Should I cry, or should I scream with delight? I want to, but instead I am jumping up and down with glee.  In early September I designed, managed, and provided flowers for an amazing wedding. That wedding was just featured in the new issue of Washingtonian Bride & Groom.
  The family was truly heaven sent. They exuded complete and total faith in me, giving me courage and wings. The family initially just wanted me to help with referrals and design ideas. A dear friend of the family would be acting as the day of coordinator, and they were certain they did not need a professional on board to handle the event. As we moved through the process it became very clear that even though we had someone executing the day of, we certainly needed someone managing  the event. The coordination of vendors, rentals, and all of the little questions that became big, huge daunting tasks as we got closer to the event fell on my shoulders. Was I scared? Yes, very much so, but I just have this thing about jumping in and being certain that I will not let someone down. The more I loved the family, the more I knew I could nail this event. I helped the family choose almost all of the vendors, and we chose all of the rentals together, I managed lighting, placement of portable restrooms, and even floating arrangements in the pool. My amazing husband, Evan, came on board with me because he is an awesome project manager. He also helped to assure that there was enough power in the tent, and he even pin spotted the lights the day of the wedding. This all of course was infinitely easier because we had an amazing group of vendors involved. Many thanks to Douglas Armstrong of Celebrations Catering, who taught me so much about glassware, napkins, chafing dishes, and staffing. Perkins Lighting, who provided the lighting on a holiday weekend in spite of the fact that they were totally booked, and for allowing my husband to set the lights the day of the event. Genevieve Leiper, for always capturing my art and my brides so incredibly perfectly. Christina from paperzest, who went above and beyond creating extra little details that I dreamed of. Jason from Market Salamander, who created a truly unique cake, and the amazing Peggy Rust of Murray HIll, who shared here gracious home and her Southern Hospitality. This day, this wedding, this family was truly blessed.

Our ceremony site was the only glitch of the day. Due to wind, our beautiful vintage tablecloth and our simple and understated flower arrangement kept blowing over the cliff. The cereomony took place on a ledge, literally overlooking the Potomac River. A potential hurricane actually blew right past our wedding that weekend, so we were happy with the breeze and no rain. We placed this big floral piece in front of the table because it was the only piece heavy enough not to blow over the cliff. The wind died down just enough before the ceremony that communion was actually placed on the table and stayed put.

A huge old farm wagon was used to display the seating chart. My bride Mackenzie and her amazing mom spent hours gathering and creating this design. It was our job to set up the windows, mirrors, and pictures frames, in a way that was safe, pretty, and functional. This area took several people working to create.

I am so proud of our designs, everything was picture perfect.

The tent was a huge 'L' shape that wrapped around an extraordinary swimming pool. One long table seated the family and wedding party. 17 round guest tables surrounded the king sized family table. Natural-toned  linens were used, with amethyst goblets. The tables also featured white battenburg lace runners. Fruitwood  chairs were rented for the ceremony and the reception. 

Centerpieces were designed in wooden boxes made by Mackenzie's grandfather. We also used vintage scales, crocks, and compotes. Those scales are now on display in my office.

Herbs and little blossoms adorned each and every napkin.

The tent was designed with a lounge area. This space was also designed to be the back up ceremony site if  the weather became an issue.  I am convinced it is because we had this space that the hurricane blew by…

The lounge area held the candy bar, the cake, and this really cute popcorn stand. All popocorn was compliments of my dad at Heiders Country Store.

All antiques were gathered from On A Whim antiques!!! I loved this old scoop that was used for the popcorn and I loved the hand stamped bags Christina from Paperzest made to hold the popcorn.

The designs created for the pool became a must, after a late-night silly chat with a floral designer friend named Tracy from Park Place Designs in Michigan.  Tracy saw a picture of the pool on twitter and she got me inspired to create these floating florals. The designs were a surprise gift to my bride and her family.

I even rented wine barrels from Fabbioli wine in Lucketts.  The wine barrels were used to hold custom made table tops for the candy bar and the cake. The table tops were created for the bride and groom and became presents for them to use in their new home.

