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

Sara and Dana Snowy Bridal Session at Mt Hood with Spotted Stills

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.

Who says Winter flowers have to be primarily red or white? Nope, incorporate some blush in with the winter foliage, pinecones and flocked branches and you have a perfect winter design.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Fall Floral Installation Shoot with Spotted Stills Photography

Spotted Stills Photography once again blew me away with this stunning fall session.

This vertical floral installation is gaining popularity with wedding clients. I personally love creating this asymmetrical arbor design to mark the altar area. It’s pretty versatile and there are so many fun ways to customize this design to fit your style and budget.

I am really enjoying the cooler weather and all the amazing colors and textures of fall. The bouquet is chock full of some of my favorite fall colored blooms: Dahlia, spray roses, mini cymbidium orchids, dry grasses, ferns, garden roses, nandina, eryngium and coxcomb and more.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Model: Ali

Nuel and Lori's Portland Oregon wedding

Nuel and Lori got ready at The Nines Hotel in Portland and then walked over to the Multnomah County Courthouse for their intimate ceremony.

Reception followed at the Chart House Restaurant in Portland.

The beautiful flower girls wore floral crowns. While Lori and her maid of honor carried classic neutral toned bouquets of peonies, garden roses, spray roses and ranunculus.

Getting Ready Venue: The Nines Hotel

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Ceremony: Multnomah Country Courthouse

Reception: Chart House Portland

Photography: Bryan Aulick Photography

Hair and Make up: Dosha Salon Spa

Cake + Cupcakes: Kyra’s Bake Shop

Below are a few images I took before the flowers went out the door.

Tori and Emi's Portland Oregon Wedding at The Foundry

Tori and Emi had a casual summer wedding at The Foundry in Lake Oswego.

Emi is a marine biologist; so the decor and blue and coral color palette was a nod to that.

Bridal Bouquet featured mostly Oregon grown flowers; including hydrangea, sweetheart roses, garden roses and lisianthus.

Venue: The Foundry of Oswego Point

Coordination: Natalia-Bridal Bliss

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Catering: Pearl Catering

Photography: Glitch Photo and Film

Hair and Make up: Alex-Glam Beauty Bar

Dessert: St. Honore’ Bakery

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.

The Oregon Golf Club Fall Bridal Showcase

I had the honor of participating at the Oregon Golf Club Fall Bridal Show once again. This is a couture bridal show that is only open to Oregon Golf Club Preferred Vendors and its a pleasure to be among the best wedding vendors here in Portland.

I cannot say enough about Aniko Productions-they are the husband and wife team behind those photos and are one of the top wedding photographers in Portland. I get very excited when photographers take the time to capture all the little details. Getting amazing photos back is literally like Christmas!!!

Designing our space with the help of gorgeous rental pieces I sourced through Bridgewood Event Rentals {Aka Barclay Event Rentals}. The linens, chairs, flatware, chiffon arbor backdrop, etc was provided by them.

I chose to work with a fall color palette! I used various shades orange, peach and burgundy to create the elegant garden style designs to perfectly accent the beautifully draped ballroom at the Oregon Golf Club.

Photography: Aniko Productions

Floral Design, Concept and Styling: Sophisticated Floral

Rentals: Bridgewood Event Rentals {Aka Barclay Event Rentals}

Venue: The Oregon Golf Club

Wedding Cake: Lux Sucre Desserts

Fun collection of boutonnieres for the couples to view and enjoy close up.

I had the pleasure of working with Lux Sucre and adorn her gorgeous wedding cakes with fresh flowers to showcase what they can provide to their clients.

Chanelle and Brandon are the husband and wife team behind Lux Sucre and I am not kidding when I say they have some of the most delicious cakes and desserts around. They also specialize in dessert bars if you are looking for more variety for your wedding or event.

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

Creative Bridal Editorial shoot at The Lightroom PDX

Sometimes as artists, creatives and designers we get inspired to create just for the sake of creating.

Creativity strikes at any given time. I was inspired to use the beautiful, fragrant and generally hard to get Stephanotis vine {that's the little white blooms that look like stars}.

