Summer Florals + Signature Cocktails

I'm calling this shoot a beautiful mistake because it all began with a classic case of miscommunication. My team was on the cusp of "wedding season" here in Hawaii and I shot off a stream of emails to my floral wholesaler with a bunch orders and dates. In a lengthy back and forth email thread, one of my floral orders was scheduled and set to arrive one week earlier than expected (better than later!). I couldn't possibly let all of these gorgeous blooms go to waste so I asked friends in the industry if they had a use for them but it was so last minute that they did not. So I called upon my friends to collaborate on a quick shoot in my workshop. The best shoots come together organically, I swear! The images below are some of my favorite work to date, captured by the ever-awesome Trish Barker. The Find Lab processed her rolls of film and I couldn't be happier with the results.

Our storyline came together with ease. We set out to capture a few of our favorite things about the summer season: bright, colorful floral arrangements and cocktails to match for a simple gathering. We paired four summer floral arrangements with signature cocktails by Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering. 

You can find the cocktail recipes featured on Wedding Sparrow, one of my favorite fine art wedding sites. Enjoy!
Mandy

Photographer: Trish Barker | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Stylist / Planner: Shaunna Nygren | Floral Designer: Mandy Grace Designs | Rentals: Set | Cocktails by Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering | Linens: Adorn

Sarah Winward + Soil and Stem Mexico City Floral Workshop

One of the first wedding design workshops I attended outside of my home state of Hawaii was Pearl & Godiva's Beauteous workshop all the way in Ireland. Although I was immediately drawn to the ethereal, grainy quality of film photography, the styling pilgrimage really opened my eyes to the slow intention of the craft thanks to the workshop's principal photographer Erich McVey. That was already two years ago now (wow, time is an elusive thing), and since then I've been making a deliberate effort to master the modern day work-life-balance. Part of my intention in 2017 has been to carve out some time for myself and my creative development as a business owner and floral designer, which brings me to my most recent journey to Mexico City to attend Sarah Winward + Soil and Stem's workshop. It was a great distance to travel (30+ hours of flight time from Maui to be exact). But man, was it worth it. I can still feel the vibrant, colorful beat of Mexico pulsing through my veins. 

At the last minute, Sarah and Nicole had to switch up the location of the workshop to an insanely gorgeous property two hours outside of Mexico City. Hacienda Acamilpa, a 17th century timeworn sugar mill was one of the more spectacular spots I've visited. It was kind of surreal to find myself at yet another rustic and beautiful sugar mill as I often work inside of the ancient ruins of the Haiku Mill on Maui. The workshop agenda was to learn their compositional approach to lush hand-tied bouquets, large floral installation design and working with natural growth to create texture and movement. For me, attending these workshops isn't so much about the actual craft but about the relationships you naturally form with like-minded designers from all over the world. You kind of have to get outside of your comfort zone, travel alone, immerse yourself in a foreign culture and go for it. I'm eternally grateful for the time spent with once-strangers who have become my friends in the beautiful world of flowers, vines and branches. Till next time, Mexico!
Mandy