We got to work on the dreamiest wedding last weekend up in Santa Ynez. Have you been to SY before? It is such a picturesque place to visit, very special, with giant oak trees and meadows and old barns that happen to still stand to hold celebrations such as the one we experienced last weekend. There was so much love and so much magic in the air! 

Our very heartfelt congratulations to you Corye + Justin!

xx

Flowers for a Japanese Ceremony

This past Sunday I was asked to create some flowers for a very special Japanese wedding ceremony. I think that you know that I do not do weddings often. Every once in a while though something incredibly special comes my way. This was for my friend and collaborator, Kumiko. I was honored to be able to contribute to her special day with some wildflower creations. Kumiko was truly one radiant bride, full of bursting happiness and grace.

Thank you Kumiko + Chikara. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, health and love.

xo

lovely assistant / flower child  Jessica working away

last minute motorcycle flower delivery thanks to Elijah

floral regalia to grace the groom

A few outtakes from a wedding ceremony that was held in a rather dusty hillside. The marigolds were key in making a statement. Well, the marigolds and that electric pink tapestry that made the walkway! I especially liked that for this ceremony we made a floral crown for the groom (above modeled by Elijah). It was a sincere gesture for a rather shy groom and really made a quiet but radiant statement. 

Per usual, couldn't have done it without the help of my lovely and skilled flower child assistant Jessica and the all around brilliant Elijah.

recent work for a California desert wedding for artist Bari Zipperstein.

x

 

. . . just a few more shots! Seriously though, The Ecology Center is such a magical place!

Kristen + Evan

Wildflower bouquet inspired by the Moon

bride + grooms' chairs

natural dyed fabric + flower garlands 

natural dyed runners + foraged flowers and branches

wildflower + herb bouquets and naturally dyed fabric garlands

wedding guest (I love the light in this pic)

gold-leafed jars + candle holders

keepin it wild!

V.v. was there to be our cheerleader ;)

Hi friends! I always feel a bit reluctant to jump right back into the swing the things when I get back from a trip, especially a really special one. I wasn't sure where to start when I received a wonderful email by my dear friend Kristin Morrison of Colour Plantae.

Kristin is an artist who works with botanical dyes (all natural and usually foraged from proximity to wherever she is) and textile arts. In other words, she is sensational! Her work and her spirit are incredibly inspiring. Is it any wonder that she is married to Evan Marks of The Ecology Center?! Evan, also a dear friend and force of beaming nature to reckon with, has deeply inspired and encouraged not only my work but my life philosophy. And if you have been along for the TIGERS to LILIES ride for some time you know how much I covet the The Ecology Center. All this to say, when Kristin and Evan asked me to do their wedding flowers, I enthusiastically said YES !

We planted a wedding garden in the Ecology Center's already lush native gardens and promptly got to work. Kristin created dyes from pomegranates, elderberries, nuts and yarrow and started dyeing fabric. The above photos are a tiny peek into the world that we created for their sincerely heartfelt wedding day. I was able to forage flowers and herbs from our wedding garden and with the help of the Ecology Center's really stellar staff we pulled off one heck of a beautiful wedding.

Kristin's wedding bouquet was inspired by the moon. Elijah's poetic idea, actually. I turned strips of unused dyed fabric into streamers to add a touch of elegance. I gold + copper leafed jars to give a warm candle glow at dusk and the California sun gave us extraordinary light and the rest is history! I am so grateful for this entire experience. 

Thank you so much Kristin and Evan and so much love to you both.

the wedding garden

inside their geodesic dome, where the magic begins

the ecology center!

flower seedling starters

creating lil planting nests for them in between straw

seedling starters happy beginnings

taking a break inside for tea with evan

I've written about The Ecology Center  before. I helped on the flower front with Green Feast here and here. Now my friends Evan Marks (founder, brilliant mind behind The Ecology Center) and Krissy Morrison (remember our natural dye workshop with her?) of Colour Plantae are getting married and having their party at The Ecology Center this October!

The three of us have started a wedding garden to have fresh flowers and herbs to cut and use! How beautiful is that? And fun! Evan got the seedlings started and I commenced planting them in their gardens this week. This is the beginning of a really special gesture, I can feel it. All the while just being there is such a moment of peace, of positivity and of sunshine. If you should want to pay them a visit and volunteer I can guarantee you that you will leave the grounds so lifted and full of life. It's abundant everywhere there. This is such a dream project. I'm all about this kind of awareness and respect, not just for Evan and Krissy but for what they represent, what The Ecology Center represents, and all the people there who put in so much time and heart to educate, to grow, to share, and to make the world a better place. Did I mention they just got their beehive all set up...now go and get some honey and make your life a little sweeter!