THE BRIDE'S CAFE

Meet Donna O'Brien of Beautiful Blooms

I am so excited about our featured guest today.....the beautiful and oh-so-talented, Donna O'Brien of Beautiful Blooms.  Guys...Donna is amazing...it is so wonderful to see how her business has truly "bloomed" in the past few years...her work has been featured in several of the top wedding publications....In Style Weddings, Elegant Bride, Inside Weddings, and Bride & Bloom just to name a few and she has appeared on the Style Network......Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? 

I am so proud of her and even prouder to feature her at TBC.  Not only is Donna fabulous at creating amazing events......she is just a super sweet lady and a wonderful friend.......so without further ado...I give you...Donna O'Brien!

The beautiful Donna O'Brien!

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

Donna:  Inspiration comes from so many places for me.  I get inspired walking down the street and looking in shop windows.  I may see a color combination that excites me or a texture that catches my eye.  Years ago, I had a career in fashion so I am often influenced by colors, fabrics and details in fashion and home trends.   I recently went to an exhibit at the museum and my head kept spinning with so many new inspirations.  I love going to the New York City flower market and just walk around.  There are always new and interesting varieties of flowers that I have never seen.  My fingers and toes start to tingle with glee.

TBC: What is the best part about your job?

Donna:  My job has changed as we have grown but my favorite jobs are those where we get to work on not only the flowers but the whole overall look which is not only flowers but includes linens, lighting, draping, furniture, charger plates, etc.

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Donna:  My highlight of my career....watching the business grow and building a great team.  I used to do everything myself and now I have a team that is great, cares about what we do and looks out for each other.  I have also been very lucky to have the company get recognized by a lot of top magazines.  Now they come to us asking for weddings to showcase.  We recently did  M. Night Shamalan's party and an event where Bono of U2 was receiving an award and an event for First Lady, Laura Bush.....all pretty cool.

TBC:  What are the floral/decor wedding trends for 2008?

Donna:  Vintage....Hearing again the whole vintage influence, lush, opulence....creams, ivories, blushes and tea satin colors.  Crystal accents but more in charger plates and crystal chandeliers.  Romance/Drama...Clients are being drawn back to reds and magentas.  Accents of black including chandelier crystals.  Organic....Still continues but we look for new ways to do it without branches.

TBC:  What are your favorite color-palettes for weddings?

Donna:  I still love yellow...all shades mixed together.

TBC:  What type of venues are the most fun to design for?

Donna:  Unusual spots such as museums, outdoors, art galleries, client's homes, or castle-like locations.

TBC:  What 3 adjectives describe your style?

Donna:  Always tasteful...no matter what!  We can do modern, girly, manly, etc. - but it always has to be neat, tasteful and many times with a slight twist to make people look twice.

TBC:  Describe a "Beautiful Blooms Signature Wedding".

Donna:  It is a truly designed look.  Everything cohesive.  All the details are thought through and interesting.  Every flower means something to the arrangement.  Interesting containers, ribbons, etc.  Everything works together beautifully.  We also use only the freshest flowers and that makes a difference.

TBC:  Tell us a little about your feature on The Style Network's ...Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Donna:  We have done two episodes.  One is the "Surprise Wedding" with Gina Sole.  The guest thought they were coming to a surprise 40th birthday party.  The ceremony was all white and the reception was all reds.

And now let's check out some Beautiful Designs from Beautiful Blooms.....Enjoy!

Simply GORGEOUS....I Love the color palettes for this event and the orchids are AMAZING!

Love the clean lines and the elegant look of the whites and greens and check out the linens..all so beautiful!

Such an elegant and fun detail!

Donna, thank you SO much for stopping by the cafe today....You know that I have always been a fan of your beautiful work...we look forward to your next visit....have a wonderful wedding season and a HUGE thanks to Marie Labbancz for sending me all the beautiful images...as usual...Marie your work is always amazing!

