Inspiration - Purple, Fuchsia and Green Wedding Board

I can't believe it's been a month+ since my last post!  What can I say kids but spring is a busy season for me.  Not only with business but with our lovely 2 1/2 acre property and although we don't landscape all of it, it still has to be maintained. Boy howdy, all I can say is thank God for Paul (my gardener extraordinar), I'd be lost in a jungle of overgrowth without him.  Sometime I'll share some pixs of my lovely garden, until then check out blossomvalleygarden.com (our home).


I haven't done any inspiration boards in a while but I found myself a little under the weather this week. What better way to spend a few hours in bed than to be creative. This loverly board came about when I found the image from the domestikated life of the purple couch. From there I found small details like the  green necklace, purple feather fascinator and the rest followed suit. I love everything in these jewel tones because they're so rich and alive - the colors envelope and pop at the same time.  


Enjoy,
Cindy

May Flowers

There are countless list of different flowers, foliages, and organic materials available each month.  Some year round (or almost) and some seasonal.  I'm going to start doing a series of monthly flowers but, instead of listing everything that's available, I'll list the more seasonal flowers, foliages that I'm finding in the local flower market. Below each, I'll attempt to list some helpful facts, that I hope you brides will enjoy!

Anemone - a poppylike flower of the Ranunculaceae family.  Available in red, white, blue, and purple – last week I saw a color I’d not seen before and it was the most delicious iridescent shade of a blueish purple –loved it (see above)

Dogwood Branches-available mainly in white, pale green-available in various lengths

Garden Roses
-limited availability
-available in various colors

Iceland Poppy - limited availability - some red with black centers

Parrot Tulips 
-available mainly in white/green, peach/green, pink/green
-weak stems, not great out of water

Peony - available mainly in white, barely blush, pink, medium pinks, deep burgundy, hot coral-often grown on a shrub, not a hothouse flower

  

  Peony Tulips - large tulips up to 4" across are also referred to as double late tulips -limited availability -available mainly in hot pink, cream, coral pink

 Ranunculus -limited availability -available in many colors

Sweet Peas -available mainly in white, light pink, hot pink, purple, lavender (see to the right)

Viburnum'Snowball'
-available mainly in bright green, soft pale green, creamy green
-available in various lengths and also as as tall branches
-the younger it is, the bright; tends to fade lighter as it ages

From the Garden Bouquet

I just love the colors of this fresh spring bouquet, yellow peony tulips, garden roses and orange ranunculus. I purchased these beautiful full yellow peony tulips and picked some bright orange ranunculus for a bit of pop and "Just Joey" garden roses from my garden.  I just adore my rose garden all fifty bushes and so now you know what I do in my spare time!  

Peony Substitutes

After my last post on the limited availability on peonies you might be saying to your self – great so now what?  The question - what’s a bride to do if she’s just gaga over peonies and getting married at a time when peonies aren't available? 

If you love flowers like lush peonies, then you will love the large full look of garden roses.  English Garden Roses - many types have that same round cabbage style opening.  These roses are generally bigger than hybrid teas and have an incredible look very much like peonies, often with a divine scent to go with them. These roses are gorgeous in bouquets (see photo above) and centerpieces that are overflowing from garden urns.  Garden roses do have some limitations however; they are more expensive and fragile than hybrid roses.  While trying to get them all to open just right they can shatter (loose all their petals) while some may not open and so your florist will often have to order extras for that reason and they are not available in the winter.  

Other great alternatives include:

Fancy Carnations - some carnations look like the center of peonies but they are much smaller in size.

 Dahlias - some like the cafe au lait are so large in size that they remind me of peonies

Football  Mum – large showy head in white, yellow, lavender, and bronze/coral

Polo' roses - a creamy white large headed rose with an excellent petal count.  Sometimes opens into a gorgeous classic cup.

Always remember to consult a floral designer who has specific knowledge about what is available.  There are several possibilities but it's important to see what's available in the local wholesale arena. And though these are just a few ideas, the key is to trust your event professional with these decisions.

I hope this is helpful and as always thanks for stopping by!
Cindy

Peonies - The Perfect Wedding Flower

Peony flowers are one of the most popular wedding flowers and looking at them it’s easy to see why. What a stunning flower - elegant, romantic, fluffy and so lush with all those soft ruffled petals.

Peonies lend themselves well to a vintage vision, an old world look, or a romantic garden wedding.  The presumption that they are a perfect wedding flower is evident because they are everywhere – in magazines, on blogs and in many florist portfolios. 

Which is why I wasn’t surprised when I had several brides recently ask me about Peonies for their respective late summer, autumn weddings.  There’s only one problem with this dreamy flower – availability. 

As much as I would like to say that you can get these glorious garden blooms any time of the year, I would be misleading you.  Peonies are a herbaceous perennial. Which means they grow and bloom over spring and summer, then die down at the end of the growing season (autumn-winter) to the soil level? They return the next spring from their root-stock.

