102
April 13, 2010
By using native elements, the designs of Coarsegold Flower Shop echo the beauty of Yosemite. Over the past few years, I have had the chance to see their work firsthand at many weddings, but I wanted to get a better idea of what they are all about and where they draw their inspiration from for their designs.
Recently I had the chance to sit down with Beth Alberta, the talented designer and owner behind Coarsegold Flower Shop to talk with her about her wedding arrangements.
PP
What drew you to working with flowers?
BA
While away for school in Oregan, I took a job as a delivery driver at a local flower shop. My boss there loved her job, and I was blessed to be taught by someone who loves what they are doing. While learning the techniques of floral design, I started to design arrangements for weddings. I found that I really enjoyed weddings because of the creative freedom.
When I returned to this area, I took a job with a local shop here working with all of their weddings. I loved it and grew while developing my own style. But most of all I found out that it was fun.
PP
When did you open up this location?
BA
I opened my own flower shop in Coarsegold in May of 2002 and I didn't open solely for weddings. I figured if I couldn't do it here, where everyone knows my name, it won't work. The weddings just started coming in on their own, I didn't even advertise. I started with local girls and it grew from there.
PP
When it comes to weddings, what makes you stand apart from other wedding floral designers?
BA
Since we are a full service flower shop and open six days a week, I know the freshness of the product. I am able to test it out the week before the wedding instead of just getting the flowers right before the wedding.
PP
I have noticed in the past that your designs are very unique. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
BA
That's hard to say because I only work with my designs, I don't copy others. I usually take my inspiration from the couple. When I talk with a couple I don't ask them what type of flowers they want, I ask them what feeling they want from their wedding and I play off of that. I know the flower world, so I ask them do they want it to be warm and romantic, or a vintage feel and I take those words that they say and then bring the flowers into it.
My favorite clients trust me with their ideas and concepts. They don't come to me with specific flowers, they come to me with a specific feeling. Once I get the idea from the couple, I start to look at what flowers go together color wise.
PP
Everyone is different in their creative approach, do you approach new client with a set idea or template in mind?
BA
Everything is custom and most of the girls who go with me have seen what they like, they like me, and trust me. When clients ask me exactly how many roses are in each bouquet, I don't know the answers to those questions. I won't know until it is done. That's where they have to trust me.
PP
One thing I have noticed is that your designs are very indicative of this area, they blend very well with Yosemite.
BA
To use your environment around you is going to match the feeling of your wedding; the girls that are coming here want the feeling of nature and Yosemite. Yosemite itself is such a beautiful spot, I feel like I will never be able to upstage it with flowers, I just want to accent it a bit and bring in the local elements.
I was a bit surprised to see some of these same designs on shows like Platinum Weddings when I realized those are the same plants in my backyard!
PP
You mentioned shows like Platinum Weddings, do you follow up on floral trends?
BA
The biggest trend that I have noticed, are that girls are doing what they want. Do what you want, your colors, what you like, follow whats in your heart and true to you.
As my work evolves, I am using more of the natural elements around me. As I look forward, I want to bring in more of the hanging candles, the manzanita trees, and using the elements while keeping it simple and staying true to what the bride wants. These manzanitas done up as a centerpiece are breathtaking, their massive. Then we do these flower balls that hang off of them with lights, they're gorgeous!
PP
What do you see as being unique with wedding in Yosemite from your standpoint.
BA
To me Yosemite is so Yosemite, that there is no way to upstage it. The Ahwahnee to me is already so well done, I feel like you don't need a whole lot to have the perfect wedding. Instead I focus on the details and make the arrangements fit within Yosemite.
So much in Yosemite depends on the time of year, especially for your color pallet. Spring is fair game for anything; there are colors all over. There is the mixture of the dogwoods in the white and green. You've got the shooting stars that are blooming that are pink. You can still use the red roses and the reds pop so well outside for photos.
With summer time I would probably go with primary colors and brighter colors. To me, in the summertime in the valley the hues are not as intense as in the spring and fall. The grasses start to fade a little bit so I think the flowers need to be bright and vibrant. I would go with bold colors, stick with your primary colors, hot pinks, really really bright eye popping flowers. There is a circus rose that we use all of the time that is a gorgeous rose that photographs awesome.