Murray Hill is loaded with many fabulous hidden little gardens and scenic views. Photographer Genevieve Leiper did such an incredible job capturing the day. It was such a pleasure to work on this wedding with this family. So many of the fabulous ideas and designs were inspired by my incredible bride and her wonderful mother. Getting close to both of these women was one of the highlights of my year. I truly feel honored to have been the one chosen to help with this event.

It is with a full and happy heart that I say, "Happy married life Adam and Mackenzie," I am so honored I got to do the flowers for your wedding.

P.S.- Many Thanks to Washingtonian Magazine, for adding me to your "Best of 2010" list, and making me your editors pick! I strive every year to be part of such an amazing magazine.

 

These lovely designs were loaded up and headed to Alexandria for a wedding this past Saturday. Surprisingly enough we still have weddings. Mix the weddings in with the corp. work and we are crazy busy.

Our bride wore this awesome corsage on the sash of her gown instead of holding the typical bridal bouquet. The corsage was stunning and matched the look of the day perfectly. The wedding featured one long king table with 10 very full and lovely centerpieces and then clusters of hurricanes and candlelight. I heard the catering staff was in awe when we left the site.

Our next event was a corp. party for the Immix group. The holiday party is typically held in the corp. offices. The above, all white design, greeted guests as they arrived.  It is amazing to me the way designer and Senior Account Executive Meagan, of RSVP catering, can always transform the space. This year was truly remarkable. Meagan turned the whole entire media center into a lounge complete with furniture and a white dance floor.

 All red designs were added to this completely white space.

These fun white cocktail pieces were displayed outside of the lounge where the walls are red. It was fun to play off the colors of the rooms.

Long contemporary designs flanked the board room tables. I loved the look of these designs. It is fun to be contemporary as well as classic, all in the same weekend.

Three large snow balls were created and placed on clarinet vases with silver balls. The vases lined the hall and the food stations.

Mini snowballs were used for cocktail tables on the opposite wall. These designs were so freaking awesome. I literally woke up in the middle of the night wondering if I could roll carnations in white glitter to make them look like snowballs.  To make certain that the glue and glitter would not harm the flowers I did a test early last week. We also rolled the glass square vases in glue and glitter. I loved this inspired creation.

The file cabinets were converted into an incredible floral showcase.

I left this job just in time to head back to Leesburg for an event at Rose Hill Manor. Here comes the classic vintage look…

Three 40 feet long king sized tables were created for this event. A huge round of applause to corp. planner Beth who came up with the concept. I was in love with the linen and the theme.

Each table featured 3 manzanita trees with hanging votives and crystals. Silver foliage's and dried wheat were our accent colors with the cream flowers.

Each table featured designs in mercury glass vases and designs in burlap. We loved the look of these elements with the black toile patterned linen.

Guests were treated to carriage rides by Harmon Carriages and a lovely dinner provided by Occasions catering. This was such a beautiful event and I was so thrilled to provide these super designs. BTW, I now have enough mercury glass for next years weddings. I am sure the mercury glass is going to be huge next year!

Many thanks to photographer Anne Robert who was willing and available to come out and photograph the tables. I can't wait to see the images from this event. One big problem I have found with corp. work is that there is often not a photographer at the event.

Since Anne was coming out I popped these two bouquets together just to give her a little more to shoot.

Another successful weekend.

2010 has been loaded with memorable brides, and weddings. I am so pleased to finally share the images from Alison and Chris's wedding this past Spring. Alison and Chris married at the Dumbarton House in Georgetown. Many of our current weddings are being held for submission with either magazines or blogs. Saving them and not sharing them on the blog, has become a true act of patience or a certain kind of torture. Yesterday Alison and Chris were featured on the Brides Guide blog with Martha Stewart Weddings. We were so honored to make our debut appearance with Martha Stewart weddings. This wedding was a true team effort, and I was thrilled to be working with Ritzy Bee Events, Kate Headley Photography, Design Cuisine, Chris Laich and The Dumbarton House.  Thank you to all the vendors involved, it was clear when Kates first images came in, that we had created something totally awesome.

