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.

Mae and Daniel's Elegant Boho wedding at McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse

Mae and Daniel were the sweetest and the most laid back couple ever.

I loved the elegant yet relaxed boho style we were able to create for their big day.

Both Ceremony and Reception took place at the McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse in Hillsboro, Oregon.

I cannot say enough amazing things about Anna and Jake; the photographers behind Sweetlife Photography.

If you want beautifully curated images that reflect your wedding day look no further. They take time to create the perfect setting for each and every shot, including all the perfect little details. We always appreciate when photographers take every effort to not miss any details including the wearable flowers such as corsages, boutonnieres and hair accessories. As a designer, I spend a lot of time working on those little elements and its an absolute joy seeing them properly captured on camera.

Mae’s lush bohemian style bouquet included peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, unripe blueberry branches, dahlias, scabiosa, ferns and olive branches.

The icing on the cake was to work with some of our favorite vendor friends including Steve from A Beautiful Ceremony NW and John Ross Music

Venue + Catering: McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Photography: Sweetlife Photography

Groom’s Tux: Nordstrom

Gown: Ania Bridal

Hair and Make up: Coabella MUA

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Officient: Steve- A Beautiful Ceremony NW

Music: John Ross Music

Floral Crown Workshop for Lena's Kitchen Garden Party

I had the most wonderful time teaching an interactive floral crown workshop at Lena's Kitchen Garden Party.

June in Portland, equals wonderful weather and yes Peony Season of-course.

Lena had 14 wonderful guests in attendance; most of whom were fellow food, wine, fashion bloggers and photographers. A very creative bunch who took no time at all to learn the basics of a simple floral crown.

I got to create a fun floral wall as a photo op for all the ladies to take photos with their finished crowns and yes the amazing La Marca Prosecco

Karlee of Olive and Artisan was teaching a cake decorating class along side me; everyone had a blast and those mini cakes look beautiful and delicious.

The amazing food and wine were sponsored by Kroger ,Hershey

Photos and video courtesy of The Pair of Visuals.

Check out #LenasKitchenGardenParty hashtag on Instagram for more inspiring images from the event attendees

Visit Lena's Kitchen Blog to read more about this event and check out her amazing recipes and tips for a perfect garden party with your friends.

Below are some of the photos I snapped of the event.

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

Nicolette and Mahbodd -A Portland Wedding at the Sentinel Hotel

Nicolette {Nikki} and Mahbodd had one heck of a bridal party. Which included 24 of their closest friends, family and college roommates.

The ceremony took place at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego.

Reception was at the gorgeous Governor Ballroom at the Sentinel Hotel in Downtown Portland.

So many family and friends came to celebrate the couple and the DJ's from Event Team Entertainment kept the party going on the dance floor all night.

Beautiful four tier wedding cake was created by Lamb's. I enjoyed adding the luscious dahlias and ranunculus to the cake.

I was so pleased to be able to source some beautiful peonies {yes in August} for the Bridal and Bridesmaids bouquets. Which also included plum and  blush colored dahlias, ranunculus, scabiosa and lush foliage.

It was an absolute pleasure working with Nikki and Mahbodd and the wonderful team of wedding vendors.

Photography: George Street Photography

Coordinator: Cam- Bridal Bliss

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Catering: Jake's Catering

DJ: Event Team Entertainment

Chair Rentals: Sedera

Wedding Cake: Lamb's

Transportation: Vip PDX

Dress: Charlotte's Bridal

Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Parish

Reception Venue: Sentinel Hotel Portland

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

Savana and Joe's Columbia River Gorge Elopement

Savana and Joe came here from Denver to get eloped in Oregon. Who can really resist the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls?

Savana happens to be a professional model and photographer back home, so she had a very specific style in mind. What can I say? I love a daring bride who is not afraid to use a dark color palette and carry an overflowing cascade style bouquet.

I was honored to work with Joe and Savana on their special day. The couple brought some of their favorite vendors from Denver.

Photography: Nicole Marcelli of  Finch and Fawn

Hair and Make up: Official Hair By Coco

Bridal Shop: Luv Bridal Denver Designer: Delainie Gown by Mia Solano

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

What Savana had to say on her Yelp Review:

"Oh my goodness, words can't even describe how happy I was with my bouquet and flower crown. My husband and I eloped to Oregon from Denver and I was freaking out about not being able to meet with a florist in person since I had a very specific idea in mind for my bouquet. But after emailing a bit with Lora I knew that she was the perfect florist for me. She listened to my ideas and asked so many questions, she made me feel certain I would be getting what I envisioned. What she created for me was even more perfect than what I had imagined!!! I was so shocked and happy when I saw the finished product.
Everyone who sees pictures from our special day comments on how beautiful my flowers are and I owe it all to Lora. She is so creative and so very talented at what she does! I'm so glad I went with her on one of the most important days of my life. Thank you so much Sophisticated Floral, you really did make me the happiest bride!! "

Below are a few images I took of the boutonniere and floral crown.

Taylor and Kevin's Oregon Coast Intimate Wedding/Elopement

Taylor and Kevin came here from Oklahoma to get married at the Oregon Coast. This was a special location to both of them, since this is where they got engaged.

Taylor wanted a lush, organic, free form bridal bouquet featuring white flowers and lots of foliage and textures.

I created her bouquet to include peonies, spray roses, ferns, seeded eucalyptus, blushing bride protea, lysimachia, olive branches, ruscus, camelia foliage, calycina and oregon grown blackberries for that added texture.

What Taylor had to say:

"Lora is incredible. I could not have dreamed of more beautiful flowers to make my wedding day feel so incredibly magical. I had a destination wedding on the Oregon coast, and many of my details about where I needed the flowers and what time I needed them changed several times throughout the planning process. Lora was always so quick to respond and to accommodate whatever changes I needed to make. She was so helpful, so sweet, and seriously could not be more talented. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone! "

Photography: Sam Landreth Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Bridal Gown: The Bridal Boutique of Oklahoma

Hair and Make up: Katy Melton

Photos below were taken by me. I always love doing the detail shots before the flowers leave my studio.

I loved creating this all green boutonniere consisting of ferns, seeded eucalyptus, ruscus, blackberries and olive branch.

I love the tiny olives that made their way into this all foliage floral crown.

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

Estera + Aaron {Abernathy Center -Portland Wedding}

This beautiful wedding took place on a warm October day. The ceremony was held at the Abernathy's Abigail's Garden while the reception was indoor inside the main ballroom at Abernathy Center in Oregon City.

The color palette was featuring various shades of orange and burgundy and included lots of fun fall branches, berries and ofcourse the local dahlias.

Estera's Bridal bouquet included locally grown red piano garden roses, dahlias and rose hips along with ranunculus, cymbidium orchids, black baccara roses and safari sunset.

Venue + Catering: Abernathy Center {Abigails Garden/Abernathy Ballroom}

Photography: Powers Studio

Cake: Family Friend

Floral Design and Decor: Sophisticated Floral

Close up detail shots below by Sophisticated Floral

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!