Rehearsal Reception at Groezinger Estate, Villagio Inn & Spa

Exchange of Vows & Reception Celebration at Ad Hoc & Addendum Garden & Restaurant

Brian & Jonathan~ Thank you for including us in your special day! We loved working with you both every step of the way. Watching our plans come to fruition from just a mixture of ideas was some true magic. I appreciate your trust in my vision and allowing me full creative license. I wish you both much laughter and joy on your journey together as married men! This was the BEST wedding to kick off 2016. XX

Venues: Rehearsal Dinner at Greozinger Estate at Villagio Inn & Spa | Wedding Ceremony & Reception at Ad Hoc & Addendum | Photography: Chantal of Passagraphy | Planning & Onsite Event Coordination Thomas Keller Restaurant Group Event Planning for Ad Hoc & Addendum | Calligraphy & Guest Tags: Laura Lambrix Designs

A Fine Wine & Dining Wedding to Remember | Bardonesso & Ad Hoc, Yountville, CA

Michael & Emily are such a sweet and talented couple. Both Ivy league alumni with with careers in investment and finance, they delight in spending their down time running marathons, enjoying delectable foods, and sampling fine wine. Planning their wedding from New York, Emily reached out to me with a few requests: bright, cheery, seasonal flowers, lots of texture with a touch of blush and jewel tones. They wanted their wedding celebration to feature the fine food from Chef Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc kitchen as well as the many wines their guests would taste from near and far.
Their August ceremony was located at Bardonesso Hotel & Spa followed by a garden dinner at nearby Ad Hoc & Addendum. The evening ended with dancing back at the Bardonesso ballroom. Their style exuded classic sophistication with noteworthy personal accents. Each floral centerpiece differing in color and texture from the next for a unique presentation. A personalized logo incorporating Ad Hoc's token pig dancing with a city mouse adorned their menus, signs, and stationary. Tables were named after marathons they've completed together. This was one of our favorite celebrations of the year. The gorgeous images of the event were captured by Matthais Photography of San Francisco. Here's a peek...

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Emily & Michael~ Congratulations again! Thank you for including us in your special day. We loved designing your flowers and the photos bring us so much joy to see you both enveloped in love. You were a true pleasure to work with right from the start. Many wishes to a wonderful life together filled with laughter, love, and plenty of fantastic wine. Cheers!

Ceremony Venue: Bardonesso Hotel & Spa | Reception Dinner Venue: Ad Hoc & Addendum | Photography: Matthais Photography | Hair & Make-Up: Carrie Aldous | Floral Design: The Pollen Mill

Rustic Celebration of Love at Chateau Montelena, Calistoga, CA

When Kelsey reached out to me and said their wedding was to be a held at the infamous Chateau Montelena, I screamed. This venue is one of my favorite wineries in the Napa Valley. My husband and I are members and frequent the location for its beauty as well as its delectable wine. Maybe you've seen the movie Bottle Shock, the story of Chateau Montelena putting Napa Valley on the wine map for its award winning Chardonnay? The location is nothing short of stunning. Even more, the venue is only open to family for weddings. My mind went...sweet bride, great style, down-home country couple, perfect private venue...um, yes, Major Score!

Kelsey and Kevin are avid nature lovers. Don't be put off by Kelsey's tiny frame and sweet smile, she can hunt and fish with the best of the boys. They wanted their wedding to be a reflection of the things they love; their close family, friends, & the great outdoors. Simple, classic, elegant, but not snooty, rustic, wispy, fresh from the land...just beautiful with a touch of nature's whimsy. Kelsey collected feathers from their hunting adventures for each floral design. The designs featured subtle earth-tones paired with soft ivory, white, and blush. Against the lush green backdrop of the Chateau, the flowers really popped. Just take a look for yourself at the images captured by the ever talented Mindy Aagard of Sweet + Marie Photography...

Gasp right?! These two are just so gorgeous! The camera loved them.

Kelsey and Kevin~ Thank you for including us in your special day. You two are so kind, easy-going, and fun to work with. The love you have for one another is contagious and was written all over your faces on your wedding day. Everyone present was so fun-loving and sweet to us, welcoming us with open arms. Kelsey, I will never forget your adorable reaction when I delivered your bouquet. You stole my heart! Thank you again for being awesome people, period.

