Orcas Island Wedding Style

Handfasting

 Handfasting was the original way in Medieval Britain that couples joined in what we know as matrimony. By handfasting (actually placing of the couples palms in a way to signify the infinity sign) a couple was joined for a year and 1 day whereafter they could renew the handfast or not as they chose. Since access to clergy was not all that easy this made a great deal of sense. 

Today handfasting is used symbolically as a portion of a wedding ceremony. It is a lovely ancient (some say Celtic) tradition being kept alive.

I am glad I came across the term today.  It is fun learning where things come from and why. 

 

 

A Bit of City

I was feeling a bit stale from a long winter and from staring out at all this natural beauty. Seriously, sometimes you really can't see the forest for the trees.

So my husband and I packed up and went on a trip from which we have just returned.

We struggled at first to decide where this much needed break would be, friends in the Caribbean, friends in Bali all tempted us but we realised pretty quickly it was a big dose of City that was needed.

My first post (in forever I know!)is about why that was a good choice, going city that is. I needed visual feeding.  

Coming up with unusual inspiration for Wedding decor that goes beyond bark and moss or can be ferreted out from the two dimensional world of my MAC is at times a challenge.

So it seemed to make sense to go to Paris. 

Isn't this just fantastic!

I know I can't bring the Musee des Moyan Age here (though I wish I could work there) nor can I time travel the ancient stone masons of France for my next project but I can certainly let them inpsire me....  how about for the next time I have a tent ceiling to decorate?

Ah, the jet lag siren song calls and I must answer. More soon dear friends. au bientôt.

The Seattle Wedding Show

This last weekend was the 2012 Seattle Wedding Show. It is our second year doing it. It was intense, fun, demanding and very hard on the feet.  Fruitful? Well, we'll see.

I want to give a big shout out to Rosario Resort and Spa for including us in their booth. There is no doubt from the looks on so many faces as they passed by the booth and read the banner, the name Rosario holds powerful memories. Memories of romance,  childhood,  a first kiss, family time, whales and eagles, all that Orcas Island has to offer.  It was lovely to be associated with such a positive force.

Sarah McCulloch also deserves a big hug of thanks for her fixing our portfolio or rather rebuilding it and for making such a unique sign for Patina. Fan, Friend, Associate all hats worn with love. And we are very very grateful to her.

So here are a few pictures of our booth. Very bridal. Lots of pictures were taken by florists and brides and moms all of whom are getting married elsewhere.  Lots of man handling of the moss boxes trying to capture how it was done. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...I tell myself over and over....It got so that John would go up to people as they turned and twisted the boxes this way and that and say, "they grow like that on the island. We have moss box trees all over the place". Some people, actually quite a few stopped and stared with wonder in their eyes before they caught on. It was fun and funny.

 

 

 

When Is the End really the End?

There is an article from Huffington Post that is being shared on Facebook by Heather Sharpe  Senior Editor of the fabulous Style Unveiled wedding resource (I feel like I need a geneology tree to track back)about the End of the Vintage Wedding. If you feel a wind blowing it is the collective sigh of relief from  many designers and artists in the wedding world.

But not from me. Oh yes, I agree the vintage typewriter as a prop is as conceptually bruised and wilted  as the wedding flowers with which it once shared space.  But the authentic country wedding or the need to keep it fun for no money or the fact that you are a bride who cans their veg every fall or wants to play in that life for a while will keep the Mason Jar Motif alive. As long as life is complicated the appeal for simplicity as made manifest through objects from our collective past will always appeal.

However, the article suggests we will see the tide turn towards the elegant wedding, the more traditional - creating it from the same lace cloth as what made Lady Kate's wedding.

I contend that your wedding is a heart fantasy expressing itself on the earthly plain. Whether vintage or traditional, modern or eclectic, whimsical or magical, whatever words you choose - you want your wedding to be the expression of yourselves right at this moment; are any of us just one thing?

The only thing I know is the look of your wedding must be authentically you - to you - your heart. Your family and friends will know it and feel it as soon as they see it. And if next year if you find your self loving Bedemeir over Laura Ashley you can go with that flow for as long as it lasts - no matter if Huffington Post says so or not.

SEPTEMBER 1

Oh my. It has been a very long time since I last posted; even my  husband noticed.

Before I had a blog I had all sorts of things to say that seemed terribly important. After the first flush of blog ownership those feelings waned. It is easy to have courage when what you fear is not nearby. It's when it is right in front of you where the real test begins.

It has been a wonderful wedding season for Patina mostly because we have had the most wonderful clients. Really, every last one of them. Truly lovely people who were marrying truly lovely people. I will miss you all.

I listen to the news irregularly now because it is too difficult to follow, requires too much of my soul to endure. When last I did, day before yesterday I believe, I heard this amazing statistic about 1 out of every 46 men in this country do not have a job. It could not have been more stunning. Dustbowls in Texas. Soup kitchens crowded beyond their capacity. The song "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" has rolled across my mind ever since.

But I and those around me are blessed. We eat well, we email. We play with friends or read books. Work hard. We are living normally. How is it that we can do that but there are so very many people who will find this hour this moment insurmountably difficult. It feels like there is a thin membrane between where they are and where we are.

And in the face of it people get engaged. People get married and want to share with everyone this great joy they have found. The indominitable human spirit I guess is at work.

Some pictures to share of the work we have been doing. Hope you enjoy them. They were great fun to do. New Pics for 2011

Hats

Kate and William. As a planner and designer it is an interesting exercise to imagine what working a Royal Wedding would be like. Impeccable staff helps. A full wallet doesn't hurt. But the pressure of it all requires a very strong stomach. Like as not, I will not have to test myself on that scale.