I paired the vines with white roses, ranunculus and delicate blooming pieris. Each season brings about a bounty of new flowers that are only available that time of year.

This floral garland /shawl could be a fun alternative to a traditional bridal bouquet, something that is used for bridesmaids, or another shoot altogether such as maternity or a boudoir. The possibilities are endless.

Thank you Spotted Stills for once again capturing such gorgeous images.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Venue: The Lightroom PDX

Model: Ali S.

Gown: Brides for a Cause

Jenny and Caleb - a Portland wedding at McMenamins Edgefield

Jenny and Caleb's intimate October wedding at Mcmenamins Edgefield was absolutely beautiful, even the rain showers could not put a damper on their special day.

Bridal bouquet featured the last of the locally grown dahlias and beautiful oregon grown garden roses from Peterkort; as well as lush dark green foliage {ruscus, huckleberry, plumosa} ranunculus, delphinium and lisianthus.

Thank you Spotted Stills for capturing such gorgeous images.

Photography: Spotted Stills

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Venue + Catering: McMenamins Edgefield

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

Claudia and Justin Anniversary Shoot in Portland Rose Garden

Claudia and Justin got married young and never really had a formal wedding.

On their Anniversary they decided to do a beautiful shoot with flowers, gorgeous lace dress at International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon. It holds special memories for them both.

Congratulations and here's to many more happy years together!

Photography: Molly Van Wagner

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

Portland Bridal Editorial Shoot with Macoy Dean Photography

Who does not love a fall photo shoot?

But really, I love how those photos and the bouquet exudes spring or summer yet it all happened in the November.

The warm rays of sunshine and a perfectly soft color palette are making it happen.  MacCoy Dean Photography did a fabulous job capturing all the magic.

Photography: MacCoy Dean Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Hair and make up: Merkley Artistry

Gown: Brides for a Cause

Accessories: Austie Eckley

Model: Britt Winckler

Brett and Jeff -A Portland wedding at Bridgeport Brewery

Brett and Jeff's November wedding was held at the cozy Bridgeport Brewery in Northwest Portland.

With a smaller guest list there are so many venue options available to ouples in the Portland area. 

Being a mid November wedding, we all got lucky with the nice weather. Hoddick Photography was able to capture some gorgeous images with the couple just strolling the streets of downtown Portland. 

Brett chose beautiful jewel tone color palette for the wedding. Burgundy, plum, navy and raspberry colored flowers made up her gorgeous bouquet.

Bridal Bouquet included peonies, privet berry, eryngium, roses, ranunculus, orchids, anemone and lush foliage.

I loved the classic-elegant feel with an emphasis on art deco and the 1920's.  Check out the amazing cake by Lux Sucre-absolutely beautiful.

Thank you Hoddick photography for capturing those beautiful images.

Photography: Hoddick Photography

Floral Design: Sophisticated Floral

Venue + Catering: Brideport Brewery

Coordination: Adornment Events

Cake/Dessert Table: Lux Sucre

Getting Ready Venue: Hotel Deluxe

And a few detailed images I took -below.

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.

Ashley + Cesar {Elegant Oregon Golf Club Wedding}

Ashley and Cesar choose a very classic look for their country club wedding at The Oregon Golf Club.

The beautifully draped ballroom was full of lavish flowers in blush pink, ivory and white. Accented with hundreds of candles for that romantic glow.

Centerpieces were a mix of elevated designs in gold stands and low and lush pieces in gold compotes.

The head table was overflowing with a beautiful floral table runner, flanked by two tall arrangements featuring draping orchids, roses and hydrangea, accented with hanging glass orbs.

Thank you Aniko Productions for those amazing images; you captured it beautifully.

Take a minute to view their wedding film  Here by Moving Pictures. 

Venue + Catering: The Oregon Golf Club

Photography: Aniko Productions

Floral Design + Concept + Styling: Sophisticated Floral

Chair Rentals: Sedera

Dress: Charlottes Bridal

Cake: JacIva's

Film/Videography : Moving Pictures

DJ: Chad Dowling Productions

Hair: Helen Eubanks

Make up: Eye Shine Beauty