2017 has been an amazing year with more incredible opportunities than I knew existed for me! I started the year off in January with my project Four Seasons of Local Flowers featured in Florists' Review. It was authored by Debra Prinzing of SlowFlowers and documented my year designing with only locally grown flowers and foliage grown on Plant Masters' farm in Maryland.
I found it only fitting to end my fantastic year on their farm celebrating and thanking many of the local wedding creatives that have made 2017 a huge success for Petals by the Shore .
Alexandra & Samantha Jaeger, Me, Rebekah Coxe & Joy Michelle of Joy Michelle Photography, Katie MacGregor of Rose Gold Events & Styling, Kirsten Smith of Kirsten Smith Photography, Aimee Griffin of A.Griffin Events and Leon Carrier of Plant Masters. Photo by Kirsten Smith Photography.
So instead of elaborate gift packages ending up on their door step I wanted to give them an experience to ignite the holiday spirit and let them know how much they mean to me - what better way than with a wreath making party at Plant Masters' flower farm in Laytonsville, MD.
With the help of Leon Carrier and his staff at Plant Masters we planned a fun morning for all these wedding industry creatives! Coffee, hot cider, pastries and holiday music awaited all them as well as a station for each of them with gloves, shears and a little present - a bucket list notebook because, well life is too short and we need to have some amazing bucket list adventures planned!!!
Kirsten Smith of Kirsten Smith Photography was kind enough to come with her camera in hand and document our morning so I can share with all of you and also remember one of the best mornings I've had in a long time!! The temperature was perfect for December and Leon had a fire burning - it was the perfect ambiance to get in the spirit for all of us who do not take enough time to do things for ourselves to unwind. Wedding season is no joke and we all just put our heads down and work our tails off to make dreams come true but it can take a toll on our health and our home lives so we have to make sure we take time for self care and for family time! Yesterday morning full-filled that self-care, pampering to-do!
I just love this b/w of Aimee Griffin! Look at that smile - pure joy being in her element!!
Leon guided all the girls in choosing their greenery and berries which included ilex berries, holly, white pine, cryptomeria, spruce, juniper, magnolia, thuja, cedar, nandina, blue atlas. They all made 10 lush bundles that they would then gather and place onto a wreath form and clamp with a foot crank on the wreath machine. I then handmade big bows of their choosing - reliving my Michaels' Arts and Crafts days where bow making was my jam! Side note: my first job out of college in 2003 was lead floral designer at the Rockville, MD Michaels' Arts and Crafts while Joe was serving in Iraq. I'd choose fresh flowers over faux any day - though I did create some beautiful things!
With Joy & Rebekah of Joy Michelle Photography
Thank you Leon & Carol for being such great supporters of local designers and of the local wedding industry! I love that I was able to bring them all to your farm and have them experience why designing with locally grown and American Grown flowers and foliage is such a spiritual experience for me and one that fuels my business! We had a amazing morning on your farm and our doors and mantles are festive because of you!
