A year end review…

The end of the year brings up all kinds of feelings of nostalgia for me. There’s something about the end that makes you think of the beginning. For me 2024 has been a restart for Gathered Here Designs. 

I know I’m bias, but I love the glitter detail on the GHD logo!

Originally GHD launched in 2019, then that beloved 2020 came and kicked all our butts. From 2021-2023, GHD was basically “on pause”. During the engagement season of last year, I was inspired to renew Gathered Here Designs with the goal of providing oodles or helpful FREE content to newly engaged couples online. By the end of the year, my goal was to complete building out a virtual wedding planning course to help support those newly engaged DIY couples who need just a little extra support with the planning process. 

While my course recording is temporarily on pause due to this sore throat that just won’t quit, I’m confident I’ll be able to finish recording before that clock strikes midnight on 12/31.

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Looking back on the year, I feel excited about what I have been able to create with Gathered Here Designs - SO. MUCH. CONTENT. It’s one of my favorite parts of the business is creating things that are helpful to those planning their wedding. I consider myself a content queen of sorts..

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As we look forward to the New Year and all that 2025 has to bring, I wanted to share all the data and favorites from 2024.

GHD 2024 Data

• 63k+ monthly views on Pinterest

• 175+ custom designed pins on Pinterest

• 28 blog posts  (if you count this one) - see my first blog post here from 12/29/23

• 17 Wedding Wednesday emails

• 3 wedding quizzes

  • Style Quiz

  • Season Quiz

  • Flower Quiz

• 10+ free new wedding planning resources

• 10 landing pages

• 1 holiday coloring book (still time to purchase before Christmas - makes a great stocking stuffer!)

• 1 virtual course (almost completed - waitlist here)

Get the GHD holiday coloring book - perfect stocking stuffer!

Here are a few of my favorite things from 2024…

My favorite quiz is the first one I made all about finding your wedding style, though the wedding season quiz is a close second.

Take the wedding style quiz today!

My favorite landing page is this one, which is all about mood boards.

Mood boards are a great way to visualize your wedding design.

My favorite email I sent was is a tie between this one (April) and this one (November).

My mom, sister, and I at my cousin’s wedding in April.

PS if you’re not on my email list, be sure to sign up here. I share all kinds of personal details and photos that I do not include on the blog.

DON’T MISS OUT - SIGN UP FOR WEDDING WEDNESDAY EMAILS!!!

Somewhere in the midst of all that I was working full time until October 2024, raising 2 children, moving from a rental into a 1937 cottage, and began renovating said cottage. Looking at the all this makes me realize why I’m probably so tired haha.

Now while we’re on the nostalgia train, we may as well go waaaaayyyyy back to when I first fell in love with weddings, I was 5. Now talk about nostalgia…

Fun fact: I’ve only been in 2 weddings - one at age 5 and one at 26!

My 5 year old self is the one who keeps the passion of creativity alive, while my 20 year old DIY bride self helps know what tips and tricks are most helpful to share with newly engaged couples, and my current 30-something self is the one who makes it all come together.

Since next week is Christmas, you won’t be hearing from me. While I believe in hardwork, I also believe in rest and boundaries. I’ll be spending next week with my little family in Boise, doing things like a Christmas movie at the Egyptian Theatre and soaking in the hot springs.

As I reflect on the year and all it brought to be (both things I sought and a few surprises like buying a house and walking away from my full time job), I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be here with you to chat about all things weddings. Thank you for making this a year to remember!

In case you’re wondering what’s next…

A sneak peak into 2025

• Switching email platforms

• Launching wedding design course (more on that here)

• Possibly offering 1:1 design sessions (we shall see!)

Don’t forget to watch my favorite go to New Year’s Eve movie that I talked about here. There’s so much New York in this movie, I could just BURST!!!

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Happy holidays to you and yours, however you may choose to celebrate - I’ll see you back here in the New Year!

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Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product through my link I can earn a small commission. This helps allow me the ability to keep providing you free weekly content (yay!).

What to wear to a winter photoshoot

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product through my link I will earn a small commission. This helps allow me the ability to keep providing you free weekly content (yay!).

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The side effect of proposal season? Winter engagement photo sessions. 

Winter engagement photo shoots are undeniably magical. If you’re not planning an engagement shoot, no worries - winter is also a great time for family photos too!

The neutral tones of the season, coupled with cozy layers and a backdrop of snow or bare trees, creates a timeless setting.. With engagement season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to capture this milestone with a winter wonderland feel.

When it comes to planning your outfits, there’s a fine line between looking cohesive and looking like you’re dressed for a family holiday card. The secret is to coordinate looks, while avoiding being too matchy-matchy. After all this is your fiance we’re talking about, not your twin. Here’s how to strike the perfectly balanced coordinated winter look:

1. Pick an Accent Color

Choose one or two accent colors to tie your outfits together. For example, if you’re wearing a burgundy scarf, your partner could wear a hat/headband, boots, or lipstick/nails in the same shade. Neutrals like ivory, grey, navy, and camel make excellent base colors, allowing your accent hues to pop without being overwhelming.

Pro tip: Earthy tones and jewel tones work beautifully against winter backdrops. Not if your backdrop is going to be evergreen trees, you’ll want to go with a cream or neutral color outfit, instead of a navy or black which can blend in too much with the pine color.

2. Incorporate Texture

Textures add depth to your photos and create visual interest. Think cozy cable knits, suede, wool, or even faux fur. If one of you wears a chunky knit sweater, the other might opt for a tweed jacket or corduroy pant. Embellished headbands are also a great way to add texture. The contrast in textures will look fantastic in photos while staying true to the winter theme.

Pro tip: If you don’t want a lot of texture in your fabrics, you can opt to include beaded accents in headbands or a brooch on your jacket lapel to add interest.

Get this polished city look:

Men’s coat

Women’s coat

Black boot

Slouchy hat

Headband

Fitted Turtleneck

Men’s boots

Textured with a pop of color:

Burgundy sweater

Black wool pea coat

Black utility jean

Red plaid trench coat

Tweed vest

Black distressed jean

Motorcycle boot

Chelsea Boot

3. Play With Patterns

Patterns can be a great way to coordinate without matching exactly. One of you might wear a subtle plaid scarf or a striped shirt, while the other picks up the color palette with solid-colored pieces. Just be sure to keep patterns subtle and not overly busy—they should complement, not compete.

For example, if your partner is wearing a plaid flannel top with burgundy and navy tones, you can do a burgundy scarf or sweater to complement the colors in your partner’s flannel without looking like you just stepped out of a 90s family photo taken at JcPenney’s…am I the only one who have one of those from their childhood?

Recreate this cozy look:

Headband

Plaid shirt 

Sweater dress 

Chino pant 

Legging

Men’s shoe 

Women’s Bootie

4. Layer Up (and Stay Comfortable)

Winter photoshoots can get chilly, so embrace the layering opportunities! Not only will layers keep you warm, but they also add dimension to your look. Think scarves, gloves, cardigans, and coats. Be sure to choose pieces you can easily shed if you want a variety of looks in your photos. Blankets can also be a great practical prop for winter photoshoots. Depending on your location, you might be able to make a campfire and or carry lanterns in the photos for added warmth and visual interest. If you’re doing your photos on forest service land, be sure to check the rules and regulations for your area.

Pro tip: Choose footwear that works for winter terrain. Stylish boots are a safe and practical choice—no one wants cold feet in more ways than one! If you’re going to be in the snow, avoid untreated leather and suede which can get ruined when they get wet. Side note, my spouse says I have a knack for always picking the wrong footwear so I’m speaking from experience (allow me to pause for a moment while I mourn my mustard colored suede boots that were totally destroyed one slushy winter day…sigh….).

5. Stay True to Your Style

Above all, your outfits should reflect your personalities and style as a couple. If you’re laid-back and outdoorsy, embrace cozy flannels and hiking boots. If you prefer an elegant vibe, go for tailored coats, dresses, and bold accessories (think statement earrings OR necklace - do not do both). Staying authentic will make your photos feel more “you” and will make you feel more comfortable during the photoshoot itself.

For the thrill seekers:

Columbia pullover 

Sante Fe button up 

Socks 

Gray pant 

Hiking boot 

Navy pant 

Beanie 

6. Consider the Setting

Take cues from your location. A snowy forest might call for rich jewel or earth tones, while an urban setting could inspire a sleeker, more modern look. Plan your outfits to complement—not clash with—the surroundings.

Pro tip: Winter is a great time to incorporate props in your photos. Adding a thick cable knit blanket, a metal lantern, and/or some ceramic mugs all make great accents to your snowy photoshoot.

Winter photoshoot props:

Cable-knit blanket 

Lanterns 

Mugs

Final Thoughts

Winter engagement photos are a beautiful way to celebrate your love (and or family) amidst the magic of the season. By coordinating your outfits through accent colors, patterns, and textures, you’ll create a cohesive yet natural look that lets your connection shine. Remember this is your life partner, not your twin sibling - don’t go to matchy matchy. Bundle up, enjoy the moment, and trust your photographer to capture the romance of your winter wonderland backdrop.

Smile big and congratulations on your engagement!

If the Rockettes were a mood board…

This Thanksgiving Eve has me thinking about my favorite tradition for this holiday. 

Each year I drive with my family over to my parents place in central Oregon. We usually arrive at my parents house on Wednesday, so we can wake up there Thanksgiving morning.This year there’s a bit of a delay in our departure (thanks a lot norovirus), so we’ll actually miss the parade. 

Usually though, on Thanksgiving morning, we all stay in our pjs and watch the Macy’s Day Parade. We eat a delicious breakfast that includes monkey bread (recipe here and no I don’t put nuts or raisins in it, that would be gross) and talk about all the costumes, the terrible lip-syncing, who has the best winter coat, and all the random celebrities we don’t recognize. 

