Bella Style

Winter Wonderland

2012-02-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

I looooove winter weddings! Especially when they're done right- and this one was definitely done right. I loved the creamy whites of the roses, spray roses, ranuculus and snapdragon we used for the lush table pieces. And the silvery dusty miller, silver brunia and hint of thistle added a really winter wonderland feel to arrangements. Add the soft candlelight we provided for the tables and tasteful decor the bride used to enhance the simple beauty of the barn at Harrington Farm and you have a bit of magic! Thanks to Robert Norman Photography for sharing some of the georgous images he shot that day. They really capture the beauty of the day.

Heather & Pat Part 1: Bridal Party

2011-12-27T04:29:00.001-08:00

I was excited to be a part of Heather and Pat's wedding from the first time we met to talk flowers. Heather and her mom were so nice and such fun to talk to. And the color selection- deep plum with accents of vibrant pink and oranges- and flower choice- native dahlias (my fav!)- were right up my alley. Throw in a bit of vintage charm and I was in love!

Suzanne March photographed the wedding and her georgous, georgous shots really do tell the beautiful story so well. You can check out more images from this wedding on her blog www.suzannamarchphotography.com- and I will post some of the reception when I get them - but for now take a peak at these. In a word- WOW!!

Romance at The Villa

2011-12-23T03:22:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, I am very, very behind on my blog posts! But now that wedding season has quieted down and I have a bit of room to breathe, I'm going to refocus my efforts and try to share most of the weddings we were fortunate enough to be a part of this fall and early winter. I'm backtracking a bit with this one, but I can't wait to show you.. this wedding was really really lovely and infused with rich color in all the right places (love the shoes!!).

Sarah and Rad were married on a georgous fall day in mid September. The deep red color the couple chose to use was a perfect compliment to the early autumn landscape and the fruitwood tones of The Villa's main ballroom. And, it allowed for us to use the georgous roses, dahlias and calla lilies that comprised Sarah's lush bouquet (love, love, ,love)! The bridal party flowers and ceremony were done in all white- fluffy white hydrangea, large open white roses and more dahlias. It was a lovely contrast to the deep red tones of the other flowers- quite a romantic, elegant combination!

Kristina Smith Photography captured the beauty of the day so well with georgous photos that really told the story. Here are just a few of the breathtaking images:

Ladyslipper Orchids and Luscious Color!

2011-11-16T16:37:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics from last weekend's wedding. I have many more posts to catch up on, but I loved the colors in these bouquets and I adore ladyslipper orchids so I couldn't resist taking a few minutes to post these. Check back soon for lots more weddings- I should have some beautiful professional photos from events we provided flowers for in October and early November!

Love Fall!

2011-10-12T12:13:00.001-07:00

Last weekend found us back at the Codman Estate in Lincoln. Every time I go there I am floored by the sheer natural beauty of the grounds, and the romantic feel of the garden where many couples choose to exchange vows. It was such a georgous day- warm, sunny, happy- and I'm sure that vibe lasted throughout the afternoon and into the evening. And the flowers Katherine and Bob chose were perfect- lush, vibrant plum, purple and orange complimented with touches of gold .. it all fit together so beautifully. Here's a peek:

The lovely Codman Estate in Lincoln

perfect, romantic ceremony setting!

more of the beautiful gardens

boutonnieres and corsages for bridal party

autumn tulips, dusty miller, maple leaf

bride's bouquet: purple hydrangea, purple orchids, purple lisianthus

aisle decor- birch pots with dahlias and fall flowers

dinner tables: mix of dahlias, lisianthus, roses, veronica, complimented by lanterns and pumpkins handmade by the bride

September Wrap Up

2011-10-03T03:22:00.000-07:00

I finished the month with two beautiful weddings- the first last weekend at the lovely and unique Decordova Museum and Sculpture Park in Lincoln, Ma and then this past Saturday at The Seaport Hotel in Boston (one of my favorite hotel venues by the way for many reasons). I cannot wait to get the professional photos from both of these because my crappy little camera and poor photo taking skills definitely didn't capture the beauty or uniqueness of either of these events. So.. stay tuned, but in the meantime here's a sneak peak. Oh and welcome FALL! I for one am finished with heat and humidity!!!

Decordova Wedding:

bride's bouquet- a mix of garden roses, roses, hydrangea, lisianthus & helebores

one of the table arrangement mixes using antiqued hydrangea and garden roses

love garden roses- so frilly and fluffy!

antiqued hydrangea, orchids and twigs

love Tuscan style seating...

Seaport Wedding:

bride's bouquet: lush cascade of a variety of orchids, calla lilies and lisianthus- dramatic and georgous (perfect for a wedding at the Cathederal!)

vibrant bridesmaids bouquet- variety of dahlias, mango callas, leonidas roses and orchids

dinner table at the Seaport- lush autumn mix

Romantic Vineyard Wedding

2011-09-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

Kate and Doug chose Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth RI for their wedding. And what a lovely, lovely place! When we arrived (a bit later than planned due to Rte 24 being completely shut down for a few miles- all traffic re-routed on a tiny country road-really, on a Saturday?? Why?? Why!??) there were still lots of people milling about and enjoying the beautiful weather. There were groups gathered around small tables laid out with wine and cheese, couples lounging on the lawn and families camped out on picnic blankets, light music and laughter floating in the air. It was so charming!!! What a spot!

