Javan is a firefighter at Station 8 in Oakland, right down the street from the studio. I sleep better at night knowing that he and his able crew are at the ready in case the studio should ever catch fire. Heaven forbid.

Javan and his lovely wife, Alisha, came to the studio with a classic and romantic vision in pink. Peonies, roses and ranunculus immediately come to mind. Peonies are a favorite wedding flower ~ I can’t even count all the times I see them featured in bridal magazines and blogs. But their window of availability is short ~ really only April through June. It’s disappointing when I have to tell brides that we won’t be able to source them for their wedding. So it’s especially nice when we can feature them in all their abundant glory.

Congratulations Alisha and Javan ~ thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wedding celebration!

So here’s the skinny on how vendors are selected for the Little Black Book:

How do you choose the vendors for your Little Black Book?

The process to become a Little Black Book member is actually quite extensive.

First, we prefer recommendations by an SMP reader, a recent bride or an industry professional. We don’t simply look for a referral but rather for a passionate reason as to why a particular vendor deserves to be in the book. Perhaps the designer worked with a reader’s best friend when she was getting married, perhaps they have already designed the world’s most beautiful invitations for a particular bride and groom, perhaps an event planner we know shares with us the one photographer she will work with. Whatever the connection, it must be strong and based on a real knowledge of the vendor’s work. We also consider applications from interested vendors.

Second, we dive head first into the vendor’s business. Their portfolio, their experience, their time in the industry. We look at press that they’ve received, consult with their industry neighbors, get to know who they are and why they are good at what they do. Our Research Colleagues spend time conducting phone interviews with potential vendors, screening their personalities while getting to know them, singling out those we believe are truly devoted to their craft. For highly competitive industries, like photography and cinematography, we also have categorical vetting teams, comprised of style savvy professionals who can fairly, objectively, and accurately evaluate other artists’ work.

And finally, after feeling completely confident that a particular vendor is fabulous, we invite them to be a part of our book! It’s an invitation-only book that truly prides itself on its commitment to quality above all else.

Thanks to the Style Me Pretty crew for this very special honor!

Twenty-four young women comprised the class of 2012, and each one held a bouquet of yellow roses and daffodils, which doubled as backdrop decor for the stage. Since the theme for the event was “branching out”, we incorporated yellow forsythia branches into the table arrangements. I big CONGRATULATIONS to each of these young women, now graduating high school, as they journey into new areas of their lives!

The painting I chose to interpret is Gottfried Helnwein’s “Epiphany II (Adoration of the Shepherds)”. It’s an incredibly dark piece (literally and figuratively), and the most difficult challenge was to come up with an interpretation that honored the complexity of the work. The artist has woven a version of the Adoration of the Magi with a scenario from the Third Reich, juxtaposing Nazi soldiers with a Madonna and Christ-like figures. Some have interpreted the piece as unconditional evil, the Third Reich, meeting conditional evil, the Catholic church, given Pope Pius XII’s alleged moral complicity during World War II by remaining silent while German atrocities were being committed. Some have also interpreted the Christ-like figure as representing Adolf Hitler.

"Epiphany II ~ Adoration of the Shepherds" | Gottfried Helnwein

The painting is huge (8′ by 10′), and while it’s beauty and subject matter draw you in from across the room, it’s not until you’re up close that you (may or may not) realize what kind of soldiers the men are. The ambiguity of the painting lent itself towards a conceptual interpretation. I chose the symbolism behind palm leaves to create multiple narratives. Palm branches traditionally represent triumph and victory over one’s enemies, and early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul. Palm is also waved (and weaved) on Palm Sunday to celebrate Jesus’ triumphant resurrection and entry into Jerusalem. Supporting materials include tillandsia, phalaenopsis orchids, ti leaves, seeded eucalyptus, statice and thistle.

Participating in Bouquets to Art has been an amazing experience, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s exhibit. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bridge the worlds of floral design and traditional art, and create something entirely new. History shows us that art and design are the physical manifestations, and legacies, of a culture. When we pair their permanence with flowers ~ ephemeral things which must be appreciated in the moment ~ I just have to sigh at the poetic beauty of it all…

Thanks so much to Wildflower Linen for helping us bring the designs together with linens and chair covers, and to Classic Party Rentals for their elegant china and flatware. And we’re so grateful to Misti Layne Weddings for the wonderful photography and attention to detail.

Spring also marks the 7th annual Tulip Extravaganza at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland from March 23-25. Each year thousands of Dutch tulips bloom on the Cemetery grounds, and to celebrate the new season, dozens of local floral designers, garden clubs and floristry schools showcase their designs featuring the beloved spring flower. This will be my 5th year participating in the event, and I love the community connection ~ the Cemetery is literally 5 minutes away from my studio. The event is free and open to the public, and there will be live demonstrations by local floral designers. The Cemetery is a fantastic place to run, walk your dogs, or just stroll through to enjoy the thousands of blooming tulips. I once got separated from my group on a historical tour of the grounds, and it was one of the most pleasant experiences I’ve ever had while being lost  .