IN FULL BLOOM FLOWERS: May 2012

So you know that saying, "Best laid plans...something, something...?" I forget the end, but it means-plan all you want, but something's bound to go wrong. That quote really hit hard for this month's feature bride when Hurricane Irene made landfall in New Jersey in late August 2011.

Bride: Courtney Lauren Berhang
Groom: David Joseph Durski
Date: October 21,2011
Venue: The Addison Park, Aberdeen, NJ
www.theaddisonepark.com
Photography: Jessica Erb www.jessicaerbphotography.com
Colors/Theme: Old Hollywood, pink, black, silver, white

Courtney and David met in high school through a mutual friend, but their love story didn't start til a few years later. They saw each other at a night club and reconnected. David called soon after to ask Courtney on their first date.

Fast forward 8 years. After finishing school, buying a house, and working together through thick and thin, David decided to purpose marriage. He told Courtney they were going to their favorite restaurant to celebrate a huge success of his. At dinner they toasted to new beginnings when David pulled out a ring and asked Courtney to be his wife. She was extremely surprised, "Thank God I went all out in getting ready. I really had no clue. It was a magical evening."

And so began the planning. Courtney fell in love with her venue, The Addison Park in Aberdeen, NJ. The grand staircase and entranceway, with its modern vintage feel and black and white marble floors matched the Old Hollywood theme perfectly. The ceremony was held outdoors in the property's lush gardens. It was the perfect setting to exchange their vows.

Courtney's bouquet consisted of girly blooms of pink dahlias, sexy cymbidium orchids, sophisticated mini calls lilies, and wispy white feathers finished with velvety dusty miller leaves.
Her bridesmaids carried matching bunches of timeless black-eyed gerbera daisies, orchids, and mini callas, all with a rich dusty miller collar, classically tied and studded with crystals.

Pink roses, fluffy hydrangea, orchids, mini callas and feathers were seen throughout the event.

From the guest card table to the chairs of the ceremony, guests were reminded of a time when glamour and elegance was forefront.Round, full arrangements of theme flowers sat atop custom candelabras made by IFB, emulating regal Hollywood. Silver accents and feathers set the stage for dancing and endless amounts of delicious food. "We didn't want our guests to be hungry," says Courtney, of the bash.

Luckily, Courtney and David had an amazing team on their side. When Hurricane Irene came to town, the staff at The Addison Park was happy to accommodate for a date change. "We were supposed to be married on August 28, 2011, but Irene had other plans for us. We were still able to marry outside in October, a bit chilly, but extremely romantic."

Slight adjustments were made to the flower choices. Janene of In Full Bloom worked with the couple to determine the best route. The end result was to use more mellow shades of pink rather than the saturated summer hues.

Unfortunately, Courtney and David incurred extra costs due to the last minute changes. Wedding insurance is a great idea if you're in the planning stages of your wedding. The insurance covers natural disasters, illness, and the like. Do your research and protect yourself against the unexpected. You will remember this day for the rest of your life, including the little hiccups that come along the way.