In other words, there are no peonies in the summer, autumn, or winter that are grown domestically in the States or in a natural environment. In Southern California peonies are considered a spring flower and are only offered May – June.  That’s only about 4-6 weeks!   Most plants will only flower for a week or two weeks at a time. The only reason why we have cut peonies longer is that growers plant them carefully so that there is a SUCCESSION of continuous blooms.  Did you know that?

Please keep this in mind that this is coming from a floral designer based in San Diego. What I say is based on what I've learned and experienced during my life as a wedding floral designer. The information above does not apply to other areas of the world or different parts of the country. 

Until next time …

Cindy

In The Pink

Luscious, flirtatious and feminine pink, what a fabulous color for a spring wedding.








flowers by Lilies of the Field

Let's Hear It For The Boys!

The bride and her choice of flowers have traditionally been the focus for florist/floral designers and that still holds true today.  After all we women just seem to be more interested in the flowers then our guys do, although some of this may be changing.  The grooms of today are getting more involved in the wedding planning process than ever before.  Go grooms!  So today I thought we’d focus on the boys for a bit! 

You know what I love about today’s boutonnieres?  The possibilities are endless!   And while your classic traditional rose, calla lily, or orchid boutonniere will never go out of style, there are many other styles that can showcase any personality. 

While the boutonniere should incorporate some of the same floral elements as the bride’s bouquet, it should also work with the style of the suit.  It should be just the right size (not to small, and for goosh’s sake, not too big!) and it needs to complement the overall color palette of the wedding. Quite a lot of thought needs to go into this tiny little adornment.

Below are some great examples to show off to your groom  and then ask him if he has any opinions about his boutonniere – you just might be surprised!

Here are some updated classics, after all your classic groom’s red rose boutonniere doesn’t have to be his dad’s Boutonnière.

Enjoy,
Cindy

Happy Easter

photo from Martha Stewart

Spring Is In The Air

A change of pace in this posting.  Maybe it the beautiful spring weather were having here in San Diego, or maybe it's the fact that I feel things closing in around me (literally!) but my monthly newsletter from Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro could not have come at a better time!  


The article I'm posting from her is full of great organizing tips that can be done in 10 minutes per day.  No matter how busy we all are surely we have 10 minutes a day to make our lives more manageable!  I've chosen the 10 extra emails a day for 10 days-         

What Can You Do in 10 Minutes for 10 Days?

by Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro                                   

  I like to send out 10 tips on many things. After recently filming my new 7-week “Simplify Your Life” DVD series (available April 1), I realized you really can simplify your life in 10 Minutes for 10 Days! Here's some examples of topics I cover in the new DVD series.

  1. Delete 10 extra email a day for 10 days. Result? If you have 99 email now, in 10 days you will have cleared your In-box!

 2. Put away 10 papers a day for 10 days. Result? In 10 days you will have filed or recycled 100 papers from your desk!

 3. Donate 10 items a day 10 days from your closet, drawers, and closet shelves. Result? In 10 days you will have 100 belts, socks, earrings, sweaters, jackets, slacks, jeans to donate – and a lot more breathing room.

 4. Weed out 10 items a day for 10 days from your kitchen. Result? You will have recycled pots, pans, canned goods, mismatched mugs and dishes and helped a Homeless Shelter with 100 useful things!

 5. Recycle 10 magazines, catalogs, and newspapers a day for 10 days. Result? You’ll speed read and catch up on your reading and clear paper clutter you’ve been meaning to get to.

 6. Clear 10 items a day for 10 days from your flat surfaces. Result? Coffeetables, kitchen counters, desktops, and end tables will make your home look clutterfree.

 7. Choose 10 books to giveaway for 10 days. Result? You will have cleared your bookcases and put 100 great books back into circulation.

 8. Organize 1 drawer for 10 minutes a day for 10 days. Result? Ten dresser and desk drawers are cleaned out.

 9. Clean up one area of the garage for 10 minutes a day for 10 days. Result? It depends on your garage, but it definitely should be cleaner.

 10. Read one book for 10 minutes a day for 10 days. Result? You can cover 100 pages and finish up a book you’ve wanted to read.

        Focus on one of the 10 topics above for 10 days.  Then sequence another one right after it. You’ll be amazed at how little time it takes. You can get 10 projects done in 100 days!

For more great tips from Marcia click on link: http://www.organizingpro.com/articles.html 

Happy organizing,

Cindy

Aisle Style

Today’s brides are always looking for great ideas to personalize a wedding ceremony. It’s clear that the two key areas for décor are the stage or altar area and the aisle. Aisles draw the eye towards the couple and create a foreground for the most important promise you will make. Today’s brides are using all kinds of creative ways to keep the foreground creative and indicative of the event as a whole. The latest trend that is literally sweeping down aisles across the country is petal patterns.

Rose petals have also been a part of traditional aisle décor but these ideas are anything but traditional.  Weddings are large events with unified themes and the aisle can be the beginning of that creation with creative use of design in rose petals as well as in creating architectural features and drawing the eye towards the landscape.  Paisley, diamond and even monogram patterns are all popular options. A swirly, paisley pattern is more fun and playful, while a diamond pattern is more geometric and modern.

