Ever since signing up for the Trouvaille Workshop and speaking with the kind and personable Rhiannon Banda of Hey Gorgeous Events, a seed was planted in my heart. I had emailed Rhiannon with questions regarding Trouvaille, and while answering those questions, she pointed me toward the Making Things Happen intensive in March. I had heard about MTH before, but had not seriously looked into it, because I was still unsure about how and in what way to find the focus for my goals.
Making Things Happen is all about finding the core of what makes you move. By combining some serious goal setting and soul searching with branding and business essentials, MTH seems to be a huge turning point for the attendants. I am ready to be one of those people!
I bought the ticket after learning via Lara Casey's Instagram feed that there were only 19 tickets left for the intensive. Despite the huge popularity of the intensive, the event is capped at 70 tickets to ensure that the gathering is still intimate enough for major interaction and change among attendees. I realized that if I did not make that leap to attend this conference, I would be left wondering. I would wonder what pushed the other attendees to purchase their tickets. What changes are they hoping to make? I would have wondered what topics and planning would have been covered during the conference. And I would have been wondering how the lives of the attendees would be changed after the conference.
Things became really clear after that. I had to attend. Pure and simple.
I bought my ticket, and I booked my hotel. I am rooming with another sweet attendee at the event, and I am so happy to have already spoken with her and several other people involved. We are all so excited!
Chapel Hill, I am coming for you! I am ready to learn and be challenged, and I am ready to make positive changes in my life.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Getting Out of a Rut
It's been over a month. The impulse to write and create in this space has flickered on and off, in small blinking ways since my last post. However, the creative flash that I thought I needed was not pulsing through my mind.
While balancing a job (one that during the day, makes your body and mind tired) and trying to begin a new line of work, the impulse to create can be so hard to muster up. My day job, while rewarding and fun (at times) in its own way, is not something that makes my heart happy anymore. A long time ago, I loved that I felt valued and happy at my workplace each day. Sadly, I do not feel that way anymore, due to a number of factors. It is obvious now, more than ever, that I must make changes before I can no longer remember what makes me happy in being a hardworking, efficient, caring employee.
In simply getting through the day to day aspect of my job, it is seriously challenging to want to come home and do anything but shower, eat (if I have the energy), and put on pajamas and fall asleep on the couch. The last thing on my mind is how to network to build a successful working relationship with vendors in the area, or researching the best floral wholesalers. Thankfully, I have been afforded time to do these things, due to the winter break from school that I am currently soaking in.
I am still trying to crawl out of the rut that unhappiness can push me into, while internally dealing with the looming date that I need to go back to work. It is hard to push for progress when I have such a sinking feeling that I will be shoved down once again by a hostile entity. Honestly, it makes me scared for who I am turning into, because I do not want to be unhappy. I do not like how I can be a huge downer when I have to talk about what I do at my workplace. I want to be enthusiastic and happy, living with a passion for my work. I am moving in that direction, just more slowly than I'd prefer. I am patient.
Dear readers, whoever you might be out there, I have not vanished. I am here, and I want to be the best choice for your wedding needs. I'm learning, thinking, working, and practicing a liberal amount of self-care in order to be that person for you.
I'm not abandoning this ship.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
While balancing a job (one that during the day, makes your body and mind tired) and trying to begin a new line of work, the impulse to create can be so hard to muster up. My day job, while rewarding and fun (at times) in its own way, is not something that makes my heart happy anymore. A long time ago, I loved that I felt valued and happy at my workplace each day. Sadly, I do not feel that way anymore, due to a number of factors. It is obvious now, more than ever, that I must make changes before I can no longer remember what makes me happy in being a hardworking, efficient, caring employee.
In simply getting through the day to day aspect of my job, it is seriously challenging to want to come home and do anything but shower, eat (if I have the energy), and put on pajamas and fall asleep on the couch. The last thing on my mind is how to network to build a successful working relationship with vendors in the area, or researching the best floral wholesalers. Thankfully, I have been afforded time to do these things, due to the winter break from school that I am currently soaking in.
