Day 27, Meet Stephanie with Petalos Floral Design!

Champagne: When and why did you decide you wanted to be a florist?

Petalos Floral Design: I’ve always LOVED playing with flowers.  My earliest memories are of watching my mom making arrangements for the house and her teaching me.  As I got older, I took every opportunity to take floral classes.  Fast forward to 2009.  I married my best friend; I gave birth to my son, Deacon; and I came upon a crossroad of whether to pursue a career change.  I really missed the creative, out-of-the-box thinking of my architecture experience along with the joy I felt while making floral arrangements.  Given my love for design, my passion for flowers and my ability to work with my hands, I started P E T A L O S [floral design] in January of 2010.

Photo by Alyssa Jul Photography

Photo by Alyssa Jul Photography

Champagne: What is the favorite part of your job?

Petalos Floral Design: I enjoy the challenge of designing something new and creative for each of my brides. Playing around with different color combinations … finding the right floral palette to achieve the perfect texture and look … I’m like a kid at the candy store—eyes wide open and ready to go for it!

Photo by Anne Adams Photography

Champagne: What should brides know when looking for a florist?

Petalos Floral Design: Don’t settle!  It’s important to find someone who sees and understands your vision.  Keep in mind, its great when you can provide us with photos and details to your wedding to see the overall look you’re trying to achieve. (i.e. your wedding gown, your venue space(s), your something old, new and blue items, etc.) 

Photo by Anne Adams Photography

Photo by Bethany F Photography

Champagne: What’s your favorite flower?

Petalos Floral Design: It’s a tie.  They’re almost complete opposites, but I would say peonies and orchids. Peonies are lush, fragrant and so feminine.  Orchids are colorful, sensual and have a distinct structure to them.

Photo by Bethany F Photography

Champagne: How would you describe your style?

Petalos Floral Design: Currently, I would describe my style as contemporary with some vintage flare, versatile and filled with texture.  There are so many things that influence my design process, and my work definitely becomes a reflection of that.  For example, I’ve always been inspired by the glamour of old Hollywood and architecture so I try to interpret that into my designs whenever possible.

Photo by Green Chair Studio

Photo by Green Chair Studio

Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing what you do?

Petalos Floral Design: Play dates with my son.  Hosting dinner parties.  Cooking.  Wine tasting.  Going to the mountain. Concerts. Trying out new local restaurants with my husband.  Most of all, I love spending time with my family.

Photo by Sara Vandepas Photography

Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like brides to know?

Petalos Floral Design: Don’t overwhelm yourself with DYI projects.  DYI projects are a great way to add personal touches to your wedding, but too many will make you lose track of what your wedding is really about—a C E L E B R A T I O N.  So remember to have fun, relax, cry (yes, it’s okay to cry), dance, and if you like, have a drink before the ceremony!  Take it all in and embrace the day.

Photo by Sara Vandepas Photography

Champagne: Thank you, Stephanie [Petalos Floral Design], for telling us more about your company! Make sure to check out their website, become a fan on facebook and make sure to stop by their blog!

Day 26 of 30: The Party Place
Day 25 of 30: Limelight photo booth
Day 24 of 30: AniA Collection
Day 23 of 30: Nicole Wagner Make up
Day 22 of 30: Alesia Zorn Calligraphy and more
Day 21 of 30: Bass is Loaded! Mobile DJ
Day 20 of 30: Effesenden Music
Day 19 of 30: Anne Adams Photography
Day 18 of 30: Paparazzi Tonight Photo Booth
Day 17 of 30: Timberline Lodge
Day 16 of 30: hi, friend.
Day 15 of 30: Byron Roe Photography
Day 14 of 30: Francoise Weeks
Day 13 of 30: phresh catering
Day 12 of 30: Carroll Myers
Day 11 of 30: Ryan Ricketts Photography
Day 10 of 30: Floral Designs by Alicia
Day 9 of 30: Domaine Margelle
Day 8 of 30: Crave Catering
Day 7 of 30: Pro Djs Oregon
Day 6 of 30: O’Brien Event Rentals
Day 5 of 30: Lauren Brook Photography
Day 4 of 30: Fleur:ology Wedding + Event Floral Design
Day 3 of 30: Pure Space
Day 2 of 30: Celebrate Life Photography
Day 1 of 30: Paper Bloom
Last year’s 30 days of vendors
What is 30 days of Vendors?

We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! Thank you for stopping by our blog! Happy Planning!

