Advice from a Florist on Loving Your Wedding Flowers!

Adirondacks, New York, Portraits, Wedding, Wedding Day Tips

Your wedding flowers are the perfect way to infuse personality, style, and gorgeous color and texture into your wedding day. I love the personalized touch that each of my couples infuses into their floral arrangements, from the brides bouquet to the ceremony flowers your imagination is the limit.
There is so much to think about when selecting your flowers, I hope that providing you with words of wisdom from some of the most talented florists in the area will help you on your journey to truly loving your wedding flowers! This blog post features words of wisdom from Leah and Pam of Black Sheep Gardens. Stay tuned for more blog posts with tips and advice for planning your big day!
Owners and Designers: Leah McDaniel and Pam Miller
Business Name: Black Sheep Gardens
Location: Plattsburgh, New York
 
How would you describe your floral design style?
Natural and Whimsical
 
How do you become inspired when designing floral arrangements? 
It begins with the clients, their story, personality, venue, time of year, favorite flower, so many different factors that go into it.  Then once we have a general vibe from the clients, a theme if there is one, and color pallet,  we let the flowers speak for themselves.
 
What do you recommend couples do to maximize their floral budget?
Prioritize.  If your ceremony flowers are more important than the reception focus on that, or vise versa.  If both are equally important, focus on individual pieces that can really make a statement (and will be in your wedding photos) like your Bridal Bouquet, or a larger arbor/altar piece instead of 10 small pew decorations.  Also re-purposing items from the ceremony to the reception is always a plus!
 
What is something you wished couples knew when planning their wedding flowers? 
We don’t mind when couples come to us not knowing exactly what they want, or even what types of flowers are out there – that is what we are here for, to help make a vision or a photo you have come to life.  Flowers in general are usually a bit more expensive than some people may expect.  Just like any other professional, there is a lot that goes into our work to make it look just right for your wedding day, it’s not as easy as going out to a field and throwing a bunch of flowers together.
 
Do you have a favorite flower? 
I don’t!  I tend to gravitate towards the smaller accent flowers that can change a floral arrangement from ordinary to exceptional.  I do however still love to work with dahlias, peonies, roses (there are SO MANY different kinds and colors people aren’t usually aware of), etc.
 
Anything else you would like to add? 
In my experience, wedding vendors are exceptional people who put their heart and soul into their work to ensure the Bride and Groom have the wedding of their dreams.  Pick the vendors that you click with and are good with communication.  You are going to be working with these people in most cases for the next year, you want to be sure it’s the vendor you want, but also put your trust into them, your wedding planning process will be so much more enjoyable!
 
Thank you Leah and Pam for providing such great tips! I love that brides can find creative ways to re purpose ceremony flowers into their reception decor. Stay tuned to hear more get words of advice some of the area’s best wedding professionals!
Planning your wedding and looking for a wedding photographer who LOVES weddings? I can’t wait to hear from you! Please email me at Julia RebeccaPhotos@gmail.com.

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Julia Starkey of Julia Rebecca Photography Adirondack New York Wedding Photographer

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Stunning Mirror Lake Inn Valentines Day Getaway

Stunning Mirror Lake Inn Valentines Day Getaway

The Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid was the perfect venue for a sweet valentines getaway for my couple from New York City. As busy creatives, the winter mountains were the perfect escape for spending time together with all the distractions. The Mirror Lake Inn sits right on the shores of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid. The Inn is one of the most romantic getaway venues. With a suite right on the shores of the frozen lake and understated Adirondack elegance, I could not think of a better Valentine’s Day getaway. It also matched perfectly with Kyle and Nigel’s impeccable style.

Location: Mirror Lake Inn – Lake Placid, NY

Photographer: Julia Rebecca Photography

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A Mirror Lake Inn Photo Session

We started their photos in their beautiful hotel room, with great music playing and a bottle of wine to make it a party. I loved their first choice of outfits, which brought out their amazing style. Is it just me, or does Kyle have an uncanny resemblance to a young Barack Obama?

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Besides amazing style Kyle and Nigel were beyond fun and a joy to photograph. Their session had everything from tenderness to big laughs and playfulness. What you might not be able to pick up on was how incredibly cold and windy it was this day! Lake Placid in February is no joke, especially on the lake! But these two were troopers, and we had a blast.

If you are looking for an amazing getaway, the Mirror Lake Inn in the Adirondacks should be on your list!

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Are you planning a romantic getaway and what to capture this amazing time in your lives? Let’s start the conversation about booking your photographs! CONTACT ME HERE.


Adirondacks Destination Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Julia Rebecca Photography serves the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Vermont, Saratoga, Hudson Valley and New England region with timeless yet modern photography. You photos should be a reflection of you, no gimmicks or filters just real love and authentic photos.

