Christmas Cozy Engagement →

This styled engagement shoot took place at Beech Hill Barn, a beautiful estate which doubles as a horse farm and wedding venue. Emily Elizabeth Events conceptualized the shoot and curated an intimate engagement on a quiet farm in Maine. Jamie Mercurio's saturated photos captured it all perfectly.

We used local Ilex berries, Pepperberry, Balsam, Cedar, Rose Hips, Ranunculus, Amaryllis and (our favorite) Kiwi Vine.

Beech Hill Barn

We loved all the little details and pops of red and green throughout.

The stunning view from the barn.

Planner: Emily Elizabeth Events | Venue: Beech Hill Barn | Flowers: Pretty Flowers | Photography: Jamie Mercurio | Hair: Aphrodite Salon | Baker: Nothing Bakes Like a Parrot | Paper Goods: The Chatty Press | Jewelry: Attos Antique & Estate Jewelry | Dress: Anthropologie | Models: AJ Bouffard and Kristen Stogsdill 

Rich Color for a Fall Wedding →

Kris and Andy hired us to create a fall themed wedding with rich, deep colors and textures. Kris was laid back throughout the process and was open to whatever we thought would look best, without restrictions. 

We work tirelessly to create floral arrangements and bouquets that exceed a client's expectations, having the freedom and trust to make most of the decisions often allows us to do our best work. 

Andy's boutonniere was altered last minute when Amy found adorable green acorns on a stem at the flower market in Chelsea, MA. Hand picking the flower product we use for weddings allows us to create unique arrangements with the best quality we can find. 

Pedestals were handmade by Amy and the guys at Hammond Lumber. We used locally grown Amaranth and Continus, Roses, Protea, Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, Sea Star Fern, Copper Beech, Pampas grass and other fantastic foliage from the flower market in MA

Summer wedding at Beech Hill Barn →

Beech Hill Barn is one of the nicest barn venues in Maine. Located in Pittston, Maine, the farm has horses and the owners, Priscilla and Jay live on site.

Priscilla and Jay both have an attention to detail. She mentioned to me that she researched barn venues for a year in order to create the ideal venue. I was particularly impressed with the outdoor space. There were designated areas for cocktail hour and a place to  enjoy cocktails while playing yard games.

I also noticed the careful consideration that went into her vendors' needs. There was an area tucked away for caterers that even had an outdoor sink-- something I haven't seen in my years of wedding set ups.  This wedding was catered by one of the premier caterers in Maine- Blue Elephant. They, too, are known for their impeccable attention to detail.

Beech Hill Barn also offers a beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony- with a stationary arbor and white wooden benches. The walk down to the site is beautiful. The path meanders through fields of Lupines- we were lucky enough to catch the tail end of the season. 

Flowers: Pretty Flowers | Venue: Beech Hill Barn | Photography: Ashley Scott Photography | Catering: Blue Elephant

How to Overwinter Dahlias

Overwintering Dahlias takes a little time and effort but the reward is well worth it.

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12 SIMPLE STEPS

1. Label your plants at the base with a heavy duty tag and string or wire. Include the name, color and height if known.

2. Cut the plants down to about 2.5’ from the ground. Carefully loosen the soil around the plant with a gardener’s fork. Teasing the dirt loose from around the plant’s roots (tubers). When you’ve carefully loosened the soil enough, gently release the plant from the ground in one whole piece. Use the 2.5’ stalk if necessary, to help pull the plant out. If your gardening tools pierced or sliced a tuber, they won’t be a viable plant to overwinter.

3. Trim off the bulk of that green material- leaving a 6” nub. Remember to keep the plant label attached to the tuber. You may need to reattch it with string or another wire.

4. Bring the tubers into a basement or to a cool, dry space and allow the stems and tubers to dry out for about 2 weeks. Any dirt that was caked on when removed from the ground, will easily sluff off with a dust broom once dry.

5. Dust off any dirt and carefully separate any mushy tubers from the bunch. These will contaminate the tubers and cause the good parts to rot if not removed.

