A Day in Provence

Style Me Pretty Invitation - Little Black Book

2012-02-14T10:21:00.000-06:00

happy valentine's day! we are back in the floral studio after taking a few days to enjoy some sunshine in Arizona. exciting moments ahead starting with today's announcement that A Day in Provence was invited to join Style Me Pretty as a new member of their elite Little Black Book!

Style Me Pretty is a fabulous resource for brides, industry friends & all who love anything weddings!! styled inspiration shoots, real wedding features, local vendor listings, darling DIY project ideas, fashion look book...you can find this & more on Style Me Pretty!

a few photos from inspiration shoots we've done with incredible artists in the wedding industry from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area that have been featured on Style Me Pretty...

Love Bird Photo Shoot - Amy Majors Photography

Garden Party Inspiration Shoot - Amy Majors Photography

Library Themed Wedding - Laura Ivanova Photography

The Knot MN Feature - Spring/Summer 2012 Issue

2012-02-10T12:25:00.000-06:00

We are happy to share a wedding of ours that is featured in The Knot MN Spring/Summer wedding issue!

Amy & Brett were married this summer on a delightful June day...photos from the lovely Laura Ivanova!

2011 In Review - part two

2012-01-24T18:50:00.002-06:00

as promised, a look back at some of the highlights from the weddings of 2011!

photo by Tonnis Photography

photo by Laura Ivanova Photography

photo by Happily Ever After

photo by Erin Johnson Photography

photo by Laura Ivanova Photography


photo by Legacy Studios MN

photo by CT Ryan Photography

photo by Ingrid Werthmann Photography

photo by Melissa Oholendt


photo by Melissa Oholendt

2011 In Review - part one

2012-01-08T00:25:00.000-06:00

as i look back on all of the places my flowers took me in 2011, i am so very grateful.

personal & professional highlights include:

- meeting the lovely Julie Andrews with our daughters. still in awe that she was in Saint Paul...at our favorite children's bookstore - The Red Balloon Bookshop. she was so gracious in talking with the girls. very surreal, pinch me. still in awe that she took with her my bouquet of white peonies, ranunculus, lilacs & scented geranium...i can still see her lovely smile & will forever remember her delightful British accent.

- planning & designing the summer gardens and floralscape for one of my very favorite homes on Summit Avenue...

- designing florals regularly for CorePower Yoga...bringing yoga back into my life has been a beautiful thing. it is more than just an hour "away" each time, it is a way of life.

- featured posts in MN Bride magazine:

A Day in Provence boutonnieres highlighted in #'s 2, 4 and 9...

our featured flower wedding in MN Bride: David Ta & his darling bride,Wing of Canary Grey Photography

- and a national feature in Town & Country Weddings magazine!! featuring Anne & Noah's beautiful wedding at the James J Hill Library in Saint Paul.

- becoming part of the Independent Wedding Association...a group of wedding artisans who truly are passionate about the industry and what they do. we are creative, detail-oriented and love to collaborate with each other to provide you with a unique, personal and top notch service. check out the upcoming fair at Hotel Ivy in February. you will not be disappointed!

- continued collaboration with talented vendors...we LOVE creating and providing you with wedding and party inspiration! this Old Hollywood Glamour shoot was the brainchild of Amy Majors Photography. we were lucky enough to work closely with Cocoa & Fig and A Milestone Paper Co.

this inspiration shoot was featured on the Wedding Chicks blog an Inspire a Bride!

- and, finishing up the year with fulfilling a dream of hosting a boutique in our home over the holidays...celebrating the handmade goods of local artists. a fun-filled evening of seeing old friends & meeting new, shopping for holiday gifts, and enjoying the tasty appetizers from Chow Girls Catering & the peppermint and almond caramel cake pops from Cocoa & Fig. a lovely evening of inspiring & promoting each other. what beautiful handcrafted items. i am still remembering how magical that evening was.

this year has been a wonderful journey. i am thankful to my clients, friends, family & vendors who continue to encourage me & inspire me along the way.

and to all of my beautiful brides, thank you! the best part of what i do is the moment you see your bouquet...thank you for giving me the creative freedom to design for you what is hopefully that something perfect and everything above & beyond what you dreamed of. more to come soon about our weddings from 2011!

here's wishing you peace, happiness, good health & lots of travel adventures (big or small!) in 2012. and, here's to being mindful about taking some time each day to just breathe and to also soak up all of the beautiful things life has to offer.

xoxo -
Tara

Christmas Greetings From A Day in Provence....

2011-12-24T10:08:00.001-06:00

happiest of holidays to you & yours from A Day in Provence floral design. we are lucky enough to have a new family member with us this year - our Airedale Terrier, Griffin, who we rescued a few weeks ago. he is enjoying the fresh fallen snow here in Saint Paul! we first fell in love with this breed 10 years ago when we lived in Europe, and are so glad he is here!

our oldest daughter, Morgan, reminded us of a sweet christmas message..."Mom, for Christmas we got a new dog & Griffin got a new home."

here's to enjoying the simple treasures in life. Merry Christmas to all!

Autumn Wedding: Carrie & Barak, Semple Mansion

2011-12-21T12:06:00.000-06:00

Carrie & Barak enjoyed such beautiful weather on their wedding day this November in Minneapolis. gorgeous color palette for the day - chocolate, ivory, green & blue. the hydrangea were a lovely compliment to the rich blue bridesmaid dresses. the dresses were spectacular...and, Carrie was a darling bride!

the reception was held at the exquisite Semple Mansion in Minneapolis. all photos compliments of Laura Ivanova!

the ceremony was held at the grand Temple Israel - wow!

congratulations Carrie & Barak!

ceremony: Temple Israel, Minneapolis | flowers: A Day in Provence | photography: Laura Ivanova | reception: Semple Mansion

Paris...

