a birthday celebration
Posted by admin | Filed under Current Events, Parties
A few months ago, I received an inquiry from a gentleman who wanted to surprise his wife with a 2 day celebration here in Stonington for her big 5-0. Since he wasn’t from the area, I immediately put him in touch with Sarah from True Event to coordinate the weekend event.
The florals for day one were feminine and classic~ peonies, hydrangeas, orchids and pale pink garden roses. A perfect complement to the quintessential New England dinner held at Skipper’s Dock in Stonington Borough.
Day two started with a day sail and lunch on the Argia. Our next door neighbors here at Hana! Not only does the Argia do day sails and sunset sails, you can book the ship for rehearsal dinners and weddings too!
The festivities continued with dinner at the Stonington Harbor Yacht club. A gorgeous color palette of turquoise, magenta, lime green and orange set the scene. We used anemones, peonies, godetia, delphinium, agapanthus, and some interesting berries to bring those colors to life.
What a birthday celebration! And sincere thanks to Anna Sawin for these great images!
What a great welcome bag! Including lobster cookies by Sugarbelle and custom coffee from Ashlawn Farm!
The Argia getting ready to pick up guests in Stonington.
Just beautiful~ menu cards by Chocolate Creative Design.
Tags: Add new tag, anna sawin photography, argia cruises, chocolate creative design, Hana Floral Design, skipper's dock, stonington harbour yacht club, True Event
stephanie and greg, may 23rd
Posted by admin | Filed under Weddings
We’ve been pretty busy cranking out weddings this month, but I have to take a minute to share some amazing imagery of Stephanie and Greg’s wedding that Justin and Mary just posted on their blog.
For some reason or other, maybe it’s my pre-flower career of recruiting that has helped, but I can really tell when a gal is a “hana bride”. It may have a little to do with flower choices and style, but it’s ultimately the ‘warm and fuzzy’ that I get after meeting with someone.
And after meeting Stephanie, I just knew she’d be a bride of ours. And on wedding day, the ‘warm and fuzzies’ came flooding right back as Stephanie and I share a moment and some happy tears.
I wish you all the best Stephanie and Greg!
And as always, thank you to Justin and Mary, who shot this beautiful wedding! If you haven’t already, check out their blog right now!!!
stephanie’s bouquet made up of all white peonies and lily of the valley
preppy chic~ peonies, viburnum, hydrangeas and bear grass!
ceremony decor and gorgeous cake by Ana Parzych
just love this shot of Stephanie getting ready to make her entrance
the happy couple!
Tags: ana parzych custom cakes, Hana Floral Design, Jennie Fresa, Justin Marantz
15 years and counting…
Posted by admin | Filed under Current Events
Those who know me, know I am a ‘retro’ kinda girl. For example, it took forever for me to finally give in to this blogging world of ours! I still don’t facebook, and I have no idea what “twitter” really is or does! And I loathe texting!!! I stink at it.
I just like things that have stood the test of time.
And while I am not super comfy blogging about my personal life, today is a special day. It is my 15th wedding anniversary. That’s right, 15 years!
You’d have to be some kind of romantic to be in the wedding industry, and contrary to popular belief, ( I can hear my friends laughing!) I really am a diehard romantic. Give me the classics~ Anna Karenina, Heathcliff and Catherine, a Pablo Neruda poem, Casablanca, any Puccini opera, and I am in bliss!
There is something so vulnerable and utterly romantic about throwing your heart out there without any guarantee of love being returned.
What greater risk is there? But if love is returned, is there any greater reward?
15 years ago today, we took that risk. We danced to “Too Young” by Nat King Cole. We knew we were young, but willing. I won’t bore you with all the details, and I can’t show you a picture because 15 years ago, our wedding was caught completely on film in a world where Pictage did not yet exist!
I just wanted to say to all my past, present and future brides and grooms, I wish you all ceaseless, boundless, everlasting love and more.
And to my hubby, Happy Anniversary. I love you to the moon and back.
BridesCT photo shoot at Winvian
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A few weeks ago, our friends from BridesCT asked us to create 4 different bouquets for the Spring/Summer 2010 cover of all regional Brides magazines. They wanted certain color combinations, and also requested a bouquet I made for a bride last year. I did my best to recreate it!
The new issue should be out this Fall. We can’t wait to see which bouquet they shot!
Thank you BridesCT!
In the meantime, let me just gush about Winvian! It is positively gorgeous and what a location for a wedding! In addition to reserving one of the truly one-of-a kind cottages, you can now book the Gordon Brown house for your wedding reception or have a tented affair on this bucolic property.
Winvian has the distinct honor of being named a Relais & Chateaux luxury hotel. There really is nothing like it.
Tags: brides.com, BridesCT, Hana Floral Design, relais et chateaux, winvian
victoria and tim, may 16th
Posted by admin | Filed under Weddings
It’s my pleasure to show off these fabulous photos from Maggie Conley!
We recently worked on a wedding together for one of our vendor friends, Ms. Victoria Sorenson from Gourmet Galley. Victoria married her high school sweetheart, Tim Mueller, on a foggy Saturday at the Eugene O’Neil theater center.
Victoria has impeccable taste and her flair for vintage style was apparent throughout the wedding. She used a combination of milk glass containers, iron candelabras, and vintage birds as part of her floral decor. We also created a backdrop of trees and flowering branches with birds and nests tucked in as guests entered the barn.
Peonies, lilacs and garden roses were the focal flowers, all in shades of blush, ivory,beige and accents of eggplant.
Aside from the amazing food provided of course, by Gourmet Galley, there was lighting and music by Power Posse, gorgeous works of paper art, by Christine from Stonington Design and Paperie, and there to help execute the day, was Sarah from True Event.