"In Living Color...Bouquet Style"

Happy Monday Guys...today I thought I would surprise you all with a couple of bouquets designed by.......ME!!  Yes, it has been too long since I have featured a "JMFlora Original" and I do apologize...soooo....I am sharing a couple of bouquets from my client's beautiful May wedding....photographed by Jeff Greenough.....I do hope they will put a smile on your face and I promise to share more of my designs at the cafe...it's wedding season so I'll have lots to show...Enjoy!!!

This richly textured Brides Bouquet is bursting with color.....I used Garden Roses, Billy Ball, Fern Curls, Green Cymbidium Orchids, Red Gloriosa Lily and Orange Pin Cushions...Wrapped in Double Face Satin Orange Ribbon!  I just love the "delicious" colors!

 

And to compliment the Brides Bouquet....The Bridesmaid Bouquet is also bursting with the same color-palettes....Beautiful Milva Roses, Red Gloriosa Lily, Orange Pin Cushions and Green Hypericum Berries....Wrapped in Double Face Satin Apple Green Ribbon!

Have a great day guys...tomorrow at TBC  we will start a fun feature called "What's Your Wedding Style"...lots of beautiful "eye candy"....see you then!

R. Jack Balthazar

I'm so excited to share with you the amazing and creative owners of R. Jack Balthazar, Niki & Rene Delacueva.  Not only are they fabulous at what they do...they are truly wonderful and oh-so-kind!  Their beautiful work has been seen in some of the top wedding and fashion publications and they have hosted the series "The Perfect Party" on the Fine Living Network.  We have the pleasure of Niki & Rene sharing a little 411 with us on the company and a little about them.......Enjoy!

TBC's featured guest.........Niki & Rene

TBC: What inspires you as a designer?

N&R:  Inspiration comes in many forms for us.  Most of our design inspiration comes from our travels and we find that for many of our jet-setter brides, the same is true.  We have brides who come to meet with us  and they bring along a sari they brought back from India as inspiration for their table linens, or they bring a piece of hand-blown glass from Italy that perfectly captures the color palette they are dreaming of.  Nature, fashion and architecture are also sources of great inspiration for us.

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

N&R:  We both used to have very conservative careers where the days were often routine.  What we most love about our work now is that every day becomes its own little adventure, no two days are alike.  Some days we are painting and sawing and building things; some days we are arranging flowers; some days we are hard at an event setup; and many days we are traveling.  As with our days, we love that no two clients are alike - our brides run the gamut from corporate attorneys to surgeons to actresses and rock stars.  We love that we get to know such a variety of fabulous people!

TBC:  What type of venues are the most fun to design for?

N&R: We most love to design in any non-traditional and non-event-specific venue - our favorite weddings have been on warehouse rooftops, on vast ocean bluffs, in private lofts and in art galleries.  Being in a ballroom at a beautiful hotel definitely has its advantages, but in terms of creating a really personalized look, sometimes the more untraditional spots offer the most personality!

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her floral/event designer?

N&R:  The number one thing to look for when choosing a designer is a chemistry...a bride needs to entrust the vision of  her big day to this designer and to do so, she needs to feel comfortable with them on a social and personal level!

TBC:  Please share some fun details about your home life.  We want to get to know you a little!

N&R:  Travel..Travel...Travel!  We travel and explore as much as we can......locally, domestically and internationally.....constantly trying to see new things and ways of life, both abroad and in our own back yards.  We try to get to a handful of different new and exotic locales a year as each brings us great inspiration...recent trips have been to Korea, Thailand, the French Riviera, and Belize; next up for us are trips to Argentina and India. Even when we just have a couple of days free, we are usually off to find something new....whether it's a drive up the Coast to visit a new floral farm, or to the desert to visit a new hotel.  We have a daughter who is almost two and she loves to tag along - "airport" was one of her first words!

Okay guys...now let's check out the images of one of Niki and Rene's beautiful weddings......

What a gorgeous bouquet!!!!!

Simply Beautiful!!

I love the red.......What a STUNNING table!

Absolutely Beautiful...........such a rich color palette!!!!