2011-12-05T14:18:00.000-06:00

love this post written by Vicki Archer about everything Paris. check out her lovely blog French Essence for ongoing inspiration!

and, a few photos from our trip to Paris a few years back...

beauty. art. culture. museums. exquisite food. delightful pastries. scenery. gardens. inspiration all around. love this city!

Chic & Stylish Holiday Boutique...tonight!

2011-12-02T07:11:00.000-06:00

come spend a fun evening tonight shopping with friends & celebrating our beautiful local artists! 5-9pm...

Sarah - silk scarves & jewelry

Tara, A Day in Provence - floral design

Rachel - Daub & Bauble

Kate, Sweet B Essentials - homemade oil cloth bags, aprons, lunch bags

Jill - Poppy Togs & Clogs

Naphtali - purses, bags

Anna - handknits

Sara – handcrafted pendants

Embellish by Kada - headbands

stop by or send me an e-mail at tara@adayinprovence.com for address details...hope to see you!

Summer Wedding: Jennifer & Andy

2011-11-21T11:56:00.000-06:00

what a beautiful June wedding day for Jennifer & Andy...ahhhh summer! we now have snow on the ground in Minnesota!

Jennifer's dress was beyond gorgeous....

and so was the sweet flower girl in her ruffles...

summery green bouquets of dutch hydrangea, cymbidium orchids, star of bethlehem, peris bud, hanging amaranthus. the bride's bouquet also had touches of white scabiosa, poppy pods and chocolate fern shoots.

beautiful cake by Buttercream...

a lovely outdoor ceremony held at Summit Manor in Saint Paul, located on historic Summit Avenue.

congratulations to a wonderful couple. thank you for inviting us to be part of your day!

cake: Buttercream | flowers: A Day in Provence | photographer: Legacy Studios of Minnesota | venue: Summit Manor

Summer Wedding: Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Minneapolis: Kate & Kevin

2011-11-14T10:14:00.002-06:00

Kate & Kevin were married on a beautiful day in June. a lovely urban wedding with french twists which took place at the Theatre de la Jeune Lune in Minneapolis! lovely coral colored bridesmaid dresses with apricot colored garden roses, coral peonies, nerine, ranunculus & hints of gray berries & lambs ear. event planning by the lovely Laura Mullen & the spectacular photos by Tonnis Photography.

congratulations, Kate & Kevin!

event planning: Laura Mullen Event Design | flowers: A Day in Provence | photos: Tonnis Photography
venue: Theatre de la Jeune Lune

Summer Wedding: Christine & Brian

2011-11-01T11:47:00.001-05:00

Christine & Brian were married in August on a beautiful Minnesota day at The Church of St.Peter in Mendota. a fun, but refined, elegant picnic themed reception was held at the gorgeous 413 on Wacouta in downtown Saint Paul.

fun loving friends, a sweet family & a dear couple. i love this photo captured by La Vie Photography!

photo by A Day in Provence

the bride grew up in Northwestern Minnesota on Lake of the Woods. her dad is an avid fisherman, well in fact, the entire family is! much time is still spent fishing near the Northwest Angle, an area that is populated by thousands of islands and great fishing spots. because the wedding wasn't in her hometown, Christine thought she’d bring part of her Northern upbringing to the reception. each table was named after an island on Lake of the Woods.

the centerpieces were designed in rustic barnwood boxes with burgundy and deep pink hydrangea, roses, ranunculus, hanging amaranthus, dahlias, cockscomb, scented geranium leaves and gloriosa lilies.

photo by A Day in Provence

congratulations Christine & Brian!

A Sneak Peek...

2011-10-31T11:19:00.000-05:00

here's a little preview of what's to come tomorrow...a favorite summer wedding of mine.

photo compliments of La Vie Photography, Minneapolis

Summer Wedding: Veronica & Dave

2011-10-20T08:29:00.000-05:00

Veronica & Dave's beautiful summer wedding took place at Summit Manor in Saint Paul, MN.

their color palette for the day was soft shades of lavenders, blues, lilac & darker purples with hints of ivory. the couple was married under the beautiful old tree at Summit Manor...highlighted by an arch garland adorned with lush hydrangea and draping andromeda.

Hearten Magazine...

2011-10-14T12:29:00.000-05:00

a wonderful new resource debuted online this week: Hearten Magazine, offering encouragement & ideas for your Twin Cities wedding. all local inspiration from the amazing Independent Wedding Association members - i'm so lucky to be a part of and in the midst of such talented artists!

here's a preview of the first issue - "reclaiming Minnesota kitsch with an emphasis on Minnesota flavor":

glossary: know your wedding floral words
authentic minnesota: local weddings from photographers
love, minnesota style: a re-imagined church basement wedding – don’t forget the hot dish!
print it: recipe card downloads for mason jar tater tot hot dish & holidazzle gelatin
flow chart: choose your own photography schedule adventure
jack & his babe in blue: fashion meets MN folklore
member directory

and...my very favorite!! Cocoa & Fig have outdone themselves again...how sweet are these??

photos compliments of Becca Dilley Photography & Sarah McGee Photography

Fall Wedding - Summit Manor: Erin & Matt

2011-10-09T21:42:00.004-05:00

what a gorgeous September wedding day for Erin & Matt! beautiful photos of their walk downtown historic Saint Paul, followed by their ceremony & reception at Summit Manor. thank you for having us be a part of your day!

a sweet photograph of Erin and her grandmother. Erin's "something old" for her wedding day was a vintage butterfly pin placed on her bouquet that was brought over from Norway by her great-grandmother when she was in her 20s.

congratulations you two!

photos courtesy of Happily Ever After Photography

Old Hollywood Glam Inspiration Shoot

2011-10-07T08:50:00.002-05:00

a few fun photos to share with you today! check out the lovely blog Inspire A Bride for a post on an inspiration shoot we did from awhile back with Amy Majors Photography, Cocoa & Fig and A Milestone Paper Co. such talented vendors and what fun we had!

this bouquet incorporated white peonies, red & white parrot tulips, red anemone & red craspedia - so modern, yet with romantic touches.

