Sunday, October 4, 2009

Brenda Abbott Events


We get so many compliments on the beautiful photo we use on our billboards, we thought we would share the story here.

The photograph is of Ashley Donnell (my daughter and Brenda Abbott Flower Studio's Creative Director), captured by Maria Bernal Photography during Ashley's bridal portrait session. To see more of Maria's work, visit:  www.mariabernalphotography.com 

(The wedding photographs you see here are by Mr. Bill Ledbetter www.imageeclectic.com, and Mr. Randy Kerr.)






Not only is Ashley our 'poster-child' appearing on our ads and billboards, Josh and Ashley's wedding was announced by save the dates AND their own billboard!  

A little background....Ashley um, colors outside the lines, so naturally when she found the gorgeous pink bridal gown at a boutique in Amarillo, she knew it was the one! That bridal gown is Ashley personified....elegant, playful, and....pink.

And of course, the only event planner and floral designer for her wedding was yours truly, Brenda Abbott Events.  www.BrendaAbbott.net.  Something I would never recommend mother of the bride undertake by the way!!  However, planning and executing all the details for months and months ahead of time, and knowing to hire the right help for game day, and then working like mad, we pulled it off...and never was there a cross Bridezilla or Mom of Bridezilla moment!!

Ashley's requirements for a venue: outdoors, centrally located, intimate, and a place for their friends to dance the night away. Knowing her requirements, I suggested the Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham...but then we checked out every nice facility in the central Texas area...because even though I have a lot of planning experience knowing exactly what my brides want, I was, in this instance....Mom.  Finally, after not finding exactly what she wanted, I suggested to Ashley one more time that she check out the Rose Emporium.   When we arrived, Ashley stepped out of the car, and I heard a gasp....20 seconds later...."it's perfect."  Music to my ears!!!

With this part out of the way....the planning began in earnest!  Naturally for this wedding in a rose garden... roses were in order....a lot of roses.

Many many hours of design work went into the details for this wedding.  A custom-designed monogram not only appeared on their 'announcement billboard', it also appeared throughout... on the custom-made programs and custom invitations, on the champagne glasses for every guest (which were a gift from the Groom's 'grand mommy'), and even on votive candles.  Vintage style rose patterned paper appeared in the program, in the paper rose petal cones the flower girls carried, in the hand-beaded bouts and corsage holders, and pink touches were everywhere (from the bridal gown...right down to the pink picks used in the hors d'oeuvres, and the pink sugar used to rim the glasses for the strawberry margaritas).









The altar arrangement was an enormous piece we designed to sit atop two existing beautiful stone statues which belonged to the Antique Rose Emporium. After the ceremony, the 6 foot long arrangement was moved (without the statues) to the center of an enormous square buffet table.


















Long-time friend, Clayton Adams and his band played for the reception. For Josh and Ashley's first dance, Clayton sang, "Who I Am", while the couple danced under a custom made rose chandelier.







                                At the end of the evening, the happy couple departed under a shower of fireworks.



Happy Brides (and Grooms)...that's our business!

Brenda Abbott Flower Studio
Brenda Abbott Events

......a perfect pair

www.brendaabbott.net
806-223-7787




 

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Brenda Abbott Flower Studio Wins Best Vendor Booth at Austin's Bridal Extravaganza


We are so pleased to announce Brenda Abbott Flower Studio received such an honor to be voted Best Vendor Booth at the Austin Bridal Extravaganza last Sunday. Thank you to all who voted!

Brenda Abbott Flower Studio
Specializing in Weddings and Life's Breathtaking Moments
306 5th Avenue
Smithville, TX 78957
and
4408-C Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756

806-223-7787
www.brendaabbott.net
brenda@brendaabbott.net

Artistic Butterfly Themed Wedding at Villa Antonia

During our initial consultation, Elena asked us to design something vibrant, playful, artistic, elegant and definitely not too stuffy for her wedding, and above all, she wanted butterflies! Her colors, deep purple, tangerine, teal.

We designed with a clean and modern approach using hefty lengths of locally grown bamboo for the altar arrangements.





