It was a Thursday afternoon and I got a text from Phil of The Portos. He was going above and beyond photographer duties to help out a sweet couple of his. Christin and James had planned to have a small ceremony with 8 people in a hot air balloon that Saturday but due to a forecasted storm the hot air balloon flight was cancelled. Phil had Christin call me and within 20 minutes I had calmed a frantic bride into a little bit of relief. We met that night and planned everything out from the flowers to the picnic lunch they would have. The next day I spent hours scrambling for everything we needed to make their newly designed elopement happen.
I made a few floral arrangements and a bouquet and neatly packaged their picnic lunches for their loved ones. I packed up my truck and headed to the park they chose. I walked the quaint little park in Lithia and picked the perfect spot for them to exchange vows to each other. Remembering the only things Christin wanted during our initial conversation "I just want to get married in the woods...and I like blue." Done and done. I knew we would get along just fine. I picked a spot with a beautiful oak tree canopy and backdrop and set the scene.
Kristin from The Dashing Ginger met me there and helped me style the area. We set a ceremony space with the perfect wooden chairs from Wish Vintage. I tied loose, organic arrangements with ribbons to the chairs lining the aisle. I made two arrangements with roses, thistle and foraged greenery and placed them in mercury glass vases on wooden crates to mark the spot they would say "I do!" We placed farm tables from Set Rentals for guests to have a picnic and toast the newlyweds. I lined the middle of the table with eclectic bottles and single stem florals. Each loved one had a boxed picnic lunch and it was the perfect way to casually celebrate.
This was one of the most challenging tasks I have pulled off as a designer. I had 24 hours to make this happen. It was worth every bit of hustle to see how relieved they were when they knew I was going to pull it off. It was a way for them to celebrate with their closest loved ones without it being too over the top or expensive. Every couple deserves that celebration and it was an honor to make that happen for Christin and James.
Photogrophy: The Portos Planning, design, styling and florals: Amber Veatch Designs Production stylist: Kristin Berry, The Dashing Ginger Chair rental: Wish Vintage Rentals Table, chargers, napkin, serving set: Set Event Rentals