Loved the hats! I think that was my favourite part. Did you see them? If not check out this slide show link Royal Hats on the NYTimes.  Some of the hats look like they come from Yves St. Laurent via Dr. Seuss. Some went in for height. Others for brim. Don't get many events on Orcas where hats like this show up. Our loss.

Most everyone here dresses as my friend Nikki says, 'prepared for a Hiking Emergency'. Polar Fleece, tired jeans, rugged shoes and earrings. You get the image. Another friend tells the story of how she and her husband were going to an evening party and it wasn't a potluck. She came out feeling very pretty,  lovely pants and top, a bit of girl frill, jewlery and makeup. Her husband came out in pants and a polar fleece and rugged shoes, sans jewlery. They looked as if they were going to different events.

So what do you wear to an Orcas Island wedding? Unless specified for black tie or aloha party, an outfit that makes you feel very pretty, that you can where with out tugging at it to put it back in place, is the right thing. Shoes are of course a challenge. I have sadly missed several seasons of shoes that I would have loved to wear because I live here. I see a lot of women in heels twisting ankles as they chase their 3 year old off the path into the forest. I've seen Christian Louboutins aerating lawns while ruining heel and toe. Ca-ching! It is distressing to say but low heels and flats work for the grass and the dance floor. Leave the polar fleece in the hotel room. Bring a sparkely sweater or wrap. It is chilly at night for sure.

And if the mood hits and style works, wear a great hat. There are those of us here who would be so very grateful.

A Card Came In the Mail

A card came in the mail today. It attracted my attention because the envelop was hand written- you know, pen and ink.  Sadly, that visual is becoming more and more unusal. But thankfully there is Christmas and New Years. It is then that wonderful little gift of the handwritten contact comes and it feels so nice.

So the card came but I thought I had no idea who is was from.  The Martinson's it said boldly on the return sticker.  I asked my husband and he gave me the 'if you don't know how am I supposed to know' look.

I ripped it open. And in there was a Christmas card/photo of my Emily and Myles. Yes, I say 'my' because for a whole year of planning these two wonderful people were mine. There is something so amazingly sweet receiving a card from clients we worked with in 2009.

A card came in the mail today. That was a very nice thing to have happen.

Oh the embarassment! Last night even John said, "Les, you have got to do some writing for your blog". I didn't even know he read it. 

Well today I had a totally wonderful experience. Patina does Staging (for those who didn't know) and I had a chance to speak to a potential client.  Sandy Kenyon is from NYC and if you have ever sat in the back of a cab in the last couple of years, it is his voice you hear coming out atcha from the vid screen.  Sandy has done so many different things in Television and broadcasting, his dossier must read like a TV guide. Any how, we were talking about the staging and NYC and our shared past in the commercial industry.  I got a good dose of NYC with my morning Joe and I was all smiles afterwards. Thanks Sandy!

The wedding show is coming up and we are incredibly excited to be part of it and grateful to Rosario Resort and Spa for sharing space in their booth with us.   Also, we are so lucky that BBJ linen has offered to provide their gorgeous linens. There are some fabrics that truly make your mouth water they are so incredibly yummy.   It will make our little 10x10 a piece of paradise in the midst of madness.  Come look for us it would be great to meet you .

Have had the chance to do some wonderful projects recently that were not wedding based.  The greatest party for the closing of a great restaurant here. That was fun! Yummy food, wonderful wine and just an incredible group of people.  Did the stage design for a benefit concert for the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. That was such a creative jolt. I think if I had the chance I would do that for while. It is a bit exhilirating to see your work up there on stage.   And then for a bit heart joy, being part of an incredible group of people that was able to raise all the money needed to match a building fund grant for the Orcas Island Food Bank. And we raised it on time and beyond our goal.

Tonight is movie night up the hill with friends. Tomorrow a Wyndham Hill Celtic Christmas concert. Life on the rock is really very sweet right now.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Nancy and Jim

Nancy and Jim got married on Sept. 11, 2010 on Orcas Island. Yes, I know, not your most auspicious date. But they were a great couple to work with and it was a fun wedding to design for.  And I thought since my mind is tired and my hands don't want to do anything more than hold a glass of wine, I would share some pix for your viewing pleasure.  So without further ado..here is the Nancy and Jim Rosario Resort Wedding!NANCY AND JIM

Money

I have a young woman for whom  I am providng some consulting services. She is going to be responsible for her entire budget, no parents to help, every nickle her fiance has is going to Grad School.  She wants her dream wedding nonetheless.

When she first contacted me I suggested she write a list in the order of her 10 vendor/service  priorities. #1 was killer view for her ceremony.

Now many months later and  with a firm decision to host her wedding on Orcas Island being made she is sorting out where to go and how to do it with the little money she has.

We have gone back and forth with her asking questions about venues and my answering them with info and pictures.

Yesterday she wrote to me asking whether X place though more expensive than Y place could it be made to work somehow.  I am to give her my opinion tomorrow but I can say here and now 'absolutely'. X place has the killer view. X place is the answer to her #1 priority.

Though it is more expensive than Y place it can be made to be affordable because it is so beautiful, it needs very little in the way of decor.

Patina is in the business of making money (despite appearances) , we are floral designers, site design prop renters, beautifiers of all things wedding. It would seem very contradictory to recommend a place to a client where we would use little flowers, rent very few props.

I confess having to wrest this affirmation of place X from the claws of my initial mercenary mind and pesky ego of wanting to make a visual difference. 

In the end though, my job is to help my clients make the best decision for themselves - even when it goes against my making a bit more money for the company.

It is an interesting- itchy scratchy position to be in. A paradox if you will.

What's my point you ask.  Good question. I don't really know but I thought it would make for chewy food for thought.