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February 8th, 2012

Give-away: Love Never Fails

I don’t usually do give-aways on the blog, but when Robert, from Rojo Foto contacted me about Love Never Fails, I just couldn’t say no. It’s the second year he’s doing it, and after reading last years story about the lucky winners Gina and Jordan, I thought it was definitely something that needed to be shared with Middle of the Maps readers. I’ll let Robert’s words and pictures tell you more.

My name is Robert Johnson, and I love a good love story. I love them so much, in fact, that I’ve dedicated my life’s work to capturing them in photographs. And I’ve worked with enough couples to know that every love story is a good one—full of sweetness, tenderness, plus twists and turns and inevitably, moments where love truly conquers all.

What’s your love story? Has your love overcome sickness or tragedy? Did it beat the odds? When you think of your upcoming wedding, do you think of it as the pinnacle moment of celebration after all you’ve been through together…and also the moment of an adventure just beginning?

Well, then it should be shared with all—and rewarded!

I’m getting together with a local florist to offer you a chance to win an amazing wedding package for your 2012 wedding!

Here’s what is included:

Wedding day photography coverage and a custom designed photo album from rojo foto//design (valued at over $1950)
A complete wedding ceremony floral package from Forget Me Knodt flowers – that’s bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and all your ceremony décor, too (valued at $1500).

We will even travel to a destination up to 200 miles from Aurora, Illinois!

HOW TO ENTER:

Start by “liking” rojo foto //design and Forget Me Knodt on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/rojo.foto.design

www.facebook.com/forgetmeknodt

Tell us you story and send it to loveneverfails@rojofotodesign.com by midnight on February 29^th.

(Write it out and email it to us or video it and send us a link…whatever you want to do!)

Want to see who won last year? Gina and Jordan had an amazing story. (link to http://rojofotodesign.com/photography/love-never-fails-winner/) This could be you! Click here to see the blog post from their wedding…) (link to http://rojofotodesign.com/photography/gina-jordan-love-never-fails-giveaway-winners/)

Forget Me Knodt is an amazing florist providing stunning arrangements! With florals recently featured on Style Me Pretty, Janessa knows how to capture who you are and what you want your florals to look like on your special day. Have a look:

Each and every story will be given our full attention, and the winner will be announced on March 12^th.

If you are selected, we will work with you and your wedding date. While there are dates still available for 2012, if we are already booked on the day you have chosen you would need to be willing to move your date. We can also suggest dates that are open in our schedules when we announce you are the winner.

Remember – love never fails! We look forward to hearing your story soon, and ultimately to telling the winning couple’s story through photographs.

By entering this giveaway, you agree that (if chosen) you are giving rojo foto//design and Forget Me Knodt permission to publish your story. You also understand that this giveaway includes wedding photography on your chosen date, a custom photo album, plus ceremony and personal flowers floral package, and travel up to 200 miles. The winner will also be willing to sign rojo foto//design’s wedding contract and a model release.

Category Events and Give-aways, Illinois | Comment No Comments »

Tags: contest flowers give away Illinois love midwest photography wedding

February 3rd, 2012

Real Weddings: Taylor and Tom, Wheaton, Illinois

A lot of the inspiration for Taylor and Tom’s day came from flowers. Taylor fell in love with a thistle bouquet and this inspired the palette of her bridesmaids dresses, and the rest of the colors for the reception as well. They knew exactly the location they wanted to have their reception as well, and snagged the last date of the year before four other brides who inquired about the same date within hours of their booking it. Taylor says they felt like it was meant to be. They wanted everything to be open, and light, with a little bit of a vintage twist. Thanks so much to Taylor for sharing all the details of the day, and to Corlis Gray for the lovely images.

Who, What, Where ~ Reception and Ceremony: Danada House. Photos: Corlis Gray Photography. Flowers: All Flowers by Marisa. Cupcakes: Foiled Cupcakes. Caterer: My Chef-Dominic. Dress: Crystal Bride in Geneva. Accessories: The Wedding Etc. Suit: Jos A. Bank. Bridesmaids: J. Crew

From the bride…

My husband, Tom, and I have known each other since high school but did not really start hanging out until after college. I asked him out on our first date on New Year’s Eve to go the Bears vs. Packers game at Soldier Field and we have been together ever since! He proposed in our house the day after Christmas and it was very sweet and perfect.