6. Purchase a large block of peat moss and prep your planting area with dry cardboard boxes.

7. Fill the cardboard box with a layer of peat moss and carefully place the labeled tubers flat- leaving room between each grouping.

8. Cover the 1st layer with a little more peat moss, then a row of newspaper, then peat moss and tubers and repeat. Each box shouldn’t have more than 3 layers of tubers.

9. Around the month of February, you can plant them in grow pots with slightly damp peat moss (moistened with a spray bottle) making sure the stem nub is exposed and the plant is labeled with a tag.

10. Place grow pots in a warm sinny spot in your house and don’t water until you see signs of life (green leaf shoots).

11. In early June when the weather is warm, plant them in the ground so that the base of the plant (the eye) is even with the top of the soil.

12. Water according to the weather.

A Naturalized Garden in West Bath →

I love this garden. We have the pleasure of maintaining this beautiful property in West Bath which was designed by Ann Kearsley of Portland, Maine and installed by Gardenform of Lunenburg, Massachusetts. 

With chunky pieces of granite blocks and curbing, you can't help but look down when you walk.

A naturalized garden utilizes native plants which are low maintenance and adapt well to soil and water conditions in the area. These types of gardens also help the ecology and eliminate the need for pesticides. 

Hayscented fern and Blueberry sod.

We visit this property once a week to do selective weeding and watering. The new plantings need special attention until they've established strong enough roots. 

A New Headshot →

We wanted to freshen up the website, so we called up the immensely talented, Jamie Mercurio- who, also happens to live close by in the town of Bath, Maine. If you're not familiar with Jamie, you should be. Not only is she incredibly talented behind the camera, she's also hilarious.

Working in a home studio isn't necessarily always glamorous, but it is convenient and a comfortable to place to create (with a dog always by your side).

Photo credit: Jamie Mercurio

Photo credit: Jamie Mercurio

Flowers provided by: East of Eden Flower Farm & New England Flower Exchange | Photography: Jamie Mercurio Photography | Home based studio: Brunswick, Maine

Container Gardens at Wild Oats →

I look forward to creating and installing summer planters every spring. We try to shop locally as much as we can. One of our favorite suppliers is Longfellow's Nursery in Manchester, Maine. Almost all of the annuals came from there- with the exception of a truckload of herbs grown by Chaz and Linda Gill from Kennebec Flower Farm. 

Hunting for product can be a lot of fun, but almost always requires multiple stops. Some nurseries are known for more unusual annuals, others are known for having larger quantities of the staples.  

The most important component of successful pots (besides healthy plants and plenty of fertilizer) is the soil. We only use Coast of Maine and we try to always get it from Brooks Feed & Farm in town. 

Annuals: Longfellow's Greenhouses | Herbs: Kennebec Flower Farm | Soil & Fertilizer: Brooks Feed & Farm | Best Lunch Spot: Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe, Brunswick, Maine

Wisteria and Sage →

Kirsten and Matt's ceremony and reception was held at The Barn at Silver Oaks Estate in Winthrop, Maine on a hot July evening. 

Kirsten's bouquet was a palette of pastel colored flowers: Cafe au Lait Dahlias, 'Caramel Antike' garden roses, locally grown Sweetpeas, Ranunculus and purple succulents.

Photography: Silverbell Photography | Venue: The Barn at Silver Oaks Estate | Flowers: Pretty Flowers | Caterer: The Black Tie Company

The Beauty is in the Details →

Amy and Keith's Wedding was one of our favorites, with its' vibrant jewel tones set perfectly against the misty and damp October day at a private residence in Auburn. Many thanks to Emily Elizabeth Events and Jamie Mercurio for creating and capturing the beauty of this special day. 

Photo credit: Jamie Mercurio Photography

Photo credit: Jamie Mercurio Photography

Floral arrangements: Pretty Flowers | Maine | Event Design: Emily Elizabeth Events | Photography: Jamie Mercurio Photography