A Fairytale Flower Workshop w/Amy Osaba {Featured on Once Wed}
Almost exactly 2 years ago, on July 29th, 2014 to be exact, I wrote a Bucket List blog post. And #8 was to attend an Amy Osaba Floral Workshop. Fast forward to a few months ago and I crossed that dream off my list and it was seriously amazing and even better than I could have ever imagined. I mean... flowers for days and days and days is always beyond amazing... See more from the workshop on Once Wed with photography by Lauren Balingit!
First up we started with bouts and my absolute favorite... flower crowns. I cannot wait for the day I get to wear a flower crown all day on my wedding. It will happen even if they aren't in style by the time I get married... I will rock it. The first day was awesome just listening to all of the speakers talk about their experiences, their tips and tricks.
The biggest take-away I had definitely had to do with the way a bridal bouquet is made. I'm not going to give away the secrets I learned but there were some things I learned that seriously have changed the entire way I go about constructing a bouquet. And if you know me then you know I love making bridal bouquets more than anything. They are my favorite thing to make and the bigger the better. And oh how amazing are those anemones?!
Day 2 was spent at Dunaway Gardens, which is magical, most likely haunted and absolutely beautiful. The entire property is made up on "steps" of sorts. There are little secret gardens tucked away within the gardens. There's one in particular in the middle that feels like you are in a fairytale, Sleeping Beauty or Alice in Wonderland style. It is so peaceful and there's greenery as far as the eye can see. I can't even imagine how beautiful weddings at this venue would be. We spent the first part of the day foraging greenery then creating centerpieces in these awesome pots and then making a magical archway. Even though I've made countless centerpieces it was so cool and different the way that Amy Osaba and team make them and I learned so much that has changed everything we do.
I am beyond in love with the paper goods by Signora e Mare. That gold calligraphy is absolutely beautiful. And I love how by attending the workshop we also were apart of putting together a styled shoot. Even though the workshop was only 2 days long it was crazy how quickly I felt like a part of a team much bigger than myself. The women were so amazing and incredible to learn from and every person who attended the workshop was at different stages in their careers but yet we all worked so well together. It was an insta-team sort of environment and I loved it. The camaraderie was rejuvenating and made me so excited to keep the excitement and happiness alive back in Savannah with the I&B team.
The arch was seriously one of my favorite parts. I mean who wouldn't want to get married under a pathway arch of flowers!? The night just kept getting better. And here are the sweet ladies who attended the workshop along with me!!!!
And then of course there were ghost stories, which were spooky and eerie and last but not least the night ended in a dance party. I just absolutely adore and love every single one of these fabulous women. And beyond that, they are so humble, kind and welcoming. Not at all what you would expect from a big-time florist. They were sweet and fun and loved dance parties just as much as us. And it was a great reminder that no matter how "big" you get it is always important to stay humble & kind. Huge thank you to Amy Osaba and team for being amazing and putting on an experience of a lifetime!!!!! x, n
Oooh... and in other exciting news... we crossed another item off our bucket list.... stay tuned to hear all about it!!!!!!!!! 2/8 and only 2.5 years into Ivory & Beau adventures!
{Vendors} Photography: Lauren Balingit | Workshop: Amy Osaba Events Flower Workshop | Studio: Amy Osaba Events | Venue: Dunaway Gardens | Hair and Makeup: Claudia Mejerle | Paper Goods: Signora e Mare | Catering: Low Country Catering | Rentals: Blue Eyed Yonder | Flowers: Florabundance Inc. and Southerly Flower Farm