I am still trying to crawl out of the rut that unhappiness can push me into, while internally dealing with the looming date that I need to go back to work. It is hard to push for progress when I have such a sinking feeling that I will be shoved down once again by a hostile entity. Honestly, it makes me scared for who I am turning into, because I do not want to be unhappy. I do not like how I can be a huge downer when I have to talk about what I do at my workplace. I want to be enthusiastic and happy, living with a passion for my work. I am moving in that direction, just more slowly than I'd prefer. I am patient.
Dear readers, whoever you might be out there, I have not vanished. I am here, and I want to be the best choice for your wedding needs. I'm learning, thinking, working, and practicing a liberal amount of self-care in order to be that person for you.
I'm not abandoning this ship.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Choosing a Florist
When choosing a florist for an event, it is possible to pick a great vendor in several different ways. Personally, my best advice for choosing a florist is by word of mouth recommendation from trusted friends and family members. As Chris and I were looking for a florist for our upcoming wedding, we asked around to trusted friends and family for florist recommendations, and we also scoured the internet heavily to supplement our search.
Before even speaking with a florist, it is a wise idea to have a compilation of several photos or images of floral ideas to discuss at such a meeting. Using websites such as Flickr and Pinterest, along with wedding blogs and wedding websites can make finding inspiration for your event flowers an easy task. If you know that you want to have certain colors of flowers in the arrangements and bouquets at your wedding, you can begin to have sample ideas to show your prospective florist. That way, they can begin to discern the direction in which they should take your ideas. Keeping notes early will save you the trouble of scrambling to gather ideas right before meeting with florists.
If you have swatches of fabric from bridesmaid dresses, this is another helpful item to bring to a meeting with a florist. The same goes for pictures of your dress, venue, and other decorations that you are hoping to include on the special day.
Having a firm grasp on your wedding budget is essential to ensuring that you are making a good choice with a florist as well. If you are able to discuss a budget with the florist, then there will be a clearer picture of what floral services they can provide for you, depending on the flowers and quantity of pieces you need made.
Be prepared to wait at least one week after meeting with a florist to receive an estimated cost for their services. Following up with all florists you interview is good manners and allows the florist to book another client in your stead. Good manners and transparency matter in hiring vendors!
Some good questions to ask your florist:
Before even speaking with a florist, it is a wise idea to have a compilation of several photos or images of floral ideas to discuss at such a meeting. Using websites such as Flickr and Pinterest, along with wedding blogs and wedding websites can make finding inspiration for your event flowers an easy task. If you know that you want to have certain colors of flowers in the arrangements and bouquets at your wedding, you can begin to have sample ideas to show your prospective florist. That way, they can begin to discern the direction in which they should take your ideas. Keeping notes early will save you the trouble of scrambling to gather ideas right before meeting with florists.
If you have swatches of fabric from bridesmaid dresses, this is another helpful item to bring to a meeting with a florist. The same goes for pictures of your dress, venue, and other decorations that you are hoping to include on the special day.
Having a firm grasp on your wedding budget is essential to ensuring that you are making a good choice with a florist as well. If you are able to discuss a budget with the florist, then there will be a clearer picture of what floral services they can provide for you, depending on the flowers and quantity of pieces you need made.
Be prepared to wait at least one week after meeting with a florist to receive an estimated cost for their services. Following up with all florists you interview is good manners and allows the florist to book another client in your stead. Good manners and transparency matter in hiring vendors!
Some good questions to ask your florist:
- How many event/wedding clients do you serve per day? Per month?
- Are the flowers I want in season at the time that I want them? Is there a similar alternative to what I want if they are not in season?
- What is your contract policy?
- What is the amount due for a deposit on services?
- Is there a delivery fee for transport of florals to the event site?
And always, trust your gut when it comes to choosing any professional to work with! If you feel that you are receiving top notch service from the vendor, and that the vendor is ready to work with you in a positive manner, then this is a good indicator of the vigor with which they will approach your event. A good rapport is crucial to a positive working relationship.
My goal is to bring a positive and stress-free experience to any client that I am fortunate to take on. I am ready to work hard to make your event beautiful and fun, and I cannot wait to work with you to make the beauty happen!
