Friday, February 25, 2011

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers for Flower Girls

By Sophia Rodriguez
http://ezinearticles.com/?Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Flowers-for-Flower...

If you have questions about flowers for flower girls at your wedding and what is appropriate, you are not alone. As a wedding florist in a busy flower shop for 15 years, I noticed that many brides were unsure about what types of flowers were better for flower girls and wanted to know what was appropriate. Here are some of the most popular questions that kept coming up:

What is the most popular floral item for a Flower Girl to carry?

By far, the simplest and most popular item for the flower girl to carry is a basket of petals. This is practical as well as charming since it gives the little one something constructive to do as she is walking down the aisle. Here are a few things to think of before selecting this as the floral item for your chosen girl. First of all, if you are getting married in a church, make sure to double check with your minister if this is permitted in their church. Most churches do not allow live petals to be strewn about since it can stain and be dangerous for slipping if they are damp. Many churches however, do allow silk (artificial) petals to be thrown along the aisle as long as someone is designated to pick them up after the wedding.Hall weddings generally allow artificial petals. If you are getting married outside, live petals are a great option.

Is there a certain age frame that you would recommend for a flower girl to be scattering petals at weddings?

Depending on the age and the character of your flower girl, this may or may not be a good option. Usually, little girls anywhere from 4 to 12 are good candidates for petal scattering. Make sure to ask the flower girl if she would prefer throwing petals or simply carrying a bouquet of flowers in a basket. Keep in mind that after the petals are gone, the little girl will be left with nothing but an empty basket for pictures. A good way to minimize the obviousness of this fact in pictures is to decorate the basket itself or to select a modern fancy basket.

What type of basket should I choose for my Flower Girl?

Use a smallish basket with a handle. White is the number one choice with creme a close second, depending on the color of the bride's and flower girl's dress. Size should be about 7" (17cm) wide and up to11" (28cm) high although it could be smaller or larger depending on the age of the little one. When choosing the basket, keep in mind how the petals will nestle in the basket. Baskets with deeper wells at the center are obviously better for containing more petals than for example a fireside basket that is simply flat, where the petals will simply fall or fly out.

You can buy a simple wicker basket or a fancier sheer material covered basket. They make really nice, elaborate baskets now, specially designed for flower girls. Modern baskets for flower girls are now available in different colors and themes to match the bride's choice of color scheme such as silver, black, brown, plum, etc....Some modern baskets even have beading or rhinestones on them. You can find these baskets online, in craft stores, wedding shops, at select florists and in department stores.

Where can I find artificial flower petals and how do I prepare them once I have them?

You can find these at the same places you will find baskets as described above. Simply fill your basket with the petals and you are ready to go. You can even do this a month or two ahead if you are the type that likes to be super organized in advance. Just make sure that if you do it more than a week before, you wrap the whole basket in a loose plastic bag to prevent dust and dirt from settling on your petals.

If you are thinking of making your own wedding bouquets, you can read more questions and answers in my How To book. You can also follow along step by step to make your corsages, bouquets, centerpieces and church flowers.

Save hundreds of dollars by making your own. It`s all in my handy reference book. All you have to do is follow the instructions and the images and you will end up with gorgeous wedding flowers. Everyone will be complimenting your flowers and you can proudly say that you made them yourself. Their reaction will be priceless. How To Wedding Flowers :http://www.howtoweddingflowers.com

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Justin Bieber Buys Out Flower Shop

From: http://m.aol.com/popeater/default/article.do?artUrl=http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/22/justin-bieber-buys-out-flower-shop-for-selena-gomez/

Justin Bieber pulled out all the stops to treat rumored girlfriend Selena Gomez with something special just days after Valentine's Day. The teenage heartthrob ordered an entire shop's worth of flowers for Gomez, according to TMZ.

Bieber reportedly called in a huge order to a local florist to "fill Selena's house with flowers" -- just because he felt like it. Talk about a romantic gesture. According to TMZ, the florist needed to use all the flowers in the shop to fill the order, and had to use multiple trucks to transport the flowers to the Disney star's house.

The pair have yet to confirm their rumored romance. But from family vacations together to boardwalk dates, it seems like the real deal. We can hear tween hearts breaking across the country.

Justin Bieber Buys Out Flower Shop

From: http://m.aol.com/popeater/default/article.do?artUrl=http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/22/justin-bieber-buys-out-flower-shop-for-selena-gomez/

Justin Bieber pulled out all the stops to treat rumored girlfriend Selena Gomez with something special just days after Valentine's Day. The teenage heartthrob ordered an entire shop's worth of flowers for Gomez, according to TMZ.

Bieber reportedly called in a huge order to a local florist to "fill Selena's house with flowers" -- just because he felt like it. Talk about a romantic gesture. According to TMZ, the florist needed to use all the flowers in the shop to fill the order, and had to use multiple trucks to transport the flowers to the Disney star's house.