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My favorite part of the parade? Watching the Rockettes perform. Why? Well, New York City is my favorite, I love Christmas, I love costume design, and I love the 1920s which is when the original Rockettes came to be (1925). Another reason and fun random fact about me is I used to want to be a Rockette. When I was younger the height limits were 5’6”-5’10 ½ inches, I was never tall enough to qualify (not to mention I am without the years and years of technical dance experience these women have). Originally the height limit was 5’2”-5’6 ½ inches, which would’ve been perfect for me. As it stands today, they now allow 5’5” to 5’10 ½ inches…so I could have just made the cut off but alas, it’s probably too late for me now.

Wait For Me I Got Little Legs GIFfrom Wait For Me GIFs

Now I dream of spending a holiday season in New York City to watch them perform and on my real wild dream days, I imagine I’m Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in that movie New Year’s Eve. She plays a costume designer for the Rockettes - helllooooooo dream job!!!

New Year’s Eve Movie*

If you haven’t seen it, give it a try. My husband and I watch this movie every year on New Year’s Eve. Anyways…back to the Rockettes.

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I love the whole Rockeette vibe. The sparkle, the glam, the red lip, the hair pieces, and the whole 1920-esqueue look. I love it so much, I made a mood board for it. If the Rockettes were a mood board…

The Rockette Mood Board

If I were to redo our wedding now, I would 100% go for a roaring 20s cocktail hour glam vibe and I think I could get my spouse on board, he likes the hats from that time period.

Want to try your hand at making a mood board? Get my free guide here.

Imagine the birdcage veil, the ostrich feather gown or suit detail potential, the patterns, the luxe fabrics, the gold chargers - I can’t even!!! If you’re not sure if the vintage glam look is right for your wedding, no worries! Check out this wedding style quiz to find the perfect style for your big day!

To help you imagine more of this Rockette vibe wedding look, I was able to create some looks to help you dream with me.

For perfect wedding guest look with a glamorous vintage vibe.

Vintage Glam Wedding Guest Attire

You can recreate the look above here:

• Feather clutch*

• Sequin dress*

• Cashmere shawl*

• Statement earrings*

And now for the reception. Imagine a gallery in a high rise or an industrial space with exposed brick walls and velvet couch rentals. Candles everywhere and tall centerpieces with ostrich feather plums.

Vintage Place Setting - get the gold charger here*

I hope you are feeling all the glamorous vintage vibes now so tomorrow you can truly appreciate the Macy’s Day Parade and shout from the couch “The Rockettes are on! The Rockettes are on!” as soon as they appear on screen like I do.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

*Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product through my link I will earn a small commission. This helps allow me the ability to keep providing you free weekly content (yay!).

Why wedding planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming

If you have ever planned a wedding, you know exactly how stressful and overwhelming it can be. There are 100+ decisions to make, millions of articles/videos/checklists online telling you what to do, and often never-ending unsolicited input from family and friends. 

Now if you’re new to wedding planning and aren’t aware of these things, my apologies if I just scared the pants off you.The truth is wedding planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

As a former DIY bride myself, I know what it feels like to be sitting on the floor surrounded by wedding magazines, trying to piece together a plan of how to DIY my wedding. Once I made it through my own wedding planning, I started supporting family, friends, and eventually couples online with their weddings. In 2019, I decided I wanted to use my wedding knowledge to support more couples through DIY-ing their weddings and thus Gathered Here Designs was created. Here’s a little breakdown of my journey to wedding design:

My journey to wedding design

While wedding design and styling are my absolute favorite part of the wedding process, I have learned you really have to start with planning first. I know, I know, talking guest-lists, budget, and setting the date are not the glamorous part of creating your dream wedding. I also know that if you skip to the design part, you’ll end up wasting time, money, and eventually you’ll have to go back to the actual planning part. 

“The truth is wedding planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Whether you like it or not, wedding planning is happening - it’s a must for pulling off a DIY wedding.

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To help make the process easier, I have put everything I know about wedding planning into a digital mini-course to help newly engaged couples DIY their wedding planning without the overwhelm. This course focuses on the 3 key decisions couples need to make first when planning a wedding and guides them through how to do so. It’s called Engaged 2 Planning.

While naturally I wanted to create a wedding design course, I really feel for all those stressed out couples trying to plan their wedding so I wanted to start with planning first (then we can get to the fun stuff later).

What this course includes:

• Welcome Video

• 3 Modules

• Multiple Video Lessons

• PDFs and Worksheets

• Bonus Section on Design

This course will be available before the end of the year. If you are a newly engaged couple or you know someone who needs help with their wedding planning, be sure to have them sign up for the Engaged 2 Planning waitlist. 

If you’re not getting married and are just curious about the behind-the-scenes aspects of Gathered Here Designs, be sure to join the Wedding Wednesday email list. I send wedding tips, along with personal updates in this (mostly) weekly email. Sign up here.

My hope is wedding planning with this course will be super chill…happy planning!!!

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The holidays are here & so are the proposals

Some of you might be counting down to the holiday season or eagerly awaiting the upcoming Super Bowl. Personally, I count down to something a little different…but with 100% the same enthusiasm - I countdown to engagement season!

November through February is what is referred to as “engagement season” or “proposal season” in the wedding industry. Basically from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day, proposals spread faster than a red wine stain on a white wedding dress. I LOVE engagement season and yes, I talk about it every year. See here for last year’s post about engagement season.

Around 40% of proposals in the US happen during this season. Now you might be wondering…

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Why winter for proposals?

So why is winter the prime time for proposals? From my perspective, the season is basically tailor-made for romance. As Frank Sinatra croons, “It’s that time of year when the world falls in love…”

The Christmas Waltz - Frank Sinatra

With holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day all packed into a few short months, there are endless opportunities for couples to pop the question in a setting that’s naturally festive and intimate. Between cozy gatherings with family, fireside cups of cocoa, and snow-dusted backdrops, winter has a way of adding magic to any moment—and what better a moment to propose? It’s also a good 6-10 months out from “wedding season”(more on wedding season here), giving couples plenty of time to plan their special day before those peak warm weather months.

The role family & friends in proposals

In addition to the festive atmosphere, family and friend involvement has become part of engagements. Since the holiday season is also a time when families and friends gather together, it provides plenty of opportunity for couples to share this milestone with those who mean the most to them. Not to be a cliche, but I too said “Yes!” during engagement season in January of 2010 (see here for more on that story).

According to industry surveys, nearly 2/3 of people proposing involve their parents/family/friends in their proposal in some way. Whether it’s asking for them to capture the moment on video (you can always just tie a video camera to a tree in the woods like my partner did) or planning a family-filled celebration afterward - the more the merrier!

Most popular engagement dates

Thinking of an engagement season proposal? Here are the most engagement season days for proposals:

Christmas Day (12/25) – Christmas magic is in the air, and so are proposals! A true favorite.

Valentine’s Day (2/14) – The ultimate day of love, making it a classic for popping the question.

Christmas Eve (12/24) – Nothing like an early Christmas present!

New Year’s Day (1/1) – A perfect time to pop the question and celebrate new beginnings.

New Year’s Eve (12/31) – The excitement of midnight creates a beautiful moment for a proposal and the ultimate New Year’s Eve kiss.

Day before Valentine’s Day (2/13) – For those who want to celebrate Valentine’s as a newly engaged couple.

December 17th – The Saturday before Christmas Eve is ideal for a family and/or friend -filled proposal.

December 10th – Two Saturdays before Christmas, giving couples time to savor the engagement without being over shadowed by the holiday bustle.

December 23rd – For couples wanting to celebrate Christmas as a newly engaged couple

Personally, I think it’s a bit odd November dates didn’t make the list. I would think more couples would want to enjoy the whole holiday season as newly engaged humans. Then again, trying to split the holidays amongst families BEFORE you’re officially married can definitely pose a challenge.

What to do after the proposal?

So what happens after you say yes or after you pop the question? First things first - CELEBRATE!!! This is such a special time for you and your partner. Take a moment to enjoy it. Don’t let anyone push you into planning faster than you are ready. Chat with your partner and agree to how long you want to just soak in the engagement without discussing wedding plans. That way you’ll both be on the same page, when friends and family inundate you with “When’s the big day?” questions. Trust me, they’ll ask literally the moment after you tell them you’re engaged.

Once you’ve ridden the engagement high for as long as you agreed to, you might want some help with getting into wedding planning - that’s where I come in! Later this month, I’ll be launching my Engaged 2 Planning mini-course. This mini course will help guide you through the 3 key decisions you need to make in order to get your wedding planning off on the right foot.

The course will include slides, videos, and PDFs to help make your wedding planning journey easy. Know someone who is newly engaged? Be sure to share this post with them! They can sign up for the course waitlist through this link.

With so many moments designed to bring people together in the coming months, engagement season has become a beautiful reminder of how family, friends, and love come together to create unforgettable memories.

So, get ready for love to be in the air and social media to be full of engagement announcements because Engagement season has arrived, and with it, all the magic, excitement, and sparkle that comes with celebrating love.

Happy Engagement Season!!!

What to wear to a coastal fall wedding

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product through my link I will earn a small commission. This helps allow me the ability to keep providing you free weekly content (yay!).

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An upcoming family wedding and an afternoon call from my uncle has me thinking about what attire one would wear to a wedding labeled “rustic romance meets coastal charm” during the fall season. 

To me, rustic and country are parallel concepts but not identical. “Rustic” feels more of a lodge in the woods situation and “country” is more of a barn in a field scene. While “coastal” is pretty straight forward, but when you pair it with the “rustic romance” concept and add the fall season on top of that, it leaves one wondering, what should I actually wear to this wedding?

Let’s start with fabrics.

Coastal makes me immediately think of linen, but since it’s late fall, linen is not going to be enough to keep you warm (especially on the coast). I feel tweed is the linen of late fall. Not in terms of weight, but in terms of it being a textured fabric that does well at adding visual interest. Wool could also work for fall coastal/rustic vibes. If you’re not feeling the tweed or wool, consider suede for a fabric.