Who knew something so simple and traditional could be so new!

posted by Cindy

Wedding Flowers 101

Get started planning your wedding day floral scheme with this introduction to flowers. 

Overview:

Aside from the occasion get-well arrangement you buy, chances are you’re a novice when it comes to flowers. However, now you are a bride–to–be planning your dream wedding, and suddenly you must make decisions on bouquets, boutonnieres, reception centerpieces and ceremony arrangements. Overwhelming? We know! Fortunately, we are here to guide you through this process so you can enjoy planning your wedding flowers without wilting from the stress. Read through these useful tips and if you have any questions not answered here, ask us.

Discover Your Style

Close your eyes and envision the perfect look to your wedding. Will it be formal or casual? Elaborate or simple? Bold or neutral colors? Are you a traditionalist in favor of roses or lilies, or do you favor a more contemporary floral theme incorporating grasses, fruits and herbs? Your wedding flowers are more than eye candy; they set the ambiance for the entire event. Knowing your wedding style is a start in the right direction, because you’ll want to choose blossoms that match the formality of your wedding day. Get tons of wedding flower ideas from bridal magizines or seach the internet for hundreds of pictures of wedding flowers..

Pick Your Palette

Your color scheme should flow directly from your desired style. Today’s floral trends embrace an anything goes mentality, from wedding flowers in traditional whites and pastels to modern and adventurous dark hues and citrus shades. Flowers in matching shades or cool contrasts are breathtaking, but make sure they coordinate with your overall wedding theme. Choose your wedding colors accordingly, and your wedding will express your spirit. If you are still not sure where to begin, bring a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch when you meet with your florist and choose coordinating shades.

Seasonal Wedding Flowers

You know your floral theme and you’ve chosen your color scheme. When deciding on the specific blooms your want in your arrangements, be sure to consider the season in which you are marrying. Consult a your local florist for the best answer, or a wedding flowers by seasons guide for help

Hiring a Florist

Even the most creative and artistic bride will benefit from a florist’s professional capabilities. Your wedding day will be full of activity, and you won’t want to spend vital hours fumbling with the wiring of each bouquet. A florist is not necessarily a budget breaker; a good one should be able to work with any floral budget.

Your Floral Budget

Let’s face it: Determining how much wedding flowers cost is probably not the aspect of your wedding you’ve been dreaming of since grade school. You may see your floral budget as the biggest nemesis between you and your wedding flowers. If you plan wisely, however, you should have enough money to create the floral theme of your desires. Expect to spend about 10% of your overall budget on wedding flowers. 

posted by Cindy

St. Patrick Day Wedding

Happy St. Patty's day!  Just for fun, unless your planning your own St. Patrick's Day wedding, check out the link for an inspirational green wedding.  Always & Forever Blog  http://alwaysandforeverllc.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/st-patricks-day-wedding/

Wedding Floral Tips – 5 Things to Avoid When Planning Your Wedding Flowers

 1) Valentine’s Day + Weddings = Expensive flowers

As romantic as it may sound to plan a Valentine’s Day wedding, beware of the cost of flowers around that time of year!  About three weeks before Valentine’s Day, the prices of ALL flowers (especially roses) start to creep upward.

As a wholesale buyer, I can expect to pay four or more times the regular price for roses, and about 25% more for red, white, or pink flowers of any other variety. All other flowers go up at least 20%.

What does that mean for you, the bride? Don’t plan a wedding too close to Valentine’s Day . . . unless you don’t mind spending extra money for your flowers.  Even the day after Valentine’s Day is too close, because your flowers typically need to arrive three days before you need them to allow time for processing and arranging.

Plan your wedding for at least four days after Valentine’s Day to avoid paying for expensive flowers.

2)  Other Costly Holidays

Stay away from other holidays such as Mother’s Day and Christmas for the same reason as Valentine’s Day. However, flower prices generally go up a mere 10-15% for these holidays, compared to Valentine’s Day, when flower prices rise 50-75%.

3) Types of Flowers

Don’t set your mind on a particular type of flower unless you know it is available around the time of your wedding … or you don’t care what it costs. Although flowers can be ordered from anywhere in the world, you’ll need to factor in the import costs, which includes fuel.

At today’s fuel prices, that will dramatically increase your wedding expenses. Instead, rely on your florist to give you suitable alternatives for the season in which you’ll be getting married: similar shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. You’re way ahead of the game if you stick to flowers that are available locally at the time of your wedding.

4)  The Heat

Consider what the weather is likely to be at the time of year you’re getting married, particularly if any part of your wedding is to be held outdoors. Some flowers hold up better than others in the heat, but so be realistic. If the temperature outside is 90 degrees or higher, everything melts … the flowers, the drinks, the people!

5)  Friday and Sunday Discounts

If you choose to get married on a Friday or Sunday, most facilities will give you a pretty good discount. But keep in mind that most businesses are closed on Sundays, so expect to pay a little extra for Sunday deliveries from florists, rental companies, bakeries, etc. 


post by Cindy