Thanks Niki & Rene for stopping by the cafe....your work is amazing and truly an inspiration to us!!  And a huge thanks to Stephanie Hogue for all the beautiful images!

Yvonne Floral Design

Aloha Everyone.....no I'm not posting from Hawaii (wouldn't that be sweet).......I'm just so excited to introduce to you the beautiful and talented designer, Yvonne of Yvonne Floral Design.  Yvonne is based in Hawaii, how awesome is that!!  She is truly an amazing event designer...just check out her site to see all the beautiful lush florals and event decor and....she is a super nice lady!!!!  I asked Yvonne to share a little 411 with us on her style......and come back later guys because Yvonne will share with us the images from her own beautiful wedding.

Our beautiful guest, Yvonne!

TBC:   What inspires you as a designer?

Yvonne:  Fashion and interior design inspire me the most, especially in designing with new colors, textures and elements. Each couple I work with brings their own unique style, which inspires me to invent new ideas.

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

Yvonne:  Being in a destination location for many couples getting married, I get to meet so many different people coming from all different areas of the world.  It's a pleasure to be a part of a couple's special day and to see the excitement on their faces when they have seen that we have turned their vision into reality.  It's truly an exceptional moment for me!

TBC:  Please share with us how awesome it must be designing beautiful events in Hawaii.

Yvonne:  Not only is it a blessing to have a career that I absolutely love, but I also get to work in such a beautiful setting!  With most of my event being outdoors, I have the privilege of being in a gorgeous tropical setting with the ocean as a backdrop.  What could be better than that?  I also enjoy working in California, especially with my family living in the Bay area, so we have created a California office and I will be designing events more often in the Bay area too!

TBC:  What advice would you give to brides on a budget?

Yvonne:  Create a focus area at your reception where you can have more dramatic floral pieces or interesting decor displays while keeping other areas to a minimum.  For example:  create a dramatic display above the dance floor or sweetheart table as a focal piece and have small, yet stylish centerpieces for the guest tables, or have one beautiful arrangement behind the bride and groom during the ceremony and a single blossom tied to each aisle chair.

TBC:  What are your favorite color combinations to use for weddings?

Yvonne:  I love taking just one color and using many shades of it throughout all of the wedding decor.  Another favorite is using shades of one color in the floral and contrasting it against another bold, complimenting color through linens and other fabric decor.

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Yvonne:  Designing my own wedding...I've been married about a year and half now.

TBC:  Please share some fun details about you home life.

Yvonne:  Well, I'd have to admit that my home life is intertwined with my work life as I am constantly thinking about new ideas or collaborating with my husband, who is also my business partner, or with my friends and family, who are also designers or professionals in the wedding industry.  A perfect night for me is an evening at home cooking with my husband, enjoying a nice bottle of wine while watching the sunset.

Now guys, check out some of Yvonne's beautiful designs.

What a "sunny bouquet" of orchids and roses!

Simply Stunning!

"WOW....SIMPLY WOW"!

 

Thanks Yvonne, your designs are simply breathtaking!!  Guys, check back later to see images from Yvonne's wedding.....

Delightful Details

Guys, you are going to absolutely loooooove today's feature!  You know I am all about the "details" for your big day.  Even the smallest detail can add so much fun and charm and truly make your day very special.  Well I have the perfect details for you all......and it's appropriately called..... Delightful Details.  Delightful Details  is a charming signage company owned by the incredible duo of two beautiful ladies, Karen and Meredith.......and get this, Karen is the mother-in-law to Meredith.  How cool is that?!!!!!!!  Please visit their site to learn more about their 0h-so-charming company and to see more images of their beautiful detailed work.  Enjoy!!!!!!!

I love these signs, how charming they will be at your wedding!!!! I can't wait to purchase these for my events!!!

The font on "This Way to the Wedding" sign is called "Whimsical"!  Love It!!!!!!!

The font on the "Reception" sign is called the "Amour"!