I remember every little detail about this wedding. Allison came to me with an inspiration book she had created. The designs that appealed to her were natural but elegant. Due to the fact that she was having a "dessert and dancing wedding" we wanted to keep the flowers comfortable and inviting. Allison had requested a bouquet that was made of all blue flowers. At one point I think we even talked about light blue hydrangea, but that just seemed to pale and uninspired for this very vibrant and beautiful bride, so we decided on dark blue. Allison needed something unique and very special but blue can be difficult because there are not a lot of flowers that are truly purely blue, deviating to dark purple was not an option, so she said. I intended to use dark blue hydrangea, blue hyacinthus, blue muscari, blue thistle, blue privet berry, and blue delphinium. The day before her wedding she stopped by my house to drop off a few last minute items, we kissed goodbye, and seconds later she called saying " hey, you know those purple flowers at the end of your driveway, you can use those also." Ha, that was the money shot, she was giving me permission to use my dark purple lilac, so I whacked it right from my garden seconds after she left.  When allison allowed me to use the purple lilac, I added the purple anemones, and purple monkshood. It was the purple flowers that made her blue bouquet so beautifully blue. We also used dusty miller, rosemary, and seeded euc to add a sage blue or steel blue grey to the designs.  Her bouquet was bound with a vintage handkerchief, in fact I believe I used several different pieces of vintage lace.

 In an effort to keep this unique and totally Allison's, I suggested the use of the sahara rose for the maids bouquets. I needed a lighter toned flower to give her contrast against the blue maids dresses, but I did not want to go to white flowers because that would be to expected. So I used the taupe roses called sahara with a mix of the all the blue flowers of the day, we did use a lot of thistle and dusty miller in these designs. Ribbon for the maids bouquets was purchased on a buying trip in SFO and I was thrilled with the result.

Bouts and corsages are always enhanced here, they are little mini pieces of art. The grooms bout was made with blue thistle, rosemary, viburnum berry and delphinium.

Maria of Ritzy Bee had explained that there would be a collegiate theme and that she and the bride wanted a mix of vases. The bride had gathered a full set of white trophies and a full set of blue vintage vases, and I added old pewter cups, or silver trophies to the mix. I kept the blue and white separated throughout most of the wedding. All white flowers went in white vases with pops of thistle or blue berry and all blue flowers went into the blue vintage glass. In the centerpieces we used all the flowers of the day but we also added, white ranunculus, white tulips, white stock, and white spray roses. There were also awesome buffet pieces in large silver trophy bowls.

One of my favorite pieces of the day was the design I created for the wall at the ceremony site. In true Holly Chapple fashion, I saw the empty spot and designed a piece from my "doctor bucket," In other words I used leftovers.  The piece had thistle, delphinium, monkshood, anemone, my lilac, and aggies. I remember putting in whatever was in the bucket. I loved putting that piece together, I really thought it needed to be there so I just couldn't resist.

I have been waiting months to say this, "happy married life Alison and Chris. We loved doing your wedding flowers."

Most of you know that I have a small little booth in the On A Whim Antiques store, right here in Lucketts.  This store has become one of my greatest resources during wedding season. I can walk into this great little shop, any day of the week, and totally feel inspired.  Finding just the right gift is so easy here, and if you are hoping to spruce up your house, On A Whim is a must. This past Sunday night the girls from On A Whim Antiques gathered for a little pre holiday fun. Owner Donna, is seen above opening one of the first presents of the season.

We each brought in vintage gifts to share.

It was so nice to spend time with the ladies of the store. I often miss out on the action because I am working in the flower shop or on a wedding.

Visit On A Whim for your holiday shopping, or your holiday decorating. LOVE them!!!!

 

 

Several weeks ago we were providing flowers for 7 weddings. It was our biggest weekend ever, and in order to create more space in the flower shop my office was hap haphazardly thrown into what our family called the red room. The red room was a little sitting area off of our flower shop. Because this was only 6 weeks ago the above photo is about the only picture I have of my make-shift office before the make over. This was the weekend Elodie came to visit us from France. I hated, yep I said it, hated being moved into the red room and I hated my new office. The red room was our families little room, and it did not feel like it belonged to me. The girls at On A Whim assured me they could create a space that would make me happy, proud, and comfortable. One huge hope was that when the new office was designed I would be able to do consults in this space instead of in our huge family room.