Independent Wedding Fair, Thursday, October 13th: "Wedding Boot Camp & Groom's Night"

2011-10-04T17:18:00.001-05:00

calling all grooms...and brides! if you are looking for a fun night out at your not so typical wedding fair, join us at Pinstripes in Edina next Thursday, October 13th from 5:30-9pm!

with a focus on grooms, this event is the perfect place for you and your bride to spend a Thursday evening, sample some yummy drinks, eat s'mores made by Cocoa and Fig, and meet with wonderful independent wedding vendors to get your wedding planning started. events include:

BOWLING – Pinstripes has many lanes of bowling and lawn bowling, and will be open to fair guests all night.
SUIT FITTING DEMOS – questions about buying and sizing your tux? Not sure what to look for fit? Talk with the experts at Savvi Formalwear.
CIGAR SAMPLING – Join us on the Pinstripes balcony for a little respite overlooking Centennial Lakes Park
DRINK TASTING – Pinstripes bar will feature a mini-session on alcohol.
MEN’S GROOMING - Brett Dorrian Artistry Studios will lead a hands on demo for groom’s hair and makeup.

hope to see you next week...the Independent Wedding Association is hosting a spectacular wedding planning event...you won't want to miss it!

September Wedding: Anna & Chad, Campus Club - Coffman Memorial Union, Minneapolis

2011-09-08T23:43:00.001-05:00

what a gorgeous day for an outdoor wedding! we have had picture perfect weather this past month, and Saturday was no exception. the Campus Club terrace atop Coffman Memorial Union on the University of Minnesota campus provided a beautiful setting for the ceremony.

Anna was a dream bride...fun loving & happy, wanting floral designs that were natural and playful, incorporating unique items that complimented her gorgeous dress and the groom's gray pinstripe suit - and, the wedding party's navy taffeta dresses and dark gray suits...a stunning combo!

Anna's bouquet incorporated green and white hydrangea, ranunculus and freesia, andromeda, fern shoots, scabiosa pods, blue vibernum berries and fresh hops - a nod to the bride and groom's love of good beer!

bridesmaid bouquet highlights included white anemone, hydrangea, blue vibernum, gray dusty miller and brunia berries

oh my, and this grandfather's boutonniere...what a fun element! honoring Anna's grandfather - a wheat farmer from Washington state. wheat was shipped in from his farm with added touches here and in the welcome arrangement.

congratulations Anna & Chad...wishing you the best in your adventure together.

for more beauty from the wedding day, see the lovely Melissa Oholendt's post and her incredible work!

Spring Wedding: Daira & Brody

2011-09-01T21:20:00.000-05:00

a beautiful spring wedding took place in Saint Paul the first weekend in May. Daira & Brody were married in downtown Saint Paul and the celebration continued throughout the evening at the Union Depot. i love this first photo...and, the fringe on her dress!

their sweet cake!

one of the centerpiece designs...complete with plum and lavender flowers and burgundy wrapped ti leaves.

Daira's bouquet was designed with purple sweet peas, anemone, mini calla lilies, hyacinth, orchids and burgundy ti leaves.

all photos courtesy of CT Ryan Photography. more lovely photos from the bride and groom's day here...congratulations Daira & Brody!

June Wedding: Amy & Brett

2011-08-11T18:12:00.000-05:00

a delightful wedding to share with you today! love this early June wedding at the Semple Mansion...soft pinks, ivory & white - and peonies everywhere! Amy & Brett had a picture perfect day with beautiful weather, the gorgeous Semple Mansion in Minneapolis and happiness all around. a sneak peek below of the bronze chandelier centerpieces on the head table and Amy's bouquet. and, brides to be, wait until you see the amazing vendor list, including Elizabeth Anne Weddings! check out the many, many photos by the lovely Laura Ivanova featured on her blog...her work is stunning!


photo by A Day in Provence


photo by A Day in Provence

congratulations Amy & Brett...it was an honor to design for you!

Summer Bouquet...

2011-07-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

what a beautiful summer day for a wedding yesterday! a mixture of scented geranium, fuchsia peonies, burgundy dahlias, astilbe, mini calla lilies and hanging amaranthus for my Norwegian bride, Hanne. also, hints of gloriosa lilies & chocolate cosmos (which almost smell of a hint of chocolate!)...and smiling in the back for her were some of her favorites, stargazer lilies.

Autumn Wedding: Maura & Patrick

2011-06-30T11:00:00.001-05:00

what a delightful and fun loving couple...Maura & Patrick were married last September, celebrating at the Minnesota History Center.

enjoy the beautiful photos from the lovely Jennie of Sewell Photography in Minneapolis!

Maura's bouquet...beautiful, rich colors for a September wedding! antique green & burgundy hydrangea, burgundy mini calla lilies, green cymbidium orchids, ivory dahlias, white andromeda & chocolate cosmos.

what a perfect photo...they are as happy as can be. cheers to Maura & Patrick!

Ranunculus

2011-06-15T09:30:00.001-05:00

one of my all time must-have flowers is the ranunculus. it is delicate and dainty with thin, crepe-paper like petals. it swirls in a round about way, and i can never have enough of these in my studio!

ranunculus is a bulb flower that can be grown in your garden or containers. many varieties of colors are available including orange:

photo by Christa Bahr

red ranunculus boutonniere with fern shoots

photo by Kelly Brown Weddings

this beautiful Italian ranunculus - white with a green center...divine!

white ranunculus with a wine colored edge designed in a flower cone for an accent at the ceremony, along with ivory astilbe, tulips and green hanging amaranthus

bright yellow...

apricot/blush color...with a lovely black center

and, this beautiful ruffly coral color used in one of my recent bridal bouquets - scrumptious!

