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My big sis Jenny-lyn married James in Hemet, CA last month. James is a pastor in Hemet, a little town near Temecula, in the middle of the desert. In August, temps reach over 100 degrees easily, and it's dry as a bone. You can imagine that this influenced my flower choices greatly.

The task before me: to create fun, funky, flirty arrangements that would hold up in the desert, for a wedding of over 350 people, on a very modest budget. Also, I was to be the matron of honor, and deliver a witty toast, at that!

Jenny-lyn is always adorable, but was positively radiant on her wedding day. Those earrings were her “something borrowed”- I wore them on my wedding day, too!

She always claimed she'd recycle my wedding dress on her wedding day, which was an airy Liancarlo gown with subtle beading and ruffled train. But in my heart I knew she needed a dress of her own, something over the top and dramatic to match her personality. Her Reem Acra gown was so perfect for her.

I adore the intricate embroidery and the sweet satin bow.

Jenny-lyn's bouquet was a sweet mix of pinks and whites, including nerine lilies, roses, and feathery astilbe, wrapped with fuchsia satin and black lace. Oo la la! She demanded that I make her bouquet small and easy to carry. She still has horrible memories of holding my two ton bridal bouquet AND her bridesmaid bouquet during my ceremony.

Notice the unexpected touch of black: we hand painted each billy ball/craspedia!

I give James major props for being ok with all the pink!

Not surprisingly, I sobbed my way down that aisle; my second emotional meltdown that day. The first was when my sis put that veil on. That totally choked me up!

My sis's style is bold, flirty, and feminine. Everything has to be pink pink pink! Black lace, satin, bows, feathers, and vintage buttons were used to spice up our simple arrangements.

My hubby Joe did a reading from the book of Romans.

My parents.

Enough delicious cupcakes to feed 350 guests, handmade with love by my floral assistant's mom, Cathy. She's a superstar for delivering those babies all the way to Hemet, and displaying them so beautifully on tiers of glass! Please email me for contact info if you'd like to taste her treats for yourself.

Some of the simple, creative decor elements included 1) tall vases filled with illuminated orchids, topped with pink florals and a lit lampshade. 2) patterned hatboxes in the wedding colors, girlified with feathers, bows, and flowers (such a fun DIY project!) 3) white ceramics filled with china mums and zinnias. 4) shiny black urns filled with various florals.

A view of the whole reception, with the floral lamps shining brightly in the background.

Thank you to the sweet and talented Chad of Chad Martin Photography in Hemet for so generously sharing these images!