The coast can be CHILLY in the late fall/winter and very breezy, so you want to dress with that in mind. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, put thick leggings or tights underneath. For wide leg trousers, you can also usually fit tights. For blazers, you can usually fit another shirt under your button down and layer your sweater on top. Basically, you have options. 

I love more detailed fabrics for the colder seasons. Since you have to bundle up, you may as well make it look interesting with your fabric choices.

Fall Wedding Guest Dress

Tulle Skirt

Don’t be afraid to consider an embellished or embroidered piece to add visual interest to your look. If you do this, I would paid it with a solid colored piece so you don’t have a million patterns happening at once. 

Embellished Blazer

Since this particular rustic coastal wedding is also casual, you can even venture into some corduroy fabric options as well (I love this fabric idea for a blazer!). 

Corduroy Blazer

Now for colors at a fall “rustic romance meets coastal charm” wedding.

Rustic Romance meets Coastal Charm - Mood board

Now I tend to lean into matching the seasonal colors (burnt orange, mustard yellow, burgundy, browns, creams, etc.). 

If you’re leaning casual, you could also consider a button down paired with a cable knit sweater. Personally, I am OBSESSED with cream colored sweaters (seriously, I have a whole cream sweater section in my closet - it’s a real problem). 

The “cream” section of my closet

The obsession continues with a folded section… see I TOLD YOU I have a problem

Cable Knit Shawl Neck Sweater

The coastal concept might also draw you to more blues and purples. I think this can work in the fall, if you go with the darker hues (navy, eggplant, etc.). I would avoid baby blues or lavenders as that will look more summer/spring coastal instead of fall coastal. Stick with the darker hues and more earth tones like brown.

Navy Blazer

Tweed Pant

Another way to play to the coastal vibe is through fit instead of color. For example you could select looser options like a wider leg trouser.

Wide Leg Trouser

For shoes at this point in the year, I would strongly encourage close toe shoes. 

While I love dressing up, I also hate being cold. If my feet are cold, my whole body gets cold, and then I get grumpy no matter how much champagne I have access to. For a more casual look, I would avoid anything too shiny for shoes (skip the polished leather look). For a rustic coastal vibe, I would recommend these shoe options.

Casual Fall Wedding Shoe

Lucky Brand Ankle Booties

Casual Fall Shoe

Finally the accessories.

Pocket squares are a great way to add a pop of color and interest. Ties can also do this, but if the wedding is more casual (like I imagine for a rustic coastal wedding) I would say skip the tie or do a more casual tie (knitted or cotton and narrow). 

Fall Patterned Pocket Square

Knitted Tie

Headbands (velvet or satin fabric) or a shawl are great ways to add interest to your late fall wedding guest attire look.

Beaded Headband

Cashmere Wrap

When in doubt, dress in a way that feels most natural to you. If you’ve never worn a bowtie, now doesn’t need to be the time to start.

Do the best you can to find some inspiration photos online of wedding looks you like and search your closet to see what you might already have that mimic your favorite parts of those looks. Chances are you will only need to purchase an item or two to complete your rustic romance coastal charm fall wedding look.

Happy celebrating to all the fall wedding couples out there!

Which season is best for your wedding?

There are sooooo many decisions to make when it comes to designing your dream wedding. If you’re feeling overwhelmed but are dying to get started on your wedding design, landing on which season your wedding will be in is a great place to start. See here for another key wedding decision that makes everything else feel easier.

Each time of year poses  its own unique set of pros and cons to consider. Now I know I’ve been droning on and on for the past few weeks about fall weddings (see here and here), a fall wedding might not be for you (I’ll try to find it in myself to forgive you for this). 

Maybe you’re one of those summer people and you’re just dying to enjoy the summer sun on your big day. Or perhaps you’ve dreamed your whole life about a Christmas wedding (I’ve been to one and it was breathtaking!). Whatever you might have in mind, understanding what each season offers can help you and your partner choose the best season for your special day! 

Spring Weddings

Spring (March to May) offers a newness that draws a perfect parallel to the beginning of your life as a married couple. As nature awakens with blooming flowers and fresh greenery, it sets the stage for a picturesque wedding.

Pros:

• Natural Beauty: Flowers are in full bloom, providing vibrant colors and natural décor for your ceremony and reception.

• Mild Weather: Spring typically offers mild, comfortable temperatures, especially for outdoor weddings.

• Fresh Menu Options: Seasonal foods like asparagus, berries, and fresh herbs are abundant, allowing for a lighter, more vibrant menu.

Cons:

• Unpredictable Weather: While temperatures are mild, spring showers can be frequent and unpredictable, making outdoor weddings a little risky.

• Allergy Season: Pollen from blooming flowers can be a nightmare for guests with seasonal allergies. Read more on my summer wedding warnings here.

• Higher Costs (later in spring): Late spring is a popular wedding season, so vendors and venues may be in high demand, potentially increasing costs.

• Challenging Travel: Spring is not always easiest for guests to get away from their day to day commitments to travel to your wedding.

Spring weddings offer stunning flower options and beautiful pastel color palettes. 

Summer Weddings

Summer (June to August) is a popular choice for couples who want long days, sunny skies, and outdoor fun. Summer can create a fun and carefree wedding vibe.

Pros:

• Outdoor Weddings: With warmer weather and longer days, summer is perfect for beach weddings, garden parties, and outdoor celebrations.

• Vacation Time: Many guests will already have time off during the summer, making travel easier and ensuring higher attendance.

• Lush Backdrops: The greenery is at its fullest, offering lush landscapes for stunning wedding photos.

• Beach Wedding: If you’re wanting a beach or coastal wedding, summer can be the perfect season for your event!

• Florals: Flowers are readily available in the summer, meaning you won’t have to pay a premium price to get the flowers you want.

Cons:

• Hot Temperatures: In some locations, summer can be uncomfortably hot, especially for outdoor events. Heatwaves and humidity can make the day uncomfortable for both you and your guests. Please note I got married in July and it was outdoors, over 90 degrees - many guests ended up dehydrated and sunburnt. We guzzled down so much water that day!

• Higher Costs for Venues: Summer is peak wedding season, and venues tend to charge premium rates.

• Competition for Vendors: Popular photographers, florists, and caterers may book up quickly, requiring early planning.

Summer weddings are great if you want an outdoor venue.

Fall Weddings

Now you know this season has my vote! Fall (September to November) is ideal for couples who love rich colors, crisp air, and a more intimate feel to their wedding. With the leaves changing colors and cooler temperatures, fall offers a cozy and romantic backdrop.

Pros:

• Beautiful Foliage: The changing leaves provide stunning reds, oranges, and yellows, perfect for outdoor ceremonies and photographs.

• Pleasant Weather: Temperatures in early fall are often mild, creating a comfortable atmosphere for both outdoor and indoor weddings.

• Unique Menu Options: Fall offers an abundance of delicious seasonal foods, including pumpkin, squash, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Cons:

• Shorter Days: As the days get shorter, you may need to adjust your schedule to accommodate less daylight, especially if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony.

• Unpredictable Weather: Fall can bring sudden temperature drops and unexpected rain, so having a backup plan is important.

• Travel Challenges: With holidays like Thanksgiving, you’ll want to avoid scheduling your wedding too close to major holiday weekends to prevent conflicts for guests. Fall is also a harder time for people to take vacation days, so your guest list might be smaller thank you wanted.

Fall weddings allow for rich textures and colors.

Winter Weddings: A Magical Wonderland

Winter (December to February) might not be the first season that comes to mind for weddings, but it's an excellent choice for couples seeking something unique and budget friendly! The season can add a magical ambiance to your special day.

Pros:

• Romantic Atmosphere: Twinkling lights, cozy fires, and snowy backdrops can make your wedding feel like a magical winter wonderland.

• Lower Costs: Since winter is the off-season for weddings, many venues and vendors offer lower rates, helping you save money (as long as you avoid holiday weekends).

• Holiday Cheer: If timed right, your wedding can coincide with holiday festivities, adding an extra layer of joy and celebration.

Cons:

• Cold Weather: Depending on where you live, freezing temperatures and snowstorms could pose logistical challenges, especially for travel.

• Limited Outdoor Options: If you're dreaming of an outdoor wedding, winter probably won’t be the best time for it.

• Holiday Conflicts: Winter weddings can overlap with Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and other holidays, which could make scheduling tricky for guests.

Winter weddings allow for unique floral choices and incredible photo backdrops.

Not Sure Which Season is Right for You?

Deciding on the best season for your wedding involves balancing your vision with practical considerations. Still not sure? Take our Free Quiz to find out which season best suits your wedding style and personality! Whether you're drawn to the warmth of summer or the coziness of winter, this quick quiz will help you figure out the perfect time of year to say, "I do."

Take the quiz to figure out the ideal time of year for your wedding!

Each season offers its own charm and ambiance. Ultimately, the best time to get married is the time that feels right for you and your partner.

3 Fall Centerpiece Ideas to Elevate Your Wedding Table

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product through my link I will earn a small commission. This helps allow me the ability to keep providing you free weekly content (yay!).

Today was the perfect fall day. It was rainy, moody, and windy. I spent multiple hours curled up on my couch under a blanket. Today’s weather has really inspired me to schedule the chimney sweep aka what I refer to as my “Marry Poppins Moment”, so I can enjoy the next rainy fall day with a crackling fire in the background.

As I have already established (see here and here), fall is my most FAVORITE season of all! It is so infused warmth. From the rich colors and cozy textures to to spicy scents (yes, I do have multiple fall scented candles). One of my favorite teas in the fall in Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice. Note I’ve always been partial to Celistial Seasonings becaue I lived in Longomont, Colorado for 5 years as a child. We used to tour the Celestial Seasonings headquarters annually. I distinctly remember running into the peppermint tea room on the tour with my siblings to see which one of us could stand the powerful minty scent the longest. If were to visit today, I would definitely seek out the Bengal Spice tea room in hopes the scent would permeate my clothing and hair so I could smell like fall the rest of the day.

