photo by Jessica Lorren

While my part in this lovely feature is somewhat small, I wanted to share and document it because I think its a grand and worthy idea. For the locally sourced farm-to-table theme, instead of fresh cut flowers, the tables were decorated with pots of living, edible herbs.

Not only do herbs smell divine on a dining table, they compliment the meal and are beautiful, coming in a huge range of textures and colors, from the softest greens (sage, curry) to nearly black (black leaf basil, black pearl peppers). Combined with colorful farm fresh vegetables and fruits, and a table full of friends, well, what more could you want for a beautiful and meaningful gathering?

Some things to keep in mind if you are hoping to use herbs, potted or otherwise, is where to source them during certain times of the year. Having pots of fresh herbs in November may require a little more advance planning than if you need them on your table in June. Keeping that in mind, take a look at todays post on Snippet & Ink.

Then, there’s Erica Eriksdotter bouquet portraits. Yep, bouquet portraits. You might think, ‘yeah, so, anybody who can paint could do that, whats the big deal?’ But I promise, hers are better, they are so dynamic and they posses a certain energy that I can’t quite name…but I love! There is a nice dose of painterly quality, which lends nicely to the illustrative nature of them. Ms. Eriksdotter doesn’t attempt to capture your bouquet with photographic precision-thats what photographs are for…instead, she nails the energy, the vibe, and the feel of your bouquet, and your wedding. I found this quote while reading her site, and I think its great: “I hope to bring inspiration and happiness to people through my art and strive to make the viewer aware of and believe in the vibrancy of life. It’s all about celebrating life with color and bringing joy to the room and the people enjoying it.”

Vibrancy. Color. Joy. Sounds like flowers to me! And I think that’s one of the things that I like most about her and her work: I do believe she loves flowers as much as I do. And that’s a whole lot of love that comes shining through in her paintings.

Now that I’ve gushed and waxed, let just point out a few handy facts…

You don’t have to prepare this weeks ahead like you do with preservation. So, if the budget is tight for your big day, you don’t have to factor in the cost right away and skimp on something else. You can get this done a year later, 10 years later, or even of your parents or grandparents wedding flowers (anniversary gift…). All you need is photographs, and not many!

The price is remarkably affordable for a hand painted piece, and they are done right. Wrapped canvases, no white sides, ready to hang or frame. This might not seem like a big deal, but you will be so annoyed if you buy a painting and you can see white on the sides…so annoyed.

Unlike photographs, these paintings have a wonderful illustrative nature, that is much easier to work with for so many interiors, and unlike preservation (gag) they can be edited via the painters artistic license. Also unlike preservation, you will want to lovingly pack this tasteful painting if you move, more than you will want to lug around a coffin of flowers…just sayin’…

So, I will be eagerly waiting to see which one of my brides, past or future, gets one of these paintings first. I might stalk your mailbox, sorry…

Poppy, Robert Mapplethorpe, 1988

A while back, a fellow wedding worker bee told me that she was going to meet her industry idol. I was thrilled for her, since their meeting was also a collaboration. But, this got me thinking, and I realized that I had trouble naming an idol in my field. While there are lots of people that I admire, and lots of people whose talents I adore, an actual “idol” was hard for me to nail down.

After mulling it around a bit, I landed on Robert Mapplethorpe. Who is not a floral designer, nor does he have anything to do with weddings. He was a photographer who’s career was noted mostly (sadly) by his more controversial works. But, long ago, long before I even knew about those photos, I was introduced to his botanical photos, and they are breathtaking. Not just for their perfection of craft, but also for their reverence of the subject within the photos. Some of his photos are dated (he passed in 1989) but their impact holds up nonetheless. It is the way in which he presents each flower, with its imperfections and mechanics on flawless display.

I admit, I hold out hope that one day, a bride will request a reception with all Mapplethorpe inspired centerpieces. I will probably have a long wait, but that’s okay. In the meantime, I attempt to show any flower that I work with in the same way. Flowers are imperfect, but, like us, that is what makes them so beautiful, and to showcase each one with respect, to let the flowers be my muse, one at a time, is a fulfilling task indeed.

Take a look at her interview yesterday with Wedding Chicks. I’m so sorry I’m a day late, I hope some of this hasn’t reached you yet, and if it has, well, Claire is always worth a second look:

Claire Pettibone 2012 Collection.