Sneak Peek: Spring Wedding...Chartreuse & White

2011-06-13T07:15:00.000-05:00

we've been designing non-stop since the end of May! we've lucked out with beautiful sunny weather at just the right moments every Saturday these past few weeks. beautiful brides, lovely vendors, and amazing venues. here is a sneak peek at a bridesmaid bouquet from a May wedding!

Independent Wedding Associaton

2011-05-31T23:09:00.000-05:00

i'm excited to announce our membership involvement with the Twin Cities Independent Wedding Association! a wonderful way to stay in touch and collaborate with other local wedding talent. those who are also creative, cutting edge, and passionate about every detail and what they do each day. i'm honored to be a part of this talented group!

brides to be...stay tuned for future wedding fair announcements from the Independent Wedding Association. a smaller, more intimate wedding fair...with a twist!

bouquet: A Day in Provence
photo by: Studio Laguna

(also a member of the Independent Wedding Association)

An Unforgettable Day

2011-05-13T23:11:00.000-05:00

yesterday may have been the moment of a lifetime...

A Day in Provence delivered a spring bouquet to the Red Balloon Bookshop in Saint Paul, Minnesota. a bouquet of lavender lilacs, white peonies, white ranunculus and geranium for a book signing and extraordinary appearance by the lovely Julie Andrews!

her newly released book, The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage was co-authored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. my daughters & I were waiting in anticipation until it was our turn to step up to meet "Maria". she was radiant, and beautiful, and charming!

of course, we adore The Sound of Music in our house (both the movie and the soundtrack) and know them by heart. i grew up watching the film and traveled to Salzburg, Austria in college with my family to see many of the sites.

and who doesn't love Mary Poppins?

we were thrilled to meet Julie Andrews...and, all of this happened right at our own little neighborhood bookstore.

what began as a special floral delivery and enjoyment of a book signing of an exquisite British actress at our neighborhood bookstore ended on an amazing personal note. Miss Julie Andrews brought the flowers with her that evening. we shared a few words, she mentioned her love of lilacs and how happy she was to be taking the flowers with her. she was gracious, and i was delighted. and honored. and humbled.

this flower journey has taken me to places i'd never imagined. and more than i could have ever hoped for. i am grateful that i can pass along the beauty and joy of flowers to others in this world.

Old Hollywood Glam Inspiration Photoshoot

2011-05-10T13:56:00.000-05:00

Amy Majors set out on yet another creative voyage - landing in downtown Minneapolis with a focus on Old Hollywood Glam and splashes of red, white & yellow! for more photos, check out the posting on the lovely Wedding Chicks blog. enjoy...

the design of this cake made by Cocoa & Fig was to die for!

A Sneak Peek...

2011-05-09T21:09:00.002-05:00

i'm back...and with a delightful sneak peek of what's to come tomorrow!

photo courtesy of Amy Majors Photography

Art in Bloom 2011 - Minneapolis Institute of Arts

2011-04-28T14:01:00.000-05:00

calling all flower lovers...if you are in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area this weekend and are looking for a touch of Spring, stop by Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. a delightful event for the entire family!

celebrating it's 28th year, Art in Bloom is a four-day festival highlighting 100+ floral artists, whose designs of floral interpretation will be on view next to the works of art that inspired them. the festival begins today and runs through Sunday. in addition to viewing the floral and art pieces, event highlights include: lectures and demonstrations, attending a party or free docent tour, and browsing in the Art in Bloom shop. also, on Saturday, there is a special Art in Bloom Family Event from 10:30am - 2pm featuring a scavenger hunt and fun craft activities. enjoy!

Paris Pastry Shops

2011-04-19T14:11:00.000-05:00

one of the best things about Paris is admiring the window displays of the pastry shops. inspirational works of art with intricate details - some to pretty to eat, and others...well, scrumptious! enjoy...

while strolling through the Marais neighborhood in the 4th arrondissement, one must visit the Place des Vosges - a beautiful, historic Parisian square where Victor Hugo once lived. it also is known as the oldest square in Paris.

and a typical sign you'll see in Paris designating a street or market square.

and here is a similar sign we stumbled upon in the window of a pâtisserie...crafted in CHOCOLATE, nonetheless!!

looking forward to our next visit whenever that may be. maybe to sample a nutella crêpe, a slice of opera cake, or a delicious fruit tarte as pictured above from a pâtisserie? mmmmm.....

Paris Flower Boutiques

2011-04-12T14:40:00.000-05:00

it's springtime in Paris, and it's time for another post on floral inspiration i found (on every corner) on my last trip to Paris.

gorgeous ivory dahlias...

phalaenopsis orchids, hydrangea, star of bethlehem...

one of our favorites: the Musée Rodin. located at 79, rue de Varenne, 75007, Paris. you can easily spend half your day strolling through the fantastic gardens and viewing the beautiful art indoors!

garden roses everywhere you look!

in case you missed the January post on Paris, learn more about my Marché aux Oiseaux visit.

also, next up: the art of Paris pastry shops!

Spring Is In the Air!

2011-04-03T14:59:00.000-05:00

a few days ago, we were able to take in a bit of spring in Downtown Minneapolis. Macy's 8th Floor is again hosting their annual spring flower show! this year's theme, "Towers of Flowers" displays a magical world of soaring floral architecture, magnificent rolling landscapes and specialty gardens bursting with color, fragrance and imagination. the display runs through Sunday, April 10th. fun for flower lovers of all ages!

"Amélie" Inspired Wedding

2011-03-25T14:15:00.000-05:00

i came across this yesterday...a wedding shoot inspired by the french movie Amélie. i am in love...

if you have not seen the playful movie of a shy Parisian waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better, check it out! portrayed by the lovely Audrey Tautou, Amélie's quirky, yet sweet character will capture your heart as will the neighborhood of Montmartre.

look how they brought the movie Amélie to life...in flowers, and of course, food!

for more photos of this brilliant inspiration shoot, check out the post on Love and Lavendar and photographer Meg Perotti's blog. originally posted on Nonpareil Magazine.

