Tropical Paradise

I love working at a venue that offers something different. You may not know, but Greenery Productions is proudly the exclusive floral and foliage provider for the Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando which includes the Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort. It was such a pleasure to work with Rosemary on this wedding. Meredith carried a bouquet of bombay orchids, mini green cymbidium orchid blossoms and garnet glow mini calla lilies all accented with variegated liriope.

The girls carried an all bombay orchid bouquet accented with loops of variegated liriope with the same as a stem wrap accented with peacock blue pearl pins.

As evident, orchids were the theme of this wedding. The couple absolutely loved the lobby of the Royal Pacific Resort which is home to hundreds of exotic potted orchid specimens.

The tables were dressed with turquoise lamour and nile lamour for the chairs with a shimmer sheer sash all provided by BBJ Linen. The tropical centerpieces included birds of paradise, green and purple dendrobium orchid sprays, coontie fern variegated liriope.

The ceremony was held beach side overlooking the lake. You couldn't have asked for better weather. Just a slight breeze as the potted orchid gardens stood witness to the couple exchanging vows.

LAVENDER TWICE AS NICE

Lavender seems to be the popular color looking back on April. Although a slower month for weddings, we remain busy at Greenery Productions. A couple of weddings recently included lavender as the primary color. The first was at the Grand Bohemian with Tracy Marini of Eventfully Yours. The bride carried an all white bouquet of white mini calla lilies. The girls (sorry no image) carried a Picasso Mini Calla lily bouquet. They are white with purple throats, a very interesting flower. You can click on this link to see this wonderful flower. The altar pieces are a little shorter than I like, however as a cost savings measure, we created them so they would be moved into the reception as centerpieces. Shown here on our signature 42" palace vase with open cut calla lilies, lavender roses, hybrid white lilies, white dendrobium orchid sprays, curly willow and natural greenery. The still reached nearly six feet overall.

The short centerpiece designed in a hour glass style vase with white hydrangea, lavender roses, lavender tulips and large open cut calla lilies.

And a nice close up of the tall centerpieces.

The second wedding was at Leu Gardens with Brandee Gaar of Blush. It was such a beautiful day, a little windy but that was nice to keep the temperature in check. Paige and her mom are such wonderful people, such a nice family. Paige carried an all eggplant colored mini calla lily bouquet, one of my favorite flowers.

The female attendants carried a bouquet of white hydrangea and wonderful bi-colored lavender rose called Stranger. Click on the link for a close up. The flower girls carried a bouquet of lavender / powder blue hydrangea.

A combination of short and tall centerpieces dressed the purple bengaline covered tables. A short 8" square leaf lined vase included an arrangement of white hydrangea, Stranger Roses, lavender dendrobium orchids and loops of lily grass. The tall centerpieces were a simple arrangement of 5 - 6' curly willow branches with glass hanging votives hung from the branches with white dendrobium orchid blossoms arranged about the rim of the vase.

In the house this evening with Brandee was Brian of Tagas Event and Production Services, Root Photography, Arthur's Catering, & Party Flavors. The cake was decorated with lavender dendrobium orchid blossoms.

FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN A GREAT FLORAL DESIGN TEAM, THEN THE KNOT POSTINGS AND FINALLY THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS

What more could one ask for? Ironically when I found out that the "Pink Palace" wedding (noticeable below) was posted on The Knot, I didn't think much of it, it was a beautiful wedding and all, but I was no longer advertising with The Knot so I didn't bother taking a look at it on line. The bride sent me the images so I thought that was all I needed. Then another bride submitted her wedding so I said well let me take a look. And wouldn't you know it, there were post from FIVE different weddings. I was thrilled and suprised to say the least. Also in 2006 I was selected to provide floral and decor for the Central Florida market party and in 2007 the Tampa area market party. I share all this with you because just recently we were awarded 2008 / 2009 The Knot Best of Weddings (thus the logo on our homepage). This accolade means so much to me. The companies are selected by brides that have completed a survey requested only by The Knot. A vendor can not reach out to a bride and request they vote for them. So a huge thank you to the brides that shared their experiences with The Knot. A tremendous thank you for all my past and present clients, our extended family of vendor partners and most of all to the entire team present and past at Greenery Productions. Without each individual's contribution at GP, none of this would be possible. THANK YOU! A special thank you to Rhonda from The Knot for all her support.