We added a dash of daring by tinting the bamboo purple and then added spheres of purple and tangerine carnations which appeared to be growing right on the bamboo, and we topped it off with purple dendrobium orchid fountains and playful monarch butterflies. The aisle was flanked by rivers of pave-style purple and tangerine carnations.


Elena's table centerpieces repeated the balancing sphere and bamboo elements, and monarchs butterflies made their appearance.

The bridal bouquet featured plum callas, with a fashionable and airy cascade formed by lily grass onto which we threaded stephanotis blooms, and of course, a monarch butterfly accent.
Call or email us to design your high style event:

brenda@brendaabbott.net










Brenda Abbott Flower Studio
Specializing in Weddings and Life's Breathtaking Moments!

306 5th Avenue
Smithville, TX 78957
and
4408-C Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756

806-223-7787

http://www.brendaabbott.net/

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Platinum Event at The Hyatt Lost Pines


Social event of the season??? There was excited buzz for days about the beauty, size and delightful smells of flowers coming from our workroom provided courtesy of the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines as we set up this over the top platinum event.


Here are just a few photos from our setup cam in prep for Haley and Collen's wedding.

The theme we helped develop for Haley: southern romance. To achieve this look, we used thousands of roses, hydrangeas, lilies, canterbury bells, snapdragons and orchids. The 41 tables were decked out in one of four different looks ranging from low to extra tall, and all had a dripping crystal element and were twinkling in candlelight.

We custom designed the jumbo candelabras for this event. Once assembled, these beauties were almost 6 feet tall and the bloom area was about 3 feet wide. Big ballrooms call for big ideas! Sparkly all crystal dandelabras, just dripping in crystals covered a portion of the tables, and
the 'mid-level' tables must have been straining under the weight of their centerpieces... a fine crystal vase held casually arranged blooms of southern charm and were perched upon an enormous thick 'puddle' of blooms which spanned about 30" across the guest tables.










The altar: columns taller than the bride I believe. (Haley is a BEAUTIFUL petite young lady.)
These enormous pedestals are about 5 feet tall and supported massive (about another 3 feet in height or more) artful altar arrangements atop which flowed to form an arch of sorts.






A little art for the aisle. Haley loves bright colors and I believe we delivered!













A garden statue cherub oversees the escort card table. (The calligraphy on these cards was outstanding!) This custom-designed escort card table showpiece contained white and red hydrangeas imported from Holland, high and magic roses, and hot pink and orange carnations, arranged pave style.


Brenda Abbott Flower Studio
Specializing in Weddings and Life's Breathtaking Moments!
306 5th Avenue
Smithville, Texas 78957
and
4408-C Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78756
806-223-7787
www.brendaabbott.net







































http://www.brendaabbott.net/

Friday, August 7, 2009

Texas Butterfly Garden

Despite the heat this past Sunday, Lorna and Mark's wedding at the Hyatt Lost Pines' Butterfly Garden was a breath of fresh air. Casual and cheerful set the tone of the day. Marigolds, daisies and monarchs added interest and whimsy.










Guests were greeted at the butterfly garden by a display of iced tea and I'm sure they were glad to see the custom made fans waiting in their chairs. (Sorry we didn't snatch a photo of these little jewels!) We used marigold colored linen cardstock for the fans, added the couple's names, wedding date, and accented the handle with a tiny monarch butterfly. Sweet!























The florals from the ceremony aisle were repurposed for the reception. Monarchs fluttered magically inside the tall vases, courtesy of invisible wire of course!