A Whiteface Mountain Wedding in the Spring

A Whiteface Mountain Wedding in the Spring

An inspirational spring Whiteface Mountain wedding for couples planning a small wedding or elopement in the mountains of Upstate NY. Luxury destination weddings are 90% of the weddings I photograph yearly. Couples choose to host their wedding in the Adirondacks for so many reasons and I love that they choose this special place for their celebration.

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The Adirondacks truly have everything from beautiful mountain tops like Whiteface Mountain to vows at sunset in a wildflower field. There are a number of venues that cater to small weddings, and I have listed some of my favorites below for you. If you are looking to plan your wedding in the Adirondacks, I would love to talk more about what you envision. The options are endless, but all are equally amazing.

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Adirondack Wedding Venues for Small Weddings and Elopements

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Tips for Planning your Whiteface Mountain Elopement

If you are planning an elopement or engagement session on Whiteface, you should know a few key things! After photographing sessions in the spring, summer, and fall on Whiteface Mountain, I have learned a few things on the way that you should take into consideration.

1: The road to the top of the mountain is not open in the wintertime. Typically late May – October, the toll road opens for driving.

2. Don’t count on the elevator being open. Think of it as a bonus if it is!

3. Good walking/hiking shoes are necessary. Put your nice shoes in a backpack with water, coats, and bug spray. Most of the walk up is on slippery rocks, not stairs.

4. It is always colder than you will think because of the elevation and wind. Be prepared with a coat/jacket, hat, and gloves.

5. Black flies (biting flies) love the top of the Mountain in May/June. So if you don’t like bitting flies, this may not be the best photo location option. A windy day can be your best friend In the spring to keep them at bay.

6. Expect other people to be around and enjoying the summit with you. This is not a private venue, so think of onlookers as spontaneous guests at your ceremony : )

Bonus Tip: It costs $20 per person, not per car! So have your cash handy : )

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Whiteface Mountain Wedding Professionals:

Photography: Julia Rebecca Photography

Design: Katharine Phillips Design

Flowers: Fern Croft @fern_croft

Host: Mary Dougherty

Linens: Latavola Linens

Makeup: @amandahopcraftmua

Dress: @silk_bridal

Styling: @jade.magnolia

Invitations: @stonefruitstudio

Model: @tessschilkephotography

A Romantic Adirondack Christmas Wedding in Lake Placid

A Romantic Adirondack Christmas Wedding in Lake Placid

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Whiteface Lodge Winter Wedding

We often talk about the Christmas spirit, but sometimes I don’t think we see it as often as we speak about it. Ashley and Steve’s wedding embodied what we believe Christmas is in our hearts. It is being with those we love most important, sharing a meal together, laughing and telling stories, hugging someone you have not seen in ages, and toasting to new love and old. This is what we cherish at Christmas. This is what their Adirondack Christmas wedding was filled with.

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The Whiteface Lodge was dressed to the nines for the Holidays with twinkling lights, red bows, wreaths, and Christmas trees that touched the sky. Ashley and Steve spent the morning getting ready with their family and friends in their suites. I loved the white winter details and classic elegance of their day. The combination was perfect for a December wedding in the Adirondack Mountains.


With the warm weather, much of the snow had melted around the Whiteface Lodge, but I found a spot earlier in the morning where there was still snow for their first look and portraits. I just love how elegant and gorgeous their photographs are in front of the pines trees. We then went to a beautiful location in front of the frozen pond.

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You have to have a first look before the ceremony with a winter wedding because the sunset is so early. The sun disappeared at 3:45 on their wedding day. If we had not done the first look, Ashley and Steve would not have had any photos in natural light.

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The Kanu Room at the Lodge is one of the most gorgeous locations I can imagine for a December wedding in Lake Placid. However, this room can be dark and dreary without flash, especially on a cloudy day. The Christmas tree framing them during their ceremony was magical, to say the least.


Adirondack Christmas Weddings are stunning, but what made Ashley and Steve’s genuinely magical was the love that surrounded them at their wedding. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room during their ceremony, and the toasts and first dance.


These two deserve a world of happiness together. Thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding day!

Wedding Professionals

Venue: Whiteface Lodge – Lake Placid, New York

Photography: Julia Rebecca Photography

Flowers: Lake Placid Flower and Gift

Band: Silver Arrow Band

Bridal Shop: The White Dress by the Shore

Designer: Jenny Yoo

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JULIA REBECCA

PHOTOGRAPHY

New England Photographer Based in Essex and Lake Clear, New York

Serving Lake Placid, Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks, Vermont and the New England Region

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