One great special touch was our florist allowed my mom to provide the flowers from her garden to the arch that we were married under. So in the months leading up to the wedding she had green and white hydrangeas drying all over the house to adorn the arch with. It was very cool. She also collected vintage blue Ball jars to use as the centerpiece vases for all 23 tables. It took almost all summer for her to collect them all!

My favorite part of the day besides our amazing cupcakes was the beginning and the little snapshot moments I have from throughout the day! Like when my husband tried to cut the cake and totally butchered it! Nobody saw it but us, and I still laugh at him about it! I also loved our ceremony; it was so “us” and it had so many little great moments between the two of us and friends and family that I will never forget.

Category Illinois, Real Weddings | Comment 1 Comment »

Tags: bouquet flowers green Illinois midwest navy blue outdoors Real Wedding wedding

January 25th, 2012

Featured Vendor: Ashley Fox Designs

It’s always great to connect with wonderful midwest vendors who create inspiring and beautiful events. In fact it’s one of the main reasons I started this blog, to share the work of these talented people. Ashley submitted her 10 year vow renewal to me to share on the blog, and I was instantly drawn to the beautiful flowers. She of course did the designs herself, and owns her own event based design business Ashley Fox Designs. Although I haven’t met her I can tell that she’s sweet, friendly, and totally supportive and enthusiastic about Middle of the Map! Her passion for what she does really shows when she talks about working on weddings, and with her clients. Without further delay here’s a little more about Ashley, and her business.

Where to find her: Website, Facebook, Blog

Where do you live, work, and what do you like to do for fun?

I live in a cozy home in Chaska, Minnesota, which is about a half hour from the Twin Cities. My studio is located within our home and I like to think the gardens surrounding our home could be considered my studio as well during the majority of the year. Even in winter I can always find something to harvest from the garden…evergreen, dried hydrangea, seedpods, rose hips, etc.

When I am not working on a wedding or styled photo shoot. I love to weed the gardens. It is very methodical, quiet and therapeutic for me. Then I throw the weeds to our chickens in the coop and watch them enjoy the “harvest”. I keep my hands busy in the winter with simple crochet projects, taking care of our two children and hunting for a great finds at local antique shops.

When did you first become interested in floral design, and what sparked your interest?

In 1999 I needed a job after college and there was an opening at a local flower shop. That is when I officially learned how to design flowers although some of my earliest memories are me playing in my mom and dad’s vegetable garden and finding wild grapes on nature walks. My mom and dad encouraged me to plant, play and eat veggies in the garden. They fostered this very simple joy in me that I am passing on to my kids. To this day I can find beauty in the simplest leaf or flower.

When did you decide to start your business, Ashley Fox Designs, and why?

In November 2007, 3 months after my second child was born, I decided I needed to do something creative, social and outside of the house, just for me. I decided I would make a go of it and see how it went. I believe I was born to do this. Truly, born to do this, my hands are always really cold and the flowers like that.

What is your favorite part about working with a couple to create flowers for their wedding day?

I really like getting to know each couple. I am a social person and I love hearing stories of their past and upcoming adventures in life. I get to meet so many wonderful couples. I believe I become more inspired to design just the right blooms for a couple when I know their likes and interests. I want to capture their vision and make them smile and say “Wow!” when they see the finished designs. Of course, on the day, I love handing the bride her bouquet. That might be my favorite part of the entire experience.

What inspires your floral designs, and what are some of the places you look for this inspiration?

I can be inspired by the mother of pearl on a shell, a couture dress in a fashion magazine, a tri colored leaf in the garden, the golden color of the grass on the side of the highway in autumn or the blog of my favorite floral designer Saipua. Each design I create has a story behind it. Whether it is for a bride who loves color or for a photo shoot needing a “just picked from the field” appeal each design is very different and always infused with a bit of soul from the garden.

Any words of advice for couples trying to choose a floral designer for their wedding day?

Do not let a floral designer override your ideas and tell you what you will like. The designer’s agenda or view of current trends means nothing. It is ultimately what you want to see at your wedding. On the flip side, don’t be afraid to listen to the ideas your designer might have to make your vision even more amazing. Find a designer that is excited about your vision and willing to take your ideas and make them realistic, beautiful and exactly what you want with the budget you have. Also, if you don’t quite know what you like, a good designer will always be able to help you uncover your unknown flower “loves” by asking you questions about your current style choices. I have been known to ask clients what colors they like to wear or what furniture, art and décor they have in their homes. Then, when you and a designer click, book them as soon as you can.

