Villa Catalana Cellars - Italian Fine Art Inspired Wedding Shoot in Portland

I can’t believe I am just now getting around to blogging this amazing shoot with Dima Karpenko Photography.

It was a beautiful collaboration that got published by Adorn Magazine.

So many elegantly curated details to showcase the absolutely breathtaking Villa Catalana Cellars which is a gorgeous stone villa that perfectly embodies the look and feel of Italy.

Bridal Bouquet consisted of 100% American Grown Flowers {Oregon + California} Olive, Peonies, blueberries, plums, martagon lilies, nandina, garden roses and scabiosa. Accented with luxurious champagne colored silk ribbon.

It was a pleasure bringing this Italian inspiration to life, and we could not have done it without the amazing team of wedding pros.

Photography + Concept: Dima Karpenko Photography

Floral Design + Styling: Sophisticated Floral

Venue: Villa Catalana Cellars

Rentals: Bridgewood Event Rentals

Stationary + Calligraphy: Pop Calligraphy

Hair + Make Up: Klover Studio

Cake: Simply Beautiful Cakes

Vespa Scooter: Vespa Milwaukie

Dress: Basix Black Label

Suit: Nordstrom

Sarah + Cameron's Portland Oregon Wedding at The Riverview Restaurant

I absolutely loved the color palette for Sarah and Cameron’s wedding. Blush, burgundy and navy with gold accents makes for a very beautiful combination.

Riverview Restaurant was a perfect backdrop for their wedding day.

Sarah’s bouquet was chock full of beautiful summer blooms -including Cafe au lait dahlias, burgundy dahlias, scabiosa, chocolate cosmos, garden spray roses, garden roses, nine bark, geranium and more.

Mixing dark and light blooms together can be a difficult task. You don’t want to have a polka dot effect. It takes practice to blend the contrasting tones together seamlessly -basically like painting.

I cannot say enough about our local Oregon flower farmers who grow all the amazing floral varieties for us to work with. Almost every single bloom used here was American grown. We love supporting #Americangrownflowers

Photography: HF Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Venue: Riverview Restaurant

Rentals: Bridgewood Event Rentals

Gown: Charlotte’s Bridal

Cake: Jaciva’s

Video: Adore Wedding Films

I always pin on the boutonnieres to make sure they are pinned on properly and facing the right way.

Creating flowers on the cake is one of my favorite details at the reception. This gorgeous cake was made by Jaciva.

Below are a few close up images from the bridal party flowers and I took.

Portland Oregon Wedding at Abernethy Center Abigail's Garden - Lidia + Pascal

Getting married in early October is always a weather gamble here in Oregon. But the rainy weather did not hold those love birds back.

Thankfully we were able to adjust our design plans and set up the arbor inside the tent versus using the gazebo.
Beautiful Blush and Gray tones were threaded all throughout the decor and attire.

Bridal bouquet consisted of Cafe au lait dahlias, garden roses, calla lilies {Bride and Groom Favorite}, blushing bride protea, lisianthus and accented with three types of eucalyptus and ruscus foliage.

Sadly rain takes away the dahlias so this was the last chance we had to design with those blush beauties in 2018.
Congratulations Lidia and Pascal! I wish you all the best in your married life and your beautiful blended family.

Photography: Falcusan Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Venue: Abernethy Center {Abigail’s Garden}

Gown: Bridal Exclusives

Hair and Make Up: Rebecca Bogdan Be Forever Glamorous

Here are a few photos I took of the personal flowers.

2019 Pantone Color of the Year -Living Coral

Pantone announces “Living Coral” as their 2019 Color of the Year and I cannot more excited.

I do not shy away from this color. I find that shades of coral, peach and orange work so well with various color palettes. From blush tones to bold colors, it works well paired with blues, lavenders, purples, yellows or in a monochromatic designs featured in this blog.

I love that coral colors is readily available in spring, summer and fall. Some of my favorite coral blooms include: Coral Charm Peonies, regular, spray and garden roses, ranunculus, hypericum berries, tulips, zinnias, coxcomb, dahlias and more.

This gorgeous bridal session was photographed by Spotted Stills Photography. Tania looked absolutely elegant and flawless after Whitney was done pampering her. 

The bold coral charm peonies in Tania’s bouquet, absolutely popped against her gown.

While the hair flowers were more muted with blush pink/peach tones and foliage, looking quite elegant on her classic hair updo. 

Bridal bouquet included coral charm peonies, roses, blueberries, scented geranium, huckleberry, seeded and willow eucalyptus.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Hair and Make Up: Make up with Whit

Dress/Veil : Brides for a Cause

Kristen and Michael Mt. Hood SkiBowl Wedding by Powers Photography

Peter Chee with Powers Photography did a phenomenal job capturing the wedding photos. Dark color palettes are some of my favorites to work with. However, they tend to be difficult to properly photograph to get the true sense of color and dimension.

Bridal bouquet featured some of my favorite dark blooms, including: dahlias, roses, cymbidium orchids, scabiosa, peonies, ranunculus, carnations and plenty and texture.

