Kristin & Mikey

Very, very excited to share this wedding with you.  Mikey is a long-time friend of mine from college.  He is a very special and wonderful friend to my husband and I.  He is also the only friend that shows up to our door ringing bells in a Santa Suit and begging for cookies.  He's just that kind of friend...and we love him for that. We knew that when he was ready to settle down, the girl he would marry would be amazing.  And she is! Kristin is an absolute jewel.  I can't imagine a person who could better compliment our dear friend!  She is beautiful, fun, outgoing, and just "gets" Mikey. I really believe they were made for each other...Congrats Mikey & Kristin!  We love you both and can't wait to share with you in this beautiful journey called marriage.  

And, on a flower note, Kristin's got style!  I was delighted to hear she wanted a romantic, vintage garden look for her flowers and that her favorite flowers were peonies and garden roses (the third post in a row to mention these beauties---I'm on a roll!).  Truly a girl after my own heart.  We used a few shades of pink peonies, vendela roses, and a charming pink garden roses.  Enjoy the beautiful photos compliments of Siang of Lightphoria.  I am a big fan---Siang is a true professional and talented artist!  Enjoy friends!

Above: If you're wondering who the hottie is on the left, that would be my sweet husband---I'm a lucky girl.

Venue Spotlight: The Artwork Network

This weekend I had the privilege collaborating on a photo shoot for the Artwork Network.  The Artwork Network is an up-and-coming wedding venue in the Denver area.  Its urban-lofty feel, beautiful wood flooring, brick walls, and gorgeous art makes it the perfect place for a wedding ceremony or reception.  Below are a few pictures from the shoot from my faithful friend, David Gaston of Gaston Photography.  If you are a bride in the area, you should definiately check both the venue and photographer out---you won't be disappointed!

I created the bouquet and a couple submerged orchid centerpieces for the photo shoot.  We used a lot of texture for the bouquet including pods, artichokes, and melt-my-heart Juliet Garden Roses (I am obviously on a lasting kick with garden roses).  Ahhh---enjoy these lovely photos and let me know what you think of this new venue!

Thanks first and foremost to Gaston Photography for the sharing these gorgeous images.  Thanks also to Ken from The Artwork Network, and of course, to our beautiful model, Jenny!

Mint/Ivory/Coral & The Garden Rose Splurge

At any given time here at Cori Cook Floral Design, we have our heads in about 20 different color palettes. Despite the fact that it is fall, we are currently proposing weddings for spring, summer, fall, and winter of 2010 and 2011 (yes, that's right---brides, get booking---email me to schedule a complimentary consultation).  For example, this week I will design the flowers for a fall inspired wedding in Colorado Springs (with warm oranges, reds, and yellows) and simultaneously design a proposal for beautiful spring garden wedding in 2010.

Below is a color palette that is inspiring me at the moment for this particular spring wedding.  I love love love the look of the peachy garden roses.  Although the garden rose will cost you more than your average rose, I think it's often worth the splurge!  Just look at their beautiful color and texture...AND what you can't experience with just this picture is their glorious fragrance reminiscent of a vintage English garden.  Ahhh---enjoy!

Inspiration Board from Southern Weddings Blog

"Bana la Modimo" South Africa Gala

Since April, I have been working with a committee of women (and one brave man--ha!) to plan this South Africa Gala, appropriately named "Bana la Modimo" (translation: "God's Children").  The purpose of the gala was to raise support for a children's AIDS orphanage in Rustenburg, South Africa.  Children who are taken in by this orphanage have generally lost both parents to the AIDS epidemic and may even have AIDS themselves.  My church, Red Rocks Church, is partnering with the shelter to provide holistic (emotional, physical, and spiritual) care for these children.  The money raised at this event will be used to permanently move the Smith family (Lincoln & Jenny and their four beautiful children---seen below) to South Africa to become the full-time staff of The Lighthouse Children's Shelter.  Needless to say, the event was a HUGE success.  It was amazing to see how many people got behind this cause and gave so much!  We're still gathering together the exact numbers, but we already know that the money raised by this gala far exceeded our expectations!  Did I mention it was a blast too?  Silent and live auctions, live music, amazing food provided by Continental Divine, safari-attire, and dancing, dancing, dancing!

I had the honor of being responsible for designing the decor of the event and had lots of fun transforming a warehouse-type building into a very colorful, South African-themed setting.  We used the bright colors of the South African flag as our inspiration!  Enjoy the pics compliments of my new friends Julie and Chris of Chris Sharber Photography (and see more pics from this event on their sweet blog)!

If this cause interests you, I encourage you to get involved now!  Here are some ways you can get involved:

Check out Lincoln's blog and the Lighthouse Children's Shelter's website for more info on the shelter!  There are also options for giving online towards the shelter on the Red Rocks Church Website.  

Also, check out the art made specifically for the gala out of the scrap metal that makes up many of the shacks in South Africa.  To read the stories behind these pieces of art, check out The Orphan Art Project.  Lastly, if you are in the Denver area and are looking for a church, please check out Red Rocks Church---it is truly a wonderful community of people who love God and people, a community that is being transformed by the love of God!  Happy Tuesday folks!

Palazzo Verdi

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to check out the gorgeous Palazzo Verdi, a new wedding venue located in Greenwood Village.  This is the absolute perfect space for the sophisticated, modern bride. It is a versatile venue for receptions and ceremonies with options to use the The Madden Museum of Art, The Atrium (seen below), and The Mangia Bevi Café.  It can house up to 400 guests!  My personal favorite is the Atrium, the 5 story gallery-style room featuring a gorgeous chandelier.  This chandelier provides exquisite lighting for the room and can be customized to your wedding colors---Genius.  

Also, had the opportunity to meet some new friends in the industry!  I had my first taste of the infamous  Epicurean Catering (and let me tell you, the food did not dissapoint!) and met their sweet wedding rep, Stephanie.  I got to meet Chris, from Chair Covers and Linens, an expert on all things linen, Brandi from The Funky Brewster (espresso catering), and Lindsay from Lindsay B Photography.  I am always amazed at the quality of wedding professionals here in Denver---Be sure to check them out for YOUR wedding!