When your best friend is marrying a beautiful bride in Boston your studio ends up turning into a Queen Size Suite at Extended Stay America. This gig was full of fun and challenges right from the beginning. Not only was it a “destination” wedding for the studio but a huge logistics overhaul for our buyer and all the fantastic folks at Delaware Valley Wholesale.
At some absurd time nearing 4:30 AM after landing just hours before at Logan Int’l Airport the truck arrives loaded with a ridiculous amount of amazing flowers. Thankfully it was so early and we were able to sneak everything in the back door completely unnoticed. Naturally I asked permission from the Hotel but I may have left the scale of the project unmentioned. And there was no modesty to this event. We went all out and made not only one but two amazing events.
So as the Sun rose on our first day in MA we started processing and conditioning all the flowers. We literally had to turn the beds into work tables and completely smothered the kitchenette in product and supplies. Not to mention the suit cases full of the more unique product I have been collecting over the years.
Needless to say by the end of morning every inch of the room was covered from floor to ceiling with fresh flowers. We may have forgotten to account for the need to save a bed in order to get a good nights sleep. However, the day was off to a good start and it was time to hit up the the Boston Flower Exchange for some last minute purchases. We all should know by now not to ever let me into a warehouse full of plants and flowers but there is no stopping me once I get going. I can validate anything when standing in a room the size of a football field full of flowers. Especially when one of my all time best circus buddies is the groom.
After all was said and done it was time to get back to the room/studio and start building the first event. This couple was brilliant in having a small ceremony during the week followed by the reception party several days later over the weekend. This allowed them a couple days to themselves at a romantic get away before getting swarmed by all the expectations of hosting a party for friends and loved ones. Simply brilliant.
The ceremony was stunning and intimate along the river bank and a beautiful willow tree. The bride had such good taste I couldn’t wait to get started on her bridal. I loved every second of it. Even the hours and hours it took to tape and wire all the roses. If you can name it I probably found a way to get it in this bouquet. When it was all set out each piece took over the entire bed/work bench. Not only was my partner freezing to death from me trying to keep the flowers cool he now had to sit on the floor and watch TV.
photo: Ben Schaefer
After the ceremony we hustled over to set the tables at the diner reception for close family and friends. En route, however, as expected we got turned around and a bit lost in the city which lead to us running around the streets looking a fool with a box full of flowers on our heads.
In the end the tables were set and the evening was a blast.
photo: Ben Schaefer
That was a wonderful and beautiful evening. most exciting was that I got to sit with the Mother of the Bride and learn so much about the family. This was truly a treat seeing as how I already knew so much about the groom and all his many brothers and amazing Mother (a.k.a. Mama Wells).
After the first round of events was done we had the following day off and headed to Salem MA to celebrate HALLOWEEN. That was well worth the trip and filled the holiday with so much entertainment. Obviously the witch trials are enough to make this a Holiday Destination but all the ‘crazy’ that pours into that city for the night is EPIC.
Gladly we survived the trip to Salem and returned to the city for a reunion with some old Circus Friends and new ones alike. Then before you noticed it was time for ROUND 2 of celebrations! This event was obviously much more grand in scale but we welcomed the help of both the Mother of the Bride and the Groom. We had such a great time working together!
photo: Martha Wells
After managing to master a game of Tetris and get all the pieces into the back of a tiny Town and Country Minivan we rolled out to one of the most unique and beautiful venues in Boston. It was a Community Rowing Club and again right on the river. Luckily we were able to save enough room for Darin to actually sit in the passenger seat and he wasn’t forced to navigate my madness from the roof rack.
As we got the venue all set together we couldn’t have been happier with how everything turned out. You never know exactly how things are going to fall into place since there are so many moving parts to a wedding, especially when you are only a fraction of all the chaos. Not to mention that you are are completely removed from your studio and working in the back corner of a Hotel in a city you know nothing about. I must say that the experience all together was a great adventure and I couldn’t have been more pleased. I felt so fortunate to be able to contribute and share in the celebration of a best friend’s commitment to an amazing and inspiring woman.
photo:Martha Wells
Photo: Martha Wells
FlowerHausShepherdstownWV 