And I loved the decor the couple chose- the tent placed next to the rows and rows of grapevines dressed in an uncomplicated ivory and white pallate with touches of dark blue- perfect for a beachside vineyard wedding. We used garden roses, spray roses, veronica, thistle, qeeen anne's lace, scabiosa, lisianthus and freesia all arranged in glass jars, garden pots and wooden square vases.

Congrats Kate and Doug- I hope you enjoyed every minute of your beautiful night!

Glamorous Harborside Wedding

2011-09-18T05:43:00.000-07:00

Kara and Steve were married overlooking the Boston Harbor on a perfect September evening. The view was unrivaled, the weather was georgous and the entire evening was filled with glamour and romance. In a word this wedding was spectacular. We used masses of white and light pink hydrangea, white roses and pale pink roses, lots and lots of crystal strands and sparkly things, plus hot pink spray roses in fancy martini glasses to compliment the lounge seating on the lawn. I think it was a very special night for the couple and for all their guests. Congrats Kara and Steve!!!

Another Style Me Pretty Feature!

2011-09-08T11:21:00.001-07:00

As I'm sure is the case with many of you, Style Me Pretty is my go-to blog for inspiration. Every day there seems to be a wedding featured that's even more georgous or unique than the last. And, I know many of the brides I work with feel the same way. That's one reason it's so thrilling when one of our couples gets to be featured on the site!

Meaghan and Matt had a crazy beautiful wedding in Boston last June. I felt so fortunate to be a part of their special day for many reasons but mainly because they were such a lovely couple. It truly was a pleasure helping them bring their vision for their wedding to life. And, I think it's so nice that they put so much of themselves in to their ceremony and reception. All the personal and thoughtful details were surely appreciated by the loved ones that helped them celebrate! And now others can draw inspiration from them too. It truly was magical.

I'll be posting photos from their wedding here too, but for now here's the link to the Style Me Pretty entry:

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/09/08/fairmont-copley-plaza-wedding-by-unique-weddings-by-alexis-grazier-photography/

And.. here's the link to the blog entry that the photographer-Matt Grazier- posted shortly after the wedding:

http://www.grazierphotoblog.com/2011/07/meaghan-matt-a-copley-fairmont-plaza-wedding/

Bonjour!

2011-07-21T23:18:00.001-07:00

I love, love, love the flower shops in France and I LOVE the fashion....both my daughter and I drool every time we walk by a wedding dress shop (or any other shop, truth be told). And, the flowers- oh, the flowers.. the shops are all so beautifully laid out with blooms in every color and shape spilling onto sidewalks. They are just so inviting. Here are a few pics we took on a day trip to Tours, but I'm sure to post more!

little girl, big dreams!

can't see it in this shot, but this shop had a true brown rose- it was georgous!

Love in Bloom in Lincoln

2011-07-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I posted some pics I took of the peony arrangements I made for Heidi and Jimmy, but they really couldn't tell the story of their beautiful wedding the way Shane Godfrey's georgous images do. So, here they are! The couple were married at the lovely Codman Estate in Lincoln (one of my very favorite outdoor wedding venues). How could you not love the romantic garden (perfect for exchanging vows) and rolling green lawn?

Congrats and best wishes Heidi and Jimmy!

New England Aquarium Wedding

2011-06-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Dion in person because she planned her wedding from NC, but her sunny and fun personality shone through all her emails and correspondences. And, the elements she chose to incorporate ensured that her and Evan's special day was vibrant, lush and playful despite the slightly dreary weather. Using unexpected materials such as artichokes, kumquats, lemons and the happiest colored peonies we could find made for memorable florals that really helped bring out the best of the lovely setting overlooking the harbor behind the New England Aquarium. Even the seals approved (or it least it seemed they did!).

I Heart Peonies!

2011-06-14T03:35:00.001-07:00

Here are some stunning ones simply arranged in blue balls jar Heidi provided for her Codman Estate wedding (in Lincoln). Love!

Summer Setting Wedding

2011-06-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

I loved working with Maria and Kurt and loved the setting that they chose for their wedding- a unique outdoor space that was fun and perfectly suited for an outdoor summer event. I'm hoping for some professional pics from this wedding, but in the meantime here's a preview...

Rialto Wedding

2011-06-10T13:08:00.001-07:00

Last summer I had the pleasure of providing flowers for Alexa and Andrew's georgous seaside wedding. And, over Memorial Day weekend I was lucky enough to be part of another celebration for the same family. Alexa's mom, Beverly, married Lee on a beautiful Saturday morning. Rialto provided the perfect backdrop for the green/purple/lilac color palate (inspired by the georgous felt necklace the bride made herself). I'll have to post pictures of it if I get some professional shots. She's really talented- and the best news is she has an etsy shop..stay tuned and I'll provide pics and info about how to buy her lovely creations!

Blake and Tim- Preview!

2011-05-11T03:10:00.000-07:00

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the flower combination for this wedding. Can't wait to post more pics.. but for now, here's a sneak peak!

Spring at last!

