A Fair to Remember

I'm packing my bags and heading to The Fair!
The Independent Wedding Fair!

Many of you probably know me as a floral designer. But I also wear another hat: I'm a proud member of the Independent Wedding Association, a group of Twin Cities-area wedding vendors (photographers, bakers, florists, musicians and more) dedicated to providing great value and warm, personal service.

Sunday, Nov. 14, 12-4pm, we're putting on a very special event at
The Varsity Theater:
The Independent Wedding Fair!

In a nutshell, it's a gathering of local vendors who meet future brides and grooms in a no-pressure, highly relaxed environment. The emphasis is on having an event that's both fun and fulfilling for everyone involved; we'll have cake samples, "Ask the Experts" panels, and live music.

This year also marks the debut of the "Not So Real Wedding," a whole wedding (and cocktail hour) condensed into one hour to let you watch wedding vendors work their stuff.

You can learn more and buy tickets here -- please pass this note along to anyone you know who might be looking for an alternative to the "bridal industrial complex" -- we're hoping to share the experience far and wide!

http://independentwedding.com/fair-information/purchase-tickets/

The dedicated vendors at this fair will knock your socks off with their personalities and talents. This fair will not be overwhelming; it will be fun. You can learn to dance, eat cake and chill out on a cushy chair while talking to local vendors about flowers, invitations and fashion in the same afternoon! I can't wait to talk to brides about their engagement stories, the dress and, of course, flowers. Can you tell I'm just a bit excited?

:)

With Best Wishes,

Ashley

photo by Studio Laguna

Peach Dahlias

Gathered from the garden before the frost.
They were my favorite flower this year.
Oh wait, I'm not supposed to play favorites, but can you blame me?

Kate and Tim

The bride's bouquet with dark purple hydrangea, lavender roses
and sweet pea, red roses with italian ruscus.

The maid's bouquet with vibrant red and pink celosia.

Boutonniere with purple Thai pepers from my garden.

Yep, that's me delivering alter arrangements to the church. :)
You can see a peek of my son, Luc behind me. What a good little helper.

At the Arboretum reception I used containers of purple sage, silver thyme, chartruse lysimachia and purple Thai peppers in a square, metallic silver glaze container. The guests brought them home and were able to plant them in their gardens. Everything except the peppers will grow again next year! Nice! This is my favorite way to do centers for tables.

Thank you Wendy Maybury for the pretty photos!

Tricia and Joel

"Soft, blue and pretty." I am pretty sure those were the exact words Tricia's mom used when we met for our first consultation and Tricia agreed. :)
I loved the maids' ocean color dresses (cool looking in the high heat of July) and Tricia is just beautiful, inside and out. Gotta love her, she is a teacher!

The bride's bouquet was created using: blue South American hydrangea, light blue tweedia, fresia, sweet pea, mini calla lily and deep blue cornflowers

The maids carried blue hydrangea, fresia and white spray roses

The family did a great job with the DIY table centers. A few blue hydrangea blooms in a neat and simple square vase. Clean, fresh and just right. (fyi: So easy to do, a great money saver!)

Thank you, Tricia and Joel and Congratulations!

Lovely photos by (fellow Chaska resident!) Jeffery Stone Photography

Sarah and Sahand

The bride's dress was worn by her mother and grandmother on their wedding days.

the bride's bouquet: black dahlia, black/eggplant mini calla, pink nerines, lilies and roses

front of bride's bouquet

The bride requested I place "something blue" on her bouquet.
I found these antique earrings and placed them on the back of the bouquet,
to face Sarah as she walked down the asile.

maid of honor's bouquet

a maid's bouquet

the reception
James J. Hill Library

handsome photos by Studio 306
Thank you!