I also love fall for the gatherings. It is sort of the kick off to the holiday season, which I also enjoy. From Thanksgiving to New Years, there are a million gatherings to attend. Each one promising the opportunity to bring people together - each one providing it’s own magical ambiance that seems to only be possible during this time of year.

Whether you're planning a fall wedding, hosting a festive autumn gathering or simply enjoying the season's ambiance, a well-crafted centerpiece can tie your table décor together beautifully. When thinking of how to best design your fall centerpiece, I encourage you to focus on one of three areas: lighting, florals, or pumpkins. By selecting one of these 3 options, you will be able to set the perfect fall vibe for your table.

Fall styled shoot designed by Gathered Here Designs - photography by Megan Ryska

Fall styled shoot designed by Gathered Here Designs - photography by Megan Ryska

1. Light-Focused Centerpiece

Nothing says autumn quite like the soft, flickering glow of candles. A candle-focused centerpiece brings warmth and intimacy to any table setting. To create a light-based centerpiece, you'll want to mix candle heights, holders, and styles for a layered, multidimensional look. If you’re hosting a wedding, be sure to check with your venue on what type of candles they allow. Some vendors do not allow candles, so you’ll need to go the battery operated route (don’t worry there are plenty of candle-like battery powered options!). Other venues may allow candles, but only a certain height. It’s always best to ask or check your contract to make sure you’re adhering to the venue’s established rules.

How to create it:

• Gather different sizes and shapes of candles: Mix pillar candles, tapered candles, and votives in fall shades like cream (my personal favorite), deep burgundy, gold, or burnt orange.

• Use a tray or wooden board: Arrange the candles on a rustic wooden tray or metal tray with a distressed finish. This anchors the centerpiece and keeps it contained. You can find options at your local second hand store for cheap and then spray paint them. If you go with a metal tray, I recommend spray painting in a hammered metallic gold or copper for a classic look.

• Incorporate natural elements: Add dried wheat, pinecones (dip in gold glitter for added sparkle), and small branches around the candles to give the arrangement an earthy vibe.

• Consider lanterns or glass holders: If you want a more structured look, place some of the candles inside lanterns or hurricane vases. This adds texture and protects the flames from breezes.

• Add twinkle lights: String a few battery-operated twinkle lights around the candles for an extra magical touch.

This light-centric idea brings warmth and sparkle to your fall tablescape, creating an inviting, glowing atmosphere perfect for intimate dinners or larger gatherings.

Add a cozy and intimate vibe with candles and lanterns

2. Floral-Focused Centerpiece

Fall flowers in rich, warm hues can make for a striking centerpiece that help bring the beauty of the season indoors. Whether you prefer a classic arrangement or something more modern, a floral-based centerpiece adds an organic touch to your table.

How to create it:

• Pick fall blooms: Go for chrysanthemums, sunflowers, dahlias, and marigolds. Deep reds, oranges, yellows, and purples are perfect choices for the season. You can also mix in berries, branches, and leaves. Read this post I did all about buying wedding flowers online.

• Use a unique vase or vessel: Opt for a rustic vase like a ceramic pitcher, a hollowed-out pumpkin, or a woven basket. You can even use mason jars for a casual, farmhouse-style arrangement. Again, your local thrift store or Dollar Store is a great place to pick up these items on the cheap!

• Incorporate greenery: Eucalyptus, olive branches, or dusty miller can complement the flowers and add texture and contrast to the rich fall colors.

• Think asymmetrical: Create a less structured arrangement for a more modern look by having blooms and greenery spill over the sides. This gives it a wild, freshly-picked feel.

• Add seasonal accents: You can tuck small accents like mini pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, or feathers into the arrangement for a seasonal twist.

A floral-focused centerpiece is versatile, allowing you to mix and match colors and textures to suit your personal style. Consider using all dried florals for your centerpies. This will allow you to create them in advance and provide the options for your local guests to bring them home after the wedding to use to keep the fall season alive in their own home.

Save costs on florals by picking seasonal flowers

3. Pumpkin & Gourd-Focused Centerpiece

Pumpkins and gourds are quintessential fall décor elements, and they can easily become the centerpiece of your table. Their natural variety in shapes, sizes, textures and colors makes them perfect for creating a rustic, farm-to-table feel.

How to create it:

• Gather different types of pumpkins and gourds: Use a mix of mini pumpkins, white pumpkins, striped gourds, and even heirloom varieties in shades of orange, green, and white for a visually appealing mix. You can search your local area for “u-pick” options, where you can pick up fresh pumpkins and gourds from a local farm.

• Use a base like a wooden tray or runner: Set the pumpkins and gourds along a long table runner made from burlap or plaid fabric for a rustic base. You can also use a large wooden crate or shallow bowl to contain the arrangement (and to help keep those pumpkins from rolling off the tables!).

• Mix in foliage and texture: Surround the pumpkins and gourds with dried wheat stalks, autumn leaves, or moss. Pinecones, acorns, and chestnuts also work well to add texture and depth.

• Layer with candles or lanterns: To add a little glow, intersperse the pumpkins with small votive candles or lanterns, which create soft lighting against the rustic arrangement. I love faux mercury glass votives (this these ones) for added detail.

• Play with height: Stack some of the pumpkins or place them on raised stands or antique books to create different levels of height and dimension.

This pumpkin and gourd centerpiece exudes a relaxed harvest charm that’s ideal for fall weddings or your Thanksgiving dinner table.

Incorporate a variety of color and textures with gourds/pumpkins

Each of these centerpiece options will help create a stunning fall table that is infused with the cozy and inviting spirit of the season. Whether it's the flickering warmth of candles, the vibrant beauty of fall florals, or the rustic charm of pumpkins and gourds, your guests will be delighted by these creative and easy-to-make centerpiece ideas. So light the candles, gather your fall blooms, or pick out your favorite pumpkins, and let your table be the star of your dream fall wedding!

Still struggling to figure out your wedding style? Take my FREE wedding style quiz!

Thinking of a city elopement???

Is there anything better than fall in New York City? The answer is no, of course not!

In the fall of 2019, I was lucky enough to spend my birthday weekend in New York with my spouse, older sister, and brother in law. It was all my big city living and favorite romantic comedies squeezed into a few blissful days. Post rain walks in Central Park, trying on the iconic trench coat at a Burberry concept store, hot dogs at Grey’s Papaya, frozen hot chocolate at 11pm at Serendipity, drinks at The Plaza, and seeing Wicked. 

October 2019 - Birthday trip to NYC!

It’s been 5 years (aka way too long) since I’ve been to New York. I don’t know if it’s the fall season or my upcoming birthday that has me thinking about that trip. Either way it has stirred my creative fantasies about a New York City elopement. The city is the perfect place to elope or host a very intimate wedding with your closest friends and family. This moodboard template is inspired by my NYC elopement vision.

Click the image to access the template for FREE!

One of my favorite weddings ever featured online is this one that takes place in New York City. It’s the perfect blend of the couple’s story intertwined with all their favorite places in the city. While it wasn’t quite an elopement, it seemed to be the perfect amount of organized planning sprinkled with spontaneity. Note: it is also one of my favorite non-white wedding gowns designed by the brilliant Carolina Herrera.

Photo Credit

Maybe NYC is too far to travel or not in your wedding budget, that’s okay! Any large-ish city could do. The great thing about cities is they usually have a beautiful City Hall or Capitol Building, perfect for elopement photos. Not to brag, but Boise has AMAZING city wedding photo options. You can be on the river amongst the trees or in the heart of downtown amongst our mini-skyscrapers within minutes.  Cities also have a variety of restaurants to host an intimate sit down dinner or cocktail hour. If you’re planning a small wedding in the city, it’s easy to hop locations (happy hour at one spot, dinner at another, and dessert at a final location - kind of like a progressive dinner but with a wedding). 

To help you plan your small city wedding or elopement, I put together an elopement planning checklist for you to make your design journey a little easier.

Download it here!

If you could elope anywhere for your wedding, where would you go? Add a comment with your dream elopement location!

Looking for more city elopement inspiration? Check out my City Elopement Pinterest board.

Happy Eloping!!!

Why to get married in the fall

There is something about a fall wedding. The colors, the textures, the weather, the scents, the photo opportunities - it is hard to beat. Fall is my favorite season, so obviously I’m biased. I got married in summer though, so apparently not that biased. I feel as though all the design elements of a wedding can be at their best in the fall.

Some of my favorite rom-coms have the most stunning fall scenes (When Harry Met Sally, Runaway Bride, You’ve Got Mail…). Looking for more wedding rom-com inspiration? See here.

If I were to get married today, knowing all I know about weddings, I 100% would get married in the fall and here’s why:

Colors

Red is my favorite color overall and clothing/fabric wise, I’m a sucker for cream colored anything. Fall poses an opportunity for various hues of both these colors. While orange and yellow might be too bold a color choice for some, the “burnt” version of these is so warm and yummy. Think mustard yellow or burnt orange - heaven. I actually did a whole styled shoot focused on these colors because I love it that much.

Styled photo shoot I did (very fall/industrial vibes)

I LOVE adding a metallic or glitter as an accent color

Looking to make your own color palette mood board? Grab my free template here.

Textures

Spring and summer weddings call for lighter fabrics and textures (linen, cotton, chiffon). Fall weddings allow you to bring in thicker and heavier textures and patterns  (wool, thick burlap, cable knit). Adding additional elements like candles or scent diffusers have a totally different vibe in the fall. It creates a cozy, more intimate space. If that’s the vibe you’re wanting for your event, a fall wedding could be perfect for you!

Weather

Depending on where you live, fall might just provide the perfect wedding weather. In some places, it can be a risk. If you’re too far north or living at a high elevation, you could see snow in the late fall and if you’re living in Idaho (like me), there is the potential for fall showers. Depending on your venue selection, potential snow or rain might bring a joyful element of magic and spontaneity to your event. Most of the fall in Idaho or states like Illinois, California, Virginia, Colorado, Oregon (all of which are states I’ve lived in) have a beautiful fall. Bold colors, crisp air, and blue skies. And the aspens in Colorado CANNOT be beat!