2011-03-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

Carolyn and Matt's Cambridge wedding was like a breath of fresh air, and a much needed preview of Spring! They held their lovely ceremony and reception at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the day could not have been prettier. Their choice of flowers really enhanced the feel that spring has finally arrived in our sun and warmth starved state and it was sheer joy to create and set up the flowers! Tulips, anemones, lilacs and vibernum in cheerful shades of yellow, orange, white and green - really just a perfect combination for this beautiful March day. And, if you're looking for a unique venue- check out the museum. They don't have many events there, but clearly they do things right! Or, check it out just to visit (it's free on Sunday mornings if you are a resident!) http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/

the bride's bouquet- a mix of tulips, white lilac, anemone, vibernum and craspedia

boutonnieres- ranuculus and craspedia tied with twine

one of the cocktail table arrangements

vibrant tulips in a sweet rustic container

another burst of color!

some of the tables featured tulips simply arranged in glass

Trend Alert! Balsa Wood Flowers

2011-02-15T13:25:00.001-08:00

If you're looking for a romantic, unique, vintage-style ivory flower to incorporate into your wedding- look no further! The balsa wood flower is the one for you. It's soft and delicate looking and is a perfect accent or focal flower. There's a catch though. It's not even a real flower! It's made of delicate wood... but that's probably the best part about it. It's an element you can pluck from your bouquet or table arrangements and keep long after all the fresh flowers have (sadly) wilted and turned to memory. It's super versatile and works well bunched all together for a monochromatic clutch, or paired with eith rustic style flowers or romantic soft whites and blushes. Check it out, and think about it! I'm actually using them for a wedding in a few weeks, and then again later in the season so check back for pics from those weddings.

JL Designs works with Balsa Wood a lot-

and obviously with georgous results!

Flowers by Semia-
her work is always breathtaking, but can I just say WOW?!

Flowers by Semia- a perfect compliment to the bouquet

JL Designs

not just for personal flowers.. JL Designs

beautiful placecard tablescape!!

JL Designs

Georgous paired with a vintage brooch and box- tres romantic!

JL Designs

What Today Means to Me...

2011-02-14T04:24:00.001-08:00

Lots of people call Valentine's Day a Hallmark holiday, and I have to admit I'm no exception- though in my case I mean that in the best way possible. I don't get all wrapped up in it and don't expect my husband to come home with a big bunch of flowers. We don't exchange gifts and we rarely go out, but we do give cards. Carefully chosen cards that convey things left unsaid during hectic mornings and busy weekends. And the ones I get never fail to bring a tear to my eye. This year was no exception. And it was even better because not only did my husband chose the perfect card, but my daughter- who is now old enough to write her own- blew me away with an amazing sentimental and thankful message. It honestly made my day. I am one lucky girl!

So.. in honor of Valentine's Day I thought I'd share a bit of my heart with you. I was going to post pictures of my wedding- but it was 10 years ago and probably wouldn't be much of an inspiration to you as you plan your wedding. Back then, no one wore strapless dresses, signature drinks were unheard of, digital photography didn't exist, cakes were round with pillars, and floral design was - well, in a word - different. But I hope you'll see that what truly makes for a beautiful wedding is the happy marriage that follows. My husband and I have been through a lot in the past ten years- unvbelievably happy moments, sudden almost unbearable loss, days and weeks of quietly living, and special times filled with details that are forever stamped on our hearts. There have been things that brought us closer together, and moments that could have divided us, if we'd let them. And, through it all I can honestly say I've never given the details of our wedding day more than a passing thought (except for when I'm making some georgous arrangement or setting up a breathtaking wedding and I say- geeesh, why didn't I think of that???!!). It was an amazing day, filled with laughter, family and friends and even though it would probably seem dated and even a little hokey now, I wouldn't change a thing.

So I guess what I'm saying is: plan carefully, choose things you love now, include all the little details that will make it everything you dreamed it would be, stay organized and be prepared to be a little stressed. But, please most of all have fun and don't lose sight of the best and most beautiful thing about your wedding: the person standing beside you. Styles change and the memories from your wedding day will fade a bit, but love endures.

then

and now...

Bella Wins Bride's Choice Award, 2nd Year in a Row!

2011-02-02T04:27:00.000-08:00

Boston, MA – February 2, 2011- WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Bella Floral Design has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Florists!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Bella Floral Design stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Bella Floral Design for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Bella Floral Design is among the very best wedding florists within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/bella-floral-design-westwood/90a360bf256f19af.html

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

In the Studio

2011-01-25T12:58:00.000-08:00

Ugh, the winter blahs!!! I am so tired of shoveling snow, traipsing through slush, putting on and taking off boots, hats, mittens, scarves, jackets, sweaters. I swear it's like mobilizing an army each time the kids and I have to go somewhere.

Luckily, this week I had to make some trial arrangements for Meaghan and Matt's June wedding. Working with their flowers made me remember that winter doesn't last forever, and here in New England it's always followed by glorious summer days. And though right now I feel like those beautiful warm nights can't come soon enough, at some point when I'm sweating through a 100 degree August day I'll be longing for a bit of a cool breeze and winter, once again, won't seem so bad. Anyway, I thought I'd share the pics I took of the trial flowers and provide a little glimpse of behind the scenes at Bella!

half the tables will have low, lush arrangements featuring roses, peonies, hydrangea, spray roses, amaranthus and lots of textured summer greens

a view from the top

the other half of the tables will be decorated with tall pedastal vases topped with the same flower mix. All table flowers will be accented with stemmed glass votive holders

Can't wait until June!!!!