The pair have yet to confirm their rumored romance. But from family vacations together to boardwalk dates, it seems like the real deal. We can hear tween hearts breaking across the country.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

2011 bridal and wedding trends

From The Doverpost: http://www.doverpost.com/lifestyle/x449515405/2011-bridal-and-wedding-trends?...

One of the biggest spring 2011 trends wedding planner Lori VanMeter from Springfield, Ill., sees is brides refusing to be limited to one or two colors. “They’re breaking away from that,” said VanMeter, who co-owns Magical Events with Maggie Sanderfield.

“Bridesmaids are all wearing a different color. It’s easier; you don’t have to settle on one color. You’ll have bridesmaids of different coloring, and they get to pick their own (dress) colors.” Gloria Stauffer, wedding planner and owner of Affordable Weddings in Clinton, Ill., said she is seeing bright colors on the plate for her spring weddings. Charcoal paired with yellow, fuscia or bright oranges, along with peacock and peacock colors, are popular this spring, she said. Black bridesmaid gowns are continuing to be popular, too, along with typical spring colors, said Rae Roberts-Griffith, owner of True Colors Floral Artistry in Springfield, Ill. “We’re seeing a lot of fresh greens and melon colors, like a melon-y pink that is lighter than watermelon,” she said. “It’s a very pretty color. I’ve been reading in trade magazines that this is going to be the year of pink.”

The flowers Hand-tied bouquets are big, with smaller bouquets for the bridesmaids — “more of a clutch bouquet, not large,” Roberts-Griffith said. She estimated about 90 percent of brides are opting for the hand-tied bouquets versus the cascading style. To coordinate with the black and spring gown colors, many brides are choosing hues in the one color scheme, she said. “There are a lot of brides this spring that want monochromatic bouquet — different flowers but in same color range,” she said. “If they are going with a pink dress, they might do darker or lighter pink but with the flowers all in the same color. In my shop, I like to use more unusual flowers, like flowers from Hawaii. Hydrangeas and orchids are also still very popular.”

The accessories As for attire, belts on wedding gowns are making a big statement this spring, “from simple satin ribbon to jewel encrusted belts,” Stauffer said. “I’m seeing a lot more pockets in wedding and bridesmaid dresses, and tiny clutch purses to match the dresses are also very popular,” she said. “Girls are going with feathers or crystals on their hairpieces as opposed to long veils. And I’m noticing more gloves coming back. That’s been really different and a surprise to see.” The dress Candice Blindauer, owner of Candice’s Bridal in Springfield, Ill., said fitted and flair gowns are emerging as a 2011 trend. “Fitted is really in. There are a lot more brides showing their figures,” she said. “Even the fuller ball gowns are more fitted. A lot of it is because destination weddings are so popular. Layers and scallops on gowns are really big, too.” Blindauer has noticed more brides opting for hairpieces and headbands over veils, especially headbands with flowers. “We’re seeing a lot of big flowers now in the (dress) skirts and in the hair; it’s really big,” she said.

The reception Planners in Springfield, Ill., say they expected to see the number of invitees dip down into the 100-200 range because of the economy this year, but that isn’t necessarily happening. “There are still quite a few weddings in the 300-range,” Stauffer said. “We’re still seeing a lot of the larger ones.” At the reception site, brides are more interested in decorating the venue, whether it’s paper lanterns or drapes hanging from the ceilings or more backdrops and lights at the reception hall. “We’re doing one wedding where we’re draping the entire ballroom in white satin fabric; it’s gorgeous, to die for,” Stauffer said. “We’re also being asked to light up the centerpieces; we rarely put them out now without some sort of lighting.” Reception traditions also are taking a new turn, VanMeter said. “Brides are still doing the traditional garter toss, but one thing I’m enjoying for the (bouquet) toss is they’ll have a group of three bouquets together and when they throw them, they’ll separate,” she said.

“Couples are also playing more games at the reception.” While 2011 brides are losing interest in chocolate fountains and candy buffets, cigar bars or cigar rollers are finding favor with couples who want to offer something different to their guests. “We’ve got about two or three weddings in the spring that will have a cigar bar or roller,” Stauffer said. “You can’t smoke in the venues, of course, so we’re creating smoking areas outside with nice lounge furniture.”

More couples are choosing to say their vows in the same location as the reception site, Stauffer said, usually to save money. Also, many couples are opting for reception venues that will allow them to bring in their own caterer.

“They’re asking us where they can have their own caterer. That way, they can do it cheaper,” Stauffer said. “Sometimes they’ll have family members do the hors d’oeuvres and cocktail hour, and then a caterer will bring in the meal. And I have seen families do their own dessert bars.”

Some couples are dressing up the reception site with Chiavari chairs, VanMeter said, which have cushions instead of covers. For another change of pace, she is coordinating a reception that will be using old and eclectic china pieces for the table settings. “Brides are definitely getting a little more casual, more eclectic and more unique,” VanMeter said.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Rose Color Chart

Great site to Figure out which rose will coordinate with your wedding theme
http://www.jrroses.com/weddingflowers2.0.html