Kristen and Michael were truly an adventurous couple and choose to get married at the top of Mt. Hood at Mt. Hood Skibowl.

Can you imagine taking a ski lift and having your first look with a mountain in the background?

Yep! That’s exactly what they did.

Cascade Locks - Columbia River Gorge Destination Elopement with Emily Nicole Photogrpahy

I very much enjoy working with destination couples/photographers who travel here to Oregon {Specifically to the Columbia River Gorge} to get eloped.

Emily Nicole Photography is based in Oklahoma City, OK. She reached out to me to create a beautiful bouquet and floral crown for her couple.

Thank you Emily! It was a pleasure meeting you and working together on this elopement.

Location: Cascade Locks- Columbia River Gorge

Photography: Emily Nicole Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Here are a few photos I took before the flowers went out the door.

Introducing the new floral hoop arbor -A perfect ceremony backdrop

The start of the new wedding season means beautiful new inventory that will be available to our floral clients.

I am really loving this current wedding trend of all things geometric shaped. From centerpieces to invitations, to cake designs and more; you will be seeing the geometric shapes everywhere.

Meet our new floral arbor that happens to be right in line with the modern geometric vibe.

This round arbor also known as the moon gate, floral hoop, circle arbor, etc. is a fabulous way to frame the couple during the ceremony, sweetheart table backdrop, framing the cake table, photo booth backdrop-really the options are endless.

I cannot wait to use this piece for future events, paired with metallic geometric terrariums {also a new rental item} and other fabulous decor items. Stay tuned for new inventory alerts.

Photography: Spotted: Stills Photography

Gown: Brides for a Cause

Floral: Sophisticated Floral

Model: Ali Plyushchev

Spring Bridal Editorial Shoot with Spotted Stills Photogrpahy- Portland, Oregon

Spring is here and I am eager to design with all the fabulous spring flowers and blooming branches that this season has to offer.

Blooming branches create a beautiful backdrop for the couple or any photo session {be it maternity, bridal, family or other}

Bridal bouquet included some of my favorite spring blooms {most of them are locally grown right here in Oregon}. Ranunculus, freesia, pieris, vibernum, spray roses, heirloom carnations, eriostomen, plumosa and a hint of silver dollar eucalyptus.

A beautiful floral accent piece for the hair completed the look.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Design + Styling: Sophisticated Floral

Dress : Brides for a Cause

Model: Ali Plyushchev

Laura and Jacob -A Portland Oregon Engagement session with Sweetlife Photography

Laura and Jacob had a gorgeous summer engagement session with Sweetlife Photography.

I was honored to create beautiful hair flowers for Laura to wear.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer check out their portfolio-you wont be disappointed!

Enjoy!

Photography: Sweetlife Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Sunrise Photo Session in the Columbia River Gorge with Liza James Photography

Liza James Photography absolutely took my breath away with this stunning sunrise bridal photo session in the Columbia River Gorge.

Estera's oversized bespoke style bridal bouquet included peonies, olive branch, spirea, agapanthus, spray roses, ruscus and bay leaf.

Photography: LIza James Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Snowy Maternity Shoot at Mt Hood with Spotted Stills Photography

Nadja was a stunning mamma to be at her snowy maternity photo session with Spotted Stills Photography.

Her red dress and floral crown absolutely popped against the all white snow backdrop at Mt Hood.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Crown: Sophisticated Floral

Hair and Make up: Blush n Bride

Below are a few close up images I took.

Katie + Torsten November Wedding at McMenamins -Kennedy School

This beautiful November wedding at McMenamins Kennedy School has got to be one of my absolute favorites from 2016 wedding season.

I love it when the bride chooses a bold color palette and lets me design the rest. I enjoyed selecting the dark moody tones with a lot of textural elements.

To me floral design is like painting, the various flowers and textures that I choose are perfectly blended together to create a beautiful masterpieces or in this case Katie's stunning bridal bouquet.

A cold November wedding outside in Portland, Oregon cannot be done without the cozy blankets the couple has provided for the guest during ceremony.  So glad the rain held off and we got some beautiful outdoor photos by Elissa Deline Photography.

What Katie had to say:

" The flowers were amazing and we could not have been happier. I would use you again in a heartbeat and will tell everyone I know...We got so many compliments on the flowers. "

Venue: McMenamins Kennedy School

Floral Design + Styling: Sophisticated Floral

Photography: Elissa Deline Photography

Hair and Make up: Cassandra Kennedy Beauty

Dress: Ania Bridal / Wtoo

Wooden Backdrop: Something Borrowed PDX

Cake: Dream Cakes

The photos below were taken by Sophisticated Floral. I love taking detail shots before the flowers go out the door.

Lacey + David {Bohemian Portland Backyard Wedding}

Lacey was the sweetest and most laid back bride ever. The overall wedding was very casual and understated. She wanted a bouquet of wildflowers and a dainty floral crown to match.