A Lush Habitat

2011-01-23T05:20:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, I'm a bit behind in my posts. A busy end of 2010, an extended trip to visit family in France (with no Internet- gahhh!) and the fact that I spent every spare moment shoveling during a snow filled January contributed to my lack of motivation for updating my blog.. but of course those are just excuses! I do have some lovely weddings to share and some ideas I'd like to feature, so I'm back and ready to go! First up, Cori and Todd's beautiful wedding at Habitat in Belmont. If you're still searching for venue, check this place out.. it is just georgous. Lush grounds, beautiful gardens and a quaint manor house provide for the most romantic of settings! The couple chose a fall themed color scheme for their intimate gathering and peppered it with personal touches- like the ice cream truck that pulled up at the end of the night! And one of our favorite planners, Jenny from Trends and Tradions Events was on site to make sure everything ran smoothly. Thanks to her for most of the photos!

Bride's bouquet of roses, dahlias, calla lilies and orchids

Vows in the garden, photo by Rob Vassegh

ceremony decor

Dinner in the mansion

table arrangement

end of the evening, photo by Rob Vassegh

Inspired Harbor Wedding!

2010-10-20T04:11:00.001-07:00

Right from the start I was enchanted with the ideas that Jeannine and Derek had for their wedding and I could not wait to put it all together. For one thing, they are beautiful people- Jeannine used to work with my husband and when my daughter would visit the office she always took the time to entertain her and give her lots of attention! So much so that she still talks about her, years later. And, also I just loved, loved, loved all the elements they were planning on incorporating. I think the flowers we used were beyond romantic- succulents, and veronica and green hydrangea to name a few- but they also fit in with the modern feel of the Exchange Conference Center that overlooks the harbor in Boston. It really was a perfect blend of classic romance and modern chic and Ashley O'Dell did an unbelivable job of caputuring it all in images from the day. Just check out these georgous pictures, and if you're looking for a wedding photographer- call her!!!!

http://aodell.com/
http://www.exchangeconferencecenter.com/

Need a chuppah?

2010-10-18T05:31:00.000-07:00

Bella nows has a chuppah to offer for rent! The photos below show it decorated for a fall wedding we did last weekend, but it can be modified to fit any season or style. Email (info@bellafloraldesign.com) or call (781-686-1520) for details.

Vibrant Summer Soiree

2010-10-17T03:52:00.000-07:00

I love the autumn in New England. The cool crisp air, the smell of burning leaves, the distant sound of a football game from the local high school, the trees exploding with brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. But a tiny part of me longs for the dog days of summer, when you don't need to bundle up in three layers (or fight with your kids to wear their jackets!), when everything is lush and green. Well, as a nod to the not so long ago days of this summer I'm posting pics from Ross and Miriam's July wedding at The Pierce House in Lincoln. I loved the way the flowers turned out for this wedding- a bold color combination and surprising textures allowed for memorable arrangements and personal flowers. But I won't say any more - I think it's best to let these georgous images from Glen Cooper (shot by Janice Johnson) speak for the day- it really was absolutely lovely and my words just wouldn't do it justice!

http://www.dmpj.com

http://www.piercehouse.com
http://www.bellafloraldesign.com

Elegance and a city view!

2010-10-14T03:22:00.000-07:00

She was georgous, she was chic, she was glowing.. but no word could better describe Rebecca on her wedding day than elegant.. and that set the theme for the rest of the day. She and Michael were married at a beautiful old church in Milton, and followed that with an elegantly appointed reception at Granite Links in Quincy. On a clear day the view from the Ballroom at Granite Links is unrivaled. The entire city of Boston is laid out at your feet. And inside the room is grand and spacious and just right for celebrating a beautiful event.

We used classic flowers to compliment the traditional space- lots of blue hydrangea, calla lilies, orchids 3and roses. Rebecca had found a photo of a tall arrangement that used all these flowers in a slightly more modern way- grouping them on top of a tall cylinder vase for some dramatic effect, and we were able to recreate that to pair with the low arrangements that featured the same flowers. The end result was lovely!

Edson Dias from Dias Photography was there to capture all the memories and fine details that made their day special. He was also kind enough to put together this slide show for my blog- many thanks Edson!

http://www.diasphoto.com/

Enchanting Ipswich Wedding

2010-09-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

The weather was absolutely perfect for a seaside wedding. And you couldn't find a more lovely spot than the back lawn of the Crane Estate in Ipswich to be married on a clear, sunlit day. The bride and groom's navy, hot pink and lime green color scheme added a whimsical yet elegant feel to the setting. And all the personal touches and hard work that was put into every last detail made for a simply inspired wedding. There were pinwheel placecards, colorful fabric table overlays, a cookie buffet complete with custom labeled jars, fun fabric message boards, a beautiful handmade chuppah banner....and it was all georgous. To compliment all that, we used lime green and hot pink flowers- lots of hydrangea, with some garden roses, spray roses, amaranthus celiosa and hypericum berries for added texture and depth.