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Friday, November 8, 2013
Martha Stewart Destination Wedding: Ireland
After looking through the most recent issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, I was overcome with an intense emotional reaction to many of the photos that were found within the pages. There is something that is just breathtaking about a wedding portrait of the happy couple. I am torn between wanting to cry because portraits are so pretty, and also wanting to somehow absorb the gorgeousness that I see in the photo. I typically settle for a combination of abrupt inhalations and teeth gnawing faces and noises, because some portraits are just too pretty to articulate.
One such highlight from this issue was the photo series detailing the nuptials of photographers Corbin Gurkin and Thatcher Cook. Their destination wedding in County Cork, Ireland was breathtaking and evoked a sense of Victorian elegance, paired with earthy details and colors. The bride's gown, a stunning pale pink Vera Wang was paired with a rich tan suede bolero in the wedding portrait, and made for a textured contrast. The groom, sporting a Leica camera around his neck was just as glowing as the bride.
Take a look at their photos, especially their wedding portrait, and prepare to be awed.
This is what I want to create. Weddings that are indescribable. The awesome feeling that magic is happening right before your eyes, and you're surrounded by its presence. I want to facilitate this magic.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
One such highlight from this issue was the photo series detailing the nuptials of photographers Corbin Gurkin and Thatcher Cook. Their destination wedding in County Cork, Ireland was breathtaking and evoked a sense of Victorian elegance, paired with earthy details and colors. The bride's gown, a stunning pale pink Vera Wang was paired with a rich tan suede bolero in the wedding portrait, and made for a textured contrast. The groom, sporting a Leica camera around his neck was just as glowing as the bride.
Take a look at their photos, especially their wedding portrait, and prepare to be awed.
This is what I want to create. Weddings that are indescribable. The awesome feeling that magic is happening right before your eyes, and you're surrounded by its presence. I want to facilitate this magic.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Workshopping in the Spring
In the quest to become more ready to break into the wedding industry, I have been researching on the internet and scouring across all corners of the web to find more educational resources. I am a longtime follower (and scarce commenter!) to many blogs of passionate professional women in the industry, and I am so excited that an opportunity of education has sprouted up.
The lovely Rhiannon Banda of Hey Gorgeous Events has carefully planned a wonderful upcoming event in April. From April 13 to 15, I will be an attendee to Trouvaille. What is Trouvaille? I think it is best quoted from the event website:
Sounds great, right? There are SO MANY perks to attending this event, that I seriously do not know where to begin. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, I will be attending workshops on floral design, tabletop design, branding, marketing, networking, and so many other realms of wedding business owning. I will be amongst 25 other attendees in a small setting, which I am also so thankful for. I might not be the most social person, but I am excited for the intimacy that this event has to offer.
At first, I must admit that I was unsure if this could be an event for me. I have lots of ideas, but no business to really speak of just yet. I emailed Rhiannon, and she gave me lots of sweet encouragement from the heart. With support from her, my ever-wonderful fiancé, and my dear friends, I was able to confidently register. Grand Rapids, here I come!
Love and Light,
Alyssa
The lovely Rhiannon Banda of Hey Gorgeous Events has carefully planned a wonderful upcoming event in April. From April 13 to 15, I will be an attendee to Trouvaille. What is Trouvaille? I think it is best quoted from the event website:
Trouvaille is for creative, entrepreneurial and driven women who operate or want to own multi-faceted wedding planning businesses. The more services your creative business encompasses, the better! The more you want to learn, grow and extend your design and back-end business knowledge, the better. Trouvaille is a truly hands on and comprehensive experience designed to inspire and encourage growth across all realms of any planning and design business.
Sounds great, right? There are SO MANY perks to attending this event, that I seriously do not know where to begin. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, I will be attending workshops on floral design, tabletop design, branding, marketing, networking, and so many other realms of wedding business owning. I will be amongst 25 other attendees in a small setting, which I am also so thankful for. I might not be the most social person, but I am excited for the intimacy that this event has to offer.
At first, I must admit that I was unsure if this could be an event for me. I have lots of ideas, but no business to really speak of just yet. I emailed Rhiannon, and she gave me lots of sweet encouragement from the heart. With support from her, my ever-wonderful fiancé, and my dear friends, I was able to confidently register. Grand Rapids, here I come!