These are great, and yes, what a Delightful Detail to add such wonderful charm to your ceremony or reception!!!!!!

Ariella Chezar

Happy Monday Guys and what a wonderful way to open the cafe today!!!!!  I am soooooo happy to have not only one of my favorite floral designers but she is also a beautiful and an oh-so-sweet lady that has truly been an inspiration to me.......Ariella Chezar.  When I started my floral business three years ago, I contacted Ariella for a little advice in getting started.  When I received an e-mail response back from her, I was soooooo excited.....Ariella, I printed that e-mail and I still have it!!! Guys, she is truly "good people" and I'm so happy to have her here today!! 

I have been waiting to feature Ariella's interview since I launched the cafe but she's been a little busy.......being a new mom to her beautiful baby boy!!!!  Ariella's work is simply BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! and can be seen in countless wedding publications and hopefully you all own a copy of her wonderful book, Flowers for the Table.  So let's get started.......Enjoy!!!!!!!!

Ariella and "Moses the cat"!

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

Ariella:  More than anything I am inspired by nature, both wild and cultivated.

TBC:  What is the best part about about your job?

Ariella:  I have been blessed with scores of wonderful, creative clients who have provided me many opportunities to explore visions.  I love that.....stepping into someone else's mind for a few months, discovering what they find beautiful or inspiring, and then turning their vision into a reality.  Another best part, of course, is that I get to work with flowers.  What could be better?!!!!!!!

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Ariella:  Whenever I do a wedding on location, I try to draw as much as possible from what is locally available.  Two years ago I did a wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii. A week before the wedding we chose the majority of our flowers at various orchid and tropical flower farms.  Additionally, we brought crates of incredible tropical fruit at the Hilo farmers market.  It was pretty much as good as it gets.  Everything was so fresh, so delicious and so beautiful.

TBC:  In my opinion, I feel that a wedding without beautiful flowers is just like a blank canvas and if a bride's budget just doesn't allow for them to have the flowers that they dream of, what advice would you give them.

Ariella:  If you are set on a specific flower, organize your wedding around the time that flower is in season.  This will insure that even if you can't have lots of flowers, the ones that you do will be at their peak and as such, you won't necessarily need as many. I also think you can do  a lot with fabric, whether linens or runners, to create warmth and impact with color.  In this way, you don't necessarily need as many flowers to give you that color punch.

TBC:  What are your favorite color combinations to use for weddings?

Ariella:  It totally depends on the location and the bride.  I love orange and white.  I love green, orange and white, I love pink and grey, peach and grey, I love yellow combined with multiple shades of yellow, and I will eternally be in love with green.  I'm not crazy about pale pink and green or pale pink with lavender.  They are just a bit too sweet for me.  I love how you can make pink really sophisticated when you combine it with darker colors.

TBC:  What type of venues are the most fun to design for?

Ariella:  I prefer classic, old estates or outdoor settings with beautiful landscapes.

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her floral designer?

Ariella:  She should choose someone who listens to her, someone she feels comfortable with and of course, someone whose work she loves.

TBC:  Ariella, please share some fun details about your home life.  .

Ariella:  I have a wonderful fiance, a beautiful eleven week old little boy, four cats and a dog.  It's quite a party these days!!!!

Simply STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love Ariella's beautiful floral detail, and her selection of ribbon is always so beautiful and truly completes her design!!!!

Love the vibrant color of the tree peonies!

Oh-So-Charming!!!!!!  What a romantic bouquet!!!!!

Love, Love, Love these centerpieces.  Note Ariella's use of fresh fruit and veggies, wonderful textures and I love her use of vines!!!!

Simply elegant!!!!  I love the vintage vases for the flowers and the candles are perfect!!!!

The oh-so-beautiful images are courtesy of Victor Schrager, Meg Smith and Ariella Chezar!

Ariella, thanks so much for stopping by the cafe and spending a little time with us and "congrats" on being a new mommy!!!!!  No worries,  Ariella will be back soon for another cafe visit!!!