First they suggested painting the red room, a vintage blue. While I did client consults on Monday, the wonderful Peter and Myriam, painted the red room blue. On Tuesday I went to CNU for a college tour with my daughter Hannah. Yes, we have another child preparing for college.

When I returned home on Tuesday night the painting was finished and Donna and Mary Alice from On A Whim were already here getting started with their own kind of magic. I have had many blessings in my life, and my relationship with the ladies at On A Whim is certainly one them.

Every single piece was hand picked by the incredible duo from On A Whim and I feel so honored that they took the time to help me create a new work environment for my continuously growing, and changing business. Every time I come through the doors of On A Whim I want to move in. So to have a room in my house that I love, represent my life at the antique store, as well as my flower shop, it is a true treasure.

Here is my daughter Hannah at the new consultation table.

This hutch is the corner of the room and holds my precious McCoy collection, antique frogs, mason jars, and gifts from my clients. Baskets hold my trade material but all of the containers are vintage unique finds.

Everywhere I look I see things that I have so lovingly used at my weddings. I must have done at least 15 weddings with my antique blue mason jars. I see different things in the room and it immediately takes me back to each bride and the pleasure we all felt the day of the wedding. I found almost all of the antiques I used this year at On A Whim, so this is doubly cool.

I adore the blue chairs that are for my consultation table.

My new work desk is so beautiful, I love the old barn wood and the sexy legs.

and I totally adore my window treatment. Mary Alice found an old architectural piece to hang above the window and I am so happy about this piece.

I also have this sweet little picture of me and my mom at a horse show, I think I was 5 in this picture.

A beautiful old screen door was used to soften the transition from office to our sitting area in the kitchen.

This awesome cabinet was purchased for the files, we are getting sweet little baskets so that it is pretty when you look through the glass.

So now Kelly and Casey have an awesome place to work.

In addition to the office,  we also painted the little piano room. It needed to be painted because it was a little red room, and it was attached to the new blue office. Don't you love how one clean up project effects the whole house. We also used the piano room as a place to hang all of my black and white photos that used to be in the old red sitting room.

Since we were on a roll we got the big room cleaned up as well.

Many thanks to Debbie, Casey, Myriam, Peter, and Albert for redoing the whole house. This was a huge project and certainly above and beyond the call of duty, but it is so exhilarating to have a clean home and fresh work space. We are now back in the flower shop! We have two weddings this week and we are preparing for the holidays as well. My college babies all come home this weekend so I am totally happy.

THANK YOU, Donna and Mary Alice and the whole Holly Chapple Flowers team for helping me download the past, and prepare for the future. I am so totally blessed and as I move forward taking care of my brides I am so comforted by the family, friends, and HCF team that supports me. It will be such a pleasure to work in this space surrounded by the people and things I LOVE!!

 

The guest book area was a space we had a lot of fun with. During our planning session it was clear this was an area that needed some definite style, but all the couple had was the book. They knew that they wanted to display pictures of grandparents and other family members somewhere. I suggested we create one table that could be a guest book table but also a table that spoke about the couple.  I asked Katy and Jon Erik if there was anything they loved to do or collect. They both looked at me blankly saying they had nothing until Jon Erik pipped in that they loved to fish and that he collected vintage lours and reels. This was all of the inspiration I needed to create this wonderful guestbook table.

Family photos were gathered and framed. Jon Erik provided me with his vintage fishing tackle. I also asked the couple for old love letters or any other personal information they would like to share. They rewarded me with a fabulous album of their journey as a couple and one of the pages was all about their time fishing. This came together like magic.

We could not resist phrases like "the perfect catch" or " tell us a tail." 

The "tell us a tail sign" was placed right next to the guest book. I can thank Kelly Lanza for that last minute creative outburst. We made that sign right on the spot. Of course we brought lots of mini flower arrangements and props for this table too.  I was told by the day-of planner, Kelley Cannon, that people were at this table all night, browsing and signing the guestbook. That was my goal of course. SUCCESS!

This fun vintage wooden basket was used for cards. The gift table also had an awesome floral design as the backdrop.