Pale Pink, Apricot and Dark Blue Inspiration

2011-03-22T21:21:00.003-05:00

here's a bit of inspiration with a soft color palette and a few unexpected pops of color that could really work well for any season.

floral: A Day in Provence | phototographer: Jennifer Cress | site location: The Outing Lodge, Stillwater, MN | styling: Laura Mullen Event Design

Summer Wedding: Kirsten & Tyler

2011-03-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

following this weekend's wedding fair at Semple Mansion, i thought i would highlight a favorite wedding held there in July. another darling bride. Kirsten looked stunning!

color palette for the day coordinated well with the gold, french blue & crimson red colors in the Semple Mansion.

and a beautiful wedding party, and gorgeous mocha colored bridesmaid dresses!

Kirsten's bouquet was designed with ivory dahlias, white hydrangea, bridal blush protea, champagne spray roses, chocolate cosmos & fern shoots.

more lovely photos from the day...all photo credits go to Jennifer Cress. event planning by Laura Mullen Event Design in Minneapolis!

Semple Mansion Wedding Fair This Sunday!

2011-03-08T17:10:00.001-06:00

come see us this weekend at the Semple Mansion Wedding Fair - Sunday, March 13th from 11am-4pm. if you have never seen this breathtaking venue before, come check it out!

brides to be...there will be some lovely vendors to visit with in the following areas: photography, floral design, bakeries, wedding gowns, stationery & more! also, there will be two fashion shows...one at 12:30pm and one at 2pm. free admission & free parking!

Summer Wedding: Allison & Jared

2011-03-04T15:55:00.001-06:00

another lovely summer wedding to share with you today! Allison & Jared enjoyed a beautiful sunny wedding day outdoors at Weddings of Wayzata (now known as The Woods Chapel). this June wedding ceremony was followed by a lovely reception at the Lafayette Club on Lake Minnetonka.

the colors of this wedding still make me smile. aqua & chartreuse...fresh, crisp & summery!

so many beautiful details throughout the day...programs & event planning by Laura Mullen Event Design.

and look at this cake by Queen of Cakes!

lovely urns designed with flowers for the ceremony location.

and, a closer view of Jared's boutonniere and Allison's bridal bouquet!

all photos sent to us by Jenn Cress.

Stye Me Pretty: Love Birds Inspiration Shoot

2011-02-28T22:41:00.001-06:00

here it is...the post we've been waiting to share with you! this Fall we were part of a wedding inspiration shoot ~ vintage, yet natural, with a very organic feel. Amy Majors was the creator of this picture perfect day. bird cages, feathers, moss, burlap & lace...

a few of my favorites from the day are featured below. much more to see over at Style Me Pretty!

now, for a closeup of the bouquet! chocolate lotus pods, kiwi branches, silver brunia berries, wooden flowers, and a collar of a native midwestern reed grass (similar to a Pampas grass variety)...soft and airy and lovely.

the boutonniere mirrored elements from the bouquet, including a hint of gray spanish moss.

what a darling bride!

the incredibly talented Sarah of A Milestone Paper Co designed all of the stationery for the day.

the design elements chosen by Amy Majors were stunning. she did not miss a thing!

love the burlap and lace table runner!

a delightful photo shoot to be a part of ~ one that hopefully brings inspiration to many!

Summer Wedding - Mill City Museum: Wing & David

2011-02-24T12:31:00.000-06:00

as promised, a wedding story captured in photos of the lovely Wing of Canary Grey Photography and her handsome groom, David. the ceremony and reception were held at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis. all photos courtesy of Paige with Erin Johnson Photography. enjoy!

outdoor ceremony decor...curly willow trees with yellow pomanders adorned with gray ribbon and light pink cymbidium orchids

table centerpieces included favorite places of the bride and groom along with a trio of vintage etched glass vases filled with summer blooms

other tables were adorned with lovely rustic garden urns filled with yellow garden roses, pale pink and ivory dahlias, clematis vine and delicate maidenhair fern

decor details designed by the bride and Stephanie of First Blush Bride

what a wonderful celebration! special thanks to all of the vendors involved in Wing & David's wedding day:

MN Bride Magazine Feature

2011-02-22T08:38:00.003-06:00

all back from vacation, renewed and refreshed (even with this February snowstorm...ugh!)

A Day in Provence was featured in the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of MN Bride Magazine!

a feature was done on boutonnières...our designs are shown in numbers 2, 4 and 9.

and the inside back cover story features Wing & David, one of my favorite couples from 2010. more on their lovely wedding soon!

Winter Getaway...

2011-02-10T08:39:00.000-06:00

A Day in Provence is currently on winter holiday. be back on the 21st of February, all refreshed and ready for the 2011 season!

Town & Country Weddings Magazine Feature

2011-02-08T14:18:00.000-06:00

what an exciting post we have to share with you today! A Day in Provence was just featured in Town & Country Weddings Magazine. this national publication's new Spring/Summer wedding issue just hit newsstands!

you may remember Anne & Noah's lovely wedding held last summer at the James J Hill Library in downtown Saint Paul. such a beautiful wedding photographed by the lovely Laura Ivanova.

what a delightful magazine filled with gorgeous wedding inspiration!

credits go to all of the local vendors who were a part of this wedding's design:

photography: Laura Ivanova | coordination: Laura Mullen Event Design | ceremony & reception: James J Hill Library | catering: Fabulous Catering | beverages: Mintahoe | sweets: Salty Tart | floral design: A Day in Provence | band: Sophia Shorai

Summer Wedding: Caroline & John

2011-02-07T13:33:00.000-06:00

Caroline & John were married in June at the historic Earl Browne Heritage Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. as you can tell by this first photo, it was a very playful and elegant wedding! bridesmaids wore a summery pool blue dress, and the colors of cherry blossoms were the inspiration for the flowers that day.

being a June wedding, we had lots of white, pink and burgundy peonies available to us...along with fragrant hyacinth!

soft blush, pink and ivory pomanders displayed on high top tables for the cocktail reception. a perfect color medley for Valentine's Day, too!

lovely flower cones lining the ceremony aisle were designed with ivory astilbe, pale pink lisianthus and tulips, white ranunculus and draping pepperberry.

following the ceremony, cone flowers were repurposed at the reception. other table centerpieces included tall curly willow trees with pink hydrangea, hanging votive lights & white cymbidium orchids.

all photos taken by Jenn Cress. so fun to reminisce about summer weddings on such cold winter days as these!