Hatch Creative Studio

One of the things that I love about my blog is showcasing other talented artist's works and today I have the pleasure to share with you the beautiful floral designs of  Barb Salzman of Hatch Creative Studio.  The stunning bouquet images were taken by the fabulous Jenny Ebert and I'm happy to say that Jenny will be back at the cafe in the coming weeks........but today it's all about Hatch Creative Studio!!!!  Enjoy!!!!!

I love Barb's use of texture!

I love the "fern curls", truly an "out-of-the-box" design!

Thanks Barb for sharing your beautiful and unique designs and totally inspiring us!

Tickled Pink

I started The Bride's Cafe six weeks ago and I wanted to personally thank everyone that has "cheered" me on and have been faithful visitors.  Thanks for all the lovely features and for all the wonderful comments.  I am truly "tickled pink"!  So in true "Cafe Style", I decided to feature some of my favorite pink floral designs.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season with their families and friends and thanks again for visiting the cafe!  We'll be back open on Wednesday, January 2nd!

Oh-So-Charming!!!

Oh-So-Romantic!!!

Oh-So-Elegant!!

 

Oh-So-Girly!!!

Matthew Robbins of Artfool

I am so honored and so happy to have as TBC's guest today, the oh-so-wonderful and talented Matthew Robbins of Artfool.  In my opinion, Matthew's designs are truly that of an artist.  I am always amazed at how he can take a blank canvas (the venue) and transform it into a "magazine worthy" wedding every time.  Just visit his website and check out the press page and you will see that his work has been featured in all the top wedding publications and you will see his latest designs in Martha Stewart Weddings due out later this month.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with Matthew and I must tell you that he is truly one of the nicest and most humble people that you will ever meet.  I am most happy to share with you that Matthew will be a monthly contributor at The Bride's Cafe!  Not only will he share his beautiful designs  and decor topics with us, he will also be here to answer any questions you may have regarding the decor for your wedding day.  Please e-mail your questions to me at janie@jmflora.com for our "Ask Matthew" segments.  Okay guys,  without further ado....I give you Matthew.......Enjoy!!!!!

TBC:  Matthew, what inspires you as a designer?

Matthew:  I'm constantly looking for ideas and inspiration in everything outside of my own world.  I trained as an artist in college so looking at art is a main source of inspiration.  I also look to fashion, interior design and my personal travels for new design concepts and ways of thinking abut color, form and texture.  My clients are always great inspiration as they each bring something unique to the design process.

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

Matthew:  I love the process.  Hunting for new materials and collaborating with fabulous clients and vendors to create truly memorable events.  I find so much joy in the details and nothing is more rewarding than watching a client walk into a room and actually notice and get crazy excited by all of the small details that went into forming the overall vision for the event.

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Matthew:  There have been many but one of my favorite moments was my first time on television with Martha Stewart.  I remember she called the magazine offices during a meeting I had to attend with the editors to discuss my very first story for the Weddings magazine.  My business was new and I was a fresh face in the "Martha world" so I was just a little nervous about the entire process.  She interrupted the meeting to phone into the editors with news that she loved my story and wanted to include it on her television program.  That was wonderful news and the start of an amazing and loyal relationship with Martha's company.

TBC: What advice would you give to the bride that really wants to have the flowers that she truly dreams of for her wedding but her budget just won't allow it?

Matthew:  I would say think outside of the "flower box".  In the end the color palette and how you apply basic design principles will decide whether or not your wedding or event is stunning, unique and stylish.  You can do incredible things with hits of bold color in your paper goods, table linens or larger blooms that don't require much attention.  Floating candles and huge open coral peonies can be so exquisite and you don't need to spend a fortune on hundreds of blooms to accomplish such a look.

TBC:  What are your favorite color combinations to use for weddings?

Matthew:  I'm a huge fan of muted tones like taupe or oatmeal with pops of very bold, fresh colors such as orange, yellow, or deep rich plum and chocolate with crisp white to add that edge of romance and elegance.  Green is always part of my palette so I don't even mention it as I always use it somewhere!