Fall is one of my favorite times, and what is great about fall in Yosemite compared to your typical fall colors that are reds, yellows and oranges, you have the Dogwoods that bring in the pink and the purple hues. So you can still do the fall colors using the pinks and the purples and the yellows with a little bit of the oranges and you get a whole different feeling than the harsh yellow-red-orange.
Winter is classic for red. Deep deep red rose and lots of snow is gorgeous.
Coarsegold Flower Shop
35300 Highway 41
Coarsegold, CA
(559) 641-2384
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13
February 23, 2010
There are many reasons to elope, some practical, some personal. Elopements are very special and bring the focus of the wedding directly to the love between a man and a woman, and nothing else. Ultimately, whether or not to elope is entirely your decision. But the truth is, despite being much easier to plan than a full wedding, elopements in Yosemite do require a bit a special planning.
Planning a wedding from a distance is difficult to say the least. With an elopement in Yosemite, you do have freedom to have the wedding at the location of your choice, you are no longer restricted to venues or locations to suit large groups. I have created the guide below to help take care of some of the issues that might come up.
- Pick a date. One of the first things to consider is exactly when to get married in Yosemite. Each season has different opportunities. Spring has fresh growth and waterfalls. Summer brings warmth and easy access. In the fall, the waterfalls dry up and the changing colors are spectacular. Winter brings snowfall and a winter wonderland. All that being said, if you have the opportunity, plan your wedding for a weekday to avoid crowds and get better rates with vendors.
- Find a location. This can be difficult to say the least because of the overwhelming beautiful places to get married. Think about what aspects are the most important to you when you think of Yosemite (waterfalls, open meadows, grand vistas, etc.) and start your search there. One other issue to consider is the influence of tourism and crowds. If your weddings is going to be over 10 people in size, you should view the park's recommended sites as you will be limited to these.
- Choose an officiant. Check through our list of officiants to see who fits your needs and personality. I recommend talking with a possible officiant to see if they are right for you. With their experience, they will also be able to help you choose the perfect location for your wedding.
- Marriage License. You can start the process at your local county clerk's office, or contact Mariposa County's office. The County of Mariposa charges a $60 fee for the license. I can recommend working with Mariposa County as it is a smaller office and moves quickly.
- Park Permit. Yosemite National Park requires you to have a Special Use Permit for your wedding in the park. You can find detailed information on the park's website or by contacting Chris Thorpe at 209-379-1858. You will need to supply a planned location (although not necessaryily spot specific) as well as $150 for the permit fee.
Comments
Matthew says:
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Oh my goodness! Honestly Patrick, it is so refreshing to see your work. Considering my outdoor photography style of wedding photography, it has been a long time since I was truly inspired by other photographers' work. These images are exciting for me to see! So great, keep up the good work...
=Matt=
Eric Farewell says:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Matt told me to check out your site... TRULY beautiful work brother... Fantastic to see such grand mastery of light in these settings.
Well done Sir.
Patrick Pike Photos says:
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thanks for the good words! Matt, when are you going to come up here and join me on a shoot?
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18
February 1, 2010
I keep saying changes are coming. There has been a lot of behind the scenes planning and work going on as we prepare for this years weddings and I am super excited! Some of the changes have started to make their way to the forefront over that past few weeks, some are a ways off, but today I'm letting another cat out of the bag.
One of the things that I have wanted to do for quite a while is provide free engagement photos. Seriously, I mean free. And none of this "I just got this camera and I think I know how to take a picture" stuff either. I'm talking free shoot and free prints free - the whole enchilada. The only commitment on your part is a commitment to each other (and killer engagement photos)! Expect to visit a few locations over a few hours.
What about the red tape? There are a few guidelines. If you already have another photographer booked for your wedding have them do your engagement photos. I'm not trying to steal clients away from my friends and colleagues. "I like the idea of free photos, but I'm not engaged... can I bring my boyfriend along?" Nope, sorry. This is for couples who are getting married. Finally, there are a limited number of spots available for free engagement photos, only one free session per month.
So if you just got engaged and want to tell the world with some amazing photos give me a call or click here now to set it up. I've got lots of amazing ideas for engagement photos if you're willing!
Comments
Matthew Saville says:
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
LOVE that fisheye shot of the lake! Just amazing...
=Matt=
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Copyright 2010, Patrick Pike
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Yeah she is an artist! Love her work too.
We really are blessed to have so much amazing artistic talent up here!