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Category Featured Vendor, Inspiration, Minnesota | Comment 5 Comments »

Tags: bouquet Featured Vendor floral design flowers midwest Minnesota wedding

December 16th, 2011

Floral Friday: A Riverboat Wedding

This is Candice and Chris…

When Nikita Gross sent me their riverboat wedding I was super excited. They were married on the Ohio River in Cincinnati, and I was instantly drawn to their beautiful flowers created by Marti’s Floral Design. The lushness of her bouquet, and the fun textural mix of succulents, dusty miller, billy balls, and scabiosa pods combined with big beautiful blooms is always a winner in my book. Plus it doesn’t hurt that they’re an adorable couple!

Category Floral Friday, Inspiration, Real Weddings | Comment 4 Comments »

Tags: floral design Floral Friday flowers green midwest Ohio orange succulents wedding white yellow

December 14th, 2011

Featured Vendor: Munster Rose

I found Munster Rose through the Minneapolis Independent Wedding Association’s vendor page, and it was love at first site. Jackie’s florals are bursting with color, beautiful texture, and amazing details. I also love the fact that Munster Rose is a mother daughter team, just like my own floral design business. When I contacted Jackie about being a Featured Vendor on Middle of the Map, her personality exactly matched her flowers, vibrant and warm. I’m really excited to share her business with you today, so read below to see more of her flowers and find out about Munster Rose.

Where to find her: website, blog, Facebook

Where do you live, work, and what do you like to do for fun?

The answer to all three is my home in Minneapolis. I live in South Minneapolis just a few blocks from the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Water Falls. It’s a great neighborhood for young families, small businesses, and folks who want to live in the city while still having perks like a parking and a backyard. Munster Rose is operated out of my home which is coincidentally my favorite place to be. I have a degree in Interior Design and have always thought that creating a space that breeds creativity, while making you feel safe and comfortable is key to any good work/home environment. I like that our clients get to see my design background “in action” when they visit our space. Munster Rose isn’t just about good floral design, it’s about good design. Hopefully that’s conveyed when people meet us here! Plus, my favorite way to spend free time is with my hubby and our dog. Working from home makes that so much easier. My dog lays at my feet all day. How great is that?

(photo by Lois Bielefeld)

When did you first become interested in floral design, and what sparked your interest?

I realized floral design was for me after working briefly in the Interior Design field. I had been working in a flower shop while pursuing Interior Design and realized I was much happier at my part-time floral gig than at my full-time-bill-paying-real job. I like working with my hands, and the instant gratification that comes form working with flowers. It doesn’t take years of planning, and permits, and subcontractors, and third party vendors like Interior Design. It’s about an actual relationship between you and your client.

(photo by Photogen Inc.)

When and why did you decide to start your business, Munster Rose?

I actually started my business a bit sooner than planned. It was a goal I had set for myself years ago, but didn’t think I would put things into action until after I had kids. But, after moving back to the Twin Cities and talking to other women who owned their own business, I decided that now was as good a time as any to get things rolling. I knew I wanted to do it, I knew I’d be in Minnesota forever, and after working in the industry for nine years I was equipped with the skills and know-how to venture off on my own. When my mom agreed to partner with me and share the workload, the decision was a no-brainer. It’s not an easy job, but it’s so nice to say “I did that! It’s mine!”

(photo by Brandon Werth)

What’s your favorite thing about working with a couple to create flowers for their wedding day?

My favorite thing about every couple is how unique they are. (I know that sounds cheesy and totally cliche, but it’s true.) I like that you start the process as total strangers and throughout the course of the planning, you feel like you “get” each couple and their vision. A wedding is so telling in that way. It’s a complete reflection on each couple’s personality, lifestyle, family, history, everything. I like that.

(photo by Lois Bielefled)

Any words of advice for couples trying to choose a floral designer for their wedding day?

Please, oh please, choose a florist that you “click” with. Floral design is such a peculiar field. It’s probably the only time in life you’ll dish out tons of dough without knowing exactly what you’ll get. Working with a fresh, perishable product is tricky! You really need to select someone who gets your vision and can interpret your style and design. If this means paying slightly more for one florist vs. another– do it! Definitely select a florist that you trust to execute your ideas– whether it be vintage/chic, DIY, or super fancy glam– you want someone who can bring their own ideas to the table and help to further your wedding vision.

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