TBC:  What type of venues are the most fun to design for?

Matthew:  I love venues with garden settings.  My favorite venue is one that can feel like a fabulous home you are entertaining your guests in.  I always strive to make every wedding reception feel like an elegant dinner party.  I don't think anything could be more beautiful.

TBC:  What should a bride look for when choosing her floral designer?

Matthew:  I always suggest interviewing at least two designers even if you know and love one and you are sure he or she might be perfect for your wedding.  Having another to contrast and compare will only make you feel even better about your first pick!  It is really important to find a designer who listens.  They should care about what you are looking for and how you can all collaborate to create a unique event.  Also, always run from anyone who says they have a recipe or one approach for your venue just because they have worked in the space before.  The point is to make your event different and custom, not just another factory production.

TBC:  Matthew please share some fun details about your home life.  We want to get to know you a little.

Matthew:  My dog Ollie (black toy poodle) is my pal and constant friend after many long hours of designing, meeting, styling, traveling, etc.  He loves the flower market and always impresses new clients if he attends a meeting.  He is diligent at working the g00d PR!  Many of my friends and family always find it surprising when they learn I don't keep lots of cut flowers in my own home.  I prefer vintage bottles with one or two stems in each to accent side tables or a cluster down the middle of my dinning table for a party.

Shots from a wedding at the American Museum of Natural History.  Matthew and his talented team transformed the venue into the most beautiful wedding site.

Check out the "details" at each place setting. This is what Matthew was speaking on in the interview, the small details of the overall vision.

Matthew's floral designs are amazingly beautiful!

These two photos are from an event at Bedford Hills.  Simple, beautiful and elegant!  Here Matthew shows the taupe color with the table runner.......the punch of  bright color with the red using the lanterns and containers....the crisp white with the linens, chargers, silverware, and flowers to add the romance and elegance.

Simply stunning designs!!!!!!!  Thanks so much Matthew, this has been so much fun and I hope you all have found the inspiration you may have been seeking to help you with your wedding day!

Cafe Favorites!

I think many of you know by now that I truly love what I do.  I love being surrounded by beautiful flowers and I always keep fresh flowers in my home.  They really make me smile and I hope they do the same for you.  Today I am posting some of my favorite designs taken by Eleise Theuer.  Eleise is an amazing photographer and her work is simply breathtaking.  I am always so excited to see the photos after working with her.  Please visit her site and let me warn you, you can truly stay there for hours going through her beautiful work.  Thanks Eleise for always making my designs come to life on the pages.  Enjoy everyone!

For the bride that wants to "step out of the box" a little, I mixed different shades of red with roses, callas, rananculas and peonies accented with bupleurum.  It was Eleise's idea to put the bouquet in the "holiday cone container".  I'm telling you guys she's amazing!!

A sweet bouquet of pink parrot tulips and pink blushing bride.

For those who love yellow....callas, ranunculas and golden aster.

Perfect size for a mom to carry.......black magic roses and hypericum berries.

A white bouquet bursting with hydrangea, peonies and freesia.  The handle is wrapped with tiffany blue ribbon.

Also the perfect size for mom to carry.....a small bouquet of peonies and I added a little "bling" to the handle.

Peonies are my favorites!!!!!!!!!!

This bouquet was featured in the Spring/Summer 2007 edition of Brides Washington magazine and on their website.  Roses, star of bethlehem and berzillia berries make up this elegant bouquet.

A little something pink.....peonies, ranunculas, roses and cock's comb.

For a tropical vibe I mixed green cymbidium orchids, gloriosa lilies and anthurium.

A centerpiece mix of hydrangea, kermit mums, chocolate cymbidium orchids and scabiosa pods.

Vases wrapped with dupioni silk and filled with a fiery arrangement of zinnias and ornamental peppers.

I loved the blue and chocolate tin containers so I removed the cocoa and added the roses.  A charming look at a reception.

   

I "heart" the fern curls!!!!!!