Mindy Aagard of Sweet + Marie Photography~ Lady, you sure know how to make it hard for me to pick out photos to share. The photots are not only gorgeous, but capture their personalities so well. Thank you for always taking the time to shoot our designs in the most beautiful light and staging. I adore you (and Laurie) and cannot wait for more weddings together in 2016. XO

Venue: Chateau Montelena, Calistoga, Ca | Photography: Sweet + Marie Photography | Floral Design: The Pollen Mill

Living & Loving Local, A Lavender Wedding | St. Helena, California

When Lindsey contacted me about designing flowers for her and Rico's wedding celebration, to say I was excited would be an understatement. Lindsey is the owner of a wonderful farm-to-table restaurant in town, Backdoor Bistro. Naturally, we have become a pretty big fans of Chef Lindsey, her restaurant, staff, and delectable dishes (the wine isn't too shabby either of course). As Lindsey and I were both starting our new businesses around the same time, we had a few opportunities to work with one another and support local, woman-owned, small businesses. I consider Lindsey a friend, wonderful colleague, and simply a genuinely kind person.

Lindsey and Rico were married late in May on Rico's family vineyard, Stony Hill Vineyard in St. Helena, CA. They wanted a classic, romantic, fresh, aesthetic that resembled French country chic. Lavender filled the venue from potted topiaries on the dining tables, to the gorgeous dried lavender wreaths that hung on the vineyard doors, freshly cut stems for bridesmaid bouquets, and flower girl baskets filled with dried lavender grains for tossing down the aisle. Silver dollar eucalyptus garland accented the head tables along with tiny sprigs of lavender at each place setting. What was even more special? All the lavender we used in our designs was grown locally, right here in Vacaville. Dried lavender sprigs and wreaths were provided by our dear friend Denise of Girl on the Hill. A lovely lavender farmer and vineyard owner perched a top of Mount Vaca. We also cut several varieties of fresh lavender from the fields of Soul Food Farm on Pleasant's Valley Road owned by another dear pal and colleague, Alexis. Alexis is a truly amazing and hard working farmer raising chickens, grow lavender, and olive trees amongst many other exciting side projects. In addition, we tied in fresh herbs such as rosemary and sage cut right from my home garden. Need less to say, we were elated to be able to source the freshest, most fragrant products right here in our hometown. Not many other floral designers have that luxury outside of Northern California.

Then came the bridal bouquet...Lindsey's bouquet was one of our favorite yet! She wanted a real statement piece that incorporated all California grown blossoms in white, ivory, and lavender with accents of silver hues and green. She wanted something wild, fun, and whimsical but also refined and classic. Fluffy peonies, garden roses, Queen Anne's lace, lisianthus, ranunculas, stock, nigella, dusty miller, and seeded eucalyptus all danced together in this bouquet that fit Lindsey's personality just perfect.

What came together for this celebration, was just magical. Take a look for yourself...

Thank you to Lindsey & Rico for including us in your special day! It was an honor to design for you two! And another huge applause and thank you to Jaimi Lynn Photography for the beautiful images. We LOVE them! Local food, wine, flowers, vendors...This wedding truly featured what Living & Loving Local is all about!

Venue: Stony Hill Vineyard | Photography: Jaimi Lynn Photography | Day of Wedding Coordination: Fearon May Events | Floral Design: The Pollen Mill

Billowy Blooms for a Yountville Autumn Wedding | Bouchon Restaurant | Yountville, CA

We just love when our inbox is filled with lovely photographs from our wedding clients! This November wedding in Yountville was classic and breathtaking with lush, billowy blooms and sweet personal details. Naturally, we had to share these stunning images of our designs captured by Vicen Forns Photography. Thank you Vicen Forns for sharing! Enjoy!

Venue: Bouchon Bistro (Yountville) Photography: Vicen Forns Photography (Napa) Hair & Make-Up: Carrie Aldous (Napa)

Dedication Event | Yountville, CA

A few weeks back, we were delighted to work with Ad Hoc in Yountville, CA for a special event. The celebration was complete with autographed cookbooks from chef in dedication of a new trauma center in Santa Rosa.

So what was asked of us?

Small, low to the table arrangements with bright green, white, and orange. A simple yet elegant feel with rustic and modern esthetic all tied in with eclectic blooms. The vessels we selected were quilted canning jars and apothecary bottles to tie-in the down home feel of Ad Hoc's decor.

Our floral designs inlcuded: pin-cushion protea, white snap dragons, dianthus green tick, rosemary, seeded eucalyptus, and ranunculus.