For many brides, rain would be their worst wedding nightmare. It’s really not that bad, and the photos end up looking incredibly romantic. You can tell my friend Cecile here didn’t let the rain get her down — she and her now-husband seem to embrace the rain on their St. Patrick’s wedding day.
Photo by Leila Peterson
I remember the day well — it was raining cats and dogs. Save for the umbrella, however, you wouldn’t know it — they’re grinning at each other as if it was sunny and warm.
This post starts with photos of the church. I’ve decorated this church dozens of times (I actually grow up in this church).
There was no draping; instead, my brother and his design partner custom made these stands of branches and put sprigs of hydrangeas on top and on the bottom. One arrangement was placed at the opening of each row along the aisle.
My brother’s wedding at the Huntington Beach Hyatt was his first big solo job, so even though he didn’t need me to do any draping, he enlisted my help in advance to take photos, since he always forgets to take them. Of course, when I showed up, I was immediately set to helping moss arrangements, fill water piks and other tasks.
Because of the vast number of photos I took for this wedding, I’ve split my blogging into two posts — this one is about the personal bridal flowers, like the boutonnieres, corsages and, of course, the bridal bouquet.
Above, you’ve got three examples of boutonnieres from this wedding, and there were actually more — I just liked these three the best. To the left, I believe the green cymbidium orchid with some burlap backing is a groomsman’s boutonniere. In the center, the purple and white mini calla lily, is a ring bearer’s boutonniere. To the right, the purple anemone with coffee beans and burlap backing is for the groom. My brother had also made a backup for the groom using a white anemone that’s not pictured here.
My brother, the budding florist, decorated this 18th birthday party, or debut, not too long ago.
Photos by Daniel Barrientos
The party was at the Holiday Inn Burbank back in June. (Yes, I know I’m late.) He says he used lemon leaves, white hydrangea, purple lisianthus, purple carnations, and green cymbidium orchids. (He got tired of me guessing, heheh.) At this party, he also provided seat covers and the sheer lavender overlays.
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At a design show, you should fully expect to see amazing floral designs and floral art. The show where my brother, the budding florist, recently took these photos was no exception.
Photos by Daniel Barrientos
For example, the artsy arrangement above looks more like art than a flower arrangement. I’m not sure the name of the greens, but I do see pink gerber daisies (although they look like a special kind) and green cymbidium orchids. And I like the use of a succulent in there. Bonus — the white overlay on the pink tablecloth. That’s a super cool overlay, although trying to fold it must be a pickle.
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My brother, the budding florist, has been doing his homework, which means checking out the work of other experienced florists at design shows. He took some pictures for me at one recent show in Orange County.
Photos by Daniel Barrientos
He sent me quite a few photos, but I split them up into “regular” flowers and tropical arrangements. These are the “regular” flowers, but the designers designed them in such a way that they are in no way “regular” at all. Take, after all, this arrangement of pink roses, purple daisies and green poms — so colorful and cute and perfect for a fun, outdoor wedding.
Floral design, you might think, would be the domain of women. I am here to tell you you’re wrong. Some of the floral industry’s most recognizable names have been men. For example, Silverio Casabar, Phil Rulloda, Mark Held of Mark’s Garden in Sherman Oaks. So, if you are in the habit of keeping track of names like the aforementioned, keep this one in mind — Daniel Barrientos.
My brother has been sending me pictures of the arrangements he’s been creating in his floral design classes. This arrangement of purple flowers includes purple irises, purple gladiolus and liatris. This one is very Ikebana, if I do say so myself.
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