Always Be Prepared When Planning Outdoor Weddings!

Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to do a beautiful wedding that took place at the Burlingame Country Club in the Hillsborough Hills. Everything was in place. The flowers were ordered.  Nothing could go wrong, except for maybe the weather! The forecast was calling for rain and their ceremony and cocktail hour was mostly planned for outdoors. 
I met with the bride's mother two days before the wedding and we planned how we would move things indoors if the weather turned bad.
This made me realize that every bride and groom should have a plan B if they are having an outdoor wedding. Living in the bay area we are accustomed to having sunny weather in the month of May-September. Unfortunately mother nature doesn't always cooperate!
Well in the case of my clients, they were lucky. Their outdoor ceremony was a complete success with the sun even making an appearance for a couple of hours.

Then as the guests moved into the tented candlelight reception area, the rain started. The pitter-patter of rain completed the romantic feel of this garden wedding. It was nature's way of setting the mood!
 
Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed working on this wedding!

 
Michael Daigian

California Growers highlighted in this month's Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Flying back from the Midwest to California during late winter/early spring you notice the hues of brown and white that dot the barren landscape. Not much grows this time of year in this part of the Midwest. Growers have to wait until the winter snow has melted away and the summer rains have returned. Once you pass the Sierra Mountain range you come upon the beautiful shores of the west coast, with it's mild Mediterranean climate and it's rich fertile soils. Perfect conditions for growing crops!

I realized how lucky I am to live in such a diverse eco-system that is found here in California. With a growing season that is virtually year round, I can find many different plants, flowers, veggies and fruits that sustain us and much of the country as well. California is often referred to as the breadbasket of the world and is the world's fifth largest supplier of food and agriculture commodities. CA growers also account for 75% of all domestically grown cut flowers!

In this month's issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine there is an outstanding editorial featuring California's growers and the S.F. Flower Market. It takes you through several different nurseries and it gives you a glimpse into the life of a grower, their challenges and their rewards.

A big thank you for the hard work that California growers endure to bring us our fresh produce and flowers to market everyday. They certainly make my life easier by producing a high quality product that eventually become my inspiration for my floral designs!


Michael Daigian