It was a joy being part of John and Ashley’s big day and really fun to see their church family surround them to help pull off the details of their beautiful day. The weather was gorgeous– particularly considering that there was snow on the ground two days prior. Only in Mississippi… :-)

A big thanks to Rachel Kabukala and Aaron Phillips who shot with me for the day!

Ashley and John- thank you for having us be a part of your wedding day!

Here are a few favorites and make sure to check out the slideshow HERE.

This first image is the one she chose to have printed as a canvas and it turned out beautifully. :-)

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Not only is Lesley super talented, she is a really fun person who loves taking good care of her clients. I have had the opportunity to hang out with Lesely a couple of times now and she was very kind to agree to answering a few questions and letting me take a few photographs of her and her studio to feature here on the blog. If you are a bride planning your wedding and want something unique to you for your florals you definitely need to check out Lesley’s work.

Here is what Lesley has to say, along with some photos of her adorable studio located in the Duling School Building in Fondren.

Tulip

Lesley N Frascogna

622 Duling Avenue • Jackson, MS 39216

601.572.1777

www.tulipdesignstudio.com

Q: What spurred your interest in floral design, how did you get started and what does your business look like today?

I have been working in the catering and event business since I was about 14, working with my Mom on events. I would find myself in a total daze when the florists came to set up, I was absolutely fascinated. When I moved to the city, I decided to get a part-time job at a local Chicago flower shop and it spun out of control from there.  I was officially obsessed!  And, I was good at it too!  A few years later, I opened my own retail flower shop in Chicago called Roscoe Blooms. When I moved to Mississippi to be with my husband in 2006, I started Tulip, which took off almost immediately.  Tulip is great because we only do weddings and special events.  Not having the retail part to worry about really lets me focus on my passion for weddings.  I am in love with my business and It’s a blessing to do what I love everyday!

Q: What is your favorite part of being part of a wedding day?

Do I have to choose one? How about three??

1.)  Seeing the Bride all dressed up, giving her a big hug, and handing her the Bridal bouquet. I have to be the one who hands her the bouquet.  To me, it’s very personal.

2.)  There is nothing like the intense feeling of setting up on a wedding day and working with deadlines.   It is such a rush!!

3.)  The look on everyone’s face when they see how beautiful the flowers are.  When you pour your heart and soul into something, there is nothing better than recognition.

Q: Is there any past wedding that stands out in your mind? What made it so memorable?

Yes!  It was the first wedding I did on my own when I opened Roscoe Blooms.  It was so memorable because it was a nightmare!  I remember thinking, it won’t take me that long to do 12 boutonnieres, 10 bouquets, 6 wrist corsages, and 20 centerpieces, and another party on top of that.  I thought I could do it all on my own too.  I was so wrong!  I don’t know how I pulled it off, but I did.  I can still feel the panic and anxiety from that day.   Wow!  I have come a long way from that first wedding!!

Q: What wedding trends do you see here in Mississippi?

Less is becoming more in Mississippi.  The days of overpowering floral arrangements filled with excess greenery and filler are coming to an end.  Brides are realizing that smaller arrangements packed full of beautiful, simple blooms say a lot more than that enormous urn arrangement.  Unique containers are also becoming a huge trend.  At Tulip our Brides are into using things like wooden boxes, milk glass, antique vases, and apothecary jars as opposed to your typical bubble bowl.  Containers make a huge statement and can completely change the look of an event.

Q: Are there any wedding trends you have taken note of in other parts of the country that you wish Mississippi brides incorporated into their weddings?

I so miss sit down dinner receptions.  It’s not so much a trend as it is a tradition in most parts of the country.  I miss the details of the sit-down reception.  The dinnerware, the china, the menu, the linen, and the seating cards.  All of the details that come together to create an amazing tablescape.  The Southern receptions are more of an open house cocktail reception without place settings. I have yet to do a seated reception in Mississippi, but I feel 2010 is my year.  Help a girl out Southern Brides!

Q: What is one thing that brides may not realize about floral design that they should consider when looking to hire a florist?

