Whenever I post a blog, I try to do it on something that signifies the notion of “blooming where you’re planted.”  Whether it is through design or another form, it’s about finding a way to live beautifully in the situations and places in which we reside.  So when my dear friends, Brandi and Ryan asked me to help with their wedding centerpieces & decor, I was thrilled!  Not only was I thrilled to embrace the creative challenge & bring their vision to life, I thought it would make a perfect “bloom where you’re planted story!”

When taking on the challenge I knew it would be a “DIY” project, I just wasn’t sure what I would be doing/creating exactly.  This brings me to the centerpieces which truly set the tone for the rest of the design and were definitely hands on!  The centerpieces all stemmed from Brandi’s vision & love of nature.  “First I decided on a color, which obviously had to be green since it’s my fave.  When considering what to use, I kept coming back to a “natural” theme – I love nature, it’s where we find the most beautiful and natural life.”

 

INSPIRATION PHOTO

 

Brandi came across this photo when searching for “natural” centerpieces and immediately liked the moss and rocks, however she felt it was missing something.  “I felt it needed something more so I eventually came to the idea of bamboo.  I wanted to use bamboo because it reflects me and Ryan’s personalities – it’s sort of a “zen” idea.  I have found that I’m in my most meditative state when in nature.”

Perfect, so it was decided…moss, rocks and bamboo!  Brandi had a very clear vision.  Her vision included moss in the shape of a circle with rocks (smaller than what’s shown in the picture) & three stalks of bamboo in the center.  Now for the tricky part, how to give that life & create a balanced composition while honoring Brandi’s clear vision.  I know what you’re thinking…what’s so hard about that?  Believe me I had my challenges…or were those just personal challenges?  Either way it took me awhile!  I played with many different concepts…different vase sizes, colors, shapes, heights, additional foliage and so on.  Oh, and that does not even include all of the different moss I tried to seek out and experiment with!  This is no complaint, just acknowledging that even the most minimal of designs require a great deal of thought.

 

Building the moss bases!


CONSTRUCTING THE BASE MOLD

 

I began with using round card board that is used for cake bases.  These would have to be transported so I needed to have some sort of base.  I used foam to create my mold for the moss.  I wanted all of the moss bases to look as natural as possible and this helped to create the illusion of thick, plush moss.

 

FORMING MOSS AROUND BASE

 

I used a preserved moss that was not on a sheet, it was a rich green and retained much of its native looking state.  Because it did not come on a sheet/netting I felt it was easier to fashion around the base, particularly because it was thicker and not perfectly flat.  It already has some depth of its own which again contributed to a more plush look.  Of everything I did, this part was the messiest and the most challenging.  When I say messy I mean it!  I literally went to bed once with a few green fingers.. remains from the moss that had been stuck to my fingers via glue.  There may have also been some moss stuck in my hair.  After this incident I switched glues!  None the less I prided myself in trying to create the most plush and natural looking moss bases possible.  I even began to imagine that I was this highly skilled artisan/sculptress/? who was the only person capable of creating such lush and alive looking moss.  It was my mission!

Because I am oh so great at procrastinating I was shamefully still creating some of the bases the morning of…AWWW!  Luckily I recruited a dynamite team to help me on the big day because I knew I would need it!

 

EMILY RUGGERI & AMY BECKMAN HARD AT WORK

 

Meet the team:

Emily Ruggeri – Interior Designer:  Emily is one of my close friends and is great at improvising and taking the ball and running with it.  I wasn’t sure what type of improvising we would need to do the day of, but I knew I needed a hand on deck that I could trust!

Amy Beckman – Twin Sis:  Amy is great help, has a good eye but proved to be slightly crazy with the design stuff in the heat of the moment..another story!

Patrick Beckman – Dad:  Long-time trusty assistant, just as long he’s following my orders…Just kidding!! but seriously.  Pat ran errands and was a huge help!

Linda Beckman – Mom:  Linda was on clean up/packing duty and food control.  When the team needed to hydrate and re-fuel with pizza, Linda was on it!

 

5 MIN. BREAK...PIZZA!! LOADING UP THE CAR

 

Now for the fun stuff

 

BEFORE



AFTER

 

 

AFTER

 

 

CAKE TABLE

 

I liked the idea of using Queen Anne’s Lace for accent foliage because of it’s minimal and airy feel.  It worked out perfectly because it was actually the flower used on the invites and it really tied everything together.

 

MISC. DECOR

 

 

VIEW TO PATIO

 

 

FLOATING CANDLES & GRASS FOR COCKTAIL TABLES, MISC. DECOR

 

 

MISC. DECOR

 

 

BAR DECOR

 

The Ceremony

 

CEREMONY LOCATION

 

Brandi and Ryan were married this past May down by the bank of a lake under Ryan’s homemade arbor.  The wedding was on Miss Tennie’s property – Sweet Briar.  Miss Tennie is 94 years old and a close friend of the family, bride and groom.  Ryan used to cut the grass out at the property as a teenager.  “To get married there really had a lot of personal meaning to us.”

 

THE GROOM CONSTRUCTED THE ARBOR HIMSELF!

 

 

RECEPTION

 

This wedding truly exemplified what it means to “blooming where you’re planted.”  Making the most of what you love, your surroundings and resources.  I had so much fun working with Brandi and the gang on this wedding.  It truly was beautiful and a fulfilling experience that I will cherish always!

 

 

 

 

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