These fun designs were created for the cocktail hour. In the background you can see the accent linen I chose for the cocktail tables.

We also designed the cake topper. Katy wanted the top of the cake to be very simple. When I suggested a monogram she was sold. I have made these several times before we have always used the herb rosemary. For this cake I chose to have the monogram created with the bark wire. Elodie actually fashioned the wire into the H form.

I absolutely loved this wedding and I am so totally thrilled and proud of the results. I look forward to seeing the real images from photographer Genevieve Leiper, however I think we will hold onto these for a little while, just to keep you in suspense.

Katy and Jon Erik, we LOVED doing your wedding, happy married life!!!!!!!!

This is my bride Christine and right now she is enjoying her reception. Christine married today at the Thomas Birkby House. I want to send out a big huge thanks to sister Cynthia, for helping to plan such a wonderful wedding. After weeks of assisting with the planning of this wedding, Cynthia became suddenly and seriously ill last night. She literally is in the hospital and was unable to come to her sisters wedding. I know this was a tough day for the whole family but at least Cynthia's touch was everywhere, and she helped to give her sister an amazingly beautiful wedding. I loved all of the gorgeous details the family either chose, or designed.

Our bridal bouquet consisted of orange calla lily, two shades of orange roses, green hypericum berry,  and a collar of green aspidistra leaves. My bride loved clean contemporary lines for the bouquets, but she also liked a vintage feel as well. I suggested we let the bouquets stay clean and contemporary and then we could get a  little bit looser at the reception, this way she could have some of the vintage vibe as well.

Maids bouquets were created with green hydrangea, green hypericum berry, green roses, green button mums and the same variegated aspidistra leaves.

Designer Debbie helped me to hang a 60 foot long garland. Notice, the odd look on my face. I hate when people take pictures of me while I'm working. I always look stressed, when I am creating.

The men's bouts were of course, inspired, and unique. We are famous for our bouts, and corsages.

We used several different arrangements in vintage containers to create the ceremony site, and I loved that look.

We placed Cynthia's bouquet on the altar, which gave us this little centerpiece to place with the programs.

The family made these great custom overlays, which we used everywhere.

We were in love with the fabrics the family chose as accents. The pieces they created were so clever.

Their favors were totally coordinated with the wedding and made from their specialty fabrics. This may have been the best DIY project I have ever seen.

We had just enough leftover garland to enhance the buffet tables.

We provided centerpieces in large, medium, and small mason jars. Event planner Stephanie Aspinwall of Pretty Entertaining not only oversaw the days events, but she also made these awesome table numbers.  I am totally buying a set.

Don's dahlias, always steal the show. You can see Don and his glorious dahlias at the Leesburg Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

This was yet another wonderful event at the Thomas Birkby House. There is always magic at a Birkby House wedding.

Cynthia I hope you are feeling better, and I hope you are comforted by the fact that you helped to give your sister an awesome wedding. Happy married life Christine, and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wedding.

Now this is what is, "in the cooler"

Good Night!

 

 

We did it again!!! Allie's mom just contacted me, to sing our praises. Thank you to the big guy in the sky, for watching over this flower house. We are working, working, working, to bring our brides the very best and we are thrilled that we have been so successful.

Allie carried a bouquet of cream sahara roses, milky way roses, quicksand roses, white spray roses, cream hydrangea, pee gee hydrangea, and white phalanoposis orchids. This bouquet was simply dreamy, in fact the whole wedding was a complete and total dream. I worked with 3 different wholesalers, and my favorite local grower Don's Dahlias, to bring this wedding to life. All of the taupe toned roses are extremely hard to come by this season, and I have been begging for my blooms.

Maids carried bouquets of antique pee gee hydrangea, gypsy curiosa roses, cream hydrangea, milky way roses and spray roses. I simply loved this very glamorous fall color scheme.

Holy cannoli! We arrived to the reception just as the cannoli's were delivered. This was a gift from a family member, I have never seen so many amazing sweets in my life. Five people were working to prepare and display this family favorite treat!

Since the cannolis were clearly under control, we went to set up the ballroom. The Lansdowne Resort Country Club, was the reception location, and the venue was simply glowing.