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Woodland Sophistication
Branding is tough.
I'm starting from nothing. I understand that typically, small businesses start from...nothing. The problem is that I don't know anyone personally who has started a small business, let alone a business that is a wedding planning and styling business. I'm learning from the internet, and some really awesome people that I've never met.
In terms of building my brand idea, I have compiled many visuals for a Pinterest board, to show the amalgamation of colors, shapes, lines, and images I want to associate with Demure Birch Designs. A sense of sophistication, class, calm, brightness, and optimism should come across in the branding. A touch of magic and ethereal imagery is also a theme that I want present in my branding. I want to be able to design and coordinate any type of wedding: bold, traditional, beachy. But I want my branding aesthetic to be personal to show what I am personally bringing to the table.
In due time I will be sharing my branding inspiration board with you lovely blogging folks, but not just yet. Firstly, I want to add more to it to give a more complete concept to you all. Secondly, I am having difficulty embedding pins onto the blog right now. Give me some time to get it working and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
I'm starting from nothing. I understand that typically, small businesses start from...nothing. The problem is that I don't know anyone personally who has started a small business, let alone a business that is a wedding planning and styling business. I'm learning from the internet, and some really awesome people that I've never met.
In terms of building my brand idea, I have compiled many visuals for a Pinterest board, to show the amalgamation of colors, shapes, lines, and images I want to associate with Demure Birch Designs. A sense of sophistication, class, calm, brightness, and optimism should come across in the branding. A touch of magic and ethereal imagery is also a theme that I want present in my branding. I want to be able to design and coordinate any type of wedding: bold, traditional, beachy. But I want my branding aesthetic to be personal to show what I am personally bringing to the table.
In due time I will be sharing my branding inspiration board with you lovely blogging folks, but not just yet. Firstly, I want to add more to it to give a more complete concept to you all. Secondly, I am having difficulty embedding pins onto the blog right now. Give me some time to get it working and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Summer Floral Immersion: Basic I and II
Florals are a design element for which I have had a long time love. I have always thought that fresh flowers are an instant way to brighten a room and make a living space feel more welcoming. The best grocery store flowers I've ever found have consistently been from Trader Joe's. They always have a vast selection of seasonal blooms as well as locally grown New Jersey flowers during the summer months. Their flowers are also extremely affordable - a large beautiful mixed bouquet costs less than $10. Can't be beat!
The local florist in my area of Philadelphia also has a large array of flowers that customers are allowed to hand select when purchasing from the shop. I've frequented this shop many times and am always welcomed to choose any bloom I desire.
In order to better hone my existing floral arranging skills and learn more about such methods, I will be attending a floral design class at Longwood Gardens in May of 2014. I will be enrolling in the Summer Floral Immerson: Basic I and II class. It is a four day class, with 10 hours of instruction in each day. According to the course selection guide for Longwood's continuing education programs, many areas of floral design will be covered, including materials and instruments, blooms and usage, and sustainable design strategies.
The four day course will definitely be a thorough and fulfilling learning experience, one that I have long awaited. I attempted to enroll in floral design classes over the summer this year, but Longwood's courses fill up very quickly, given the clout of their continuing education certifications and the prestige of the Gardens themselves. Registration begins November 11, and you'd better believe that my alarm will be on to remind me to register for such a great opportunity.
Take a peek at their course selection guide, and see if anything peaks your interest!
Love and Light,
Alyssa
The local florist in my area of Philadelphia also has a large array of flowers that customers are allowed to hand select when purchasing from the shop. I've frequented this shop many times and am always welcomed to choose any bloom I desire.
In order to better hone my existing floral arranging skills and learn more about such methods, I will be attending a floral design class at Longwood Gardens in May of 2014. I will be enrolling in the Summer Floral Immerson: Basic I and II class. It is a four day class, with 10 hours of instruction in each day. According to the course selection guide for Longwood's continuing education programs, many areas of floral design will be covered, including materials and instruments, blooms and usage, and sustainable design strategies.
