I’m so excited to introduce you guys to today’s wedding vendor.  The Boxwood Barn has been a florist on my radar for just over a year now and I LOVE seeing their work.  Elizabeth & her family are super sweet people.  I know I say this over and over, but when booking your vendors not only should you like their work, but you really want to like them as people as well.  The last thing you want is to “dread” having to call a vendor because they get on your nerves.  Liz is just the opposite.  You’ll actually be looking for reasons to call her and chat about your wedding.  They do a great job putting all kinds of arrangements together and I stopped by their place in Palestine a few days ago to get some shots.

Here are a few from a wedding we worked together at Elmwood Gardens.

And finally, here is their interview.  Enjoy.

How did you get started, how long have you been doing this?
The Boxwood Barn was started in 2004.  I majored in Horticulture at Texas A&M University with a specialization in floral design through the “Benz School of Floral Design“.  We both got our certification in Wilton Cake Decorating for when we work with flowers on cakes. From there my mom and I joined forces to start The Boxwood Barn. And yes, we do work in a converted barn that has boxwoods around the outside. I am the artsy one, and she is the organizational one.

What is your favorite part about your job?
I love experimenting with designs and working with my hands.  This is a family business so that is a plus!

What are some things brides should look for when looking for a florist?
Brides should notice if a florist seems knowledgeable of flowers.  Also, a florist should take thorough notes during a consultation, and really listen to the bride’s desires for her wedding.  Always ask to see photos!  Also, does the florist have solutions and answers to a bride’s problems and questions?

What are some arrangements that you don’t get requested often but you think look great for a wedding?
Topiaries!!!  We love topiaries!  They can be greens only or constructed of flowers in a bride’s color palette.

What is something unique to your service that you are extra proud of?
We try to add extra touches to our designs and not be cookie-cutter.  We love embellishments!

Anything else you wanna say?
Flowers are happy!  Our favorites are tulips and sweet peas, go figure.  They are not the easiest to work with.
You can’t beat working with a hardy stem like carnations or hydrangeas.

The Boxwood Barn
http://www.boxwoodbarnflorist.com/
(903)922-1832

Well day 2 of the blizzard of 2010 was an even bigger hit at my house. I woke up at 5:00 AM and went and bought some boots & snow gloves for the kids. All they had in stock were 3 large purple ones so that’s what we ended up with. :) Here are a few shots from our crazy fun day.

Homemade sled.

Poor Luke.  Basically every article of clothing we put on him was too big.

Say hello to me and my smoking hot wife.

Everyone is snuggled up in front of the TV now.

This morning I went to iTunes and downloaded 8 new TV shows with the word “snow” in the title and we are vegging out.

Saturday I’m heading to the NBA All Star Game in Dallas and then I’ll get back to wedding stuff come Monday.  I Promise.

Like most of you in East Texas we woke up today to a bit of snowfall.  The kids went nuts and we canceled school and declared it a “Snow Day”.  Here is a bit of our morning fun in PJs and mix-matched gloves.  Also, be sure and notice that even the death of winter could not keep Sara from wearing her tiara.

Guess who made a fancy schmancy Austin wedding publication?

Give up?

Lots of people.

But, I was among one of those people. :)

You  may remember Davi & Jonathan’s super fun Elmwood Gardens wedding from last July.  Well, Elmwood Gardens is using it as the featured wedding in a brochure they are putting together and the brochure company asked if they could run it in the Austin magazine as well.  Fun times right?

Here is a link to the Elmwood Gardens brochure.

Here is a link to the Austin Magazine. (Page 70)

Take a minute and read the little wedding story they put together.

When I was talking with Heather & Blake about what they love to do together as a couple, the things that kept popping up were video games and wrestling. :) At first, this threw me off.  But, once they explained that their family already included 10 & 8 year old boys, it all made perfect sense.  Heather really impressed me with her ability to be “giddy engaged girl”, but still hold her own among all the testosterone in the room. Here are a few of my favorites.

100% natural lens flare. Yummy!

Everyone loves Mario Kart.

Check out the rock!  I can’t wait to get some ring shots of this thing on the wedding day!

The boys are at the age where wedgies are “fun”  Blake is happy to oblige.

Yep, that’s an official regulation size wrestling mat in the living room.

How about those eyes?

Keep an eye out for the wedding at Castle on the Lake in about a month!