I believe in love...

 

...and I see it everyday of my life. So much in fact that now and then I need to keep myself in check and watch a scary movie to find some balance. Seriously. I live in a beautiful bubble. Love. Love. Love. Now mind you, I meet dozens and dozens of engaged couples a year. I have attended hundreds of weddings. At the shop, I witness tender moments. I witness kind and gentle hearts, every single day. If the blue velvet couch in my little flower shop had a voice, it would whisper, "love lives here."

I believe in love. I have experienced it. I have also experienced total and complete heartbreak. Sometimes they go hand in hand. The key is to move on. Forgive and believe. Open your heart. Life is so damn short. Let your heart beat fast. Find that someone who makes time, stand, still. Who, when you gaze into their eyes makes you forget everything else. Simply everything.

Do not be afraid dear friend. Jump.

The Flower Shop Girl...

 

What is that thing, that chemistry thing? That thing that hits you and knocks you off balance. That moment when the world changes and the sun is brighter, the darkness is light. Can you touch it? Can you grasp it in the palm of your hand? Bottle it, like a fragrance and you would find wealth. Eternal riches. How does it find you and find both of you at the same time? What is that?

The strength to become vulnerable. To take steps after pain. To forgive and heal. To walk. Run.

It is hope. Hope and that twin, love. Forgive someone. Forgive yourself. Most.

Love is all there is. Love is in the first kiss. The eyes, perhaps green, perhaps blue or brown. Love is in the blossom of the spring bud. Sigh, breathe and love. Just love.

Lace is the new black and how leonardo dicaprio changed my life..

swoon. thank you leonardo for being obsessed with daisy. you changed my life. just when I couldn't bear to look at another photo of the ruched wedding dress with rhinestone brooch, I was swept off my feet. I shall never be the same again. every bride that I have booked for 2014, I mean every single bride has been influenced by this movie. every dress is romantic, timeless and just plain lovely.

lace, lace, and lace.

goodbye wildflower bouquets. ugh. (toss those into the boulder creek.) hello garden roses, hydrangea, peonies, café au lait dahlias and fluffy ranunculus. I love you. you are what my dreams are made of.

in love with flowers and lace, and of coarse vera wang dresses,
Sarah

The Barn Wedding from Heaven

So I found this image on pinterest. It has been pinned soooo many times I really don't know where it came from. Would be happy to credit the owner. What a perfectly romantic setting. I don't think its real. Too perfect, too set. Not a spec of dust on the barn floor. When I got married in a barn, we had to step over the peacock poop on the floor and kick the chicken feathers to the side. Not kidding. We had to swat the mosquitoes and squash the beetles. If I look even closer at the pic, I notice that the candelabra is missing tapers. Who would use a candelabra without tapers? And another thing, there aren't enough chairs. In a real wedding reception, you place as many chairs as you comfortably can so that you use fewer tables which means less money spent on rentals, linens and centerpieces. Nope, definately not a real wedding, just an inspiration. And I am inspired, to go fetch another midol. (going to be one of those days.)

Jemma + Gabriel's Wedding at Starhouse

When a bride telephones and mentions that she wants a magical fairy-type wedding, I am all ears. Jemma. She reminded me of Snow White. I wanted to call her Snow. No, she reminded me of Grace Kelly. So incredibly beautiful, in the way she talked, walked and simply carried herself. Grace. Pure, beautiful grace. Her wedding was filled with beautiful things. Dark, rich colors. A secluded mountain setting. Groomsmen carrying walking sticks, marching single file toward the Starhouse. The reception tables were filled with antique urns spilling with vines, twigs, roses and lilies. Offset by gems, crystals and butterflies. It was truly magical. I was right the first time. Who else rules the magical forest, but Snow.

photography by Julie Harris
wedding planning by Rachel Hagen @ Tahlia Events
flowers by me: Painted Primrose

titanic

i am planning on a titanic weekend. goose bumps and all. tears to top it off. big screen, 3-D glasses and lots of water. see you there.