Below are some images by Heather Parker Photography. Her work is georgous- you can check out more of it here: http://www.heatherparker.com/ and you can also see her original blog post and more images of this wedding here:

http://heatherparker.com/blog/2010/08/14/crane-estate-at-castle-hill-wedding-photography/

Sneak peak - georgous summer wedding

2010-08-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

Miriam and Ross were recently married at the Pierce House in Lincoln. They wanted lush, vibrant florals that fit with the beautiful outdoor setting at the elegant country mansion. Here's a first look at their decor.. more pics to follow from the talented Janice Johnson at DMPJ

Photos by Janice Johnson, DMPJ second photographer

Awesome venue- beautiful wedding!

2010-08-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

Brooke and Kevin were married at the Community Rowing Boathouse in Brighton, Ma and Olivia Gird (www.oliviagird.com) was there to capture every magical detail. This venue blew me away- it's a very cool, sleek, modern wide open and sort of raw space. But it was also a perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. You have to check it out to see what I mean - it's just very inviting and awe inspiring at the same time. www.communityrowing.org

We wanted to use dramatic flowers to fit with the dramatic space, so the bride's bouquet was a stunning cascade of orchids and calla lilies, and most of the other flowers were large, un-fussy clusters of dendrobium orchids. I thought all the white was perfect against the blue hues that were used throughout the decor. And, I loved all the details this couple included to make their day unique and special. Thanks Brooke, for sharing and thanks Olivia for all these georgous shots!

Dendrobium orchids for the bridesmaids!

lush ivory spray roses and more
dendrobiums for the buffet table

love the plates!

Brooke's georgous phaleanopsis orchid
cascading bouquet

some help from the groom!

the bridal party and the boathouse

sunset over the Charles.. beautiful!

classic boutonniere

A Seaport Wedding

2010-07-30T12:02:00.001-07:00

Another perfect summer day overlooking Boston Harbor! I love the Seaport Hotel, and the Lighthouse Ballroom is one of my favorites. It's got windows on all sides, neutral decor and an intimate feel. I've provided flowers in all kinds of color schemes for this room and they all work. This time it was ivorys, blues, greens and hints of purple and did it ever come together nicely! It felt very elegant and slightly nautical- which I thought fit the bill perfectly.

Ceremony in Wintergarden

chairs adorned with spray roses and freesia

arrangements for front of ceremony

placecard table arrangement of
Hawaiian dendrobuim orchids, snapdragon and curly willow

Bride's bouquet of roses, spray roses, freesia and hydrangea

Bridesmaid's bouquets of spray roses,

lisianthus, delphinium and hydrangea

mix of high and low centerpieces

masses of hydrangea accented with dendrobium orchids

hydrangea, lisianthus, veronica,

spray roses and delphinium

Newport Nuptuials

2010-07-19T15:08:00.000-07:00

Never mind the traffic, the heat, and the swarms of people who descend on Newport on any given summer Saturday- I LOVE it there. To me it's a magical place, in part because I spent a lot of time there as a kid, but mostly because I find it romantic, enchanting and intoxicating. I'm always more than happy to travel to the island for a wedding (especially this time because my husband and I left the kids with my parents and snuck in a much needed night out for ourselves- hey, we were down there- why not take advantage? I have to say- if you find yourself in Newport, check out Tucker's Bistro on Broadway- great atmosphere and excellent food!)

Anyway- I digress... this weekend's wedding was at Ocean Cliff and it was rich with beautiful details, personal touches, and of course THE VIEW. The view from the lawn and ballroom is unbeatable. You look out over rolling green grass, onto serene waters dotted with boats sailing lazily by. What better way to pass a summer afternoon than looking out at that view, celebrating love and life? Soooo, soooo lovely!

Ocean Cliff

Cocktails on the patio

the cake

dinner tables

tall arrangements

a view from the top

entry arrangement

leaving petals.. they may look like rose heads,

but they're all just petals!

Steal this idea...

Lovely, lovely, wedding. Crafty, crafty bride!

2010-07-01T02:46:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday we were at Le Meredian Hotel in Cambridge (a place close to my heart because it's where we and all our guests stayed for our wedding night) for Nicole and Daniel's super crafty wedding. Nicole definitely has a talent for creating beautiful things- her placecards were beyond cute, and I loved all the small details she added to make their chic, vintage style wedding personal, elegant and pretty. She collected lots of milk glass vases for the dinner tables and we filled them with all sorts of yellow and ivory flowers. Paired with the steel grey table cloths, the look was really stunning- and perfect for a summer wedding!

I also loved the manzanita trees she made for her entry table- they really added an interesting element. She tied her ceremony programs with sweet coordinating fabric- placed together in the basket they were soooo pretty. Oh, and the candy bar- which I don't have photos of unfortunately- was so great. She made little signs and decorated each of the jars with fabric and ribbon- so whimsical and enticing! Anyway, here are some photos from that lovely day...

Placecard Board

Ceremony Programs

Courtyard for ceremony and cocktail hour

cocktail arrangement

dinner table grouping

love lemons in a bowl!

Peonies here, peonies there...peonies everywhere!

2010-06-14T02:58:00.000-07:00

Pink ones, white ones, coral ones, red ones... whatever. They are ALL georgous. Boy do I ever love peonies! So far all our June weddings have featured lots and lots of peonies- with some orchids and hydrangeas thrown in here and there. I didn't get any shots of Kristin's wedding- but the flowers were beautiful - all shades of white, ivory and blush pink. I did however manage to capture some images from both Andrea's and Jillian's weddings so here they are below.