Winter Floral Inspiration

2011-02-03T21:34:00.000-06:00

one of my favorite winter color palettes is just this:

ivory, chocolate & gray. it's unexpected. yet inviting and warm. rich in color.

Paris: Marché aux Oiseaux

2011-01-26T23:48:00.012-06:00

these cold wintery days have me missing Paris. a place i yearn to be quite often. beauty and inspiration abound in the simplest of things. on a trip back there with my husband in September 2009, i spent a Sunday wandering around in search of something i've always wanted to experience:

Marché aux Oiseaux {Bird Market}

i knew it was on the Île de la Cité around the corner from Notre Dame. notice again the beauty, the grandeur of Notre Dame, and the street lamps...all on a crisp Fall day. been here many times before, but how could we have missed the Sunday market??

and then...voilà! here at last. first glimpse: birdhouses and darling wire baskets.

vintage tins, planters, lavender, wrought iron hooks and more. not so many birds...but i have to admit, i was pleasantly surprised at my findings! i immediately started envisioning every piece in my studio and wondered how many pieces i could fit in my luggage and how much it would cost to ship other pieces home.

here i thought i'd enjoy my petit baguette on my Sunday stroll & perhaps see a cockatiel or two, but this was a floral artist's dream.

in the end, i practiced much restraint (which is very unlike me when i'm extremely in love at times like this) and walked away with only a few items.

ended my walk with some more lavender and olive tree sightings...

...and then, in the last stall - i found exactly what i came to see. wie süß {how sweet}!

another perfect day in one of our beloved european cities. stay tuned for more Paris inspiration and a long-awaited adventure to Giverny, France - the home of Monet's gardens.

Autumn Wedding: Alissa & Brian

2011-01-18T23:40:00.000-06:00

Alissa & Brian were married this Fall at The Florian Gardens, a delightful new venue with incredibly helpful and attentive owners in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Alissa wanted the flowers to have a natural and rustic feel with vintage touches. the floral color palette was antique blues, greens, whites and chocolate brown.

Alissa's bridal suite was all vintage with a modern twist...a perfect selection and a photographer's dream!

the couple shares a love for spending time outdoors, especially at their family's lake cabin in Northern Minnesota. they did a lovely job incorporating this feel throughout their wedding day.

...placecards set into birch logs!

...table name cards inspired by their favorite lakes

...centerpieces incorporating her grandmother's antique mason jars

thank you Alissa & Brian for inviting A Day in Provence to be a part of your day!

congratulations!!

photography: Anna & Becca at Studio 220

Spring Japanese Garden Wedding: Kenna & James

2011-01-12T23:23:00.004-06:00

After meeting her future husband in Japan, Kenna and James were married at the Normandale Japanese Garden in Bloomington, Minnesota this past May - a beautiful 2-acre strolling garden featuring a pond, koi, lagoon, hand-crafted bridges and buildings, imported hand-carved lanterns, islands, a waterfall and carefully manicured trees and shrubs maintained in the authentic Japanese tradition.

Kenna's bouquet was full of lush white peonies, purple anemone, veronica, sweet pea, blue scilla, fresh lavender, lisianthus, chocolate cosmos & scented geranium - all designed with a very natural, garden style feel.

what a delightful wedding! to see more photos from their day, visit CT Ryan Photography's blog!

Summer Wedding: Jenny & Jeff

2011-01-06T10:19:00.000-06:00

summer lovin'...what a gorgeous wedding that took place this August at the Heartwood Retreat Center in Trego, Wisconsin. Laura Mullen Event Design made sure that Jenny & Jeff's organic garden wedding with a slightly modern twist was perfect in every way!

Jenny's bouquet was a combination of orange poppies & ranunculus, yellow dahlias & craspedia, scabiosa pods, white poppies, and the ever darling white andromeda, blue vibernum berry with hints of green hanging amaranthus to create fun movement in her bouquet.

the paper below really was the inspiration for the day's color scheme...oranges, blues, greens with a sweet pair of blue birds perched on a branch. invites, programs, and the flower cones which decorated the outdoor aisle were created using this paper! and twine was wrapped around the invitations as well as the bridesmaid bouquets.

flower cones hanging from shepherd hooks adorned with orange ribbon and bouquets of soft bunny tails.

the flower cones were repurposed after the ceremony, hung from the rustic mantel and accompanied by a fragrant custom fifteen foot garland of bayleaf, orange mountain ash berry & fresh rosemary!

and, how cute is this shot of the young guest capturing this moment?!

love the shoes!

and the darling cake by Jessica's Cakes in Minneapolis...complete with a pair of blue birds.

fabric runners were designed to match the summer floral print for the day. centerpieces included a trio of rustic barn wood boxes designed with dahlias, scented geranium, yellow tansy & blue vibernum berry.

tall outdoor arrangements were created in pewter trumpet vases...with green antique hydrangea, green hanging amaranthus, orange & yellow dahlias, lovely orange mountain ash berry, birch branches...and cat tails. a special request from the bride & groom to compliment the natural surroundings.

congratulations Jenny & Jeff!!

photo credits: Jenn Cress

New Year's Eve Wedding

2010-12-31T15:09:00.002-06:00

here's an elegant New Year's Eve wedding we designed a couple of year's back...what a celebration for the lovely Hailley of L'event Bridal Consulting & Event Management.