It was a magical celebration and we were delighted to be a part!
Congratulations Victoria and Tim!
Tags: gourmet galley, Hana Floral Design, Maggie Conley Photography, Power Posse, Stonington Design and Paperie, True Event
recap: Weddings the creative process
Posted by admin | Filed under Uncategorized
On May 3rd, we played hostess, along with True and Wesson, as we welcomed the gracious Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty. It was a cloudy Sunday here in Stonington, but that didn’t stop brides and vendors from coming out to meet Abby and the long list of talented vendors that were showcased.
The participating vendors chatted with the audience upstairs, while other guests mingled on the main floor to taste, touch, hear,see and smell the goods!
And the icing on the cake, besides the scrumptious cupcakes by Sugarbelle, was listening to Abby discuss the concept of inspiration boards and how they can set the tone for your wedding!
I just want to say a huge THANK YOU and BRAVO to Sarah and Lucinda for coming up with the concept and organizing the event. And many thanks to all the talented vendors who participated and gave up a Sunday for us. And finally, to Abby, who came down to pay us a visit!!!
And one more thank you to Maggie Conley and Maria, who took these oh so lovely images of our flowers!!!
Tags: Hana Floral Design, Maggie Conley Photography, style me pretty, sugarbelle, true and wesson, weddings the creative process
A True event
Posted by admin | Filed under Current Events, Parties
I’ve known Sarah for about 3 years now, and I’m so proud of her new business venture, True Event. She is half of the dynamic duo of True and Wesson, Lucinda being her partner in crime. Well, mostly Lucinda, the crime that is….
Sarah has recently partnered with Chamard vineyards and will now be their exclusive event planner for all Chamard weddings and events. Last Saturday, Sarah and Chamard hosted industry professionals and friends to a blind wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres by Dinners at the Farm and 5 course dinner provided by the talented foodie, Anna Lathrop of Gourmet Galley.
We were happy to provide flowers for this event. I was sorry that I missed it!
Here are some images from the INCREDIBLE Denise Cregier! Thanks so much Denise for sending these my way!
And don’t forget about another incredible event this Sunday, that we are co-hosting with Sarah and Lucinda, featuring guest speaker Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty! There are still tickets available.
Go to www.weddingsthecreativeprocess.blogspot.com for more info.
Hope to see you there!
Tags: chamard vineyards, denise cregier, dinners at the farm, gourmet galley, Hana Floral Design, style me pretty, true and wesson, weddings the creative process
Weddings~ the creative process…
Posted by admin | Filed under Current Events
I am happy to announce a fantastic event we’re co-hosting with my good friends, Sarah and Lucinda from True and Wesson on May 3rd. The guest speaker is none other than Abby Larson from Style Me Pretty! Style Me Pretty, in case you haven’t stumbled upon it, is an incredible wedding inspiration blog for the ’style obsessed bride’ and we’re lucky members of Abby’s Little Black Book of wedding vendors.
The event is all about creating a sensory experience for your wedding. And Abby will be discussing how to incorporate the 5 senses into a design board for your wedding.
The event is an absolute MUST if you are a bride who is getting married in the area! For more information and to purchase tickets, go to weddings the creative process.
Tags: Hana Floral Design, style me pretty, true and wesson, weddings the creative process
Panel Discussion #2
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Better late than never I say. As promised, here are some images from panel discussion #2 with acclaimed event planner, Michelle Rago. She just came out with her new book, Signature Weddings, which is a gorgeous look book of some of Michelle’s incredible events. It was a huge thrill to meet Michelle let alone create some bouquets with her work in mind!
Also on the panel was senior editor of Brides.com, the lovely Anne Chertoff, who just came out with a fantastic wedding organizer. Michelle and Anne, along with Beth and Christine shared their stories of wedding planning to the audience.
The night before was a fantastic networking party held at The White Dress by the Shore, catered by A Thyme to Cook. Linda always “wows” me when we work on an event together, and this was no exception. She had tee shirts made with the menu printed, and baseball caps created out of artichokes, limes and other fruits and veggies. And a signature cocktail from Michelle’s book was served. It was delish!
And later into the evening, a small gathering of us went over to the Bee and Thistle to have dinner and chat with Michelle and Ann.
Thanks ladies for a fantastic weekend! And special thanks to Justin and Mary for these amazing photos~ just gorgeous!
yellow is so ‘in’ right now
tasty little things, and so artfully displayed!
a gorgeous cake display from cake artiste, Ana Parzych
Tags: a thyme to cook, ana parzych custom cakes, ann chertoff, bee and thistle inn and spa, brides.com, Hana Floral Design, Justin Marantz, michelle rago ltd, something blue special events, Stonington Design and Paperie, The White Dress by the Shore
Simple Stunning Event
Posted by admin | Filed under Parties
March has been busy with events! We had the honor and delight of creating bouquets inspired by famed event planner and author, Karen Bussen. This was the start of a series of panel discussions held at The White Dress by the Shore~ hosted by my friends, Beth, owner of The White Dress by the Shore, and Christine, owner of Stonington Design and Paperie.
The phenom photographers, Justin and Mary Marantz, were also part of the panel discussion. Justin took these amazing shots of the bouquets. He always makes our flowers look their best! Thanks Justin!!!
And Allison Salvati from Something Blue Special Events pulled the event together with style.
Karen was a delight to get to know and her books are simply amazing! And her Simple Stunning Flowers is so helpful when choosing your wedding flowers.
#2 in the panel discussions was held today, with acclaimed floral designer and planner, Michelle Rago. I can’t tell you what a thrill that was for me personally. We’ll have pics for you soon!
Tags: Hana Floral Design, Justin Marantz, Karen Bussen, something blue special events, Stonington Design and Paperie, The White Dress by the Shore