Andrea's striking color scheme represented with peonies, roses and orchids

close up of the bouquet

bridesmaids bouquets consisting of peonies and orchids

lush ceremony arragement using green & white hydrangea, peonies and roses

sweet cocktail piece

Jill's beautiful bouquet which she personalized

with a sentimental locket

ALL peonies compactly arranged make for a memorable centerpiece

Vacation Week!

2010-05-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off on our annual trip to France to visit my husband's fabulous, fun-loving family, practice my medicore French, take long walks, eat, spend lazy days watching the kids run around, catch up on reading, drink good wine, eat, laugh, shop, eat, check out floral trends and buy French decorating magazines! Anyway, I'll be back on June 6 and will return any new inquiries and respond to all emails then. Until then, happy wedding planning!

PS- my email server seems to be troubled right now - in that I may not be receiving all emails sent to me. If you do not receive an automated response from me OR a direct correspondence from me by June 12 please call the number on my website or use this alternate email address: infobellafloral@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

A taste of this weekend's work

2010-05-16T03:03:00.000-07:00

Just a short post today after a very busy weekend. On Friday I provided flowers for a georgous Mehndi reception (think lush pinks, deep orange and lime green) and yesterday made bouquets and arrangments for a wedding at the awesome Community Rowing Boathouse on the Charles River. Below is a photo of the bride's bouquet from the Boathouse wedding-- I love the way the orchids flow so prettily, kind of like a waterfall of delicate blooms. It's definitely a statement piece!

Under that photo is the staging I decorated for the Mehndi and one of the centerpieces from that event. I hope to get some professional photos to share, so consider this a preview...

phalaenopsis orchids work well with long stemmed calla lilies-

makes for an elegant, memorable bouquet!

yards and yards of fabric, long strands of lush greens,

and of course the flowers- hydrangea, roses, spray roses and orchids

hot pink and orange tulips complimented

lime green table coverings

Oh I DO love yellow!

2010-05-03T03:06:00.000-07:00

May Day always reminds me of my grandmother- it was her favorite day of the year and she always celebrated it with flowers and a special breakfast. The warm breeze and sunny day on THIS May Day made for an absolutely perfect spring wedding for Shutsu and Matt. And the yellow and green color scheme the couple chose was really beautiful. I am partial to yellow, I have to admit, but even so I was extra happy working with these flowers. There's something about springtime yellows that just makes me giddy!

bride's bouquet- tulips, roses, spray roses, orchids and dahlias

another shot of the bride's bouquet

bridesmaids' bouquets- tulips, spray roses and bear grass

ceremony flowers

we used more spray roses and yellow roses to dress up the pews, and the alter flowers were comprised of hydrangea, peonies, tulips, spray roses and roses. The church looked lovely!

Seaside Soiree

2010-05-03T02:46:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful day for a seaside wedding! On Friday we were at Oceancliff in Newport for Chris and Nicky's oceanfront nuptials. What a georgous setting- and the flowers they picked were so happy and lush, the stage was set for what I'm sure was a funfilled, memorable party!

beautiful ceremony location- what a view!

bridesmaids' bouquets

cocktail arrangement

entry arrangement

centerpiece

for the sweethearts

Color, revisited

2010-04-09T03:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend marks the beginning of my busy season. It was really nice taking a few months off - I had a chance to finish projects around my house, spend lots of time with my husband & kids, catch up with friends over drinks and enjoy lazy weekends.. but I am excited to get back to work. Joyce and Matt's wedding this weekend promises to be super romantic and georgous! For them we're creating all white arrangements and bouquets- with lots of spring elements for added texture.

I'll post pics of their ceremony on Sunday, but for now I thought I'd take a few minutes to look back on some of the bouquets I've made over the years. And though I LOVE an all white palette, I wanted to share some colorful designs- sort of an ode to spring and all the lush, beautiful colors that are now returning to the world around us!

All of the bouquets featured below are Bella bouquets. For more samples of my work, check out my website http://www.bellafloraldesign.com/

Peachy pretty!

Deep pinks and blues are very complimentary!

lush greens, blues and purples work for any season

I loved the subtle yellow and pinks in this bouquet

one of my favorites- love the rich, happy colors

these were from a fall wedding but I loved them so much I had to include them.

Maroon works for Spring!

I love how the hint of orange makes these colors pop

georgous purple with citrus green accent- wow!

This photo was taken by Tirado.. loved this bouquet.

Another one of my favorites- I loved the way this unexpected color combo worked, and coral peonies just happen to be an all time favorite of mine!

Spotlight on.. Anemone!

2010-03-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

from jomygoodness

What in the world could be more beautiful than a black and white anemone? Ok, ok.. lots of things probably.. but still, this is one striking flower. I love how it looks so delicate yet so rich all
at once. Imagine a black and white themed wedding- what could be a better flower? Bouquets and centerpieces featuring these would work perfectly and effortlessly. Or, they'd make a beautiful contrast to just about any other color- black and white bouquets against deep pink for example.. or lime green, aqua blue, tan, even orange! A big grouping of them in a simple vase with a vivid tablecloth or runner. Sigh....

from Martha Stewart

from The Knot, Hampton Kennedy Photography

Seriously georgous cake! From Kara's Cakery

Be still my heart..LOVE this with the ribbon! From Chicmap

Sweet bridesmaid posey. From The Knot

I love the slight blush to these... wow! From brides.com

What's your aisle style?