FRIENDS THAT FELL IN LOVE

One of the great things about what I do is that from time to time I have the pleasure of working with friends on their wedding. In 2000 (or there abouts) Tracy Hensler, Patrick Hollon and myself met at UCF from the professional fraternity we were all involved in, Alpha Kappa Psi. Both Tracy and Patrick pledged the semester after I became a brother. They were not involved prior to AKPSI but we all knew something was brewing. Patrick and Tracy were married in December at The Grand Bohemian. I knew they needed a coordinator to help them plan their big day. So what other trusted source would I call in for such a wonderful couple but Tracy Marini with Eventfully Yours. Thanks to Kevin Keelan for capturing such wonderful images to pick from of the wedding and those of Raul and I. I enjoy being around such positive spirits like Tracy and Kevin.

Tracy carried a beautiful, soft and elegant bouquet of hand wired white cymbidium orchid blossoms and white mini calla lilies with a collar of birds nest fern from Australia. I love using this soft and vibrant foliage for bouquet collars. The girls carried a bouquet of eggplant colored mini calla lilies called Schwarzwalder, one of my favorite flowers of all time. They are the right choice for a sophisticated and sleek bouquet.

Tracy was such a radiant bride................look how stunning she was (and still is)!

And the wonderful Hensler family. Their mom and dad are just the sweetest parents you have ever met. Missy Hensler was married earlier this year, her wedding will soon be profiled.

The challenge of the famous pole seemed to disappear for us this evening. We erected our white chiffon drapery behind the ceremony site and hit it with pink uplights with cerise pink and green orchid drops. Our 40' white carpet lead up to the ceremony site set at an angle closest to the pool; the first set up of this kind from what I have been told by those that have worked at the Grand Bo. It turned out to be a great way to set up a ceremony for this venue.

Black Magic & Cerise colored roses created a lush cake topper and cascade. The centerpiece was a collection of three varying size cube vases with the same roses arranged in them accented with Italian Ruscus. Simple was there desire (trust me I tried for more creativity)!

It's always especially rewarding to join in the celebration after a long days work. Raul and I were amongst other friends; John Newstreet, Michelle (Turner Cyr), Nathan Cyr and Missy Hensler as we all celebrated the union of Patrick and Tracy.

TWICE AS NICE PART II

As I mentioned below, two special weddings. The second wedding on February 21st, 2009 was for Megan Machaby. How can I not start off with this cute little bundle of joy belonging to Erin Machaby who was married November 2007 at Wild Acres in Paisley Florida by the same team that is marrying Megan. I have committed myself to blogging almost immediately after the wedding with photos I have taken. But often times a wonderful photographer is on site and I wait to receive some images from them before blogging. The images that Abby Liga and her team captured are short of inspirational. You know for a design team it is all about our work that we want to capture. But sometimes, point and case, it is about stepping back and reflecting on the family and the love that has brought us all together again. Thank you Lisa from E-vents for inviting me again to participate in such a special occasion for such a beautiful family. So I thought it would be fitting to share some of those special images with all of you.

Megan and her mom, see what I mean about those photos, Abby you are just awesome!

Megan (the bride) and her sister Erin.

Although we had planned on scroll work on the aisle with a blend of colors, the wind on the 6th floor of The Grand Bohemian won out. I think I like the lush blend and color palette of rose petlas we created instead.

9 - 10 foot dragon branches with hanging crystals surrounded by lush Australian Foliage. These would be later moved into the reception with hanging votive candles added.

Again, just another wonderful reflection of the family. Megan looks so peaceful as her mother and dad prepare to hand her off to Hunter.

I love the ceremony site, however I hate the pole which always drives me crazy.

Megan carried a bouquet of purple hydrangea in varying hues with rich merlot colored dahlias and sweet william. The girls bouquets had the same except for antique green hydrangea instead of the purple hydrangea.

This wedding was certainly a collaborative effort with the bride creating and providing certain elements and Lisa's drive to push me as always to think outside the norm. If you know and have worked with me then you know I hate it when someone refers to my team as florist. Recently after a conversation with another industry professional, this got me to reflecting on what we really do and my new slogan, "We don't just design floral, We design events!" We plan, advise, design and provide all the decor from the linens, uplighting, rented tables and chairs and of course all the floral decor. I think the below pictures and all my blogs certainly reflect on my commitment for perfection no matter how small the detail.

