flowers! ta-da!

before i even met levi, i decided that i would do my own flowers at my wedding. i've always loved flowers, and i figured i could make something that i would be happy with.

the week of our wedding, levi and i met our friend, colin, at the flower mart in downtown LA. he has a seller's permit, so we were able to get in before the general public. colin very generously offered to buy all the flowers for the wedding for us.

i was seriously like a kid in a candy shop.

there's something about the flower mart that energizes me. levi and i went once before to scope it out. i love how it's dark and deserted outside, then you walk in, and the entire place is bustling. it's alive with light and people and FLOWERS! and it smells amazing! even though we were there around 4:00 in the morning both times we went (and i am NOT a morning person), i instantly perked up as soon as i stepped inside.

ah, i love that place. i really do want a flower shop one day. i have the name for it!

anyway, i really hoped to have peonies and ranunculus for my wedding, but everyone told me that there was no way to make that happen in january. as it turned out, i think God kept them in season a little bit longer just for me because i was able to have both!

i chose anemones, ranunculus, peonies, spray roses, roses, china mums, and tulips for my bouquet.

and i went for peaches, whites, the softest, blush pinks i could find, and just a hint of purple. i loved the contrast of the center of the anemones in my bouquet. it tied in the black and white theme from everything else.

here's my bouquet in two of my preview photos from monica:

i was terrified when i started putting it together, but i'm very pleased with how it turned out!

i also made 5 smaller bridesmaids bouquets and 11 arrangements for the reception. it was soooo much fun! i wish i could go to the flower mart and arrange flowers at least once a week. it's very satisfying. i'll share the other flowers as soon as i get more photos!