Photos by Vick Photography

2010...what a busy and non-stop year of floral fun! weddings, weddings & more weddings, Art in Bloom, local artist boutique sales, bridal fair at the Semple Mansion, photo inspiration shoots, holiday decorating, holiday planters & holiday parties, non-profit and volunteer work. what a memorable year!

some wedding highlights include a couple from New York, married at Architectural Antiques in North East Minneapolis:

photo by Meghan Doll Photography

a couple from the Los Angeles area, married at the Heartwood Resort in Trego, WI. more photos on this lovely wedding coming soon!

Photos by Jenn Cress

and a sweet couple from the Orlando area - Maura & Patrick!

thank you to all of my brides & clients - for letting me share in the fun & allowing and trusting me to add my creative touch. looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings...happy new year to all!

Festive Holiday Party - Varsity Theater in Minneapolis

2010-12-22T14:35:00.000-06:00

creative ad agency + holiday décor + vintage hollywood glam inspiration = a fabulous way to end the year! Martin |Williams Advertising hosted this year's employee holiday party at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. and, oh my...what a fabulous venue!!

crimson red flowers, black feathers & pepperberry, oh my! and, the gorgeous silver candelabras and round vintage trays ~ all part of the Varsity Theater. a lovely touch!

deep romantic color palette - perfect for the evening.

crimson red floral garlands adorned the candelabras...

and the entryway floral décor...

this truly is an amazing venue - lovely for a wedding or your upcoming corporate dinner party. cheers!

photos by the lovely and talented Wing of Canary + Grey. merci beaucoup! what fun to work with such creative artists. i continue to be amazed at all of the local talent in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. i love what i do. and i am grateful that i am able to share my love of flowers with you.

blessed holidays to you & yours.

Beautiful Winter Wedding: Jenna & Erik

2010-12-13T09:23:00.000-06:00

today we're featuring one of our favorite St. Paul winter weddings! two years ago today, Jenna from Eat, Drink, Pretty was married at the University Club in Downtown St. Paul - a place i hold near and dear to my heart, as my husband and i had our reception there as well! what a delight to design for Jenna. her wedding offered lovely touches of romantic vintage elements throughout the day.

some favorite photos of the day captured by Jennie of Sewell Photography:

romantic bouquets of ranunculus, roses & freesia. all designed with shades of white, ivory & champagne and hints of sparkle

the ceremony featured a candlelit aisle in the ballroom. cylinder vases were filled with varying designs of curly willow branches, floral stems & candles - repurposed on the reception tables that evening

tall curly willow centerpieces adorned with white dendrobium orchids and crystal strands

and...how sweet are these photos?

happy anniversary, you two!

Holiday Mantel Décor Inspiration

2010-12-11T09:40:00.003-06:00

ahhhh...minnesota winters. our third snowstorm of the year already! 7" so far, and up to 20" total on the way! sure gets you in the holiday spirit!

just finished designing for an amazing holiday party last evening at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Martin|Williams Advertising always throws the best parties for their employees...no detail was overlooked. and this venue was amazing!! photos to come soon...

in the meantime, need some last minute holiday decorating tips? last year, i was approached to create a holiday design segment on decorating your mantel for the holidays. thought it would be fun to show you now that i have a place to share it...

read the full article and design ideas here...page 8...enjoy!

and here are a few inspiration pieces from other wonderful blogs this season...the design ideas are endless!

Life in the Fun Lane

Centsational Girl

always love the bird and nature inspired themes...

Lindy Cottage Hill

and i love this vintage inspired mantel with champagne glitter, white fluff & burlap stockings!!

Cottage Instincts

Jane Austen Inspired Wedding Shoot

2010-11-15T22:39:00.003-06:00

what an amazing September day spent with lovely vendors creating beautiful things! Melissa Oholendt's estate wedding inspiration was captured beautifully at this local Minneapolis estate. see more photos featured on MN Bride's wedding blog today!

some of my favorites from the day...

photo by: A Day in Provence

look at this cake with a tea cup spilling over with sugared raspberries - perfection! created by Sweets by Natalie Kay

floral elements for the gold candelabra centerpieces included rich pink ranunculus and hanging amaranthus, white lisianthus and cream English garden roses

beautiful invitations designed by Kelley. check out her fun blog! The Paper Doll

{a glimpse at the groom's boutonniere}

{bride's bouquet}: pale pink & soft yellow ranunculus, pale pink nerine, cream garden roses, dark pink astilbe & soft natural elements adorned with a blush ribbon and antique white lace overlay

wonderful styling and designing done by all! thanks for providing the gorgeous photos, Melissa!

photography: Melissa Oholendt Photography | flowers: A Day in Provence | styling: Faith Brue | event styling & design: First Blush Bride | cake: Sweets by Natalie Kay | hair & makeup: Smart and Chic Bride | invitations: Kelley Burfeind

Garden Party Inspiration Shoot

2010-11-08T10:49:00.006-06:00

i am thrilled to share today's inspiration shoot with you! a lovely garden wedding as featured on Style Me Pretty. the concept for this inspiration shoot came from the lovely Amy Majors, a Minneapolis based photographer. what a delight it was to be a part of the design team of such talented local Twin Cities' vendors!

what a dream day it was for me with the flowers! i was able to work with and incorporate many of my favorites into the day...of course, anything orange i adore!! so the aqua, white and orange color palette for the day was perfectly set with the linens, the dessert table, and the polka dot napkins adorned with ranunculus stems, a favorite of mine. splashes of dark & light orange dahlias & ranunculus sat nestled in vintage milk glass compotes.

{bride's bouquet}: white ranunculus, hydrangea, nerine, scabiosa; adorned with a collar of andromeda...
quite possibly my all time favorite. it creates such movement and has beautiful texture!

{the groom's boutonniere}: white nerine and ranunculus

{additional floral elements}: flower cone & flower garland

two versatile elements to add to any celebration...

flower cones - are perfect to hang from any place: shepherd hooks lining the aisle of an outdoor ceremony, church pews, staircases, trees and more!

floral garlands - such fun! and the vintage chalkboard - perfect too & the message can be customized for any occasion.