Cheers,

Mandi, Rachelle & the Champagne team

P.S. Oregon Bride Magazine just opened up the voting for this years “Best Of” issue. Make sure to go vote for your favorite wedding vendors!! We appreciate you all helping us win “Best New Wedding Vendor” last year! We’d love to win best planner this year- one can dream! : )

Day 14, Meet Francoise of Francoise Weeks; European Floral Design!

Champagne: When/why did you decide you wanted to be a florist?

Francoise Weeks: I grew up in Belgium where flowers are part of every day life; there were almost as many flower shops as there were bakeries where I lived! Every week Mom brought flowers home from the farmers market and from the time I was a little girl I remember having so much fun helping her arranging those treasures. For her birthday or anniversary or for no occasion at all, I liked to surprise her with a fabulous arrangement that I picked out at Hendricks Florist, a few blocks away from our home. It was a family owned business and when I was in my early twenties I trained with them for a few months. From then on my dream was to work in the flower industry; but it took a while before it became a reality. In 1996 I started my business specializing in weddings and events. My husband remodeled part of the basement; 4 years later the business outgrew the space and we had a fabulous studio built in the backyard - a true haven! What can I say but that flowers have always been magical ; they are like eye candy from Mother Nature and they feed my soul…

Photo by Joni Shimabukuro

Photo by Joni Shimabukuro

Champagne: What is the favorite part of your job?

Francoise Weeks: I love the creative process, from coming up with new ideas, to planning what to buy for an event, to figuring out the mechanics (with the help of my husband) of structural pieces. The flowers are such an intrinsic part of any celebration and they beautify and enliven any space! Being in this business has given me so many opportunities to meet wonderful clients and fabulous vendors in the wedding/event industry.

Photo by Nicole Wickens

Champagne: What should brides know when looking for a florist?

Francoise Weeks: Referrals from other vendors and friends, as well as some research on the web should be very helpful to narrow down the choices of florists to meet with. Often, the brides have only a vague idea of what they exactly want when it comes to flowers; finding someone who is comfortable exploring a variety of options and ideas, sets the tone to reach results the bride is happy with. It is helpful to bring images and color swatches (color strips from the paint store work great!) to convey ideas.

Photo by David Barss

Photo by David Barss

Champagne: What is your favorite flower?

Francoise Weeks: Impossible to narrow it down to one; some of my favorites are poppies, toad lilies, frittalarias, lilacs and lily-of-the-valley.

Photo by Jamie Bosworth Photography

Champagne: How would you describe your style?

Francoise Weeks: Very textural and natural looking . Mother Nature offers the best inspiration!
A few years ago a childhood memory triggered a whole new design direction: woodland arrangements.  It started with decorating logs with lots of texture (unusual foliage, lichen, berries, seedpods, small fruits very few, if any flowers…) and evolved into translating this concept for centerpieces and bridal bouquets.
Last year I had a lot of fun making flower purses and whimsical bouquets, incorporating elements such as feathers, colored wires and pearls.
Exploring new ideas keeps my work fun and interesting! And I am happy to work in any style that clients strive for.

Photo by Jamie Bosworth Photography

Photo by Jamie Bosworth Photography

Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing what you?

Gardening, weaving, reading, spending time at the beach or in the mountains

Photo by Soul Mates Photography

Photo by Soul Mates Photography

Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like brides to know?

Francoise Weeks: I have a teaching degree and all I can say is that teaching flower arrangements to adults is a lot more fun than teaching math and science to high school kids!
For more information about the seasonal flower arranging classes and wedding workshops, please visit my website.

Champagne: Thank you, Francoise [Francoise Weeks; European Floral Design], for telling us more about your company! Make sure to visit her website, become a fan on facebook and follow her on twitter!

Day 13 of 30: phresh catering
Day 12 of 30: Carroll Myers
Day 11 of 30: Ryan Ricketts Photography
Day 10 of 30: Floral Designs by Alicia
Day 9 of 30: Domaine Margelle
Day 8 of 30: Crave Catering
Day 7 of 30: Pro Djs Oregon
Day 6 of 30: O’Brien Event Rentals
Day 5 of 30: Lauren Brook Photography
Day 4 of 30: Fleur:ology Wedding + Event Floral Design
Day 3 of 30: Pure Space
Day 2 of 30: Celebrate Life Photography
Day 1 of 30: Paper Bloom
Last year’s 30 days of vendors
What is 30 days of Vendors?

We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! Thank you for stopping by our blog! Happy Planning!

Cheers,

Mandi, Rachelle & the Champagne team

P.S. Oregon Bride Magazine just opened up the voting for this years “Best Of” issue. Make sure to go vote for your favorite wedding vendors!! We appreciate you all helping us win “Best New Wedding Vendor” last year! We’d love to win best planner this year- one can dream! : )

Happy Monday! Day 10, get to know Alicia of Floral Designs by Alicia!