2010-02-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

So my daughter asked me why I was collecting pictures of people's feet on our computer. "Ew, gross" is actually how she began her posed question. Ah, my dear, dear girl- you have so much to learn! It's not the feet I'm interested in, of course. It's the shoes- shoes, shoes, glorious shoes! Of all the ways you can accessorize an outfit, shoes are - in my opinion at least- the most important element. In fact, they quite often make the outfit. Yes, yes jewlery is important, I guess... but I've never been a bling girl. Shoes are just so much more fun!

Lately I've been seeing lots of color in wedding shoes. What a great way to express yourself and define your personal style on your wedding day. That little glimpse of shoe as you march down the aisle helps tell your story.. fun, flirty, style-maven, beach bum, sophisticate. Whatever it may be, it's all you!

so many shoes, so many styles, so much luscious color! photo credits: all from A Stunning Affair: Thayer Allyson Gowdy, Project Wedding Blog, Alli + Bri Photography, Once Wed

love these sassy shoes as documented by Kristin Spencer Photography

Oh my gosh- red wedding shoes.. you are such a flirt! photo credit Sedona Bride

The guys can have fun too... thanks Kristin Spencer!

Color coordinated socks and bridal shoes..way cool. photo credit Elizabeth Messina

these lovely feet actually belong to a Bella bride- Lauren and Donald's wedding at the BHH was stunning... I love how the purple theme was carried right down to the purple shoes (and toenails!) ..that totally rocks. photo credit: Kristin Spencer Photography

This is a photo by Lexi Photography. Lexi happens to be one of my favorite photographers because she always captures all the little details that make a wedding special and unique. I love the bows on these shoes!

Happy Valentines' Day!

2010-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

May 12, 2001.. the story begins
Today two things made my heart swell- the card my husband gave me and the card my daughter made me. Marc pointed out that he bought the card in advance (!!!) to show me he was thinking about me while he was out of town last week, and the words he used to express how he feels for me reminded me all that's good about our relationship. And my 6 year old presented me with a card she had written all by herself that said "you're so helpful to me so happy valentines day!" awwww.. what's better than feeling appreciated by your kid?!!! Anyway... I'm feeling a bit sappy about my family today. I feel extremely lucky to have the husband and children I do, and I only hope I make them as happy as they make me.

You know in my job I focus a lot on the wedding day, and no argument your wedding is a magical, special, unforgettable day. But, it's everything that comes afterward that makes life truly beautiful. The loves that roots before the wedding blooms and grows with each passing year, with each shared heartache and triumph. Committing to someone and loving them means loving them wholeheartedly, regardless of the little squabbles or annoyances that may crop up, despite hardship, in spite of outside influences. My husband and I are quite different in many ways, but we fit together like a puzzle. He's good at things I'm hopeless at and I, from time to time, have been known to show him a thing or two. We sometimes approach life (and it's challenges) with different perspectives, but our overall goals, ambitions and ideas about our relationship, our family and our future are solidly in sync. And, most importantly we respect each other. We may argue- but in the end we always take time to listen to each other. And then, of course, there's love. I love him. I love our children. I love the life we've built and the future we're building. It's not perfect. But it's ours- and it works.

Going Green...

2010-02-12T06:55:00.001-08:00

Lately I've found myself drawn to more eco-friendly design and have been inspired in my work to use simple, earthy elements that naturally bring out the beauty of the flowers I'm working with. I adore using wooden boxes, tree bark, mason jars, old iron with a patina, twine, or anything else that looks like it's been lying around someone's garden shed for a while! Here is a collection of some of my recent favorite inpiration photos for garden themed weddings. And please note- eco friendly, green style weddings are not restricted to outdoor wedding settings! Even if your wedding is to be held in the most sophisticated of ballrooms, you can create nature inspired decor that makes sense in the space.

photo credit: style me pretty

I love this card table! What a great use of natural elements- and it was a DIY project. Check out thebridescafe.com for a "how to" and create your own!

Such a romantic arrangement- I can see this on a dinner table, or used as an accent piece during cocktails. I love the soft flowers combined with the rough hewn wood. photo credit: style me pretty

I love, love, love succulents! It's a trend I'm seeing more and more in wedding design and I couldn't be happier. Not only are these georgous- they'll last forever, and even those of us with the un-greenest of thumbs will be able to enjoy their beauty for months after the big day is over. The zinc table numbers add the perfect final touch (check out Anthropolgie to buy yours!)

photo credit: kellychris blog

A beautiful option for an outdoor/back yard wedding

photo credit above: Love Life Images, from The Bride's Cafe

I love how this ceremony setting feels home-spun and comfortable.

photo credit below: Andrea Marie Photography, from The Bride's Cafe
Rustic details enhance the feeling of intimacy.

photo credit above: style me pretty

Bringing the outside in: I think this is a good example of how to use a garden style floral decor in a more formal space- the combination of the dramatic height of the flowering branches helps fill the room and "dresses" up the simple style. it's not fussy, but still feels elegant and appropriate.