Some additional pieces that make fall weddings so stunning? The photo ops. There’s nothing like pairing your once in a lifetime moment with a once in a lifetime background. While fall brings bright colors every year (most places), each fall is unique. Also, the food options. I love the idea of a comfort food menu for a wedding. Thick butternut squash soup, warm cider, bacon and chive macaroni, carmel apples, large pretzels dipped in beer cheese…anyone else feel hungry now?

As you’re considering what time of year to plan your wedding, consider what design elements matter most to you and what season can accommodate those best. Obviously, you know I’m voting for fall…but if you’re 100% stuck on peonies for your wedding flowers, those will be harder (aka more expensive) to come by in the fall. Think about what matters most to you and your partner and plan from there.

Wishing you a joyful start to your fall season!!!

3 Things that did NOT matter at my wedding

Remember a couple weeks ago, when I shared the 3 things I loved the most about my wedding? Well today I want to share the 3 things that mattered least to me (at the time) about the wedding.

If you’re in the beginning stages of your wedding planning and design, you might be thinking EVERYTHING matters. That’s cute, enjoy that. At some point though, there’s going to come a moment where it’s either time or money that will force you to prioritize what matters most and give up or give in on a few things that don’t matter as much to you.

To help ease the tension in wedding planning and design priorities, I encourage couples to chat early on in the process with their partner to identify the most important elements of their wedding. This way there are no (or at least fewer) surprises later on.

My spouse and I planned, designed, and paid for our wedding ourselves. When we got married, money was TIGHT (student loan debt anyone?). With our tight budget (we only had $5,000 for the wedding total - including all rentals, photography, food, music, etc.), we had to skimp on some things.

Below are the 3 things that mattered least to us and therefore got the least amount of our wedding budget.

Food

I can hear my older sister sighing as I write this…food was not our top priority at the wedding. I know this sounds bananas, but remember the part about being broke? Yah, that played a big role in the food. My spouse comes from a BIG family, so many aunts and uncles. His aunts volunteered to make the food at cost.

For about $500ish the aunts put together pasta dishes, rolls, salads, maybe chicken? I literally do not remember the food because it was not important to us and we barely had time to eat between all the talking and dancing.

Insert my sister going on and on about all the dishes we had with mayonnaise in them (yes, she still talks about this 14 years later). Looking back, it probably wasn’t the best idea to have so much mayonnaise outside on a 90+ degree summer day, but no one got sick from it and we didn’t become more broke so, in the end, it all worked out. The food was so unimportant, there isn’t even a photo of it. The cake though was fabulous and we had it baked by a soroity friend of my mother-in-law’s for $125-$150ish.

The food didn’t matter, but the cake had to be on point!

Flowers

Flowers are beautiful and in case you didn’t know, I LOVE wedding flowers (see here). While beautiful, they’re also pricey. If I had known what I know now about flowers, I probably would have explored more about wholesale and bulk options (more on that here). At the time though, we were just trying to plan quickly (engaged in January 2010, married July 2010) and stay on budget.

I did end up working with a florist for bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and a feel single rose aisle pieces (pictured below). The centerpieces I did myself via Gerber daisies ordered wholesale at Costco (more on that here).

If I were to redo our wedding today, I would likely DIY the flowers (for sure corsage cuffs!) and maybe outsource the bridal bouquet and maybe a floral arch or ground arch for the ceremony. I also love the look of looser bouquets. The messy and wild looking ones - kind of like marriage, they’re imperfect, one-of-a-kind, and beautiful.

Single roses with vines in mason jars down the aisle - held by Shepards hooks

View of the boutonnière and my bouquet circa 2010

Bridesmaid Dresses

Our wedding was outside on a ranch in the heat of the day, so dresses needed to be shorter and breathable. Insert the idea for a cotton sundress. I just had my two sisters as my bridesmaids. Weddings feel very intimate to me, so I prefer the approach of only have the closest people in my life standing next to me. I know some people like big wedding parties and if that’s your jam, I say go for it! As more of an introvert though, I’m big on quality of quantity.

For my sisters, I gave them the options to buy their own dress and get lunch and nails done on me or I could buy the dress for them without the fun stuff. My younger sister was still in high school when I got married, so my parents covered her dress and my older sister opted to buy her own dress and I took her out for lunch and a pedicure.

My younger sister in the bridesmaid dress - such a cutie!

My older sister and I pre-wedding - keeping me laughing as usual

While what mattered least to me, might end up being what matters most to you on your big day and that’s okay. Find out what matters to you and your partner.

My hope is this helps get your wheels turning about what you may or may not want to prioritize with your wedding budget. Looking for more inspiration? Check out my Pinterest which is full of ideas and free templates to help you with your wedding design journey.

In the end, I’ll say the thing that will really end up mattering about your wedding is who you spend it with. My co-worker recently shared the thing she was most excited about with her upcoming wedding was “all her worlds colliding” and this made so much sense to me. If we were to redo our wedding today, we might prioritize things a little differently, though I would never change the overall vibe or joy that day bought (more on that kind of wedding magic here).

Shoutout to Ashliegh - wishing you a wonderful wedding weekend, may all your worlds collide in the most perfect way!!!

Happy Wedding!

The 3 best things about my wedding day!

Today marks my 14th wedding anniversary. FOURTEEN YEARS!!! This seems impossible, even as I type it I don’t believe it. In some ways so much has happened in the past (almost) decade and a half, yet in other ways it seems like we just got married. 

I still learn new things about my spouse on a regular basis. Like how his dream job as a kid was to become a tow truck driver (this one still cracks me up!). It keeps things interesting for sure, knowing that even after all this time, we still don’t know everything about each other.

My wedding anniversary always brings me back to the memory of our wedding day. With 14 years passed, I have some perspective on the whole event - it’s much easier to see what mattered most (and what didn’t), when so much time has passed.

The things that mattered most to me were:

Music - I LOVE music. All kinds of music from all periods of time. I grew up with my parents listening to Elton John, The Eagles, Michael Bolton, The Temptations, and, Aerosmith (thank you papa!). I fell in love with listening to music from the 40s-60s on vinyl (Ottis Redding, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fiztgerald & Louis Armstrong). I cheered in junior high and high school (thus entered all things 90s and early 2000s pop and hip hop). Most of my childhood was spent growing up in rural America (hello Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, The Dixie Chicks {now The Chicks}, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Reba McIntire). We paid for our wedding ourselves and we were young and broke, so all the music was done via an iPod (yes, you read that right) and rented speakers. I curated all the music to play in a specific order. Starting with easy listening, moving into dance party songs, sneaking in a couple slow songs. It was all timed perfectly. We still listen to our wedding playlist 14 years later and multiple people have asked for a copy of the songs for their own wedding. 

We tore up that dance floor on our first dance!

Want help with your wedding music? Get my free guide below!

People - The people make a wedding. I have never been one to have a large group of friends, but the people I do have I know and care about deeply. Quality over quantity. The people who have helped shape my life are the people I invited to my wedding. With a few exceptions such as those of us who were on an exciting international internship and couldn’t make it due to said super awesome globe trotting…cough, cough…Emma…cough. 

You can have a beautiful wedding, but if no one you care about is there, does it even matter? Our family and friends came from all over to celebrate with us in Oregon. Idaho, California, Tennessee - they all showed up, just as they have our entire lives.

Meaningful decor - I have always enjoyed design. From fashion to home decor, I love it all. I used to turn my childhood closet into a fashion house, taking faux orders on a corded telephone with my sisters and cousin, then furiously sketching out our creations for our pretend clients (note drawing shoes was NOT my strength). When it comes to design these days, I like to feel connected to what I create. If it’s a feature wall, each element will be personal or carry some sort of hidden meaning. I have to share a connection with what I create. Weddings are the perfect opportunity for this. In our wedding, I incorporated yellow butterflies in memory of my maternal grandmother who had passed away 4 years prior and told us on her deathbed she’d come back as a yellow butterfly. 

I also spent a lot of time curating the centerpieces, which were made up of black and white photos relevant to each of the people assigned to sit at that table. I talk about them a lot, I know (see most recent mention here ) - it's because they just meant so much to us and so much to the people who showed up to celebrate with us…I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Something I like to do when I’m working with clients to help them design their dream wedding is to have them pick the 3 most important things to them as a couple for the event. Some people don’t care about the decor, but they do care about the food. That’s great! Others prefer to skimp on the alcohol to splurge on the flowers - perfect, lean into that! 

By sitting down with your partner and agreeing on the top 3 most important wedding items to you both, it will help provide clarity on where to spend your money and your time when it comes to your wedding design.

Take it from someone who’s 14 years removed from their wedding, focus on what matters most to you both and the rest, you’ll likely forget about over time.

Stay tuned for next time to learn about the 3 things that mattered LEAST to me and the one thing my older sister (said sister pictured below) STILL won’t let me live down 14 years later.

Happy dancing, happy singing, happy wedding planning!

Centerpieces are easy as 1-2-3

Today I’m pivoting from my usual wedding chatter to focus on another summer season event: graduation. 

My nephew is somehow old enough to be graduating high school - not sure how this is possible, as I am certain I just graduated a few years ago, right…???  Apparently how old I am and how old I feel do not quite match up. Anyways…I digress.

When my sister-in-law mentioned a dual graduation party for my nephew and his girlfriend, I was all over it. With weddings, my favorite design moment comes with the centerpieces and graduations are no exception. I jumped at the centerpiece opportunity. These centerpieces are easy to create.

Materials Used:

• Metallic wrapping paper

• 2x4 wood cut into 1 foot pieces

• Cardstock

• Photos

• Photo Sticks

• Stickers

There are a few things I like to prioritize when working to create centerpieces:

1. Personal

2. Portable

3. Easy to Duplicate

Make it Personal

I know some people love luxurious over-the-top centerpieces, but for me they feel too cookie cutter. Graduations like weddings are very personal. It’s a moment in time that those getting married or graduating will remember forever. Instead of making a centerpiece that looks like every other wedding (or graduation) centerpiece, find a way to make it personal. Add photos or elements that reflect the interest of the couple or graduate. 