Champagne: When/why did you decide you wanted to be a florist?

Floral Designs by Alicia: I decided to become a florist when I was sixteen. While taking a horticulture class in high school, my teacher noticed my interest in plants and design and suggested I go talk to the owners of the local floral shop in town. I did and here I am eleven years later. I always knew I would do something creative. I remember a vacation trip to Eastern Oregon with my father when I was ten. And I remember while driving him telling me that I’m going to be an artist when I grew up. Well… I guess you could say my father was right.

Champagne: What is the favorite part of your job?

Floral Designs by Alicia: I feel that there are two favorite parts of my job, being able to create and being able to share in wonderful memories with my customers. I’ve always been a creative and sentimental person and being able to express my creativity and share in memories with my customers is the greatest feeling.

Photos by Anne Adams Photography

Photos by Anne Adams Photography

Champagne: What should brides know when looking for a florist?

Floral Designs by Alicia: When looking for a florist brides should always seek out someone who is versatile and takes great care and pride in their work. When you find someone who can accommodate your needs, regardless of the style, and cares about what they do, they will always give you the results you want.

Photos by Anne Adams Photography

Photos by Anne Adams Photography

Champagne: What’s your favorite flower?

Floral Designs by Alicia: I would have to say my favorite flower by far is a David Austin English garden rose, specifically the Benjamin Britten color variety. This roses color variety is amazing and by far express my personality. And even better is the smell…it has an intense fragrance with hints of fruity wine. It’s fantastic and is so utterly classic and elegant.

Champagne: How would you describe your style?

Floral Designs by Alicia: I would describe my style as creative, eclectic and and gardeny. I would say from the moment I started designing flowers i’ve always designed very lush and garden like. Throughout the years of working with so many wonderful artist I have adapted my critiques to be completely versatile to accommodate any specific style.

Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing what you do?

Floral Designs by Alicia: Well…when I’m not designing flowers I am a full time, multitasking mother and wife. I have my hands full for the most part balancing my business and family. But when I have spare moments to relax I love to be at the coast or really any outdoor activity.  Any time I can take in and appreciate nature I will.

Photos by Anne Adams Photography

Photos by Anne Adams Photography

Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like brides to know?

Floral Designs by Alicia: I have been designing flowers since I was seventeen and have over eleven years experience in floral design. I feel with my experience, versatility, and the pride and care I have for what I do make my business unique. Something different about Floral Designs by Alicia as well is that we offer free wedding consultations along with free vendor meeting for all of our wedding clients. That means if you have a coordinator, caterer, venue or stylist you need us to meet and work with, we do that at no charge to our customers. We feel that these services make planning a wedding easier for couples and that is something we feel we should not charge for.

Champagne: Thank you, Alicia [Floral Designs by Alicia], for telling us more about your company! Make sure to check out their website and become a fan on facebook!

Day 9 of 30: Domaine Margelle
Day 8 of 30: Crave Catering
Day 7 of 30: Pro Djs Oregon
Day 6 of 30: O’Brien Event Rentals
Day 5 of 30: Lauren Brook Photography
Day 4 of 30: Fleur:ology Wedding + Event Floral Design
Day 3 of 30: Pure Space
Day 2 of 30: Celebrate Life Photography
Day 1 of 30: Paper Bloom
Last year’s 30 days of vendors
What is 30 days of Vendors?

We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! Thank you for stopping by our blog! Happy Planning!

Cheers,

Mandi, Rachelle & the Champagne team

P.S. Oregon Bride Magazine just opened up the voting for this years “Best Of” issue. Make sure to go vote for your favorite wedding vendors!! We appreciate you all helping us win “Best New Wedding Vendor” last year! We’d love to win best planner this year- one can dream! : )

Think beautiful blooms! Day 4, getting to know Liz at Fleur:ology Wedding + Event Floral Design!

Champagne: When/why did you decide you wanted to be a florist?

Fleur:ology: I officially started Fleur:ology in February of 2010, and I’m really excited to be celebrating my one year anniversary here soon!  I have to admit that I kind of ‘fell into’ this part of the wedding industry, but am so totally in love with it, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for me!  Creating floral pieces for weddings is not only fun, but it’s so amazing to help a bride pull all of her ideas and inspirations together and make it a reality for the happy couple!

Photo by Cami Photography

Champagne: What is the favorite part of your job?

Fleur:ology: Since Fleur:ology is a boutique studio, I get to focus all my attention on the weddings I’m working on, and don’t have to worry about having a store front to maintain, or everyday arrangements to create.  This makes my job EXTRA fabulous and fun because I get to pour all of my creativity into weddings and all the gorgeous details!