Wedding Favors HomArt Matches

New arrival to our store, these super cool wedding favors. Each box of HomArt wooden stick matches is decorated with an emphemera pattern and super cute bride. Box contains about 50 - four inch matches. Order in quantity and give to each and every one of your guests. www.paintedprimrose.com. Call to order. 1.888.280.8849

Real Weddings Meghan and Tim

This weekend's wedding belonged to Meghan and Tim. The bride loved orange, white and lime green. In her bouquet, I used white Dutch peonies, orange dahlias, mini green hydrangea and ornamental kale. One word for the color scheme, fresh! The wedding took place beside a pond complete with wandering geese. The ring bearer wore a mini orange gerbera daisy boutonniere and bright orange Crocs. Those pictures to follow...Best wishes to the both of you!

Real Weddings Cynthia & David

Cynthia planned her Zen wedding at Peaceful Valley Ranch. Emphasis on the peaceful part. Her mantra "whatever happens, happens." When we toured the ranch last, there was 14" of snow on the ground. That was a mere three weeks ago. Today, a beautiful, peaceful day in the 80's. Cynthia chose tropical orchids to match her zen theme. They are striking, yet pure and elegant. Best wishes to you Cynthia & David.

Peonies and Love

It's peony season! Finally. This bouquet is from yesterday's mountain wedding. I love this variety of white with hot pink centers. The fragrance is heavenly. Does anyone know where I can order peony cologne? That way I can have peonies all year long.

Real Wedding Robert & Oriana

The petite beauty and the football player, so in love. Oriana loved orchids, dahlias and gerbera daisies. Her bouquet was was deep burgundies and light pink. I thought it quite exquisite. Their wedding took place at Brookside Gardens in Berthoud, Co. A relatively new wedding site. Beautiful and tastefully decorated.

The Million Dollar Shot

Yesterday I had a long conversation with a bride regarding photographers. My favorite photographers are those who pay attention to the detail shots. The little things, tender moment things. This photo is one of my very favorite. Wow. Did he capture the million dollar shot or what? Sit with your photographer and make a list of the shots you want. Don't go just for the posed portraits. How boring is that? Have him/her shoot details of your dress, your hair, your shoes, the appetizers, the wine. And please take shots of your bouquet! Don't forget that your photographer is an artist. Do let them create art!

Stunning Photos by Christina Kiffney Photography

There are so many wonderful photographers in Boulder. I am very lucky. After my weddings are done and over, I patiently wait for photos of my floral designs. I just received these from Christina Kiffney Photography. I am stunned! Do book her to photograph your wedding!!! www.christinakiffneyphotography.com

Winter White Wedding in Denver Colorado

Just a quick pick from yesterday's wedding at the beautiful Valley Country Club in south Denver. Wedding colors were white on white and icy blue. Perfect for a winter wedding. The garden roses were grown in California and smelled heavenly. Loved working with Nicole Mulvany from RSVP Shindig.

Red Lion Restaurant Boulder

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am working together with Boulder's Red Lion Restaurant to design flowers for their Elopement Package. They are located just 3 miles from Boulder, nestled in a breathtaking canyon. Their food is superb! Every time I delivery wedding flowers to The Red Lion, I am so amazed with how well they pamper their Brides! Call Tina Mueller 303-443-5882, for information or check out their website at www.redlionrestaurant.com and request The Painted Primrose to design your wedding flowers!

Wedding Flowers

Loved these photos from a wedding I designed at the Omni. Traditional, romantic, soft and elegant. Once again I used Eurfloria roses, always performing well. Also used stargazer lilies, but suggested to the bride that she be the only one carrying the stargazers since the fragrance was so strong and we used many, many lilies! I placed Sorbonne lilies everywhere else. Light fragrance and a great performer as well. Photos courtesy of www.roperphoto.com.