Brenda Abbott Flower Studio
Specializing in Weddings and Life's Breathtaking Moments!
306 5th Avenue
Smithville, Texas 78957
and
4408-C Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78756

806-223-7787

www.brendaabbott.net





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Friday, July 31, 2009

Beware When Sending Flowers Out of Town..That "Local" Florist You Found Online

In the legitimate floral industry, there is much discussion and frustration about 'order gatherers'. You've seen them...You Google "Florist Detroit" because your great aunt Gertrude is in the hospital there. Up pops a florist. You call them and they say, sure they can deliver today. What you don't know is they are 'order gatherers'. Some have local sounding names...not even 1-800 whatever...
There is one in Houston that is notorious and goes under several aliases. I was aware of them and they called me today to fill an order going to an employee of one of my favorite venues! I thought, oh no you don't. I accepted the order so I could (a) make sure this young lady got the birthday flowers her parents ordered from out of town and (b) have evidence to prove what a scam the order gatherer is. Sure enough, I jumped through hoops, filled the order (and gave quite a bit more value than what was ordered, knowing they skim off the top of the orders) and delivered the arrangement. (The order gatherer took the customer's credit card information and charged them. They turn around and give the florist THEIR (the order gatherer's) credit card number. As suspected, when I entered the credit card information provided by this order gatherer, guess what....declined! Now I have the proof I need to also lodge my complaint with the FTC.

Here's an informative site on these unscrupulous scheisters:

http://www.floristdetective.com
The name of this particular order gatherer even has its own tab on the left of this website...impressive. Unfortunately they go by more aliases even than those listed...one even has my last name in it!!!!! Is nothing sacred?? ;)

Please please spread the word. The floral industry is trying to combat these activities. It makes us look bad when customers don't get what they paid for!!!! Sometimes the intended recipient doesn't receive the order at all because the true local florist gets wise and refuses to fill the order, but the customer has already been charged by the scheister.

Check out www.flowershopnetwork.com for listings of local florists. But check them out before you place your order! Do your research!

I'm climbing down off my soapbox now. Good night.
Brenda


Brenda Abbott Flower Studio
A TRUE LOCAL FLORIST SERVING AUSTIN, BASTROP AND SMITHVILLE TEXAS
www.brendaabbott.net

Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Few Flowers Seen at State Convention

As promised, I've included here a few samples of the floral artistry exhibited at Texas State Florists Association Convention held in Dallas last weekend.







Don't you love the lily grass weaving?



































Green fuji mums 'skewered' on wire and submerged...Very trendy! And a budget friendly way to go high style!
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Haley's Bouquet

This past Sunday, Haley had her bridal portraits made at The Mansion on Judge's Hill in Austin. Dilemma, her bridal florist (that would be me) was headed to Dallas to State Convention on Friday. Solution: We had Haley's bouquet prepared on Friday and the gracious staff at The Mansion agreed to hold it in their fridge until Haley's arrival on Sunday. Worked like a charm. Haley loved it.

We prepare our brides' bridal portrait bouquets to be as close as possible to the actual ceremony bouquet so photographs are consistent. However, this dry run also serves its purpose to tweak anything the bride wants to change. In this instance, we asked Haley if she loved it, which she enthusiastically says she did, but she discovers that even though she loves and had requested all the bright colors, she also would like to see more white in her bouquet on the big day! Now we know!

Haley's wedding will be at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort & Spa and we will post some fabulous photographs, as this is sure to be an event to behold. We call her look 'dripping with southern romance'. Custom made candelabras, oodles of crystals and southern charm blooms in vivid colors...oh what fun! We look forward to this one not only because mother and bride have let us design to our heart's content, but they are both lovely ladies and a true pleasure to work with.

Did I mention...? .....I love my job!!
Brenda Abbott Flower Studio
www.brendaabbott.net
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

TSFA Convention July 2009


We're back from the Texas State Florists Convention in Dallas! What a group of gifted professionals! It is always enlightening and inspiring to get together in a ballroom filled with such talented artists. We're abuzz with new enthusiasm and fresh ideas for our brides, but then again we're always passionate about weddings, brides and all of life's breathtaking moments! What a job!

We've been so busy since we returned ...but I'll get pictures from Convention posted to share with you. In the meantime, check out the gallery of my floral artwork at http://www.brendaabbott.net/


Brenda


Brenda Abbott Floral Studio
Tel: 806-223-7787
Private Studio Address:
306 Fifth Avenue
Smithville, Texas 78957

For Your Convenience, Our Austin Office:
4408-C Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78756