Low centerpieces featured glass hurricane vases and large pillar candles with a cascading flower arrangement of orange dahlias, orange roses, pee gee hydrangea, seeded euc, spray roses, milky way roses, quick sand roses, and hypericum berry.

Placing the flowers on the cake is always so terrifying. I love to design the cake, but I prefer when I can work with the baker, it just seems only fair that we both should see the finished design.

Working side by side with the head pastry chef of Lansdowne Resort, we completed one of the most magnificent cakes I have ever seen.

Every weekend I tell you how much I loved my brides and their families, and this week there was no exception. Each family is so important to me, for so many different reasons. Mrs. W. (MOB) and Allie were so delightful, trusting, loving, and kind, working with them was a total pleasure. In addition to that I will always remember them because of Allie's engagement ring. When Allie came for her first consult, she was wearing a stunning vintage engagement ring. Knowing that my son wanted a vintage ring for his fiance, I asked how they found such an heirloom. Allie is the bride that told our family about James McHones.  This vintage jewelry shop is based in Harrisonburg, VA., and because of Allie, my son Alex was able to find his vintage engagement ring for Mallary. Life is good, and these specialconnections I make with my brides, are simply the icing on the wedding cake.

Happy married life Allie, I LOVED designing your wedding flowers.

 

I am so excited to bring you the awesome wedding images and 8 mm film, from Jenn and Anthony wedding.  Photographer Kate Headley  was kind enough to share her work with us today.  This wedding was a complete, and total, drool worthy dream. I loved the couple, I loved working with Kate and I loved working with Maria and Kelly of Ritzy Bee Events.

Jenn and Anthony wanted to use as many local blooms as possible, so we at Holly Heider Chapple Flowers started growing the couple flowers in early Spring. We also purchased from local growers Don's Dahlias and Fields Of Flowers.

The flowers were to be berry toned and I took that literally and I actually added raspberries to the designs.

The details that Maria and Kelly  think of,  are simply to die for. I look forward to getting to each of our weddings just to see what they have dreamed up next. The vintage key, place cards, simply blew me away.

Our boutonniere's were totally amazing and we had so much fun desiging them!

Truly a beautiful wedding. Happy married life, Jenn and Anthony, we loved doing your wedding flowers.

venue: Sunset Hills Winery, Purcellville, Virginia

planning: Ritzy Bee Events

flowers: Holly Chapple

catering: Fusions

DJ: DJ Connection

Kerry married this past Saturday at the Hillsborough Vineyards. This vineyard is truly beautiful and boasts amazing views. It is one of my favorites in Loudoun County. I stopped along the road so that I could get you a view of the property.  Kerry's designs literally made my heart sing, so much so that a new term was created in the flower shop. Sexy flowers are now called FLORAGAZMIK!

 

The bridal bouquet consisted of very unusual and rare orchid dahlia's from the amazing Don. We also used Don's magenta dahlias, sea star fern, queen annes lace, deep purple scabiosa, seeded euc, wine colored snapdragons, scabiosa pods, green antique hydrangea and scented geranium.

 

For the altar we created enormous mounds of pee gee hydrangea and the simplicity was drool worthy.

 

Kerry's jewelry was so incredible that I snapped these photos. She had her pieces designed by a vintage jeweler in Brooklyn.  If anyone is dying to know the name of the jeweler I can ask Kerry when she gets back from her honeymoon. 

 

Here is a picture of Genevieve Leiper at work. I can't wait to see the photographs that Gen captured with her magic lens.

 

Mantel

 

Head table centerpieces.

 

Brides often choose to use the vineyards tables without linens,  everyone loves the look of the natural wood. Simple burlap runners were created for the tables.

Kerry and her mom created this wine cork picture frame for the place cards.

 

I got a little creative with the cake and I added tiny loops of twine to each layer of the cake.

 

There were so many wonderful details from this wedding, I look forward to seeing the pictures Gen. took. Mostly, I want to thank Kerry for letting me be a part of her wedding day. This wedding was a lot of fun, in fact all of Saturday was just simply magical. I loved every piece we created.