Brendan and Kelly

My cousin Brendan got married to his finance Kelly in San Fransisco in 2006. When they were planning the wedding I offered my services.. Kelly and I exchanged emails for months. Color and flower choices, containers and designs were all planned long distance.

I had never been to California, let alone San Fransisco, but I knew after checking in our boutique hotel the first stop would be the Flower Exchange. It was truly amazing. Fresh beautiful flowers right from the farms. hydrangea, scabiosa, stock, it was hard to edit! The flower work was done in our hotel room and it was a family affair. I was honored to be a part of this special day

Mary Jane and Bob

My cousin Mary Jane met Bob in college. A talented creative artist she met her equally creative and artsy soul mate through a friend She was intense and he was funny. Their relationship grew strong and after college they moved in together. They lived on the third floor in funky apartment in New Britain CT. Unique furniture and collectibles filled their home. Mary Jane and Bob both had an eye for vintage furniture, art and fabric.
After over ten years together Mary Jane was in no hurry to get married. Bob was the kind of boyfriend who supported her when she went back to school on Long Island. He was studying to be an architect. Mary Jane lived with her grandma Burke while taking courses for interior design. Bob supported her when she went to Alabama to help her mom, my wonderful aunt Mary. We lost Aunt Mary to Leukemia. Bob supported Mary Jane when she went back to spend time in Alabama to help her Dad.
During a visit with her Dad Mary Jane got a call from Bob. He had been diagnosed with Colon cancer. He was in his early thirties and the cancer was not caught until it had spread to his liver. Mary Jane headed home and did everything possible to save Bob. She researched treatments took him to appointments and took life one day at a time. During this time Bob once again asked Mary Jane to marry him.
All of Mary Jane and Bob's creative friends came together to plan the wedding. One friend a auctioneer had lots of vintage tablecloths, a stand alone bar and vases. Friends that worked at restaurants organized the food. One of Bob's friends had a perfect location for a tent. Items such a white wrought iron furniture and croquet sets decorated the stately lawn by the tent.They were married in a beautiful white church in Berlin CT. The guests and the wedding party walked to the reception in the historic district of Berlin. The theme was Victorian and the colors were peach and cream. Everything was perfect. It was a wonderful day.
Mary Jane and Bob were definitely trend setters when it came to designing a unique and amazing celebration. I still remember details such as antique boxes for the food table, the antique bar complete with a bartender serving with a fez cap and croquet games while dancing to an amazing blue grass band.
Bob lost his fight with cancer. He was thirty five. We said goodbye in April of 1989. My daughter Kelsey was born in August of that year. They would have been good pals.
Mary Jane has been a big help in my life since losing Bob. She is very close to my daughter. She is a big part of Petals and her design sense is impeccable. I can not imagine this business without her. I love her and I am amazed at her talent.

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Good Morning! Posts to follow. A shout out to Kathleen North for helping me with this new venture. Check out her website at www.north-photo.com.