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Published SMP: Dreamy Washington Winter Wedding

I am thrilled to see Krissy and David’s dreamy winter wedding featured on the front page of Style Me Pretty today! It is always a treat to work with your industry besties and this wedding was a true collaboration between myself, stationery designer Sally Balt at La Happy and fine art film photographers Scott and Ashlee O’Malley. The gorgeous bride is actually one of Sally and Ashlee’s best friends and if you look closely, you’ll see that they were both bridesmaids in this wedding too. For a full album, take a look at the SMP post here.

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Published: Cover Story at Seattle Met Bride & Groom

Last week I had possibly the most exciting trip to QFC with baby in tow *ever* when I spotted my work on the cover of my favorite wedding magazine – Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom. I was asked to create a mostly white bridal bouquet for a color story in the latest issue, but I had no idea until I saw it in person that the editor had picked that shot for the cover.

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Published: Bouquet Tutorial on 100 Layer Cake

Amid the craziness that was the event prep for last weekend’s wedding, I forgot to post this pretty little hand tied spring bouquet tutorial that was featured on 100 Layer Cake. I’ll share more of the lovely pictures by Stephanie Cristalli soon but for now, check out the post over there100 Layer Cake | Finch + Thistle Event Design 100 Layer Cake | Finch + Thistle Event Design Finch + Thistle Event Design | Stephanie Cristalli Photography

Published: Verily Magazine

Verily Magazine recently published a fun article about Rachel as part of their new “A Day in the Life” series. To learn a little more about our owner and lead designer, take a peek here.Verily Magazine Rachel Bowes

Published: Style Me Pretty Coral Wedding

Emily and Kent’s fun and colorful Sodo Park wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty. Promise to blog the details from this soon (where is this year going??) but for now, check out the bright and beautiful details hereFinch & Thistle Event Design | Laurel McConnell Photography

Published: Snippet + Ink Yacht Club Wedding

Fun to see Edwina and Jesse’s sorbet colored yacht club wedding featured on Snippet and Ink today! Check out all the details here

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Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of attending a workshop run by Kate Holt of Flowerwild on location in Calistoga, California. I posted a few of my own pictures in an earlier post and have been waiting ever since with bated breath for the real pictures shot by the incomparable Jose Villa. Since today those images have been published on Style Me Pretty, I’m delighted to share them here! jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding

I can’t say enough how wonderful this workshop was for me. Notwithstanding the chance to work with two wedding professionals at the peak of their careers, it was an amazing opportunity to meet/commiserate/support/bond/laugh with other designers from all over the country (and Ireland!) We have all since kept in touch, offering each other insider advice, referrals, sources and floral secrets. As someone who works primarily alone, having floral designer friends all over the country who are happy to be open and honest with opinions about pricing, techniques etc has been life-changing. I cannot stress enough how nice it is to feel part of a community of such kind and creative women.

jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country weddingThe shoot culminated in a styled inspiration shoot shot on location at Mayacamas Ranch by Jose Villa. We each got to have our work photographed by Jose and watch Kate work her magic as she styled each shot. It was also wonderful to work with some California wedding pros that I knew only by reputation and through social media. The fabulous team of professionals included Mar of Team Hair and Makeup, stationery/calligraphy by Feast Calligraphy, and prop rentals from Found Vintage Rentalsjose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding jose villa, flowerwild, calistoga, wine country wedding

Published: Adventurous Engagement on GWS

When my friend Ryan Flynn told me he was planning something pretty special for the engagement shoot of Emilee and Taylor, I was more than happy to lend a hand with a seasonal bouquet of hellebore and lilacs for Emilee and a gilded headband. I am blown away by the creativity of this couple (Emilee’s outfit changes are one example) and Ryan in picking the most amazing locations for this Eastern WA film shoot. You can see more images and costume changes on Green Wedding Shoes…

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finch and thistleGwyn and John’s Gatsby inspired wedding was a labor of love for a large team of Seattle wedding vendors. I started working on the design of their wedding a full 18 months prior to the big day last September. The bride and groom wanted to celebrate the Pacific Northwest island location but still give guests the feeling of being inside a 1920’s ballroom. We set up three separate tents for the ceremony, cocktail reception and dinner reception each decorated in a different but coordinated fashion.

For the ceremony, antique English iron gates backing onto the Puget Sound were draped with antique hydrangea, hops, stock and quicksand roses while guests walked an aisle filled with plums, garden roses and herbs. We worked with Sally Balt at la Happy to create a custom “kissing tree” die cut motif for the invitations and programs in an elegant eggplant and cream package. In the cocktail tent we set up two soft seating areas of vintage sofas and coffee tables decorated with flowers in McCoy pottery and candles on vintage silver trays. An antique typewriter on a blue desk invited guests to leave messages for the couple while an antique sideboard displayed skeleton keys with hand lettered key fobs to direct guests to their seats.

Moving into the reception tent guests were greeted by long banquet tables covered in taupe and purple linens, silver candelabras and lush floral arrangements in silver urns. These were offset by square tables with towering glass vases topped with large arrangements of dahlias, phalaenopsis orchids, blackberries and garden roses. The bride collected antique silver pieces on Ebay and made candles for each one that guests were invited to take with them as favors.

Glass chandeliers provided the lighting while the back wall of the tent was draped in custom burlap panels and hung with vintage mirrors reflecting the Puget Sound and Seattle across the water. We decorated custom cedar bars with antique liquor bottles and offered micro brewed NW beers while guests reclined on more Gatsby style soft seating and a wedding painter documented the scene.

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Location: Country Club of Seattle on Bainbridge Island
Event Design and Floral: Finch & Thistle Event Design
Event Planning: Eventwise
Stationery, Calligraphy and Invitations: la Happy
Hair and Makeup: Erin Skipley
Bride’s Dress: Modern Trousseau
Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew
Suits: J Hilburn
Favors: handmade candles in vintage silver pieces
Desserts: coconut cake and pies by North Hill Bakery
Catering: Herban Feast
Linens: BBJ
Vintage Furniture and Prop Rentals: Vintage Ambiance
Custom Cedar Bars and Burlap Draping: Prop Gallery
Tent and furniture rentals: AA Party

I am so thrilled to have two features in the new Summer/Fall issue of Seattle Met Bride & Groom. Gwyn and John‘s Gatsby inspired Bainbridge Island wedding is featured in the Real Weddings section and a fiesta themed tabletop I helped design alongside Megan Keller of A Kurant Event is featured in the Variations on a Theme section. Pick up a copy today and check them out!

In the new Seattle Bride, images from Alissa and Alan’s backyard wedding is featured in the “Ask the Experts” section with a quote from photographer Julie Harmsen.

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Gwyn and John

photography by Sean Flanigan and images of magazine by Julie Harmsen.

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Painted Desert Pastiche

images by Dennis Wise for Seattle Met Bride & Groom and images of magazine by Julie Harmsen.

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Seattle Bride – Ask the Experts

photography by Julie Harmsenfinch and thistle, Seattle Bride