{dessert table}

more gallery photos over at Style Me Pretty! and check out the online galleries of the amazing vendors below...you will not be disappointed!

photography: Amy Majors Photography / floral design: A Day in Provence / invitations & paper design: A Milestone Paper Co. / calligraphy: Rosann Konieczny / cake and desserts: Cocoa and Fig / dress and bridal accessories: Posh Bridal Couture / hair & makeup: Amber Brenke of Smart & Chic Bride / models: Lydia Livingston & Sean Mailen

Northeast Minneapolis Arts District Wedding: Rachael & Jeremy

2010-10-25T21:40:00.018-05:00

a very unique wedding to share with you today! a fun high-style New York couple, Rachael & Jeremy, were married in Northeast Minneapolis this August....but, not at your average venues! this is where the fun began...

{Ceremony}: Architectural Antiques

what a fabulous venue selection! Rachael & Jeremy were able to incorporate inventory from the antique store into their wedding ceremony. fabulous chandeliers all around & vintage garden elements outside...

floral elements for the day included a soft antique color palette of roses, hydrangea and dusty miller.

Rachael's bridesmaids carried off-white pomanders with light gray satin ribbon to compliment their lovely pale pink dresses.

post ceremony, guests enjoyed amazing hors d'oeuvres, a turn-of-the-century bar and a claw foot tub for iced beverages!

now for the reception...are you ready? following the ceremony and cocktail hour, guests needed to pay attention to this little man...

{Reception}: Uppercut Boxing Gym

just down the street, guests enjoyed dinner and dancing all night long at a boxing gym in NE Minneapolis. delightful reception details coordinated by Laura Mullen Event Design.

wooden candlestick floral centerpieces...

...and lanterns strung from the rafters of the gym ceiling!

photos for the day captured by Meghan Doll Photography. what an event! a definite unexpected twist for a Minnesota summer wedding. what's next?!

Real Wedding: Laura & Colin

2010-10-15T19:02:00.001-05:00

i've spent some time over the last few days looking back on some of my past weddings & events. today i'm highlighting one of my favorite weddings of all time...

on a beautiful September day, Laura & Colin were married at a charming rustic cabin in Northern Wisconsin - a meaningful place to them as Laura's family has been spending time here each summer for over fifty years. Laura is the owner of a very successful Minneapolis-based event planning business, Laura Mullen Event Design. Her work and creative vision are exquisite.

what a delight for us to be able to create the floral decor for the day! purple basil was a part of Laura's bouquet to highlight the couple's love for cooking.

and fresh hops was a big part of the floral creations as Colin is a professional beer brewer...hops is incredibly fun to design with!

the bridesmaids carried little posies of green kermit poms and white waxflower.

an enchanting fairy wand for the sweet flower girl. adorned with ribbon, twine & jingle bells.

beverage and dessert buffet table flowers...

and fresh hops for the couple's getaway canoe...

a magical day for Laura & Colin. special thanks to Jennifer Cress for capturing such artistic photos. see more photos telling the story of their day over at Snippet & Ink, a fabulous blog offering daily wedding inspiration for brides and those who love everything to do with weddings!

Summer Wedding: Jessica & Chris

2010-10-12T15:15:00.008-05:00

blues & greens and everything organic in between for this sweet couple who celebrated their wedding at beautiful Summit Manor in Saint Paul, MN this July.

lots of texture created with unique elements of poppy pods, fern shoots, berzilla berries, blue thistle, muscari, green dutch hydrangea, white freesia and green hanging amaranthus...

a lovely white vintage arch adorned with a garland of willow eucalyptus, blue thistle & curly willow. freshly potted plants designed with fragrant pineapple sage, blue thistle and plum ornamental sweet potato vine.

what a beautiful wedding on historic Summit Avenue...

Library Inspired Wedding: Anne & Noah

2010-10-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

a beautiful honor to share with you as today's post is one featured on Style Me Pretty's premiere wedding blog.

Anne & Noah were married this June at the James J. Hill Library in Saint Paul, Minnesota. a perfect summer day with amazing touches and no details forgotten by the bride and her event planner Laura Mullen of Laura Mullen Event Design.

below are a few of my favorite photos from the day. all photos courtesy of the lovely Laura Ivanova. see the full post and photo gallery on Style Me Pretty...

Flowering Kale

2010-09-28T14:13:00.001-05:00

a favorite of mine to design with!

white and green kale, purple flowering kale...something unique and unexpected. how can you not love it? especially this time of year!

photo courtesy of Christy Murray Photography

Art in Bloom

2010-09-27T18:02:00.000-05:00

this year's Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts was another one full of inspiration for me. what an incredibly brilliant concept. a four-day event highlighting floral artists who share their fresh floral interpretations of art pieces that have inspired them. a delightful way to welcome spring with friends, family and the community!

my fourth year participating. and finally...the sweet, darling piece i've been dreaming about!

a favorite of ours this year!! koi fish to celebrate this year's japanese theme.

more photos from this year's event...enjoy!

Spring Wedding: Gina & Shane

2010-09-26T18:00:00.001-05:00

lush peonies & elegant orchids...pinks, white & hints of spring green. a gorgeous April wedding day for this lovely couple!

the ceremony took place at the Cowles Conservatory at the Sculpture Gardens in Minneapolis, MN.

thanks to Jenn Cress for the lovely photos!

A Day in Provence - floral design with a european flair

2010-09-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

at long last!

a place for A Day in Provence to capture photos & thoughts...and to provide you with a taste of the unique floral designs created here in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area and beyond...look for new posts often. enjoy!

Tara Bailie, Owner & Lead Designer
A Day in Provence Floral Studio
Saint Paul, Minnesota

www.adayinprovence.com
tel: 651.260.5157
e-mail: tara@adayinprovence.com