30th Annual Decatur Candlelight Tour of Homes

 The Tour was held November 30th and December 1st and featured seven wonderfully different homes located throughout Decatur.  I love participating in this event not only because I get to see a sneak peek of all the homes but also because the Tour proceeds support many deserving non-profits in the city.  I also get free reign to design specifically to the style of the homes.

The above dining room table design consisted of David Austin "Juliet" roses, white lilies, ilex berries and pine nestled in a silver chafing dish.

Here we have large silver sleigh filled with bright green hydrangea, white lisianthus, and bells of ireland.

 A family of deer are tucked in a silver jardiniere and surrounded by eucalyptus pods, white cottage yarrow, pine and white "snowy jewel" roses.

This foyer table crystal hurricane was surrounded by a large fir wreath and "leonidas" roses, white baby tulips, and furry leucodendron pods.  Tucked amongst the fresh flowers and greens were a few large gold ornaments and sparkly green hanging amaranthus.

A rich cranberry-colored collection of protea, scabiosa and alstromeriea in a crystal compote completed the design for this dining room table.

A nest of  hot pink celosia, red sweetheart roses, and feathers held a white snowy owl.  A whimsical design for a home with an eclectic design aesthetic.

And last is a turquoise ceramic dish containing a geometric design of succulents (echeverria), green dianthus and red pincushion protea.

Happy Holidays from bloom floral design!

Melanie & Jeremy in Decatur

As I live and work in Decatur, I'm always happy to meet newly engaged couples who believe that Decatur is totally awesome and a great place to get married.  And they further believe that "keeping it local" is the best way to do business.

Melanie and Jeremy chose The Courthouse on the Square and Wahoo! restaurant for their wedding day.  Two wonderful wedding/event venues in the city.

Melanie's color palette was soft grey, ivory and shades of yellow.  Here she carries down the aisle escorted by her mom, a bouquet of dahlias, button mums, yellow garden roses, stock, spray aster and dusty miller.

The sign-in book was located in the lobby of the Courthouse.

Gorgeous grey dresses on the bridesmaids and beautiful beaded floral necklaces.

Melanie and Jeremy saw each other before the ceremony so that they could spend more time with their guests after.  She actually didn't pin on the boutonniere, I did - but it makes a cute photo!

Close family members each received a flower in their seat at the start of the ceremony.  Later, they added the stems to a vase at the "altar" creating a 'family bouquet' - symbolizing the coming together of the two families.

  

 Table decor at Wahoo consisted of clusters of vintage vases filled with garden roses, queen anne's lace, spray aster, billy balls, mint, rosemary, chamomile, stock, football mums, ranunculus and dusty miller.

 

The escort table was set with individual favor vases that each guest collected and took to their assigned table, contributing to the centerpiece floral display.

 

A sweet and intimate Decatur wedding.  Congratulations Melanie and Jeremy!

Empire State South / Sarah & Kevin / Part 2

So, we pick up where we left off.  

The ceremony.  Sarah and Kevin were looking for a type of  "unity ceremony" and the options out there  seemed kind of  'eh' to them.  They both love craft cocktails and especially Old Fashioneds - so they decided on a 'unity drink' ceremony!   Each component of the cocktail represents something about one or the other (details here are private)...and by 'muddling' and enjoying them together their unity was confirmed.

The officiant was Sarah's best friend who had also worked with Kevin and knew them both very well.

As Sarah relaxed post-ceremony, guests entered the restaurant and found their seats via an 'escort ladder'.

The mandolin guitar case on the sign-in table belongs to Kevin and the guest book itself is made from a Hall & Oates record and album cover.  (They are big fans of Hall & Oates!).  Kevin plays guitar and has DJ'd all over the city.

Vintage oil lamps were used as vases and held coral charm peonies, peach godetia, pink astilbe and mint leaves.

Tables were identified using vintage (and real!) prescriptions found on etsy.   Both of Sarah's parents are in the medical field and she is heading in that same direction, so it was another subtle, yet representative, detail. 

Antique and flea market vases of all shapes and sizes added further interest to the tables.  Peonies, peach stock, spray roses, dusty miller, silvery echeveria and mint leaves filled them beautifully.

A tiny keepsake banner (another etsy find) identified each guest's place at the long rectangular tables.

Since both Sarah and Kevin love music, table runners of vintage player piano music scrolls lined each table.    Courtesy of wedding rental company Four Inch Fold.

If you look closely below, you'll  see some of the lyrics from "The Sound of Music"...

Cocktail offering...now the guests could enjoy that Old Fashioned!

Wine and beer choices...

And most importantly, the menu from Empire State South.  Chef Ryan Smith and Chef/Partner Hugh Acheson offer  "a modern approach to authentic southern dishes...".  Yum.

So, good stuff - huh? But we'll stop for now and leave the details about the sweets and dancing for another post.  Incredible images from Julia of Our Labor of Love (and a few of my own...)