Ocean Country Side Wedding with a Summer Lemon Twist

Natural Charms had the pleasure of designing for a long-time neighbor and friend's sister's wedding recently this past summer at the quaint Cannon's  with such spectacular ocean and yacht view.  The moment I first sat with this gracious bride-to-be, I totally understood how she wanted her wedding day to reflect a humble elegant ambiance with yet a summer field of wild flowers, happy thoughts and lemon drops!   I was more impressed and intrigued designing for this wedding once learning about their romantic story of how they first met and their special journey that led them finally down the aisle to "I Do".

Over the many years of designing it never stops getting interesting how every wedding has it's own magical story and within that story there's something special to be captured and ultimately shared with others around them!   That's where I come in and help them express their special day in the most beautiful manner with flowers and elements that "fits" them.

 



... lemon details throughout



Every arrangement designed slightly different with wild flowers, dahlias, succulents, pods, billy balls, varigated greenery, back drops of white and blue hydrangeas and lemons ... placed on top of mason jars submerged with lemons.

What stands out most about this wedding for me is how as I watched this bride walk down the aisle, I was very moved thinking about how she had shared with me how she never imagined several years prior that she would ever marry again ... until she met the man of her dreams!  It was such a special love story she shared with me with a such a smile on her face  ... and then told me to never give up "hope".  And, that is a true testiment of the special kind of brides I am so fortunate to have interested in my floral designs to help make their day beautiful, as I get to watch them happily walk down the aisle ... that is my reward. 

Flowers with a View




There were touches of happy yellow elements everywhere!

 

... and they lived happily ever after!

Hoobastank - The Reason [lyrics]

Maiden Voyage Wedding Photo Shoot at Casino San Clemente

Natural Charms Floral Design has been doing weddings, events and shoots for nearly 20 years ... each and every opportunity to design for such an occasion opens a door to an unknown venture and excitement from hand selecting florals and elements to designing and watching the space alter into something spectacular to behold.  I was so looking forward to working with Heather Harman Puhek  a head team member of Beauty and The Beach and Diandra Ann Photography.  This particular photo shoot was themed "Maiden Voyage" at a fresh venue Casino San Clemente set along the coast recently opened up to the public to hold weddings and events, so it was a first for me to explore and soak up the aged spanish charm and quaint informal garden scape. 

                          One of the first lessons I've taught myself over the years when designing for any event is to "imagine" the space and what floral elements best fits without overpowering the entire room and yet not underestimating how nature's beauty alone or an architectural backdrop can enhance a space without losing focus on the main course (theme).  Yet everything has a place, everything is very thought out and designed with ornate details but still rather looks "as if" it just belongs.

After several conversations and meeting with Heather, I completely got a good feel for the colors, feel and theme ... all along in my own mind reminded me of a scene from the movie "Out of Africa", as I shared with Heather several times and which actually makes sense since it's a voyage theme as in the movie a voyage to Africa in past times.   I used a selection of suculents, herbs, pods, twigs and minimal florals in whites, greens and touches of soft lavenders in untamed wild formations.  When I first showed up with the flowers, it was so hillarious and also entertaining to see Heather literally do the "happy dance" in her little derby hat ... as she describes herself very picking about flowers and wanted everything so perfect for the shoot!

                       

                

               



Such a  romantic display  reminiscent of a scene straight from out of something that I would have seen Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep), who travels to Kenya to be with her German husband  but falls for an English adventurer (Robert Redford) in Out of Africa.   

Scene from "Out of Africa"

                     

It was such a joy working alongside such talented vendors .... Styling: Heather Puhek of Beauty and the Beach / Make-up: Katie Vollmer of Beauty and the Beach / Hair: Katie Vollmer + Heather Puhek of Beauty and the Beach / Photography: Diandra Ann Photography / Venue: Casino San Clemente / Accessories: VATNE Designs / Floral Design: Rebecca Salimpour of Natural Charms Flowers / Sweets: Lisa Lowe of Sweet Cream Bake Shop / Invitation Suite: Bitsy Events / Newlywed Models: Anna & Travis

Please also find our exclusive Wedding Photo Shoot featured on "STYLE ME PRETTY" 

..... with fresh ocean breeze and aged charm along the coast of San Clemente.  I found this particular photo shoot just another interesting flavor of what creative minds can do when thinking a like and sharing  romantic possibilities in the art of design!

