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!!!!!

Natural Charms "Personal Designer" to Vicki Gunvalson (Real Housewives of Orange County) ... Original Housewife!

 

Photography by Joel Eckman Maus http://www.studioemp.com







Designed with Vicki in Mind ... Floral Margarita!
http://www.studioemp.com/



We often get first impressions from people we meet (good or bad) and before meeting Vicki Gunvalson (Real Housewives of Orange County), I had already had an impression in my head of her from the Bravo TV Show ... thinking she may not be friendly.  So when I actually met her in person over three years ago, joining her LeTip Networking Group of Coto de Caza, she immediately welcomed me publically in the group as she was President at the time.   Privately, she walked up to me and shook my hand with such a big warm smile as she towered over me in height! LOL!  I felt her good energy as we right away hit off and she wanted me to come to her office and do weekly flowers.  A new relationship began as I started to do her private parties at her home and garden softscape.

 

http://www.studioemp.com/

  

 

One of the first parties I did for Vicki was for her daughter's (Briana) college graduation party!  I had just designed flowers to "Show Boat" in LeTip in monochromatic vibrant greens and whites and Vicki admired the colors and my work telling me that she never saw such beautiful flowers and asked me to do similar for Briana's private party.  

As I began softscape in her garden, I discovered many buried treasures like this particular "DREAMS" weathered sign, along with another one "SUCCESS".  I remember how Vicki was so excited that I found them, cleaned them up a bit and placed in potted plants by her patio table as a reminder of affirmations during her own college years.  And, now here she was with her own daughter graduating .... Vicki living her dreams and success as her daughter was beginning hers! I adored that story because I looked at Briana's face and imagined my own daughter's face.  Just so many stories I gained working in her garden but that is my favorite.




Coto Insurance Boot Camp Event
http://www.studioemp.com/



Bravo Filming me at work without any shoes on!
http://www.studioemp.com/

Of course, throughout knowing and working for Vicki comes with the territory of BRAVO filming ... which from the beginning I never let interfere with my work ethics or focus.  Vicki was well aware of my efforts and long hours of work, especially when I designed florals and garden vignettes for her "Coto Insurance Boot Camp" event.   She was very appreciative and supportive of my efforts and often wanted to express her appreciation by having Bravo film my designs and gave me great "shout outs"!  Unfortunately, many events never made it to the TV screen and many of us would get disappointed because of the so fabulous parties and events put on that BRAVO filmed ... and that just goes to prove how normal, classy, good clean fun and professional most of Vicki's people and events truly are in real life.
 

Vicki G and Rebecca Marie at The Abbey
Photography by Eric Nelson

 



Vicki at "Little Italy Inn" San Deigo

       

Vicki at Anaheim White House

           



Vicki at Glitter Girl, Irvine
Bravo Filming



Vicki with Jill (Real Housewife of NY) at Borders, Crystal Court

 

Vicki at "Evening of Beauty" with Dr. Mirrafati

 

Vicki at Cougar Winery, Temecula

Then started a list of book signing events  as Vicki launched her personal Book "More Than A HouseWife" and came the first book signing at "The Abbey" in West Hollywood!  I was excited to design flowers for Vicki's first book signing.   And, also looking forward to being with her to mingle and support Vicki as she had supported me many times.  Colors always complimenting her book cover in vibrant orange, pinks and greens up until her last book signing ... I designed in vibrant pinks, oranges and dash of sea blue to blend with her new book cover.   Also, seemingly Vicki's book signings were more initmate with old friends and new ones ..... no drama just always good fun, food and cocktails!  LOL!

Fast forward 2011 .... Vicki continues to support me and my floral designs as I've done photo magazine and TV shoots for her with my florals and the Bravo's Season 7 opening shoot at her home!   She even kindly asked me more recently to do florals for a shoot with "Extra" as Mario Lopez would interview at her home with with my florals, but I was not able due to prior obligations, but just knowing her consideration and loyalty to me ... means so much!!!   Her influence on others has also contributed to those others including Bravo and Evolution Media Productions recognizing and respecting my work, as they hire me independently via Vicki's Floral Designer!  So, what I have personally taken away with knowing her is how much she respects me and my work and "it shows".  That speaks volumes in her loyalty as a person!!

Designing for Vicki's 2011 magazine photo shoot ... greens and whites are her favorite! 

Gonna have fun on Bravo's Season 7 ... the Bayou Arrangement!

 Spicy kinda floral thing going on!

Got Lobster?  Bravo's Season 7 Table Setting

  Natural Charms designed for Bravo's Season 7 first film shoot at Vicki's house!   I was told it was an intimate and fun dinner party for 18 to 20 people (All RHOC housewives included).  Of course, I jumped on board and as always happy to design for such an occasion ... and always enjoy designing for Vicki!

 Vicki is hard working, strong and fun in her "Woo-Hoo" moment!  But, overall ... what I have learned about Vicki is that she is "loyal" and expects loyalty in return -- an important ingredient for a long-lasting relationship.  I'm so greatful to have met her in person and not go by TV's impression; otherwise, the grand opportunity that she has opened up for me and my business wouldn't have been on the agenda.  Personally, she has inspired me in more than one way ... as a woman, she has made me see that it's good sometimes to "put on your big girl panties" in certain situations ... LOL!  As a mother, it's okay to get emotional over our kids because we are human and all worry, make mistakes, learn and grow.  As a business owner ... "sink or swim"!  And, I'm stroking all the way even if I have to float from time to time!  Ha! As a wife... well, what the heck is a REAL housewife anyways?  We should define ourselves by our character, dedication in day to day living and how we give back to our families in a variety of ways, including living our dreams and sharing them with the ones we love  -- that's what we all aspire to be as humans.  I can't thank Vicki enough for all the encouragement and doors she opened for me knowingly and unknowingly.  Often many of my long-time clients and newly brides-to-be ask me about Vicki, is she picky and what exactly do I do for her?  I usually sum it up this way: "Vicki is a perfectionist ... and usually expects perfection in others, she has respected me and my work from the start and has been a positive influence in my life ....  as I love what I do for a living too!"  I'm a single mother striving to be the best I can be at home, work and play for my children and try to surround myself with positive and caring people ... and that's a good REALITY check like no other.

BRAVO Vicki!