For my wedding, we had very personal centerpieces. Each table included photos that included moments in time from myself and my husband with those sitting at the table. It was one of my favorite design elements of our wedding!

For the graduation, I created centerpieces that included 3 photo spots (one of my nephew, one of his girlfriend, and one of them together). I also included stickers that reflected their interests (camping, music, cooking, gaming, etc.

Make it Portable

For the graduation party, we’ll be driving 6 hours to Central Oregon and for most weddings some centerpiece travel is also likely (even if it’s just down the road). It’s important to make sure the centerpieces you create can be broken down for transport. The centerpieces I made can easily have the photo holders removed, so the blocks can be stacked on top of eachother. To protect the photos during transport, pot them in a hard container (like tupperware) to prevent scratching, folding, and wrinkling. 

All the centerpieces can be packed into a storage box to be loaded into the car and carried easily to the event location.

Make it Duplicatable

When making centerpieces, you want to make sure you can easily duplicate them. While centerpieces don’t have to be exactly the same, you will likely want some similarity amongst them. To make a centerpiece easy to duplicate, keep the same elements for each centerpiece. If you want a little variation, change a minor detail such as the color, photos, or a few flowers. For the graduation the colors are blue, silver, and red. I used each of those colors on the base and varied the stickers. The photos on each will also be different. You don’t want to vary centerpieces too much, as it will look messy or incohesive. To keep it from looking too wild for the graduation centerpieces, the base size, amount of photos, and styling will be the same for each.

For weddings duplicative centerpieces are especially important, if you’re having someone else put together your centerpieces (which I strongly suggest as you’ll be much too busy on the wedding day to put them together yourself). A couple ideas to make duplicating easy? Create a sample centerpiece of how you want it to look, then leave that example for others to reference or take a photo of the centerpiece for people to reference

I would put a picture of my high school graduation, but I literally don’t have one. My parents took zero photos of my graduation. The only one I had was one my college roommate’s parents took of us from really far away and I lost it, so see…it really is like I never graduated and am still young because there’s no photographic evidence my high school graduation ever happened!

Happy grad season!

~Amanda Jean

3 Summer Wedding Warnings

Wedding season is nearly upon us and it had me thinking about some heat-specific things to keep in mind when throwing your summer wedding.

Summer weddings can be stunning or they can be sweltering…I think mine was a little bit of both (circa July 2010).

Below are 3 things to keep in mind so you don’t end up like I did on my wedding: overheated with bugs up my dress.

Summer weddings can involve bugs, sun, and dehydration…OH MY!

Summer Wedding Warning #1: Bugs

As you can see in the photo below, bugs can cause some mishaps at a summer wedding. During our summer wedding, the bugs kept flying up in between my multiple layers of tulle and getting stuck. I bet Lesley Margaret Webster aka Maggie Sottero did know their wedding dress design doubled as a very expensive mosquito net. Thankfully, my cousin was there to save the day (and the bugs) by picking them out one by one. A wedding I went to last July was also outdoors and there were so many mosquitos. I remember the photographer coming into the reception hall with giant welts on her legs from all the bites. It makes me itch just thinking about it!

Be more prepared for bugs than I was by offering guests mini bug spays, inquiring if your venue can spray for mosquitos prior to your event, and/or considering placing natural bug repellent oils or candles around your event.

Summer Wedding Warning #2: Sun

In addition to my own (which was in the 90+ degree heat, outdoor ceremony in direct sun in July), I’ve been to some other really hot weddings. One wedding I attended was outdoors in direct sun. The ceremony felt long and I remember standing up and my dress was stuck to my legs from all the sweat…#notcute. For one wedding I went to they had their wedding program printed on fans which was a very clever idea.

To help reduce the heat at your summer wedding consider having the ceremony in a shaded area and the reception in an air conditioned space. It can be hard (especially for young and elder guests) if there is no break from the heat. Provide fans for your guests, mini-sunscreens, and/or even sun hats (you can purchase in bulk for relatively low cost). You can also consider setting up misters around your space if you’re wanting to keep the whole wedding outdoors.

Summer Wedding Warning #3: Dehydration

This might be one of the most important summer wedding warnings. Heat stroke and dehydration can easily happen for guests who get so caught up in the happenings of the event that they don’t realize how hot it is and they forget to drink enough water. To help prevent your guests from overheating and becoming dehydrated keep plenty of water out at your event.

Consider placing water stations around your event (the dance floor, by the dessert table, near the food, at the bathroom, etc.). Provide bandanas or small towels your guests can cool in water and wrap around their head or neck (inspired by my father-in-law, Alonzo DuPont, who did this exact thing at our wedding - see below).

My father-in-law, Alonzo

Looking for more ideas on what to include in your summer wedding?

Check out my “don’t forget” Pinterest board here.

Wishing you a joyous start wedding season!

~Amanda Jean

The one thing you can’t buy and MUST have at your wedding

I recently ventured down to southern California to celebrate my cousin’s wedding. 

Yes, I am one of THOSE people who take pictures out the plane window.

As a wedding designer, you would think I would have taken a million photos of the wedding decor to share with you…

Ironically, I took exactly ZERO photos of the wedding design. Wait! I found one photo of the decor (see below). So while I completely failed at capturing the design of the wedding and I can’t quite show you what the wedding looked like, I can tell you what it felt like. 

My one photo of the wedding decor

I walked away from this wedding full of so much joy, that it got me thinking about how the experience of a wedding and the feeling created by a wedding means so much more than a wedding  color palette ever will. 

My mom, sister, I pre-wedding day rain showers

The thing is you can plan and plan and plan some more, curating every last design detail of your event, but if you guests walk away with a lackluster experience then what does it matter if the satin ribbons on your reception chairs were tied a certain way?

What matters most is the feeling, the vibe, the experience your wedding creates. Sure, design can help bolster these things, but in order to do that you have to get REALLY clear on the kind of experience you want your guests to have at your wedding. How do you do that? Allow me to expand…

• Pick 3 words

• Write down 3 words you want your wedding to feel like or 3 emotions you want your guests to experience at your wedding

• Have your partner do the same thing and write down 3 words they want the wedding to feel like

• Come together to share your words, explain why you chose them, and work together to create a final list of 3 words you both agree on for your wedding

• As you make decisions on your wedding (from flowers to music at the reception), keep these 3 words in mind and make sure the decisions you make align with those key feelings you’re wanting for your event

• Connect

• There are a lot of ways to connect with your guests throughout your wedding, there were a couple things at my cousin’s wedding I really loved that provided connection

• Sharing “the why” of the location - the reception was held in my Aunt and Uncle’s house. It was shared in the reception speeches that it had been my cousin’s dream to get married in their backyard. I loved this subtle and sweet connection made to why the location was chosen.

• Introducing the wedding party - I have been to A LOT of weddings in my day and I think this is only the 2nd time I’ve seen a couple do this. During the reception the couple took time to introduce each member of the wedding party to all the attendees. Sharing short and sweet things about how they’ve known each other, where they met, etc. I love this idea and it helps guests better connect with who is at the wedding.

• Spend time “making the rounds” to each table. This is something fairly common at weddings and I feel guests appreciate the gesture. The wedding couple makes time (usually during dinner) to visit each table and talk to their guests. The trick is not to get stuck at any one table too long, otherwise you’ll spend the whole night chatting and it leaves little time for dancing.

• Personalize

• By personalize I don’t mean monogram your dinner napkins (though you can do that if you want), but really find ways to infuse your personality and interest into your event. Here’s a couple of ways I love to do this:

• Party favors - choose something that represents you both. Love cats and wine? Create custom cat wine charms for your guests to take home (yes, this is a thing and yes, I suggested this for a past client who loved cats and wine). Wild about nature? Send your guests home with a seedling packet or pine sapling (yes, I’ve done this too!).Want to go deeper? Pick a charity or cause you are both passionate about and have a QR code for donations to that charity in lieu of favors.

Loved this party favor from a previous styled shoot I did

• Centerpieces - One of my favorite (and most time consuming) pieces of my own wedding design was the centerpieces. Every table featured black and white photos related to the guests seated at that table. For some tables there were pictures of my spouse in his marching days, for other tables it was me in my cheerleading days. It was a great way to honor the moments in our lives shared with the people at that table and also created a great conversation piece for guests.

Centerpieces from my wedding

Each selection of photos was customized to those at that assigned table

These are just a few ideas to help get your wheels turning on how your wedding can go beyond good color coordination. This is really a moment in time to express who you are as a couple and as individuals, it’s an opportunity to connect with those you love, and it’s of course a time for joy and celebration.

The wedding I went to could have easily gone awry. It was cold, it rained, the reception was outside. An outdoor spring wedding comes with its risks. Despite the weather,  the experience was magic. We danced the night away in the rain with family, with friends, and with complete strangers - we were there for the same reason to celebrate in love. 

Dancing so fast we’re blurry

My mom and I (and one of my uncles in the background #photobomb) - all completely drenched by the end of the night from the rain (note I did not wear waterproof mascara - rookie mistake)

And even though I’m still recovering from getting sick (see previous point about dancing all night in the rain), the wedding was pure joy and that’s a feeling now amount of wedding design can buy.

Congratulations Heather + Daniel - I had a BLAST dancing in the rain with you!

Part III: Buying Wedding Flowers Rent Your Flowers

If you are looking for a less expensive alternative to a florist, wanting a super easy wedding flower plan, or if you just want to skip all the flower fuss, this option might be for you: renting your wedding flowers. 

Yes, you read that correctly. You can RENT your wedding flowers! Psst…you can also rent your wedding dress, but that’s a blog post for a later time.

Renting wedding flowers can be a great option. Now if you’re thinking you don’t want “fake” looking flowers, I want you to look at some of the collections offered by the companies below. The arrangements are stunning, life like, plus they’re put together for you - yes, yes, and YES!