Photo by Cami Photography

Champagne: What should brides know when looking for a florist?

Fleur:ology: First of all, know your budget, and allow your florist to help you understand how far it will take you.  Many brides are surprised at the cost of wedding flowers, and that’s mostly because they’ve probably never had to buy flowers for a wedding before, and don’t know what to expect.  Next, bring lots of inspiration photos, color/fabric swatches, photos of the dresses, a sample of your stationary and other design elements to your design consult!  Your florist can’t read your mind, and brides often have a hard time describing exactly what they’re envisioning for their flowers.  All of those things will help your florist better understand the theme that you’re trying to pull together for your wedding day, and can help you make the best choices in flowers, vases, ribbon color, and other accessories… A good florist will ask about things like these, because they want to make sure that your wedding flowers will perfectly compliment the different design elements of your special day.

Photo by Elena Wilken Photography

Photo by Falcusan Photography

Champagne: What’s your favorite flower?

Fleur:ology: Well, at the moment, my favorite flower to work with has been the Hydrangea. It’s just so lush and fluffy, and this huge flower is made up of all those perfect little florets - so delicate, yet bold at the same time.  However, my ALL time favorite flower has to be the Peony.  It is just the perfect flower… girly, romantic, and it comes in the most beautiful colors!

Champagne: How would you describe your style?

Fleur:ology: Modern, chic, and romantic.  I tend to go back and forth between really trendy and natural, earthy designs, but it all depends on the bride I’m working with and what the theme of the event is!  I’m definitely known for being a bit minimalistic [LOTS of blooms, few varieties] and monochromatic in my designs [making a dramatic impact by using shades of one color throughout the designs, more “clean” as opposed to “busy”].  I also really like using feminine elements such as beaded appliques, silk, lace or velvet trims to dress up a vase or bouquet handle.

Champagne: What do you do, when you’re not doing what you do?

Fleur:ology: I love to drink non-fat, white chocolate mocha’s from my favorite local coffee shop, play “tickle monster” and watch cartoons with my two toddlers, and go on dates to burger joints with my hot husband!

Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like brides to know?

Fleurology: I think it’s SO important to try and enjoy the planning process of your wedding.  I know it’s much easier said than done, but try to take some time to go on dates with your fiancé, put lots of personal touches into the wedding, and just have fun with it all!  I mean, you’re throwing the biggest party of your lives, and it’s all to celebrate the TWO of you!!  It can still get stressful at times, but with a great team of vendors working for you, and a fabulous wedding coordinator {wink, wink}, the process will go much smoother, and all you’ll have to worry about is looking fabulous as you walk down the aisle!

Champagne: Thank you , Liz [Fleur:ology Wedding + Event Floral Design], for telling us more about your company! Make sure to check out Fleur:ology’s website and become a fan on facebook!

Day 3 of 30: Pure Space
Day 2 of 30: Celebrate Life Photography
Day 1 of 30: Paper Bloom
Last year’s 30 days of vendors
What is 30 days of Vendors?

We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! Thank you for stopping by our blog! Happy Planning!

Cheers,

Mandi, Rachelle & the Champagne team

We are so excited to share with you what we’ve been up to over the summer months or as we call it “Wedding Season”! Rachelle coordinated this gorgeous vineyard wedding a few months ago… enjoy!

I first met with Jen and Ben over 18 months before their wedding. At the time we met, I knew their wedding would be the dreamy, fairytale type, and I was very excited to be a part of it! Jen and Ben have such a strong relationship, and they do most of it from a distance! It’s absolute true love, and they are living proof that love can conquer any challenge!

Their wedding day was full of romantic and personal touches, with all the right amounts of fun and celebration thrown in as well!!  With a line up of top-notch vendors, the day was absolutely wonderful. Their beautiful and romantic wedding was so much fun to be involved in, and the guests had a blast dancing the night away as the sun set over a beautiful vineyard setting.

Enjoy the photos from the ever-so-lovely Maggie of Honeysuckle Photography:

Vendors:

Photography: Honeysuckle Photography
Videography: Shields Films
Floral: Blum, Design in Flowers
Venue: Zenith Vineyard in Salem, OR
Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Nicole Wagner
Music: Mobile Music Entertainment
Catering: Vibrant Table Catering
Stationery: Designs by Renee
Transportation: English Classic Limousine & Premiere Tours
Bakery: Lamb’s Thriftway
Rehearsal Dinner: The Riverplace Hotel

Cheers,

Mandi, Rachelle & the Champagne team