Love... Love... Love
Love... Love... Love
Love... Love... Love
There's nothing you can't do that can't be done...
All you need is love
Love is all you need
Yes, it was The Beatles who famously sung it, but it is a sentiment that rings true and brings joy wherever and whenever shouted out loud.
Love; a big word indeed, and widely overused for some. For me, not so much. I believe that when set forth with full intention it does not matter how often it is used. As a matter of point, when used in that manner, the more the better.
Alyssa and Nikki
Love can show up in the big and small flavors of life.
I try spinning it throughout the energies I put out in the world, like in my children's books and in this blog. Yet there is nothing more exciting than it's most obvious and most common form; the budding of a new love. The strong and steady build and flourish of a new partnership. The expression of love in all its forms. Stirring life with it and swirling around to envelop all that surrounds it. Weddings have just that. An enormous capacity to pull you into the swell of that sweet and beautiful and blossoming thing. Such was the swirl we all felt 5 years ago when my sister, Alyssa married Peter.
In celebration of their half decade wedding anniversary and the love that continues to flourish each year, travel back with me as I dedicate this post to their wedding love.
So I shall start with the love story that began years ago when JuanCarlos and I got married at my sister, Alyssa’s home. An act of love in opening her home to greet friends and family to rejoice in our union. There was an abundance of love there. So it only seemed fitting that when Alyssa and Peter were searching for a wedding venue that we offered up our home. What loves around comes around.
Our yard, ready to give and receive LOVE.
As with my wedding, many aspects were home grown, made from scratch. We aimed to do the same for her wedding. From JC's design of the invitations to creating living room spaces around the property, and of course the floral arrangements and bouquets. Even the guests gifts. Boxes upon boxes of home made family recipe cookies, completely stirred and tied up with love.
Boxes upon boxes of homemade goodness.
Sure having a wedding planner do all the nitty gritty is a lovely luxury anyone would enjoy, but there is a certain sense of satisfaction in creating and offering all of yourself. All the small touches that mark the difference.
The florals help set the tone and add that special touch to any event. But wedding flowers can be a huge expense. It’s one of those items that are needed to complete the picture and enhance the scene but guests may or may not notice them. Why spend a fortune when you can do it just as beautifully for a fraction of the cost? You don't have to be a professional to get a great look. Find ideas that appeal to you and aim to emulate them. I did it for my wedding, creating all the table arrangements and all the bouquets and so it would be the same for my sister’s big day. Our plan of attack; get up at the crack of dawn and head into NYC's floral market on 28th street. With a color scheme in mind, and some ideas of flower types, we went on our hunt. The joy of going to a market like this is the sheer abundance. The additional joy. Sharing this moment with my sister and her daughter, Gianna, creating a memory to last a lifetime.
Just like with food shopping, you may go in with a plan but it's best to just see what is fresh and vibrant and choose the cream of the crop. We walked away with boxes of glorious color and buds. Once at home, the assembly of our masterpieces began and quickly grew into a floral garden on my dining room table.
Gianna, always my tried and true helper. I can always count on her.
And then filled the party with bursts of happiness. Maybe these can serve as an inspiration for your next floral creation.
Calla lilies, Alliums and Eucalyptus
The bridal bouquet
Table florals, with another type of earth's bounty. Liquid Grapes.
Roses and Dianthus
The infusion of magical moments were everywhere, yet none more incredible than seeing my sister emerge stunning and elegant wearing a smile that took your breath away.
The bride
Our Dad, ever the proud papa doing his duty and looking quite dapper. (And yes, we needed the fans. July 7th and 92 degrees!!)
Love turned up in the obvious and not so obvious places.
Nicolette Grace performing her flower girl duties with grace. (That wicker basket was used by Gianna & Michella when they were flower girls in my wedding. Truly, what loves around comes around. Yes, I kept them for 11 years. You never know when you may need something. Hehe)
Having the time of her life as Gabrielle, our niece looks smashing in black and gold.
Cousins gathered together having a blast. Gianna, Michella, John and Gabrielle.
Gifts for the ones she loves.
Bulgarian Bread Ceremony
The candle lighting bearers of light.
Peter, and his son Denis
No matter what the task, Jill, Alyssa's twin sister, is always there to help.
LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
A family full of love and joy.
Our home, the flowers and decor in all their beauty were just the backdrop to what was the true beauty of the day; the bud of love between Alyssa and Peter.
Happy Anniversary, may Love always light the way.
Note: All photos in this post were taken by my talented husband, JuanCarlos. Check out more of his work here.