Photo Credit - Silk Stem Collective - Santiago Collection $39 Centerpiece

The Pros

1. Less expensive than a traditional florist

1. Average feature bouquets with fresh flowers can be about $160

2. Rented feature bouquets are around $75

2. You don’t have to worry about sticking to seasonal flowers

3. Weather won’t impact your floral arrangements (no wilting flowers - yay!)

4. No mess with petals, leaves, water, etc.

5. No picking up or arranging delivery - they ship right to you + easy returns post wedding

6. You don’t end up throwing thousands of dollars of fresh flowers in the trash (beaks my heart every time - if you go fresh definitely donate arrangements to avoid waste)

Photo Credit - Wedding Flowers for Rent - The Ellington Collection - Bouquet for less than $60!!!

The Cons

1. You don’t get that fresh floral smell

2. You can’t give away arrangements to family/friends

3. You are limited to the collections and styles available from the company

4. You can’t dry out your bouquet as a keepsake (note this company offers a loose flower keepsake)

Photo Credit - Silk Stem Collective - Loose Flower Keepsake $40

Photo Credit - Something Borrowed Blooms - Kinsley Dog Collar $15

Wedding Flower Rental Companies

• Something Borrowed Blooms

  • Check out the Marlowe collection for a pop of color!

• Silk Stem Collective

• You can order a sample bouquet for $40

• They offer loose floral keepsakes so you can keep the memory of your flowers, even though you have to send the arrangements back

• I love the Santiago collection!

• Wedding Flowers for Rent

  • New company launching in April 2024

  • Love that they offer floral wall rentals! 

• Walls range from $175-$400

• Indee Blooms and Rentals 

  • Love that this company originated in Boise!

Photo Credit - Indee Blooms and Rentals - Sante Fe Collection - $70 bridal bouquet

Photo Credit - Wedding Flowers For Rent - Hedge with Blooms $175

Are you feeling surprised by how stunning these faux flowers are? It’s amazing right?!?I really love the option of faux flower rentals. 

If you’re not convinced of going full faux. Remember we have other options and you can always mix and match to meet your needs. Consider faux rentals for centerpieces and fresh local flowers for bouquets. Or go faux for bouquets and boutonnieres and order online wholesale for centerpieces.

As we wrap up this 3 part series, all you need to remember for you and your fiancé’s wedding is that when it comes to wedding flowers YOU HAVE OPTIONS!

Chat with your partner and determine what option (or combo) would work best for your big day!

Keep blooming,

Amanda Jean

Part II:Buying Wedding Flowers Buy local/wholesale

If you are considering DIY-ing your wedding flowers, you have come to the right place! 

I know it can feel overwhelming when you’re first considering doing your own wedding flowers, but stick with me and I will help guide you along your way. As a self-taught designer (more on that journey here), I have learned a few things along the way and I want to share the tips and tricks of the trade with you, starting with where to buy your wedding flowers.

Recently, I talked about how to purchase wedding flowers in bulk online. I have used that approach multiple times in my own designs and have had overall good experiences with this option. Read more on how to buy in bulk online here.

As we continue exploring options of where to buy wedding flowers, today we’re going to look at how to buy flowers locally. Now when I talk about buying local flowers, I do not mean going down to the grocery store and picking up flowers (that will get expensive real quick). By buying locally, we’re going to look at farms, wholesalers, and farmer's markets.

Most flower farms allow you to buy flowers by the gallon or bucket

Buy local/wholesale

• Farmer’s market

• Local flower farms

• Wholesale supplier

Farmer’s Market

I have a heart for farmer’s market flowers. You can read more on that here. One of my first “aha” moments with flowers was back in 2011 at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. The colors, the textures, the smells…I was instantly inspired. And those textured vibrant green beauties in the photo below? The Bells of Ireland. I planted some of these in my own garden years later (very pokey) but worth it!

Buying wedding flowers at the farmers market is a great option if you’re willing to be flexible with what florals you have on your big day. Like everything, there are pros and cons to this option - to help you decide, I’ve listed some below.

Pros of the Farmer’s Market:

• Supports local business owners

• Provides vibrant colors

• Allows you to purchase flowers that are in season

• Often bouquets are pre-arranged for you, so you can just buy a bunch of bouquets and though them in vases for centerpieces or wrap them with twine/ribbon for bouquets

Cons of the Farmer’s Market:

• Most places only have farmer’s markets in the summer and often only on Saturdays, so if you’re getting married in the winter or on Saturday, this option might not be the best for you

• There is no way to select the type of flowers that are going to be available, this means being flexible with styles and colors is a must with this option

Pike Place Market - Seattle 2011

Flower Farms

My husband and I have a dream of someday owning a wedding farm. In our dream farm (called Gather Farms), we have a wedding barn, a Christmas tree lot, a pumpkin patch, and flower fields. A lot of my flower farm inspiration comes from Floret Farms. If you’re looking for flower inspiration, it’s worth exploring their website, reading their books, and watching their show. Dreaming aside, flower farms can be a great option to purchase wedding flowers.

Depending on where you live, the flower farms in your area likely have limited operating hours and seasons. Be sure to check online to see what options are available. Usually late summer/early spring is what you’ll see most often. You can often buy from a flower farm by the gallon, which is relatively inexpensive compared to traditional options like a florist.

Some flower farms carry multiple types of flowers, while others specialize in certain flowers only. Do a quick google search to find options near you!

Some great flower farm options in the Treasure Valley:

Blue Sky Farm

Hidden Hollow Farms

Two Hoots Lavender

If you’re down for getting your hands a little dirty, this can be a great way to support local business, get really creative with your design, and have something specific to your area.

Local Wholesale

This is one of the most unique local options. With some planning, this can be a great option for buying wedding flowers. In order to purchase from a local wholesaler, you usually have to have a business or agriculture license. You can secure one of these for around $100 (depending on where you live)  through your Secretary of State office/website. 

At first you might think $100 seems steep, but once you look at the cost of hiring a florist, you’ll realize $100 for a license, plus the ability to buy flowers wholesale you’ll experience a HUGE savings. With local wholesaler companies, you can get the flowers at wholesale price (similar to online options like this one). The benefit of buying in person though is you get to see exactly what you’re purchasing, how different flowers can go together, and what you might enjoy having at your wedding.

The one we have here in Boise is called DWF (this is a franchised company with locations around the country). Again, look online to see what’s available in your area.

Wax Flower in Orange

To wrap it all up, there are a lot of ways to buy flowers locally. With some planning around time of the year, looking at available options in your area, and exploring potential license ended - buying locally can be a great approach! 

Whether it’s the farmer’s market, a flower farm, or a local wholesales - all of these are great options to support local business and have fresh seasonal flowers at your wedding. 

Now if you’re thinking this option may not be for you and buying online also doesn’t feel quite right, I have one final option I would love to share with you in the coming week - stay tuned!

Keep Blooming,

Amanda Jean

My own floral creation - designed for a baby shower

Part I Wedding Flowers: Buy in bulk online

If you’re been following along the past few weeks, I’ve been talking a lot about wedding flowers. From my own flower journey to what three wedding flower decisions to make first. 

By now you likely have a sense of what your wedding flower style is and if you don’t, be sure to take my wedding flower personality quiz. Once you feel solid on your wedding flower style, you’ll need to take the leap into purchasing. Now there are A LOT of options when it comes to how/where you can purchase wedding flowers. Because of this, I will be doing a 3 part blog series on different options.

You will notice of the different options I share, traditional florists will not be on my list. Please know I have nothing against florists. The reason I won’t be including florists in the series is because this option tends to be more expensive and it’s a more obvious choice for wedding flowers. I wanted to focus this series more on unique options that you might not have thought of before.

Today, I’m focusing on the option of buying flowers online in bulk.

Buy online in bulk

• Costco

• Blooms by the box

This is an option I have used multiple times myself - both with Costco and with Blooms by the Box.

Costco Flowers

For my wedding, we did a combination of a florist (for 3 bouquets and some boutonnieres) and the rest were Costco flowers in bulk (gerberas daisies). We used the daisies for centerpieces and cake flowers.

Gerberas daisy from Costco bulk order

Our wedding 7/10/10 - cake flowers via Costco bulk order of gerberas daisies

Costco has limited options, so if you’re wanting a very specific flower and you’re not willing to bend, then Costco florals might not be the best option for you. If you’re open to what they have available (carnations, daisies, roses, etc.), Costco can be great. They also have lots of bulk greenery options too. They do have a couple collections (see here and here), if putting together your own arrangement feels too intimidating for you. Though honestly, I feel their collections are pretty limited.

If you’re open to creating and you want to dive into floral design, the next option might be a great way for you to go!

Blooms by the Box

When I did the flowers for my younger sister’s wedding in 2019, I went with Blooms by the Box. I found this company online after lots of searching for purchasing options. I really love how easy they make it to search for flowers by style, by color, by flower type, etc. They also have great DIY guides and videos.

Blooms by the box does offer pre-made options, I just love love love being able to pick all the flowers that go into your design. This is where I first came across lisianthus (the purple flowers in the bucket on the left side of the photo below). I find this flower so delicate yet wild. It’s stunning in purple and white too.

Prepping my sister’s wedding flowers in my parent’s garage - circa 2019

The one downside I will share is there were a few flowers I had ordered that they ran out of and replaced with other ones, without my consent. This caused some issues the day of the wedding, as I had built my design off a certain set of flowers. I will say when I called Blooms by the Box about this, they provided great customer service, were very apologetic and refunded the flowers they had substituted without my approval. In the end, it all worked out - as most things do.

Now you’ll see below I went a bit bananas with color and texture on these flowers, but my sister and her partner were all for it. Dahlias, calla lilies, blue thistle, craspedia - swoon.

