McClaine-Garretson Wedding Flowers - Otesaga Resort - Cooperstown, NY: Part I

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of creating the wedding flowers for Sherry McClaine and Matt Garretson at the amazing Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York. The natural beauty nearly took my breathe away. Even the most beautiful blooms can have a hard time competing with this view!

Detail of copper pew bucket. Orange mokara orchids, green hydrangea, hanging amaranthus, yellow spray roses, and scented geranium.

The candle holders were created by a close friend of the bride and groom from a fallen magnolia tree. He also made the arch which now resides in their garden! A little moss, orchids, and a glass hurricane made them the perfect table top decor for the cocktail hour.

More cocktail hour loveliness....

The place card table made entirely of moss, held little twigs with pictures of birds instead of traditional table numbers. The large arrangement consisted of spirea and curly willow. Coincidentally the Otesaga borders a audubon bird sanctuary, how perfect is that?

Mantle piece

The centerpieces were created in white birch pots surrounded by moss.

Each bridesmaid carried slightly varied bouquets of green hydrangea, loosetrife, orange mokara orchids, yellow ranunculus, fiddleheads, scented geranium, and mango calla lilies.

Here I am finishing the brides bouquet. I just loved everything about it! The white phalaenopsis orchids really added a touch of drama. She also carried green hydrangea, yellow oncidium orchids, orange mokara orchids, mango calla lilies, and curly willow.

Matt and Sherry were an amazing couple to work with! Their love of nature and animals were reflected in all of the decor and materials used throughout the wedding. Thank you so much for letting me share in your special day! Congratulations!!!!!

Click Here to see photos from Part II of this wedding

Hand-tied Bouquet Workshop

You know you have mastered this technique when the bouquet is able to become free standing, cool huh?

This past Friday, I had such a wonderful time working with the lovely women who participated in the workshop. We used a palette of pink, white, and green. Roses, peonies, lilacs, orchids, hydrangeas, spirea, and hosta leaves were used to create fragrant bouquets. My main objectives when teaching are for the students to learn basic techniques, and to then apply those skills to create unique and individual works of art. I would hate for everyone to walk away with a cookie cutter design.

 

Tulipmania

I was looking through some of my recent photos, and came across these lovelies. I just adore tulips, especially the parrot variety. Their ruffled "feathery" appearance, hence their name, and the way they arch so gracefully. Every day they put on a different show as they continue to grow and bend towards the light. It is easy to see why so many seventeenth century Dutchmen went broke investing in the precious bulbs, I undoubtedly would have joined in the "Tulipmania".

This weekend, on May 8th & 9th, is the 62nd Annual Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park. Over 200,000 tulip blossoms will be the star attraction! Another highlight will be the crowning of a new Tulip Queen. The Queen will reign for a year, and serve as a goodwill ambassador throughout Albany.