The four day course will definitely be a thorough and fulfilling learning experience, one that I have long awaited. I attempted to enroll in floral design classes over the summer this year, but Longwood's courses fill up very quickly, given the clout of their continuing education certifications and the prestige of the Gardens themselves. Registration begins November 11, and you'd better believe that my alarm will be on to remind me to register for such a great opportunity.
Take a peek at their course selection guide, and see if anything peaks your interest!
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Monday, October 28, 2013
Bouquet for Kelly
On Sunday, Chris and I had the pleasure of being involved in a sweet and simple tree planting ceremony to symbolize the beginning of his mother's marriage to her longtime boyfriend, Tom. Three trees were planted, all birch trees, as a matter of fact! Funny how they are young birch trees and this blog and business of a similar name is in a similar condition. It was a beautiful day.
Kelly loved her bouquet, which made me so excited and happy, since it was a surprise and I did not consult her for any opinion at all! She is originally from Kansas, where the state flower is the wild sunflower - those were a must. Wheat is the leading cash crop of Kansas, which is also why it was included. When Chris and I marry each other in August next year, wheat will also be in my bouquet, and I am pleased that I could tie in my bouquet with Kelly's. It could even start a new tradition, and it makes me feel happy that I know we are becoming a family in so many ways.
The purple kale immediately caught my eye at the flower shop, and I think the purple color is a great balance to the golden yellow sunflower petals. The mixed greens add texture, and the stems were wrapped with a chocolate brown satin ribbon for an elegant finishing touch.
Please enjoy the photos, and join me in wishing Kelly and Tom a joyful congratulations on their marriage! They are already a fantastic model for what a loving and flexible partnership looks like.
What state do you live in? What is your state flower or cash crop, and could you use it artistically in a bouquet or arrangement? For a list of states and their symbols, check out this link.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Kelly loved her bouquet, which made me so excited and happy, since it was a surprise and I did not consult her for any opinion at all! She is originally from Kansas, where the state flower is the wild sunflower - those were a must. Wheat is the leading cash crop of Kansas, which is also why it was included. When Chris and I marry each other in August next year, wheat will also be in my bouquet, and I am pleased that I could tie in my bouquet with Kelly's. It could even start a new tradition, and it makes me feel happy that I know we are becoming a family in so many ways.
The purple kale immediately caught my eye at the flower shop, and I think the purple color is a great balance to the golden yellow sunflower petals. The mixed greens add texture, and the stems were wrapped with a chocolate brown satin ribbon for an elegant finishing touch.
Please enjoy the photos, and join me in wishing Kelly and Tom a joyful congratulations on their marriage! They are already a fantastic model for what a loving and flexible partnership looks like.
I love the texture of the wheat so much! It'll look great in my wedding bouquet also.
What state do you live in? What is your state flower or cash crop, and could you use it artistically in a bouquet or arrangement? For a list of states and their symbols, check out this link.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Preview: Kelly and Tom
As my first semi-professional client, Kelly is unique in that she has no idea that she is a client! Kelly is my fiancé's mother. Tomorrow, she and her boyfriend of 5 years, Tom, will be getting married in a small tree-planting ceremony on their property in Elverson, Pennsylvania. To surprise Kelly on her big day, I will be making her a beautiful bouquet.
Kelly is a really wonderful lady. When I was thinking of what blooms she would want to carry on her special day, I thought about how unique and off-beat she is, and I wanted to reflect her personality and sensibility in her bouquet. I think I'll be right on the money with her bouquet, if I do say so myself!
The photos below are a preview of some bouquet blooms I'll be using. Stay tuned for photos of the completed work!
Kelly is a really wonderful lady. When I was thinking of what blooms she would want to carry on her special day, I thought about how unique and off-beat she is, and I wanted to reflect her personality and sensibility in her bouquet. I think I'll be right on the money with her bouquet, if I do say so myself!
The photos below are a preview of some bouquet blooms I'll be using. Stay tuned for photos of the completed work!
Above, purple kale.
Beautiful sunflower - great for a fall bouquet!
More purple kale amidst different greens.
Tomorrow, check back to see photos of the finished product! I know that Kelly and Tom will have a beautiful ceremony tomorrow, even if it will be chilly.
Love and Light,
Alyssa
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