A bright + bold bridal bouquet I created for my sister’s wedding

Calla lily from Blooms by the Box - I used in my sister’s wedding floral design

Floral corsage cuff I designed for my sister’s wedding

I hope you’re feeling inspired by all the beautiful blooms above and maybe you’re feeling even a little bit brave to try your hand at floral design for your own wedding day. If you’re not feeling convinced buying flowers in bulk online is for you, don’t worry! I have more options coming your way - stay tuned for next week’s blog where we will talk about buying wedding flowers locally or via wholesale.

Keep Creating,

Amanda Jean

3 Decisions to Make Wedding Flowers Easier

Remember that thing I said last week about spring being so close? Well…I was wrong. It’s snowed 2 inches over the course of several hours. To help keep the hope of spring alive, I’m keeping with the flower theme for today’s blog post as well.

When it comes to wedding flowers, there are soooooo many things to consider. To help support you in narrowing things down in a way that won’t stress you out, I am going to outline the first 3 key wedding flower decisions you need to make.

Once you make these 3 decisions, I promise your wedding flower design process will go smoothly. Let’s jump into those key wedding decisions together!

Key Decision #1: Wedding Flower Style

There are endless style options to choose from with wedding flowers. You can go bold + bright, loose + whimsical, dark + moody, simple + elegant. When it comes to choosing a style, I like to start with the beloved Pinterest for inspiration. 

Use keywords to search for wedding flowers and see what grabs your interest.

If you’re holding a summer wedding, search for “summer wedding flowers”. Or you can search by color, if you have one in mind. Search along the lines of “purple wedding bouquets” (or whichever color you are wanting). 

Perhaps you have a style in mind such as bohemian or rustic. Those are also great keywords to use when searching as well.

Looking for even more inspiration? See my wedding flower Pinterest board here.

Struggling to figure out your style? Take my wedding flower quiz here!

Once you know your general wedding flower style, you can start narrowing down which flowers you want to include based on the season you’re getting married.

Key Decision #2: Selecting Seasonal Flowers

Using flowers that are in season is a great way to keep a reasonable flower budget for your wedding. Getting married in the winter? It’s going to be really challenging and/or expensive to get sunflowers (more of a late summer/early fall flower). Dying to have peonies? Late spring/early summer would be best. Dahlias are perfect for late summer, early fall.

Now I know you may be wondering, how do you find out which flowers are in season?

There are lots of great resources to help with this! See this article, this TeleFlora post, or this one.

So what if you are getting married in January, but you just have to have lilies? You can get them still of course, it’s just it will cost you a little bit more…which leads me to my final key decision: budget.

Key Decision #3: Budget - DIY vs. Florist (+ more options!)

Budget plays a MAJOR role when it comes to wedding flowers. I’m going to be real honest here, flowers can get expensive if you’re not careful with your budget. When planning your wedding flowers you have 4 options: do-it-yourself, hire a florist, a combination of the two, or renting your flowers (yes, you read that right). 

If you have enough flexibility in your budget and you’re not a control freak like me, then going with a florist might be a great approach for you. 

If you’re wanting to try your hand at design, or you just can’t find the budget for a florist, then DIY might be the best way to go. Note, if I had been maybe not a baby (20 yrs old) when I got married, I probably would have DIY-ed our wedding flowers.

The third option, which is the option I used for my own wedding (many moons ago), is part DIY and part florist. Only have a set amount for a florist? Hire them to do the wedding bouquets and boutonnieres, then DIY your centerpieces.

Still unsure about the cost of flowers? Consider renting faux flowers. Yes, that’s an option. See here, here and here  for some companies that specialize in renting faux wedding flowers. Not the last one is my personal fave, as it originated in Boise, Idaho - showing Boise some love!

Can you tell these flowers are fake? Neither will your

guests! You can rent faux wedding flowers.

Photo Credit: Indee Blooms And Rentals

Now that you’ve considered your wedding flower style (remember to take the quiz!), which flowers are seasonal, and who will be designing your flowers (you, a florist, a rental company, etc.) - you are well on your way to finalizing your wedding flower design plan!

Next post, I’ll share a little more about where to source flowers if you are going the DIY route. I promise, it’s easier to source flowers than you think. Remember, I went from zero experience to designing wedding bouquets for styled photoshoots to designing the flowers for my younger sister’s wedding. If I can do it, you can do it and I will show you how.

Keep Creating,

Amanda Jean

Flowers, A love story

It’s been incredibly warm here in Boise this weekend. We’re talking in the 60s, which is highly unusual for February.

I feel like seeing the sun has helped reignite all my creative juices. Anytime I go for a walk lately and I see bulb sprouting or colorful crocus, I can’t help but stop and stare. I must have a dozen photos on my phone from the last week of crocus (evidence below). I just can’t resist the allure of warmer weather…spring is coming!

One of my many photos from my recent walks

It’s this kind of weather that has prompted me to reflect back on my love for flowers and where it all began. If I go waaayyyy back, I think it was 2011.

My husband and I were living in Portland at the time and decided to take the train to Seattle to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. It was there at the Pike Place Market that I remember seeing the most vibrant flowers.

Dozens and dozens of flowers wrapped in paper lined the aisles of the market. Flowers in every color you can imagine, all different sizes and textures - it was invigorating. I remember being so drawn to them, I had to convince myself it was not reasonable to buy flowers to put in the hotel room for our 48 hour stay. 

Seattle’s Pike Place Market -

circa 2011

While my initial infatuation might have been planted in 2011, my love for floral design didn’t begin to grow until the oddest of times - the dead of winter. It was December of 2018, about 10 months after my second kiddo was born. Reflecting back on it, I think I had reached my limit of not creating and flowers were an engaging way that allowed me to create (you know, in between my very glamorous life of potty training on kid, breast feeding another, sometimes simultaneously). I had almost zero energy to create anything that I didn’t absolutely have to - all my energy I put into surviving and trying to make each day as good as I possibly could (note - some days that meant microwave dinner and multiple naps) Ironically, by not creating, I think I grew even more exhausted. Someone once told me “the days are long but the years are short”, which is one of the most true things I’ve ever heard about parenting. In 2018, those were some loooooonnnnnnggggg days.

That time in my life when I had 2 kids under 2…they’re adorable yes and I love them of course, and also it was exhausting

Cue December of 2018.

My first creation was a mini arrangement with pine and a few fill-in flowers. I gave one to a friend, who put it on her window sill above her kitchen sink. It ended up being in the background of the photos to sell her house. This tiny little happening helped breathe life back into what had been a very exhausting period of time in my life  (whoever says having 2 kids under 2 is fun, I just cannot relate).

Dec. 2018 - My mini arrangement made a special appearance in the real estate photos for my friend’s home sale

That same month my neighbor had invited me to her baby shower (there were A LOT of babies around me at this time in my life). I wasn’t able to attend her shower due to a scheduling conflict and I wanted to still participate somehow, so I gifted her with multiple flower arrangements to help decorate the shower.

Arrangements for my neighbor’s baby shower

In 2019, I really dove into floral design. I planted my first flower garden, created bouquets for 2 styled shoots for a local photographer, and then held my own styled shoot with multiple florals involved. I designed a few bouquets for local businesses and grand openings, as well as centerpieces for the annual Rotary Club fundraising event.

My first ever bridal bouquet - photography by Megan Ryska

My first bridal bouquet - photography by Megan Ryska

Floral arrangements I did for different community events and give aways

2019 also the year my younger sister got married. She graciously allowed me to design her wedding flowers.

Working on my sister’s wedding flowers - circa 2019

Bouquets I did for my little sister’s wedding (loved the raw edge navy blue ribbon)

This was also the year I officially launched Gathered Here Designs. A glorious year! Creating, designing, collaborating - I was so in love with it all. 

The original logo I designed from GHD circa 2019

Then 2020 came...and I’m sure you might remember what an absolute blast that year turned out to be {said in the most cynical sarcastic tone imaginable). Weddings were canceled, my business went nowhere (see previous statement about the canceled weddings), my spouse’s new job rescinded their offer because of the pandemic, and everything came to a halt. So I put the business on pause and went to find a job that would allow me to have a positive impact in the lives of others.

In 2021, I started working full time again and the time and space for creating seemed to get farther and farther away.

In 2023, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had to get back to weddings. At this point it had been 3 years since I touched Gathered Here Designs and even though so much time had passed, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I found myself designing weddings for people and characters that weren’t even happening. My favorite combo from this time period? Elle Woods marries Avril Lavigne - mood board below (you’re welcome).

My Elle Woods + Avril wedding mood board

So I started to create again - I HAD to create again.

In 2023, I reinstated my business license, designed a new website, and jumped back into the world of design that I love so much. I began to feel like myself again. The design started spilling over into all areas of my life. Designing feature walls, making art, redoing my bedroom. This is when I’m happiest, when I’m creating - it’s my life source.

My living room feature wall - just finished this weekend!

With the “relaunch” of Gathered Here Designs, I really wanted to focus on making design accessible to others. Design brings me so much joy and I want others to not be intimidated to give it a try.

I hear a lot of people say things like “Oh I could never do that…” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start…” when it comes to wedding or floral design. My hope is to channel all my design knowledge into a step by step guide to help couples know exactly what design decisions need to be made and how to make them. Through a multi-module online course, couples will be able to learn about key decisions such as choosing colors, and flowers, and how to pull it all together into one cohesive design.

If you’re wanting to design your own wedding and need some extra guidance, this course will be PERFECT for you and your partner. Get on the waitlist here!

The GHD Wedding Design Course - Get on the waitlist!

Until the course is live, I’m still here to support with any wedding design help you may need. Check out this page for FREE resources.

Not finding what you’re looking for? Feel welcome to email me directly at gatheredheredesigns@gmail.com.

I am THRILLED to be back in the design space and it is an absolute joy to get to share all my design musings (yes, even the silly ones like my Elle Woods/Avril wedding moment) with all of you.

I dare you to create something this week. If you’re not there yet, maybe just go enjoy a spring-is-almost-here walk and perhaps even spot a crocus or two!

~Amanda Jean

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