An Intimate City Wedding

2010-01-10T09:18:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth and Jim wanted an intimate, romantic wedding celebration, and every detail of the event worked toward making that happen- and it was georgous! By using soft fabric draping, lots of candles and a lush monochromatic floral design, the already beautiful ballroom was transformed into something magical. We massed hydrangea, roses, freesia, spray roses and orchids in alternating short and tall vessels and accented all the dinner table arrangements with a grouping of small arrangements and candles. And the cake- I loved the design of the cake- an elegant cascade of ivory flowers tied with a golden hued ribbon that trailed down the tiers. Beautiful!

All the photos below were provided by Trends and Tradition Events, who were pivitol in executing this georgous wedding. I love working with Jenny and her staff. Besides being super pleasant to work with, they work hard to ensure every detail is perfect, and that all the final preparatinos reflect the desire of the couple.

Yellow, sunny yellow...

2009-12-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

You'd think, what with it being December and all, I'd be concentrating on deep reds, glittery silvers, whites and greens. But, for some reason I'm all about yellow this week. Maybe it's because it's so bitterly cold outside, but my thoughts are already turning to Spring. Not that I want to rush through the holidays - I actually LOVE this time of year. I look forward to the decorating, the baking, the gathering of friends and family.. and ok admittedly NOT the shopping.. but still. It's a wonderful time of year. But, that being said- it's nice to look forward to warmer weather and cheery colors. I have a few yellow hued weddings in the spring season so I've been looking around for some pretty ideas. I love the yellow garden roses in this bouquet. It's such a fresh, happy arrangement.

In addition to garden roses, you can find all kinds of beautiful shades of yellow in roses, calla lilies, ranuculus, orchids, freesia- to name a few (yes, the list is long!!).

And yellow for your wedding doesn't have to be restricted to your flower choices. Yellow is a great accent color for drinks, favors, desserts (!), table settings..even your own ensemble (think yellow shoes!!). I found this collage on a Santa Barbara Wedding Chic blog- very cool.

Next week I'll probably post something more in tune with this season, but today the bitter, frozen air here in Boston begs for something a bit more sunny! Happy planning!

Ahh.. my camera broke!

2009-11-29T11:04:00.000-08:00

I know I have been terrible about posting- and I had such good intentions, too! Oh well, I have no excuse really except that it was a very busy few months, with lots of weddings! Lots of beautiful weddings, I should say... but unfortunately I don't have photos of any of them because my camera broke. Drat- I knew I should have replaced that crappy thing years ago. Hmm... maybe Santa will bring me one this year (ah hem, Marc!). Anway- hopefully I'll be able to get some nice images from the photographers that documented each event, because they were all unqiue and special and could be inspiration for brides still planning. In the meantime, I did notice that Lexi (http://www.lexiphotography.com/) posted some beautiful shots of Andrea and Julie's October wedding. I'll include some here, because they are georgous! I think I mentioned before how much I loved this wedding.. my photos didn't really do the day justice, but Lexi's are amazing. Also, now that my busy season has passed and things are a bit more managable around here I'm planning on posting ideas and inspiration for different types of wedding flowers- maybe arrangements that use unexpected elements, or color combinations that aren't often seen. So stay tuned for that!

Something Borrowed ...

2009-10-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

Lauren and Donald's Boston Harbor Hotel wedding was breathtaking. The lush purple tones of the centerpieces were a perfect compliment to the black and white table runners, white silk table linens, and black chivari chairs the couple rented. We alternated tables with a single large square glass vase overflowering with masses of purple and green flowers, and a grouping of three vases of varying heights filled with calla lilies, lisianthus, hydrangea and hyacinth. The Wharf Room is lovely as it is, but dressed up with the deep rich colors- loved the black!!- it was spectacular.

I loved the small details that made this wedding personal and sentimental- tables named for locations special to the couple, a fun candy bar- all purple!!- and best of all.. Lauren asked me to sew some buttons from her mother's wedding dress onto the stem wrap of her bouquet to represent "something old". Awesome idea- I have to admit I wish I'd thought of that one for my own wedding.. and though since launching this career (post-wedding!) there are many, many occasions where I find myself saying that, in this case I really did pinch myself. What a lovely, lovely thing to do!!

Ah.... Autumn Flowers!

2009-10-11T15:04:00.001-07:00

The wedding last Saturday was-in a word-georgous! Lovely couple, crisp Autumn afternoon, and rich hued, luscious flowers! I loved how Andrea and Julie added personal touches in the small details and how everything came together so beautifully. And the weather (after a so-so start) could not have been better - bright sunshine, slight breeze, cool air.... what a glorious day to be married!

We used a combination of dahlias, roses, calla lilies, amaranthus, orchids, spray roses, pyracantha (small orange berried branches) and seed pods to create unique, but complimentary, centerpieces for each table. The flower arrangements were designed to enhance the table runners that were a sentimental part of the decor. Lexi Photography was there to capture it all and I can't wait to see her professional photos (which I of course will post here because I really think this wedding is fantastic inspiration for any couple hoping to marry in the Fall! ).

Coming Soon!

2009-10-10T03:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! Here you'll find information about recent weddings, as well as cool ideas for wedding flowers that I come across in my never ending quest for creative ideas. We're working on getting our blog up and running soon.. so please check back with us for photos, ideas, insights and advice.

Happy Planning!