I'm Engaged - When Do I Book My Florist?

This is a question Julie and I often get asked and the answer really depends on how long you have to plan your wedding. Years ago the general guideline was to start talking to a florists about 4-6 months before the wedding. As many florist produced similarly styled wedding flowers you didn't worry that a florist would be booked, if they were you could just go on to the next one.

Today, all that has changed and all for the better. Modern brides are looking to personalize their weddings and have so many color choices as well as styles to choose from. Finding the "right floral designer" among all the options can be daunting. So in my opinion the earlier you find your floral designer the better, that way you have more options. Otherwise you may find a florist that you love, who meets your budget and everything else, only to find that they are booked for your date. Some floral designers only do 1 to 2 weddings per day so that they may give you all the attention that you deserve.

If you don't already have a favorite floral designer, talk to friends, go to bridal shows, or simply search the web.

Inspiration - Red & White Part II

Here's a second version of the inspiration board I posted yesterday with some design changes. You'll notice the colors are the same but, look how modern and sophisticated the colors look with the changes. The designer cake by Lovin Sullivan; an updated classic red bridesmaids dress; textured stylized monochromatic flowers; Hermes plates; invitations by Alannah Rose

What ever colors, theme or style you choose for your wedding - have fun with it!

posted by Cindy

Inspiration - Red & White

Red and white aren't just for Valentine's Day or Christmas anymore. Weddings pop with these versatile colors. Casual summer fun as as in this board or go sophisticated with red and white (see Part II tomorrow) . Have your bridesmaids wear vibrant red dresses and carry white bouquets of Gerbers, Daisies and Dahlias. To modernize the look choose bouquets and arrangements in monochromatic reds and whites with a hit of green. The red and white dishes were the inspiration for this crisp red and white board.

Theto die for shoes are Christian Louboutin; stationary by Betsy White; teacup and saucer via County Living; vintage red truck Danno 3 via flicker


post by Cindy

Summer Bouquet Idea

Periwinkle blue, orange, purple, hot pink, white and green, make me think of the warm days of summer.
I
love the bright vibrant colors in this bouquet, it's warm without being too hot. It's the prefect balance of hot colors with cool ones, like a beautiful summer day at the beach with a long cool drink.

That sounds so good, I think I've talked myself into a little drive to the beach.

What are your favorite summer colors?

post by Cindy

The 10 Most Popular Wedding Flowers

[the] Earth laughs in flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Calla Lily - as one of the most elegant and simple of all blooms, the Calla Lily has been a popular wedding flower for ages. The simple lines of callas are ideal for modern designed weddings. Its hardy texture and tropical origin also make it an ideal choice for warm summer weddings. Callas come in white, pink, yellow and purple. Depending on the season, you can find mini-callas varieties in shades of red, mauve-pink, ivory and golden-yellow.

Casablanca Lily - these flowers (along with Star Gazer Lilies) are one of my personal favorites. They are very fragrant with a sweet perfume and one of the largest blooms among all the lilies. The huge flowers are pure gleaming white, delicately flocked in a way that adds a richness and texture. Many lily experts call the Casablanca the "perfect white lily". To prevent permanent staining of petals and clothing - remove the anthers. Handle carefully, open flowers crease easily.

Hydrangea - blooms can make for fabulous floral arrangements and add texture and romance to a bridal bouquet. The mophead varieties are so large, the can fill a vase. However, hydrangea can be a bit tricky to work with. Sometimes they last for days and other times they wilt almost immediately after being added to an arrangement or a vase of fresh water. Julie and I won't use them in bridal bouquets in warmer weather as they will wilt. They come in a range of colors and hues such as creamy whites and soft pastels, there are brilliant blues, vivid pinks, and even fuchsia.

Lilacs - prized for their delicate blooms and their deliciously sweet fragrance. Generally available January through March (available other times of the year at a premium). Lilacs don't last well in floral foam and wilt quickly out of water. Available in hues of purple, lavender, mauve, pink and white. The purple-flowered varieties, which have the stronger scent, are only available in spring for a very short season of only around 6 weeks.

Gardenias - are very fragrant creamy-white to cream flowers with glossy, dark-green leaves, either single or double and up to 4 inches in diameter. Although they are a popular flower for corsages, the petals are extremely sensitive to touch which may cause bruising and browning.

Lily of the Valley - have small bell-shaped flowers that infuse the air with a mild sweet fragrance throughout the day. In the Victorian classic, The Language of Flowers, the LOTV is said to symbolize the return of happiness and sweetness. Available year-round, peak season is October - May.

Orchids - come in many varieties, are long lasting, quick to open, do not fade, and do not bruise or spot easily (avoid water on petals). Orchids such as Cymbidiums are thick and heavy, almost waxy in texture; orchids of this heavier substance will generally last longer than more delicate blooms. This is especially true if you will be using single blooms in corsages, bouquets or boutonnieres. They are sensitive to ethylene and cold temperatures.

Rose/Garden Rose - roses have probably been around since the Garden or Eden but, Garden Roses are one of the newer kids on the block as far as wedding flowers go. English/David Austin roses are hybrids of Old Garden Roses and modern hybrid teas and floribundas. Roses are a standard in weddings and come in a wide range of colors and sizes. For a more modern look use fully-opened roses, Garden roses are a bit more expensive than the standard roses, yet they gave a more romantic less formal look to them. Roses symbolize love with each color taking on a special meaning.

Stephanotis - small white lightly fragrant flowers; tubular, star-shaped, waxy blooms, They're sold stemless (off the vine) and packaged in air-tight boxes or bags. Handle with care to avoid bruising. Available year-round; symbolizing happiness in marriage, desire to travel, and good luck.

Tulips - affordable and abundantly available through the spring. I'm particularly fond of the more expensive French tulips' with their long stems and graceful bloom shape. Tulips come in a vast array of colors (except of true blue) so it's easy to find a color to match any wedding scheme. Tulips also come in several different forms, there's the classic style, the ruffled peony-flower, fluffy parrot, and the stately lily flowered tulips. Peak season is January - April; colors: red, pink, white, yellow, orange, purple, and bi-colors. Tulips symbolize perfect love.

posted by Cindy