Zofia & Marc

If you are looking for some jaw dropping wedding inspiration look no further. Zofia and Marc planned this day down to every detail, from ties to shoes, with no detail being overlooked to bring this magical day together. Our first meeting, like with many other couples, began with an inspiration collage of their wedding Pinterest board. Designers have conflicting views over Pinterest boards and whether they help or hinder in the wedding planning process. For me, I think that so long as the couple is open to variations on the design, as well as being realistic with regards to their budget, then the images that the couple assemble can really help you to get an idea of the style and feel the couple is trying to achieve.

The event took place at L’Orpailleur Vineyard in the Eastern Townships. The flowers were going to be used as the couples primary décor. They wanted to stay true to the natural setting of the venue all while capturing the hearts of their family and friends to create a romantic setting. The color palette that they were inspired by were blushes, pinks, burgundy’s and whites. Textures were also a key part of this design, using complimentary greens and large protea’s as a primary focal point added that wow component.

The pièce de résistance for the event (aside from Zofia of course) by far was the ceremonial arch, although the cedar hedge was no small feat either. This piece was truly a labor of love. The base of the arch was made up of curly willow that I weaved together by hand, while creating key junction points to place the main focal floral pieces. The structure was further enforced with seeded eucalyptus and magnolia and from there inspiration just took off, and this 4 ft long ceremonial masterpiece was created. This piece served multi functions for the bride and groom, in that after the ceremony it was used as the floral runner of their sweet heart table.

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Couple… Congratulations you Guys!!!

Event Location:http://orpailleur.ca

Photographer and photos courtesy of: http://www.michealbeaulieu.com

Amanda and Ryan

Montreal born Amanda and Ryan had the challenge of planning their wedding long distance since they are now living in San Francisco. Amanda and I spent the first couple of months bouncing ideas off of each other via e-mail, which is actually harder than one might think. I started piecing together all the details in my head, all while thinking not only is this going to be beautiful, it is going to be fun. When we were finally able to meet up it felt as though we were really on the same page, which is always a good sign.

Things can get crazy a wedding day, especially since I needed to actually finish the centerpieces on site otherwise they were not going to fit in my car. I was hoping that I was going to get the chance to see Amanda, but I sent the bouquets and boutonnieres upstairs in the trusted hands of bridesmaids and continued on with the finishing touches.

All of a sudden I hear the very excited Amanda. She could not believe how beautiful the arrangements were. More beautiful than she could have ever imagined, and even better than what she saw on Pinterest were some of the few things she had to say. I think had a smile that stretched form ear to ear when I heard that. It is always such a relief knowing that i was able to successfully take what she was envisioning for her and Ryan’s big day and make it a reality.

Below are a few pictures taken by yours truly. I will say it again and again, I do flowers not photos. I leave that to the very talented photographers that this city has to offer, but I always like to share a few photos that capture behind the scened if you will.

Here are the real jaw dropping photos taken by James Paul Correia and Kelvin Gooding.

auberge-st-gabriel-montreal-wedding-photographer-13

You can read what Amanda and Ryan had to say about their experience in the testimonials section.

Here are all the wonderful people who made this event come to life, in case you are looking at this and thinking to yourself: ” This is exactly what I want”.

Photographers: James Paul Correia and Kelvin Gooding
Coordinator: Allison at A Belle Affair Weddings and Events
Venue: Auberge Saint-Gabriel
DJ: DJ Shane
Hair and Makeup: Beauty on Wheels

Losing a child

A couple of months ago, as I was scrolling through what felt like my thousands of un-read e-mails in my morning clean out ritual, there was one from my son’s daycare with the title: “lost for words”. I have to admit it I clicked on it rather apprehensively. All I kept thinking was: ” My God please don’t let anything have happened to one of the kids”.

Well it was a child, but not one under the age of six. It was the owner’s son,her baby, who was 32 years young. He was involved in a motorcycle accident in South Africa, and Cathy of course left immediately. We did not see her for almost a month. When she did finally come back and I saw her in her office I gently stepped in, and told her very honestly that I had no idea what to say. I stepped over to her and gave her a hug, and we both fought to hold back tears.

A memorial service was held her in Montreal for family and friends who were not able to make the journey over to South Africa. When I was asked to do the flowers all I could think was that it needs to be vibrant, vibrant colours for a vibrant young man.

Valentine’s Day 2015

Valentine’s day fell on one of the coldest day of the year here in Montreal. Coincidence?? Maybe the universe was trying to tell us something….

Stay home and snuggle up with the ones you love most in your life, and be sure to do so while next to your beautiful bouquet of flowers that was purchased by your near and dear.

Part of what I love most about my job is to see people’s reactions when they receive their bouquet. Because of the cold, the flowers this year needed to be delivered in a hurry and be very well protected, so there was not much opportunity to basque in peoples pure joy, although people still do get pretty excited when they receive flowers regardless of what the contents may hold or look like triple wrapped in brown paper.

After a long day of running around town, I was finally able to snuggle up and enjoy the evening with my loved one.

Small notes of gratitude started trickling in about how happy the recipient of the bouquets were. Small gestures like these are sure to warm the heart no matter how cold it is outside.

Angela and Robert

When you combine one of your life passion’s with one of the biggest day’s of your life, chances are you are going to be shinning even if the sun may not be. Horses have always been a big part of angela’s life, so her and Robert decided to mary on the grounds of a horse farm our in St. Lazaar.
Some brides may have been disheartened by the fact that there were a few torrential downpours, and below normal temperatures on that supposedly summer day, especially since it was an outdoor venue, but not Angela. My husband bumped into her a few days after the wedding and he had asked how everything went, to which she replied:” Best day ever everything was amazing!” She was amazing from start to finish!

Photos courtesy of: Jessica Dozois @ Girls with Film Photography.

And here is another little view of the bigger centrepieces requested photo courtesy of my iPhone.

Tracy and Conor

Tracy and Conor married over Labour Day here in Montreal and the Vielle Brasserie. Tracy and Conor knew what they wanted from the very beginning when we met back in December. Soft tones of greys, greens, whites, soft touches of lavender all with a very natural feel. The couple now reside in Kuujjuaq, and wanted the flora to represent a taste of home. They are an amazing couple,they were a joy to work with, and the fact that they have the most adorable son, which I managed to steal a few hugs from, certainly did not hurt 🙂

Photos courtesy of the ever talented Gwylan Goddard

http://www.gwylangoddard.com/blog

It is Spring in Montreal….Supposedly

Ughhhh…more snow seriously? Have we not suffered enough?

A good friend recently posted a quote by Leonard Cohen that a lot of us here in Montreal can relate to:

“In Montreal spring is like an autopsy. Everyone wants to see the inside of the frozen mammoth. Girls rip off their sleeves and the flesh is sweet and white, like wood under green bark. From the streets a sexual manifesto rises like an inflating tire, “the winter has not killed us again!”

I feel like the spring flowers can relate. They must be growing impatient under the thick layer of snow. In the meantime perhaps a nice image of paper whites, and a spring inspired white freesia arrangement can help brighten this spring snowstorm.

Rouge&Co.

Atelier Floral

Tag Archives: Arrangements