I really enjoyed designing flowers for Lacey and David's wedding at their Portland home. 

Bridal bouquet consisted of all locally grown/American grown flowers including: Dahlias, nigella blooms and pods, seeded eucalyptus, craspedia, fewer few daisies, olive branch, scabiosa, gooseneck, thistle, snapdragon, yarrow and queen annes lace.

Photography: Mama Wolf Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Hair and Make up: Cassandra Kennedy Beauty

Venue: Backyard {Portland, Oregon}

The detail photos below taken by Sophisticated Floral

Winter- Valentine's Day Editorial Shoot

This beautiful editorial shoot took place during the craziest snow/ice storm here in the Portland metro area. It was extremely cold and snow was everywhere. 

The wonderful team of talented wedding professionals made it happen.

My favorite little surprise was the sweet baby pig named "Matilda" who took part in our shoot.

She was quite fond of the bridal bouquet and kept smelling and trying to eat it. Must have been those fragrant pepper berries.

Our team included the following professionals:

Coordination: VIP Event Planning

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Photography: Ashley Rose Productions

Hair and Make up: Brittany Blanchard

Dress: Brides for a Cause / Trish Lee

Cake: Just a Dash Cakes

Stationary: Bridetown Design Studio

Rentals: Party Place

Model: Morgan Clove

Venue: Redland Family Farm

Persi and David -Winter Engagement session with Spotted:Stills Photography

Spotted Stills Photography once again blew me away with this stunning winter session at Mt Hood, OR.

This has been a very snowy season so far and those who brave the weather get rewarded with some gorgeous images.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Hair and Make up: Make up by Whit

Klara + David -East Fork Country Estate-Fall wedding in Oregon

This beautiful October wedding took place at East Fork Country Estate. 

Klara chose a fall color palette which included marsala, burgundy red, orange, bronze and gold. The overall floral look was lush, elegant and full of texture and locally grown blooms

Klara's bouquet was lush and full of all types of goodies: garden roses, dahlias, scabiosa, cox comb, parrot tulips, rose hips, eucalyptus, jasmine vine, pincushion protea, agonis, nandina, amaranthus. Its a great time of year here in the Pacific NW for locally grown flowers -such a bounty. I was happy to use mostly locally grown flowers for this stunning fall wedding. 

Here are some photos I took.

Mommy and Me Session with floral crowns

Another gorgeous lifestyle mommy and me session by Spotted Stills Photography featuring our ever so popular floral crowns.

Christine's floral crown consisted of blush pink garden roses, white ranunculus, blush spray roses, foliage and textures. Abby had a tiny little elastic headband with single blush spray rose, berries, foliage and textures. I love creating the elastic headbands for the very little girls since they don't get bothered by them and they stay very well on their little heads. This style works great on the very young flower girls as well.

Thank you Jenn for the amazing photos. The Willow tree in the background is so soft and wispy and a perfect backdrop for this session.

Portland Maternity Lifestyle Photo Shoot featuring our Floral Crown

Jenn with Spotted Stills Photography does a fabulous job capturing our floral designs on her clients. In this case, this classy maternity shoot for a beautiful mama to be.

This spring design featured peachy-pink spray roses, pieris and mini succulents right from my yard.

Travis + Danielle {Knoll Krest Gardens in Sandy, Oregon}

Here is a beautiful spring Editorial shoot I was a part of at Knoll Krest Gardens in Sandy Oregon.

Danielle's lush bridal bouquet consisted of 100% Oregon grown flowers. Coral Charm Peonies, peach and plum purple sweet peas, veronica,  jasmine vine and dusty miller came right from my own yard.

Thank you Becky from Studio 623 for the beautiful photos.

Venue: East Fork Country Estate
Photography: Studio 623 Photography
Dress: CRBoggs Designs-Custom Vintage Couture Bridal Wear and Accessories
Hair & Makeup: Pure Elegance by Sarahi Welton

Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage and Flowers

Its not often that I get out of my comfort zone and get in front of the camera, especially featuring my own floral designs. But to commemorate 10 years in the business as well as 10 years of being married to my wonderful husband; who is my rock and I could not do what I do with out his full support and encouragement. We decided to do a photo shoot with one of my favorite photographers Jenn from Spotted Stills Photography.

This was a perfect way to celebrate our marriage and floral design together in one. We are lucky to live right down the road from this nature park, a perfect spot for a mini photo shoot. This being Oregon, it started to sprinkle during our shoot; but we did not let the rain stop us.

A huge shout out to Janelle from The Prettiest You/Contoured Salon for fitting me in at the last minute for make up. Its always a pleasure to work with you.

I loved my dress by LC Lauren Conrad for Kohls, it was very stylish and comfy.

My bouquet and floral crown featured some of my favorite blooms in mauve, blush pink, peach and gray tones. Blushing Bride Protea, Astrantia, Pieris, Spray Roses, Carnations and Dusty Miller from my own yard.

Thank you Spotted Stills Photography for the fabulous photos and here's to another 10 years!