Purple Velvet linens from Wildflower Linens for the 5' square tables were paired with Violet Gold Crushed Satin from Over The Top Inc. on 5' round tables with black chiavari chairs at both tables. The lanterns below were all painted silver by Megan and we popped a battery operated t-light in them. Megan also provide the gold chargers.

I am so appreciative that Abby captures images we'll remember for a lifetime. We often don't get to stop and reflect on what all the efforts look like when it's all complete. I told her recently that her skill allows us to step back and reflect on the wedding story from beginning to end.

The centerpieces; a masterpiece with a short life. Two designs utilizing many of the same elements. The first design was a base of purple hydrangea supporting 3 hollow 24" tubes with purple hydrangea surround dendrobium orchids sprays with cascading eggplant mini calla lilies arranged atop. Crystals are hung from the underside of the arrangement.

The second design is a 24" barrel shaped vase filled with water and illuminated crystals. Atop the rim is a three tiered Moroccan crystal chandelier with an arrangement of purple hydrangea and dendroiums with cascading eggplant mini calla lilies. To really appreciate these masterpiece, double click on the pictures.

The cake was designed by Anna Cakes. The cake table has a funny story of sorts. I am always challenged with creating a cake able that enhances the cake and is complimentary to the rest of the decor. Another one of those Lisa things (gotta love it). So Unique Option who was providing the cocktail and after party furniture started loading in. I said I NEED one of those end tables to rise the cake. And as you can see a little Tommy Love was all that was needed by attaching cymbidium orchid blossoms to the table and presto, instant on site solution. I really wish you could see the linen that was on the cake and head table, it was stunning.

TWICE AS NICE PART I

February 21st, 2009 TWO WEDDINGS, not a big deal, I have done seven on a Saturday. But the big deal for me that makes me so proud is to have the opportunity to marry a second daughter for each of the family's (in this and the above profile) both on the same day. My first entry about this very special day will be about the Masi's. I just absolutely love Rita Masi. I think on January 1st, 2008 I must have been one of the first vendors she called to tell me that her second daughter Erin was getting married. With all the excitement she was ready to start the planning. In February I finally got to meet Erin at the Ritz Carlton Wedding show (The Ritz was where her sister got married and where she wanted to get married). So Erin and I convinced mom to let her focus on her studies so that she could pass the bar with flying colors. She did just that in June (CONGRATULATIONS) so we started the planning soon after. Below are the images of a beautiful wedding that has a lot of meaning to those that were involved. I also thought it would be fitting to profile Rita's first daughters wedding which follows the first set of pictures. Erin's bouquet was created with some of the most exotic orchids available, japphet and cattleya orchids accented with stephanotis and dendrobium orchid blossoms.

The female attendants carried all hand wired green cymbidium orchid and white dendrobium orchids.

A wonderful family picture of the Masi's and of course Rita is looking FIERCE!

Boutonnieres created with a single green cymbidium orhcid blossoms artistically embellished with bear grass wrapped with bouillon. No green floral tape here.

The ceremony was held at the beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek with a lush aisle of red rose petals.

Florence urn arrangement of ivory roses and white dendrobium orchids sprays, curly willow branches and natural greenery flanked the ceremony backdrop. These were later moved to the reception.

The tables were dressed with ivory Bichon, maize lamour colored chair covers with a gold lamour bow all provided by BBJ Linen. Center of each table is a 28" palace vase filled with water and topped with an arrangement of hydrangea and roses.

Just loved the purse.

Love the tastefully done sweet table complete with Godiva Chocolate.

And of course none other than Tracy Marini from Eventfully Yours keeping all the troops in line. Tracy is on the far left, I am third in, Jen Rosenthal from Rosen Shingle Creek and Tracy's assistant, Ashley (here wedding was profiled earlier).

And Rita's first daughter married at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando November 2006. Looking back, I think orchids are a favorite with this family.

The gazebo with the back flanked by arrangements of roses, open cut calla lilies and orchid sprays.

Vineyard Grill hosted the reception. A horseshoe shaped head table with three lush arrangements created with roses, orchids sprays, open cut calla lilies, green button mums and complimented with seasonal floral accents and natural greenery.

Although an intimate affair with 3 guest tables, no detail was overlooked. The guest tables had a lush and breath taking arrangement atop 3-foot dragon wood. The head table was dressed with moss bichon with a fern shimmer sheer overlay.