I think that a lot of Brides are under the impression that a floral designer will adapt to their style. Not every florist can give you what you need.  You need to choose a floral designer that fits your personal style.  For example, Jackson is a very traditional flower market.  If I have a Bride that comes to me for Traditional style flowers I will refer them somewhere else.  I guess I can do traditional if I want, but that is not my thing.  To me, floral design is personal and it’s also an art form, you wouldn’t ask a landscape artist to create an abstract masterpiece would you?  I want a Bride to come to me because she appreciates my style of design and she wants me to do my thing.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give a bride planning her wedding?

Please set a budget for everything in the beginning!!  You will save your vendors a ton of time and yourself a lot of headaches. If you set a budget, you can be much more realistic about the things that you can have and you can prioritize.  It makes everyone involved much happier!

Because photography is my profession, my client’s images take priority and my personal images get dumped onto a hard drive into a folder to be revisited whenever I have a chance, which in the case of 2009 meant being revisited in January of 2010. So, I have spent the last couple of months going through last years personal stuff–about 3800 images– and ended up with a little more than 860 images that I am keeping. That’s really not that many for an entire year. This year I have every intention of keeping up with my personal stuff. Here are a few favorites from 2009. It is amazing how much Emma changed from the beginning of the year to the end.

Playing in Daddy’s boots. She still loves to do this.

This little girl has some of the funniest faces!

This is the evidence of a thoroughly enjoyed chocolate chip cookie–just in case you were wondering.

Why do we as parents buy our children toys? They always opt for the box it came in!

Jon is way more fun than me.

Summer camping with the Grandparents. Campers begin to feel very small with 4 adults a 1 year old and a dog. We had a great time though and I would do it again.

I think we lived with a ‘tent’ in the living room for about 3 weeks. I’m happy to report that the unfinished chair is now entirely recovered. :-)

Who knew a cookie sheet and shaving cream could be so fun?!

Emma really wanted to have a tea party. I couldn’t pass up this photo opportunity.

Emma: “I want to be a ‘rina’!”

Our front yard has oak trees which means tons of acorns. The ritual every time we leave to go somewhere– Emma walks to the edge of the garage and picks up an acorn to take with us. My mom calls it her calling card b/c she finds them at her house and has found them at my dad’s office after we have stopped in for a visit.

We have had more snow in Mississippi this year than I can remember ever having in the past. Emma enjoyed every minute she could spend out in it.

Her first carousel ride. I think she liked it. :-)

A random family tradition growing up was that mom and dad always put a can of Pringles in our stocking. Random I know. One year they didn’t put them in and everyone got mad. They didn’t make that mistake twice. Here is Emma enjoying her stocking Pringles at 9:00 am on Christmas morning in her new tent, dressed in a new dress up outfit.

My little brothers got a mini motor bike for Christmas (I don’t know what has happened to my parents over the years). I attempted to ride it around the yard a few times– one of those times resulted in a nasty crash. The onlookers found it entertaining and I am still being teased for the incident. My brother grabbed this picture– this is proof of why I should stay behind the camera. :-)

I really love engagement sessions because while I have probably already met a couple before their session, as I had with Whitney and Travis, it is during their engagement session when I really get a good sense of their personality and the dynamics of their relationship. Whitney is more reserved, very easy going and kind hearted with a fabulous smile. Travis is also laid back and has a great sense of humor. Together they just fit. Totally comfortable with each other.

Whitney and Travis, I had a great time hanging out. You are both so fun and I am really looking forward to your wedding in a few weeks! Oh, and I think I proved you wrong–you two are awesome in front of the camera. At least in front of my camera anyway. :-)

A jumping shot at Travis’ request. You guys both caught some nice air. :-)

I love how Travis can get Whitney laughing.

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Thanks Miss Clara for letting me come over to play. I can’t wait until next time!

Here are a few favorites. And since I couldn’t narrow it down to a reasonable number of blog images HERE is a slideshow with a few more. :-)

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Finally today the first Erin Fults Photographer newsletter went out! Yay! If you would like to get my monthly email newsletter you can look above and click on the ‘Newsletter’ link in the nav bar, enter your email address in the box and hit submit. I’m offering some fun things, exclusively to newsletter subscribers, for any January and February portrait sessions.

I hope you will join me…

•• erin

Since no post is complete without a photo, here is one from a recent portrait session. I will be sharing more from this session within the next couple of weeks.

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