PACIFIC EDGE WEDDING - Laguna Beach

One of my favorite places to spend time professionally and personally is Laguna Beach! So when Kerri Hatter (Weddings & Events by Kerri Hatter) approached me with this fairy tale wedding that we literally had 12 days to  magically pull it all together before the wedding day ...  it was such an AMAZING challenging opportunity to make happen! 

Pacific Edge is a tucked away  quaint custom built "Cape Cod" style ocean front beach house, newly renovated with so much charm the moment you enter its shutter gate that speaks Laguna Beach.  Natural Charms is very familiar with this precious gem of a place -- designing one of my very first weddings back in 2000 and since then many on and off weddings and events throughout the years.  Every wedding has its own story and beauty  and I remember all of my bride's special moment here in the heart of Laguna, directly next to The Beach House.

  The story with this bride and groom is that they met, fell in love and in a very short time wanted to marry on the beach, with just few friends and family, sparing no expense ... and pretty soft lavender flowers everywhere were on top of the bride's list!

 
This is where I came in as Kerri Hatter being an "A List Event Planner" and no stranger to working with me in past weddings and events .... understood that this was right up my alley!  Kerri explained how she was pulling together top familiar vendors  ... like the fabulous Photographer --Joel Eckman Maus (Studio EMP).  Joel's work is well known in Orange County and abroad and so well respected and admired for his outstanding photography and the gorgeous  Studio EMP in Old Town Fullerton. 

 The transformation that took place from start to finish was amazing working alongside "Best of The Best Events" with Monica Ulrich and crew doing their thing as I did mine ...  together designing a blank canvas into the bride's precious dream. 

The Chuppah went from Sunset Champage and Lavender to the Bride and Groom's Sweetheart Table

... and they lived Happily Ever After!

NATURAL CHARMS in process of updating with Latest Events!

http://animoto.com/play/Jkd73rIVgrtLr6PMRmER3Q

Mass Military Wedding - Huntington Beach Hyatt Resort & Spa, KEARTH 101

Natural Charms takes part in Mass Military Wedding of 21 Couples on May 22nd, 2011



Natural Charms was first approached by Stacey Gitten of Hitching Post Public Relations  and Toni Johnson Purry of PCG Purry Communications Group to design ceremony florals for the 21 Military Couples selected by The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa and K-Earth 101.  It was explained that I would be working alongside many other fabulous vendors in order to make this massive wedding come together in harmony for the selected Military Couples with the most touching stories.   I was very honored that I was considered for such a special event in appreciation of our Military ... and without hesitation excited to jump on board!  I realized I would be working with some very familiar upscale vendors and some new ones like "More Than Just Weddings" event planning and Lucy Manalo of Manalo Empire Photography, who took the detailed photos directly below.
  


Early Morning Set Up
http://www.manaloempire.com/



 Aisle Pews & Floral Details
http://www.manaloempire.com/

 

  

Natural Charms setting up Alter with help John Goolsby Videogrpahy  http://www.godfatherfilms.com/
Photography by http://www.manaloempire.com/

The morning was overcast but by 1:30ish, the sky was clear and blue ... turning out to be a gorgeous day to marry by the sea in such grand resort location.  Over the many years of designing, one thing that I've learned is to take specific colors, concepts and get as creative as possible within one's means (budget) ... and many times it's not about how big but it's about the details.

Photography by Lucy Manalo  http://www.manaloempire.com/

K-EARTH 101- Gary Bryan (L)



 Natural Charms floral design's philosophy is "Be Inspired" and inspired I was designing florals late night to the early morning moment arriving and finally watching the faces of the 21 brides coming together in excitement with their marines and navy officers in "I Do".  Just to be in their presence was an overwhelming humbleness and joy... understanding these men  fought for our country and dedicated their lives to protecting the freedom we live and breath each day.  I had a brief moment to myself before all the guests arrived where I was staring out in the ocean and inhaled how lucky I am to be here with my oldest son witnessing first hand what the meaning of giving truly is from the heart.  Every vendor ... from the hotel, radio station, publicists, event planners, photographers, videographers, bakeries, rental companies, floral designers, etc. to the minister ... so wanted to be there and put their "best game on" as we were all working together doing our own part to show our appreciation for their dedication and services to our country.  Beautiful photography directly below  by Molly Ann of Luminaire Images capturing Military Bride and Groom and floral designs.

http://www.luminaireimages.com/blog/mass-military-wedding-with-k-earth-101/

What I take away from this experience is a lesson in life ... that anything worth having is worth fighting for and it comes with hard work, dedication and the biggest reward!  CHEERS TO OUR MILITARY!!!!!